# Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times > Malawi premier news source updated 24 Hours a day > Generated by All in One SEO Pro v5.0.3, this is an llms-full.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. ## Posts ### [Speaker hits back at Namalomba: 'Who is he to tell me to produce evidence?'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/speaker-hits-back-at-namalomba-who-is-he-to-tell-me-to-produce-evidence/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Speaker Sameer Suleman and Information Minister Shadric Namalomba have traded savage blows over allegations of corruption, with neither man prepared to back down. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784753281357-1-600x400.jpg)Suleman challenges Namalomba on evidence requestIt all kicked off on Saturday when Suleman, preaching at prayers in Lilongwe, blasted corruption as a cancer that is choking the country’s development. Namalomba, who is also government spokesman, fired back on Facebook, demanding the Speaker produce evidence. He gave him seven days to take his claims to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) or stop making them altogether. Suleman laughed off the ultimatum. “I do not know in what capacity he is making these calls,” he snapped. “Who is he to tell me to produce evidence? Is he aware of the laws?” He insisted Parliament must first be allowed to carry out its own probes so it can hand findings to the authorities. And he fired a broadside at critics who say MPs have no business investigating crime. Suleman pointed to a string of inquiries already under way, including one into the theft of drugs and another into the Chikangawa plane crash. “Why are they not stopping us if we do not have powers?” he demanded. “He has to read the Constitution patiently.” But the law is far from black and white. Retired Supreme Court Justice Dustain Mwaungulu says Parliament can investigate criminal matters, but it cannot decide guilt or prosecute anyone. If MPs uncover a crime, he says, they must pass it to the proper bodies. The clash is the latest blow-up in a bitter stand-off between the Speaker and the Executive, and the question now is whether Parliament’s oversight powers will be tested in court. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** corruption, Sameer Suleman, Shadrec Namalomba --- ### [Musowa: MPs must scrutinise government projects with better information](https://www.nyasatimes.com/musowa-mps-must-scrutinise-government-projects-with-better-information/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s MPs have been ordered back to the classroom, and the First Deputy Speaker has made it clear that there is no room for ignorance in the House. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792462337421-600x400.jpg)First Deputy Speaker Victor Musowa says lawmakers need better knowledge of technology, legislation and oversight to meet public expectations.Victor Musowa made his blunt call on Monday, October 19, when he opened the fourth and final intake of the Parliamentary Training Programme (PTP) at the Malawi School of Government in Lilongwe. “Honourable Members, training lies at the core of the agenda of the Right Honourable Speaker for this parliamentary term: to ensure effective and impactful oversight,” he told the packed hall. Musowa said the course gives MPs the know-how to do their jobs properly, from making laws to holding the government to account. And he warned that the lessons must show up on the floor of the House, in committee rooms and in constituencies, not just on a certificate. He painted a picture of the modern lawmaker that the public now expects: someone who strides into the chamber armed with tech savvy and a firm grip on how laws are made. “The world out there is looking at a legislator who walks into the chamber with enough knowledge on technology, enough knowledge on legislative processes, enough knowledge on the creation of the law,” he said. And he had a message for MPs who let the government off the hook. Musowa urged them to question why similar projects can come with wildly different price tags. “For us to deliberate to that level, we need information, we need ideas, we need skills and that is why we are here, back to class to learn,” he declared. Parliament, he insisted, must be a hotbed of informed debate, with MPs zeroing in on development issues and scrutinising every government project. He also claimed the House has already got through almost half of its planned work for this period and is on course to have eight reports ready when it resumes on November 9. And the public is watching, he said. “Come next sitting of Parliament, we are going to have reports of all the areas, even reports from institutions that people don’t know that we are already consulting them,” he said. Malawi School of Government Kanengo Campus director Christine Siame didn’t mince her words either. “If they don’t know what they are supposed to be doing, certainly it will be a problem. It will be a challenge even for the development of our nation,” she warned. The training programme dates back to the early 1990s and is designed to sharpen MPs’ debating and decision-making skills, and to strengthen democracy in the process. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Malawi Parliament, Victor Musowa --- ### [Chipungu visits Mulanje to see Habitat homes rise from a master plan](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-visits-mulanje-to-see-habitat-homes-rise-from-a-master-plan/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu toured Habitat-backed houses at Nanchidwa as part of Malawi’s World Habitat Day and World Cities Day celebrations** Lands, Housing and Urban Development Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu paid a courtesy call on Mulanje District Council Tuesday before touring new homes at Nanchidwa, built with support from Habitat for Humanity Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261020-WA0008-600x400.jpg)Chipungu: Ministerial visit puts spotlight on Mulanje’s new housing scheme![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261020-WA0005-600x400.jpg) ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261020-WA0007-600x400.jpg) ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261020-WA0003-600x277.jpg) The visit was designed to recognise the housing work under way and to check how well a layout plan drawn up by the Ministry’s Department of Housing is guiding the growth of the settlement. Planners hope the scheme will show that well-organised neighbourhoods can be built in Malawi. Officials say the initiative is about more than bricks and mortar. Proper physical planning, they argue, is key to creating orderly communities and giving families a decent place to live. The trip forms part of Malawi’s joint commemoration of World Habitat Day and World Cities Day 2026. This year’s theme calls for sustainable human settlements and decent housing for everyone, a goal that Nanchidwa is now being held up to illustrate. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, Habitat for Humanity, Housing --- ### [Malawi families squeezed again as cost of basic needs surges](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-families-squeezed-again-as-cost-of-basic-needs-surges/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawian households have been dealt another painful cost of living blow after the amount needed by a typical family of six to cover basic needs climbed to almost K1.15 million a month in September. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_20261019_121647-750x575-1-600x460.jpg)Cost of living crisis deepens as families need K1.15m a month to surviveA new report by the Employers’ Consultative Association of Malawi (Ecam) shows the cost of living rose by 3.18 per cent in September 2026, pushing the monthly budget required for essentials, including transport, from K1.11 million in August to nearly K1.15 million. The increase comes even as headline inflation eased from 20 per cent in August to 19.4 per cent in September, underlining a harsh reality for struggling families: prices are still rising, just at a slower pace. For the average household, the latest jump means finding an extra K40,000 every month simply to maintain the same standard of living. The figures highlight the growing squeeze on workers and families already battling to keep up with soaring costs of food, transport and other essentials. While falling inflation is often seen as a sign of economic relief, it does not mean goods and services are becoming cheaper. Instead, prices continue to increase, leaving households facing ever-higher bills despite the slowdown in the pace of price rises. The findings also expose the crucial difference between inflation and the cost of living. Inflation measures how quickly prices are rising, whereas the cost-of-living index reflects the actual amount of money families need to meet everyday expenses. The latest increase is likely to deepen concerns about household purchasing power, particularly for workers whose wages have failed to keep pace with the rising cost of essential goods and services. Ecam’s September assessment suggests that lower inflation alone is unlikely to bring immediate relief to families, with the overall cost of sustaining a household continuing its relentless upward march. For many Malawians, the message is stark: although inflation may be cooling, the pressure on family budgets shows little sign of easing. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** Malawi Economy --- ### [Transport costs surge in Malawi as fuel scarcity bites](https://www.nyasatimes.com/transport-costs-surge-in-malawi-as-fuel-scarcity-bites/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Fuel shortages at the end of September lifted average monthly transport spending in Malawi by 14.3 per cent, according to research by the Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (Ecam). ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261006_031513_Chrome-600x323.jpg)Snaking queues at filling stationsEcam’s latest cost of living analysis puts average monthly transport spending at K160,000 in September, up from K140,000 in August. The rise came as shortages at filling stations towards the end of the month pushed up the cost of getting around. The extra K20,000 is money that would otherwise have gone on food, school fees, rent and other essentials. “Transport costs increased due to fuel scarcity experienced at the end of September, resulting in higher transportation costs,” the study says. The effects of a fuel shortage reach well beyond the pumps. Workers who rely on public transport to get to their jobs, parents paying to get children to school and small traders travelling to buy and sell goods all feel the squeeze. Low-income earners are hit hardest. Their wages are unlikely to keep pace with higher fares, leaving less to cover basic needs. The impact also spreads through the wider economy. When businesses face higher distribution costs, they tend to pass them on, feeding into the prices of goods and services. Transport accounts for a large share of household spending, so prolonged fuel shortages could deepen the cost-of-living squeeze, making it more expensive for people to earn a living, reach essential services and meet their daily needs. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Fuel, Malawi Economy --- ### [Pakistan examines diplomat claim by Malawi businessman Chaudhry ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pakistan-examines-diplomat-claim-by-malawi-businessman-chaudhry/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Pakistani authorities are examining the circumstances in which a Malawi-based businessman came to be described as a Pakistani diplomatic representative, amid questions over whether the necessary appointment and accreditation procedures were completed. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261020-WA0000-469x600.jpg)Pakistan probes Malawi ‘deputy consul’ claimThe inquiry centres on Mahmood Azhar Chaudhry, who has said he served as Pakistan’s Deputy Consul in Malawi for three years. Sources familiar with the matter said officials in Islamabad are seeking to establish whether a formal appointment was made, whether the Malawian government was notified through the appropriate diplomatic channels and what status, if any, was recognised by authorities in Lilongwe. Chaudhry has cited a 2018 meeting at Sanjika Palace during which Pakistan’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Riaz H. Bukhari, allegedly introduced him to then president Arthur Peter Mutharika as a Deputy Consul. Pakistan’s honorary consul in Malawi at the time, Raja Ilyas Khan Satt, is said to have been present. However, diplomatic recognition is generally dependent on formal appointment and accreditation processes rather than public introductions or ceremonial events. Investigators are understood to be interested in any appointment letters, diplomatic correspondence and official notifications relating to Chaudhry’s alleged role. **Passport and nationality questions** A Malawian passport seen by Nyasa Times identifies Chaudhry as a Malawian citizen who was born in Gujrat, Pakistan, and was issued with a Malawian passport in Blantyre in 2009. The document has prompted questions about whether he was eligible to act as a representative of Pakistan. Diplomats and legal experts note, however, that nationality alone does not determine the validity of a consular appointment, which would depend on the applicable laws, regulations and diplomatic arrangements. **2022 ministry letter** Questions about Chaudhry’s status were heightened by a letter dated 12 October 2022 from Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The letter, signed by then secretary Joel Immanuel Matonga, stated that the ministry had issued Chaudhry with an identity card to facilitate activities related to the proposed establishment of an honorary Pakistani consulate. The correspondence also stated that the ministry could not confirm that Chaudhry held diplomatic status or enjoyed diplomatic immunities and privileges. Diplomatic sources noted that an identity card issued for administrative purposes does not in itself constitute accreditation as a diplomat or confer immunity. **Vehicle registrations examined** Several vehicles linked to Chaudhry, including those bearing registrations CA09, CA101 and CA9290, have also attracted scrutiny. Sources said inquiries are focusing on whether diplomatic number plates, customs concessions or duty waivers were granted, what documentation was relied upon and whether any benefits continued after questions were raised about his status. **Court proceedings** The issue also arose during Civil Cause No. 120 of 2022, a dispute involving Speedys Limited and a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. In an affidavit filed in the proceedings, lawyer Lusungu Gondwe, acting for Riaz Jakhura, asserted that Chaudhry was entitled to diplomatic immunity. The court subsequently directed that clarification be sought from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding whether Chaudhry was a recognised diplomatic or consular representative. The ministry’s response did not confirm such status. The case has since prompted questions about the accuracy of representations made in the proceedings and whether those representations were supported by official documentation. **Consular office claim** Further questions have arisen from Chaudhry’s assertion that his private residence was used as the premises of a Pakistani consular office. Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the establishment of a consular post requires the consent of the receiving state. Those principles are reflected in Malawi’s domestic legal framework governing diplomatic and consular privileges. Investigators are understood to be seeking to establish whether any such approval was granted and what communications, if any, took place between the governments of Malawi and Pakistan. **Awaiting responses** Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not responded to questions submitted by this news outlet. Chaudhry’s lawyer, Bright Theu, has also not replied to requests for comment. Theu has previously referred to photographs showing Chaudhry alongside former president Mutharika as evidence supporting his client’s claim to diplomatic status. Diplomatic experts note, however, that photographs of official meetings do not in themselves establish an appointment or accreditation. Chaudhry maintains that he served legitimately as Pakistan’s Deputy Consul in Malawi. No evidence has been made public establishing that Chaudhry falsely claimed diplomatic status or that any public official acted improperly. Equally, no official appointment or accreditation documents have been produced publicly to substantiate the claim. The central issue remains whether the necessary appointment, recognition and notification procedures were completed, a question that may ultimately depend on records held by authorities in Islamabad and Lilongwe. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Azhar Chaudhry, Pakistani --- ### [Minister Ben Phiri sets six-month deadline for CDF projects](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-ben-phiri-sets-six-month-deadline-for-cdf-projects/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Local Government and Rural Development Minister Dr **Ben Malunga Phiri** has expressed satisfaction with the pace of implementation of projects under the reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF) but warned contractors that delays will not be tolerated. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792446008014-600x450.jpg)Phiri Backs Reformed CDF After Lilongwe TourSpeaking during a tour of CDF-funded projects in Lilongwe Msinja North Constituency on Monday, Phiri said the first phase of the programme was progressing well despite concerns that projects launched several months into the financial year were already behind schedule. The minister dismissed such claims, insisting that the reformed CDF required extensive planning before construction could begin. “This is a reformed CDF. We needed to do a lot of planning, where architects needed to come up with these drawings and where soil tests needed to be done,” he said. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792448222621-450x600.jpg)Minister Ben Phiri Warns Contractors on CDF Deadlines“People are so glued to the past, where resources were just being dumped at the council. This is not CDF. It is a reformed CDF. And it is well planned to the extent that we are cruising nicely. There is no delay whatsoever.” Phiri said contractors have been given implementation periods ranging from 120 to 180 days depending on the nature of the works and are expected to complete projects within six months. He cautioned contractors against seeking unnecessary extensions or contract variations, saying government expected projects to be delivered on time and according to agreed specifications. During the tour, the minister highlighted several projects which he said demonstrated the progress being made under the programme, including the construction of the **Namaguya Multipurpose Hall** and the **Mitundu Police Unit**, both of which are nearing completion. The K321 million Namaguya project, being implemented by Homedroid Construction, includes a multipurpose hall, a solar-powered water supply system, electrification and two VIP toilets. Phiri also commended constituency development committees for identifying and prioritising projects that directly address community needs. “Successful implementation of community development initiatives requires collaboration among local authorities, communities and other stakeholders. This is important to ensure that aspirations of the people are translated into meaningful development,” he said. The minister further praised area Member of Parliament **Binton Kumtsaira** for supporting the projects and singled out the contractor responsible for the Namaguya hall for commencing works before receiving the required 20 per cent advance payment bond, describing the move as a demonstration of commitment to development. However, contractors cautioned that timely completion would depend on prompt government payments. Malawi Building and Civil Engineering Contractors and Allied Trades Association board member **Rocky Kaunda** said contractors could only meet deadlines if payment obligations were honoured. Phiri also disclosed that six councils that missed the previous CDF disbursement after failing to conclude procurement processes had retained their allocations. The councils are Blantyre District, Blantyre City, Chikwawa, Kasungu District, Mulanje and Nsanje. Under the reformed arrangement, each of Malawi’s 229 constituencies has been allocated **K5 billion**, a sharp increase from **K220 million** in the previous financial year, bringing the total national allocation to **K1.145 trillion**. The programme is one of the government’s most ambitious decentralised development initiatives and is expected to fund a wide range of infrastructure and community projects across the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792445875347-600x450.jpg)Phiri Says Reformed CDF Remains on Track Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Ben Phiri, Constituency Development Fund --- ### [TFM Centre of Excellence gives K10m to IPMM conference](https://www.nyasatimes.com/tfm-centre-of-excellence-gives-k10m-to-ipmm-conference/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Thom Frank Mpinganjira (TFM) Centre of Excellence has donated K10 million to the Institute of People Management Malawi (IPMM) towards its 2026 Annual Lakeshore Conference, scheduled for October 21 to 23, 2026 in Mangochi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Nseula-speaking-to-the-media-002-600x401.jpeg)Nseula speaking to the media![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Nseula-Left-handing-over-the-cheque-to-Chakhoma-002-600x400.jpg)Nseula (Left) handing over the cheque to Chakhoma ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Chakhoma-addressing-the-media-002-600x400.jpg)Chakhoma addressing the media The conference, to run under the theme ‘Future-Ready: Building Talent for the Malawian Digital and Green Economy’, will attract more than 600 delegates from organisations across Malawi, with presenters from outside the country expected to share expertise in human resource management. Business Development and Marketing Manager for TFM Centre of Excellence, Wathu Nseula, said the sponsorship reflects a shared commitment to developing people and strengthening institutions. “Our broader purpose is to create leaders who will develop the future of Malawi, Africa and the world. We cannot achieve this in isolation,” she said. Nseula said effective people management helps organisations recruit suitable employees, develop talent and improve performance. “We believe in the development of human capital because that is how our country can progress and grow as a nation,” she added. IPMM Executive Council Member and Marketing Committee Chairperson Limbani Chakhoma said the contribution would support preparations for and the successful delivery of the conference. “We are very grateful to TFM for this support. It is going to help us a lot in the preparation as well as the execution of our programme,” he said. Chakhoma said the conference would provide a platform for practitioners to exchange ideas, gain professional skills and learn from local and international presenters. “One of the issues that is very much upcoming nowadays is digitisation. We want to make sure that practitioners in the human resource management field are also well equipped in this area,” he said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, General **Tags:** Institute of People Management Malawi, TFM Centre of Excellence --- ### [Former Malawi police chief Jose dies after short illness](https://www.nyasatimes.com/former-malawi-police-chief-jose-dies-after-short-illness/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former Inspector General of Police Rodney Jose has died after a short illness, the National Police has confirmed. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/7F948A21-777E-4BBC-991B-826F3A58EBB2.jpeg)Jose led Police from 2018 to 2019, a period that included protests over the presidential election resultJose passed away at ABC Clinic in Lilongwe, where he was rushed after falling ill. National Police spokesperson Gladys Chiwaula confirmed the sad news, saying: “Yes, we can confirm that he has died. We are also gathering details; we will share more later.” The loss marks the end of a long and distinguished career. Jose served in the Malawi Police Service for 36 years, climbing through the ranks to become the 18th Inspector General since the force was established. He was appointed acting IG in April 2018, taking over from Lexten Kachama, and Parliament confirmed him in the top job that June. He served for around a year and four months before retiring in 2019. His time at the helm coincided with some of the most turbulent days in recent Malawian history. The 2019 demonstrations, in which opposition supporters and civil society groups protested the presidential election results and demanded a fresh poll, put the police under intense pressure. Duncan Mwapasa later took over as IG. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Malawi Police, Rodney Jose --- ### [Lessons of the 'Midnight Six' still resonate](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lessons-of-the-midnight-six-still-resonate/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** On the morning of 5 April 2012, Malawians woke up to the same hardships that had defined the previous two years. Foreign exchange had dried up, fuel queues stretched for miles, money was scarce and public hospitals lacked even basic medicines. Public frustration was growing, and the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) had just called on President Bingu wa Mutharika to resign or submit himself to a referendum. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261020_033053_Chrome-600x443.jpg)Ahmed Dassu with President Peter Mutharika reflects on the Lessons of 2012 Succession CrisisAt around 11:10am that day, President Mutharika collapsed at State House in Lilongwe during a meeting with Member of Parliament Agnes Penemulungu. As the official Commission of Inquiry chaired by Justice Elton Singini later established, the President died in an ambulance on the way to Kamuzu Central Hospital. Upon arrival at 11:25am, doctors spent nearly three hours attempting to resuscitate him, reportedly under pressure from his personal physician, Dr Dan Namarika. The reality, however, was that he had already passed away. His death was officially recorded at around 2:30pm. What followed over the next 48 hours exposed one of the most troubling episodes in Malawi’s democratic history. **A Nation Without Answers** The period immediately following the President’s death was marked by confusion, secrecy and an apparent attempt to delay a constitutional transition. Among the most controversial actions was the decision to fly the late President’s body to South Africa aboard a Netcare air ambulance under the false identity of “Daniel Phiri”. Flight personnel were reportedly instructed to keep the body connected to a ventilator to maintain the appearance that he was still alive. At the same time, official communication from government maintained that the President was receiving specialist treatment abroad, even as efforts were allegedly underway to secure a court injunction aimed at blocking the constitutional succession process. The uncertainty culminated on the night of 6 April when six cabinet ministers, later dubbed the “Midnight Six”, appeared on national television to argue that Vice-President Joyce Banda could not automatically assume the presidency. Amid the political manoeuvring, crucial behind-the-scenes discussions unfolded. During the early hours preceding the swearing-in ceremony, a former minister and I held conversations with former Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe and Vice-President Joyce Banda. We urged Goodall Gondwe, who had until then been associated with the group opposing Joyce Banda’s succession, to withdraw his support for the effort and instead uphold the Constitution. Once he broke ranks, Sidik Mia followed suit. Those decisions helped fracture the cabinet faction and opened channels of communication at a critical moment. **Why the Plot Failed** Ultimately, Malawi’s constitutional order prevailed because several institutions and individuals chose the rule of law over political expediency. Former President Bakili Muluzi, civil society organisations and legal practitioners publicly demanded adherence to the Constitution. Then Army Commander General Henry Odillo refused calls for military intervention, insisting that the army’s duty was to defend the Constitution rather than political interests. He also deployed soldiers to safeguard Joyce Banda. Beyond Malawi’s borders, South African President Jacob Zuma reportedly informed authorities that if Malawi did not publicly announce President Mutharika’s death, South Africa would do so itself. By the morning of 7 April 2012, the government formally confirmed the President’s death, and Joyce Banda was sworn in as Malawi’s first female President. **What the “Midnight Six” Taught Us** The Constitution Protects Us All - Section 83(4) of the Constitution is unequivocal: when a President dies in office, the Vice-President assumes the presidency. Despite attempts to reinterpret or circumvent that provision, constitutional order ultimately prevailed. **The Military Must Remain Non-Partisan** General Odillo demonstrated the value of a professional military committed to constitutional principles rather than political interests. His actions helped stabilise a potentially dangerous situation. **Secrecy Damages Public Trust** The attempt to conceal the President’s death, including transporting his body abroad under a false identity, deepened uncertainty and undermined confidence in public institutions. Democracies function best when governments are honest with their citizens. **Political Accountability Remains Elusive** Although the Commission of Inquiry recommended legal action against those implicated, the cases dragged on for years. Following Peter Mutharika’s election in 2014, charges were eventually dropped, and many of the individuals involved returned to senior public office. **Why I Speak Out Today** I raise these concerns not out of bitterness, but out of concern for Malawi’s democracy. Between 1992 and 1994, I stood alongside Chakufwa Chihana and many brave Malawians in the struggle for multiparty democracy. We did not make those sacrifices so that secrecy and political intrigue could replace openness and accountability. The concerns I express are not uniquely mine. They reflect questions quietly asked by many ordinary Malawians who want transparency from those entrusted with public office. I also write from a place of personal regard. I have known President Peter Mutharika since 1992, when we both lived in the diaspora. I consider him a friend. Precisely because of that friendship, I believe the secrecy surrounding his health and travels does him a disservice. Malawians are a compassionate people. If their President is unwell, they will pray for him. They will wish him recovery, strength and good health. They will not punish him for being human. What creates anxiety is not illness itself. It is silence. Millions of Malawians elected Peter Mutharika because they trusted his leadership and believed he could address economic hardships, from forex shortages and fuel queues to widespread poverty. The mandate he received reflected genuine public confidence. That is why questions inevitably arise when information becomes scarce. Why are senior military officers being redeployed? Why has there been limited communication regarding the President’s whereabouts? Why are public updates so infrequent? In a democracy, prolonged secrecy creates a vacuum that rumours quickly fill. The Office of the President and Cabinet, together with the ruling party, owe Malawians regular, honest and credible communication. Citizens deserve reassurance that their elected leader is well and that government continues to function transparently and effectively. Fourteen years after the events of April 2012, the central lesson remains unchanged: democratic stability depends on respect for the Constitution, institutional integrity and truthfulness with the public. Those lessons were hard won. We should not forget them. nor allow them to be forgotten. - *Ahmed Dassu is a founding member of AFORD, a former chief adviser to Chakufwa Chihana and a former political prisoner under President Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s administration.* Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Columns, Featured, Politics **Tags:** Ahmed Dassu, Bingu wa Mutharika, Midnight six, Peter Mutharika --- ### [VP Ansah joins mourners at uncle's burial in Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/vp-ansah-joins-mourners-at-uncles-burial-in-lilongwe/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Vice President Dr Jane Ansah on Monday joined family members, traditional leaders and politicians in paying their final respects to her uncle, Felix Jobe Nyaka, who died aged 89. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261019-WA0015-600x446.jpg)Ansah mourns beloved uncle as political leaders gather![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261019-WA0017-600x399.jpg)VP Pays Final Respects to Family PatriarchThe funeral service was held at Jobe Nyaka Village in Kamphata, Lilongwe, where hundreds of mourners gathered to celebrate the life of the late patriarch. Among those in attendance were several Members of Parliament, including Baba Steve Malondera, who represents the area, Joseph Malingamoyo of Ntcheu East, Enock Phale of Salima Central West and Kendal Kamwendo of Dowa Mndolera. Also present were George Katunga Million of Phalombe Central, Ibrahim Sadala Yahard of Nkhotakota South-East and Arthur Chipungu of Ntcheu North-East. The funeral drew traditional leaders from different districts, among them Senior Chief Kalumbu of Lilongwe and Senior Chief Njolomole of Ntcheu, underscoring the standing of the Nyaka family within the community. Nyaka’s death marks the passing of a respected elder whose life spanned nearly nine decades, with mourners gathering to honour his contribution to family and community life. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Jane Ansah --- ### [Fertiliser delays put Mbilizi under fresh scrutiny](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fertiliser-delays-put-mbilizi-under-fresh-scrutiny/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Barely weeks after facing scrutiny over fertiliser procurement allegations, Agriculture Minister Roza Mbilizi has again found herself at the centre of a growing controversy, this time over delays in the rollout of the Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp) as the approach of the planting season raises concerns among agricultural experts and farmers alike. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790293712489-600x400.jpg)Minister Mbilizi : Farmers wait as Fisp stumblesAt the heart of the emerging debate is a simple but consequential question: can a subsidy programme fulfil its purpose if inputs arrive too late for farmers to use them effectively? District councils have reportedly received Fisp coupons, yet distribution to intended beneficiaries has largely stalled. For thousands of smallholder farmers, this means uncertainty at a time when preparations for the next agricultural season should already be underway. The delays have renewed concerns about implementation capacity within a programme that remains central to Malawi’s efforts to bolster food security and support vulnerable households. Beneficiaries are expected to contribute K10,000 for a package of certified maize seed and K20,000 for each of two 50-kilogram bags of fertiliser, a cost that many low-income families are already struggling to meet. What makes the current delay particularly significant is the government’s decision to promote Mbeya fertiliser, whose application requires careful timing. According to Innocent Pangapanga, director of the Centre for Agricultural Research and Development at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the product behaves differently from conventional inorganic fertiliser. “Unlike inorganic fertiliser, whose nutrients become available to crops within a short period, Mbeya fertiliser requires time to decompose and ferment before its nutrients can be taken up by maize plants,” he explained. The decomposition process takes approximately three weeks, effectively creating a narrowing window for distribution. If farmers are to realise the intended benefits, they may need access to the fertiliser well before the onset of planting rains, expected towards the end of November. The challenge extends beyond simply delivering bags of fertiliser. Pangapanga has also stressed the importance of ensuring that farmers receive adequate technical guidance and access to complementary materials such as maize bran, wood ash, animal manure and water, all of which are needed for the preparation process. The delays have also exposed broader questions about public-sector preparedness. Recruitment of temporary personnel to support coupon distribution is only now beginning in some areas, while fuel shortages, transport constraints and poor road networks threaten to complicate deliveries to remote communities once the rainy season starts. Critics argue that these logistical hurdles should have been anticipated much earlier, particularly given the scale of public investment involved. Billions of kwacha are being committed to the programme, raising expectations that implementation should match policy ambition. What emerges from the debate is a familiar tension in agricultural policy: the gap between programme design and programme delivery. While few dispute the value of supporting resource-constrained farmers, questions are increasingly being asked about whether administrative delays could undermine the very objectives the subsidy seeks to achieve. For Minister Mbilizi, the issue presents another test of confidence in her stewardship of the sector. Having already faced political pressure over fertiliser-related matters, she now confronts concerns that are less about procurement and more about execution. The coming weeks may prove decisive. If distribution accelerates and inputs reach farmers in time, the current anxiety may quickly dissipate. If not, the government risks finding itself accused not simply of delaying a subsidy programme, but of jeopardising the preparations of the households it was designed to support. As the countdown to the planting season continues, the debate has shifted from whether the subsidy will be delivered to whether it will be delivered in time to matter. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Farm Input Subsidy, Fertiliser, Roza Mbilizi --- ### [Lilongwe protest over fuel vendor's death met with teargas](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lilongwe-protest-over-fuel-vendors-death-met-with-teargas/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A fuel vendor has been killed after his motorcycle, packed with fuel, exploded into a fireball during a police chase in Kanengo, Lilongwe, leaving his friend with horrific burns. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261019-WA0006-1-e1792448947823-600x495.jpg)Motorbike laden with petrol containers erupts into flames after crash with police vehicle, leaving friend fighting for life in hospitalYamikani Jefinala was pursued by officers through the streets before eyewitnesses say he ploughed into a police vehicle that had been trying to block his path. The bike, loaded with four 20-litre containers of fuel, burst into flames and engulfed him instantly. His friend, named only as Ben, was also badly burned and rushed to hospital. Neighbours watched in shock as the wreckage burned. One witness, Jailosi Tchaka, who grew up in the same village as Jefinala, in Mkoko, Namitete, said the young man had only just started out in the trade. “Yamikani had only started this fuel business three days ago. We come from the same village, Mkoko, in Namitete,” said Tchaka, his voice heavy with grief. The tragedy sparked fury across Kanengo. Angry crowds blocked the M1 Road in protest, and tensions boiled over until police fired teargas to disperse the mob and restore order. Kanengo Police spokesperson Foster Benjamin confirmed the dreadful toll. “Following the crash, the motorcycle, which was carrying four containers full of fuel, exploded. Due to the fire that engulfed the rider, he perished right there on the spot while a friend, who was with him, sustained serious burns and is receiving hospital treatment,” he said. Benjamin also confirmed that teargas had been deployed to stop the crowd from descending into criminal disorder. He has now issued a stark warning to motorcycle taxi drivers, urging them to stay away from fuel vending. Fuel, he insisted, should be bought and sold only at licensed filling stations, not carried around and traded on the roadside. The deadly blaze comes as Lilongwe City Council launches a crackdown on illegal fuel sales, hoarding and other abuses that have fed the country’s persistent fuel shortages. Authorities say unlicensed trading puts lives at risk, and this tragedy in Kanengo is a grim reminder of just how deadly that danger can be. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Fuel --- ### [Scorchers coach Fazili sidelined from World Cup dugout over missing licence](https://www.nyasatimes.com/scorchers-coach-fazili-sidelined-from-world-cup-dugout-over-missing-licence/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The architect of Malawi’s historic World Cup qualification has been left on the sidelines, with Lovemore Fazili set to lose his place as head coach at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup because he does not hold a CAF A coaching licence. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260810_014814_WhatsApp-600x349.jpg)Lovemore Fazili, who guided the Scorchers to qualification, will not be in charge at the finals after failing to hold the required coaching licenceFootball Association of Malawi president Fleetwood Haiya has confirmed the devastating news. Fazili, the man who led the Scorchers to the finals, will not be in the dugout when the team takes to the pitch. But Haiya insisted the 50-year-old will not be cast out entirely. He will remain on the technical panel, though in a different role, a crumb of comfort for a coach who has poured his heart into the squad. There may yet be a route back to the touchline. Fazili is among the coaches set to sit the CAF A coaching course that FAM will run between November and December this year. Haiya said the paperwork for the Scorchers’ World Cup entry would already be with FIFA by the time that course gets under way. Whether the licence can be secured in time to change the picture for the finals remains to be seen, but for now, the man who got Malawi there must watch from the wings. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Football Association of Malawi, Lovemore Fazili, Scorchers, women football --- ### [Kamuzu Stadium to be demolished, Mpira Stadium to be upgraded](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kamuzu-stadium-to-be-demolished-mpira-stadium-to-be-upgraded/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The iconic Kamuzu Stadium is to be torn down and replaced with a brand new venue, according to Football Association of Malawi President Fleetwood Haiya. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Red-packed-Kamuzu-stadium-.Photo-Jeromy-Kadewere-600x309.jpg)Red-packed Kamuzu stadium Haiya has revealed that state president Professor Peter Mutharika has signed off on the controversial plan, despite the ground previously being listed as a monumental facility. The decision marks a dramatic turnaround for one of the country’s most recognisable sporting landmarks. The FAM chief insisted his organisation will work hand-in-hand with the government to ensure the replacement is built to the highest standard, leaving fans to wonder what will become of the memories held within its walls. Attention will also turn to Mpira Stadium, which is in line for a major expansion. Haiya said plans are being drawn up to increase its capacity and transform it into a venue fit to host international matches, a move that could put Malawi firmly back on the global football map. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Football Association of Malawi, Kamuzu Stadium, Mpira Stadium --- ### [FA Malawi rewards beach soccer squad with K3 million each after Seychelles thrashing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fa-malawi-rewards-beach-soccer-squad-with-k3-million-each-after-seychelles-thrashing/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s beach soccer stars are celebrating in style after a thumping that sent them through to the continental finals in Senegal, and the football chief has made sure the boys are rewarded handsomely. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Fleetwood-Haiya-534x600.jpg)FAM president Fleetwood Haiya has approved the reward as Malawi secure a third straight Beach Soccer AFCON ticket.Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya has approved a whopping K2.5 million reward for the national side after their stunning qualifying win over Seychelles. The players will pocket K500,000 each for every victory in high-profile competitions, while Haiya has announced an extra K3 million for each member of the squad for sealing their place at the tournament. The result was a rout. Malawi hammered Seychelles 10-1 at the Sunbird Livingstonia Beach in Salima, sailing through 16-3 on aggregate and booking their third consecutive ticket to the Beach Soccer AFCON, which Senegal will host. Announcing the bumper bonuses on his Facebook page, FAM boss Haiya also revealed that plans are being made to send the squad off in style, with the Hustlers set to head to Senegal as one of the most-talked-about teams in the tournament. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Beach soccer, Fleetwood Haiya, Football Association of Malawi --- ### [Suleman questions Muslim representation in Cabinet, sparking debate](https://www.nyasatimes.com/suleman-questions-muslim-representation-in-cabinet-sparking-debate/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman has sparked a national debate after questioning the representation of Muslims in government, arguing that the country’s sizeable Muslim population remains underrepresented in senior public appointments. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792267154803-600x450.jpg)Suleman Comments Spark Debate on Religious RepresentationSpeaking during prayers organised by the Jamat Area 13 Mosque in Lilongwe over the weekend, Suleman said Muslims could no longer be considered a minority in demographic terms, yet appeared to have little presence in key government positions. “We should know that we are not a minority anymore,” he said. “Today, you can have the whole Cabinet without a Muslim, and yet we seem happy about it.” Suleman further claimed that Muslims appointed to influential positions often face efforts to remove them from office, while the wider Muslim community remains silent. “The time has come for things to change,” he added. His remarks have prompted reactions from religious leaders, civil society organisations and political commentators, opening a wider discussion about representation, inclusion and the role of identity in public appointments. The Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) distanced itself from Suleman’s approach, opting for a more conciliatory position. While expressing appreciation for recent appointments made by President Peter Mutharika, the organisation appealed for greater consideration of Muslims in future appointments, including Cabinet positions. The Public Affairs Committee (PAC) also challenged Suleman’s position. PAC spokesperson Bishop Gilford Matonga argued that representation in government should not be determined by religious affiliation, warning that such an approach could encourage demands for formal quotas from different faith groups. National Advocacy Platform chairperson Benedicto Kondowe said public discussion on representation was important but cautioned against framing access to public office primarily through religious identity. “Public discussion is legitimate, but it should promote solutions rather than deepen religious sensitivities,” he said. Political scientist Gift Sambo offered a more nuanced assessment, suggesting that concerns about inclusion deserved consideration even if there could be disagreement over how they were raised. The debate has also drawn attention to the constitutional framework governing appointments. Under Sections 92 and 94 of the Constitution, the President has the authority to appoint ministers and deputy ministers and determine the composition of Cabinet. As reactions continue, the discussion appears to have evolved beyond the question of Cabinet appointments to broader issues of representation, national unity and the place of religious identity in Malawi’s public life. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Malawi Cabinet, Muslims, Sameer Suleman --- ### [Chipungu seeks private investment for Housing Project 250](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-seeks-private-investment-for-housing-project-250/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Lands and Urban Development Chimwemwe Chipungu has led talks with leading private sector firms as the government seeks investment for its flagship Project 250 housing programme. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792437420073-600x450.jpg)Government Courts Investors for 250,000-Home Housing Plan![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792437511961-600x450.jpg)Chipungu Meets Investors Over Housing Project 250Chipungu, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development and the Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC), on Monday met representatives of Eris Properties and NICO Holdings in Blantyre to explore potential partnerships in the delivery of the initiative. Project 250 aims to facilitate the construction of 250,000 housing units across Malawi over the next decade. According to MHC estimates, achieving that target will require investment of about US$18.6 billion, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the programme. The discussions form part of wider efforts to secure private sector participation in what is one of the government’s most ambitious infrastructure and housing initiatives. Officials believe partnerships with investors and developers will be crucial in mobilising both financing and technical expertise. The push for investment comes as pressure continues to mount for increased access to affordable housing, particularly in rapidly growing urban centres where demand has outpaced supply. MHC Chief Executive Officer Bob Chimkango has previously argued that the long-term success of the programme will depend not only on the volume of houses delivered but also on affordability, efficiency and responsiveness to the needs of prospective homeowners. The latest engagements underscore the government’s strategy of leveraging public-private partnerships to bridge funding gaps and accelerate housing delivery, with MHC continuing to seek investors capable of supporting the programme’s financial and technical requirements. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, General, News **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, Housing, Malawi Housing Corporation --- ### [Chipungu hands over K2.8 billion CDF projects in Luchenza](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-hands-over-k2-8-billion-cdf-projects-in-luchenza/) **Published:** October 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Luchenza Constituency Member of Parliament, Chimwemwe Chipungu, has commenced the handover of development projects worth over K2.8 billion to contractors under the Reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF), targeting improvements in education and road infrastructure across the municipality. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792437434863-400x600.jpg)Chipungu: Chipungu hands over K2.8 billion CDF projects in Luchenza![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792437460646-600x399.jpg)To improve the livelihoods of people in Luchenza.Speaking during the handover exercise on Monday, Chipungu said the projects demonstrate government’s commitment to addressing the development needs of communities and improving service delivery. Among the projects is the construction of two staff houses at Luchenza LEA Primary School in Thundu Ward, valued at over K500 million. The houses are expected to provide decent accommodation for teachers and help enhance the quality of education at the school. Chipungu also highlighted the rehabilitation of Market Street Road in Nthundu Ward, a project valued at more than K1 billion. The 800-metre road is expected to improve accessibility and facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods within the municipality. The legislator further inspected preparatory works for the construction of a two-storey classroom block at Luchenza Catholic Primary School in Sambagalu Ward, a project estimated at K1.3 billion. Once completed, the block is expected to expand classroom space and provide a conducive learning environment for pupils. Chipungu said the projects form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public infrastructure, improve service delivery and uplift the living standards of people in Luchenza. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting development initiatives that respond to the needs of local communities and contribute to the continued growth and transformation of Luchenza Municipality. The projects are being implemented through the Reformed CDF, which seeks to accelerate socio-economic development at community level through increased investment in priority sectors. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, Constituency Development Fund, Luchenza --- ### [Watchdog demands transparency over K587bn road projects earmarked for Chinese firm](https://www.nyasatimes.com/watchdog-demands-transparency-over-k587bn-road-projects-earmarked-for-chinese-firm/) **Published:** October 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Roads Authority is facing mounting pressure after recommending a Chinese construction giant for K587 billion worth of road projects, despite its failure to complete a key road scheme awarded four years ago. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261019-WA0004-600x600.jpg)Mada Banda: Questions over K587bn road deals as authority backs contractor with unfinished projectHuman rights campaigners have demanded answers over why China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is being lined up for two massive infrastructure contracts while part of the Kaunda Road project, awarded in 2022, remains unfinished. The proposed deals reportedly include the K326 billion Wovwe Bridge project and the K261 billion Wovwe-Chiweta road project, together worth a staggering K587 billion. The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) says the Roads Authority must explain how it concluded that CCECC was suitable for the new contracts when commuters are still waiting for the completion of a section of Kaunda Road between Bingu National Stadium and Chendawaka Junction. HRDC vice-chairperson Madalitso Banda questioned whether contractor performance is being properly assessed before billions of kwacha in public funds are committed to fresh projects. The coalition argues that the unfinished stretch has continued to expose motorists and residents to dust, traffic disruption and higher vehicle maintenance costs. In a statement signed by Banda and HRDC national coordinator Kelvin Chirwa, the rights group called for greater transparency and accountability in the awarding of major public infrastructure projects. The controversy has reignited concerns over how public contracts are awarded and whether companies that fail to complete existing projects should be trusted with even larger taxpayer-funded deals. Critics say the Roads Authority now faces difficult questions over whether it has adequately taken into account CCECC’s record on the Kaunda Road works before recommending the contractor for two new mega-projects. With nearly K600 billion at stake, campaigners insist the public deserves a clear explanation of how the recommendations were made and whether value for money, performance and accountability were given sufficient weight. The Roads Authority’s response is expected to determine whether the unfinished Kaunda Road project has been factored into the assessment of CCECC’s suitability to take on some of Malawi’s biggest planned infrastructure developments. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** HRDC, infrastructure --- ### [Top Catholic cleric speaks out on economic crisis and promises pastoral letter](https://www.nyasatimes.com/top-catholic-cleric-speaks-out-on-economic-crisis-and-promises-pastoral-letter/) **Published:** October 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa has dismissed claims that Malawi’s Catholic bishops have been paid to keep quiet about the country’s economic crisis, insisting that a pastoral letter will be issued when the time is right. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/msusa-600x349.jpg)Archbishop takes aim at forex shortages: Cars imported while fuel queues grow and hospitals run short of medicinesThe Archbishop of Blantyre used his Missionary Sunday homily at St Anthony of Padua Parish to reject accusations that church leaders had been bought off because they had yet to publicly challenge the government’s handling of the economy. Instead, he urged ordinary Christians to speak out themselves, arguing that it was not the responsibility of bishops alone to raise concerns about the hardships facing the nation. “Every baptised Christian has the gift of prophecy. Speak out,” he told congregants. “We will write the Pastoral Letter at the right time.” In a pointed critique of the country’s foreign exchange situation, Archbishop Msusa questioned why some sectors appeared able to access scarce forex while essential services continued to struggle. “Forex to import cars is available, but forex to buy fuel is not,” he said. “No medicines in public hospitals, but medicines are available in private hospitals. You are all seeing this but you remain silent.” His remarks come as Malawi continues to grapple with recurring fuel shortages, with motorists frequently facing long queues at filling stations. Foreign exchange constraints have also been linked to challenges in procuring medicines for public hospitals, raising concerns over access to healthcare. The Archbishop’s intervention adds to a growing chorus of criticism from senior Catholic leaders over the country’s economic and governance challenges. Last month, Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops president Bishop Martin Mtumbuka criticised persistent electricity blackouts, the management of public enterprises and what he described as the exploitation of some state-owned institutions by politically connected figures. Pastoral letters issued by Catholic bishops have historically carried significant political weight in Malawi. Their 2025 letter, Who Will Roll Away the Stone for Us, urged voters to elect leaders with integrity, courage and selflessness ahead of the 16 September general election. Perhaps most famously, the bishops’ landmark 1992 pastoral letter, Living Our Faith, helped spark a wave of political change that ultimately led to the end of one-party rule and the birth of multiparty democracy. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News, Religion, Religious News **Tags:** Malawi Economy, Roman Catholic Church --- ### [Malawi to roast in 42C heatwave as experts warn lives could be at risk](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-to-roast-in-42c-heatwave-as-experts-warn-lives-could-be-at-risk/) **Published:** October 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi is set to swelter under a brutal heatwave this week, with temperatures predicted to soar to a scorching 42C in some areas, prompting urgent health warnings from authorities. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261019_111351_Google-1-588x600.jpg)Time to go to the lake: Blistering 42C Heatwave Set to Grip Malawi for Six Days With Children, Pregnant Women and Sick Most at RiskThe Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (MET) says the intense heat is expected to grip much of the Southern Region between 18 and 23 October 2026, driven by a persistent mass of warm easterly air hanging over the country. Forecasters warn that some of the country’s hottest districts, including Nsanje, Chikwawa, Mwanza, Neno, Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Thyolo, Mulanje, Phalombe, Zomba, Machinga and Balaka, could bear the full force of the blistering conditions. Southern parts of Mangochi are also expected to be severely affected. Weather maps released by MET show temperatures climbing to a punishing 42C in the worst-hit areas. Even regions classified as facing only “minimal” heatwave conditions, including parts of the North, Centre and central lakeshore, are forecast to endure temperatures ranging between 32C and 35C. The department has urged residents to take precautions, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women and people living with chronic illnesses. Officials advised keeping at-risk individuals in cool, shaded and well-ventilated places, while warning that symptoms including dizziness, severe headaches and extreme weakness should not be ignored. But public health experts say staying out of the heat is simply not an option for many Malawians. Professor Adamson Muula, a public health specialist at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, warned that thousands of people who depend on outdoor work for their livelihoods cannot afford to stop working, even when temperatures become dangerously high. He also highlighted the shortage of public drinking-water facilities in towns and cities, arguing that more communal taps should be installed in busy public spaces such as markets to help people stay hydrated during periods of extreme heat. With temperatures set to remain stubbornly high for days, health officials are urging the public to drink plenty of water, avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun and check on vulnerable family members as Malawi faces one of its most intense heat spells of the year. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Meteorological Services --- ### [Bible warning for Mutharika critics: Mwanamvekha warns DPP against divisions](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bible-warning-for-mutharika-critics-mwanamvekha-warns-dpp-against-divisions/) **Published:** October 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha has delivered a blunt warning to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members, telling ambitious figures to stop tearing each other down in the race for power and instead focus on helping President Peter Mutharika rebuild Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792365193243-1.jpg)‘There is only one President at a time’: Mwanamvekha tells DPP rivals to stop the infighting, vowing Mutharika will govern ‘until 2030’Speaking as guest of honour at this year’s Mulhako wa Alhomwe Cultural Festival in Chonde, Mulanje, the DPP vice-president for the South hit out at internal squabbling and reputation-smearing within the party, insisting now was not the time for succession battles. “This is not the time for politics, fighting and tarnishing one another’s reputations in order to look better than others because we want leadership positions in the DPP,” Mwanamvekha said. In a clear show of loyalty, the minister rallied supporters behind the former president, declaring that there should be no confusion over who leads the party. “There is only one President at a time,” he said. “At the moment, our President is Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, until 2030.” Mwanamvekha said Mutharika remained committed to steering the country through to 2030 and urged Malawians to unite behind efforts to revive the struggling economy. Acknowledging the scale of the economic crisis, the Finance Minister said the damage inflicted over the past five years could not be reversed overnight. He pointed to government plans aimed at restoring stability, including tackling shortages of food, fuel and foreign exchange, while boosting commercial farming and expanding access to business loans. His comments came during a festival notably held in the absence of Mutharika, the organisation’s patron, who is currently in South Africa on a private trip. **Minister blasts critics who ‘insult’ Mutharika** Mwanamvekha also launched a passionate defence of Mutharika against his critics, accusing some of those attacking the former president of rank hypocrisy. The minister said some individuals now insulting “the Professor” were the very same people who benefited from appointments and opportunities given to them by Mutharika before 2014. Without naming any specific individuals, Mwanamvekha expressed dismay at what he portrayed as a lack of gratitude and respect towards the veteran politician. In one of the most striking moments of his speech, he invoked a biblical passage from **Exodus 21:17**, which states that anyone who curses their father or mother must be put to death. The minister appeared to use the verse as a warning against disrespecting elders and senior leaders, although it was not clear whether he intended it as a literal call for punishment or simply a lesson on honour and respect. His remarks echoed those of Mulhako wa Alhomwe chairperson Muchanakhwaye Mpuluka, who had also warned that action would be taken against anyone found insulting Mutharika. Neither Mwanamvekha nor Mpuluka identified any individuals allegedly responsible, but their comments underscored growing concern within DPP circles over public attacks on the party’s leader as internal political manoeuvring intensifies. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** DPP, Joseph Mwanamvekha, Peter Mutharika --- ### ['Anyone who insults Mutharika will face action incouding death': Mulhako boss warns ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/anyone-who-insults-mutharika-will-face-action-incouding-death-mulhako-boss-warns/) **Published:** October 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The chairperson of the Mulhako wa Alhomwe Cultural Festival has warned politicians and people jostling for leadership positions not to bring divisions into the organisation, saying anyone who insults President Peter Mutharika will face action. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792390690721-600x400.jpg)No politics, no insults: Lhomwe chiefs threaten to bar those who divide cultural festivalMuchanakhwaye Mpuluka said the organisation is not a political party and will act against anyone who introduces partisan politics into its activities. “Anyone who brings politics or insults us will face action, including being reported and barred from entering our area,” he said. He added that the Lhomwe community would no longer tolerate anyone insulting President Mutharika. **First without the patron** This year’s gathering was the first without Mutharika, the organisation’s current patron, who is in South Africa on a private trip. The festival was founded in 2007 by its first patron, the late former president Bingu wa Mutharika. The event began on Friday, with the main celebrations attracting a large crowd on Saturday. It was held under the theme “Preserving culture while considering present and future generations”. **Government’s message** Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha said the government is working to improve the availability of food, fuel and foreign exchange, while making sure development reaches communities and businesses get support to grow. He also mentioned promoting commercial agriculture to increase exports, tighter mining rules so the country benefits from its minerals, and wider access to business loans for women and young people through the Malawi Enterprise Development Fund (Medf). Seven other Cabinet ministers attended: Energy Minister Jean Mathanga, Gender Minister Mary Navicha, Education, Science and Technology Minister Bright Msaka, Transport and Public Works Minister Jappie Mhango, Natural Resources Minister Patricia Wiskes and Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda. Deputy Gender Minister Martha Ngwira was also present. Traditional leaders from different ethnic communities and business leaders also attended. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792390716303-2-600x337.jpg)First without the patron: Mulhako wa Alhomwe goes ahead as Mutharika stays in South Africa Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Mulhako wa Alhomwe, Peter Mutharika --- ### [PayChangu lands Reserve Bank of Malawi licence to expand digital payments](https://www.nyasatimes.com/paychangu-lands-reserve-bank-of-malawi-licence-to-expand-digital-payments/) **Published:** October 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s push towards a more digitised economy received a boost after the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) granted PayChangu a Payment Service Provider (PSP) licence, allowing the locally owned fintech group to offer payment aggregation services nationwide. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261017-WA0016-e1792361517937-600x467.jpg)PayChangu wins central bank licence, boosting Malawi’s digital payments ambitionsThe licence, issued under the Payment Systems Act of 2016 and effective from 30 September 2026, represents a milestone for the country’s nascent financial technology sector as policymakers seek to expand digital payments and improve financial inclusion. The approval comes as businesses and consumers increasingly adopt electronic transactions, driven by demand for faster, more secure and convenient payment methods. For PayChangu, the licence strengthens its position in a market where digital payment infrastructure is becoming a critical component of commercial activity. The move also underscores RBM’s efforts to balance innovation with regulatory oversight, providing a framework for new entrants while safeguarding the stability and integrity of the financial system. Payment aggregation services have become increasingly important in emerging markets, enabling businesses to accept a range of payment options through a single platform. PayChangu’s system currently integrates mobile money services, bank transfers and card payments, simplifying payment management for merchants. Joshua Mwendo, chief operating officer of PayChangu, described the licence as both a company milestone and a wider endorsement of Malawi’s growing technology sector. “This is a proud and exciting moment for PayChangu, but beyond our company, it is a win for Malawi’s digital economy,” he said. “The milestone demonstrates what is possible when innovation and effective regulation work together towards a common national purpose.” Mwendo said the company remained focused on helping businesses spend less time managing payments and more time expanding their operations. “We started with a conviction that businesses should spend more time growing and less time worrying about how to receive payments,” he said. “Our commitment is to empower businesses to thrive in the digital era while maintaining the highest standards of service, compliance and integrity.” He added that collaboration between regulators, financial institutions, telecoms operators and technology companies would be essential to broadening access to digital financial services. The development is particularly significant for small and medium-sized enterprises, which often face barriers in accessing affordable payment infrastructure. By providing integrated digital payment options, aggregators can help businesses improve efficiency, strengthen record-keeping and participate more fully in the formal economy. Larger companies also stand to benefit through improved revenue collection and a smoother customer experience, as digital transactions become a more prominent feature of everyday commerce. The licensing aligns with the ambitions of Malawi 2063, the country’s long-term development strategy, which identifies technological advancement, economic modernisation and private sector growth as key drivers of transformation. While the expansion of regulated fintech companies could accelerate the adoption of digital commerce, industry participants note that sustained progress will depend on continued investment in communications infrastructure, affordable financial services and higher levels of consumer trust. For PayChangu, the licence brings both an opportunity and a responsibility: to expand its role in Malawi’s evolving financial ecosystem while meeting the regulatory standards expected of a licensed payments provider. For the wider business community, the approval signals a broader shift in the economy. Digital payments are increasingly moving from a competitive advantage to a commercial necessity, as Malawi’s financial infrastructure evolves to support growth in a more connected and technology-driven marketplace. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** PayChangu, Reserve Bank of Malawi --- ### [287 fuel tankers expected in Malawi this week](https://www.nyasatimes.com/287-fuel-tankers-expected-in-malawi-this-week/) **Published:** October 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Transporters Association of Malawi (TAM) says about 287 fuel tankers are expected to arrive this week, which could ease the petrol and diesel shortages that have produced long queues across the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791372822412-600x342.jpg)TAM expects 287 fuel tankers to arrive this weekAccording to TAM spokesperson Frank Banda, the association appealed directly to President Peter Mutharika last Thursday to break a deadlock at regional ports that had lasted several weeks. He said loading started the next morning. “We had sent 100 tankers to Dar es Salaam over two weeks ago and nothing was happening,” he said. Mr Banda said 100 Malawian tankers and 152 vehicles belonging to the Tanzanian firm Asas Limited have finished loading at Dar es Salaam, and that another 35 tankers are loading at Beira in Mozambique, where loading was due to resume this morning. Consumer rights advocate Wazamazama Katatu called the development a relief, but said the government must build on the consignment to stabilise supply and not treat it as a one-off. He said consumers expect the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) and the police to act jointly against black market vending and the withholding of fuel. Mera spokesperson Fitina Khonje said the stock-outs are directly tied to Malawi’s foreign exchange constraints, even though fuel purchases are a priority. She said the industry is trying to restock within the foreign currency available, and that the shortages will be resolved. Immediate gaps, she added, should not obscure the structural problem of earning enough foreign currency to pay for essential imports. Malawi uses about a million litres each of petrol and diesel a day, a national requirement of 60 million litres a month. Last December the National Oil Company of Malawi announced plans to import about 412,000 metric tonnes of fuel in 2026/27, enough to meet 60 percent of demand, and a consortium of private firms has issued a tender for a further 176,300 tonnes. The Reserve Bank of Malawi’s July 2026 data show foreign exchange reserves of $600.6 million, equal to 2.4 months of imports and below the recommended three months. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** forex, Fuel --- ### [Chakwera returns to the pulpit in Ghana after presidency shaped by church loyalists](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-returns-to-the-pulpit-in-ghana-after-presidency-shaped-by-church-loyalists/) **Published:** October 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former Malawi president and Assemblies of God minister Rev Dr Lazarus Chakwera has preached at a Thanksgiving and Sheba Day celebration held at Cedar Mountain Chapel International in Ghana. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792363849026-1-600x480.jpg)Former Malawi president Chakwera preaches at church service in GhanaChakwera, a former president of the Malawi Assemblies of God, was invited as guest preacher for the church’s first service. Preaching on the theme, “Not Unto Us, O Lord”, drawn from Psalm 115:1, he urged worshippers to give all glory and honour to God rather than to human achievement. Cedar Mountain Chapel International is part of the Assemblies of God, Ghana. Its senior pastor, Rev Dr Stephen Wengam, also serves as the denomination’s General Superintendent and president. The service featured praise, worship and thanksgiving as congregants gathered to celebrate what church leaders described as God’s goodness and faithfulness. Chakwera’s appearance highlighted his continuing ministry within the Assemblies of God movement and his engagement with church communities beyond Malawi. His return to the pulpit comes after completing his term as Malawi’s president. During his presidency, critics frequently accused him of surrounding himself with individuals linked to the Assemblies of God in key government positions, including advisory roles and senior appointments, although supporters argued appointments were based on competence and trust rather than church affiliation. The Ghana visit underscores Chakwera’s enduring role as a preacher and church leader, a ministry that predates his entry into national politics. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Assemblies of God, Dr Lazarus Chakwera --- ### [One NICO commits K250m to Mulhako festival as culture takes economic centre stage](https://www.nyasatimes.com/one-nico-commits-k250m-to-mulhako-festival-as-culture-takes-economic-centre-stage/) **Published:** October 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** One NICO Group has committed more than K250 million to this year’s Mulhako wa Alhomwe Cultural Festival at Chonde in Mulanje, reinforcing corporate support for cultural preservation and community development. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261018-WA0012-1-600x400.jpg)Nhelma:Nico’s K250m Mulhako investment reflects faith in cultural tourismThe contribution, comprising K200 million in cash and more than K50 million in kind, was announced before guests including Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha, Paramount Chief Kaduya and Pio Matos, governor of Mozambique’s Zambezia Province. Speaking on behalf of the group, NBS Bank chief wholesale banking officer Alfred Nhlema said the festival’s theme, Heritage Preservation for Sustainable Development, underscored the need to safeguard cultural identity alongside economic progress. “A nation that loses its identity risks losing its soul,” he said. Mr Nhlema argued that culture should be viewed as an economic asset as well as a social one, citing opportunities in traditional crafts, cultural tourism and indigenous knowledge systems. He said cultural industries could create jobs for young people, attract visitors and contribute to broader economic growth. He also linked cultural preservation to environmental sustainability, saying the protection of forests, rivers and agricultural land was essential for future generations. The sponsorship forms part of One NICO Xpression, the group’s cultural investment programme, which also supports the Umthetho, Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni, Chiwanja cha Yao and Gonapamuhanya cultural festivals. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Mulhako wa Alhomwe, Nico --- ### [Bullets return to top with win over MAFCO](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bullets-return-to-top-with-win-over-mafco/) **Published:** October 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FCB Nyasa Big Bullets moved back to the top of the FDH Bank Premiership table with a comfortable 3-0 victory over MAFCO FC at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261018-WA0007-600x572.jpg)Bullets power past MAFCO to go topClever Kalambo gave Bullets an early lead, scoring in the 13th minute to put the visitors in control before half-time. MAFCO responded positively after the break and created opportunities of their own, but were unable to find an equaliser. Substitute George Chaomba came closest, striking the right post as the hosts searched for a way back into the match. Bullets then sealed the result late on through substitute Tinaye Tsimba, who scored twice in the closing stages. Tsimba netted in the 83rd minute with a solo effort inside the penalty area before adding his second shortly afterwards to complete a convincing victory for the defending champions. The result strengthens Bullets’ title challenge, while MAFCO remain in the relegation zone after another defeat. **Sunday’s other FDH Bank Premiership results:** Blue Eagles 3-0 Chitipa United Silver Strikers 1-0 Moyale Barracks Red Lions 0-0 Ekhaya FC ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261018-WA0008-1-600x559.jpg)Bullets return to summit with comfortable win over MAFCO Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** FDH Premiership, MAFCO, Nyasa Big Bullets --- ### [Moyale  0-1 Silver: Shema header gives Bankers win in Mzuzu](https://www.nyasatimes.com/moyale-0-1-silver-shema-header-gives-bankers-win-in-mzuzu/) **Published:** October 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Silver Strikers beat Moyale Barracks 1-0 in the FDH Bank Premiership at Mzuzu Stadium on Sunday, with defender Innocent Shema scoring the only goal. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261018-WA0009-450x600.jpg)Player of the match: Ernest Petro![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261018-WA0010-549x600.jpg)Match action between Silver and MoyaleShema headed in after seven minutes from a Chinsinsi Maonga free-kick from the right, beating goalkeeper Jeremiah Simfukwe. The visitors controlled the first half. Moyale Barracks pushed hard in the final 15 minutes, winning free-kicks and corners without equalising. They also won more corners in the second half but could not get through before referee Melluce Nyirongo blew the final whistle. Ernest Petro was named Silver Strikers’ player of the match. Interim Silver Strikers coach Patricio Kulemeka said: “Our mission was to win this match. We’ve done it and I’m excited. We were coming from a defeat in our last game. Today we defended well and it’s the 3 points that matter.” Moyale Barracks coach Prichard Mwansa said his side must change their attitude. “We did everything but at the end of the day we have lost,” he said. “There are positives to dwell on and there are many games to play, so all is not lost.” Silver Strikers have 32 points from 17 games and stay fourth. Moyale Barracks have 21 points from 17. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** FDH Premiership, Moyale Barracks, Silver Strikers --- ### ['Parliament doesn't arrest thieves': Namalomba fires back in corruption row](https://www.nyasatimes.com/parliament-doesnt-arrest-thieves-namalomba-fires-back-in-corruption-row/) **Published:** October 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A fresh chapter has opened in Malawi’s debate over corruption after government spokesman Shadric Namalomba urged anyone with evidence of wrongdoing to present it to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), in comments widely interpreted as a response to recent remarks by Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792057024740-1-600x486.jpg)Namalomba to corruption critics: Take your evidence to the ACB, not FacebookNamalomba argued that corruption is too serious a matter to be reduced to public lamentation or political rhetoric. Those in possession of evidence, he suggested, should take it to the institutions empowered to investigate and prosecute offenders. “Parliament does not arrest thieves,” he said, adding that such responsibilities fall to the police and the ACB. Although Namalomba did not mention Suleman by name, the timing of the intervention has drawn attention. His comments came as a video of the Speaker addressing corruption circulated widely on social media, prompting renewed discussion about the scale of graft and the effectiveness of efforts to combat it. In the clip, Suleman expresses concern about what he portrays as a growing culture of impunity, lamenting that some individuals are enriching themselves from public resources while many Malawians continue to struggle economically. The Speaker’s remarks appear to have resonated with sections of the public, reflecting wider anxieties about governance, public accountability and the management of state resources. Yet Namalomba’s response points to a different question: whether public condemnation of corruption, however forceful, is meaningful without formal complaints and evidence capable of sustaining investigations. The exchange, albeit indirect, highlights a recurring tension in Malawi’s anti-corruption discourse. Public officials frequently acknowledge corruption as a national challenge, but disagreement often emerges over where responsibility lies for confronting it and how concerns should be translated into action. For some observers, the Speaker’s comments reflected a broader moral and political critique of graft. For others, Namalomba’s intervention served as a reminder that allegations alone are insufficient, and that the country’s investigative institutions remain the proper avenue for pursuing suspected offences. Whether the government spokesman intended his remarks as a direct rebuttal to the Speaker remains unclear. What is evident, however, is that the viral circulation of Suleman’s comments has reignited debate about corruption, accountability and the role of public officials in confronting both. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** corruption, Sameer Suleman, Shadreck Namalomba --- ### [Mwanamvekha leads Mulhako festival as Kawinga joins celebrations](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mwanamvekha-leads-mulhako-festival-as-kawinga-joins-celebrations/) **Published:** October 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The annual Mulhako wa Alhomwe cultural festival brought together senior government officials, business leaders and members of the Lhomwe community in Mulanje on Sunday, underscoring the event’s growing significance as both a cultural and public platform. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792322388229-1-600x400.jpg)Mwanamvekha Represents Mutharika at Mulhako Festival in MulanjeMinister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation Joseph Mwanamvekha attended the gathering as guest of honour, representing President Peter Mutharika, the patron of the organisation, who is currently outside the country on a private visit. The event attracted a substantial government presence, including eight Cabinet ministers and a number of senior public officials. Among those in attendance were Minister of Energy and Mining Jean Mathanga, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Mary Navicha, Minister of Education, Science and Technology Bright Msaka, Minister of Transport and Public Works Jappie Mhango, Minister of Natural Resources Patricia Wiskes, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation George Chaponda. Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi, principal secretaries, directors from various ministries and departments, as well as district commissioners from across the country. While the festival remains rooted in the preservation and promotion of Lhomwe culture, it has increasingly become a forum that attracts figures from across Malawi’s political, business and civic life. Among the notable attendees was Apostle Clifford Kawinga, managing director of Creck Hardware, who joined celebrations at Chonde Ground alongside thousands of festival-goers. His participation reflected the role that private sector actors increasingly play in supporting cultural and community initiatives. Ahead of the main event, Apostle Kawinga contributed K30 million through the purchase of seats during a fundraising drive organised in support of the festival. Speaking at the gathering, he described culture as an important pillar of nation-building and argued that cultural traditions should be preserved and supported for future generations. Mulhako wa Alhomwe, established in 2007, has evolved into one of Malawi’s largest cultural festivals. Supporters view it as a vehicle for promoting cultural identity, preserving the Chilomwe language and strengthening social cohesion among communities across the country. As crowds gathered in Mulanje for this year’s celebrations, the festival once again demonstrated its capacity to bring together cultural expression, public life and community engagement within a single national event. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261018-WA0004-600x338.jpg)Kawinga among guests at Mulhako Cultural Festival![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792322374422-600x400.jpg)Mulhako draws Cabinet Ministers, Jean Mathanga and Mary Navicha among them![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792322440612-600x400.jpg)Mulhako brings together government, business and community leaders Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Apostle Clifford Kawinga, Joseph Mwanamvekha, Mulhako wa Alhomwe --- ### [Mulhako festival opens window on Lhomwe Heritage as crowds gather in Mulanje](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mulhako-festival-opens-window-on-lhomwe-heritage-as-crowds-gather-in-mulanje/) **Published:** October 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The sound of rhythmic drumming and the sight of dancers moving in unison greeted thousands of people arriving at Chonde Ground in Mulanje on Saturday, as this year’s Mulhako wa Alhomwe celebrations got underway. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792321712708-600x400.jpg)Gugudela Welcomes Thousands to Mulhako wa Alhomwe![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792321717143-1-600x400.jpg)Traditional Dance Sets Tone for Mulhako Celebrations![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792322341856-600x400.jpg)Finance minister Joseph Mwanamvekha Represents President Peter Mutharika at Mulhako Festival in MulanjeAt the centre of the early festivities was Gugudela, a traditional Lhomwe dance associated with abundant rainfall and successful harvests. Performed with energy and precision, the dance provided a cultural welcome for visitors travelling from across the country to attend one of Malawi’s most prominent cultural gatherings. Dressed in traditional Lhomwe attire, men, women and children streamed into the venue throughout the morning, adding colour and atmosphere to an event that has become an established fixture on Malawi’s cultural calendar. The celebrations unfolded under clear skies and rising temperatures, with the October heat already evident by mid-morning. For many attendees, however, the festival represents more than entertainment. Since its establishment in 2007 by its founding patron, the late former president Bingu wa Mutharika, Mulhako wa Alhomwe has served as an important platform for the preservation and promotion of Lhomwe culture and identity. Veteran participants say the event traditionally builds towards its most significant moments later in the day, when speeches from invited guests are followed by the festival’s main celebrations. The organisation’s name reflects its broader cultural mission. In Chilomwe, the word mulhako is commonly understood to mean a door or gateway, symbolising the role the association seeks to play in connecting people with their heritage. Beyond the annual gathering, Mulhako wa Alhomwe promotes the use of the Chilomwe language, encourages cultural education and seeks to foster pride in Lhomwe traditions among younger generations. Its well-known motto, “Alhomwe, Alhomwe, noophiya!”, meaning “Lhomwes, Lhomwes, we are here!”, remains both a declaration of identity and a celebration of cultural continuity. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Mulhako wa Alhomwe --- ### [Pasuwa's Flames project under scrutiny as results and Malawi rankings decline](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pasuwas-flames-project-under-scrutiny-as-results-and-malawi-rankings-decline/) **Published:** October 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **One win in ten matches, a sharp fall in the FIFA rankings and constant squad changes have intensified questions about the direction of Malawi’s national team** The future of Malawi national team coach **Kalisto Pasuwa** has come under increasing scrutiny following a prolonged run of poor results that has left the Flames facing renewed uncertainty ahead of a crucial period in their development. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260914-WA0008-600x433.jpg)One win in ten: Questions Mount over Malawi’s rebuildWith just one victory in their last ten matches, concerns have been growing among analysts and supporters about the team’s trajectory under the Zimbabwean coach, who was appointed to oversee a rebuilding process following the departure of Patrick Mabedi. Those concerns have been compounded by a decline in Malawi’s FIFA ranking, which has fallen to 131, placing the Flames closer to their historic low than to the gains made in recent years. The latest setback came in October, when Malawi suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Angola in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The result added to a sequence of disappointing performances across multiple competitions, including Afcon qualifiers, World Cup qualifiers, African Nations Championship qualifiers and the Cosafa Cup. Among the more notable reverses were defeats to Namibia, Tunisia, Lesotho, Angola, South Africa, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Burundi and Equatorial Guinea, as well as a surprise loss to São Tomé and Príncipe that prompted fresh debate about the team’s competitiveness within the region. While results have attracted most attention, some observers have argued that the more significant issue concerns the lack of continuity in team selection. Since taking charge, Pasuwa has regularly introduced new players into the squad, a strategy that supporters view either as evidence of long-term rebuilding or, critics argue, an absence of a settled plan. By mid-2026, the coach had reportedly called up 65 different players across ten squads, including six goalkeepers, 19 defenders, 23 midfielders and 17 forwards. Football analyst **Parry Chinyama** believes the frequent changes have made it difficult to identify a clear playing style or core group of players around which the team can develop. “Every time there is a FIFA window, he has been changing players, he has been bringing new faces,” Chinyama said. “Since he took over, I have not seen the proper direction of his rebuilding. He has been selecting many players and we cannot say that they are all bad. It’s amazing that he has used over 50 players. We are not sure about what he is doing. I do not know when the coach will build his team.” Criticism has not been directed solely at the coaching bench. Football analyst **George Chiusiwa** argued that responsibility also rests with the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), questioning its approach to recruitment and long-term planning. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Callisto Pasuwa, Football Association of Malawi, Malawi Flames --- ### [Malawi turns to community sentences as prisons struggle with chronic overcrowding](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-turns-to-community-sentences-as-prisons-struggle-with-chronic-overcrowding/) **Published:** October 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **New law aims to reserve incarceration for serious offenders while allowing some convicted of minor crimes to serve sentences within their communities** Malawi is preparing to test a new approach to criminal justice after the Prisons Service announced plans to pilot community corrections programmes in four districts, part of a broader effort to address severe overcrowding in the country’s prisons. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784745604513-600x450.jpg)Repeat offences by pardon recipients intensify scrutiny of Malawi’s rehabilitation and reintegration systemsThe initiative follows the enactment of the Prisons Act 2025, legislation that introduces a framework for non-custodial sentences, parole and other alternatives to imprisonment. The reforms are intended to reduce pressure on facilities that currently house almost double the number of inmates they were designed to accommodate. According to prison authorities, Malawi’s prisons currently hold between 17,000 and 18,000 inmates despite having a combined capacity of about 9,000, a disparity that has long raised concerns among human rights organisations and criminal justice advocates. Speaking in an interview, Clement Kainja, the Malawi Prisons Service commissioner responsible for human resources and administration, said preparations were underway to implement the new law. A cohort of 100 community corrections officers is undergoing a two-month training programme at Mapanga in Blantyre. Once training is complete, the officers will be deployed to selected districts to oversee the first phase of the reforms. Kainja said the objective was to ensure that prison space is reserved primarily for individuals who pose a significant risk to public safety. “The new Prisons Act is introducing community corrections, where the focus is to divert traffic from our prisons,” he said, arguing that incarceration should be prioritised for serious offenders rather than people convicted of relatively minor crimes. **Four districts selected** The pilot programme is expected to begin in Mchinji, Phalombe, Machinga and Salima. In those districts, community corrections officers will work alongside courts, probation officers and other stakeholders to implement non-custodial sentencing options and supervise eligible offenders serving sentences outside prison. The initiative represents a significant shift in penal policy, moving away from an approach that has traditionally relied heavily on imprisonment and towards one that places greater emphasis on rehabilitation and reintegration. Human rights organisations have broadly welcomed the reforms while emphasising the need for effective implementation. Victor Mhango, executive director of the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA), said the legislation had the potential to reduce overcrowding and improve rehabilitation outcomes. CHREAA has been working with the Prisons Service to train officers on the provisions of the new Act, and Mhango welcomed the introduction of parole as part of the reforms. However, important questions remain unanswered. Authorities have yet to explain how the pilot programme will be funded, when precisely it will begin, or what criteria will be used to assess whether it has succeeded. Those details may prove crucial in determining whether community corrections can offer a sustainable solution to one of Malawi’s most persistent criminal justice challenges: a prison system operating far beyond its intended capacity. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, General, News **Tags:** prison --- ### [Ansah's cryptic comments set tongues wagging across Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ansahs-cryptic-comments-set-tongues-wagging-across-malawi/) **Published:** October 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A video clip of Vice-President Jane Ansah urging Malawians to remain vigilant has resurfaced on social media, prompting widespread discussion as President Peter Mutharika remains in South Africa on a private visit. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261015_191017_Drive-1-600x432.jpg)SMOKE SIGNAL? Ansah’s Viral Warning Sparks BuzzThe clip, in which Dr Ansah says, “When you see smoke, whatever it is, there must be fire,” has been shared extensively online in recent days, with some users seeking to link the remarks to current political developments. However, the comments were made several months ago during an Anglican Church event held in March, according to information now available to *NyasaTimes*, raising questions about the context in which the footage is being circulated. In the video, Ansah encourages vigilance, telling her audience to be alert and prepared for challenges that may arise. The footage itself does not indicate that she was referring to the President, his health, or any subsequent political developments. Nonetheless, its renewed circulation has coincided with heightened interest in Mutharika’s continued stay in South Africa, where he travelled on 6 October on what the government has described as a private visit. The timing has encouraged speculation online, although there is no evidence that the Vice-President’s remarks were connected to events unfolding months later. The episode highlights the way social media can detach political statements from their original setting, allowing old remarks to acquire new meanings as circumstances change. In this case, a comment made at a church gathering has found a fresh audience amid contemporary political uncertainty. Without the wider context of Ansah’s March address, interpretations of the clip are likely to remain varied. What is clear, however, is that the remarks predate both the President’s current trip and the speculation that has surrounded it. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Jane Ansah, Peter Mutharika, Social media --- ### ['Akumaganiza mwa ndowe!' Kabwila's stink bomb hits Mbilizi and 'inept' govt](https://www.nyasatimes.com/akumaganiza-mwa-ndowe-kabwilas-stink-bomb-hits-mbilizi-and-inept-govt/) **Published:** October 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Dr Jessie Kabwila has mounted a broad critique of the government, arguing that failures in agriculture, healthcare and governance point to deeper weaknesses within the administration. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/kabwila-1-600x368.jpg)Kabwila says ‘Ndowe-Thinking’ government Is failing MalawiAppearing on the *Timveni Podcast*, Kabwila singled out Agriculture Minister Roz Mbilizi, whom she described as emblematic of what she sees as a lack of competence in government. “There is ineptitude in this government. *Akumaganiza mwa ndowe*,” Kabwila said during the interview. She cited an incident at the opening of the tobacco auction floors where, according to Kabwila, the minister reportedly sought clarification on the meaning of tobacco bales labelled “NS” and was informed that the designation referred to Ntchisi. For Kabwila, the episode reflected a wider problem. She argued that key public institutions are being led without sufficient grasp of the sectors they oversee, a situation she believes is contributing to mounting challenges across the country. The MCP spokesperson also accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of undermining the agricultural economy. She contended that current policies are weakening economic activity in the Central Region, an area that has historically served as the MCP’s political base and an important agricultural hub. Her criticism extended to the health sector, where she pointed to reports of severe shortages of essential medicines. Kabwila said disclosures by health authorities regarding a 75 per cent drug deficit amounted to an admission that the government was struggling to provide basic medical supplies. She further claimed that shortages had reached alarming levels at Kamuzu Central Hospital, one of the country’s principal referral facilities, raising questions about the resilience of Malawi’s public healthcare system. Beyond service delivery, Kabwila framed recent political developments as evidence of growing tensions within government. She said the reported sidelining of Vice-President Jane Ansah represented an unprecedented departure from established practice, arguing that such developments risk undermining confidence in the administration’s internal cohesion. Kabwila also addressed speculation surrounding possible constitutional reforms that could grant a President powers to dismiss a sitting Vice-President. While acknowledging that no such changes have been formally enacted, she suggested the persistent discussion surrounding the matter warranted close public scrutiny. Her remarks reflect an opposition increasingly focused not only on economic difficulties and public services, but also on questions of governance and institutional stability. As political debate intensifies, issues of agricultural performance, drug availability and executive relations are likely to remain at the centre of Malawi’s national conversation. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** DPP, governance, Jessie Kabwila, Roza Mbilizi --- ### [CTS Courier backs women to build businesses after skills drive in Zomba](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cts-courier-backs-women-to-build-businesses-after-skills-drive-in-zomba/) **Published:** October 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** More than 500 women in Zomba have been equipped with practical business and financial skills through a women’s empowerment initiative spearheaded by CTS Courier, as the company steps up efforts to promote economic independence and entrepreneurship. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a73f6f89-4374-4145-b3cb-78d61e85a626-600x451.jpeg)Zomba Malosa Parliamentary Grace Kwelepeta (in national wear) was also in attendance![Some of the women mentored during the training](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/96609980-4743-4879-b557-c36d5be7ad25-600x451.jpeg)Some of the women mentored during the trainingThe training, held at Gymkhana Ground and delivered in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO), focused on soap making, peanut butter production, cooking oil processing and financial management. CTS Courier Marketing and Communications Officer Vannessa Kameza said the programme was designed to give women the tools needed to generate income and become financially self-sufficient. She said the initiative would be rolled out to Lilongwe and Mzuzu between January and March next year, extending its reach to more women across the country. Kameza also revealed plans to establish women’s cooperatives, enabling participants to sharpen their entrepreneurial skills and access capital to launch and grow small businesses. The programme drew praise from Grace Kwelepeta, Member of Parliament for Zomba Malosa and chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, who described the training as a meaningful contribution to women’s economic empowerment. She said the skills gained would help improve household incomes while supporting local production and reducing dependence on imported goods. Kwelepeta further encouraged participants to utilise Constituency Development Fund (CDF) loans to turn their newly acquired skills into sustainable business ventures. Among those trained was Emily Bwalambo from Zomba Malosa, who said the programme had given her the confidence and knowledge to pursue self-employment. Bwalambo said she intends to start a peanut butter production business using the skills gained during the training. SMEDCO Communications Officer Micah Nthere said the initiative was aimed at helping women become economically independent and create their own sources of income. The training forms part of a broader push to strengthen women’s participation in business and enterprise development across Malawi. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, News **Tags:** CTS Courier, Grace Kwelepeta, Zomba --- ### ['Private is private': Malawi govt refuses to explain President Mutharika's five trips to South Africa](https://www.nyasatimes.com/private-is-private-malawi-govt-refuses-to-explain-president-mutharikas-five-trips-to-south-africa/) **Published:** October 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Chief Secretary Justin Saidi dismisses critics as pushing ‘propaganda’, while an academic and a rights chief say the public is entitled to know more** The government will not disclose details of President Peter Mutharika’s private trips abroad, Chief Secretary Justin Saidi has said, dismissing critics’ questions as propaganda. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784074543483-600x386.jpg)President Mutharika shares a word with Chief Secretary Dr Justin Saidi: Private Saidi said: “Private is private. It is not public.” He added that some people were “bent on propaganda, but that will not help”. The response follows the President’s fifth private trip to South Africa since taking office in October 2025, after the 16 September general election. Records show he first travelled on 1 December 2025 for 14 days, then on 1 March 2026 for 11 days, 12 June for 17 days and 5 August for 11 days. His latest trip began on 6 October 2026. The latest trip was announced only after he had left, a break from the usual practice of telling the public in advance. Saidi maintained the trips remain private and that the government is under no obligation to release more details. Boniface Dulani, an associate professor of political science at the University of Malawi, said the President is also Head of State, entrusted with public power, so Malawians need information about his private travels to avoid speculation. He cited Article 12(1) of the Constitution, which says all legal and political authority derives from the people and must be exercised solely to serve and protect their interests. “Nature abhors a vacuum,” Professor Dulani said. “In the absence of information, the public will fill the vacuum with speculation, innuendo and insinuations.” Michael Kaiyatsa, executive director of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition, said personal privacy cannot be a blanket excuse for secrecy. He said that if the trips are genuinely private, the government should at least clarify whether they are privately or publicly funded, without revealing sensitive personal details. “Where public resources are involved, accountability is not optional,” he said. Mutharika won the 2025 election with 3,035,249 votes (56.8 percent) against Lazarus Chakwera’s 1,765,170 (33 percent). He previously served as President from 2014 to 2020. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** accountability, Justine Saidi, Malawi Cabinet, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Leaders v strugglers: Bullets take title chase to Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/leaders-v-strugglers-bullets-take-title-chase-to-lilongwe/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FCB Nyasa Big Bullets travel to Lilongwe on Sunday to face MAFCO FC in the FDH Bank Premiership, looking to stay top of the table. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261016-WA0007-600x375.jpg)Table-topping Bullets head to Lilongwe to face relegation-threatened MAFCOWedson Nyirenda’s side lead with 33 points from 16 games, one ahead of Mighty Wanderers, who have 32 from the same number of matches. Bullets went top last Sunday with a 2-0 win over Blue Eagles at Mpira Stadium, thanks to goals from Chawanangwa Gumbo and Ephraim Kondowe, having ended the first round with a 5-0 victory over Silver Strikers. Nyirenda was also named coach of the month for August. MAFCO are in the relegation zone and have changed their coach, with Ted Kalinda replacing Temwa Msuku, who has moved to other duties in the Malawi Defence Force. The soldiers’ side will see the visit of the leaders as a chance to disrupt Bullets’ title bid. The match is at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** FDH Premiership, MAFCO, Nyasa Big Bullets --- ### ['Public money is being stolen': Speaker sounds alarm over fertiliser funds](https://www.nyasatimes.com/public-money-is-being-stolen-speaker-sounds-alarm-over-fertiliser-funds/) **Published:** October 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman has launched a scathing attack on corruption, warning that the theft of public funds intended for poor Malawians is undermining development and deepening hardship among the country’s most vulnerable citizens. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792267146681-600x450.jpg)Parliament Speaker claims fertiliser funds are being looted as fresh questions swirl over management of agriculture programmesSpeaking at a Dawah event organised by the City Centre Masjid Committee in Lilongwe on Saturday, Suleman delivered one of his strongest public condemnations of graft, accusing unnamed individuals of siphoning off resources meant to improve people’s lives. In a hard-hitting address, the Speaker said corruption had become a major obstacle to national progress, arguing that dishonest practices were preventing Malawi from delivering prosperity to its citizens. “The Holy Qur’an provides punishment for those who are found guilty of stealing,” Suleman told worshippers, stressing the need for accountability in the management of public resources. He reserved particular criticism for the alleged misuse of funds intended for fertiliser programmes designed to support poor farming households. “People are stealing public funds meant to buy fertiliser for poor Malawians, but if someone speaks against it, some people are busy trying to remove such a person,” he said. The remarks are likely to fuel debate over the management of agricultural support programmes, an area that has already attracted public scrutiny and political controversy in recent months. Without naming any individuals, Suleman also alleged that some people were exercising influence beyond their official responsibilities and claimed that relatives of powerful figures were benefiting from the alleged theft of money earmarked for development projects. His comments are expected to intensify discussion about corruption and accountability at a time when graft remains one of the country’s most contentious political issues. Drawing on Islamic teachings, the Speaker urged Malawians not to remain silent when public resources intended for the poor are being misused. “Islam teaches us that if you die fighting for the poor, Allah will grant you a great reward in Jannah. As such, we need to aim for that,” he said. The speech amounted to a direct appeal for citizens to defend public resources and stand up for disadvantaged communities, placing the struggle against corruption at the heart of the country’s development agenda. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** corruption, Fertiliser, Sameer Suleman --- ### [Civo-Dedza Dynamos share spoils in FDH Bank Premiership](https://www.nyasatimes.com/civo-dedza-dynamos-share-spoils-in-fdh-bank-premiership/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Civo Services United and Goshen City Dedza Dynamos shared the spoils following a 1-1 draw in the FDH Bank Premiership after both sides failed to find a winning goal in an entertaining contest. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261017-WA0012-579x600.jpg)Civo-Dedza Dynamos share spoilsBoth teams entered the match with positive ambitions, seeking maximum points to strengthen their positions in the competition as they continue to struggle for consistency this season. Civo Services United came into the encounter with six wins, two draws and eight defeats, while Goshen City Dedza Dynamos had recorded four wins, six draws and six losses. With both sides eager to improve their records, the match promised an intense battle for supremacy. It was Dedza Dynamos who drew first blood in the 25th minute through Marco Chiwaya, who found the back of the net to give his side an early advantage and put pressure on the hosts. However, Civo Services United responded late in the first half, with Precious Chipungu scoring in the 43rd minute to restore parity and ensure the teams went into the break level at 1-1. The second half produced an entertaining display, with both sides showing attacking intent as they searched for a decisive goal. The teams created opportunities and demonstrated determination, but a lack of composure in front of goal proved costly. Despite their efforts, neither side managed to break the deadlock, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes. The result means both Civo Services United and Goshen City Dedza Dynamos had to settle for a point, leaving them with more work to do as they continue their fight to improve their standings in the FDH Bank Premiership. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Civo United, Dedza Dynamos, FDH Premiership --- ### [Ng’ambi fires Wanderers top after hard-fought win over Creck](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ngambi-fires-wanderers-top-after-hard-fought-win-over-creck/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers climbed to the summit of the FDH Bank Premiership after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over struggling Creck Sporting Club, with a scrappy second-half winner from Peter Ng’ambi proving enough to separate the sides in Blantyre. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261017-WA0015-1-600x400.jpg)Ng’ambi strike sends Wanderers top as Creck rue red card and refereeing decisionsFor long periods, Wanderers appeared frustrated by a disciplined Creck side determined to halt the league leaders’ momentum. Despite dominating possession and territory at Mpira Stadium, the Nomads found chances difficult to convert in a contest where clear openings were at a premium. The visitors’ resistance was typified by the display of Clever Chikwata, whose commanding aerial presence helped repel a succession of Wanderers corners and crosses during a goalless first half. The match turned shortly after the restart when Creck were reduced to ten men. Mphatso Phillimon was shown a second yellow card and then a red following a challenge on Wanderers goalkeeper Dalitso Khungwa. The dismissal came after an earlier booking for an altercation involving Wanderers captain Emmanuel Nyirenda, who was also cautioned. Even with the numerical advantage, Wanderers struggled to find a breakthrough until 15 minutes from time. Veteran midfielder Isaac Kaliati delivered a free-kick from the right flank that created confusion inside the Creck penalty area. Amid the scramble, Peter Ng’ambi reacted quickest, volleying beyond goalkeeper Emmance Nyirenda to secure the decisive goal. Ng’ambi’s contribution earned him the Player of the Match award and moved Wanderers to 35 points from 17 matches. Creck coach Ernest Mtawali cut a frustrated figure after the final whistle, directing his criticism towards the officiating. “It’s very important that we should be fair. Football is about fair play. No team should be favoured in football if our game is to improve. Teams should be winning fair and square,” he said. Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira hailed his side’s perseverance against opponents who have often proved difficult to overcome. “We have never had an easy game with Creck. This match too was a tough one but it’s important that we have collected three points. We need to continue working hard in the forthcoming matches,” he said. The victory lifted Wanderers to the top of the table, although their stay there could prove brief if FCB Nyasa Big Bullets defeat MAFCO on Sunday. For Creck, who remain 15th with 13 points from 17 games, the battle against relegation continues. For Wanderers, meanwhile, this was another reminder that title challenges are often built on afternoons when style gives way to resilience. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Creck Sporting, FDH Premiership, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [Mkandawire stars as Civo see off Silver Strikers Ladies](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mkandawire-stars-as-civo-see-off-silver-strikers-ladies/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Civo Service Women strengthened their Women’s NBM Premiership title challenge with a 3-2 victory over city rivals Silver Strikers Ladies at Silver Stadium on Saturday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261017-WA0010-600x488.jpg)Title race tightens after Civo defeat Silver in capital clashVitumbiko Mercy Mkandawire scored twice in the first half as Civo took control of an entertaining Lilongwe derby. Mkandawire opened the scoring in the 18th minute before doubling her side’s advantage three minutes before the break. Silver Strikers reduced the deficit in first-half stoppage time through Madyina Nguluwe to keep the contest alive heading into the interval. Civo restored their two-goal cushion in the 71st minute when Meneni Kapasule found the net to make it 3-1. Ireen Khumalo pulled another goal back for Silver Strikers and set up a tense finish, but the hosts were unable to find an equaliser as Civo held on for all three points. The result leaves the title race finely balanced, with Civo Service Women, Silver Strikers Ladies and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women level on points and separated only by goal difference. For Civo, the victory represented a significant statement against one of their closest rivals and maintained momentum in an increasingly competitive championship battle. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** women football --- ### [Malawi beach soccer team qualify for Africa Cup of Nations with 10-1 win](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-beach-soccer-team-qualify-for-africa-cup-of-nations-with-10-1-win/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s beach soccer team have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals after beating Seychelles 10-1 in the second leg of their qualifier at Livingstonia Beach in Salima, completing a 16-3 aggregate victory. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261017-WA0009-1-600x600.jpg)Malawi beach soccer teamMalawi had won the first leg 6-2 in Seychelles. Frank Mwenefumbo and the captain, Isaac Kajamu, each scored a hat-trick in the return, with Michael Jumali and Dala Simba also on the scoresheet. Malawi took an early lead and controlled all three periods. The finals take place in Senegal in November. Malawi qualified for the 2022 and 2024 tournaments, held in Egypt and Mozambique. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Beach soccer --- ### [Bushiri splashes MK8m on Prophet Hara’s book](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bushiri-splashes-mk8m-on-prophet-haras-book/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Senior Prophet Dr Justice Hara, famously known as “The Game Changer,” has publicly thanked Major Prophet Dr Shepherd Bushiri and Dr Pastor Khumbo Joram after the two church leaders dug deep into their pockets to back his latest literary venture. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261017-WA0005-400x600.jpg)From the pulpit to the page: Bushiri pays millions for Prophet Hara’s inspirational booksThe tributes came after Prophet Hara’s high-profile book launch in Lilongwe on October 14, which drew scores of supporters eager to celebrate his growing influence in Christian ministry, leadership and inspirational writing. But it was the eye-watering bids from fellow religious heavyweights that stole the spotlight. In a dramatic show of support, ECG Church founder Prophet Shepherd Bushiri emerged as the night’s biggest spender, purchasing copies of Prophet Hara’s books worth a staggering MK8 million. Not to be outdone, Holy Nation Church founder Dr Pastor Khumbo Joram also made a powerful statement, parting with MK7.5 million to secure a copy of one of the newly launched titles. Pastor Joram is said to have told attendees that merely showing up at the event was not enough. Instead, he wanted to make a meaningful contribution by buying a book and helping to encourage Prophet Hara’s writing ministry. The generous gestures transformed the launch into more than just a literary event, turning it into a celebration of unity and support among some of most prominent Christian leaders. Clearly moved by the backing, Prophet Hara praised both Bushiri and Joram for believing in his mission and investing in work designed to inspire believers, develop leaders and spread Christian teachings through the written word. The event also shone a spotlight on the growing role of Christian literature in shaping faith communities, with supporters encouraged to invest in books that promote spiritual growth, personal development and leadership values. For Prophet Hara, the message was simple: encouragement from fellow church leaders can be a powerful force in helping authors and ministers continue their work and reach wider audiences. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261017-WA0004-600x450.jpg)Khumbo Joram forks out MK7.5m in spectacular show of support to Prophet Hara Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Prophet Bushiri, Prophet Hara --- ### [National Bank of Malawi, Press Trust invest K1.4bn in Ntcheu health centre](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-press-trust-invest-k1-4bn-in-ntcheu-health-centre/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc and Press Trust have invested K1.4 billion in the construction of Namale Health Centre in Ntcheu, in a partnership aimed at improving access to healthcare for more than 15,000 people in hard-to-reach communities. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Ulaya-Left-and-Chirwa-symbolic-groundbreaking-of-Namale-Health-Centre-002-600x391.jpg)Ulaya (Left) and Chirwa symbolic groundbreaking of Namale Health Centre (002)The project, officially launched at a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, is expected to bring essential medical services closer to residents who currently travel long distances to access healthcare. Speaking at the ceremony, NBM plc Chief Risk Officer Charles Ulaya said the investment reflects the bank’s commitment to complementing government efforts in national development, particularly in health, education and sports. “As the Bank of the Nation, we identified the need to support areas where healthcare services are lacking. “We therefore partnered with Press Trust to construct the Namale Health Centre to improve access to healthcare for people in this community,” said Ulaya. The health centre is expected to ease the burden on residents who travel approximately 45 kilometres to Ntcheu District Hospital to access medical attention, including maternal and child healthcare services. Ntcheu District Council Chairperson, Councilor Jumbe Mambo, commended NBM plc and Press Trust for the investment, describing the facility as an important development that will address healthcare access challenges in the area. Mambo said the long distances and poor road accessibility, especially during the rainy season, had made it difficult for residents to access medical services. He added that the council would complement the project by contributing towards the development of additional infrastructure at the facility through the reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF). “The health centre will have two staff houses. It will also provide solar power and a water supply system. “The additional facilities are expected to support the delivery of essential medical services while providing accommodation for healthcare workers and improving access to reliable electricity and water,” said Chirwa. Press Trust Trustee Engineer Wilson Chirwa said the facility would comprise an outpatient department (OPD), a maternity wing and other supporting infrastructure to facilitate healthcare delivery.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Ulaya-Left-shakes-hands-with-Chirwa-after-the-groundbreaking-ceremony-002-600x440.jpg) Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, News **Tags:** National Bank of Malawi, Ntcheu, Press Corporation Limited --- ### [FDH Money Bureau rewards 10 more pairs in 3rd ‘Double Double’ promotion  ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fdh-money-bureau-rewards-10-more-pairs-in-3rd-double-double-promotion/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FDH Money Bureau has rewarded 10 pairs of customers with K500,000 each in its third ‘Double Double’ promotion draw on Wednesday, recognising senders and receivers who use the bank’s international money transfer services. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Chikhula-left-and-FDH-Money-Bureau-Money-Transfers-Manager-Harry-Hackim-conduct-the-draw-002-480x600.jpg)Chikhula (left) and FDH Money Bureau Money Transfers Manager Harry Hackim conduct the draw![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Chikhula-says-there-has-been-an-overwhelming-response-002-436x600.jpg)Chikhula says there has been an overwhelming responseThe Bureau launched the promotion in June and had already rewarded 20 pairs of customers in the previous two draws. Speaking during the third draw, FDH Financial Holdings Public Relations Manager Lorraine Chikhula said the promotion has received a positive response from customers since its launch. “There has been an overwhelming response ever since we launched the promotion. People are making transactions, they are sending and receiving money through our bank,” said Chikhula. Chikhula urged customers to continue using FDH’s international money transfer services to increase their chances of winning as the promotion goes into the final draw. “We are excited about the upcoming final draw, which will take place in a month. Four lucky pairs of customers will win K10 million each. “Customers should continue to receive money from abroad through Western Union, MoneyGram or Ria at any FDH kiosk or through FDH Mobile Banking to win more,” said Chikhula. Previously, one of the first-draw winners, Swabila Beaton, commended FDH for the promotion and urged other customers to continue transacting through Western Union and other participating money transfer services at FDH Bank. “I am very happy that FDH has started this promotion. It is progressing well, and I am happy to be one of the people who won K500,000. “I would like to encourage other customers to keep transacting and participating in the promotion, as more people can benefit from the initiative,” said Beaton. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, News **Tags:** FDH Bank --- ### [Sumbuleta appointed to Admarc deputy CEO post not on approved staff structure](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sumbuleta-appointed-to-admarc-deputy-ceo-post-not-on-approved-staff-structure/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) has brought back the post of deputy chief executive and appointed Aubrey Sumbuleta to it, three years after abolishing it to cut costs. The job is not on the corporation’s approved staff structure. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Aubrey-Sumbuleta-600x329.jpg)Admarc cut 2,400 jobs to save cash, then created a new top post for Aubrey SumbuletaBoard chairperson Gray Nyandule Phiri told Mr Sumbuleta in a letter on 4 August 2026 that the board had ratified his appointment at Grade AL 2. The government appointed him on a three-year fixed-term contract, renewable subject to performance targets that are to be agreed with the board in writing. His pay is to be agreed once he accepts the offer, and the signed contract and targets must go to the government for vetting and final approval. Stuart Ligomeka, the Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, confirmed the post was created on a non-establishment basis and does not appear on Admarc’s approved structure. He said such posts are created “on a need basis”. He acknowledged the corporation’s financial difficulties, but said it also needs to improve its performance to meet its commercial and social mandates, and that his office is providing direction and oversight. Sylvester Ayuba James, who chairs the parliamentary committee on statutory corporations, said the committee was not consulted and will summon the board to explain. He said the committee has long pushed for lean management in struggling parastatals, and that bringing the post back runs counter to that aim. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** ADMARC, Aubrey Sumbuleta --- ### [Cars get dollars, medicines don't? MPs question forex for pharmaceutical firms](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cars-get-dollars-medicines-dont-mps-question-forex-for-pharmaceutical-firms/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian syringe manufacturer says it can produce 90 million syringes a year, roughly ten times what the government uses, and has asked MPs to help local manufacturers compete. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792019946100-600x400.jpg)Health committee to question Reserve Bank on forex for pharmaceutical firmsFurkan Gan, managing director of Victoria Pharmaceuticals Industry Limited, told Parliament’s Health Committee that the Blantyre plant was set up to supply the government, and that its syringes are labelled as government property. He said the government consumes about 9 to 10 million syringes a year, depending on disease outbreaks, so the annual demand is not fixed. The capacity figures are the company’s own and have not been independently checked. Mr Gan said the plant gives Malawi a chance to strengthen local production of medical supplies and possibly to sell to other markets in the region. He said it is the only company producing syringes in Southern Africa, which is also his claim. Mr Gan called on the government to give local manufacturers preferential consideration in public procurement, arguing that domestic firms need predictable markets to keep investing, create jobs and contribute to tax revenue. He urged the government to agree prices and supply terms with local producers that let them compete while keeping up quality standards. Awarding contracts mainly on the lowest price could disadvantage established manufacturers, he warned, and carries a risk if suppliers lack the capacity to meet quality requirements. He said foreign exchange shortages are the main obstacle, because production depends on imported raw materials. He asked the government to protect its “Buy Malawian” initiative. “In that way, you will see many people willing to invest in this country,” he said. Committee chairperson Anthony Masamba said forex shortages had come up repeatedly in the committee’s talks with pharmaceutical manufacturers. The committee has found that local firms can make medicines and medical devices, he said, but struggle to get foreign currency to import raw materials. Mr Masamba questioned why importers of cars appear to get foreign exchange while pharmaceutical companies cannot get the dollars they need to make essential medicines. The committee, he said, will ask the Reserve Bank of Malawi how forex is allocated, and whether sectors critical to public health are given priority. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792019939215-600x400.jpg)Victoria Pharmaceuticals says it can make 90 million syringes a year Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, News **Tags:** Best Buy Malawi, forex, Victoria Pharmaceuticals --- ### ['Lilongwe is the capital, but the situation does not befit it' -- Council chief Stambuli](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lilongwe-is-the-capital-but-the-situation-does-not-befit-it-council-chief-stambuli/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The head of Lilongwe City Council says the capital’s roads and public facilities fall short of what is expected of a capital city, and that a new partnership with a military engineering firm must reach well beyond a single road. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260903-WA0005-e1788432203376-600x430.jpg)Stambuli pledges transparency as Lilongwe bridge project begins“Lilongwe is the capital of Malawi, but the situation which we are having does not befit the capital status,” chief executive Clement Stambuli said at the groundbreaking of a new link road between Areas 47 and 49. He said he hopes the partnership with the Malawi Defence Force Engineering Company Limited (MDF-ECCL) will go on to cover road repairs, including pothole maintenance, and other infrastructure. Mr Stambuli pledged that the money would be managed responsibly and transparently. He urged the contractor to stick to agreed costs, technical specifications and deadlines, and said the project must offer value for money and meet safety and environmental standards. The 12-month project covers a Bailey bridge across the Lingadzi River and 800 metres of bitumen road linking it to Presidential Way, near Bingu National Stadium. It is expected to ease congestion, shorten journeys to the city centre and cut the economic losses caused by traffic delays. It is part of a K15 billion package of three projects being delivered through the council. The others are improvements to Presidential Way towards the city centre by MDF-ECCL, and upgrading a separate 1.5-kilometre road from Area 47 to Chibuku Products to bitumen standard. Local Government and Rural Development Minister Ben Malunga Phiri, who led the ceremony, said congestion is undermining economic activity in the capital. He said many people now live in Areas 25 and 49 and have long struggled to get to town. The new link, he said, will give an alternative route towards Crossroads and the city centre, so people will not have to go “all the way to the Saulos Chilima Highway”. Residents, including learners from Areas 47, 49 and 25, now rely on a makeshift footbridge about 50 metres long to cross the river. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Clement Stambuli, Lilongwe City Council --- ### [Malawi's beach soccer stars out to finish the job as Seychelles visit Salima](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-beach-soccer-stars-out-to-finish-the-job-as-seychelles-visit-salima/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s beach soccer team have a four-goal lead and a place at the Africa Cup of Nations in their sights as they host Seychelles in the return leg of their qualifier on Saturday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261017-WA0001-600x450.jpg)Malawi beach soccer national team playing against Seychelles in the first leg match![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261017-WA0000-600x600.jpg)Bonongwe: “Wearing Malawi’s colours comes with responsibility,”The match is at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach in Salima on 17 October. Malawi won the first leg 6-2, and the aggregate winner goes through to the continental finals in Senegal, which run from 28 November to 6 December. Goalkeeper Justine Bonongwe said wearing the national colours carries a heavy responsibility. “When we put on the national colours, it means the country has placed its trust in us, and we must deliver,” he said. Head coach Willy Kumilambe said preparations have gone well and that he expects a better performance than in the first leg. “We have had a very good camp, and the morale is very high,” he said. “The nation should expect a far much better game than we did in Seychelles.” He said Malawi will not sit back on their lead. “I don’t like to play a defensive game, as the best way to defend is to attack, so this game is all fireworks,” he said. Mr Kumilambe also reminded fans of the team’s pedigree. “I want to remind people that this team is the one which played at the World Cup,” he said. The coach admitted there had been some “hiccups” after both the captain and vice-captain were injured, but said all players are now available for selection. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Beach soccer --- ### [Low turnout in Malawi tobacco registration exercise](https://www.nyasatimes.com/low-turnout-in-malawi-tobacco-registration-exercise/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s tobacco industry is facing a major setback after barely one in five growers registered under the crucial Know Your Grower (KYG) programme, despite a deadline extension and a nationwide registration drive. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/A-farmer-eyeing-this-years-tobacco-market.-600x400.jpe)Growers Snub Registration PushFigures released by the Tobacco Commission show that only 55,851 farmers have registered for the exercise out of the country’s 293,205 recorded tobacco growers, representing just 19 per cent of the total farming population. The disappointing uptake has sparked concerns over the effectiveness of the initiative, which was launched to tighten compliance with industry regulations and improve the traceability of Malawi’s tobacco crop. The registration exercise began on 21 September and was originally due to end on 3 October. However, authorities were forced to extend the deadline after large numbers of farmers continued seeking registration beyond the initial closing date. With the field registration exercise now set to end on Saturday, 17 October, officials are under pressure to understand why tens of thousands of growers have failed to enrol. Tobacco Commission Public Relations Officer Telephorus Chigwenembe said registration would continue at the commission’s divisional offices in Lilongwe, Kasungu, Mzuzu and Limbe, even after field operations close. Mr Chigwenembe said the KYG programme is designed to strengthen adherence to tobacco industry rules while making it easier to monitor and track tobacco production across the country. But he admitted that the commission is concerned by the low turnout and plans to investigate the reasons behind the poor response. “We will conduct an assessment to establish the factors contributing to the low registration numbers,” he said. The KYG registration drive forms part of wider efforts to improve oversight of tobacco production and boost accountability within one of Malawi’s most important export industries. As the field exercise draws to a close, the commission faces an uphill battle to bring more farmers into the system, although continued registration services at its regional offices could provide a lifeline for growers who have yet to sign up. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, National --- ### [K10m award for book on Malawi's indigenous knowledge](https://www.nyasatimes.com/k10m-award-for-book-on-malawis-indigenous-knowledge/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi Union of Academic and Non-fiction Authors (MUANA) has been awarded K10 million by the COSOMA Copyright Fund for a national project to record and preserve Malawi’s indigenous knowledge. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261016-WA0008-600x600.jpg)MUANA president: Indigenous knowledge is disappearing with elders![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261016-WA0009-600x600.jpg)Writing Malawi back into memory: K10m award to preserve vanishing indigenous knowledge in landmark bookVictor Sibale received the award on behalf of MUANA on Friday at the COSOMA offices in Area 5, Lilongwe. Under the project, MUANA members will be invited to apply for a short, intensive writers’ residency. Each selected author will contribute to a book to be published by CLAIM. ‘Disappearing with our elders’ MUANA president Ndongolera Christopher Mwangupili told Nyasa Times that Malawi’s indigenous knowledge is fading, and that the book will help hand it to the next generation. “For too long, our indigenous knowledge – our medicine, our farming wisdom, our food systems, our proverbs, our conflict resolution, our understanding of nature – has been unwritten, dismissed and is now disappearing with our elders,” he said. “Yet this knowledge holds answers to climate change, food security, health and true development.” “To preserve it is to preserve who we are,” he added. “We want to write Malawi back into memory.” About MUANA MUANA was founded in 2014 to give non-fiction and academic writers a platform of their own, separate from one dominated by fiction. It works to build members’ writing skills, promote academic publishing and support national goals such as Malawi 2063. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Copyright Society of Malawi, Muana --- ### [Fashion designer Memory Ngwira urges Malawi models to protect themselves from exploitation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fashion-designer-memory-ngwira-urges-malawi-models-to-protect-themselves-from-exploitation/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Aspiring models in Malawi have been told they need to treat themselves as brands if they are to earn a living from their work and avoid being exploited. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792194609049-400x600.jpg)Memory Ngwira urges models to build personal brandsFashion designer Memory Ngwira, who helped organise a training session in Lilongwe, said many young models have the passion and ability to succeed but lack the knowledge to turn their skills into income. She said that gap leaves some vulnerable to exploitation by people in the industry. “We wanted to empower them with the knowledge and skills they can use to grow their personal brands and turn their talents into marketable skills,” she said. The session, organised by èmèn Fashion Brands and Solace Marketing Agency, drew participants aged between 18 and 30. It also launched Solace Creative Academy, which will train creatives, including models, singers and actors, in personal branding. The organisers said they plan to take the training to other parts of the country. Guest trainer Masiye Mazaza told participants that individuals can be brands as well as organisations. He said models contribute beyond the runway, appearing in music videos, acting and helping fashion businesses to show off their products. They should build a reputation that makes people want to work with them, he said, so that when demand comes they can decline to work for free. He also urged them to work with agencies and managers who can guide their careers. One participant, Junior Magos, described the conditions many models face. He said the local industry offers limited opportunities because fashion shows are infrequent, and some brands expect models to showcase their products without payment. The report does not say how widespread unpaid work is. Mr Magos said the training had taught him how to brand himself, including what to post and what to avoid on social media to keep a professional image. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Modelling --- ### [Army wins football, police take netball gold as security forces' sports festival closes](https://www.nyasatimes.com/army-wins-football-police-take-netball-gold-as-security-forces-sports-festival-closes/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Defence Minister Feston Kaupa has praised the five-day Inter-Security Sports Festival for promoting unity and cooperation among Malawi’s security institutions, as the event closed with the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) taking the football title and the Malawi Police Service winning gold in netball. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792192577811-600x400.jpg)Kaupa praises Inter-Security Sports Festival at closing ceremonySpeaking at the closing ceremony, Mr Kaupa said cooperation between security institutions is key to protecting borders, keeping communities peaceful and building public confidence in the security services. The festival brought together teams from the MDF, the Police, the Prison Service and the Department of Immigration. Colonel Alfred Matambo, chairperson of the joint organising committee, said the event had strengthened existing bonds and created new friendships among officers, which he said would improve service delivery. The report does not say how that would be measured. The festival opened at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, where Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito presided. It ran under the theme “Unity, Discipline and Fitness for National Service”. Competitors took part in football, netball, volleyball, athletics, basketball, tug of war and martial arts, among other events. Mr Mukhito said at the opening that the festival was about more than trophies and was meant to build esprit de corps and coordination between agencies. He also noted that security teams, including Red Lions, MAFCO, Moyale Barracks, Kamuzu Barracks and Blue Eagles, anchor the Super League and produce international athletes. Some of those clubs have struggled this season. MAFCO, for instance, sits in the relegation zone and recently changed its coach. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792192435652-600x400.jpg)Rivals on the pitch, partners in service: Security festival ends with call for closer ties Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Feston Kaupa, Immigration Department, Malawi Defence Force, Malawi Police, prisons --- ### [First Capital Super 5s hockey tournament starts in Blantyre](https://www.nyasatimes.com/first-capital-super-5s-hockey-tournament-starts-in-blantyre/) **Published:** October 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The First Capital Bank (FCB) Super 5s Hockey Tournament starts Saturday at the National Hockey Stadium in Blantyre. The two-day competition is open to all elite teams in th country, according to Hockey Association of Malawi media and marketing chairperson Michael Kapito. “Teams should get ready for two days of fast-paced action, incredible skills, teamwork and unforgettable hockey moments,” he said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** hockey --- ### [Minister Phiri launches major K7bn transport link for Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-phiri-launches-major-k7bn-transport-link-for-lilongwe/) **Published:** October 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Motorists facing daily traffic headaches in Lilongwe have been promised significant relief after government launched a K7 billion road and bridge project aimed at easing congestion in some of the capital’s fastest-growing suburbs. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261016-WA0005-1-600x450.jpg)Minister Ben Phiri launches K15bn Msokera bridge and road project to ease Lilongwe congestion![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261016-WA0004-600x450.jpg)Minister Phiri launches K15bn Msokera bridge and road projectMinister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr Ben Phiri on Friday officially launched construction of the Msokera Presidential Drive road and bridge, a flagship infrastructure project expected to transform travel between Area 47, Area 25 and Area 49. The new route is designed to tackle chronic traffic congestion caused by rapid urban expansion on the northern edge of the city, where thousands of residents have settled in recent years. Describing the project as a major economic boost, Dr Phiri said long commuting times were already harming productivity and business activity. “This is an important road considering the congestion we have experienced. A lot of people have moved to Area 25 and Area 49 and have had challenges getting to town. This has affected the economy because others are late to open shops and others are late for work,” he said. He added that the road would provide motorists with an alternative route, reducing dependence on the busy Saulos Chilima Highway. “The coming in of this road is purely to decongest the city. One does not have to go all the way to the Saulos Chilima Highway. They can break off and connect to Crossroads,” said Phiri. The minister also delivered a stern warning to contractors, insisting government would not tolerate shoddy workmanship on a project funded by taxpayers. Meanwhile, Malawi Defence Force Commander General George Jaffu Junior pledged that the road would be completed within 12 months, on budget and to the highest engineering standards. In a sign of the military’s growing role in national development projects, Jaffu stressed that the MDF’s responsibilities extend beyond national defence. “The Malawi Defence Force is not an institution apart from people. We are part of the people,” he said. He described the Area 47 to Area 49 corridor as a crucial link connecting residents to schools, markets, health facilities and emergency services, noting that sections of the route become almost impassable during the rainy season. According to Jaffu, the all-weather tarmac road is expected to cut travel times, improve road safety, stimulate business activity and increase property values in surrounding neighbourhoods. The works form part of a wider K15.5 billion agreement signed between Lilongwe City Council and the MDF Corps of Engineers, with the military providing technical expertise, machinery and manpower, while the council oversees implementation. Roads Fund Administration Board Chairperson Alnord Mbwana said the funding had already been secured and would only be released against certified works. “Our mandate is to mobilize, manage and account for funds. We believe in this partnership. MDF engineers deliver on time and do not compromise on quality,” he said. “This is not just a road, it is an economic corridor. We will ensure every kwacha is accounted for.” The ceremony was also attended by Lilongwe City Mayor Peter Banda, Lilongwe City Council Chief Executive Officer Clement Stambuli, NBS Bank Head of Government Business and International Organisations Mervin Donga, and other senior government officials. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Ben Phiri, Lilongwe --- ### [Teen sex case crumbles: Magistrate rules prosecution failed to prove case](https://www.nyasatimes.com/teen-sex-case-crumbles-magistrate-rules-prosecution-failed-to-prove-case/) **Published:** October 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A 40-year-old man accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl has walked free after a court ruled that prosecutors failed to prove their case. The First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Mulanje on Friday acquitted **Andrew Mkandawire**, who had been facing charges of having sexual intercourse with a female child under the age of 18. The teenager had alleged that she engaged in sexual relations with Mkandawire on three occasions in a bush area around **Lujeri Tea Estate** in Mulanje in April this year. However, delivering his judgement, First Grade Magistrate **George Chimombo** said the prosecution’s case was riddled with inconsistencies and contradictions, making it impossible for the court to secure a conviction. A key piece of evidence, a medical report presented by the State, was also thrown into doubt after the court found that it had neither been signed nor stamped, raising questions about its authenticity. In his ruling, Chimombo said: *“The court therefore acquit the accused of having sexual intercourse with a female child who is under the age of eighteen years which is in contravention with Section 138(1) of the Penal Code (Cap 7:01) of the Laws of Malawi. He must be set free immediately. His bail honouring must cease.”* Following the verdict, Mkandawire’s lawyer, **Patrick Henry Debwe** of **NVD Chambers**, welcomed the court’s decision, expressing satisfaction with the outcome. The acquittal brings to an end a case that centred on allegations of repeated sexual encounters between the accused and the teenage girl, with the court ultimately finding that the evidence presented fell short of the required legal standard. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** defilement, sexual- offence --- ### [Kabambe questions who runs Malawi during president's absence](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kabambe-questions-who-runs-malawi-during-presidents-absence/) **Published:** October 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** UTM president Dalitso Kabambe has ignited debate over presidential accountability and the continuity of government, questioning who assumes responsibility for the affairs of the state when the Head of State is away on a private trip. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260927_081910_Google-600x454.jpg)Kabambe Rekindles Debate on Executive Authority and Public AccountabilityIn a statement that places transparency and constitutional governance at the centre of public discourse, Kabambe drew a distinction between the President’s private affairs and his public responsibilities. “If the President is on a private trip, that is his business. But governing the country is public business. Who is running Malawi in his absence? Malawians deserve a clear answer, not silence,” he said. His remarks touch on a broader issue of democratic accountability and the constitutional mechanisms designed to ensure uninterrupted governance. At the heart of the intervention is a call for clarity regarding the exercise of executive authority whenever the President is outside the country. Kabambe’s comments are likely to renew discussion about transparency in government and the extent to which citizens should be informed about leadership arrangements during periods when the President is away. For many Malawians, the question is not simply about travel, but about accountability. As Kabambe suggests, the public has a legitimate interest in understanding who is entrusted with the day-to-day running of the country and how executive responsibilities are discharged in the President’s absence. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Dalitso Kabambe, Malawi Cabinet, Peter Mutharika --- ### [MCP's temptation: change the leader or change the rules](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcps-temptation-change-the-leader-or-change-the-rules/) **Published:** October 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Critics warn that rewriting party rules to accommodate individual leaders risks weakening internal democracy. It is an old political temptation: when a constitution becomes inconvenient, change the constitution rather than the politician. For political analyst George Chaima, the current debate within the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) raises precisely that concern. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788971129279-600x582.jpg) Chakwera’s re-election bid : MCP’s constitutional dilemma: principle or personality?“When you start tampering with a policy document \[constitution\] to suit particular individuals who have got greed for power, it does not create consistency of governance of a particular party,” Chaima said. His intervention comes as sections of the MCP appear to be weighing whether the party’s constitution should be amended to permit former president Lazarus Chakwera to lead the party into the 2030 election. As things stand, Chakwera’s defeat in the 16 September General Election is widely understood to disqualify him from another presidential bid under the party’s current rules, having already enjoyed victory in the court-ordered fresh election of 2020. Yet such rules are only as fixed as a party’s willingness to abide by them. MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila has suggested that constitutional amendments are likely to be considered, opening a discussion not merely about Chakwera’s future, but about the party’s understanding of its own institutions. The mood for change extends beyond the question of presidential candidacy. Vitumbiko Mumba, Chakwera’s former running mate, has mounted a direct challenge to the party establishment, arguing that the National Executive Committee must shoulder responsibility for the 2025 defeat. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Times Television, Mumba said the current NEC should be replaced, beginning with its senior leadership, which he blamed for the party’s electoral reversal. Mumba resigned from the MCP NEC in June 2025 before contesting and winning the Mzimba Central parliamentary seat as an independent candidate. The argument now confronting the MCP is one faced by many political parties after defeat: whether electoral loss should trigger institutional renewal or constitutional revision. For Chaima, at least, the answer appears clear. A party that alters its rules to suit personalities risks sending a message that power matters more than principle. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP --- ### [Court pauses arrest warrants against Mtambo, Trapence and Sembereka](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-pauses-arrest-warrants-against-mtambo-trapence-and-sembereka/) **Published:** October 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The decision by the Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court to temporarily lift arrest warrants against three prominent civil society activists has revived legal questions about a case the State discontinued six years ago. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791894962648-1-600x455.jpg)Mtambo, Trapence and Sembereka challenge warrants linked to discontinued case.Former Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) leaders Timothy Mtambo, Gift Trapence and Reverend MacDonald Sembereka have secured a temporary reprieve after the court vacated warrants that had been issued against them pending the determination of their application to have the warrants cancelled altogether. Their lawyer, Khwima Mchizi, said the move followed a request by the State for additional time to respond to the activists’ application. The matter is now scheduled to return before Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda on October 21, 2026. For now, the court’s decision means the warrants cannot be executed. The dispute stems from events in March 2020, when the three activists were arrested over allegations that they intended to march to State House during demonstrations held in the run-up to the June 2020 fresh presidential election. However, the State discontinued the case in October 2020, effectively bringing the prosecution to an end. At the centre of the current legal challenge is the activists’ contention that fresh warrants cannot lawfully be issued for alleged breaches of bail conditions in proceedings that no longer exist. Their application therefore raises broader questions about the legal status of bail obligations once a case has been formally discontinued. The court’s eventual ruling could clarify the extent of judicial authority in matters where criminal proceedings have already been terminated, a point likely to attract interest beyond the immediate parties involved. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Gift Trapence, HRDC, Rev MacDonald Sembereka, Timothy Mtambo --- ### [Sulom moves FDH Premiership kick-off times to 3pm](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sulom-moves-fdh-premiership-kick-off-times-to-3pm/) **Published:** October 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Super League of Malawi (SULOM) has revised the kick-off time for all FDH Bank Premiership matches from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm with immediate effect, citing weather forecasts and a projected heatwave. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261016-WA0002-600x400.jpg)Kick-off clock change: Sulom revises start times for Premiership matchesIn a statement, SULOM said the decision has been made to protect players and match officials from the effects of the anticipated hot weather. “In light of the weather forecast and projected heatwave, the Super League of Malawi wishes to inform all stakeholders and the general public that the kick-off time for FDH Bank Premiership matches has been revised from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM, with immediate effect,” reads part of the statement. The decision follows calls from various stakeholders, including sports journalists, who had urged the league organisers to consider adjusting match kick-off times in response to the prevailing weather conditions. The revised schedule is expected to help safeguard the welfare of players and match officials as the league enters a crucial stage, with several important fixtures lined up for the weekend. The weekend’s fixtures include a number of potentially exciting encounters involving some of the country’s top-flight clubs. On Saturday, Mighty Wanderers will host Creck Sporting Club at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre, while Civo Service United face Goshen City Dedza Dynamos at Civil Stadium in Lilongwe. Sunday’s fixtures will see MAFCO take on FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Civil Stadium in Lilongwe, while Moyale Barracks host Silver Strikers at Mzuzu Stadium in Mzuzu. Elsewhere, Red Lions will face Ekhaya at Zomba Stadium. All the matches are expected to kick off at the revised time of 3:00 pm, in line with SULOM’s directive. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** FDH Premiership, Sulom --- ### [Gold rush or gold bust? Malawi's smuggling crackdown faces credibility test](https://www.nyasatimes.com/gold-rush-or-gold-bust-malawis-smuggling-crackdown-faces-credibility-test/) **Published:** October 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s latest bid to turn gold into a lifeline for its struggling economy is facing uncomfortable questions about the evidence on which it has been built. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787242493743-600x452.jpg)Malawi minister visits Kasungu gold sites amid smuggling crackdownA state-backed scheme designed to intercept gold before it is smuggled out of the country rests on a headline-grabbing claim that $100 million worth of the precious metal is lost annually through illegal trade. Yet, according to an analysis by Collins Mtika for the *Mail & Guardian* and the Centre for Investigative Journalism Malawi, the figure has never been publicly explained. The programme, spearheaded by the Malawi Mining Investment Company (Mamico), aims to buy gold from artisanal miners operating at roughly 100 sites nationwide, funnel it through buying centres in Lilongwe, Kasungu and Nkhotakota, and ultimately sell it to the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM). But a closer examination of the numbers reveals a troubling inconsistency. Earlier this year, Mamico reported findings from a month-long assessment which estimated that more than $700 million worth of gold was being lost each year through illicit activity and identified 81 illegal mining sites. The latest estimate is seven times lower. At the same time, the number of mining locations linked to the programme has increased to around 100. The analysis asks a simple question: which number is accurate? Without a published methodology, there is no way to test either claim. For a project requiring hundreds of billions of kwacha in public and private financing, that gap matters. Mamico says it will need K85 billion to fund its first three months of operations and around K300 billion annually thereafter. The company has enlisted FDH Bank and NBS Bank as partners, but key parts of the commercial framework are still unresolved. Most notably, the arrangement depends on an offtake agreement with the RBM that has yet to be concluded. The uncertainty extends beyond the figures. The analysis points to potential duplication between Mamico’s planned operations and an existing RBM gold-purchasing initiative run through the Export Development Fund. By September, that programme had already acquired about 1.63 tonnes of gold, raising questions about whether the government is creating parallel structures within the same market. There is also a more fundamental challenge. Artisanal miners will only sell through official channels if they can secure competitive prices and prompt payment. If unofficial traders offer better deals, the incentive to bypass the formal system remains intact, regardless of how many buying centres are established. Yet the pressure to make the project work is immense. Malawi’s foreign exchange position remains fragile. Official reserves stood at $600.6 million in September, enough to cover just 2.4 months of imports, below the internationally recognised three-month benchmark. Gold has emerged as one of the few commodities capable of generating substantial foreign currency earnings. In April alone, the RBM exported 589.95 kilogrammes of locally purchased gold valued at $75.09 million. For ministers and policymakers, the allure is obvious: bring more gold into formal channels and bolster dwindling reserves. But as Mtika’s analysis suggests, the success of the strategy may hinge less on ambition than on transparency. Until Mamico discloses how it calculated its smuggling estimates, clarifies how it will coexist with existing state-run gold programmes, and produces verifiable data on production, purchases and exports, the initiative will continue to face a credibility problem. For now, the government’s gold rush is asking the public to trust numbers it has yet to prove. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** FDH Bank, Gold, mining, Reserve Bank of Malawi --- ### ['Justice for the Zolozolo child': Groups demand maximum sentence](https://www.nyasatimes.com/justice-for-the-zolozolo-child-groups-demand-maximum-sentence/) **Published:** October 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Two child rights groups have demanded swift justice over the sexual abuse and murder of a four-year-old girl in Zolozolo Township, calling it a test of Malawi’s child protection system. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792137838279-480x600.jpg)Memory Chisenga a child rights activist: Death of girl, 4, in Mzuzu ‘a test of Malawi’s child protection system’The Child Advocacy Centre (CHACE) and the Women Human Rights Defenders Network – Malawi (WHRDN-Malawi) issued a joint statement on 14 October 2026. They said the crime violates the Constitution. **What happened** According to the statement, the girl disappeared at about 6:30pm on 9 October while playing with other children in the township. After an overnight search by her family and neighbours, her body was found the next morning in an unfinished building nearby. Medical findings, the groups said, showed she had been sexually abused and killed. Police have arrested three suspects. The groups praised the quick action but said arrests alone are not enough. The three have not been named in the statement, and no one has been convicted. “Isolated arrests are insufficient in addressing the escalating levels of violence against children in Malawi,” the groups said. “Justice must not only be pursued; it must be seen to be done, promptly and decisively.” **Five demands** The groups cited Section 23 of the Constitution, which protects children from abuse and cruel or degrading treatment, and the Child Care, Protection and Justice Act (2010). They called for: A thorough, professional and fast investigation and prosecution by the police, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Judiciary. The DPP to send the case to the High Court and seek the maximum penalty on conviction, to send “a clear deterrent message”. The Ministry of Gender, the Malawi Human Rights Commission, the National Children’s Commission and other child protection bodies to monitor the case and support the family. Local authorities, traditional and faith leaders, community policing forums and school committees to strengthen child safeguarding, including tackling risks such as abandoned and unfinished buildings. The case to spur renewed national action against child sexual abuse, exploitation, trafficking and murder. **Timing** The groups noted the killing comes as Malawi prepares to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. They said it was “deeply disturbing” that a four-year-old had suffered such violence at such a time. They said they would monitor the case, support the family and keep pushing until justice is delivered. “No child should have to pay with their life because systems failed to protect them,” the statement said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** children rights, defilement, Mzuzu, sexual- offence --- ### [MCP’s Chakwera gamble exposes a party torn between renewal and nostalgia](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcps-chakwera-gamble-exposes-a-party-torn-between-renewal-and-nostalgia/) **Published:** October 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi Congress Party has settled on an answer to one of the questions that has hung over the opposition since its election defeat: it wants Lazarus Chakwera to lead it back into battle in 2030, even if that means rewriting the party’s constitution. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261016_094456_Chrome-600x424.jpg)MCP’s answer to defeat? More ChakweraSpeaking on Thursday, MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila said the party was prepared to amend its rules to allow Chakwera to stand again, despite constitutional provisions that appear to prevent a former presidential candidate who has lost an election from leading the party into another contest. Her remarks suggest that, within the MCP leadership at least, the debate over Chakwera’s future is effectively over. According to Kabwila, party structures from the grassroots to the National Executive Committee have concluded that the former president remains the opposition’s strongest electoral asset. “This is not an opinion of someone,” she said. “It is an opinion of representatives of the party from all the structures of the party.” The argument being advanced by the MCP is not merely one of loyalty. It is rooted in a belief that Chakwera’s single term in office compares favourably with that of the administration that replaced him and that voters may yet be persuaded to give him another opportunity. Yet the decision raises broader questions about the state of the party following its removal from power. Election defeat often forces political movements into a period of introspection, producing demands for generational change and fresh leadership. In the MCP’s case, however, the instinct appears to be consolidation around a familiar figure rather than renewal. Kabwila brushed aside concerns about constitutional constraints, arguing that rules are ultimately the product of human decisions and can therefore be changed when circumstances demand it. Critics are likely to see that position differently. Constitutional rules are often tested not when they are convenient but when they become inconvenient. The willingness to amend them for a particular political objective is likely to fuel accusations that the party is placing expediency ahead of principle. The timing is especially significant because the MCP is already grappling with visible internal tensions. Earlier this month, Kabwila publicly rebuked Vitumbiko Mumba after he argued that the party would need new leadership if it hoped to regain power. Political analysts have similarly questioned whether a party seeking to reconnect with voters can afford to appear reluctant to cultivate a new generation of leaders. For now, the MCP leadership has made its calculation. It believes Chakwera remains its most credible route back to government and is prepared to clear any constitutional obstacles standing in his way. Whether that reflects political realism or a failure to confront the lessons of electoral defeat may become one of the defining questions of Malawi’s opposition politics over the next four years. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, Jessie Kabwila, MCP --- ### [Mutharika is not returning to Malawi on Friday](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharika-is-not-returning-to-malawi-on-friday/) **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Confusion engulfed social media on Thursday after a viral statement claimed that President Peter Mutharika would return to Malawi on Friday, only for senior government officials to dismiss the notice as fake. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791144746864-1-e1791226266488-600x445.jpg)Government dismisses viral Mutharika return statement as fakThe statement, purportedly signed by Chief Secretary to the Government Dr Justin Saidi, alleged that Mutharika was due to arrive through Bakili Muluzi International Airport in Blantyre on Friday. Within hours, the document had spread rapidly across social media platforms and WhatsApp groups, including forums associated with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). It was also circulated among groups linked to the State House press team, fuelling speculation that the President’s return was imminent. But after the claim gained widespread traction, government officials moved to distance themselves from the document. Dr Saidi flatly denied authoring the statement, insisting he had not issued any communication announcing the President’s return and rejecting claims that Mutharika was travelling back to Malawi on Friday. The delayed rebuttal only added to the uncertainty, with the statement circulating for hours before authorities officially branded it a forgery. At the same time, social media was awash with unverified claims and rumours surrounding the President’s whereabouts and travel plans. Mutharika is currently in South Africa on what has been described as a private visit, with government officials maintaining that no official announcement has been made regarding his return to Malawi. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Peter Mutharika --- ### [Ansah gives K15m food boost to cancer patients](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ansah-gives-k15m-food-boost-to-cancer-patients/) **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Vice-President Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah has donated food items worth K15 million to about 250 cancer patients and their guardians at Kamuzu Central Hospital as part of a Mother’s Day outreach programme through the Jane Ansah Foundation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261015_190946_Drive-600x455.jpg)Vice-President Ansah visits hospital to support cancer patientsThe donation, made on Thursday at the National Cancer Centre, included maize flour, soya pieces and sausages for patients undergoing treatment and for guardians staying at the hospital’s shelter. Dr Ansah, who has previously spoken publicly about her own experience with cancer, coupled the donation with a visit to patients in the lymphoma ward, where she offered encouragement to those undergoing treatment. “I just came to visit you on Mother’s Day, and the government is also there to support you to get tested and get better,” she said. She told patients that they were not alone in their fight against the disease and reiterated the importance of early testing and access to appropriate care. The Vice-President also paid tribute to healthcare workers, commending their dedication to caring for patients, and recognised the contribution made by guardians supporting family members through lengthy periods of treatment. Noting the presence of men as well as women among those caring for relatives, she said responsibility for looking after sick family members should be shared across households. Dr Ansah further encouraged young people to work hard at school and consider careers in medicine and allied professions, saying the country’s healthcare system depended on future generations of trained specialists. Meanwhile, Amos Msekandiana, the director of Kamuzu Central Hospital, said the facility was equipped to provide cancer treatment and disclosed plans to construct a guardians’ shelter at an estimated cost of US$1 million. The donation formed part of Mother’s Day commemorations across Malawi, although for the patients and guardians gathered at the National Cancer Centre the occasion was marked less by celebration than by a gesture of support from the country’s second-highest office-holder. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, National **Tags:** cancer, Jane Ansah --- ### [Malawi VP Ansah offers support to cancer patients on hospital visit](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-vp-ansah-offers-support-to-cancer-patients-on-hospital-visit/) **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Vice-President, Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah, used a Mother’s Day visit to Kamuzu Central Hospital’s National Cancer Centre to deliver a message of hope to patients undergoing treatment, drawing on her own experience as a cancer survivor. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261015_191419_Drive-600x419.jpg)Vice-President Ansah visits cancer patients at hospital to mark Mother’s DayDr Ansah spent part of Thursday’s national observance with patients receiving care for lymphoma and other cancers, many of whom were unable to mark the occasion with their families. Speaking to patients in the lymphoma ward, which treats those with Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the Vice-President urged them to remain hopeful and stressed the importance of early diagnosis and access to treatment. “I just came to visit you on Mother’s Day, and the government is also there to support you to get tested and get better,” she said. Drawing on her own battle with cancer, Dr Ansah sought to reassure patients that illness did not diminish their place in society and that they should not face the disease in isolation. Her message, centred on the words “you are not alone”, highlighted the emotional burden carried by many cancer patients alongside the physical demands of treatment. She also used the occasion to encourage greater public awareness of cancer prevention, early detection and timely medical intervention. The Vice-President praised healthcare workers for their commitment to patient care and acknowledged the sacrifices made by guardians who remain alongside relatives during extended hospital stays. She also encouraged young Malawians to pursue careers in medicine and healthcare, arguing that the country would require more skilled professionals to meet growing health needs. The visit placed the experiences of cancer patients at the heart of Mother’s Day commemorations, drawing attention to the support required not only from government and medical staff but also from families and wider communities. For many patients receiving treatment at the National Cancer Centre, the visit served as a reminder that their struggle is shared and that recovery depends upon a collective effort extending beyond hospital walls. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, National **Tags:** cancer, Jane Ansah, National Cancer Centre --- ### [Mothers First! Mutharika unveils vision for health, jobs and education](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mothers-first-mutharika-unveils-vision-for-health-jobs-and-education/) **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Arthur Peter Mutharika has pledged to strengthen maternal healthcare, boost economic opportunities for women and expand access to education for girls, as he paid tribute to mothers across Malawi on Mother’s Day. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261015-WA00061-459x600.jpg)‘We Must Do More’: Mutharika Pledges Better Healthcare and Opportunities for WomenIn a message released alongside the First Lady, Mutharika extended his best wishes to mothers, guardians and caregivers nationwide, praising their sacrifices and contributions to families and communities. The President said his administration remains committed to improving the lives of women through targeted investments in maternal health services and initiatives aimed at increasing economic empowerment. He stressed that better healthcare for mothers, greater opportunities for women in business and ensuring girls stay in school are key priorities for his government. Mutharika said women play a critical role in Malawi’s development and deserve greater recognition and support for the contribution they make to society. Paying tribute to mothers, he described motherhood as a sacred blessing and hailed women for their resilience, dedication and unwavering commitment to raising families and nurturing future generations. He noted that mothers continue to serve as the backbone of communities, helping to shape the country’s future through their role in raising children and supporting households. The President also called for continued efforts to create an environment where women and girls can access essential services, seize economic opportunities and participate fully in national development. His Mother’s Day message comes amid growing calls for improved healthcare services and increased investment in programmes designed to empower women and girls across Malawi. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Mothers Day, Peter Mutharika --- ### [FAM denies Scorchers were 'abandoned' after airport transport row](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fam-denies-scorchers-were-abandoned-after-airport-transport-row/) **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has denied abandoning members of the women’s national team, the Scorchers, after photographs circulated on social media showing players waiting for transport to their homes. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261015-WA0005-586x600.jpg)Scorchers players spotted at Kanengo in Lilongwe waiting to board a minibusIn a statement on Thursday, FAM said transport had been arranged for all players when they arrived at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe and Bakili Muluzi International Airport in Blantyre. Some players, it said, chose to be dropped at designated stages and to arrange their own onward travel. “FAM would therefore like to clarify that the players were not abandoned, as transport had already been provided for their safe movement from the airports,” the statement said. The association said it remained committed to the welfare, safety and well-being of players and other stakeholders under its Football Transformation Agenda. The statement did not say how many players were affected, which stages they were dropped at, or where the photographs were taken. It also did not say where the team was returning from, though the Scorchers had been in Harare for the second leg of their Olympic qualifier against Zimbabwe. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Football Association of Malawi, Scorchers --- ### [Nigerian preacher Wiseman Daniel set to bring ‘Greener Pastures’ crusade to Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nigerian-preacher-wiseman-daniel-set-to-bring-greener-pastures-crusade-to-malawi/) **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261015-WA0004-600x338.jpg)Malawi Braces for Mega Gospel Crusade as Nigerian Preacher Wiseman Daniel Announces VisitA prominent Nigerian evangelist and former disciple of the late Prophet TB Joshua, Wiseman Daniel, is set to visit Malawi for a major gospel crusade aimed at spreading Christianity, healing the sick and empowering young people. The founder of Nigeria-based Everlasting Light of Hope Ministry (ELOHIM) is expected to lead the “Malawi Greener Pastures” Crusade at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe from 6 to 7 November 2026. Speaking to journalists in Lilongwe, ELOHIM advance team leader Ruth Ubani said the crusade would focus on winning souls for Christ through preaching, healing and deliverance sessions, while also equipping church leaders and the country’s youth. “The crusade is expected to bring healing and transformation to Malawians in various aspects of life, including spiritual, social, academic and professional development, leading to restoration and empowerment,” Ubani said. Malawi crusade organiser Pastor Helbert Mezaya said preparations for the event were being coordinated with the support of several local churches across the country. He added that a special prayer line would be available for people seeking healing, with prospective participants required to register in advance and provide supporting medical records or reports. Registration for the prayer line will take place at designated centres nationwide. In Mzuzu, registration will be conducted at Chisanga Complex in Luwinga from 16 to 17 October 2026. In Blantyre, the exercise will be held at Robins Park Hall between 21 and 24 October 2026. Meanwhile, residents of Lilongwe can register at Golden Peacock Hotel from 19 October to 2 November 2026. All registration centres will operate daily from 11am to 6pm. Organisers are expecting thousands of worshippers to attend the event, including visitors from neighbouring countries such as Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania, making it one of the region’s largest faith gatherings of the year.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261015-WA0003-600x337.jpg) Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News, Religion, Religious News **Tags:** Christianity --- ### [Malawi urged to speed up new refugee law that would let refugees work and trade](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-urged-to-speed-up-new-refugee-law-that-would-let-refugees-work-and-trade/) **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** An advocacy group for refugees in Malawi has called on the government to bring a new Refugee Bill to Parliament without delay. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261015-WA0002-399x600.jpg)Magambi: the bill would reduce dependence on aid, and wants it before Parliament without delayINUA Advocacy, which promotes the rights and dignity of refugees, urged the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Ministry of Justice to speed up the process. Its chief executive, Innocent Magambi, said the bill would address many of the legal restrictions refugees have faced for years. “We are pleased to see that most of the issues we advocated for have been addressed in the proposed legislation, including opportunities for refugees to live and operate businesses, as well as equal access to education in Malawi,” he said. Under the proposals, refugees would be allowed to take up paid work and trade, which the group says would reduce their reliance on humanitarian aid and improve their livelihoods. They could run small and medium-sized businesses freely within designated areas. Large businesses would remain subject to the rules that apply to foreign nationals. Mr Magambi said the bill offers a route towards a legal framework that respects human dignity and advances refugee rights. The text refers to a proposal by “the Commission” that the law be renamed the Refugee Protection and Management Act. It does not say which commission, or what the bill is currently called. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Refugees --- ### ['There is a God in heaven!' Bushiri celebrates court ruling that he cannot be extradited, and attacks police over 'fake cases'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/there-is-a-god-in-heaven-bushiri-celebrates-court-ruling-that-he-cannot-be-extradited-and-attacks-police-over-fake-cases/) **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Preacher says judges agreed there was no evidence, that witnesses remain anonymous and that hearsay was rejected, as he questions why some officers who arrested him were themselves later arrested or dismisse** Preacher Shepherd Bushiri says the High Court of Malawi has made its final ruling that he and his wife, Mary, cannot be extradited to South Africa, and has used the moment to attack the police officers he says targeted him. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261015_014405_Instagram-600x547.jpg)Bushiri claims police opened ‘fake cases’ to extort money, in post after court rulingIn a social media post, Bushiri said the court “agreed with key concerns” he raised. He listed the lack of evidence, the fact that the “so-called witnesses” remain anonymous, and the courts’ rejection of evidence based on hearsay rather than solid proof. **Allegations against police** He also said he had raised concerns about police officers who “allegedly opened fake cases to extort money” from him and his wife, as well as xenophobic attacks they faced in South Africa and demonstrations at their church demanding that they leave the country. He said church tents were petrol-bombed. None of these claims has been independently verified, and the post doesn’t name any officers or say when the incidents happened. ‘**Serious questions’** Prophet Bushiri said it was concerning that some police generals involved in his arrest have reportedly since been arrested or dismissed over other corruption allegations. This, he said, “raises serious questions about accountability and justice”. He ended the post by thanking God and everyone who stood with him, and saying: “There is a God in heaven!” The couple left South Africa in 2020 . In October 2025, High Court Judge Mzonde Mvula set aside a magistrate’s order for their extradition, saying the lower court had denied them a fair hearing and had relied on unauthenticated and hearsay evidence. South Africa’s justice minister said at the time that Pretoria was studying the judgment and would decide its next legal step. Bushiri has long denied wrongdoing and said he would not get a fair trial in South Africa. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Prophet Bushiri, South Africa --- ### [Court clears way for government to recall former Malawi envoy to Kuwait](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-clears-way-for-government-to-recall-former-malawi-envoy-to-kuwait/) **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **IRC lifts interim protection for Younos Abdul Karim, accepting government’s argument that his recall can proceed while the wider legal challenge continues.** The Industrial Relations Court has removed a temporary legal obstacle that had prevented the government from recalling former Malawi ambassador to Kuwait, Younos Abdul Karim, in a ruling that underscores the uncertain legal terrain surrounding diplomatic appointments and presidential authority. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260929-WA0013-1-600x372.jpg)Government Confirms Envoy—Then Orders Him HomeDeputy Chairperson Tamanda Nyimba on Wednesday set aside an interim order that had barred the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet from implementing the recall. The order had been obtained by Karim in September as he sought to challenge the government’s decision. The ruling does not determine the merits of Karim’s case. But it does hand the government an important procedural victory, allowing it to proceed with the recall while the substantive dispute remains before the court. The case turns on a technical but potentially consequential question: what protections, if any, are available to an envoy who was appointed but never confirmed by Parliament? Karim secured the interim order on 25 September 2026, arguing that the recall should be halted until the court had fully considered his claim. The government, represented by Attorney General Frank Mbeta, responded by seeking to have that protection removed. Mbeta’s argument rested heavily on Karim’s status. He told the court that Karim had been appointed as an ambassador-designate and was therefore subject to confirmation by Parliament’s Public Appointments Committee under Section 190 of the Constitution. Because that confirmation never took place, the Attorney General argued, Karim could not claim the same legal standing as a fully accredited ambassador. The government also advanced a broader constitutional argument. Decisions on the appointment and recall of ambassadors, it submitted, fall within the President’s prerogative powers, an area in which judicial intervention should be limited. A further consideration was the question of remedy. According to the Attorney General, any loss Karim might ultimately establish could be compensated through damages, reducing the need for interim protection while the matter is litigated. In lifting the injunction, the court did not endorse or reject Karim’s underlying claims. Rather, it concluded that the temporary order should no longer remain in force. The practical effect is immediate. The government is now free to proceed with the recall process. The larger legal contest, however, is far from settled. What remains to be determined is whether Karim’s challenge can succeed on the substantive issues he has raised and whether the courts are prepared to define more clearly the rights of diplomatic appointees whose status falls somewhere between nomination and full confirmation. For now, the government’s authority to act has been restored. The question of whether it acted lawfully remains for another day. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Diplomats, Kuwait --- ### [Umodzi chief Kamlepo Kalua claims profits amid suspension dispute](https://www.nyasatimes.com/umodzi-chief-kamlepo-kalua-claims-profits-amid-suspension-dispute/) **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260902_000537_Google-1-600x401.jpg) Kamlepo Kalua- promises glowing performance reportThere is a familiar quality to disputes in Malawi’s public sector: less argument over policy than over who, exactly, is in charge. The latest instalment comes from Umodzi Holdings, where the chief executive, Kamlepo Kalua, says the state-owned hospitality group is profitable and preparing to publish a positive quarterly report, even as the company’s board maintains that he has been suspended from his post. Kalua, the former MP for Rumphi East, paints a picture of a company on the up. According to him, Umodzi has performed strongly in the most recent quarter and a performance report will be released shortly. Instead, attention has shifted to a more immediate question: whether Kalua remains at the helm at all. In a notice to staff dated 13 October, board chairperson Geobra Kamanga announced that Kalua had been placed on administrative suspension with immediate effect. Jonathan Mwakyelu, the director of finance and administration, was appointed acting chief executive pending further developments. Kalua, however, rejects the board’s version of events. He says he has neither been formally informed nor provided with any explanation. Suspension, he argues, is hardly meaningful without reasons attached. Kamanga disagrees. He says the decision was communicated and that the grounds for it are known to Kalua, though “personal to him”. The chairperson has indicated that the board wishes to engage the chief executive on questions of professional conduct within a corporate environment. Beyond that, little has been said publicly, leaving observers to speculate about a matter on which those involved are notably reluctant to elaborate. The government’s Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, Stuart Ligomeka, has chosen not to be drawn into the dispute, insisting it remains a matter for the board itself. The backdrop is not insignificant. Umodzi Holdings controls some of Malawi’s most prominent hospitality assets, including the President Hotel, the Bingu wa Mutharika International Convention Centre, the presidential villas and Malawi Square. In recent years the company has often been cited as a rare example of a state enterprise moving in the right direction, reporting profits of K1.2 billion in 2022/23 and K1.9 billion in 2023/24. Whether Kalua deserves credit for that turnaround is a separate question. The available records do not establish his role during those reporting periods. Yet the timing of the present dispute inevitably raises eyebrows. It is easier to remove a chief executive than to explain why a supposedly successful state company finds itself embroiled in a public power struggle. The episode also arrives amid broader tensions in the governance of public institutions. Only last week, Blantyre Water Board chief executive Yeremiah Chihana was dismissed following a protracted legal battle with his board. Like Kalua, Chihana lost his parliamentary seat in the September 2025 election. Perhaps the coincidence is just that. Yet when senior executives and boards increasingly find themselves settling scores in public, the question is not merely who wins these confrontations, but what they reveal about the fragile relationship between political authority, corporate governance and Malawi’s state-owned enterprises. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Kamlepo Kalua, Umodzi Park --- ### [Apostle Kawinga's Church-backed K25b rural transformation project targets Ntcheu farmers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/apostle-kawingas-church-backed-k25b-rural-transformation-project-targets-ntcheu-farmers/) **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261014-WA0021-600x481.jpg)Apostle Kawinga to Inkosi Gomani: Agriculture at heart of K25bn plan to fight poverty and hungerA church-linked development organisation has unveiled ambitious plans to establish 20 new Farmers’ Clubs in Ntcheu as part of a K25 billion nationwide programme aimed at boosting food production, tackling poverty and creating wealth in rural communities. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261014-WA0013-600x392.jpg)Apostle Kawinga : K25bn plan to turn struggling farmers into agribusiness ownersHope Field Initiative (HFI), the humanitarian and development arm of Salvation For All Ministries International (SFAMI), revealed the plans during a high-level meeting with Maseko Ngoni traditional leaders led by Ngwenyama Inkosi Ya Makhosi Gomani V. Presenting the organisation’s Farmers’ Club Policies and Membership Eligibility Guidelines, HFI president Apostle Clifford Kawinga said the initiative is designed to drive food security, promote sustainable agriculture and empower households economically. Kawinga disclosed that HFI has already established 40 Farmers’ Clubs across six districts and said the Ntcheu expansion forms part of a wider strategy to extend the programme nationwide. “Our mission is to transform subsistence farming into profitable agri-business,” he said. “These Farmers’ Clubs will not only enhance food security but also create wealth, restore dignity and build self-reliant communities in line with Malawi 2063.” Under the K25 billion five-year agenda, participating farmers are expected to benefit from improved agricultural inputs, modern farming methods, climate-smart agriculture training, financial literacy programmes and access to structured markets. Welcoming the initiative, Ngwenyama Inkosi Ya Makhosi Gomani V described the project as a timely intervention as communities grapple with the impact of climate change and recurring food shortages. He pledged the full support of traditional leaders, saying the programme aligns with the Ngoni Kingdom’s vision of advancing agriculture and improving livelihoods. “We are grateful for this partnership,” he said. “Our land is fertile and our people are hardworking. What we needed is such structured support and guidance. We welcome HFI and pledge that our chiefs and village headmen will work hand-in-hand to ensure its success.” Hope Field Initiative is currently implementing community development programmes in agriculture, education, health and relief services across Malawi, with a particular focus on supporting vulnerable and rural communities. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261014-WA0017-600x400.jpg)Ntcheu in line for farming revolution under K25bn project Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** agriculture, Apostle Clifford Kawinga --- ### [Malawi govt answers CCAP church leaders, insisting economic recovery is 'encouraging'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-govt-answers-ccap-church-leaders-insisting-economic-recovery-is-encouraging/) **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The government has hit back at criticism from the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), saying it has noted the concerns but insisting the country’s economic recovery is on track. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1785933801499-600x400.jpg)Namalomba: Government focused on food, fuel, fertiliser and forexIn a statement dated 14 October 2026, Information and Communications Technology Minister Dr Shadric Namalomba said the government had “taken note” of the issues raised by the CCAP and its Church and Society programmes. The ‘Four Fs’ The statement said President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s administration remains focused on long-standing economic problems inherited from the previous government, with particular emphasis on what it called the “Four Fs”: food, fuel, fertiliser and foreign exchange. Its interventions, it said, are meant to stabilise the economy, improve supplies of essentials and restore confidence. “The recovery trajectory is encouraging,” it said, adding that the government is committed to sustaining progress. Olive branch, with a plea for patience The government said it values the Church’s role in national development and welcomes constructive engagement. Citing the President’s recent national interview, it said rebuilding Malawi needs patience, unity and collective effort. It called on the Church and all Malawians to work together to consolidate progress and speed up recovery. What the Church said The statement does not repeat the CCAP’s concerns. A statement from the Church and Society directors of the Livingstonia, Nkhoma and Blantyre synods, titled “A Prophetic call for justice, accountability and economic relief in Malawi”, said hardship had moved into “systemic injustice” and called for an urgent national forum of government, faith leaders, civil society and business. It also acknowledged the government’s efforts to stabilise the economy, but said good intentions do not fill fuel tanks. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** CCAP, DPP, Shadreck Namalomba --- ### [Lilongwe Town Hall facelift gets green light as Pakistani group vows to modernise landmark civic building](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lilongwe-town-hall-facelift-gets-green-light-as-pakistani-group-vows-to-modernise-landmark-civic-building/) **Published:** October 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1792022151103.jpg)Lilongwe Town Hall set for makeover: City council approves renovation drive but draws red line on structural alterationsA major makeover of Lilongwe Town Hall has been given the green light after the Lilongwe City Council authorised the Pakistan Welfare Association (PWA) to begin renovation works on the ageing civic landmark. In a letter dated August 24, 2026, seen by this publication, Lilongwe City Council chief executive officer Clement Stambuli confirmed that the association had been cleared to proceed with maintenance and facelift works at the Area 4 facility, provided the project remains under the council’s technical supervision. Stambuli said the works must follow the scope submitted by the association and stressed that council engineers and technical officers would closely monitor the project to ensure all renovations meet the required standards. However, the council issued a clear warning that no alterations beyond the approved plans would be tolerated without prior approval. “Any proposed alterations that may go beyond the approved maintenance and facelift scope, particularly those affecting the building’s structure, external appearance, use or architectural character, shall be submitted to the Council for consideration and approval before commencement,” the letter states. The council also urged the association to maintain regular contact with its Planning and Development Department throughout the renovation process to avoid any breaches of planning requirements. PWA chairperson Rauf Chaudry said the organisation had taken up the project with the aim of improving the Town Hall for the benefit of the public and enhancing its usability for community activities and events. The renovation is expected to breathe new life into one of the capital’s most recognisable public buildings, while ensuring its character and civic importance are preserved. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Lilongwe --- ### [Magistrate and auctioneer Chimbilima face court in car scandal](https://www.nyasatimes.com/magistrate-and-auctioneer-chimbilima-face-court-in-car-scandal/) **Published:** October 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A senior magistrate has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau over the alleged irregular purchase of a vehicle seized by the Office of the Sheriff in Mzuzu. The ACB swooped on Godfrey K. Nyirenda, a Senior Resident Magistrate based at Mchinji Magistrate’s Court, alongside auctioneer Praise Chimbilima Gondwe, following investigations into the controversial sale of the vehicle. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Bureau said Nyirenda faces two criminal charges: misuse of office and giving false information to investigators. According to the ACB, the misuse of office charge stems from allegations that the magistrate used his position to acquire the vehicle, which had been seized by the Sheriff. The second charge relates to information he is alleged to have provided during the Bureau’s investigation. Gondwe, who operates Chimbilima Auctioneers and Estate Agents, has been charged with giving false information to the ACB in connection with the sale of the vehicle to Nyirenda. The arrests have sent shockwaves through legal circles, with both men expected to appear before court on Friday where they will formally take plea to the charges. The Bureau has not disclosed details of the vehicle at the centre of the case or revealed how the transaction allegedly took place. Both suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of law. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Anti Corruption Bureau --- ### [Airtel Malawi marks Mother's Day with focus on women's leadership and career development](https://www.nyasatimes.com/airtel-malawi-marks-mothers-day-with-focus-on-womens-leadership-and-career-development/) **Published:** October 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261014-WA0025-600x400.jpg)Airtel Malawi Managing Director Aashish Dutt speaking in front of Airtel employees during the eventAirtel Malawi has used this year’s Mother’s Day celebrations to highlight its efforts to support women’s professional growth, leadership and workplace recognition. The telecommunications company held events in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu on Wednesday, bringing together employees to recognise the contribution of mothers and women in the workplace. The gatherings, held at Woodlands in Lilongwe and mirrored in the country’s two other major cities, formed part of Airtel Malawi’s broader emphasis on employee development and wellbeing. Speaking at the event, Managing Director Aashish Dutt said the company viewed women as central to both family life and organisational success. “Today, we celebrate the incredible women of Airtel Malawi,” he said. “A mother’s influence reaches far beyond the home; it shapes the people who shape the world. A mother is often our first teacher, our first champion, and the person who believes in us before we know how to believe in ourselves.” Mr Dutt said Airtel sought to create an environment in which female employees could develop new skills, advance their careers and contribute to decision-making within the organisation. The company says it continues to invest in structured learning programmes, leadership development initiatives and international exposure opportunities aimed at preparing employees for future roles. Airtel also highlighted its approach to staff retention, saying it provides opportunities for long-term career progression within the business. Recognition remains a key part of that strategy. Through its quarterly Atsogo Awards programme, the company rewards high-performing employees, investing more than K40 million every quarter in recognition and performance incentives. The Mother’s Day events formed part of Airtel Malawi’s wider efforts to position itself as an employer focused on inclusion, talent development and employee engagement. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Airtel Malawi, Mothers Day --- ### [Chibuku splashes K3m on Mulhako as brewery strengthens cultural ties](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chibuku-splashes-k3m-on-mulhako-as-brewery-strengthens-cultural-ties/) **Published:** October 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261014-WA0005-578x600.jpg)Chibuku backs Mulhako with K3m donationChibuku Products Limited has handed over K3 million to Mulhako wa Alhomwe, reaffirming its commitment to preserving Malawi’s cultural heritage and cementing its long-standing relationship with traditional institutions. The donation was presented by company representative Henry Mbweza, who said the brewing giant remains dedicated to supporting cultural celebrations that keep Malawi’s traditions alive. Mbweza hailed Chibuku’s Managing Director Gerald Bowler for approving the contribution, stressing that the company has consistently backed Mulhako wa Alhomwe and other major cultural festivals across the country. He said the brewer’s support extends beyond a single cultural grouping, pointing to its involvement in events such as the Maseko Ngoni and Mzimba Heritage celebrations. “This support reflects our appreciation of Malawi’s rich cultural heritage and our commitment to maintaining strong relationships with traditional institutions and communities,” said Mbweza. Receiving the donation on behalf of Mulhako wa Alhomwe, board representative Muchana Mpuluka praised Chibuku for its unwavering support, describing the contribution as a timely boost ahead of this year’s festivities. Mpuluka noted that traditional beer remains a central feature of cultural celebrations and said the organisation was delighted to once again partner with the country’s leading traditional beer producer. The latest donation further strengthens Chibuku Products’ reputation as one of the private sector’s most consistent supporters of Malawi’s cultural events, helping preserve traditions while bringing communities together through shared heritage and celebration. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Chibuku Products Limited, Mulhako wa Alhomwe --- ### [Minister Chipungu launches land resettlement for 132 displaced families in Kasungu](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-chipungu-launches-land-resettlement-for-132-displaced-families-in-kasungu/) **Published:** October 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261014-WA0004-600x400.jpg)Chipungu leads resettlement push for 132 displaced Kasungu familiesThe Minister of Lands, Chimwemwe Chipungu, has launched the allocation of residential and agricultural land to 132 displaced families at Nthunduwala-Zithe Farm in Kasungu District, in a government-backed effort to help affected households rebuild their lives. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791971169815-600x400.jpg)Minister Chipungu: New land, new hope for 132 displaced familiesUnder the programme, each verified beneficiary family has been allocated land for both housing and farming, with the aim of restoring livelihoods and providing long-term stability. Speaking at the launch, Chipungu said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable families. “This programme demonstrates the Government’s commitment to helping affected families rebuild their lives, restore their livelihoods and secure a better future,” he said. The minister said transparency and fairness had guided the allocation process to ensure all eligible beneficiaries received their rightful share of land. He urged the families to use the plots productively by constructing decent homes and cultivating crops to strengthen food security and generate income. “I encourage all beneficiaries to make good use of this opportunity by building suitable homes and utilising their agricultural land to improve their livelihoods,” Chipungu said. He also appealed to traditional leaders, local authorities and neighbouring communities to support the resettlement exercise and promote peaceful coexistence. For the 132 families settling at Nthunduwala-Zithe Farm, the allocation marks the beginning of a new chapter after displacement, offering both a place to live and land on which to build sustainable livelihoods. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261014-WA0003-600x400.jpg)Fresh start for 132 families as Chipungu allocates land Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, Kasungu, land --- ### [FDH Bank Swipe to Mauritius winners cherish experience](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fdh-bank-swipe-to-mauritius-winners-cherish-experience/) **Published:** October 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Enjoying-Mauritius-Mnoki-left-Kaltenburger-Centre-and-Gadama-right-600x450.jpg)Enjoying Mauritius- Mnoki (left) Kaltenburger (Centre) and Gadama (right)Three winners of FDH Bank plc’s Swipe to Mauritius Promotion say they enjoyed an all-expenses-paid trip to Mauritius after emerging grand prize winners in the card transaction campaign. The winners, who travelled to the Indian Ocean island on Saturday 3 October, 2026 and came back at the weekend, said they explored Mauritius with companions of their choice after turning everyday card transactions into an opportunity to travel abroad. One of the winners, Angella Gadama, said she was grateful for the opportunity to visit Mauritius. “I had a good time in Mauritius and I am glad,” she said. Another winner, Mundisunge Mnoki, said she chose to share the experience with her mother as a birthday gift. “I chose to travel with my mother to celebrate her birthday in Mauritius. I thank FDH Bank for this rare experience,” she said. For Rahil Kaltenburger, the trip marked a first visit to Mauritius. FDH Bank marketing manager Sheila Kanjo, who accompanied the winners, said the Malawi Stock Exchange-listed bank provided each winner with $1 000 (about K1.7 million) in spending money, which they are using through FDH Bank cards during the trip. “The Swipe to Mauritius Promotion has given us an opportunity to reward our customers in a meaningful way while promoting the convenience of cashless transactions. We are pleased to see the winners enjoying the experience,” she said. The Mauritius trips were the promotion’s top prizes. The campaign also awarded monthly cash prizes of K100 000 to 25 customers in each of three draws, bringing the total number of cash-prize winners to 75. Kanjo said the grand prize package was designed to cover the major costs associated with the trip. FDH Bank launched the campaign in February 2026 as Swipe to Dubai before rebranding it to Swipe to Mauritius following tensions and unrest in the Middle East linked to the United States-Iran conflict. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, General **Tags:** FDH Bank --- ### [Likoma District Council, StrokeAfrica join forces to tackle stroke burden](https://www.nyasatimes.com/likoma-district-council-strokeafrica-join-forces-to-tackle-stroke-burden/) **Published:** October 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Likoma District Council is strengthening efforts to prevent and respond to stroke through collaboration with **StrokeAfrica.org**, with a focus on improving awareness and response to the condition. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261014-WA0001-600x404.jpg)Likoma District Council, StrokeAfrica sign partnership to address stroke![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261014-WA0000-600x401.jpg)Stroke strikes: Likoma and StrokeAfrica join forces to cut the tollThe initiative will provide health workers and communities with stroke-related educational materials, help identify warning signs and appreciate the importance of seeking medical attention early. Director of Health Services for Likoma District Council, Dr. Mathewe Gracewell, welcomed the initiative, saying the availability of such materials could make a significant difference in the district. “This is a great offer and its impact can go beyond, especially in our setting where such materials are not provided,” Dr. Mathewe said. Stroke can result in long-term disability or death, particularly when treatment is delayed. Improving community knowledge about stroke and its warning signs is therefore an important part of reducing its impact. StrokeAfrica.org lists Likoma District Council among its Champion Institutions, a network of organisations working to advance stroke awareness, prevention, recognition and care across Africa. The initiative is particularly relevant to Likoma, where geographical and resource constraints can affect access to specialised health information and services. The organisation’s work in Malawi extends beyond Likoma. According to Shiven Das from StrokeAfrica.org, it is also working with other Malawian health institutions, including the Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) and Mulanje Mission Hospital, as part of efforts to strengthen stroke awareness and education. Speaking on the initiative, the founder of StrokeAfrica.org, Shiven Das, said the partnership aims to ease the burden of the disease in areas where medical imaging and information remain scarce. “Our larger hope is to reduce the stroke burden across the region, especially where there is a lack of information and radiology services,” Das said, adding “Our research and outreach are two of the most important ways we hope to achieve this.” Medical teams at the partner centres said the support is already strengthening daily services. The educational resources are being used in waiting areas and wards to help staff conduct continuous training and guide families on why seeking immediate medical attention is critical. Clinicians note that timely action is especially vital for patients living far from major towns, where transport and long distances often cause dangerous delays in getting help. For Likoma, the support comes against the backdrop of the district’s wider efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery. Likoma’s geographical setting presents particular challenges for access to health services. In 2023, health officials highlighted pressure on the district’s health system, with St Peter’s Hospital serving as a major referral facility for the island district. Beyond public education, the initiative also seeks to address diagnostic challenges faced by local facilities. While doctors need brain imaging tests, such as CT scans, to determine the exact type of stroke and choose the right medical treatment, access to this technology remains limited in many centres. For Dr. Mathewe, the availability of appropriate know-how can help strengthen the ability of health workers to provide information on stroke prevention and support communities in recognising the condition at an early stage. The council’s efforts also underline the importance of strengthening community-level health education alongside clinical services. By bringing stroke information closer to communities, the initiative could help people understand risk factors, recognise warning signs and seek appropriate care without unnecessary delay. For Likoma, the focus is not only on treating stroke when it occurs, but also on equipping communities with knowledge that can contribute to prevention and earlier action. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Health **Tags:** Likoma, Stroke --- ### [Bushiri extradition order thrown out as Malawi court delivers final ruling](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bushiri-extradition-order-thrown-out-as-malawi-court-delivers-final-ruling/) **Published:** October 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261014_025736_Facebook-600x418.jpg)Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary have won a major legal victory after the High Court in Lilongwe delivered its final ruling crushing efforts to extradite them to South AfricaProphet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary have won a major legal victory after the High Court in Lilongwe delivered its final ruling crushing efforts to extradite them to South Africa. In a detailed 175-page judgment, the court laid out the reasons behind its earlier decision to throw out an extradition order issued against the couple, dealing a significant blow to South Africa’s long-running bid to bring them back to face legal proceedings. The latest ruling confirms the court’s position that the extradition order granted in March 2025 could not stand because of serious procedural and legal flaws. Among the most damaging findings was that the Bushiris were denied their right to be heard before the extradition order was made, a development the court found was sufficient to invalidate the process. The decision cements the couple’s courtroom triumph and effectively slams the brakes on attempts to send them back to South Africa under the now-quashed order. Bushiri’s lawyer, Wapona Kita, described the judgment as a definitive victory for his clients, saying the court had now fully explained why it ruled in their favour. “The court has provided the detailed reasons after considering our submissions and grounds for review,” Kita said. He added that the ruling means the Bushiris cannot be extradited under the order that was set aside by the court. “Prophet Bushiri and his wife will no longer be extradited to South Africa under the quashed order,” he said. Kita said the legal battle could only return to court if the State decides to challenge the High Court’s ruling. “The only way forward now is through an appeal by the State,” he said. The explosive judgment marks the latest twist in one of Southern Africa’s most closely watched legal sagas, which has drawn intense attention since the famous prophet and his wife left South Africa and returned to Malawi in 2020. For now, the Bushiris have emerged victorious, with the High Court’s final ruling delivering a crushing setback to efforts to have them extradited. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Mary Bushiri, Prophet Bushiri, South Africa --- ### [Malawi govt blasts Kabambe's 'unsubstantiated' claims](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-govt-blasts-kabambes-unsubstantiated-claims/) **Published:** October 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791938388170-600x472.jpg)Namalomba: Kabambe’s allegations dismissed as ‘political rhetoric’The government has launched a robust defence of its economic record, dismissing allegations by UTM president Dalitso Kabambe as “unsubstantiated” and accusing the opposition leader of engaging in political rhetoric rather than presenting facts. In a statement issued by Government Spokesperson Shadreck Namalomba, the administration rejected claims made by Kabambe during a recent interview with Zodiak Broadcasting Station in which he alleged corruption, nepotism and mismanagement of agriculture, fuel supplies and foreign exchange. Namalomba argued that Malawi’s current economic challenges did not begin under President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s administration, saying the government inherited a difficult economic environment marked by rising public debt, widening fiscal deficits, foreign currency shortages, fuel supply disruptions and food insecurity. “Government disputes the suggestion that these economic difficulties began under the present administration. “Government considers these unsubstantiated allegations to be mere political rhetoric rather than statements grounded in verifiable facts and evidence,” Namalomba said. He said the administration had made economic recovery a priority and pointed to what he described as signs of improving economic fundamentals since Mutharika returned to power in September 2025. According to Namalomba, the fiscal deficit has fallen from 12.5 per cent to 9 per cent of GDP, while annual inflation declined from 28.7 per cent in September 2025 to 20 per cent in August 2026. “This means the gap between Government revenue and spending has narrowed, reflecting efforts to control expenditure and strengthen revenue collection,” he said. Namalomba further argued that inflation was easing, even if prices had not returned to previous levels. “This does not mean prices have returned to earlier levels; it means they are rising more slowly,” he said. Defending the government’s handling of agriculture, Namalomba said the administration inherited the effects of drought, shortages of farm inputs and pressure on household food supplies. “Government is prioritising fertiliser access, agricultural production, food availability and stronger markets for farmers. Improved food availability has helped ease food-price inflation,” he said. On fuel shortages, Namalomba maintained that the challenge was linked to foreign exchange constraints rather than government inaction. “Fuel supply challenges cannot be separated from the wider shortage of foreign currency and Malawi’s dependence on imported petroleum,” he said. He also rejected suggestions that official foreign exchange reserves should be viewed as cash immediately available to businesses and commercial banks. “Government is working to strengthen domestic production, exports and financial management as part of long-term efforts to improve foreign exchange availability,” he added. But Kabambe remained defiant, insisting that he would continue “scrutinising” the administration. The exchange marks the latest political clash over the state of the economy, with the government pointing to improving economic indicators while opposition leaders argue that many ordinary Malawians are yet to feel the benefits. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dalitso Kabambe, DPP, Shadreck Namalomba, UTM Party --- ### [Chakwera, Mumba and the 2030 clock: Analysts say parties must end feuds now](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-mumba-and-the-2030-clock-analysts-say-parties-must-end-feuds-now/) **Published:** October 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261014_021919_Google-600x406.jpg)We got this! MCP Leadership Debate Highlights Need for Party RenewalMalawi’s major political parties have been urged to resolve internal disputes and strengthen their grassroots structures well ahead of the 2030 General Election, amid growing signs of factionalism within the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the United Transformation Movement (UTM). Political analysts George Chaima and George Phiri said unresolved leadership wrangles risk weakening parties from within and distracting them from the longer-term task of preparing for government. Chaima said internal tensions often emerge when ambitious figures begin positioning themselves for leadership roles, creating rival camps and uncertainty over succession. “Political parties still have sufficient time before the 2030 elections,” he said. “Rather than engaging in internal battles, they should focus on strengthening their structures and inspiring confidence among supporters.” He argued that those seeking leadership positions should build support through persuasion and engagement rather than through conduct that deepens divisions within their parties. Phiri similarly called for restraint and dialogue, urging parties to use established internal mechanisms to manage disagreements and strengthen internal democracy. He singled out the MCP, saying the former ruling party needed to settle lingering questions about its future leadership and strategic direction long before voters return to the polls. “MCP urgently needs to resolve its leadership question and reposition itself before the 2030 elections,” he said. “The earlier the issue is settled, the sooner the party can focus on the future.” According to Phiri, the years before the next election should be used to consolidate grassroots networks, rebuild trust among members and maintain supporters’ confidence. **Debate over MCP’s future** The analysts’ intervention comes against the backdrop of an increasingly public debate within the MCP over its future leadership and electoral prospects following its defeat in the 2025 General Election. Some party members have called for renewal ahead of the 2030 contest, arguing that the MCP must undertake a candid assessment of its loss and broaden its appeal if it is to regain power. The debate intensified after former Trade Minister Vitumbiko Mumba, once a prominent ally of former president Lazarus Chakwera, questioned the party’s direction and suggested it required new leadership. His remarks prompted a sharp response from MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila, who accused him of ingratitude and indicated that those unwilling to support the party’s current course were free to pursue alternative political paths. In a subsequent interview with Times Television, Mumba escalated the dispute, arguing that the MCP could not return to power unless it confronted the causes of its electoral defeat. He contended that the party had conducted a flawed post-election assessment and failed to draw the necessary lessons from its loss. For Phiri, the increasingly public nature of the disagreement underlines the urgency of resolving the party’s leadership question. “Whether the MCP chooses continuity or renewal, uncertainty cannot persist indefinitely,” he said. “Political parties that settle succession questions early are generally better positioned to rebuild, reconnect with voters and present a coherent alternative at the next election.” The dispute has exposed broader questions about the MCP’s identity, leadership succession and electoral strategy, issues analysts say must be addressed long before campaigning for 2030 begins. **DPP and UTM face tests of renewal** The MCP is not alone in confronting questions over leadership and renewal. The DPP has also been grappling with recurring tensions over its future direction, with debates over succession, generational change and strategy continuing to surface as the party seeks to re-establish itself as a dominant force in national politics. Analysts say the party must provide clarity on its leadership trajectory and project a united front if it is to convince voters that it is ready to govern again. Chaima warned that prolonged uncertainty can leave parties trapped in internal rivalries rather than focused on the concerns of the electorate. “Political parties that spend too much time fighting themselves often struggle to convince the electorate that they are ready to govern,” he said. The UTM, meanwhile, faces a different challenge. Following the death of its founding leader, Saulos Chilima, the party has sought to redefine its identity while contending with internal disagreements and the departure of some members. The loss of several prominent figures has intensified questions about the party’s organisational strength and long-term viability. Observers say UTM must now demonstrate that it can remain politically relevant and institutionally coherent in the absence of the charismatic figure around whom it was originally built. Phiri said all three parties face the same fundamental task in the years ahead. “Leadership disputes are inevitable in politics, but what distinguishes successful parties is their ability to resolve them internally and quickly,” he said. “The real work now is rebuilding structures, strengthening grassroots support and reconnecting with voters.” For the MCP, DPP and UTM alike, he argued, the period between now and 2030 should be viewed not as a time for factional battles but as an opportunity to renew their organisations, sharpen their policy platforms and restore public confidence. For both analysts, the prescription is clear: settle disputes early, strengthen party machinery and avoid allowing leadership contests to overshadow the broader challenge of winning back voters. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, MCP, UTM Party --- ### [K50m miracle: Apostle Hulda transforms Lingadzi Police Unit](https://www.nyasatimes.com/k50m-miracle-apostle-hulda-transforms-lingadzi-police-unit/) **Published:** October 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791917480394-600x400.jpg)Lingadzi Police Station Upgrade Receives K50m Boost from Apostle Hulda KamangaApostle Hulda Kamanga has pledged K50 million towards the upgrading of Lingadzi Police Station and appealed to businesses and members of the public to support efforts to improve facilities serving vulnerable women and children. Ms Kamanga, who serves as the station’s matron, made the appeal during a tour of the facility on Tuesday to inspect progress on a project aimed at expanding office infrastructure and strengthening the Victim Support Unit. She said the donation would help fund the construction of improved sanitation facilities, staff rooms and accommodation, describing the initiative as part of a wider effort to create a more functional and dignified working environment for police officers and those seeking assistance at the station. Ms Kamanga expressed hope that the project would be completed before the onset of the rainy season and urged other well-wishers to contribute towards its completion. Quoting scripture, she said: “Jesus said, ‘Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.’ It is a matter of paying taxes to government so that it can implement development projects for the benefit of the country.” She added that enhanced infrastructure would enable officers to provide better services, particularly to women and children who rely on the Victim Support Unit. Lingadzi Police Station officer-in-charge Charles Mpezeni welcomed the contribution, describing it as a significant boost to the station’s development plans. Mr Mpezeni said the station also hopes to expand its correctional cells and expressed confidence that additional partners would come forward to support the project. The initiative reflects broader efforts to improve public-sector infrastructure and strengthen service delivery through partnerships between community leaders, private citizens and public institutions. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791917368766-600x400.jpg)‘Before the rains’: Apostle Kamanga wants Lingadzi Police Station upgrade finished by rainy season Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Apostle Hulda Kamanga, Malawi Police --- ### [Malawi urged to build economic resilience as world economy wobbles](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-urged-to-build-economic-resilience-as-world-economy-wobbles/) **Published:** October 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791916984160-592x600.jpg)Simwaka: Weaker world economy poses risk to MalawiMalawi cannot afford to rely on external demand or donor support as the global economy slows, according to a senior Reserve Bank of Malawi economist, who has warned that the country is underperforming even by regional standards and must accelerate reforms to strengthen economic resilience. Analysing the implications of the latest World Economic Outlook projections, economist Kisu Simwaka said the expected moderation in global growth to 3.1 per cent from 3.5 per cent signals a more challenging external environment for African economies, particularly those dependent on commodity exports and foreign aid. “The message is clear: the world economy is slowing down. But Africa must not slow down. Africa must accelerate. And Malawi must accelerate,” Simwaka said. He argued that weaker global growth, coupled with sluggish expansion in Europe, was already being reflected in Malawi’s export performance. Tobacco earnings, the country’s largest foreign exchange earner, reached US$287.1 million by early October 2026, down sharply from US$526.2 million during the same period a year earlier. According to Simwaka, the decline reflects weakening global demand as major economies lose momentum. “When the world economy slows, small open economies such as Malawi cannot depend on external demand to drive growth,” he said, adding that slower expansion in advanced economies could also translate into tighter aid flows. Particular concern, he said, lies in Asia, where growth is projected to ease from 5.6 per cent to 4.9 per cent. As a major engine of global commodity demand, a slowdown in the region could put further pressure on export prices and Africa’s terms of trade. “Weakening growth in Asia is a headwind for Africa because it affects commodity markets and export earnings,” he said. Simwaka also pointed to volatility in the Middle East and Central Asia as a source of uncertainty for fuel-importing countries such as Malawi. Fluctuating oil prices could either worsen inflationary pressures or provide relief to the country’s import bill, depending on exchange-rate stability. “If oil prices fall, Malawi only benefits if the exchange rate remains stable enough for those gains to be passed through to domestic prices,” he said. While Sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to expand by around 4.5 per cent, Simwaka argued that the figure masks a deeper problem. With population growth estimated at about 2.6 per cent, the region’s per capita growth rate remains too low to achieve meaningful reductions in poverty. “Four-and-a-half per cent growth for three consecutive years is effectively stagnation when population growth is taken into account,” he said. Against that backdrop, Malawi’s projected growth of 2.7 per cent appears particularly weak. Simwaka noted that neighbouring economies such as Zambia, Tanzania and Rwanda are expected to outperform Malawi, underscoring the need for a stronger domestic growth strategy. “Malawi is underperforming an underperforming region. The country must catch up,” he said. The economist argued that the policy response should focus on building internal resilience rather than hoping for a stronger global cycle. He identified the accumulation of foreign exchange reserves, addressing fiscal imbalances and removing structural constraints to productivity as key priorities. “In a global economy growing at only 3.1 per cent, countries such as Malawi cannot rely on exports and donor assistance alone,” Simwaka said. “The challenge is to strengthen domestic foundations for growth and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.” His assessment comes as policymakers grapple with persistent foreign exchange shortages, inflationary pressures and subdued economic growth amid an increasingly uncertain global outlook. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Kisu Simwaka, Malawi Economy --- ### [Private capital key to Malawi's K8.1tn housing ambitions](https://www.nyasatimes.com/private-capital-key-to-malawis-k8-1tn-housing-ambitions/) **Published:** October 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791933636426-600x400.jpg)High powered ministerial team at the launch of land strategic plan: Malawi turns to public-private partnerships to fund housing expansionWashington Chimuzu, chief executive of Eris Properties, said greater collaboration between government and developers would be necessary if Malawi is to meet its affordable housing objectives. The intervention comes as the government embarks on an ambitious plan to build 135,000 modern homes by 2031 under a K8.1tn strategic framework, while acknowledging that implementation will depend heavily on available financing and broader fiscal conditions. “There is room for the private sector and government to work together to achieve the goal,” Chimuzu said, arguing that private developers could play a significant role in helping bridge Malawi’s housing deficit. The comments highlight what may prove to be the central challenge facing the government’s housing agenda: financing. While the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has placed housing at the centre of its 2026-31 strategic plan, ministers have made clear that delivery will depend on government resources, donor support and the mobilisation of private capital through public-private partnerships. The strategy allocates K7.64tn, equivalent to almost 94 per cent of planned expenditure, to housing delivery and management. The remaining funding is earmarked for land governance, surveying, physical planning, urban development and digital land information systems. Lands minister Chimwemwe Chipungu said the programme had been designed in response to rapid urbanisation, population growth and growing demand for housing and infrastructure. The government is seeking to reduce a key housing-related indicator from 46 per cent to 10 per cent by the end of the implementation period. Yet despite the programme’s scale, Chipungu conceded that public resources alone would be insufficient to address the country’s housing needs. “Housing challenges cannot be solved by government alone,” he said, calling for stronger participation from developers, financial institutions, development partners, professional bodies, local authorities and communities. For policymakers, the strategy represents a test of whether Malawi can attract long-term investment into housing at a time when public finances remain under pressure. Although the government’s commitment is substantial, expenditure will be guided by fiscal space and approved national budgets, underscoring the extent to which delivery remains contingent on financing. The plan is aligned with the Malawi 2063 development agenda, which identifies urbanisation, industrialisation and agricultural commercialisation as key drivers of economic transformation. Officials argue that expanding housing supply and strengthening land administration are essential components of that vision. Beyond home construction, the strategy seeks to increase the number of customary estates adjudicated, demarcated and registered to 814,000 by 2031. It also aims to raise the number of idle estates inspected and assessed from 3,472 to 7,900. While the targets are ambitious, the success of the programme is likely to hinge on the government’s ability to crowd in private investment and unlock additional sources of capital. In that respect, the housing strategy is as much a financing challenge as it is a construction programme. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791933662260-600x400.jpg)Under a K8.1tn five-year plan unveiled by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, the government aims to build 135,000 modern homes by 2031, placing housing at the centre of Malawi’s urbanisation and economic development agenda Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, Eris Properties, land --- ### [MPs blast Victoria Pharmaceuticals in medicines theft inquiry](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mps-blast-victoria-pharmaceuticals-in-medicines-theft-inquiry/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791915831478-600x320.jpg)‘Where Are the Facts?’ Victoria Pharmaceuticals Sent Away by MPs Amid Drug Supply Chain InvestigationThe Parliamentary Committee on Health sent Victoria Pharmaceuticals Industry Limited packing on Tuesday after its officials appeared before lawmakers without crucial information about the company’s operations, supply chain and regulatory status. The committee, which is probing allegations of drug theft, falsified medicines and substandard pharmaceutical products, expressed outrage that company representatives could not provide fundamental details, including when the firm began operating, its production capacity, licensing arrangements, contractual obligations or the scale and distribution of its products. Angry committee members accused the company’s leadership of arriving grossly unprepared and showing disrespect to Parliament by offering little more than a brief introduction to their products instead of the detailed briefing lawmakers had expected. Committee chairperson Anthony Masamba ordered the company to return on Friday with a fully prepared presentation, insisting MPs needed detailed and substantive information to properly scrutinise the firm’s role within Malawi’s pharmaceutical supply chain. Facing criticism from lawmakers, Victoria Pharmaceuticals managing director Furkan Gani apologised for the inadequate presentation and acknowledged the company’s failure to comply with Parliament’s official dress code. Gani told the committee that the parliamentary invitation had been sent to an email account rarely monitored by the company and was only discovered yesterday, resulting in the rushed appearance. Despite the setback, he insisted the company remained committed to cooperating fully with the parliamentary inquiry. The dramatic exchange comes as lawmakers intensify investigations into the country’s pharmaceutical sector amid growing concerns over medicine theft and the circulation of falsified and poor-quality drugs. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Malawi Parliament, Victoria Pharmaceuticals --- ### [One photograph, three reactions: composure, concentration and astonishment](https://www.nyasatimes.com/one-photograph-three-reactions-composure-concentration-and-astonishment/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791914072706-484x600.jpg)A moment of poise: Scorcher takes on Zimbabwe defence as a fan looks on in disbeliefA photograph from the Scorchers’ match against Zimbabwe captures a small moment of tension in open play. The Malawi forward, in green with her hair in red braids, keeps the ball close and one hand out for balance as she approaches a Zimbabwe defender in yellow. The defender has dropped into a low crouch, arms spread wide, trying to narrow the space and block the forward’s path. Neither player has yet committed. The picture shows the instant before the outcome is decided, and we cannot tell from the frame whether the forward got through. Behind the pitch rail, a supporter in a white T-shirt and blue cap raises both arms. His expression suggests surprise, though the photograph does not tell us what prompted it. It may be the skill on show, or something happening elsewhere on the pitch. It was that kind of day for the Scorchers. They went on to win the match 7-0, a result that gives the fan’s reaction some context. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Scorchers --- ### [Gospel artists set for Anakubala Celebration in Mitundu:Gloria Kampingu to headline](https://www.nyasatimes.com/gospel-artists-set-for-anakubala-celebration-in-mitundugloria-kampingu-to-headline/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Some of Malawi’s best-known gospel musicians are expected to perform at the Anakubala Gospel Celebration in Mitundu, Lilongwe, on 17 October. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261012-WA0019-417x600.jpg)Gloria Kampingu to headline Mitundu gospel concertThe event, organised by Alibe Vumbulutso Events, will take place at Mitundu Primary School Ground from 11:00 to 18:00 and is being promoted as a day of thanksgiving, praise and worship. Among the headline acts are Gloria Kampingu Manong’a, known for the song Alibe Vumbulutso, Dr Favoured Martha, Pastor Evance Watsopano Meleka, Alex Nkalo, Apostle Norman Phiri, Japhet Mhone, Violet Tengani and Mable Rwanda. Several church choirs, including the Mitundu Baptist Church Choir, are also scheduled to perform. Organisers say the event aims to bring communities together through gospel music while encouraging people to reflect on and celebrate God’s blessings. “We want people to come together and give thanks through gospel music. This is a celebration for families and the wider community,” a representative of Alibe Vumbulutso Events said. Tickets have been priced at K3,000 for adults and K2,000 for children. The event has received sponsorship from Kalilole Marketing Hub, Beauty & Styles, Choice, FBKs and Spencerville Limited, with support from HPS Designs. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Malawi Music, Mothers Day --- ### [BWB Board dragged before MPs over governance storm](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bwb-board-dragged-before-mps-over-governance-storm/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The board of the Blantyre Water Board (BWB) has been summoned to appear before Parliament’s Public Appointments Committee (PAC) amid growing concerns over governance and management issues that have rocked the utility. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791897739734-600x450.jpg)Malango: They must explainPAC vice-chairperson Joshua Malango said the committee wants answers from the board over allegations of maladministration and to assess whether proper governance structures are being followed at the institution. The dramatic intervention comes despite the recent removal of the board’s former chief executive, with lawmakers insisting that deeper questions about leadership and accountability remain unresolved. Malango said the committee believes it is crucial to engage the board in order to prevent further governance failures in the future. He warned that leadership wrangles within key public institutions often affect service delivery, leaving ordinary Malawians to suffer the consequences. “Governance challenges in public institutions have a direct impact on how services are delivered to citizens,” he said. The board is expected to face tough questioning when it appears before the parliamentary committee on Wednesday afternoon. The hearing is likely to place fresh scrutiny on the water utility as MPs seek assurances that governance problems will not undermine the provision of essential services to residents of Blantyre and surrounding areas. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, Malawi Parliament --- ### [Malawi’s Scorchers thrash Zimbabwe 9-0 on aggregate to reach Olympic qualifying round](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-scorchers-thrash-zimbabwe-9-0-on-aggregate-to-reach-olympic-qualifying-round/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791907735045-600x450.jpg)Scorchers set up Kenya showdown with emphatic win over ZimbabweMalawi’s women’s national football team, the Scorchers, have advanced to the next round of qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games after a commanding 7-0 victory over Zimbabwe in the second leg of their tie at the National Sports Stadium. Holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Lilongwe, Malawi completed a comprehensive 9-0 aggregate win. US-based forward Temwa Chawinga gave the visitors an early lead after 10 minutes and doubled the advantage on the half-hour mark to put the Scorchers 2-0 ahead at the break. Captain Tabitha Chawinga added a third goal seven minutes after half-time before Temwa completed her hat-trick in the 56th minute. Chisomo Banda scored Malawi’s fifth goal in the 86th minute, with Asimenye Simwaka adding another two minutes later. Sarah Mulimbika then completed the scoring in stoppage time. Scorchers head coach Lovemore Fazili praised his side’s attacking display. “We came here to score goals. We wanted a win to proceed to the next stage and I’m happy because it has happened,” he said. “We missed a lot of chances in the first leg in Lilongwe but it was a different story today.” Zimbabwe coach Stella Gotal acknowledged Malawi’s superiority. “It was a tough match. We were not clinical. Malawi is a better team,” she said. “Our players need more experience and we still have a long way to go in terms of fitness.” The Scorchers will face Kenya in the next round of qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Two African women’s teams will qualify for the tournament, which will be held in the United States from 14 to 30 July 2028. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Olympics, Scorchers --- ### [Malawi extends tobacco registration drive ahead of new season](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-extends-tobacco-registration-drive-ahead-of-new-season/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261013-WA0009-600x450.jpg)Rev. Gunya: “Every grower will be registered in time,”Malawi’s tobacco regulator has urged growers to begin preparations early for the 2026/27 season, warning that timely field management and adherence to recommended farming practices will be crucial to producing leaf capable of attracting stronger prices on international markets. Speaking during an inspection of the ongoing field licensing and Know Your Grower (KYG) registration exercise in Kasungu Division, Tobacco Commission board chair Rev Daniel Gunya said quality remained the industry’s most important determinant of value and competitiveness. His comments come as the commission seeks to widen participation in the registration programme ahead of the next growing season and strengthen traceability across the tobacco value chain. Gunya said the commission would continue registering growers until all eligible farmers had been captured in the system, describing the exercise as central to the orderly management of the sector. The KYG initiative, introduced to improve grower identification and compliance, has become a key component of Malawi’s efforts to meet international market requirements and improve oversight of tobacco production. The registration exercise, initially scheduled to conclude on 3 October, has been extended to 17 October following a higher-than-anticipated turnout by growers. According to Tobacco Commission figures, Malawi has an estimated 191,000 tobacco growers. As of 12 October, 49,229 producers had been registered under the KYG system. The extension is expected to allow more farmers to complete both licensing and registration before planting begins. Growers have broadly welcomed the exercise, although some have reported delays linked to staffing shortages. Joseph Kakhwesi, a farmer from Traditional Authority Chaima, said demand for registration services had at times exceeded available capacity. However, he noted that the commission had deployed additional personnel to high-volume centres, including Kasungu, to improve processing times. The push for greater registration coverage comes as Malawi’s tobacco industry seeks to maintain quality standards and secure stronger returns in a market increasingly shaped by traceability, compliance requirements and buyer demand for premium leaf. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261013-WA0010-600x450.jpg)Tobacco Commission officials engaging tobacco growers in Kasungu Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Rev Daniel Gunya, tobacco, Tobacco Control Commission --- ### [TNM boosts sports journalism with K10m SWAM sponsorship](https://www.nyasatimes.com/tnm-boosts-sports-journalism-with-k10m-swam-sponsorship/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261013-WA0008-600x515.jpg)TNM backs SWAM AGM with K10m sponsorshipTelecommunications company TNM has injected K10 million into the Sports Writers Association of Malawi (SWAM), backing the organisation’s annual general meeting as it seeks to strengthen sports journalism and contribute to the growth of sport in the country. The sponsorship will support SWAM’s AGM, scheduled to take place in Salima from 13 to 15 November 2026, bringing together sports journalists from across Malawi. Speaking after the sponsorship handover in Lilongwe, TNM Chief Commercial Officer Amon Jere said the company views the media as a key stakeholder in the development of sport. “As TNM, we appreciate the role the media plays in educating and entertaining the masses. Without the media, sports cannot develop in any nation,” he said. Jere also unveiled plans to launch media awards and establish a sports media club aimed at improving reporting standards and building capacity among sports journalists. The initiatives are expected to provide greater recognition for sports reporting while creating opportunities for professional development within the industry. SWAM vice-president Lucy Kadzongwe welcomed the sponsorship, describing it as a significant vote of confidence in sports journalism. “What TNM has done confirms its commitment towards the growth of sport in Malawi,” she said. The partnership comes at a time when sports stakeholders are increasingly highlighting the role of quality journalism in raising the profile of local athletes, competitions and sporting organisations. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** SWAM, TNM --- ### [Universal Industries backs Nyika Media Club Mother's Day charity drive](https://www.nyasatimes.com/universal-industries-backs-nyika-media-club-mothers-day-charity-drive/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261012-WA0018-600x527.jpg)Company donates goods worth K850,000 to support Nyika Media Club’s annual outreach programme for mothers at Bolero Rural Hospital.Universal Industries Limited has donated food and beverage products worth **K850,000** to support **Nyika Media Club’s (NMC)** annual Mother’s Day charity event, which will be held at **Bolero Rural Hospital** in Rumphi District on Thursday. The donation comes as members of the media organisation, which brings together journalists from across Malawi’s Northern Region, prepare to mark Mother’s Day through community outreach activities aimed at supporting mothers receiving care at the hospital. The company donated **15 cases of Nyika Water, five cases of Frooty Squash, 40 packs of Coconut Biscuits and 25 packets of processed baking flour**. Speaking during the handover, Universal Industries Northern Region Sales Manager **Kenneth Njiragoma** said supporting the initiative was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts. “There are times when we need to give back to society and appreciate the communities that have contributed to our growth,” he said. “It is important for businesses to support communities because no business can thrive without the acceptance and support of the people it serves.” Nyika Media Club vice-president **Clementina Pondelani** welcomed the donation, describing it as a significant contribution towards the success of the event. “We serve the same communities and this support will go a long way in helping us celebrate mothers at Bolero Rural Hospital,” she said, while encouraging other companies and organisations to support the initiative. The charity drive has also received support from **Rumphi Central MP Dr Mathews Mtumbuka**, who has contributed **K150,000** towards the event. Mother’s Day is observed annually in Malawi on **15 October**, with organisations and individuals across the country using the occasion to recognise and celebrate the role of mothers in society. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Nyika Media Club, Universal Industries --- ### [Minister Ben Phiri warns officials sabotaging development](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-ben-phiri-warns-officials-sabotaging-development/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Corrupt public officials accused of frustrating Malawi’s development will face arrest and dismissal, Local Government Minister Ben Malunga Phiri has warned. In a blunt message delivered during the launch of the 2026-2036 National Decentralisation ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791897319107-600x399.jpg)Ben Malunga Phiri launches a blistering attack on public officers accused of derailing development, warning that those stealing from Malawians will face the full force of the law.Strategy in Mchinji on Tuesday, Phiri said the government would no longer tolerate individuals undermining service delivery and national progress. The minister said Malawians had for years been deceived and denied meaningful development by people who enriched themselves while citizens were left celebrating achievements that brought little benefit to their lives. His warning came as government unveiled a new strategy aimed at strengthening decentralisation and empowering local authorities to drive development at community level. The strategy, launched under the theme “Deepening Decentralisation in Malawi: Gateway to Robust Political and Socio-Economic Development by 2063,” has received backing from UNICEF, Ireland and the European Union. The event began with a solidarity walk led by Phiri from the Mchinji District Council offices to the district’s Old Aerodrome grounds, drawing government officials, development partners, traditional leaders and members of the clergy. UNICEF Country Representative Penelope Campbell challenged government and councils to ensure the strategy delivers real results rather than remaining a policy document. She urged authorities to turn commitments into action and ensure public resources are used to improve the lives of children and communities across the country. Meanwhile, Mchinji District Council Chairperson Kennedy Peter Chipanga called for unity among key stakeholders, saying collaboration would be critical if Malawi is to achieve its Malawi 2063 development ambitions. The launch marks the beginning of a decade-long push to deepen decentralisation, with government betting that stronger local governance will help unlock faster political, social and economic development. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Ben Phiri, corruption --- ### ['Political witch hunt': Mtambo, Trapence and Sembereka rush to court to block arrest warrants](https://www.nyasatimes.com/political-witch-hunt-mtambo-trapence-and-sembereka-rush-to-court-to-block-arrest-warrants/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788640974163-600x445.jpg)Trapence: Battle Shock Arrest Warrants in CourtThree former leaders of Malawi’s Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) have launched a dramatic court move to stop their arrest, claiming police are pursuing them over a case that was thrown out more than six years ago. Former HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo, alongside activists Gift Trapence and McDonald Sembereka, has asked the Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe to cancel arrest warrants issued earlier this month. The trio were arrested in March 2020 over allegations that they threatened to march to State House during a period of heightened political tension. But their lawyer, Khwima Mchizi, insists the case was formally discontinued by the State in October 2020, making the latest warrants unlawful. Speaking after filing an application to have the warrants quashed, Mchizi said his clients were “shocked” to learn that warrants had been issued on the basis that they had failed to comply with bail conditions attached to the old case. “The basis of the warrant is that they have not been honouring the bail conditions that were attached to their case in 2020,” he said. “My clients are shocked because that case was dismissed from court. So the issue of bail cannot arise where a case has been discontinued.” Mchizi said the matter has been scheduled for hearing on Friday and expressed confidence that the court would rectify what he described as an error. “We hope the court will correct the mistake because it’s the same court that discharged my clients in 2020,” he said. The lawyer further claimed the warrants were issued when his clients were not even within Lilongwe’s jurisdiction and accused authorities of targeting family members in an effort to secure arrests. In a strongly worded attack, Mchizi described the development as politically motivated. “It’s a political witch hunt. The State is so desperate that it’s telling lies about bail on a case that was discontinued,” he alleged. The claims are likely to ignite fresh debate over the treatment of prominent activists who played a key role in the anti-government demonstrations that reshaped Malawi’s political landscape in 2019 and 2020. However, Malawi Police Service spokesperson Gladys Chiwaula said she was unaware of both the arrest warrants and the court application seeking to stop them. The case is now set for a legal showdown on Friday, when the court will determine whether the warrants should stand or be cancelled. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Gift Trapence, HRDC, Rev MacDonald Sembereka, Timothy Mtambo --- ### [Chipungu launches five-year plan to improve land administration and housing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-launches-five-year-plan-to-improve-land-administration-and-housing/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Minister says digital reforms, stronger land governance and planned urban growth will be central to Malawi’s development ambitions under new strategy** The Government has unveiled an ambitious five-year strategy aimed at overhauling land administration, expanding access to affordable housing and managing the pressures of rapid urbanisation as Malawi pursues its long-term development goals. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261013-WA0004-1-400x600.jpg)Minister Chipungu: Land, housing and urban plan is ‘beginning of implementation’Launching the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development’s Strategic Plan for 2026-2031 at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Lands Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu said the blueprint would serve as a roadmap for improving land governance, modernising public services and supporting sustainable urban growth. Addressing government officials, diplomats, development partners, traditional leaders and civil society representatives, Chipungu described the plan as more than a policy document, calling it a “shared strategic direction” for the next five years. Malawi faces mounting pressure on its land resources amid rapid population growth, increasing urbanisation and rising demand for housing and infrastructure. The minister said the strategy had been designed to respond to these challenges while improving transparency and efficiency in service delivery. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261013-WA0003-600x400.jpg)Chipungu says technology must improve citizens’ experience of land services“How we manage land today will have profound implications for the Malawi we seek to create tomorrow,” Chipungu said, arguing that secure access to land remains fundamental to agriculture, housing, industry and investment. The new plan is closely aligned with the Malawi 2063 national vision and seeks to support the country’s ambitions for agricultural transformation, industrialisation and urbanisation. Under the strategy, the ministry will prioritise improvements in land administration systems, strengthen tenure security, promote planned settlements and expand access to adequate housing. It will also seek to improve the availability of geospatial information and make greater use of digital technologies. A key pillar of the plan is the expansion of digital land services. Building on the introduction of the Land Information Management System and digital land registration processes, the ministry aims to make land information more accessible, reduce administrative delays and improve accountability. Chipungu said technology should be used to deliver measurable benefits for citizens seeking land registration, planning approvals, valuation services and other government services. The minister also highlighted housing as one of Malawi’s most pressing development challenges, saying government alone could not meet growing demand. Instead, he called for stronger partnerships with private investors, financial institutions and development agencies to promote affordable and resilient housing solutions. “Our approach recognises that the housing challenge cannot be solved by Government alone,” he said. The strategy further seeks to strengthen urban planning as towns and cities continue to expand. Authorities will be expected to improve development control, integrate housing and infrastructure planning, and build more inclusive and resilient urban centres. Chipungu stressed that implementation would be subject to performance monitoring and regular reviews, warning that success would ultimately be judged by results rather than plans. “We must be prepared to ask difficult questions,” he said. “What have we achieved? What has not been achieved? Why has it not been achieved?” While acknowledging that funding constraints remain a significant challenge, the minister said implementation would rely on government resources, development partner support, public-private partnerships and other financing mechanisms. He urged donors to align their support with the strategy’s priorities and called on local authorities, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and communities to play an active role in delivery. Describing the strategy as a “shared roadmap”, Chipungu said its success would depend on coordinated action across government and society. He said the ultimate objective was to translate policy commitments into tangible improvements in people’s lives through secure land rights, better housing opportunities and more sustainable urban development. “The launch is not the destination,” he said. “It is the beginning of a five-year journey towards stronger land governance, better housing and better managed cities.” The Ministry’s vision for the period is “equitable access to secure land, adequate housing and sustainable urban development for all”, with officials expected to begin implementing the strategy immediately. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, land --- ### [Mumba's new mission: Bury MCP and build a new future](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mumbas-new-mission-bury-mcp-and-build-a-new-future/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Engineer **Vitumbiko Mumba** has launched his fiercest attack yet on the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), declaring the former ruling party cannot return to power while positioning himself for what many observers see as a new political chapter. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261012_221427_Chrome-600x407.jpg)MCP is finished, says former Chakwera ally MumbaThe founder of the **People Over Politics Foundation** dismissed criticism from MCP loyalists who have called on him to leave the party, saying he views their attacks as a blessing in disguise. Speaking during an exclusive interview on Times Television over the weekend, Mumba accused MCP of carrying out a flawed post-mortem of its 2025 election defeat and warned that the party remains disconnected from the frustrations that cost it power. Far from expressing regret about leaving the governing fold, Mumba painted a grim picture of a party that he believes has failed to understand why Malawians rejected it at the ballot box. But the remarks also highlighted Mumba’s remarkable political transformation. During the bitterly contested 2025 elections, Mumba was one of the most vocal defenders of the MCP administration and among the fiercest critics of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). He repeatedly alleged that DPP operatives were involved in fraudulent activities aimed at influencing the outcome of the vote and vowed to stop what he described as attempts by political “thugs” to rig the election. Mumba became synonymous with the rallying cry **“We Got This”**, as he reassured supporters that any effort to undermine the democratic process would be thwarted. Now, barely a year after those bruising political battles, Mumba has shifted his fire squarely onto MCP itself, claiming the party’s record in government was poor and insisting it has no credible pathway back to power. The political significance of the shift is not lost on observers. Having effectively distanced himself from both the Chakwera administration and MCP’s future prospects, Mumba appears to be carefully repositioning himself within Malawi’s changing political landscape, with growing speculation that he could play a role in the nearest future as part of the unity government. Mumba nevertheless defended his own performance in government, arguing that his short stint as Minister of Trade delivered concrete benefits for ordinary Malawians. He cited reforms in the sugar sector, claiming he helped dismantle monopolistic practices that had long prevented indigenous Malawians from participating in the trade. “Imagine, only one person was supplying sugar in the whole Northern Region, hence controlling supply to manipulate prices,” Mumba said. He revealed that he travelled to the United Kingdom to meet Illovo Sugar executives in a bid to open the market to more distributors. “I pat myself on the back for opening up many Malawians to engage in sugar trade. And that reduced sugar smuggling and hoarding which led to high and unstable sugar pricing in the country,” he said. According to Mumba, entrenched cartels and monopolies had stifled competition for years, limiting opportunities for local entrepreneurs and suppressing economic growth. Beyond politics, the former minister has also been rebuilding his public profile through philanthropy. Through the People Over Politics Foundation, he has been helping financially disadvantaged students access tertiary education by paying tuition fees and supporting their academic ambitions. Supporters see the initiative as proof of his commitment to grassroots empowerment. Critics, however, view it as part of a broader strategy to establish an independent political base beyond the structures of any single party. Either way, Mumba’s message was unmistakable: the man who once rallied supporters with cries of **“We Got This”** against the DPP is now directing his energies towards dismantling MCP’s claim to future power, while signalling that his own political future may lie elsewhere. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** MCP, Vitumbiko Mumba --- ### [NBM says Scorchers are 'our ray of hope' ahead of Harare return leg](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nbm-says-scorchers-are-our-ray-of-hope-ahead-of-harare-return-leg/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has expressed satisfaction with the Malawi National Women Football Team’s promising start to the Los Angeles Olympic qualifiers, saying the team’s first-leg victory over Zimbabwe has boosted morale ahead of the return match in Harare on Tuesday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Akossa-Mphepo-Hiwa-2-002-600x483.jpg)Akossa Mphepo-Hiwa: Scorchers on a roll, Sponsor NBM backs ladies for HarareThe Scorchers beat Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors 2-0 at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe on Friday courtesy of goals from sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga. Reacting to the victory NBM plc, Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Akossa Mphepo-Hiwa said the Bank was pleased with the team’s performance, describing the result as an encouraging start that inspires confidence ahead of the return fixture. She described women’s football as a source of hope and pride for Malawi, noting that the Scorchers’ performances continue to inspire the nation and demonstrate the growing potential of women’s sport in the country. “At this time, the Scorchers are our ray of hope. We have seen Malawians across the country rallying behind the team, and, for the first time, a women’s football match attracted paying spectators, with tickets selling out. This shows that, as sponsors, we made the right choice to invest in these ladies,” said Mphepo-Hiwa. She also called on Malawians to continue rallying behind the Scorchers in their return leg, emphasizing the importance of sustained national support as the team pursues its Olympic dream. “We ask Malawians to come out and give the ladies the support they need as they continue giving us a reason to smile,” she said. During post-match interviews, Scorchers coach, Lovemore Fazili commended Malawians and NBM plc for the support given to the team at home. “The support charged the team to fight hard, this was our first match after the WAFCON tournament and it also gave us a chance to assess some of the players. “Going to Harare we anticipate a tough match, but we have all the confidence that we will carry the day and progress to the next stage,” said Fazili. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** National Bank of Malawi, Scorchers --- ### [Catholic Commission backs Mutharika’s first year but flags economic pain](https://www.nyasatimes.com/catholic-commission-backs-mutharikas-first-year-but-flags-economic-pain/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Arthur Peter Mutharika has been handed a positive report card for his first year in office, with the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) awarding his administration 3.75 out of six points while highlighting both key achievements and persistent economic challenges. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791144746864-440x600.jpg)Mutharika earns above-average mark in first year as Catholic report highlights wins and woesAccording to reports carried by the Malawi News Agency (Mana) and government platforms, the assessment covered the period from 4 October 2025 to 4 October 2026 and evaluated government performance across 14 sectors using evidence from government institutions, multilateral organisations, sector agencies and independent sources. The influential Catholic watchdog said the administration had made notable gains in several areas, including improved food availability, the introduction of free primary and secondary education, and increased financing for decentralised development initiatives. But the report also sounded a note of caution, identifying chronic foreign exchange shortages as one of the biggest obstacles holding back economic recovery and affecting the delivery of public services. “CCJP therefore considers the first-year record positive,” the organisation said in its assessment. Despite the favourable verdict, the commission urged Mutharika’s government not to become complacent, calling for greater focus on stabilising the economy, ensuring reliable energy supply, strengthening accountability, creating jobs and improving basic public services during its second year in office. The findings offer a mixed but largely encouraging picture for the President, suggesting that while progress has been made in key social sectors, major economic pressures continue to pose a significant test for his administration. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** CCJP, forex, Malawi Economy, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Malawi says President Mutharika still in South Africa, rejects India reports](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-says-president-mutharika-still-in-south-africa-rejects-india-reports/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s government has denied reports that President Peter Mutharika has travelled to India for medical treatment, saying he remains in South Africa on a private visit. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791144754437-600x432.jpg)Mutharika still in South Africa, says Chief Secretary Notes:Chief Secretary Justin Saidi dismissed the claims, which have circulated on social media, as false. He urged Malawians to rely on verified sources rather than spread unconfirmed information. Mutharika, 87, left Malawi on October 6 from Kamuzu International Airport. Saidi announced at the time that he was making a “private visit” to South Africa. He gave no reason for the trip and no date for his return, and none has been announced since. The government has not publicly addressed persistent rumours about the president’s health. The claims about India have not been verified. Mutharika has made five publicly announced private trips to South Africa since returning to office. The government says the trips are personal. Mutharika won the September 2025 election, defeating then-president Lazarus Chakwera. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Justine Saidi, Peter Mutharika, South Africa --- ### [Drug theft scandal? Parliament launches probe as hospital medicine stocks crash to just 18%](https://www.nyasatimes.com/drug-theft-scandal-parliament-launches-probe-as-hospital-medicine-stocks-crash-to-just-18/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A shocking probe has been launched amid claims that life-saving medicines are being stolen from Malawi’s public hospitals while patients are left facing empty shelves and desperate shortages. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2025-11-30-at-11.02.58_78a983aa-600x600.jpg)Masamba; ProbeParliament’s Health Committee says it has uncovered evidence suggesting drugs meant for sick and vulnerable patients are disappearing from government hospitals, triggering a high-level investigation into who is behind the alleged theft and how the country’s medicine supply chain is being breached. The bombshell claims come against the backdrop of a deepening health crisis, with medicine availability at major referral hospitals reportedly plummeting to just 18 per cent. Across the country, the situation is little better. Lawmakers say overall medicine availability stands at 41 per cent, while stock-outs have soared to 75 per cent, leaving thousands of patients struggling to access essential treatment. Now MPs want answers. Health Committee chairperson Anthony Masamba says the investigation will dig into allegations that medicines are being siphoned out of public facilities and diverted elsewhere instead of reaching the patients they were bought to help. The committee is expected to haul in key figures from across the health sector, including senior government officials, pharmaceutical suppliers, the Inspector General of Police and officers from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Their task: explain why hospitals are running dry and whether criminal networks, corruption or systemic failures are responsible. “We have gathered sufficient evidence indicating that medicines are being stolen from public hospitals,” Masamba said. The committee will scrutinise every link in the chain, from procurement and tendering to transportation, distribution and pharmacy management. One particularly alarming claim under investigation is that some individuals are allegedly supplying medicines to pharmacies that do not even exist. If true, the revelations could expose a massive loophole allowing public funds and life-saving drugs to disappear through suspicious transactions while hospital shelves remain bare. Masamba warned that such practices could point to serious weaknesses in the management of medicines and the protection of public resources. The inquiry is also examining reports that some trucks assigned to deliver medicines to hospitals may not be reaching their intended destinations, raising fresh questions about what happens to drugs after they leave suppliers’ warehouses. For patients already battling shortages of critical medicines, the allegations have fuelled fears that supplies are being lost, diverted or stolen long before they reach hospital stores. Health rights campaigner Maziko Matemba welcomed the parliamentary investigation, saying it could finally expose the root causes of the chronic shortages plaguing public hospitals. The explosive probe now places government officials, suppliers and law enforcement agencies firmly under the spotlight. With medicine stocks at major referral hospitals reportedly languishing at just 18 per cent, Parliament faces mounting pressure to uncover the truth and determine whether drugs intended to save lives are instead ending up in the wrong hands. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Malawi Parliament --- ### [NICO netball cup aims to develop future Malawi stars](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nico-netball-cup-aims-to-develop-future-malawi-stars/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** NICO Holdings says its flagship One NICO Top 12 Netball Cup is on a mission to unearth Malawi’s next generation of stars, with hopes of discovering future talents. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791743617973-600x316.jpg)Kukoma Diamonds win Southern Region One NICO Top 12 CupThe financial services giant says the competition is doing more than handing out prize money. It is being used to empower young girls, nurture grassroots talent and help rebuild Malawi’s national netball team from the ground up. Speaking after the Southern Region finals in Blantyre on Sunday, NICO Corporate Affairs Manager Mbumba Mlia Ndasauka said the tournament was creating opportunities for young athletes while allowing the company to connect with communities through financial literacy campaigns and life-changing messages. The Southern Region showdown ended in triumph for Kukoma Diamonds, who successfully defended their title and walked away with a cool K6 million after emerging champions. Ndasauka said NICO remains committed to investing in grassroots sport, insisting that the competition is designed to identify and develop talented girls who could become the country’s future netball heroes. Kukoma Diamonds coach Noel Musa hailed his players after a hard-fought campaign, admitting the road to retaining the title had been anything but easy. The coach said winning the regional crown for a second year in a row was a major achievement but warned that the team’s attention had already shifted to unfinished business on the national stage. “Despite the tournament being tough, we have managed to defend the title, having won it last year as well. We still have work to do at national level because we failed to win the national championship last year,” said Musa. He vowed that his side would work even harder as they chase national glory when regional champions meet in the battle for the overall title. Meanwhile, Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) president Vitumbiko Gubuduza praised the competition’s organisation and thanked NICO for its continued backing of the sport. Gubuduza said the sponsorship was helping teams gain exposure and giving players valuable opportunities to showcase their talent. The One NICO Top 12 Netball Cup is set to spread across all regions of Malawi this month, paving the way for the crowning of a national champion and offering more aspiring stars the chance to shine on the big stage. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Kukoma, Netball, Nico --- ### [Chakwera heads to Ghana as church ties return to spotlight](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-heads-to-ghana-as-church-ties-return-to-spotlight/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former Malawi president Lazarus Chakwera has departed for Ghana where he is set to attend the 10th World Assemblies of God Congress (WAGC 2026) in Accra, which gets under way on 14 October. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791831167628-600x405.jpg)Chakwera heads to Ghana for Assemblies of God congress.According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Counsel Gift Nankhuni, the former head of state will participate in a series of engagements during the high-profile church gathering before returning to Malawi via Kamuzu International Airport on 20 October. The trip marks a return to familiar territory for the former president, who rose to prominence as a leading church figure long before entering frontline politics. Prior to leading Malawi, Chakwera served as president of the Malawi Assemblies of God, one of the country’s largest Pentecostal denominations. But his close ties to the church remain a subject of political debate. Critics have long argued that during his time at State House, Chakwera surrounded himself with an influential circle of Assemblies of God pastors, church leaders and associates, many of whom were perceived to wield significant influence within government. Some detractors claimed senior figures in the ruling Malawi Congress Party often found themselves overshadowed by religious advisers and church-connected officials, fuelling accusations that ecclesiastical networks enjoyed privileged access to the corridors of power. Supporters, however, have maintained that Chakwera’s appointments were based on trust, competence and shared values rather than religious affiliation. His appearance at the global Assemblies of God gathering is likely to reignite discussion about the intersection of faith and politics that defined much of his presidency. Chakwera is accompanied by his wife, former First Lady Monica Chakwera. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Assemblies of God, Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP --- ### [Ben Phiri champions reformed CDF as Thyolo Central launches K5bn development fund.](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ben-phiri-champions-reformed-cdf-as-thyolo-central-launches-k5bn-development-fund/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and Member of Parliament for Thyolo Central, Dr Ben Phiri, has described the reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as a major breakthrough in grassroots development, saying it will accelerate the implementation of key infrastructure and social projects in the constituency. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791807459941-600x270.jpg)Ben Phiri Says Reformed CDF Will Accelerate Development in Thyolo Central![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791807445563-600x449.jpg)Ministers say shifting decision-making to local councils will improve accountability, as district plans 57 projects with K3.6bnSpeaking during the launch of the Integrated Constituency Development Fund (ICDF) at Chitengu on Monday, Phiri said the new model would enhance service delivery by giving local councils greater responsibility in planning and implementing development initiatives. He highlighted a number of projects already earmarked under the programme, including irrigation schemes, integrated water systems, connecting bridges, road construction, rural electrification and double-storey classroom blocks at Thyolo Boma Primary School. Speaking at the same event Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Chimwemwe Chipungu said the reformed fund is central to government’s decentralisation agenda, empowering councils and strengthening accountability and ownership of development projects at community level. District Commissioner Noel Dakamau said Thyolo District plans to implement 57 projects this financial year, noting that K3.6 billion has been allocated for development projects, with additional funding set aside for sports, bursaries, and youth and women empowerment programmes. Malawi Local Government Association president Jomo Osman said the rollout of projects under the reformed CDF had demonstrated the viability of the new approach, while Senior Chief Nchiramwera urged communities to safeguard public infrastructure against vandalism. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Ben Phiri, Chimwemwe Chipungu, Constituency Development Fund, Thyolo --- ### [Brain Magoya appointed chair of higher education funding board](https://www.nyasatimes.com/brain-magoya-appointed-chair-of-higher-education-funding-board/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Government has handed Brain Magoya a key role at the centre of Malawi’s higher education funding system after appointing him as the new Chairperson of the Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB). ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791647807457-600x361.jpg)Brain Magoya appointed chair of higher education funding boardIn an official appointment letter issued on 8 October 2026, Deputy Chief Secretary and Comptroller of Statutory Corporations Christopher S. J. Mchenga confirmed that Magoya will spearhead the board responsible for overseeing loans and grants for thousands of tertiary students across the country. The appointment takes effect retrospectively from 9 December 2025 and will see Magoya serve a three-year term running until 8 December 2028. However, his elevation to the influential post must still clear one hurdle, with the appointment requiring confirmation by Parliament’s Public Appointments Committee, in line with the Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Act of 2015. Magoya will serve in a non-executive capacity, meaning he will receive approved allowances and honoraria rather than drawing a full-time salary and office benefits. As chairperson, he will be tasked with providing strategic direction and governance oversight for the board, helping steer the institution as it supports access to higher education while aligning its work with the Government’s long-term Malawi 2063 development agenda. In the correspondence, Mchenga urged the incoming chair to work closely with fellow board members, management and stakeholders to strengthen efficiency and effectiveness within the institution. The appointment letter also requests Magoya to formally accept the position, with copies of the communication sent to the Office of the President and Cabinet and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The move places Magoya at the helm of one of Malawi’s most important education financing institutions as demand for student loans and grants continues to grow. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Brian Magoya, Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board --- ### [RFA plans tollgates on all new roads in Malawi ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/rfa-plans-tollgates-on-all-new-roads-in-malawi/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Roads Fund Administration (RFA) has unveiled ambitious plans to roll out tollgates on all Roads Authority roads currently under construction, saying the move is critical to raising the money needed to keep Malawi’s road network in good condition. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261012_192851_Google-600x199.jpg)Tollgate for every new roadRFA Public Relations Manager Masauko Ngwaluko said tollgates have already proved to be a game changer in generating revenue for road maintenance and rehabilitation, helping to ensure roads do not deteriorate to the point of requiring costly repairs. Speaking in Balaka during a stakeholder engagement meeting on plans to construct a new tollgate at Mpata along the Mangochi Turn-Off-Mangochi (Arthur Peter Mutharika) Road, Ngwaluko said no road should be left unattended for years until it develops serious damage. He said the fund’s long-term vision is to ensure that every newly constructed road has a sustainable source of maintenance funding. Balaka District Commissioner Bibu Yusuf Mdala welcomed the project, describing the planned tollgate as a development in its own right. “The face of this area will change once the tollgate is established,” he said. Balaka Ulongwe legislator Idrissa Ngunga also backed the initiative, saying the tollgate on the Arthur Peter Mutharika Highway would provide confidence that the road will receive regular maintenance. The proposed Mpata tollgate is expected to strengthen revenue collection efforts while helping preserve one of the country’s key transport routes for years to come. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Masauko Ngwaluko, Roads Authority --- ### [Pay up or miss out: Ben Phiri issues warning to RCDF loan defaulters as K3.6bn Thyolo projects roll out](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pay-up-or-miss-out-ben-phiri-issues-warning-to-rcdf-loan-defaulters-as-k3-6bn-thyolo-projects-roll-out/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Villagers benefiting from government-backed loans have been warned that failing to repay the money could shut the door on others hoping to access life-changing support. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791822897015-600x449.jpg)Thyolo launches K3.6bn development projectsLocal Government and Rural Development Minister Ben Malunga Phiri issued the stern warning in Thyolo Thava Constituency as a multi-billion-kwacha development programme, funded through the Reformed Constituency Development Fund (RCDF), gathers pace. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791821854517-600x450.jpg)Minister Ben Phiri warns RCDF loan beneficiaries over repaymentsPhiri urged beneficiaries of RCDF and Malawi Enterprise Development Fund (MEDF) loans to honour their repayment obligations, saying the sustainability of the schemes depended on borrowers paying back what they owe. “Repayment is critical if more people are to benefit from these initiatives,” he said. The minister also highlighted the wider impact of the projects, saying improved road networks would cut transport costs for farmers while the construction of police houses would help boost security in local communities. Speaking during the launch of the construction of Thomas Clinic in the area of Senior Chief Khwethemule, Phiri warned that his ministry would not hesitate to act against contractors or council officials found compromising standards or mishandling public resources. He further challenged Constituency Development Committees to ensure RCDF projects for the 2026/27 financial year are implemented effectively and urged contractors to prioritise employing young people from surrounding communities. Contractors, meanwhile, pledged transparency and quality workmanship. Horizon Construction managing director Dr Wakisa Simukonda said his company would work closely with community development structures to safeguard building materials and ensure durable infrastructure. “We are committed to delivering quality work in line with government expectations and without corruption or shortcuts,” he said. Thyolo Thava legislator Mary Navicha said the projects were selected by residents themselves and pledged to work closely with contractors to ensure high standards. She said the new health facilities, including Thomas Clinic, would significantly improve access to healthcare services, particularly maternal and child health care. According to Navicha and Thyolo District Commissioner Noel Dakamau, the constituency’s K3.6 billion development allocation will fund the construction of the Mulenga-Chasinkha Road, three police houses, Milongera Community Day Secondary School, Thomas Clinic and the Liphama Bridge. Senior Chief Khwethemule welcomed the investment, saying local people have long been forced to travel long distances to access medical services. But he also issued an unusual warning to women in the area, urging them not to be “carried away” by contractors working on the projects and to remember their family responsibilities after the contractors eventually leave. The chief also joined calls for contractors to recruit labour locally, saying the projects should create employment opportunities for young people in the area. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Ben Phiri, Constituency Development Fund, MEDF, Thyolo --- ### [Four clean sheets, 10 points and another award for Nyirenda](https://www.nyasatimes.com/four-clean-sheets-10-points-and-another-award-for-nyirenda/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Wedson Nyirenda, the FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach, has been named the FDH Bank Premiership’s coach of the month for August, the second time he has won the award since taking charge in June. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791781571853-600x398.jpg)Nyirenda named coach of the month for second time as Bullets go topNyirenda received the prize at half-time during Sunday’s 2-0 win over Blue Eagles at Mpira Stadium, a result that put Bullets top of the table, one point ahead of Mighty Wanderers on 33 points. He won the award after a four-match unbeaten run spanning August and the last first-round fixture in early September. Bullets took 10 points from 12, scored eight goals and conceded none, keeping four consecutive clean sheets. The run ended with a 5-0 win over Silver Strikers at Mpira Stadium on 5 September, in which Kondowe scored a hat-trick and Wongani Lungu and Misheck Billiat also scored. Nyirenda’s first monthly award came in June, after a strong start with the club. He beat Declerk Msakakuona of Blue Eagles and Abbas Makawa of Civo Service United to this one. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Nyasa Big Bullets, Wedson Nyirenda --- ### [Chipungu stakes decentralisation credibility on reformed CDF](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-stakes-decentralisation-credibility-on-reformed-cdf/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The launch of projects under the reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in Thyolo Central has offered a glimpse into government’s broader vision for decentralisation, with officials arguing that the new model shifts decision-making power closer to communities while strengthening accountability for public resources. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791807465000-600x270.jpg)Chipungu Reframes CDF as Vehicle for Accountability and Local GrowthSpeaking at Chitengu Primary School during the rollout of constituency projects, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Chimwemwe Chipungu said the restructured fund marks a significant departure from a centralised approach to development, giving local councils greater ownership of project implementation and oversight. Chipungu linked the reforms to Malawi’s long-term development ambitions, arguing that stronger local institutions and more responsive service delivery would be critical to the country’s aspiration of attaining high-income status. For Thyolo Central legislator Ben Phiri, the challenge now lies in translating the increased allocation into tangible outcomes. He called for collaboration among councils, traditional leaders and communities in delivering projects earmarked under the fund, including an irrigation scheme, the Phalira-Loti Road, a solar-powered water system at Chitengu, electricity extensions, a bridge and double-storey classroom blocks at Thyolo Boma. District Commissioner Noel Dakamau said the constituency is expected to implement seven projects this year, with K3.6 billion dedicated to development initiatives. Additional resources will support bursaries, sports programmes and youth and women’s economic empowerment activities. The emphasis on accountability was echoed by Malawi Local Government Association president Isaac Jomo Osman, who urged ward councillors to take a more active role in monitoring projects and ensuring public funds deliver intended benefits. Senior Chief Nchiramwera, meanwhile, highlighted a recurring challenge facing development programmes: the protection of public infrastructure. He called on traditional leaders and local communities to safeguard completed projects from vandalism, arguing that the success of decentralised development depends as much on community stewardship as it does on government financing. The launch reflects the government’s attempt to reposition the CDF from a constituency-based funding mechanism into a broader instrument for local development, placing councils at the centre of planning, implementation and accountability. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, Constituency Development Fund, Thyolo --- ### [Fuel war erupts: Malawi launches nationwide crackdown on illegal fuel trade amid deepening shortages](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fuel-war-erupts-malawi-launches-nationwide-crackdown-on-illegal-fuel-trade-amid-deepening-shortages/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A nationwide crackdown on fuel hoarders, black-market traders and illegal motorcycle operators has been launched as authorities move to stamp out a thriving underground fuel trade blamed for worsening Malawi’s fuel crisis. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791817421842-600x452.jpg)Hoarders, black-market dealers and rogue Kabaza operators in authorities’ sightsWith frustrated motorists spending hours in queues and others turning to the parallel market to secure fuel, the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera), Malawi Police Service and Lilongwe City Council have declared war on those profiteering from the shortage. In a joint warning, Mera and police said they have intensified enforcement operations across the country targeting the illegal storage, transportation, distribution and sale of fuel and other regulated energy products. The two institutions warned that anyone found possessing, storing, transporting, distributing or selling fuel without the required licences and approvals risks arrest and prosecution. The warning comes as reports emerge of motorists buying fuel from illegal traders amid persistent shortages. In Lilongwe, authorities have unveiled a sweeping operation targeting fuel hoarding, concealed fuel stocks and illegal sales in bottles, jerrycans and other containers. Lilongwe City Council, the Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) and the Malawi Civil Society Led Black Economic Empowerment Movement (Mablem) accused unscrupulous traders of exploiting the crisis for personal gain despite increased fuel deliveries into the capital. Speaking at Civic Offices, LCC spokesperson Tamara Chafunya said the operation will target suspected collusion involving fuel attendants, security personnel, customers and filling station owners. Authorities have also put rogue Kabaza operators on notice, warning that unregistered motorcycles and those ridden by unlicensed operators will be seized, while offenders could face prosecution. Vehicles causing congestion around filling stations or jumping queues are also expected to face clamping, towing and impoundment. Filling stations found hoarding fuel could face suspension or revocation of their business licences, while illegally traded fuel will be confiscated. The multi-agency operation involving Mera, police, Nocma and city authorities has already identified hotspots including Bwandiro, Kawale, Area 23 and Nsungwi, where illegal fuel trading activities have reportedly been detected. Officials say the crackdown is not only intended to restore order in fuel distribution but also to prevent potentially deadly fires linked to fuel stockpiling in homes and improve public safety on the roads. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Fuel, Malawi Police, Mera --- ### [Mukhito opens security forces' sports festival in Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mukhito-opens-security-forces-sports-festival-in-lilongwe/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Members of Malawi’s security agencies are going head to head this week at the 2026 Inter-Security Agencies Sports Festival, which opened at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261012-WA0017-600x450.jpg)Rivals on the pitch, partners in service: Mukhito opens Inter-Security Agencies Sports FestivalHomeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito, who presided over the opening ceremony, called the festival a powerful symbol of unity, discipline and joint service to the nation. He said it celebrates the courage and sacrifices of security personnel who protect the country. “This festival is not just about winning trophies,” he said. “It is about building esprit de corps, fostering inter-agency coordination, promoting physical fitness and mental resilience which are critical for officers who protect our nation daily.” ‘Partners, not just rivals’ “We may wear different uniforms, but we serve one nation,” he said. “On the sporting field, you will be rivals, but in serving our country, you remain partners.” He praised the Malawi Defence Force for starting the initiative, and thanked the four participating bodies for their commitment to sport: the Defence Force, the Malawi Police Service, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services and the Malawi Prison Service. Mr Mukhito noted that security teams including Red Lions, MAFCO, Moyale Barracks, Kamuzu Barracks and Blue Eagles continue to anchor the Super League and produce international athletes. Call for fair play and support He urged the organising committee to ensure fair play, discipline and professionalism, and called on the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and corporate partners to keep backing security sports as a talent pool for national teams. Organising committee chairperson Colonel Alfred Luciano Matambo promised a well-run tournament. He said the festival aims to improve operational readiness, promote officers’ physical and mental well-being and strengthen relations among the agencies and with the public. The programme The festival is running under the theme “Unity, Discipline and Fitness for National Service”. Competitors are taking part in football, basketball, netball, volleyball, pool, athletics, taekwondo, karate, judo and tug of war. It is due to close on Sunday, with the President expected to preside over the final. Senior officials at the opening included Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga, Immigration Director General Dennis Chipao and Prison Service Commissioner General Grace Phiri Wandiga. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261012-WA0015-1-600x450.jpg)Malawi’s security agencies compete in five-day sports festival Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Immigrations Department, Malawi Defence Force, Malawi Police, Peter Mukhito --- ### [Malawi MPs back on 9 November to check where the money went](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-mps-back-on-9-november-to-check-where-the-money-went/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Parliament will reconvene on 9 November for a five-week review of government spending, Speaker Sameer Suleman has announced. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261012_124353_Google-1-600x452.jpg)Mwanamvekha in the spotlight: MPs to scrutinise 2026/27 budget in five-week sitting from 9 NovemberIn a statement, Mr Suleman said the Mid-Year Budget Review Meeting for the 2026/27 financial year will run from 9 November to 11 December 2026 in Lilongwe. It will be the Fourth Meeting of the National Assembly in the 52nd Session of Parliament. MPs will examine how the 2026/27 National Budget is being carried out. Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha and other ministers are expected to report on progress on key programmes and spending commitments. The statement’s wording suggests attention will fall on agriculture, health, education, infrastructure and social protection, which usually take a large share of public spending. MPs are also expected to look at revenue performance, borrowing, inflation and the pace of major projects. The review comes amid a high cost of living, pressure on foreign exchange reserves and calls for better public services, all of which have sharpened scrutiny of how money is spent. MPs will also consider a number of Bills and other matters of national importance. The mid-year review gives Parliament a chance to assess how public money has been used in the first half of the financial year, and to recommend changes where programmes are falling behind or failing to deliver. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Joseph Mwanamvekha, Malawi Parliament, national budget --- ### ['Breast cancer is not a curse': Ansah's plea to women as cases soar in Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/breast-cancer-is-not-a-curse-ansahs-plea-to-women-as-cases-soar-in-malawi/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s First Vice-President, Jane Ansah, has appealed to women to seek medical attention as soon as they detect unusual changes in their breasts, warning that late diagnosis continues to undermine efforts to combat one of the country’s most persistent health challenges. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791641499853-600x442.jpg)Ansah launches fight against cancer stigma as deaths remain alarmingly highSpeaking at a Breast Cancer Awareness Brunch in Lilongwe, organised by the women’s group Diaries of Young Ladies, Ansah stressed that early detection remains one of the most effective weapons against the disease. Cancer identified at an early stage, she said, is significantly easier to treat than cancer discovered after it has advanced. Her remarks also sought to challenge deeply rooted misconceptions that continue to surround the illness. Breast cancer, she argued, should be regarded as a medical condition rather than a spiritual affliction. “It is not sin; it is not a curse,” she told participants, urging women to combine faith with professional medical care. Religious belief may provide comfort and resilience, she said, but it should never substitute treatment. The message was echoed by breast cancer survivor Charity Mwafulirwa, who was diagnosed in 2022. Drawing on her own experience, she encouraged women to carry out regular self-examinations and seek screening whenever concerns arise. Yet she also highlighted a reality confronting many patients: the cost of cancer care. For some families, she warned, financial barriers can delay both diagnosis and treatment, reducing the chances of successful outcomes. The event took place against the backdrop of a rising cancer burden in Malawi. Figures cited at the gathering show that the country now records more than 19,000 new cancer cases annually, compared with just over 10,000 in 2009. More than 13,000 people die from the disease each year. Amos Msekandiana, director of Kamuzu Central Hospital, which houses the National Cancer Centre, said the institution continues to make progress in the treatment of several cancers, including breast cancer, as it seeks to strengthen specialist services. For the organisers, however, awareness remains as important as treatment. Vera Banda, vice-president of Diaries of Young Ladies, said the campaign would continue beyond October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The brunch raised K48 million towards a target of K100 million, funds intended to support ongoing awareness and advocacy efforts. The challenge, speakers agreed, is no longer simply expanding treatment. It is ensuring that more women present early enough to benefit from it. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791641512000-600x358.jpg)Jane Ansah tells women to combine faith with medical care, as a survivor warns that cost can keep patients from treatment Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Health, National **Tags:** cancer, Jane Ansah --- ### [Court freeze deepens pressure over K128bn Amaryllis takeover](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-freeze-deepens-pressure-over-k128bn-amaryllis-takeover/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There are bad investments, there are questionable investments and then there are investments that leave everyone asking a rather simple question: who, exactly, was minding the shop? ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/amarylis-1-600x406.jpg)K128bn Amaryllis deal faces reversal after court interventionThat question now hangs over the Public Service Pension Trust Fund’s K128 billion acquisition of the Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre. The man charged with cleaning up the mess, statutory manager Stain Singo, wants the transaction undone and the money recovered. In governance circles, that is about as close as one gets to declaring a deal a catastrophe without using the word. Singo’s argument is remarkably straightforward. The purchase was concluded when the fund lacked some of the most basic pillars of institutional oversight. There was no formal organisational structure. There was no internal audit manager. There was no risk and compliance manager. Reporting lines were unclear and authority was poorly defined. A transaction involving tens of billions of kwacha was therefore undertaken in an environment where the safeguards designed to challenge, scrutinise and verify major decisions appear to have been largely absent. The legal backlash is now gathering pace. Last week, the Public Service Pension Trust Fund and the Reserve Bank of Malawi separately secured court orders freezing K90.125 billion held in accounts linked to Yusuf Investments Limited and Amaryllis Hotel Limited. The orders extended to accounts held at National Bank’s Henderson Street branch in Blantyre, while Reserve Bank Governor and Registrar of Financial Institutions George Partridge went a step further, obtaining an injunction directing trustees to rescind the acquisition and recover the money already paid. That is an extraordinary development. Regulators do not ordinarily seek court intervention to unwind commercial transactions unless they believe there are serious questions requiring urgent protection of assets. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the affair is what the pension fund says it does not possess. Despite having paid about K90 billion, Singo said earlier this year that the fund had yet to receive legal ownership of the hotel. No title deed. No share certificate. No operational reports. No handover documentation. For a transaction of such magnitude, those omissions are difficult to explain and impossible to ignore. The Amaryllis saga has therefore become more than a dispute over a luxury hotel. It is rapidly turning into a test case of governance, oversight and accountability in Malawi’s financial sector. The courts will ultimately determine the legal fate of the transaction. But the uncomfortable question already confronting the pension industry is how a fund entrusted with workers’ retirement savings found itself in such a precarious position in the first place. If Singo succeeds, the hotel deal may yet be reversed. The larger challenge will be ensuring that a transaction of this scale can never again be approved in an institutional vacuum. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel --- ### [Kabwila to Mumba: Don't like Chakwera? Leave!](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kabwila-to-mumba-dont-like-chakwera-leave/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Senior MCP figure accuses Vitumbiko Mumba of ingratitude after he said the party must change its leader to return to power** A senior figure in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has launched a fierce attack on Vitumbiko Mumba after he suggested the party must change its leadership if it hopes to win back power. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791069294189-600x445.jpg)‘A lion does not stop drinking water because frogs are making noise’: Kabwila’s savage reply to MumbaMCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila accused Mumba of political immaturity, ingratitude and a lack of understanding of the party that helped build his national profile. Speaking to Times, Kabwila said the MCP introduced Mumba to Malawians and insisted the party remains firmly behind its president, Lazarus Chakwera. She said that if Mumba does not agree with the party’s direction, he is free to chart his own political path. She also dismissed his criticism with a proverb: “A lion does not stop drinking water because frogs are making noise.” Her remarks follow comments by Mumba, who campaigned alongside Chakwera in last year’s election. He argued that the MCP must overhaul its leadership if it is to regain public confidence and secure another term in government. The exchange points to growing tension within the party over its future direction and leadership ahead of the next election. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, Jessie Kabwila, MCP, Vitumbiko Mumba --- ### [Ansah praises Mutharika for picking her as running mate, despite whispers in the governing elite](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ansah-praises-mutharika-for-picking-her-as-running-mate-despite-whispers-in-the-governing-elite/) **Published:** October 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **The Vice-President says her relationship with the President remains cordial, even as she says some in the governing elite are unhappy with his choice** Vice-President Jane Ansah used her 71st birthday celebration to thank President Peter Mutharika for choosing her as his running mate in the 16 September 2025 general election, a decision that paved the way for her to become Malawi’s second citizen. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791783440586-400x600.jpg)Cordial, but not everyone is happy: Ansah on her ties with MutharikaAnsah spoke at her official residence in Area 12, Lilongwe, on Saturday, a day before her actual birthday on 11 October. Earlier last month, she said her relationship with Mutharika remains cordial, but that some officials in the governing elite were apparently unhappy with her selection and were coming between her and the President. ‘**A living testimony’** Reflecting on her life, Ansah, a retired Justice of Appeal and Senior Counsel, said she could not have overcome many challenges without God’s intervention, calling herself “a living testimony of His grace”. She described 2019 to 2020 as the most difficult period of her life and thanked her family for standing by her. She was apparently referring to the aftermath of the 2019 tripartite elections, which she oversaw as chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission. Street protests led by some civil society groups, at times violent, demanded her resignation. On 3 February 2020, the High Court sitting as a Constitutional Court nullified the election over irregularities in the management of results. The Supreme Court of Appeal upheld the ruling. She also paid tribute to her husband for his support in her hardest moments, and thanked her wider family and friends. **A different guest list** Her guests included people with disabilities, people with albinism, people of short stature and the elderly. She said she chose to celebrate with groups often marginalised in society as part of her effort to promote inclusion. “This year is different,” she said. Last year, she marked her 70th birthday with politicians, mostly from the governing Democratic Progressive Party, days after taking the oath as Vice-President. She said she intends to use her Jane Ansah Foundation and other interventions to help the groups achieve financial stability. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Jane Ansah, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Nico Group raises One Nico Top 12 Netball Cup sponsorship to K75m](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nico-group-raises-one-nico-top-12-netball-cup-sponsorship-to-k75m/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Nico Group has increased its sponsorship of the One Nico Top 12 National Netball Cup from K60 million to K75 million as the competition launched its second season. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261011-WA0013-600x400.jpg)Nico Group raises One Nico Top 12 Netball Cup sponsorship to K75m![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261011-WA0012-600x400.jpg)NAM president Gubuduza praises Nico for supporting umpire trainingThe launch took place at Blantyre Sports Arena. Nico Group Head of Marketing and Customer Experience Taweni Gondwe Xaba said the company was satisfied with the sport’s progress since it began backing the tournament. “The competition is part of the career pathway for the girls,” she said. Ms Xaba said the tournament is becoming an important platform for developing young female players and creating chances to build professional careers. Continued growth could open doors for Malawian players to secure better deals beyond the country’s borders, she said. She said the rise from K60 million in the first season to K75 million this year shows Nico’s commitment to netball and supports the Netball Association of Malawi’s (NAM) strategy to rebuild the game. NAM president Vitumbiko Gubuduza praised Nico for its continued investment and called the partnership important for the sport’s growth. She said the sponsorship has helped improve several areas of the game beyond competition, including efforts to strengthen the sport’s overall structure. She singled out umpire training as a key beneficiary, in line with NAM’s strategy to rebuild netball. Supporting the game at every level, she said, is essential for lasting progress. Blantyre City Mayor Councillor Isaac Jomo Osman, guest of honour at the launch, welcomed the initiative, saying the partnership shows the value of investing in sport. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Netball, Netball Association of Malawi, Nico --- ### [Pump scandal: CAMA accuses filling stations of fuelling black market as Malawians queue for hours](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pump-scandal-cama-accuses-filling-stations-of-fuelling-black-market-as-malawians-queue-for-hours/) **Published:** October 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) has accused filling stations of making the fuel crisis worse through corrupt practices, as motorists spend long hours in queues. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261010-WA0000-600x406.jpg)CAMA boss Kapito says fuel is selling for up to K20,000 a litre on the black market and demands daily stock updates from regulatorsIn a press release titled “The Continued Fuel Scarcity in Malawi”, made available to *Nyasa Times*, CAMA said stations are making distribution “erratic and unpredictable”. “While fuel is scarce, filling stations are making the distribution erratic and unpredictable by engaging themselves in practices that create preferences among motorists through corrupt malpractices that are linked with supplies to the black market,” the statement said. CAMA said the black market is now bigger than the formal one, with fuel selling at between K15,000 and K20,000 per litre. **Landlocked, but unprepared?** CAMA acknowledged the government’s explanation that global supply has been hit by the conflict in Iran, and that Malawi faces logistical problems. But it argued that as a landlocked country, Malawi needs resilience systems and enough reserves at all times. **CAMA’s demands** The association called for: - NOCMA and MERA to publish stock levels daily, including how much is in transit, which stations will be supplied, and to monitor distribution closely - Fuel to be distributed fairly across all regions, not only to selected stations - MERA to act against stations diverting or hoarding fuel for the black market - The Ministry of Energy to brief Malawians on supply in the short, medium and long term - Stronger security at filling stations, and tighter control of attendants it says are openly working with black market agents - Official information from MERA and the ministry to prevent panic buying and hoarding - Faster solutions, as small businesses lose income and consumers walk long distances to work because of a lack of public transport **Queues in major cities** Malawi has had intermittent fuel shortages in recent weeks, with long queues returning in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba and Mzuzu. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, National, News **Tags:** CAMA, Fuel, John Kapito --- ### [Zeze Kingstone criticised after video shows him throwing banknotes at fans](https://www.nyasatimes.com/zeze-kingstone-criticised-after-video-shows-him-throwing-banknotes-at-fans/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Musician faces public backlash and possible action over concert footage; Reserve Bank has repeatedly warned against mistreating the kwacha** The musician Zeze Kingstone has been widely criticised on social media after a video showed him throwing banknotes at a crowd while dancing during a live performance at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) grounds in the early hours of Sunday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261011_140832_Facebook-600x489.jpg)Money can’t buy dignity: Fans’ fury as singer throws banknotes into BICC crowd![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261011_140834_Facebook-600x379.jpg)‘Like dogs competing for scraps’: Outrage as Zeze Kingstone showers fans with banknotes at BICC showThe footage has circulated widely online, drawing strong condemnation from members of the public. One report says fiscal police may have to deal with the matter, although no complaint or police statement has been reported. The report says deliberately damaging, mutilating or misusing currency is an offence in Malawi, putting those who scatter or trample banknotes at risk of fines or arrest. Throwing, splashing, or stepping on Malawi Kwacha banknotes at social events, weddings, or concerts is illegal under Section 54(2)(c) of the Reserve Bank of Malawi Act, 2018. The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has repeatedly warned the public against throwing, tearing or soiling banknotes. According to the report, damaged currency forces the central bank to spend millions of dollars in foreign exchange each year printing replacements. The figure has not been verified. **Public reaction** The Malawi My View Facebook page carried one of the sharper responses. Its writer said a performer could not “treat your fans as objects of financial gratification by throwing banknotes at them as though they were dogs competing for scraps” without suffering reputational damage. The post argued that the singer stood to lose public goodwill and that rebuilding it “can be far more expensive than the money you threw away”. It described fans as “the human capital behind your commercial success”. Mr Kingstone has not commented publicly on the criticism. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment, Featured **Tags:** Fiscal police, Zeze --- ### [Escom and police hold four-day anti-vandalism campaign in Mulanje](https://www.nyasatimes.com/escom-and-police-hold-four-day-anti-vandalism-campaign-in-mulanje/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) and Mulanje Police Station held a four-day campaign from 8 to 11 October against the vandalism of electricity infrastructure in Mulanje District. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/received_1142923511503788-600x348.jpeg)Nkawihe: Communities must share responsibility for protecting power assetsMobile teams toured markets and trading centres on Thursday and Friday, urging people to protect power assets and report suspicious activity quickly. On Saturday, 60 members of community policing forums in Traditional Authority Nthilamanja’s area received training on protecting power lines, transformers and related equipment. Village Headman Majiya said the volunteers would do their work diligently. He thanked Escom, through the police, for the reflective vests, torches and training. The campaign ended on Sunday with talks in church congregations during morning services. Officers urged churches to encourage members to guard electricity infrastructure. Nelson Kokha, secretary of Chonde CCAP Church, said the church was ready to work with Escom and the police. “Electricity is important to all of us,” he said. “Therefore, we need to cooperate so that the infrastructure is protected.” Escom senior outreach officer Maurice Nkawihe said communities have a shared responsibility to protect it. Reliable power supports businesses, schools, health facilities and maize mills, he said, and when infrastructure is vandalised “these services grind to a halt”. Mulanje Police Station officer Superintendent Yotamu Kanjoka praised Escom for supporting the training, saying the equipment and skills would help volunteers protect electricity assets. Escom urged the public to stay vigilant and report suspected cases promptly. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/received_1420459883510081-600x442.jpeg)From market stalls to church pews: Escom’s four-day push to stop vandals![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/received_1093348026769102-600x420.jpeg)Protect power lines, Escom tells Mulanje communities Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Escom, Malawi Police, Vandalism --- ### [MCP candidates emerge as party prepares for fresh regional elections](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcp-candidates-emerge-as-party-prepares-for-fresh-regional-elections/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is preparing to hold fresh elections for its regional and district committees, with several members already positioning themselves for the posts. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261011-WA0008-600x400.jpg)Nkhata declares bid for MCP Bua Region chairNames that have emerged include Vitus Gomamtunda Dzoole Mwale, who is seeking the chair of the Lilongwe-Mchinji Region, as well as Arthur Sungitsa and Mphatso Jones Boti. The elections follow a consent judgement delivered in Blantyre on 8 May 2026 by High Court Judge Allan Hans Muhome. It required the party to hold elections for all regional and district committees within 12 months. The case was brought by MCP member Lovemore Chauwa Phiri, who argued that the existing committees’ mandates had expired and that they were operating in breach of the party constitution. Justice Muhome found that office bearers had overstayed their five-year terms and that all affected positions had lapsed. “The Defendant must hold elections for all positions in all the Regional Committees and District Committees within twelve (12) months,” the judgement said. MCP Director of Legal Affairs George Jivason Kadzipatike said he could not defend the indefensible, acknowledging that the party needed to comply. In a memorandum dated 19 September 2026, Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda said the party will hold elections for all regional and district committees, including newly demarcated regions and districts. The National Executive Committee agreed this at a meeting on 9 September. The polls will also cover constituency, ward and area committees nationwide before 8 May 2027. Amon Signal Galagaza Nkhata, a member of the party’s senior central region management team, has confirmed that he will contest the chair of the Bua Region. He said he wants to help the party succeed in the 2030 general elections. “I am ready to take up the challenges for the success of the Malawi Congress Party in 2030,” he said. Mr Nkhata is campaigning under the slogan “Galagaza for Bua Regional Chair”. He was MP for Kasungu Central from 2014 to 2019 and has served as the party’s Regional Secretary for the Centre since being elected in 2015. He described himself as a seasoned politician who subscribes to the party’s four cornerstones of unity, loyalty, obedience and discipline. He has called on party members and stakeholders to back him. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** MCP --- ### [One point clear: Bullets overtake Wanderers in tight FDH Bank Premiership title race](https://www.nyasatimes.com/one-point-clear-bullets-overtake-wanderers-in-tight-fdh-bank-premiership-title-race/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FCB Nyasa Big Bullets moved to the top of the FDH Bank Premiership on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Blue Eagles at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261011-WA0005-600x400.jpg)Two goals, seven minutes, one big win: Bullets sink Blue Eagles to go topThe result takes them to 33 points from 16 matches, one ahead of Mighty Wanderers, who have 32 from the same number of games. Bullets had ended the first round with a 5-0 win over Silver Strikers. A resilient Blue Eagles defence kept the home side out in a goalless first half. Chawanangwa Gumbo broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, and Ephraim Kondowe doubled the lead seven minutes later after Blue Eagles defender Fahad Mcheka made a costly error in his own penalty area. Bullets then controlled the closing stages and did not let the visitors back into the match. Blue Eagles stay third on 31 points, with Silver Strikers fourth on 29. In the day’s other results, Creck Sporting Club beat Moyale Barracks 2-1, Dedza Dynamos beat Masters 1-0, and Karonga United beat Civo Services United by the same score. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261011-WA0007-600x400.jpg)Top of the table: Big Bullets leapfrog Wanderers with 2-0 win at Mpira Stadium Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** Blue Eagles, FDH Premiership, Mighty Wanderers, Nyasa Big Bullets --- ### ['A statement win': Malawi beat Seychelles 6-2 in beach soccer Afcon qualifier](https://www.nyasatimes.com/a-statement-win-malawi-beat-seychelles-6-2-in-beach-soccer-afcon-qualifier/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s beach soccer team beat Seychelles 6-2 away in the first leg of their Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday night. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261011-WA0002-600x450.jpg)Malawi take big step towards third straight Beach Soccer AfconThe visitors scored twice in the opening period to lead 2-0, and had stretched that to 6-0 by the end of the second, with Seychelles scoreless. The hosts pulled two goals back as the match went on, but Malawi held on to take a four-goal lead into the return leg. Head coach Willy Kumilambe said there is room for improvement, particularly in defensive discipline. He was unhappy with the goals conceded from free kicks, calling them avoidable, and said Malawi could have scored more with better composure in front of goal. Experienced players, including captain Isaac Kajam, Dala Simba and Sandram Saddie, played key leadership roles, the report said. Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya congratulated the team. “This is a statement win and shows the hunger and desire for the team to get positive results even when the odds are stuck against them,” he said. “As the team prepares for the second leg, this win should buoy our resolve to perform more wonders on home soil.” Malawi are seeking a third consecutive appearance at the tournament. They qualified for the 2022 and 2024 editions, held in Egypt and Mozambique. The second leg is on 17 October 2026 in Salima. The finals are due to take place in Senegal next year. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Beach soccer --- ### [Mpinganjira returns to Wanderers bench and Nomads win](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mpinganjira-returns-to-wanderers-bench-and-nomads-win/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Bob Mpinganjira, the Mighty Wanderers head coach suspended by the club’s board last month, is back on the bench, and the Nomads have won again. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791714615733-600x412.jpg)Mpulumutsi’ keeps a low profile at Silver Stadium as Mighty Wanderers edge Silver Strikers 1-0Mpinganjira sat with the technical panel at Silver Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Wanderers beat Silver Strikers 1-0. By most accounts it was a low-key return. He rarely stood, and some Wanderers fans did not notice him. Known as “Mpulumutsi” (the saviour) from his goal-scoring days as a Wanderers striker, he was suspended on 31 August. The suspension came straight after Wanderers lost 2-1 to Ekhaya FC in the Airtel Top 8 final. While he was away, Macdonald Nginde Mtetemera took over as interim coach. The team had a rough run, losing four matches in a row, including both legs of their CAF Champions League tie with Simba Sporting Club of Tanzania. After what it described as a thorough review of the technical setup, the Wanderers board made a dramatic U-turn and officially brought Mpinganjira back on 4 October 2026. His return has lifted morale, the club’s report said. Wanderers are back to winning ways as teams chase maximum points in the second round of the FDH Bank Premiership. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Bob Mpinganjira, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [Sacked, then suing: Chihana demands K193bn from Blantyre Water Board](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sacked-then-suing-chihana-demands-k193bn-from-blantyre-water-board/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Yeremia Chihana says the board’s decision was unjustified and procedurally flawed; the board says it followed due process** The former chief executive of Blantyre Water Board (BWB), Yeremia Chihana, is demanding K193 billion in compensation from the utility, claiming he was unfairly dismissed. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260829_033716_Instagram.jpg)From CEO to claimant: Chihana demands billions after being sacked by water boardIn a demand dated 8 October 2026, his lawyers, Gobz & Rechtswissenschaft, challenge the justification, procedural fairness and proportionality of his summary dismissal on 5 October. The claim also seeks other employment entitlements that can be substantiated, and the costs of pursuing the case. The lawyers say Mr Chihana will not seek reinstatement or re-engagement. He intends to pursue compensation and other lawful entitlements through the Industrial Relations Court. BWB board chairperson Stanley Chirwa confirmed the board had received the demand but had not yet discussed it. Chirwa called the claim “rather odd”, saying due process had been followed, “with full adherence to his contract, staff service regulations for Blantyre Water Board, the employment laws of Malawi as well as the rules of natural justice”. The dismissal drew attention in part because of how quickly the board replaced him. Henry Bakuwa, a former Treasury finance director who later joined the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority, was appointed in his place within days. Newspapers have reported criticism of the recruitment process, and the board has defended the appointment. Mr Chirwa said that due process was followed. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, Stanley Chirwa, Yeremiah Chihana --- ### [Malawi puts US$1m into seed plan as AGRA warns of gap between laws and farms](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-puts-us1m-into-seed-plan-as-agra-warns-of-gap-between-laws-and-farms/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Africa has strong seed policies but weak delivery, says AGRA president in The New African** Malawi has committed US$1 million of public money to a national seed investment plan, according to AGRA president Alice Ruhweza. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261011_111429_Samsung-Browser-600x371.jpg)Seed laws on paper, empty fields in practice: AGRA warns Africa’s farmers are being let downWriting in *The New African* with Evelyn Lusenaka, who heads AGRA’s Centre of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa, Ms Ruhweza said countries that wrote seed plans into their budgets moved fastest. Nigeria set up a ₦50bn (US$37.66mn) seed fund and Ethiopia raised US$5mn with the Gates Foundation. Malawi’s US$1mn was the smallest of the three. “Plans that governments own get financed. Plans that donors own get filed,” they wrote. The piece appeared as the African Union opened its first Africa Seed Summit in Eswatini on 5 October. It cites the AU’s 2025 Seed Sector Performance Index, which scored 50 countries and found a continental average of 4.63 out of 10. Use of quality commercial seed averaged just 3.06. None of the 46 countries with data met all of their seed needs for their four priority crops. Fourteen released no new varieties between 2022 and 2024. The piece does not give Malawi’s own score. It says Malawi’s regional bloc, the Southern African Development Community, scores 4.96 out of 10 for recognising farmer-managed seed systems, the best of any bloc. The authors want every country to put its seed plan into its national budget, and regional blocs to recognise one another’s variety releases. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** agriculture --- ### [Dassu's open letter to Malawi's President: Honesty first on the IMF and economy](https://www.nyasatimes.com/dassus-open-letter-to-malawis-president-honesty-first-on-the-imf-and-economy/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** **Your Excellency,** Having known you personally for decades, I know you as a patriot and a nationalist who cares passionately for Malawi. I was one of those encouraged by your election to the high office of President, having believed in your promise of “A Return to Proven Leadership”. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260919-WA00131-600x409.jpg)Ahmed Dassu is pictured here with former president late Bingu wa MutharikaFairness demands that we acknowledge the difficult baseline you inherited: a Treasury near bankruptcy, severe foreign exchange shortages, and deep structural strain. In the twelve months you have been in office, your administration deserves credit for key milestones—keeping fuel supplies relatively consistent until recently, initiating crucial road reconstruction projects, and introducing free schooling for Malawian children. These measures offered real relief to a nation desperately searching for stability. However, as Head of State, it is incumbent upon you to ensure that you are served by Ministers and officials who share your genuine commitment to bettering the lives of every Malawian, rather than pursuing their own personal betterment and enrichment. It was in that same spirit of constructive engagement that many listened closely to your recent interview on MBC TV, in which you assured the nation that an IMF team was in the country and that an agreement on a new Extended Credit Facility (ECF) was imminent. That is a serious promise to make. Having made it, you and your economic management team now owe the public a full, transparent, and honest account of where negotiations actually stand—and, critically, how you intend to fund these ambitious national initiatives if IMF support remains stalled. The latest statement issued on October 6 by the IMF mission chief, Justin Tyson, confirms that discussions on a policy package under the National Economic Recovery Plan (NERP) have made considerable progress, acknowledging fiscal controls and price reforms in fuel and sugar. Yet the Fund remains clear that the economic environment is fragile: growth is battered by climate shocks, reduced tobacco demand, and global terms-of-trade pressures, with downside risks like El Niño looming. While progress is noted, a finalised staff-level agreement is still pending policy resolution. The nation deserves absolute clarity on the current status of these negotiations. Malawians cannot manage their lives or run businesses on optimistic assurances alone without knowing the precise standing of these conditional talks. **The reality on the ground** Away from official press statements, there is no ambiguity about the state of the economy. Fuel queues have returned and become a permanent fixture of daily life. The Reserve Bank of Malawi has admitted openly that when foreign exchange is short, it is forced to ration funds between competing priorities, such as fuel and essential medicines. In practice, the country is regularly failing to supply either. Patients are turned away from public hospitals and told to buy basic drugs privately, while ambulances sit idle without fuel. Crucially, this crisis extends far beyond filling stations and hospital wards. The severe scarcity of foreign currency is strangling domestic industry and manufacturing. Forced to survive, local businesses and manufacturers are driven to buy forex on the burgeoning parallel market, relying on forex bureaus and Hawala operators who enrich themselves by charging exorbitant premiums. This drives up production costs, fuels inflation, and threatens the survival of local industry. The Reserve Bank’s own benchmark for safe reserves is at least three months of import cover—around 750 million US dollars. By its own admission, Malawi is far below that threshold. Selling off national gold reserves to raise roughly 30 million US dollars to pay a fuel supplier is a short-term stopgap, not an economic strategy. **Unlocking Malawi’s natural wealth** Malawi is blessed with abundant natural resources, including significant deposits of rare earth minerals and uranium. Yet, decades after mining licences were issued, the nation sees virtually no tangible economic benefits from these strategic assets. The government must immediately commission independent actuaries and economists to quantify the value of these resource reserves, projecting precise long-term foreign exchange earnings, tax receipts, and royalties. Furthermore, mining companies holding these licences must be held to account. Decades after acquiring rights, these operators have a clear obligation to bring projects into full commercial production. Unlocking these critical mineral resources is essential not only to alleviate immediate forex shortages, but to serve as the engine for Malawi’s long-term economic regeneration. **The questions the Treasury must answer** With IMF discussions ongoing, the Minister of Finance should publish the following information immediately: 1. **The scorecard:** Exactly which structural benchmarks have been agreed upon under the NERP, which remain outstanding, and why. These commitments are made in the name of the Malawian people, and the public is entitled to see the scorecard. 2. **Plan B and programme funding:** If the finalisation of the ECF arrangement is delayed, how does the government intend to fund flagship commitments like free schooling and infrastructure projects while paying for essential imports like fuel, medicines, and fertiliser? 3. **Exchange rate policy**: Many economists argue that the managed exchange rate is choking off formal forex inflows while feeding the parallel market and illegal trading networks. The government must set out its position clearly, along with the economic evidence behind it. 4. **The trade-offs:** IMF programmes inevitably come with fiscal conditions. Malawians should be told now—before any final deal is signed—what expenditure adjustments will be made and who will carry the burden. **Governance and the forex crisis** None of this can be separated from governance and corruption. Every dollar lost to an inflated contract or a deal for undelivered goods is a dollar taken directly from healthcare, school funding, industry support, or fuel supplies. The public record is clear. Earlier this year, law enforcement agencies arrested former senior officials over alleged fraud in fertiliser and tobacco procurement, including a K750 million fertiliser contract where funds were paid out for goods that never arrived. While these cases remain before the courts and those accused are presumed innocent, the pattern shows precisely how scarce foreign currency drains out of the system. Excellency, there is no doubt that Malawi’s development partners and international lending agencies—including the IMF, which explicitly emphasised that “strengthening governance and structural reforms will be key to macroeconomic stabilisation”—would be significantly reassured by a robust, unambiguous commitment to fighting corruption. That trust can only be earned when Ministers and public officials who are involved in corrupt procurement, or credibly suspected of misconduct, are promptly replaced. Furthermore, if the fight against corruption is to command public trust at home and abroad, it must be genuinely credible. That credibility depends on an unwavering, even-handed principle: law enforcement must bring incumbent Ministers and sitting officials to book with the exact same rigour as former Ministers and past officials. Justice cannot be selective, nor can public integrity be framed as a historical exercise. Foreign exchange leaks just as easily through present procurement as it did through past deals. Because fertiliser, fuel, and pharmaceuticals account for Malawi’s largest import bills, this is where inflated prices and middlemen do the most damage. Beyond the initial purchase price, haulage and logistics represent a massive, poorly scrutinised loophole for cost escalation. The heavy reliance on road tankers to transport fuel and long-distance trucking for fertiliser creates significant room for inflated freight rates, excessive demurrage fees, and post-award price hikes that bleed public funds and drain precious forex. **To rebuild trust and plug these leaks, the government should commit to:** - **Restructuring fuel procurement:** Treating fuel as a critical national security asset and overhauling the procurement framework to invite only well-established fuel suppliers with proven international footprints, strong global supply chains, and major balance sheets to bid for national fuel tenders; - **Capping cost escalation:** Ensuring all haulage and procurement contract awards clearly define tight, objective cost-escalation terms and strictly eliminating negotiated price adjustments, ending the practice of giving suppliers an open chequebook at the public’s expense; - **Publishing major contracts:** Publishing all major contracts for fuel, fertiliser, and pharmaceuticals, including supplier details, unit prices, volumes, and delivery records; - **Haulage transparency:** Full transparency in haulage and transport logistics, disclosing exact freight rates, route charges, and road-tanker contracts for fuel and fertiliser, and brokerage arrangements for fuel tankers, to expose and eliminate inflated transport margins. - **Mining licence enforcement:** Enforcing production timelines on mining licence holders and publishing independent actuarial valuations of state mineral reserves to secure fair tax and forex yields; - **Regional price benchmarking:** Benchmarking procurement and haulage costs against regional and international rates, explaining any premium paid; - **Institutional independence:** Providing the Auditor General and the Anti-Corruption Bureau with the resources, mandate, and independence required to follow public money wherever it leads, regardless of political affiliation or present position. **Honesty comes first** The IMF has been clear about what is needed: sustained fiscal consolidation, credible exchange rate management, debt sustainability, and rebuilt reserves. None of these goals can be achieved without public trust, and trust starts with telling the truth. Malawians are patient and resilient, but they expect honesty. Proven leadership is measured not by comfortable promises, but by transparency, accountability, and real outcomes. The public should not be told that relief is just around the corner while fuel queues grow, industrial activity stalls, and hospital shelves remain bare. Mr President, the nation has heard your announcement and noted the IMF’s progress report. It is now time for your economic team to give us full clarity and show us the numbers. *The writer: Ahmed Dassu is a founding member of AFORD, served as Chief Adviser to Chakufwa Chihana, and was held as a political prisoner under Kamuzu Banda’s rule.* Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Ahmed Dassu, IMF, Malawi Economy, Peter Mutharika --- ### [PDP's Nankhumwa turns up as Luchenza launches its development fund](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pdps-nankhumwa-turns-up-as-luchenza-launches-its-development-fund/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Kondwani Nankhumwa, once one of the Democratic Progressive Party’s most powerful figures and later one of its fiercest internal rivals, was among the guests at the launch of the reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in Luchenza, Thyolo. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791652937764-600x511.jpg)Nankhumwa attended the launch of the reformed CDF alongside the minister of the party that expelled himMr Nankhumwa, now president of the People’s Development Party (PDP), shared the occasion with Local Government and Rural Development Minister Ben Malunga Phiri, who serves in the DPP-led government. T Nankhumwa was expelled from the DPP for allegedly undermining party president Peter Mutharika’s authority and disrespecting party leadership. The break had a long history. The DPP had earlier tried to remove him as Leader of Opposition in Parliament. He once refused to attend a disciplinary hearing, likening it to a kangaroo court. He later gave up the Leader of Opposition role to focus on the PDP, which he said would go solo in the 2025 general elections. Whether his attendance in Luchenza signals a thaw with the government is unclear. No one has said so. Luchenza Municipality MP Chimwemwe Mazabuka Chipungu said projects under the reformed CDF will help turn the area into a secondary city. He warned that contractors who misuse public money will face arrest. The projects include a two-storey classroom block at Luchenza Catholic Primary School, two teachers’ houses at Malo Primary School in Thuchila Ward, health posts in Namadzi and Namisonga wards, and road works. Municipality chief executive Precious Kansitsi said the council will also build the Sambagalu reticulated water supply system in the 2026/2027 financial year. Chipungu pledged K15 million for a Christmas bonanza for the community. On his part, Phiri called for strict monitoring to ensure transparency and accountability, and urged contractors to hire local workers. Senior Chief Nanseta urged stakeholders to work together. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Constituency Development Fund, DPP, Kondwani Nankhumwa, PDP --- ### [MERA donates 48 gas stoves to Scorchers to promote clean cooking](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mera-donates-48-gas-stoves-to-scorchers-to-promote-clean-cooking/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has donated 48 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and stoves to the Malawi women’s national football team, the Scorchers. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261010-WA0004-600x432.jpg)Kick Out Charcoal! Regulator turns to football stars to change cooking habitsThe donation, made under MERA’s corporate social responsibility programme, was handed over at a ceremony at the MERA Office Complex Auditorium in Lilongwe on Saturday. MERA chief executive Dad Chinthambi said the gift is also part of an effort to speed up Malawi’s move to clean energy. “As the energy regulator, we are mandated to promote clean, safe and efficient energy use,” he said. “By providing these gas combos to our national heroes, we are not only easing their domestic burden but also turning them into ambassadors for clean cooking.” He said he hopes the players’ profile will help spread the message about the benefits of switching from charcoal and firewood to cleaner options such as LPG. Scorchers captain Temwa Chawinga said the gift was timely and practical. “As players, we have very tight training schedules and demanding travel, so having a fast, convenient and clean cooking option like a gas stove is a huge relief for us off the pitch,” she said. MERA staff met the players at the ceremony. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261010-WA0005-600x400.jpg)Regulator hopes players will act as ‘ambassadors’ for switching from charcoal and firewood Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Mera, Scorchers --- ### [Minister Ben Phiri wants girls' football team in every school](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-ben-phiri-wants-girls-football-team-in-every-school/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Local Government Minister Ben Phiri has ordered that every school in Malawi start a girls’ football team, with support from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791649428463-600x450.jpg)Minister Ben Phiri backs CDF funding for school girls’ footballPhiri was speaking in Thyolo at the installation of Senior Chief Mulenga. He said he has agreed the plan with the Ministry of Sports, which will use part of the K100 million set aside for sports from the CDF. **Looking for the next Chawingas** “The Scorchers are making us proud, and we want every school to have girls’ football, netball, and for football to continue,” he said. “We must find those who will take over from Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga.” The minister also asked chiefs to help protect children. He urged them to help tackle the defilement of children, saying some of their fellow chiefs are already in custody over such cases. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Ben Phiri, Constituency Development Fund, women football --- ### [Luchenza on the up: MP Chipungu says CDF projects will turn town into 'secondary city'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/luchenza-on-the-up-mp-chipungu-says-cdf-projects-will-turn-town-into-secondary-city/) **Published:** October 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Luchenza Municipality MP Chimwemwe Mazabuka Chipungu says projects funded by the reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF) will help turn the area into a secondary city, and has warned that contractors who misuse public money will face arrest. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791652913997-450x600.jpg)Chipungu says CDF projects will turn town into ‘secondary city’ and warns contractors who steal will be arrestedMr Chipungu spoke at the launch of the reformed CDF in Luchenza. **What is planned** He said the projects include: - A two-storey classroom block at Luchenza Catholic Primary School - Two teachers’ houses at Malo Primary School in Thuchila Ward - Health posts in Namadzi and Namisonga wards - Construction and rehabilitation of roads, among others Luchenza Municipality chief executive Precious Kansitsi said the council will carry out several projects in the 2026/2027 financial year. They include the Sambagalu reticulated water supply system, the classroom block at Luchenza Catholic and the Namisonga and Namadzi health posts. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791652913997-e1791669715690-600x405.jpg)Chipungu says CDF projects will turn town into ‘secondary city’ and warns contractors who steal will be arrested**K15m Christmas bonanza** Mr Chipungu also pledged K15 million for a Christmas bonanza for the community, to start ahead of the festive season and run throughout it. **Call for transparency** Local Government and Rural Development Minister Ben Malunga Phiri called for strict monitoring of the projects by all stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability. He urged contractors to employ local workers and use local skills to empower communities and stimulate economic growth. Senior Chief Nanseta called for stakeholders to work together to make the projects succeed. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, Luchenza --- ### [Malawi VP Ansah celebrates 71st birthday with marginalised groups](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-vp-ansah-celebrates-71st-birthday-with-marginalised-groups/) **Published:** October 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **The Vice-President says she chose guests with disabilities, albinism and short stature so they would feel included** Malawi’s Vice-President, Jane Ansah, has said she would have been “swallowed alive” without God’s mercy, as she celebrated her 71st birthday with people from groups that are often marginalised. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791653211068-600x532.jpg)‘I would have been swallowed alive’: Vice-President Ansah credits God’s mercy as she turns 71Dr Ansah, who was born on 11 October, held the celebration ahead of the day itself at her official residence in Area 12, Lilongwe. Reflecting on her life, she said she had overcome many challenges through divine grace and that the occasion was a chance to give thanks. She said she had deliberately invited people with disabilities, people with albinism and people of short stature, to recognise their place in society and make them feel included. Earlier reports said members of the Jane Ansah Foundation, family and several dignitaries also attended. Dr Ansah drew a contrast with last year’s gathering, which she said was attended by politicians who had just won elections. She did not elaborate, and the remark was not accompanied by any detail on who attended or what was said. Anthony Kamanga, a retired Justice of Appeal and Senior Counsel who was her classmate, described her as visionary, ambitious and intelligent during their school days. He recalled that she and two other female pupils were regarded as masculine because of their exceptional qualities, a remark that reflects attitudes of the time. Dr Ansah has held the vice-presidency since 2025, following a career as Attorney General, Supreme Court judge and chair of the Malawi Electoral Commission. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Jane Ansah --- ### [Boardroom war at Admarc: Deputy 'plotting to oust CEO Botolo through leaks', sources allege](https://www.nyasatimes.com/boardroom-war-at-admarc-deputy-plotting-to-oust-ceo-botolo-through-leaks-sources-allege/) **Published:** October 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A power struggle is said to be tearing at the top of the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc), with sources alleging that deputy Aubrey Sumbuleta is trying to push out Chief Executive Officer Ben Botolo. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791660094030-598x600.jpg)Admarc in turmoil: Insiders allege deputy is behind leaks aimed at toppling CEOThe claims come from unnamed sources described as high-level institutional insiders. None has been independently verified, and Mr Sumbuleta has not been quoted in response. **The lodge row** The alleged campaign centres on public anger over Mr Botolo’s temporary accommodation. He has reportedly spent months living in lodge facilities while his official residence undergoes major renovations. Sources in Admarc’s corporate affairs and administration say the story was packaged and leaked to selected media by people answering to Mr Sumbuleta’s camp. They say administrative files show the residence needed safety-related renovations, but internal documents were twisted to make the arrangement look like extravagance. “It is a classic smear campaign,” a senior Admarc manager, speaking anonymously for fear of retaliation, told the writer. “Every piece of documentation leaked to the press regarding his stay was cherry-picked. The goal is simple: make Botolo toxic in the eyes of the public so he can be pushed out.” **The two men** Mr Botolo is a former Secretary to the Treasury, appointed to stabilise a struggling Admarc. His mandate has centred on cutting waste, streamlining procurement and returning the parastatal to financial viability. His cautious, systematic approach to reform, the sources say, has made him an obstacle to factions seeking to influence Admarc’s large procurement and operating budgets. They allege the aim is to position Mr Sumbuleta to shape the corporation’s multi-billion-kwacha restructuring. **Institutional strain** The sources say the dispute has left Admarc in institutional paralysis, at a time when Malawians rely on the grain trader for food security and market stability. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** ADMARC, Aubrey Sumbuleta, Ben Botolo --- ### [Mighty Wanderers 1-0 Silver Strikers: Nyondo goal ends Nomads' losing run](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mighty-wanderers-1-0-silver-strikers-nyondo-goal-ends-nomads-losing-run/) **Published:** October 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers beat Silver Strikers 1-0 in the FDH Premiership at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday, with Clement Nyondo scoring the only goal. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261010-WA0002-600x338.jpg)Wanderers end four-match losing streak with win at Silver StadiumNyondo had a goal ruled out for offside in the 17th minute. He made no mistake in the 32nd, dribbling past Silver goalkeeper George Chikooka to put the visitors ahead. Wanderers held their lead through a second half in which neither side added to the score. Silver Strikers interim coach Patricio Kulemeka said his side was well prepared but made “silly mistakes which could have been avoided”. “A game is the best teacher, but we will try to make some crucial preparations to make it better in the next games,” he said. Wanderers assistant coach Macdonald Mtetemera said his team had stayed hopeful of turning things around after losing their previous four matches. “We are still working on converting more chances that we are having to make sure that anytime we get a chance we score. But the team is in good shape,” he said. **Other results** Ekhaya 2-0 Kamuzu Barracks (Mpira Stadium, Blantyre) Chitipa United 2-0 MAFCO FC LUANAR Mitundu 1-1 Red Lions (Dedza Stadium) Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** FDH Premiership, Mighty Wanderers, Silver Strikers --- ### [Apostle Ziba defends arrested bishop, says church 'not aware of evidence' linking him to killing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/apostle-ziba-defends-arrested-bishop-says-church-not-aware-of-evidence-linking-him-to-killing/) **Published:** October 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Fountain Nation founder Apostle Joseph Ziba has defended arrested Bishop Medram Chirwa, saying the church knows of no evidence that conclusively links him to the alleged murder of Tathokoza Salimu. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-1755-600x457.jpg)Bishop was leading church service days before arrest, says Apostle Ziba, rejecting ‘fled to Karonga’ claim![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791469275240-600x600.jpg)The bishop, the dead banker and the church under siege: death probe sparks cult claims as social media delivers its verdictIn an executive memo dated 9 October 2026, Apostle Ziba set out the church’s position on the bishop’s arrest. Police arrested Bishop Chirwa at National Police Headquarters on 6 October 2026 in connection with the alleged murder of Ms Salimu, an employee of FDH Forex Bureau in Dowa. Church’s account According to the memo, Bishop Chirwa told police that at the time of the alleged murder he was at Mbwatalika, on the outskirts of Lilongwe, looking to buy land. The church says police took him there, where three people he had engaged to help him find land reportedly confirmed they were with him. It also says police searched his home for the alleged murder weapon and Ms Salimu’s belongings. “The search did not yield any such items”, the church says, according to the information available to it. The memo says the church understands the arrest may have been partly influenced by a police belief that he was the last person to interact with Ms Salimu on the morning she died. But it says the church is “not aware of evidence” established so far “that conclusively connects him to the alleged offence”. ‘Fled to Karonga’ claim denied Apostle Ziba rejected reports that the bishop fled to Karonga. He said Bishop Chirwa accompanied him on an apostolic tour of the Northern Region, which he says can be verified on his official Facebook and YouTube pages. The memo says the bishop was back in Lilongwe leading the church service on Sunday 27 September and has not left his station since. Custody and condolences The memo says that, on legal advice, Bishop Chirwa agreed to stay in police custody for 72 hours so investigations could be completed before his court appearance for remand proceedings. The church offered condolences to the Salimu family, said it stands against murder, and called for thorough, impartial and professional investigations. It said it backs police and has confidence in the courts. Apostle Ziba urged members and the public to avoid speculation and unverified information, and invited the church worldwide to pray for the bishop, his lawyers, police and the Salimu family. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Apostle Joseph Ziba, Fountain of Victory International, murder --- ### [Malawi loses $100mn a year to gold smuggling, state miner says](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-loses-100mn-a-year-to-gold-smuggling-state-miner-says/) **Published:** October 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi is losing about $100mn a year to gold smuggling, according to the state-backed Malawi Mining Investment Company (Mamico), which is setting up trading centres to buy the metal directly from small-scale miners. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791588055159-600x383.jpg)$100m a year slipping through Malawi’s fingers: Gold smuggling robs nation, says Mamico boss KalindekafeLeonard Kalindekafe, Mamico’s chief executive, said the leakage undermines the economy and deprives Malawians of their wealth. He spoke to journalists during a tour of a gold trading centre in Lilongwe. “We have decided to establish these centres to buy gold direct from artisanal miners instead of being sold to unknown buyers,” he said. Mr Kalindekafe said gold could be a “game changer” for Malawi, which is short of the foreign exchange it needs to import fuel and other essentials. He said gold alone could fetch twice what the country earns from tobacco, its main export. Small-scale miners work about 100 sites across the country, he said. To start buying, Mamico needs K85bn for the first three months and K300bn a year, he said. It has partnered with FDH Bank and NBS Bank. All the gold bought will go to the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM), and Mamico is waiting for the central bank to agree an offtake deal. Thoko Tembo, mining minister, said miners sell to smugglers because they have no market. The government would provide one, he said, and would also supply finance alongside the commercial banks. He said he was optimistic buying would start soon. Three centres have been set up so far, in Lilongwe, Kasungu and Nkhotakota. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, National **Tags:** mining --- ### [Minister Chipungu to unveil Lands ministry's five-year plan at BICC](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-chipungu-to-unveil-lands-ministrys-five-year-plan-at-bicc/) **Published:** October 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Strategic plan for 2026 to 2031 will be launched in Lilongwe on Tuesday, with Eris Properties, Habitat for Humanity and NBS Bank as sponsors** The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development is set to unveil its blueprint for the next five years at an official launch in Lilongwe next week. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1786548520358-1-600x416.jpg)Minister of Lands Chimwemwe Chipungu:To launch blueprint Lands Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu will launch the Strategic Plan 2026-2031 at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) at 9am on Tuesday 13 October. The launch is being sponsored by Eris Properties MW, Habitat for Humanity Malawi and NBS Bank. The ministry has not said what the plan contains, including its targets, budget or priorities. It also oversees land administration and housing, areas that have drawn scrutiny. Earlier this week, Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee heard that the ministry had failed to allocate plots at Area 54, Dunduzu and Matindi because compensation had not been paid. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, land --- ### [Admarc's K3bn tarpaulin deal on hold as corruption bureau steps in](https://www.nyasatimes.com/admarcs-k3bn-tarpaulin-deal-on-hold-as-corruption-bureau-steps-in/) **Published:** October 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has halted a proposed K3 billion purchase of 100 tarpaulins by the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc), as the public procurement regulator demands an explanation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/chembezi-600x356.jpg)Acting ACB chief Chembezi:Admarc must explainIn a restriction notice dated 9 October 2026, Acting ACB Director General Gabriel Chembezi directed Admarc not to proceed with the procurement, or award a contract to Maiden Investment or any other company, without his written consent. The tender is listed under reference number ADMARC/NCB/TP/2026/2027/02. Mr Chembezi confirmed the notice. It follows growing public scrutiny of Admarc’s plan to award Maiden Investment a contract reportedly worth about K2.9 billion to K3 billion for 100 tarpaulins. The price has raised questions about the cost of the materials and how the tender was handled. Regulator steps in Acting Director General Timothy Kalemba of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) told MIJ Online that the authority played no part in Admarc’s initial decision, as the corporation had acted within its own spending threshold. But he said public concern over the cost had forced the authority to act. PPDA has sent Admarc a formal demand letter seeking a full explanation of the specifications behind the proposed purchase. Mr Kalemba said the authority can intervene where a bid appears unrealistically high or low, making the price of the tarpaulins a matter for further scrutiny. He spoke at a PPDA media training workshop in Blantyre on 9 October 2026. Two separate moves The two interventions are separate. PPDA is seeking clarification of the specifications and cost. The ACB has restricted the process while it investigates a suspected offence under the Corrupt Practices Act. The ACB has not disclosed the details of the suspected offence or the evidence. The restriction notice does not establish that corruption occurred or that Maiden Investment did anything wrong. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** ACB, ADMARC --- ### [Relegation scrap: MAFCO shake up technical bench](https://www.nyasatimes.com/relegation-scrap-mafco-shake-up-technical-bench/) **Published:** October 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** MAFCO Football Club have restructured their technical department as they battle to stay in the FDH Bank Premiership. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261009-WA0023-600x533.jpg)Temwa Msuku: coaching merry-go-round claims another victim in Malawi’s top flightThe military side sit 14th, in the relegation zone, with only 13 points from 15 games. Fellow military outfit Kamuzu Barracks are 15th with 12 points from 15, while Creck Sporting Club are bottom with 10 from the same number of games. An official club communication said Head Coach Temwa Msuku and Technical Director Stereo Gondwe have been deployed to other duties within the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) after a comprehensive review of the team’s strategic direction. Ted Kalinda has been named the new head coach, supported by new assistant coach Blessings Kawanga. “In line with the club’s vision for growth and renewed competitiveness, management is pleased to announce the appointment of Ted Kalinda as the new Head Coach,” the communication read in part. “Kalinda brings a wealth of football knowledge and tactical expertise to the helm. He will be ably supported by Blessings Kawanga, who joins the technical setup as Assistant Coach.” **A season of sackings** MAFCO are the latest club to change their bench. Several coaches have already lost their jobs in the top flight this season: - Alex Ngwira (Dedza Dynamos) - Enos Chatama (Ekhaya) - Eliya Kananji (Creck Sporting Club) - Gilbert Chirwa (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets) - Audlow Makonyola (Karonga United) - Tione Mhone (Kamuzu Barracks) - Peter Mgangira (Silver Strikers) Bob Mpinganjira was suspended at Mighty Wanderers but has since been recalled. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** FDH Premiership, MAFCO, Temwa Msuku --- ### [Bishop Medram Chirwa remanded in custody over death of FDH employee](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bishop-medram-chirwa-remanded-in-custody-over-death-of-fdh-employee/) **Published:** October 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian church leader arrested in connection with the death of a bank employee has been remanded in custody after a magistrates’ court ruled that it lacks the power to hear the case. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791611681806-600x364.jpg)Fountain of Victory leader will be held at Maula Prison until the High Court takes up the matterBishop Medram Chirwa, of the Fountain of Victory Church in Lilongwe, appeared before Mkukula First Grade Magistrate Court over the death of Tathokoza Salimu, 31, who worked for FDH Bank in Dowa district. Police had earlier arrested him in connection with her alleged murder. Magistrate Kondani Chinangwa said the court had no jurisdiction to hear such a case in the first instance. He ordered that Mr Chirwa be held at Maula Prison until the High Court begins hearing it. Ian Ntaba, a police prosecutor in Dowa, said officers took Mr Chirwa to court to comply with the legal requirement that an arrested person be brought before a court within 48 hours. His lawyer, Joseph Chiume, said he was satisfied that the correct legal procedure had been followed. He said sending his client to Maula was appropriate because the court could not hear the case first. The case so far Ms Salimu’s body was found on 21 September in a vehicle at Chinkhota Village, near Tatolonga Bridge, on the Dzaleka-Dowa Boma Road. Dowa Police spokesperson Alice Sitima has said preliminary findings from call logs show that she and Mr Chirwa were together on the day of her death. Police have said investigations continue and that they are seeking other suspects. No plea has been taken and no charge has been tested in court. The remand reflects a procedural limit on the magistrates’ court, not a finding on the allegations. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Fountain of Victory International, murder --- ### [Ben Phiri admits government aware of Malawians' hardships: Bear with us](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ben-phiri-admits-government-aware-of-malawians-hardships-bear-with-us/) **Published:** October 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Local Government and Rural Development Minister Dr Ben Phiri has admitted that the government knows Malawians are struggling, and has asked them to be patient while it works on fixes. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791588842373-e1791588948147-600x410.jpg)DPP-led government committed to supporting business on forex, says Ben PhiriDr Phiri spoke on Friday at Mulanje Park, at a ceremony to elevate chiefs in the district. “As leaders we must admit that Malawians are facing challenges and government is aware,” he said. “Let me assure you that government is working tirelessly to address those challenges.” He apologised to Malawians for the hardships they are facing and called for people to work together to tackle them. He urged the business community to join the government in finding ways to boost the supply of foreign currency. “We want the business community to come forward and work with government on how best we can maximize the availability of forex in the country,” he said. He promised that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government is committed to backing business to support its efforts on forex. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Ben Phiri, DPP, Malawi Economy --- ### [Three new senior chiefs for Mulanje as Minister Ben Phiri urges integrity](https://www.nyasatimes.com/three-new-senior-chiefs-for-mulanje-as-minister-ben-phiri-urges-integrity/) **Published:** October 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Local Government Minister Ben Phiri has urged Malawi’s chiefs to uphold integrity and steer clear of corruption as three traditional authorities were elevated to senior chiefs in Mulanje. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791587481485-600x464.jpg)In the photo: Minister Ben Phiri (second left) presents a gift to Sub-Traditional Authority Fletcher (left).Phiri, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, was speaking at Mulanje Park Stadium during the ceremony, which saw Traditional Authorities Ndanga, Njema and Juma promoted to senior chief. Group Village Head Fletcher was also promoted to Sub-Traditional Authority. “Chiefs are critical to the development of their people. They are part of the development agenda. They should avoid corruption to protect and ensure the citizens enjoy their rights,” he said. Mulanje District Commissioner Chriss Nawata said the elevations will strengthen local governance and promote development in the district. Paramount Chief Kaduya urged the newly elevated chiefs to promote unity among their subjects. The promotions bring Mulanje’s total to seven senior chiefs, alongside two traditional authorities and one sub-traditional authority. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News **Tags:** Ben Phiri, chiefs --- ### [Quantel and ESCOM sign deal to connect 50MW Mzimba solar plant to grid](https://www.nyasatimes.com/quantel-and-escom-sign-deal-to-connect-50mw-mzimba-solar-plant-to-grid/) **Published:** October 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **$50m Bwengu project could ease blackouts, but developer warns of delays in paperwork** Quantel Renewable Energy Limited and the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) have signed a Transmission Connection Agreement for a 50-megawatt solar plant at Bwengu in Mzimba District. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261009-WA0019-600x400.jpg)Quantel and ESCOM sign deal to connect 50MW Mzimba solar plant to grid![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261009-WA0020-600x400.jpg)‘Lengthy process’ ends: Quantel and ESCOM seal deal for 50MW of solar powerThe $50 million project would add 50MW to the national grid and is expected to help reduce blackouts. The agreement is a key requirement before construction can begin. Quantel already holds a Power Purchase Agreement for the project. ESCOM chief executive Engineer William Kaipa praised Quantel for its persistence through a lengthy process. He said the government wants to increase generation capacity to support development, particularly in mining, which needs reliable power. More electricity, he said, would support industry, stimulate investment and strengthen exports, which could help ease foreign exchange shortages. Quantel managing director Jane Alinuswe Kaponda called the signing a major milestone for the company and the energy sector. She said the project would help diversify Malawi’s generation mix and support manufacturing, agriculture and other industries, while attracting private investment. She also raised concern over administrative and documentation delays on energy projects, which she said slow down investments and the benefits to Malawians. She called on government institutions, regulators and other stakeholders to work together so committed investors can proceed without unnecessary delay. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** electricity, Escom, Quantel Renewable Energy --- ### [UNDP gives 52 printers to Malawi as Mukhito promises certificates closer to home](https://www.nyasatimes.com/undp-gives-52-printers-to-malawi-as-mukhito-promises-certificates-closer-to-home/) **Published:** October 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has donated 52 printers to help Malawi register births and deaths at health facilities, Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito has said. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261009-WA0006-600x450.jpg)Mukhito receives 52 printers from UNDP for health facilities and NRB officesSpeaking at the handover in Lilongwe, Mr Mukhito said the printers are about more than equipment. “It is about identity. It is about dignity. It is about inclusion, and ultimately, it is about people,” he said. The printers are for health facilities, with more for National Registration Bureau (NRB) offices at Traditional Authority level. The donation comes through UNDP’s Inclusive Digital Transformation for Malawi project, funded by the European Union, Norway and Ireland. Mr Mukhito said citizens have long travelled far to get certificates because printing was centralised. Already 180 health facilities have been digitalised, he said, and the new printers will let more of them print birth certificates on site. Registration is also being extended through Traditional Authority and Sub-Traditional Authority offices in several districts. “Our policy objective is simple: register people where they live, connect the information securely, and deliver the document where it is needed,” he said. He said the work is part of wider modernisation through the NRB, including digital ID, the Nzika Wallet, electronic payments and digital marriage registration. He warned that equipment alone is not enough. He urged the NRB, the Ministry of Health, district councils and health facilities to deploy, maintain and monitor the printers. “The true value will be measured by how quickly and reliably citizens receive their certificates,” he said. UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Chika Charles said the equipment will extend birth and death registration to 52 more facilities. That builds on an initial 60 and brings the total to about 120. He said the integrated registration application has been piloted at 87 locations in five districts, with plans to expand to 250 by 2028. Children are registered at birth and issued certificates with a unique national identity number, linked to their parents’ records. “Anybody can go and buy printer and install printer, but success will ultimately be measured by the number of citizens who can access essential services more easily, affordably, and with dignity,” he said. Mr Charles said UNDP is also helping the NRB set up an identity verification unit to enable secure checks across public and private institutions. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** National Registration Bureau, Peter Mukhito, UNDP --- ### [Malawi 2-0 Zimbabwe: Chawinga sisters give Scorchers first-leg lead in Olympic qualifier](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-2-0-zimbabwe-chawinga-sisters-give-scorchers-first-leg-lead-in-olympic-qualifier/) **Published:** October 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Scorchers beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in the first leg of their 2028 Olympic Games qualifier at Bingu National Stadium on Friday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261009-WA0016-600x600.jpg)Scorchers sting Zimbabwe: Two-goal cushion for Malawi ahead of Harare returnSisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga scored the goals, giving Malawi a healthy lead before the return leg in Harare next week. Temwa Chawinga put the hosts ahead in the 34th minute with a simple finish inside the box. Captain Tabitha started the move, driving forward from the left wing, and miscommunication in the Zimbabwe defence left Temwa with the chance. Tabitha Chawinga doubled the lead in the 50th minute, finishing from inside the area shortly after half-time. Malawi created more chances in search of a third but could not convert them. Talandira Chinyamvula replaced Rose Kadzere in the 73rd minute, Malawi’s first change. Zimbabwe came close to pulling one back in the 81st minute. Mupeti was through one-on-one with goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo but hesitated, and defender Chimwemwe Madise stepped in with a vital interception to protect the clean sheet. The second leg takes place in Harare next week. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261009-WA0015-600x600.jpg)Malawi take two-goal lead to Harare after beating Zimbabwe![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261009-WA0014-600x600.jpg)Scorchers beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in 2028 Olympic qualifier first leg Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** Scorchers --- ### [Sparc Systems gives K100m to help children awaiting surgery](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sparc-systems-gives-k100m-to-help-children-awaiting-surgery/) **Published:** October 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Technology firm Sparc Systems has donated K100 million to BEIT Cure Children’s Hospital to help fund surgery for 256 children on its waiting list. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261009-WA0002-600x400.jpg)Phiri (right) presenting the donation to KriekThe money is part of a K400 million fundraising drive. Sparc Systems said it forms part of its corporate social responsibility commitment. Managing director Dr Wisely Phiri said the company had backed the initiative from the start. “This is the commitment which started way back together with BEIT Cure to raise about K400 million as part of our corporate social responsibility,” he said. “These are people that will become our working capital in the near future.” He said the company wanted to go beyond helping 256 children, and urged other firms to contribute towards the target. BEIT Cure executive director Dr Rhoda Kriek thanked Sparc Systems, calling the gift “extraordinary”. She said it means many children on the waiting list can now get surgery. “These are children who have waited years to walk without pain, to sit in a classroom with their friends, and to stop being defined by a condition that we know how to treat,” she said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Sparc Systems Ltd --- ### [Kenani: 'Malawi is being robbed in broad daylight'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kenani-malawi-is-being-robbed-in-broad-daylight/) **Published:** October 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi is not being robbed under cover of darkn ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791492198068-1-452x600.jpg)Men in suits, protected by men with guns: Writer’s fury over Amaryllis cash trailess. It is being plundered in broad daylight, by men in suits who are protected by men with guns. That is the blistering verdict of Onjezani Kenani in a Facebook post that is stirring debate online. Mr Kenani was reacting to CCTV footage in the Amaryllis Hotel saga. According to the account of it given to this newspaper, the footage shows cash carried in suitcases and moved in SUVs by suspects who are clearly identifiable, with the help of a police security detail. Mr Kenani said those in power have had the “audacity” to declare publicly that politics, to them, means nothing more than stealing from the Malawian people. He then quoted the phrase he says sums up their attitude: “Ndale ndi kudya.” The Chichewa saying, which translates as “politics is eating”, is often used to describe politics as a route to personal enrichment. His post did not name any politician, party or individual. What is the Amaryllis saga? The row began with the purchase of the Blantyre hotel. The Public Service Pension Trust Fund (PSPTF) bought it for K128.7 billion, while independent valuations put its worth at around K48 billion. The deal triggered public outcry, a parliamentary inquiry and the freezing of bank accounts. (nyasatimes) (nyasatimes) The cash trail The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is investigating about K5.5 billion in suspicious cash withdrawals from an account linked to Yusuf Investments Limited, the hotel’s owner. Documents show at least 25 withdrawals in six weeks. The withdrawals ran from January to early March 2026, when the parliamentary probe began and the account was suspended. (nyasatimes) (nyasatimes) The CCTV Footage reportedly shows Charles Gibson Nankhuni withdrawing K1.5 billion in cash on 23 January 2026, and the same amount days later. Reports allege it also shows a convoy of unmarked State House vehicles and more than 15 armed police officers, with former MERA chief executive Collins Magalasi overseeing the withdrawals. (malawi24) (nyasatimes) Arrest The ACB has arrested Mr Magalasi in connection with the deal, and police have confirmed it. No conviction has been reported. The allegations against those named remain unproven. (nyasatimes) Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel --- ### [Minister Gangata condemns fake social media posts in his name](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-gangata-condemns-fake-social-media-posts-in-his-name/) **Published:** October 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Sports Minister says impostor pages should face the full force of cyber laws, and calls on police and MACRA to unmask the person behind ‘Chigona’** A government minister has hit out at online impostors who are posting in his name in what he says is an attempt to attack or embarrass the President.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261009-WA0000-600x520.jpg) ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787498745374-600x493.jpg)‘Savage and irresponsible’: Minister Gangata fumes as fake accounts use his name to attack President MutharikaSports and Youth Minister Alfred Gangata told Nyasa Times that cyber laws should be applied to those responsible. He described their behaviour as savage and irresponsible. “I do not know what their motive is but such irresponsible conduct should not go unpunished,” he said. Gangata took to his official Facebook page to disown one of the posts, saying it “did not originate” from him. He stressed that his real page is verified and carries a verification badge, unlike the page that carried the offending post. He called on the Malawi Police Service’s cybercrime unit and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) to investigate and identify the person behind an account named “Chigona”. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Alfred Gangata, Facebook --- ### [National Bank of Malawi hands Blantyre Sports Club K60m to build security fence and repair ageing facilities](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-hands-blantyre-sports-club-k60m-to-build-security-fence-and-repair-ageing-facilities/) **Published:** October 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has unveiled K60 million in support for Blantyre Sports Club (BSC) for construction projects, including a security fence at the club. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Masi-Right-handing-over-the-symbolic-cheque-to-Nkhata-002-600x398.jpg)Masi (Right) handing over the symbolic cheque to Nkhata (002)![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Masi-said-the-contribution-was-part-of-the-banks-commitment-002-600x400.jpg)Masi said the contribution was part of the bank’s commitment (002)The support strengthens NBM plc’s 16-year partnership with the sports facility. Speaking after the handover ceremony on Wednesday, NBM plc Head of Corporate Banking Division Bernard Masi said the contribution was part of the bank’s commitment to supporting the communities the club serves. “The bank recognises the role that BSC plays in serving communities and bringing people together, most of whom are also our customers. “The partnership is not only about the bank’s corporate association with the club but also about contributing to initiatives that benefit the wider community,” said Masi. Masi said part of the K60 million would support maintenance works at the club, whose infrastructure has aged over the years, while also contributing to initiatives aimed at promoting participation in sport. BSC Chairman Nathan Nkhata commended the bank, describing the contribution as higher than what had initially been anticipated. “The fencing project is necessary to address security concerns at the club and prevent people from freely accessing the golf course,” said Nkhata. Nkhata said the K60 million is sufficient to complete the fencing project, although the club has other development plans for which it may seek further support from NBM plc. “The club’s corporate social responsibility initiatives include a programme that has opened up golf to six women by providing free membership for two years. “Most of the women benefiting from the initiative are NBM plc employees, providing another link between the bank’s support and the club’s community programmes,” said Nkhata. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Blantyre Sports Club, National Bank of Malawi --- ### [Compensation delays prevent plot allocation at Area 54, Dunduzu and Matindi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/compensation-delays-prevent-plot-allocation-at-area-54-dunduzu-and-matindi/) **Published:** October 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The government has still not allocated plots to developers at three sites it identified for development several years ago, because it has failed to pay compensation to the people living on the land. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789556686929-1-600x570.jpg)Nkasala tells Pac compensation delays stopped plot allocationsThe sites are Area 54 in Lilongwe, Dunduzu in Mzuzu and Matindi in Blantyre. Lands, Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Bennett Nkasala told Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (Pac) that the delay had stopped the ministry from allocating the plots. “The land we are talking about is comprised of people’s gardens, people’s farmland and there are even some houses, so we could not just chase out the people without compensating them,” he said. “Because we failed to pay compensation, this meant we could not proceed with plot allocations and as a result we missed the target.” A K3bn shortfall The ministry had aimed to collect K4 billion in revenue in the 2022-23 financial year but raised only about K1 billion, which led to an audit query. Mr Nkasala said the ministry is talking to the Ministry of Finance to secure funds for compensation. Committee sends ministry back Pac referred the ministry back for further reporting on the query after noting that it had not submitted written supplementary information before the meeting. Committee chairperson Steven Malondera said members did not have enough evidence to close the matter. “The audit query was premised on the fact that it was budgeted for and they had anticipated that kind of collection but in this case, it was never achieved, so we have also put it for further reporting,” he said. Residents say they are still waiting Area 54 concerned citizens chairperson Biton Thuyathuya said the government has paid K2.2 billion to some affected residents. “Although we have been engaging the government on the matter, nothing has come out for the rest of the payment,” he said. Promised billions In March last year, then Lands Minister Deus Gumba told Parliament that the government needed K9 billion to compensate residents of Area 54, where 200 hectares had been identified. He said a further K3 billion was needed for Dunduzu, where about 80 hectares had been identified. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, General, News **Tags:** Bennet Nkasala, land --- ### [Economist Chifipa Mhango urges Malawi to seek credible credit rating](https://www.nyasatimes.com/economist-chifipa-mhango-urges-malawi-to-seek-credible-credit-rating/) **Published:** October 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi could attract more foreign investment and cut the cost of its borrowing if it secures an active sovereign credit rating, according to South Africa-based economist Chifipa Mhango. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261008-WA0005-600x557.jpg)Mhango: Credible sovereign rating key to rebuilding Malawi’s financial credibilityWelcoming the launch of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), Mr Mhango, Chief Economist and Executive Director of Economic Research and Strategy at the Don Consultancy Group (DCG), said a rating is effectively “a country’s financial passport”. Malawi has had no active rating since its last one, a B- from Fitch, expired in 2007. Mhango said only about 32 of Africa’s 55 countries have an active rating from at least one of the big three agencies, Moody’s, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings. That leaves about 23, including Malawi, without active coverage. Without a current rating, he said, investors cannot rely on a regularly updated assessment of Malawi’s fiscal position, debt, foreign-exchange position, institutions and economic prospects. The country remains less visible to international investors, struggles to price its risk and faces higher borrowing costs. He said the benefits go beyond state borrowing. “Sovereign risk perceptions frequently influence the financing conditions facing domestic banks and companies seeking international capital,” he said. “Improving sovereign credibility can therefore contribute to a broader improvement in the country’s investment and financing environment.” Mhango cautioned against chasing a good grade. “For Malawi, the objective should not be to seek a favourable rating. It should be to obtain a credible rating,” he said. A difficult rating that exposes weaknesses is more valuable than no benchmark at all, he argued, because it shows policymakers and investors where the risks lie and offers a measurable path to improvement. He said a rating should be part of a long-term strategy to rebuild financial credibility, anchored on fiscal discipline, debt sustainability, transparency and stronger institutions. Mhango said AfCRA’s success will depend on independence, rigour, transparency and investor trust, not simply on being African. “Credibility must come before favourable outcomes,” he said. The real test, he added, is whether its ratings influence capital allocation, lending, bond pricing and investment decisions. His comments come days after President Peter Mutharika told the nation last weekend that debt restructuring has become unavoidable. He said nearly all government revenue is being swallowed by debt servicing, leaving little room for essential imports or public services. Mutharika said Malawi will still need to borrow, but that future loans must go strictly to development projects rather than consumption. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Chifipa Mhango, Malawi Economy --- ### [Stop the blame game: Kabambe tells government and opposition to put Malawi first](https://www.nyasatimes.com/stop-the-blame-game-kabambe-tells-government-and-opposition-to-put-malawi-first/) **Published:** October 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** UTM president Dalitso Kabambe has called for a model of governance that embraces diverse political ideologies for the good of the nation, saying Malawi’s challenges are not for the ruling party alone to solve. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260927_081910_Google-600x454.jpg)‘This country does not belong only to those in power’: Kabambe calls for end to politics of hateIn a post on his Facebook page, Dr Kabambe said Malawi belongs to everyone, regardless of political affiliation. He made the declaration amid one of the worst fuel and forex shortages the country has seen, as well as severe power outages and a shortage of medicines in public hospitals. “Our national debt has now climbed into the trillions,” he said. “These are not talking points to be celebrated or weapons to use against one another.” He said the situation can change if the nation chooses different politics, particularly politics rooted in responsibility, compassion and a shared purpose. “Let us stop asking which party will benefit from the country’s pain and start asking how we can end it,” he said. “For, this country does not belong only to those in power. It belongs to all of us.” Kabambe, an economist and former Reserve Bank of Malawi governor, faulted politics of hate and opportunism, whose beneficiaries, he said, have chiefly been politicians at the expense of the wider population. He cautioned government to serve with a sense of solemn responsibility towards bettering the lives of the people it governs. He also urged the opposition to assist responsibly. “Being in opposition must not be a licence to wish the country harm,” he said. “The people in power may be our political opponents, but the country is not theirs alone, and its problems do not stop at party lines.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dalitso Kabambe, UTM Party --- ### [Malawi govt says Kwacha devaluation not part of IMF negotiations](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-govt-says-kwacha-devaluation-not-part-of-imf-negotiations/) **Published:** October 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The government has dismissed reports that it is negotiating a devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of talks on a new Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789570876702-600x417.jpg)Information minister Namalomba denies Kwacha devaluation in IMF talksIn a press statement dated 8 October 2026, Information and Communications Technology Minister Dr Shadric Namalomba said the reports were incorrect. “Government wishes to state clearly and unequivocally: devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha is not under discussion with the IMF,” the statement said. “It is not an item on the agenda of the current negotiations.” The statement said an IMF mission that visited Malawi from 22 September to 6 October 2026 recognised progress on economic reforms, which it said “provide a good foundation for an IMF-supported program”. The mission also cited considerable progress in developing policies to support a new ECF arrangement. Namalomba said the government remains committed to tackling foreign exchange shortages, strengthening fiscal discipline, supporting production and easing the cost of living. “IMF discussions continue towards a programme supporting economic stability and inclusive growth,” the statement said. The government understands public concern about the Kwacha, Namalomba said, and urged citizens, businesses and the media to avoid speculation and rely on verified statements from the government and the relevant monetary authorities. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** IMF, Malawi Kwacha, Shadreck Namalomba --- ### [Malawi benefiting from Comesa statistics programmes, says NSO](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-benefiting-from-comesa-statistics-programmes-says-nso/) **Published:** October 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi is already benefiting from the programmes of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) Committee on Statistical Matters (CCSM), the National Statistics Office (NSO) has said. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261008-WA0007-600x450.jpg)NSO Commissioner Shelton KanyandaNSO Commissioner Shelton Kanyanda said the country was the first to produce a food security analysis report jointly with Comesa and Statistics Norway. “We are the first country to produce a food security analysis report that was done jointly with Comesa and Statistics Norway using data from the 2024 Integrated Household Survey,” he said. He said the office is also working on other areas, including informal cross-border trade. Mr Kanyanda spoke as the NSO took part in the 17th CCSM meeting, held in Lusaka, Zambia, on 7 and 8 October. The meeting focused on the 2026-2030 Comesa Regional Strategy for Development of Statistics (RSDS), the framework for strengthening the bloc’s statistical system. Members reviewed progress across its pillars, including achievements, challenges and gaps needing further action. They also assessed the contribution of statistical programmes and considered the findings of the Regional Statistical Production and Capacity Assessment. Comesa Assistant Secretary General for programmes, Ambassador Dr Mohammed Kadah, said in a statement that the strategy offers a chance to build on progress while meeting new demands on statistical systems. He said challenges remain, including delays and gaps in data submissions, differences in technical capacity, limited human and financial resources, a fragmented statistical system and difficulties in institutionalising harmonised methodologies. The meeting brought together all Comesa member states, along with development partners including the African Development Bank, the Southern African Development Community, the European Union, PARIS21, Norway, Sweden and the Economic Commission for Africa. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Comesa, National Statistics Office --- ### [From debutants to finalists: how the Scorchers rewrote Malawi's football story at WAFCON 2026](https://www.nyasatimes.com/from-debutants-to-finalists-how-the-scorchers-rewrote-malawis-football-story-at-wafcon-2026/) **Published:** October 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s women arrived in Morocco in July as Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) debutants and left as the story of the tournament. By mid-August, the Scorchers were continental runners-up and the first Malawian senior team to qualify for a World Cup.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/20261009_000336-600x600.jpg) That run still frames how the country talks about the game, whether the subject is the Flames’ AFCON 2027 qualifiers or [Malawi football betting](https://www.premierbet.com/mw/sport/football) on the domestic Super League. Here is how they did it, match by match. Getting there at all Malawi went into the tournament ranked 153rd in the world, the lowest of the 16 teams in the draw. Qualification itself was new ground. After a 0-0 draw with Angola in Luanda in October 2025, Faith Chinzimu scored twice in two minutes of the second leg in Lilongwe to seal a 2-0 win and a first WAFCON place. Coach Lovemore Fazili’s squad was drawn in Group C alongside record 10-time champions Nigeria, with Zambia and Egypt completing the four. Few outside Malawi expected them to get out of it. Beating the champions The opening game on 28 July at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat settled that. After a goalless first half, Temwa Chawinga scored in the 73rd minute and her sister Tabitha doubled the lead six minutes later. Rasheedat Ajibade’s stoppage-time penalty cut the gap, Temwa restored the two-goal lead in the fifth added minute and Uchenna Kanu’s late goal made it 3-2. The win ended Nigeria’s record of never losing to a debutant at the tournament since 1998. Rose Kadzere and Chinzimu scored before half time and Temwa added a third as Egypt were beaten 3-1 on 1 August. A 2-1 defeat by Zambia left the top three level on six points. Malawi topped the group because they had scored the most goals in the matches between the three. A World Cup place against Ghana The quarter-final on 9 August carried a second prize, because each winner qualified directly for the [2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/brazil-2027/organisation). Ghana led through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah after seven minutes. Temwa equalised five minutes later and Kadzere won it in the 79th minute. The 2-1 win sent Malawi to the semi-finals. It also gave the country its first World Cup qualification by any senior national team, men’s or women’s. The semi-final and the final Algeria were next, on 12 August at the Rabat Olympic Stadium. Tabitha scored in the 33rd minute and Temwa doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time. Ikram Adjabi pulled one back for Algeria before Tabitha made it 3-1 on 76 minutes. Malawi became the first debutants from southern Africa to reach a WAFCON final. The final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium on 16 August was one step too far. Cameroon scored three times before half time, twice through Marie Ngah Manga and once through Naomi Eto, and won 3-0 to claim their first continental title after three final defeats. Nine goals from the Chawinga sisters Of Malawi’s 12 goals, the most scored by any team at the tournament, the sisters provided nine. Temwa scored five and Tabitha, the captain, the other four. Temwa finished level with Ngah Manga and Zambia’s Barbra Banda as top scorer. Her two assists gave her seven goal involvements, the most of any player. The Kansas City Current forward was already a record-breaker in the United States. In 2024 she scored 20 goals in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), a single-season record, and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). What the run leaves behind Flames coach Kalisto Pasuwa pointed to the Scorchers’ performance in the build-up to the men’s AFCON 2027 campaign. His side opened it with a 2-1 win over South Sudan in Lilongwe on 25 September. The Scorchers’ own next assignment is the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Scorchers --- ### [Fountain of Victory battles 'cult' claims after Bishop's arrest in death investigation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fountain-of-victory-battles-cult-claims-after-bishops-arrest-in-death-investigation/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The arrest of a senior church leader in connection with the shocking murder of an FDH Bank employee has plunged Fountain of Victory Church International into the centre of a storm, with furious social media users branding the ministry a “cult” and alleging dark secrets lurk behind its walls. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791469275240-600x600.jpg)The bishop, the dead banker and the church under siege: death probe sparks cult claims as social media delivers its verdictPolice in Dowa have arrested Bishop Medram Chirwa of Lilongwe as part of ongoing investigations into the death of 31-year-old FDH Bank employee Tathokoza Salimu, whose bloodied body was discovered inside a parked vehicle last month. The arrest has triggered a fierce online backlash, with critics launching attacks on the church. However, supporters of the bishop have rallied to his defence, insisting he remains innocent until proven guilty and warning against what they describe as a dangerous “social media trial”. According to Dowa Police spokesperson Alice Sitima, preliminary investigations, including an analysis of call records, indicate that Bishop Chirwa and the deceased were together on the day of the alleged murder. Salimu’s body was discovered on 21 September 2026 inside a vehicle at Chinkhota Village near Tatolonga Bridge along the Dzaleka-Dowa Boma Road. Police say passing motorists raised the alarm after spotting a black Subaru Impreza, registration number BZ 21709, abandoned by the roadside with its engine still running. Officers who responded to the scene found Salimu slumped in the front passenger seat in a pool of blood. She had sustained a wound to the neck. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a driver’s licence, a smartphone, an FDH Bank teller identification card and other personal documents belonging to the deceased. Sitima said investigations remain active and police are pursuing other suspects believed to be connected to the case. The controversy surrounding the church has been intensified by renewed attention on another high-profile case involving the ministry. Social media users have also been discussing reports that Apostle Joseph Ziba, founder of Fountain of Victory International Ministries, was granted bail by the Blantyre Magistrate’s Court after being arrested for allegedly failing to pay K26 million in taxes and penalties linked to his luxury Range Rover. As outrage and speculation continue to spread online, some voices have urged calm. Among them is commentator Albert Mwanyongo, who issued a passionate defence of the principle of due process, stressing that his position should not be interpreted as support for Bishop Chirwa. “A number of people have accused me of taking sides,” Mwanyongo wrote. “But I am not defending Bishop Medram Chirwa. I am defending a principle that applies to every human being, the presumption of innocence and the right to due process.” He argued that many social media users had already “investigated, prosecuted, convicted and sentenced” the bishop before police had completed their work. “The police themselves have said investigations are ongoing. Has the investigation been completed? Have all the facts been established?” he asked. Mwanyongo noted that the deceased was reportedly a member of the same church and suggested investigators may simply be trying to establish the circumstances surrounding her final movements and communications. “Does the fact that Bishop Chirwa spoke to her on that day automatically make him guilty?” he asked. While expressing sorrow over Salimu’s death, Mwanyongo warned against allowing emotions and speculation to replace evidence. “Because a life has been lost, we owe the deceased the truth,” he said. “And that truth can only come from a proper and impartial investigation, not from rumours, assumptions and social media speculation.” He concluded by urging Malawians to allow investigators to do their work, mourn the victim with dignity and resist the temptation to convict suspects in the court of public opinion before the legal process has run its course. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Fountain of Victory International, murder --- ### [Scorchers fever sparks VIP sell-out for Zimbabwe tie](https://www.nyasatimes.com/scorchers-fever-sparks-vip-sell-out-for-zimbabwe-tie/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Scorchers’ home fixture draws strong demand after impressive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations showing** Corporate Box and VIP tickets for Friday’s women’s international between Malawi’s Scorchers and Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors have sold out, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has confirmed. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1786950969908-600x477.jpg)Corporate Box and VIP tickets sold out for Malawi v Zimbabwe women’s qualifierFAM communications officer Collins Nsunza said all tickets in the two premium categories had been bought. “Yes, it is true, all sold out,” he said. Interest in the match has grown as the Scorchers return to action at home after their impressive performances at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon). Their recent displays have generated renewed interest in women’s football in Malawi. The fixture is expected to attract considerable attention from fans across the country. Supporters are now looking ahead to seeing the team play in front of a home crowd against their neighbours. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Scorchers, women football, Zimbabwe --- ### [Civil society group says Malawi more stable but not yet transformed](https://www.nyasatimes.com/civil-society-group-says-malawi-more-stable-but-not-yet-transformed/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** One year after President Peter Mutharika returned to State House on 4 October 2025, Malawi is more stable than it was but not yet transformed, according to the National Advocacy Platform (NAP). Releasing its assessment on Thursday under the title “Foundations for Recovery Are E ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261008-WA0004-600x338.jpg)Year two must deliver: NAP tells Mutharika to turn promises into resultsmerging, but Delivery Must Now Accelerate”, NAP chairperson Benedicto Kondowe told a press briefing in Lilongwe that the administration was judged against a reasonable first-year test: whether it set a credible direction, began tackling structural weaknesses and laid foundations for recovery. The answer, he said, was “yes, and no”. “On balance, NAP observes progress and greater stability in several areas, alongside significant challenges that remain unresolved,” he said. Year Two, he added, must shift to “consistent implementation, stronger accountability and independently verifiable results that citizens can see and feel.” **Inflation falls, but households still hurting** NAP calls inflation the most measurable gain. Headline inflation fell to 20.0% in August 2026 from 28.2% a year earlier, while food inflation dropped to 13.4%. But non-food inflation, covering transport, housing, health and education, stood at 31.8%. NAP says stabilisation has not yet translated sufficiently into better household welfare, with forex shortages and unreliable energy still choking business and investment. **Schools: access up, quality under strain** NAP describes free secondary education as an important social policy achievement. Tuition, examination and ID fees and the School Development Fund have been scrapped, and K42 billion has been allocated for higher education loans. But it warns of chronic shortages of teachers, classrooms and materials, and an underdeveloped technical and vocational training system. The challenge, it says, is ensuring young people leave school with skills for employment. **Farming: drought risk** NAP welcomes improved maize availability and the K931.1 billion agriculture allocation for 2026/27, including about K111 billion for the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP), which targets 1.22 million beneficiaries. It raised concern that the largest share of FISP beneficiaries is reportedly allocated to the south, even though the seasonal outlook forecasts below-normal and erratic rainfall in parts of the south and centre. It urged input distribution to be aligned with district rainfall forecasts, early procurement, strategic reserves, irrigation and a fully financed El Niño response plan. **Health, fuel and power** Health funding rose to K1.02 trillion, medicine availability improved, and government granted a waiver to recruit essential medical staff despite a recruitment freeze. But shortages persist at facility level, and Kamuzu Central Hospital’s reported 5,000-patient surgical backlog shows the scale of the problem. Fuel queues largely disappeared for much of the year, which NAP credits to better coordination among the Ministry of Energy, NOCMA and MERA, and to road rehabilitation. But queues have returned in recent weeks, and NAP says the reported K700 million NOCMA transaction needs a transparent conclusion. Load-shedding continues to hit households and businesses. **Devolution slow to deliver** Raising the Constituency Development Fund to K5 billion per constituency is described as a significant step. K85.5 billion has been released to 30 of 36 councils, but disbursement remains slow against the roughly K1.3 trillion earmarked, and six councils had not accessed funds by 24 September because of unmet conditions. **Governance and corruption** NAP sees encouraging signals in the President’s refusal to assent to the CDF constitutional amendment after the court decision, the reconstitution of the Judicial Service Commission, and the appointment of a new cohort of Human Rights Commission commissioners. Civil service payroll verification had covered 199,000 of an estimated 292,000 employees by February, with irregularities identified. But it flagged questions over the independence and funding of oversight bodies, meritocracy in senior appointments, and the prosecution of CDEDI executive director Sylvester Namiwa on treason and false-news charges, which has fuelled debate over civic space. On corruption, NAP welcomed the President’s “not a time to eat” pledge, the e-procurement system and lifestyle audit framework. But it said the prolonged absence of a substantive Anti-Corruption Bureau director general, a post re-advertised in August, is a serious institutional gap. It also urged a national dialogue on the role of the Vice President, citing recurring tensions between presidents and their deputies. **Debt, IMF and jobs** Treasury bill borrowing fell from K880.4 billion in June to K144.6 billion in July. But domestic debt remains about K14 trillion, around 65% of total public debt of about K24 trillion. After its mission from 22 September to 6 October, the IMF said Malawi’s reforms provide a good foundation for a programme and that considerable progress has been made toward an Extended Credit Facility, though no deal has been concluded. NAP said labour-export schemes and youth funding must be transparent, protect workers and be scaled up. It cautioned against piling too heavy a tax burden on compliant taxpayers, and noted inconsistency on austerity, with principal secretaries first cut from over 80 to 38 and later raised to about 60. **The verdict** NAP says its assessment is “neither whitewash nor condemnation”. “One year cannot repair an economy and public systems weakened over many years,” it said, adding that the task now is to build decisively on emerging foundations and turn stability into tangible improvements in people’s lives. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Benedicto Kondowe, Civil society, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Flying high: Malawi Airlines backs Theresa Phondo's Lilongwe concert with free flights for star guests](https://www.nyasatimes.com/flying-high-malawi-airlines-backs-theresa-phondos-lilongwe-concert-with-free-flights-for-star-guests/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Airlines has teamed up with musician Theresa Phondo to help bring international artists to her Theresa Phondo Live in Concert, which takes place at the BICC Amphitheatre in Lilongwe on 31 October. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791469950493-450x600.jpg)Take-off for Phondo: Malawi Airlines comes on board for 31 October concertUnder the deal, the airline will sponsor seven tickets to carry artists and guests on its Entebbe (Uganda) and Lusaka (Zambia) routes. Speaking at the announcement in Lilongwe, Phondo said the support will ease travel costs as preparations continue, particularly for bringing international artists and guests to Malawi. “It is not easy to organise an event like this, so partnerships of this nature are very important,” she said. “This partnership with Malawi Airlines will allow us to fulfill the vision that we have for this event.” **Why the airline is on board** Malawi Airlines public relations officer Joseph Chikalipo said the carrier is backing the concert because it believes in Phondo’s work. He said it expects the event to draw audiences from across the region. **Star-studded line-up** Nigerian gospel musician Adah Ehi and Zambian artist Pompi will perform alongside Malawian acts Praise Umali, Paul Kachala, Beracah and Esther Chitheka. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Malawi Airlines Limited, Theresa Phondo --- ### [Zomba Central Prison installs CCTV to curb mobile money fraud](https://www.nyasatimes.com/zomba-central-prison-installs-cctv-to-curb-mobile-money-fraud/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi Prison Service (MPS) has installed CCTV cameras at Zomba Central Prison in a bid to stop conmen running mobile money fraud from inside their cells. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261008_161633_Chrome-600x322.jpg)Eyes on the inmates: Prison chiefs install CCTV to crack down on jailhouse mobile money scammersMPS Public Relations Officer Steve Meke said on Tuesday the cameras add another layer of security and will help create a better environment for rehabilitating offenders. “We expect to have a more conducive environment for offender rehabilitation, significantly reduce mobile money fraud-related cases and enhance the general security of the prison station, which is crucial for national development,” he said. Zomba Central is one of the country’s major correctional facilities, Meke noted, and security at prisons is key to national development. A scandal of scale The move comes amid mounting concern over the scale of fraud orchestrated from behind bars. According to the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), inmates are responsible for up to 90 percent of reported mobile money scams in the country. ‘Long overdue’ Security expert Dr Sherriff Kaisi described the installation as a significant and long-overdue development in Malawi’s correctional security. He said CCTV helps rehabilitation by cutting violence and intimidation, protecting vulnerable inmates and improving relations between staff and prisoners. “In a nutshell, security and rehabilitation are not opposites. A well-monitored prison is a more humane and more reformative prison,” he said. Dr Kaisi pointed out that Zomba Central is one of the country’s largest and most congested prisons, where security has long relied on human surveillance, hampered by low staff numbers, fatigue and blind spots. ‘Cameras alone are not enough’ But he cautioned that cameras alone will not rehabilitate offenders. Their effectiveness, he said, depends on coverage, monitoring protocols, trained personnel and integration with wider security systems. CCTV should therefore be part of a broader strategy, he said, noting that prison-based mobile money fraud typically requires illicit phones and SIM cards smuggled into the facility. Those gadgets, he said, find their way in through unmonitored communication windows in cells and washrooms, or through corrupt staff and visitors. Want a shorter version or social media posts for this one too? Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** money laundering, Zomba Maximum prison --- ### [MedHealth boss works as receptionist for Customer Service Week](https://www.nyasatimes.com/medhealth-boss-works-as-receptionist-for-customer-service-week/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The general manager of MedHealth Limited is working as a receptionist this week to mark Customer Service Week. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261007-WA0003-600x562.jpg)General Manager Medson Chitsulo is manning the front desk to thank frontline staff and see customers’ experience first-handMedson Chitsulo said he wanted to lead by example and show that every role matters in serving customers. “Customer service is not just for the front office. It starts from the top,” he said. “By working as a receptionist, I want to understand our customers better and appreciate the great work our team does every day.” He said this year’s theme, “The Extra Mile”, challenges everyone to go beyond the ordinary. Customers who visited MedHealth’s offices on Monday said they were surprised and delighted to be welcomed by the general manager himself. Mr Chitsulo said the company, one of Malawi’s leading health service providers, would keep customer satisfaction at the centre of its operations. Customer Service Week is an international event held in the first full week of October. It recognises frontline professionals and gives organisations a chance to thank their service teams and promote a customer-focused culture. This year it runs from 6 to 10 October. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, News **Tags:** MedHealth --- ### [Malawian executive Kalumpha funds Zomba irrigation project as he wins London award](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawian-executive-kalumpha-funds-zomba-irrigation-project-as-he-wins-london-award/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian-born London finance executive has won a major international trade finance award, but he missed the ceremony because he was at home in his village. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/cf97e94e-1c66-4490-8af9-6a49d7ad8161-1_all_14537-496x600.jpg)Malawian finance executive Rhodrick Kalumpha wins Trade Finance Leader of the Year award![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/1001711176-600x468.jpg)Kalumpha wins Impact Award at TTP Corporate Excellence Awards 2026![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/1001711323-470x600.jpg)Rhodrick Kalumpha named Trade Finance Leader of the Year, butRhodrick Junaid Kalumpha was named Trade Finance Leader of the Year, Impact Award, at the TTP Corporate Excellence Awards 2026, held at the Lansdowne Club in Mayfair, London. His executive team accepted the trophy on his behalf. Kalumpha, Group Financial Controller at Global Tea and Commodities Ltd, said on social media that he was “absolutely thrilled” but could not attend as he was “away in my village with my people.” He said the award “belongs to the entire organisation family” and thanked his team, mentors, family and friends. ‘Absence is the loudest statement’ A senior vice-president of Global Tea, who collected the award, said Kalumpha’s strategy had “re-engineered how sustainable commodities are financed globally”. He said Kalumpha had chosen to be “on the ground, directly connecting corporate capital back to its source”. A mentor at the ceremony said he measures his balance sheet “not just in profits, but in human dignity”. Village project Kalumpha is overseeing the Domasi Community Water Security and Irrigation Initiative in Zomba, which he largely funds himself. It involves solar-powered boreholes and drip-irrigation networks to protect smallholder tea and crop farmers from dry spells. The next phase will add communal cold-storage facilities powered by solar arrays. He is also deputy chairperson of Malawi Health Care Support (MAHECAS). From Nkhotakota to Mayfair His father is from Nkhotakota and his mother from Zomba, and he grew up in Domasi. He attended Kamuzu Academy in Kasungu, known as “the Eton of Africa”, and then Multimedia University in Malaysia. In 2003 he moved to the UK to study for an MSc in International Money, Finance and Investments at Durham University, graduating in 2004. He later rose through London’s financial sector to his current role. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Malawians in UK, Rhodrick Kalumpha --- ### ['Stranger' in court: Speaker's lawyer slams Attorney General Mbeta's late move](https://www.nyasatimes.com/stranger-in-court-speakers-lawyer-slams-attorney-general-mbetas-late-move/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Speaker’s court fight takes new Attorney General Frank Mbeta has joined the High Court battle over Parliament’s 12 committees as an interested party, a case in which he was originally expected to stand by the Speaker. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791283063679-600x450.jpg)‘A stranger to the case’: Speaker’s lawyer hits out as AG Mbeta joins committees rowSpeaker Sameer Suleman is challenging an injunction obtained by citizen Austin Mkoka, which blocks the formation of the committees set up to probe the operations of some statutory firms. Mr Mbeta’s office was initially supposed to represent the Speaker. But as of yesterday, the government’s lawyer had made no commitment to join the case. Surprise at the hearing At a virtual hearing this morning, Judge Allan Muhome told the parties that the Attorney General applied yesterday to join as an interested party. The Speaker’s lawyer, Bright Theu, said he was surprised by the move. He described Mr Mbeta as a “stranger” to the case, saying no documents showed he would be a party. Lawyer Chikosa Silungwe also asked that procedures and timelines for filing documents be followed. **Timetable** Mr Mbeta has asked for ten days to file his documents. Mr Mkoka’s lawyer, Noel Supedi, said he would need at least seven days to respond. The case has been adjourned to 5 November 2026 Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Frank Mbeta, Malawi Parliament --- ### [Fountain of Victory pastor arrested over murder of FDH bank worker found dead in car with neck wound](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fountain-of-victory-pastor-arrested-over-murder-of-fdh-bank-worker-found-dead-in-car-with-neck-wound/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Police say call logs place Fountain of Victory pastor with FDH employee Tathokoza Salimu on the day she died** A Lilongwe church leader has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of a young FDH Bank employee whose body was found slumped in a car beside a rural road. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791459688548-320x600.jpg)Fountain of Victory pastor arrested in connection with murder of FDH employeePolice in Dowa have detained Bishop Medram Chirwa of Fountain of Victory Church in Lilongwe over the death of 31-year-old Tathokoza Salimu. Dowa Police spokesperson Alice Sitima said preliminary findings from call logs show that the two were together on the day of the alleged killing. Ms Salimu’s body was found on 21 September 2026 inside a motor vehicle at Chinkhota Village, near Tatolonga Bridge, along the Dzaleka-Dowa Boma Road. Ms Sitima said road users alerted police after noticing a black Subaru Impreza, registration number BZ 21709, parked by the roadside with its engine still running. Officers found Ms Salimu in the passenger seat in a pool of blood, with a wound on her neck. A search of the car recovered a driver’s licence, a smartphone, an FDH Bank teller identification card and other documents bearing her name. Ms Sitima said investigations are continuing, with police working to arrest other suspects in the case. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Fountain of Victory International, murder --- ### [Respect, but no mercy: Malawi and Zimbabwe trade warm words ahead of Olympic showdown](https://www.nyasatimes.com/respect-but-no-mercy-malawi-and-zimbabwe-trade-warm-words-ahead-of-olympic-showdown/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Women’s head coach Lovemore Fazili has told his players not to underestimate Zimbabwe ahead of Friday’s first-leg 2028 Olympic Games qualifier in Lilongwe. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791460766855-600x416.jpg)Goals, goals, goals: Fazili orders Scorchers to build big lead before Harare returnThe match will be played at Bingu National Stadium. The second leg is in Harare on 13 October. Speaking at a press conference at the stadium, Fazili described Zimbabwe as one of the strongest teams in African women’s football. “It is going to be a tough game,” he said. “This is a two-legged fixture so we need to score many goals so that we can be comfortable in Zimbabwe.” He said he has told his players to stay composed and score as many goals as possible in front of their home supporters to build a big advantage for the second leg. “I have told my troops to remain composed and focused and make sure they score more goals, as many as possible,” he said. “I have a team that can perform tomorrow.” Fazili said the squad has been told to forget their success at the Africa Cup of Nations and focus on the new campaign. He added that a large crowd is expected and the players have a responsibility to give those supporters a result. Scorchers morale high Midfielder Patricia Nyirenda said the mood in camp is positive. “The morale is high in camp and there is nothing else for tomorrow except victory,” she said. She urged fans to turn out in large numbers to give the team extra motivation. **Zimbabwe confident** Zimbabwe captain Emmaculate Nsipa said her side respects Malawi but is focused on its own game. “We have prepared well against Malawi. We respect Malawi, they have good players,” she said. “Our focus is on ourselves, working together, staying disciplined and giving our best.” She said team chemistry is “incredible” and that she aims to lead with confidence, focus and positivity. Zimbabwe coach Stella Gotal, who is new to the job, said her team had good preparation time and are motivated. “International football brings a lot of pressure but for me I like the challenges,” she said. “Playing against Malawi will be one of the challenges but we are ready to compete.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Lovemore Fazili, Scorchers, women football, Zimbabwe --- ### [Surveyors urged to go digital: Minister Chipungu tells profession to embrace technology as it shapes Malawi's future](https://www.nyasatimes.com/surveyors-urged-to-go-digital-minister-chipungu-tells-profession-to-embrace-technology-as-it-shapes-malawis-future/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Chimwemwe Chipungu opens Surveyors Institute of Malawi conference in Salima** Minister of Lands Chimwemwe Chipungu has challenged Malawi’s surveyors to embrace technology and keep their professional standards high as the country pushes to modernise how land is managed. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791455493129-378x600.jpg)Chimwemwe Chipungu Chimwemwe Chipungu opens Surveyors Institute of Malawi conference in Salima![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791455483720-365x600.jpg)Chimwemwe Chipungu opens Surveyors Institute of Malawi conference in SalimaChipungu officially opened the 2026 Annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Conference of the Surveyors Institute of Malawi (SIM) at Sunbird Livingstonia Hotel in Salima. The conference is being held under the theme “The Evolving Role of Surveyors in Driving Digital Transformation and Sustainable Built Environment”. It offers a platform for the profession to reflect on its future and its contribution to national development. The minister encouraged surveyors to uphold the highest professional standards and to keep contributing to Malawi’s development through: Improved land administration - Infrastructure development - Sustainable urban development - Patron’s pledge Chipungu, who is Patron of SIM, said he remains committed to supporting the advancement of the surveying profession. He pledged to help create an enabling environment in which surveyors can contribute meaningfully to the country’s development. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, Surveyors Institute of Malawi --- ### [Scorchers' injury blow: Chimzimu ruled out of Olympic qualifier against Zimbabwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/scorchers-injury-blow-chimzimu-ruled-out-of-olympic-qualifier-against-zimbabwe/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, have been dealt a blow ahead of Friday’s 2028 Olympic Games first-leg qualifier against Zimbabwe, with midfielder Faith Chimzimu ruled out through injury. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261008_115025_Google-600x405.jpg)Faith ChimzimuAlmost all of the players called up are already in camp. The match will be played at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. Montpellier attacker Rose Kabzere was the latest player to join the squad, arriving in camp yesterday. The absence of Chimzimu, who plays for Swedish side BK Häcken FF, will be a worry for the Scorchers. There is some hope, though, as she could return for the second-leg match against Zimbabwe in Harare on 13 October. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Faith Chimzimu, Scorchers --- ### [Who will defend the Speaker? Private lawyer hired as questions swirl over Attorney General's role](https://www.nyasatimes.com/who-will-defend-the-speaker-private-lawyer-hired-as-questions-swirl-over-attorney-generals-role/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The legal battle over the Speaker’s 12 parliamentary committees is on the front pages of both major dailies as the case reaches the High Court today. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784568180943-600x400.jpg)Speaker Suleman faces Mkoka in court as papers lead on committees caseThe Daily Times leads with “Speaker fights on”, reporting that Speaker Sameer Suleman has hired private lawyer Bright Theu of Nicholls and Brookes to defend the committees. Its second headline says the Speaker “turns to private lawyers”. The paper says the move follows an injunction obtained by citizen Austin Mkoka, which bars Parliament from setting up or running the joint ad hoc committees until his judicial review application is decided. The Nation goes with “Showdown” across its front page, saying Mr Suleman will face Mr Mkoka in court over the committees. An inside story reports that the Speaker and Parliament have filed their defences. Mr Theu told the paper he is acting for the Speaker as first defendant, and for the Office of the National Assembly and Parliament as second defendant. The legal questions The Nation reports that Mr Mkoka has also secured an order halting investigations into some government ministries, departments and agencies until the court rules. The case, before Judge Allan Muhome, will test whether the Legislature has the constitutional authority to set up the committees and run such probes. Mr Theu said the defence addresses standing and the Speaker’s oversight powers, in line with the separation of powers. Law Society joins the case Both papers report that the Malawi Law Society has joined as a friend of the court. Its president, Davis Njobvu, said the matter raises important constitutional and administrative law questions. Questions over representation The Daily Times notes uncertainty over whether the Attorney General’s office would represent the Speaker. It quotes Attorney General Frank Mbeta as saying a fortnight ago that he needed to establish whether Parliament had sought his office’s help. Governance commentator Benedicto Kondowe said hiring private counsel is not improper in itself, but the justification and the manner of engagement matter. Political fallout The Nation recalls that the Speaker’s announcement of the committees caused a stir, including a backlash from his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party, where he is national organising secretary. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Malawi Parliament --- ### [No need to panic!: Political analyst defends Mutharika's fifth private trip to South Africa](https://www.nyasatimes.com/no-need-to-panic-political-analyst-defends-mutharikas-fifth-private-trip-to-south-africa/) **Published:** October 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A political analyst has moved to calm growing public unease over President Peter Mutharika’s repeated unexplained trips abroad, insisting there is nothing sinister to worry about as the president jets off to South Africa for the fifth time this year. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791144746864-1-e1791226266488-600x445.jpg)President Mutharika in South Africa on private tripThe reassurance comes after Mutharika once again left Malawi for the Rainbow Nation, with government officials offering no explanation whatsoever for the purpose behind the mysterious trip — the latest in a string of similarly unexplained visits that have fuelled mounting speculation back home. Political analyst George Phiri attempted to put minds at rest, insisting Malawi has robust constitutional structures in place to handle any handover of power should the need ever arise during the president’s time away. But in a revealing admission that will do little to quiet the rumour mill, Phiri conceded that Malawi simply does not have strong enough laws to force authorities to disclose the president’s actual health status to the nation. The stark admission comes amid swirling speculation over Mutharika’s wellbeing, with opposition figures previously demanding proof of his physical fitness, and the president’s repeated, unexplained dashes to South Africa doing little to put those concerns to rest. With government continuing to offer nothing beyond the bare minimum each time the president departs, many Malawians are likely to remain unconvinced by assurances that there is “no need for concern” — particularly given the absence of any legal requirement compelling officials to come clean about exactly what is going on. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Peter Mutharika --- ### [K587bn road bill: Two firms set to cash in on Chiweta–Karonga revamp](https://www.nyasatimes.com/k587bn-road-bill-two-firms-set-to-cash-in-on-chiweta-karonga-revamp/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Taxpayers to foot bill of nearly K6bn for EVERY kilometre** Two construction firms are in line to share a whopping K587.1 billion to fix a 105km stretch of road in northern Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261008_015236_Chrome-600x330.jpg)Karonga-Chiweta RoadThe Roads Authority (RA) has picked Unik Construction Engineering Ltd to rehabilitate the 53km Chiweta–Wovwe Bridge section in Rumphi and Karonga districts, in a deal worth K326.1 billion. Chinese giant China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation is tipped to bag the 52km Wovwe Bridge–Karonga stretch in Karonga District, for K261 billion. COST PER KILOMETRE Lot 1 (Unik): K6.15 billion per km Lot 2 (China Civil): K5.02 billion per km Average: K5.59 billion per km That means Lot 1 is costing roughly K1.1 billion MORE for every kilometre than Lot 2. The contracts were revealed in a Notification of Intention to Award, issued under Section 70(1) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act of 2025. Losing bidders now have until midnight on 22 October to demand a debriefing on why they missed out. They can also lodge a formal complaint against the decision. The deals are not yet signed off and could still change once the standstill period ends. Chiweta-Karonga section lies along the M1 stretching from Songwe Border down to Nsanje. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Karonga-Chiweta --- ### [NBM plc supports Financial Market Dealers Association conference with K5 million](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nbm-plc-supports-financial-market-dealers-association-conference-with-k5-million/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has supported the Financial Market Dealers Association (FMDA) with K5 million towards its 2026 Annual Lakeshore Conference, which aims to bring together financial market players to discuss challenges affecting the sector. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Phiri-right-hands-over-a-cheque-to-Chikagwa-002-600x400.jpg)Phiri (right) hands over a cheque to ChikagwaThe conference will be held from October 15 to 17 under the theme, ‘Managing Liquidity in a Constrained Environment, Strengthening the Role of the Financial Market’ at Sunbird Nkopola, Mangochi. Speaking during the donation on Tuesday, NBM plc Treasury Manager Grace Phiri said the conference will give financial market players a platform to discuss challenges affecting the country’s sector and find possible solutions. “The function is very important; it is where our dealers, other players in the banking industry, the financial services industry, and the insurance industry go and meet, reflect on how we have performed, where we are and what we want to be done. And it is our duty as financial dealers to find solutions to challenges,” said Phiri. Phiri said the conference will allow financial market players to discuss how they can work together to improve the availability and distribution of foreign exchange amid the current shortage. “Nowadays it is not about competition, but collaboration. We are enablers; all we provide is the market, so the market players find means of bringing forex so that it goes towards those that demand it,” said Phiri. FMDA Vice Treasurer Mthandazo John Chikagwa welcomed the sponsorship, noting it will enable participation from various players. “National Bank have come a long way in assisting us with some activities we have planned, and they also enabled us to get more players in so that we have more international market players at the conference,” said Chikagwa. Chikagwa said he expects the conference discussions to help international market players strengthen their role in improving market liquidity. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Financial Market Dealers Association, National Bank of Malawi --- ### [Mubas Choir to hold concert to raise funds for instruments](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mubas-choir-to-hold-concert-to-raise-funds-for-instruments/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **The university group wants to raise its profile and attract bookings for public and private events.** Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas) Choir will hold a concert at the Odel Auditorium on the institution’s main campus in Blantyre on Saturday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/MUBAS-Choir-1-600x400.jpeg)University choir seeks bookings with Saturday concert![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/MUBAS-Choir-2-600x400.jpeg)Mubas Choir stages fundraiser as it opens up for public hireThe choir’s chairperson, Harry Banda, said the aim is to raise the group’s profile and make the public aware that it can be hired. “This is a big event as we would like people to know that we have a great university choir which is open to the public for hiring to perform at public and private events,” he said. The choir already performs at university events such as graduation, as well as at outdoor private functions, but Mr Banda said most people were unaware of this. The concert will also raise money to buy instruments. Mr Banda said the choir normally has to book instruments whenever it has an event. Other choirs from the campus are expected to take part. Dr Flemmings Ngwira, head of language and communication at the university and a well-known musician, will also perform, along with an artist named Romeo. Mr Banda said the attendance of high-profile guests, including Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor Nancy Chitera, would be “the icing on the cake”. He urged students and the public to attend what he called a rare treat of choral music. Tickets are available through National Bank account number 1014151644. Bronze tickets cost K10,000, silver K20,000, gold K50,000 and platinum K100,000. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** mubas --- ### [National Bank of Malawi backs Scorchers' Olympic dream](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-backs-scorchers-olympic-dream/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc says it is proud and ready to support the Malawi National Women Football team as they take on Zimbabwe this Friday in the Olympic qualifiers at Bingu National Stadium (BNS). ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Akossa-Mphepo-Hiwa-002-600x480.jpeg)National Bank of Malawi Backs Scorchers’ Olympic DreamThe match will be the Scorchers’ first since NBM plc increased its sponsorship of the team from K150 million to K1.3 billion. Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, NBM plc Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Akossa Mphepo-Hiwa said the Bank is confident in the team’s ability, building on their performance at Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) recently. “The Scorchers have had a very good run. We saw them at WAFCON, where they entered as debutants but finished as runners-up. As proud sponsors, we have a lot of faith in the Scorchers and are delighted of what they are doing by putting the Malawian flag on the map,” said Mphepo- Hiwa. Mphepo-Hiwa has also urged the players to believe in themselves as they carry the hopes of Malawians, whose expectations are high ahead of the crucial qualifier. She also called on Malawians to turn up in large numbers and support the team. “As sponsors of the Scorchers, we have already started engaging customers, supporters and fans through various initiatives, including a trivia campaign aimed at building excitement ahead of the game. “We hope these activities will create awareness, build hype and help us get a good turnout at the stadium on Friday,” she said. One of the country’s sports journalists, Praise Majawa concurred with Mphepo-Hiwa saying the Scorchers stand a better chance of carrying the day. The return leg will take place on October 13 in Harare. The Olympic games are scheduled for Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) of which four teams from Africa are expected to participate. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** National Bank of Malawi, Scorchers --- ### [Volleyball Association of Malawi steps up preparations for 2026 Raiply National Tournament](https://www.nyasatimes.com/volleyball-association-of-malawi-steps-up-preparations-for-2026-raiply-national-tournament/) **Published:** October 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Volleyball Association of Malawi (VAM) has increased the winners’ prize money for the 2026 Raiply National Volleyball Tournament from K3 million to K4 million and says it has engaged regional leagues six weeks before the competition begins. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791413671571-600x400.jpg)Winners’ prize money rises from K3m to K4m as regional leagues engaged six weeks before the Mzuzu eventThe tournament will be held in Mzuzu from 12 to 15 November, with 24 teams taking part. VAM Secretary General George Dickie Mbewe said the early engagement is intended to give teams enough time to organise themselves. “This early communication is intended to give the regions and teams adequate time to plan for travel, accommodation, player preparation and other logistical requirements,” he said. Regional leagues pick their representatives through established mechanisms, including qualifying tournaments and league standings. VAM is also working to avoid a repeat of last year’s logistical problems, when fuel shortages affected the participation of some teams from the Southern Region. The increase in prize money is among the major changes this year. Sponsor Raiply Malawi has maintained its K25 million package. Raiply public relations officer Dalitso Chimwala said the company will continue to support volleyball beyond this year’s tournament. He said the sponsorship aims to promote the sport, expose talent and support Malawi’s participation in international competitions. Chimwala added that tournaments create business opportunities for people selling goods and services around the venues, while sport brings psychological benefits to players, spectators and organisers. He said the value of Raiply’s future sponsorship has not yet been fixed, as the company is consulting VAM on rising costs facing teams and prevailing sponsorship rates. **Fixtures** 12 November: Teams arrive in Mzuzu for registration and a technical meeting 13 November: Matches begin 15 November: Finals and prize presentation Want headline options or a shorter version for social media? Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** volleyball --- ### [Minister Ben Phiri intervenes as Mtandire woman’s confiscated goods expose council’s vending contradiction](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-ben-phiri-intervenes-as-mtandire-womans-confiscated-goods-expose-councils-vending-contradiction/) **Published:** October 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** For Esnart Mshamboza, the confiscation of her business merchandise was more than the loss of goods. It was the crushing of a livelihood she had fought to build—and a moment of humiliation that eventually pushed her story onto social media. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261007-WA0005-450x600.jpg)Ben Phiri Steps In Following Seizure of Mtandire Woman’s MerchandiseThe Mtandire woman’s emotional ordeal has now reached the highest levels of local government after Local Government and Rural Development Minister Ben Malunga Phiri stepped in following a video of her complaint that went viral. Mshamboza had alleged that Lilongwe City Council officials confiscated her merchandise over illegal vending even though, according to her account, she had been paying city rates and keeping the receipts as proof of those payments. Her question was simple but devastating: How could the same council collect money from her business and then punish her for operating there? That contradiction confronted Phiri when he met Mshamboza together with Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Charles Mhango and the Lilongwe City Council chief executive officer. Phiri did not mince his words. “You cannot collect rates from someone operating in an illegal place and then turn around to confiscate their goods. That is contradictory,” he said. The Minister’s intervention has thrown the spotlight on a problem that goes beyond one woman and one confiscated business. For many low-income Malawians, vending is not simply a choice. It is a survival strategy—a way of putting food on the table, paying school fees and keeping families afloat in an economy where formal employment remains beyond the reach of many. Yet Mshamboza’s experience raises a troubling question about the responsibility of authorities when they collect revenue from people operating in places they themselves consider illegal. If a vendor is paying council rates, what does that payment mean? Does it amount to permission to operate there—or does the council have a duty to tell the vendor that the location is prohibited before accepting the money? Those questions now demand answers. Phiri has directed that the council should provide designated places where vendors such as Mshamboza can conduct their businesses legally, potentially offering a way out of the cycle in which poor traders are allowed to operate informally, charged for doing so and later punished for the same activity. But for Mshamboza, the intervention was also deeply personal. As she sat before the officials recounting what had happened, emotion overwhelmed her. The woman whose livelihood had appeared to vanish in a single confrontation with council officials was now being told that she would not have to start again alone. Phiri pledged K500,000 to help her restart the business. Well-wishers, he said, would provide a further K1 million, giving Mshamboza a potential K1.5 million in start-up support. It was a dramatic turnaround for a woman whose story had begun with confiscated goods and a desperate appeal on social media. Mshamboza thanked the Minister through tears, visibly moved by the intervention. Her story, however, leaves behind a much bigger issue for Lilongwe. The immediate question is how quickly Mshamboza can rebuild. The bigger question is how many other vendors are trapped in the same contradiction—paying authorities while operating in places those same authorities later declare illegal. Mshamboza may have received help to rebuild her business. But her ordeal has exposed a system that must now explain why a struggling trader could be treated simultaneously as a revenue source and an offender. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Ben Phiri, Lilongwe City Council, vendors --- ### [Malawi's youth need opportunity, not trophies, activist Peter Mumba tells MPs](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-youth-need-opportunity-not-trophies-activist-peter-mumba-tells-mps/) **Published:** October 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A youth activist has accused Malawi’s politicians of using football tournaments as a substitute for meaningful youth development, arguing that money spent on community trophies would be better invested in skills training, education and job creation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261006-WA0021-600x400.jpg)Football Won’t Solve Unemployment’: Peter Mumba Challenges Politicians on Youth DevelopmentIn a strongly worded statement that has gained wide attention on social media, Peter Mumba challenged Members of Parliament to rethink what genuine investment in young people should look like. Across Malawi, football competitions sponsored by politicians have become a familiar feature of constituency life. Weekend tournaments often draw large crowds, with MPs presenting trophies, addressing supporters and promoting community engagement. Mumba, however, argues that such initiatives do little to address the structural challenges facing young people. “Football is good. We all love it,” he said. “But football will not put food on the table. It will not send a girl back to school. It will not give a young person a job.” Mumba, who works with young people at grassroots level, said football had increasingly become a vehicle for political mobilisation rather than a tool for social transformation. He argues that while sports can play an important role in promoting health, recreation and talent development, they should not be presented as a substitute for broader youth empowerment programmes. His criticism touches on a wider debate about how public figures engage with Malawi’s youthful population. According to Mumba, many constituencies continue to face significant challenges, including under-resourced schools, limited healthcare services, youth unemployment and high rates of school dropout among girls. “The youth of Malawi need real programmes,” he said. Mumba pointed to children walking long distances to school, communities with inadequate classroom facilities, clinics struggling with medicine shortages and young people unable to access skills training or start-up capital. These, he said, require sustained investment rather than symbolic interventions. He also questioned whether political leaders were prioritising the same opportunities for constituency youth that they seek for their own children, who often have access to better educational and career prospects. At the centre of his argument is a call for a shift in spending priorities. Rather than funding football trophies, Mumba believes resources should be directed towards initiatives with longer-term social and economic impact. Among his proposals are bursaries and hostel facilities for girls, vocational training centres, support for youth-led businesses, strengthened health services and improved social protection programmes for vulnerable households. “If you have K5 million for football, you have K5 million for a youth irrigation scheme, or a girls’ dormitory, or sewing machines for young mothers,” he argued. His comments come as Malawi continues to grapple with the challenge of creating opportunities for a rapidly growing youth population. Young people make up the majority of the country’s population, yet unemployment and underemployment remain persistent concerns. Development specialists have long argued that investments in education, skills development and entrepreneurship are critical if Malawi is to harness the economic potential of its young population. While acknowledging the value of sport, Mumba warned against reducing youth policy to tournaments and public events. “The ball will burst,” he said. “What will remain for our youth?” As MPs enter the second year of the current parliamentary term, his intervention is likely to resonate with a growing number of young Malawians seeking tangible improvements in their lives rather than symbolic gestures. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Peter Mumba, Youth --- ### [PAC raises questions over Blantyre Water Board funding for Zambia maize procurement](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pac-raises-questions-over-blantyre-water-board-funding-for-zambia-maize-procurement/) **Published:** October 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A parliamentary watchdog has questioned the government’s decision to divert nearly US$13.9 million from Blantyre Water Board towards the purchase of maize from Zambia, arguing the money could have been used to tackle the city’s persistent water shortages instead. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Malondera-600x329.jpg)Malondera: PAC Questions Use of Blantyre Water Board’s $13.9m in Zambia Maize Import DealThe concerns were raised by Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Steve Malondera after the committee met the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), which helped finance the government’s US$45 million maize import deal. Malondera said it was difficult to justify using funds from a struggling water utility to finance grain imports when thousands of residents in Blantyre continue to face unreliable water supplies. He argued that investing the money in water infrastructure would have delivered lasting benefits, improving access to clean and safe water for households and businesses across the city. While acknowledging the importance of addressing food shortages, Malondera said the maize purchase offered only a short-term solution, whereas strengthening water services would have delivered long-term economic and social gains. The PAC chairperson also questioned why Malawi was spending scarce foreign currency on imported maize when institutions such as the Greenbelt Authority could be supporting irrigation farming to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on imports. He urged authorities to ensure public resources are directed towards priority sectors and used in ways that deliver the greatest value to taxpayers. Meanwhile, NLGFC Executive Director Kondwani Santhe said the committee had completed its role in facilitating the maize procurement arrangement from Zambia, despite concerns being raised over how some of the funds were sourced. The debate comes amid growing scrutiny of government spending decisions as Malawi grapples with both food security challenges and pressure on essential public services. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, maize, PAC, Zambia --- ### [Govt urges private sector to invest in Malawi's agrifood systems](https://www.nyasatimes.com/govt-urges-private-sector-to-invest-in-malawis-agrifood-systems/) **Published:** October 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The government has called on the private sector to increase investment in Malawi’s agrifood systems, saying this is key to driving industrialisation and economic diversification. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261006-WA0018-1-600x400.jpg)Unlocking Private Sector Investment for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation in Malawi”.Speaking in Lilongwe at the 2026 National Agrifood System Investment Symposium, held under the theme “Unlocking Private Sector Investment for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation in Malawi,” Minister of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism Simoni Itaye said investment in agrifood systems would support value addition and inclusive prosperity in line with the Malawi 2063 agenda. Itaye said Malawi needed to move agriculture beyond subsistence farming and turn it into a driver of broader economic transformation. “Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy, contributing significantly to GDP, employing a large proportion of the population and accounting for over 80 percent of national exports, but the country continues to import processed agricultural products that could be produced locally,” he said. He pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area’s market of more than 1.3 billion consumers, saying Malawi could not afford to remain on the sidelines of that opportunity. Itaye reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with the private sector to build more resilient value chains, raise farmer incomes, promote agro-processing and expand export opportunities. He also called for production and value addition to be aligned with regional transport corridors, identifying products that could be processed locally before being exported to markets such as Tanzania and Mozambique. He said this approach would help reduce reliance on imports while creating jobs and strengthening the country’s industrial base. Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Fatch Mbilizi said the Malawi Legacy Investment Programme had identified seven value chains offering bankable opportunities for private investment: maize, rice, soybean, groundnuts, beef, aquaculture and honey. Mbilizi said the programme would promote an anchor-firm model, linking investors and processors with smallholder farmers, aggregators, financial institutions, input suppliers, mechanisation services, and domestic, regional and international markets. “Government will support the model through infrastructure and enabling conditions, including access to land, irrigation, roads, electricity and storage facilities, while encouraging the private sector to take the lead in driving commercialisation,” she said. Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Ronald Ngwira said Malawi had the resources needed to build competitive and sustainable agrifood systems, including fertile soils, labour and water, but needed to urgently remove barriers constraining investment and trade. Earlier, the two ministers toured pavilions set up by private sector players to showcase their products. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** agriculture, Roza Mbilizi, Simon Itaye --- ### [Convoy of 119 fuel tankers heading into Malawi – offering desperate motorists a glimmer of hope](https://www.nyasatimes.com/convoy-of-119-fuel-tankers-heading-into-malawi-offering-desperate-motorists-a-glimmer-of-hope/) **Published:** October 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Exhausted motorists who have spent weeks trapped in gruelling fuel queues could finally see light at the end of the tunnel, after a massive convoy of around 119 fuel tankers was spotted loaded and heading into Malawi’s major cities via the Karonga-Chiweta route. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791372822412-2-600x342.jpg)Giant Fuel Convoy Rolls In as Malawi Battles CrisisThe dramatic sighting has sparked fresh hope that the country’s crippling fuel crisis could finally start easing at filling stations by the end of the week, after months of chaos that have left drivers queuing for hours — and, in many cases, days — just to fill up their tanks. Eagle-eyed motorists have already begun spotting the tankers rolling along major roads across Malawi, offering the first real sign of relief for a nation that has endured relentless shortages and spiralling black-market fuel prices in recent weeks. And there could be even more good news on the horizon. Sources at the National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) have revealed that a further 40 tankers are expected to be loaded with fuel over the weekend, with that fresh batch set to follow hot on the heels of the current convoy. If the supply does materialise as promised, it would mark a major breakthrough in Malawi’s fuel crisis, which has forced commuters to hitch-hike, sent transport fares rocketing, and fuelled a thriving black market where some desperate motorists have been charged as much as K20,000 per litre. For now, cautious optimism is spreading across the country — but with previous promises of relief having come and gone without lasting impact, many Malawians will be holding their breath until they actually see fuel flowing freely at their local filling station once again. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Fuel, Malawi Economy --- ### [MP Vuwa-Kaunda unveils K5bn wishlist: stadium, new market, 30 police houses and bitumen roads promised for constituency](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mp-vuwa-kaunda-unveils-k5bn-wishlist-stadium-new-market-30-police-houses-and-bitumen-roads-promised-for-constituency/) **Published:** October 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** An MP has triumphantly hailed President Peter Mutharika’s first year in office as proof that election promises are finally being delivered, as he unveiled a sprawling K5 billion wishlist of new projects set to transform his constituency. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261007-WA0004-2-600x413.jpg)Vuwa Kaunda: Kaunda also outlined plans to rehabilitate streets inside Nkhata Bay District HospitalNkhata Bay Central MP Simon Vuwa Kaunda heaped praise on the administration, pointing to the rollout of free secondary education since January, improved food availability nationwide, and the eye-watering Constituency Development Fund increase from a modest K200 million to a staggering K5 billion per constituency as evidence the government means business. Kaunda insisted residents in his own backyard were already reaping the rewards, with new roads under construction, clean water reaching communities for the first time, and medicines becoming increasingly available at local health facilities. And according to the MP, this is just the beginning. He revealed the massive K5 billion windfall will finally unlock a raft of long-promised flagship projects, with implementation set to kick off on 1 April 2026. Topping the ambitious list is the Chisu-Thoto Road, designed to connect isolated farming communities directly to vital markets, alongside a complete tarmacking and rehabilitation overhaul of every internal road inside Nkhata Bay Boma Town Centre. In a move set to delight sports-mad locals, Kaunda also unveiled plans for a brand new modern stadium at Maganga Community Ground. The council has already splashed MK100 million in District Development Fund cash completing perimeter fencing, with a further K300 million now committed to push ahead with the main works. The spending spree doesn’t stop there. Kaunda revealed plans for new school blocks, classrooms and teachers’ houses at Kapingama SRC School, alongside a major electrification drive bringing power to 20 previously underserved areas through the installation of 20 brand new ESCOM transformers. Motorists haven’t been forgotten either, with the Nkhata Bay Town-Msumba-Kachenga-DPP Road earmarked for a full upgrade to bitumen standard. On the health front, Kaunda pointed to the long-awaited completion of Thoto Clinic, including the previously non-operational Thoto Chisangawe Clinic, complete with new staff housing. He also unveiled plans for a brand new Bwelero Clinic, designed to drastically cut walking distances for communities living under Senior Chief Mkumbira. In a nod to traditional leadership, the ambitious plans also include a swanky new official residence for Senior Chief Mkumbira himself. Keen to boost local revenue, Kaunda also revealed plans for a sparkling new market at Nkhata Bay Boma, forming part of a vast national K84 billion market programme backed by IFAD and the OPEC Fund. Rounding off the dramatic unveiling, Kaunda confirmed plans for a brand new District Council office complex, designed to dramatically improve service delivery for residents visiting the Boma. The sprawling wishlist doesn’t end there. Kaunda also outlined plans to rehabilitate streets inside Nkhata Bay District Hospital to ease ambulance access, alongside urgent repairs to the flood-damaged Nkhata Bay Port and Jetty, and the procurement of a brand new ambulance for the entire constituency. In a further appeal to central government, Kaunda has demanded an increase in police housing from just 12 units to 30, alongside an expansion of his own bursary scheme, which currently channels 10 per cent of CDF funding directly to needy students. “My constituency lies at the centre of tourism attraction. That is why we must urgently complete priority infrastructural works,” Kaunda declared passionately. “Five billion kwacha is more than enough to construct the stadium, tarmac roads around Nkhata Bay Centre, and extend electricity to underserved areas,” he added confidently. “This shows that commitments made during the campaign are being translated into action,” the MP insisted. Kaunda closed by noting that stability in the prices of essential commodities could help ease the crushing cost-of-living pressure currently weighing heavily on struggling households across his constituency. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Constituency Development Fund, Symon Vuwa Kaunda --- ### [Economist calls for fiscal, monetary, trade and regulatory reform to anchor Malawi's recovery](https://www.nyasatimes.com/economist-calls-for-fiscal-monetary-trade-and-regulatory-reform-to-anchor-malawis-recovery/) **Published:** October 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Professor Paul Gadama, an economist, has urged the Malawi government to pay closer attention to four core policy levers — fiscal, monetary, regulatory and trade policy — arguing that a more coordinated approach across these areas is needed to address the country’s deepening economic challenges. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791329898041-600x600.jpg)Gadana:sharper focusGadama said sharper focus on these instruments could help shift Malawi’s economic debate away from political contestation and toward the structural issues underpinning the country’s difficulties, from persistent foreign exchange shortages to weak export performance. On fiscal policy, he called for government borrowing to be directed increasingly toward investments capable of expanding the economy’s productive capacity, rather than financing consumption. He also urged stronger domestic revenue mobilisation and improved efficiency in public expenditure — a combination aimed at narrowing the fiscal deficit without starving growth-enhancing spending. On monetary policy, Gadama said the Reserve Bank of Malawi needed to strike a careful balance between managing inflation, preserving financial stability and maintaining appropriate liquidity conditions in the banking system — a task complicated by the current foreign exchange squeeze and its knock-on effects on prices. On trade policy, he called for a decisive push to strengthen exports through agricultural commercialisation, expanded manufacturing capacity, greater value addition and diversification beyond Malawi’s relatively narrow export base, which remains heavily reliant on a small number of primary commodities, including tobacco. Gadama also urged government to design a regulatory framework capable of protecting consumers while simultaneously fostering entrepreneurship, investment, innovation and productivity — arguing that overly restrictive or poorly designed regulation risks discouraging the private investment Malawi needs to diversify its economy. “This is perhaps where the most important lesson lies: no single policy instrument can resolve all Malawi’s economic challenges,” Gadama said, framing his intervention as a call for coordinated reform across fiscal, monetary, trade and regulatory policy rather than reliance on any one lever in isolation. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** economy --- ### [Pattern emerges in Malawi president's undisclosed foreign trips](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pattern-emerges-in-malawi-presidents-undisclosed-foreign-trips/) **Published:** October 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a particular kind of silence that accompanies a head of state’s travel once it becomes routine rather than remarkable — and Malawi appears to be settling into exactly that silence with President Peter Mutharika’s trips to South Africa. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260805_161458_Facebook-600x377.jpg)Mutharika’s fifth private trip abroad in a year draws scrutiny0The latest departure came with the barest of explanations. A letter from Chief Secretary Justin Saidi informed Malawians only that the president had left the country, and that whatever business awaited him was private — a visit, in other words, that officials have decided is none of the public’s concern. What makes this latest trip notable is not its content, which remains undisclosed, but its place in a pattern. Since returning to the presidency last September, Mutharika has now travelled to South Africa five times, and on each occasion the stated purpose has been withheld in much the same way. The first trip came on 1 December, barely four months into his term. He went again on 1 March, returning on 12 March. A third visit followed on 12 June, with his return on 29 June. The fourth came on 5 August, concluding on 15 August. This is the fifth. Taken individually, none of these trips demands particular scrutiny. Heads of state travel privately for all manner of reasons — medical, personal, familial — and a president is not obliged to account for every hour spent outside his own borders. But taken together, five undisclosed visits to the same country within roughly a year begins to look less like an occasional private matter and more like an established rhythm of governance, one the public is simply expected to accept without explanation. That expectation sits awkwardly against the backdrop of recent weeks, in which Mutharika’s physical fitness has become a subject of open political contest. Opposition figures have publicly questioned his health and called for proof of his wellbeing; commentators sympathetic to the government have in turn pointed to his composed appearance on state television as evidence that such concerns are overblown. Into that already charged atmosphere, a fifth unexplained trip to South Africa does not arrive neutrally. It arrives into a vacuum that has already shown itself eager to be filled with speculation, whether or not that speculation has any basis in fact. None of this is to suggest the government owes the public a medical bulletin, or that private time abroad is inherently suspicious. It is simply to note that repetition changes the character of a thing. A single undisclosed visit is private. A pattern of undisclosed visits, each handled with the same brief, incurious statement, starts to resemble a policy — one in which the governed are asked to extend indefinite trust to a government that has not, on this particular question, offered very much reason for it. Malawians may well be content to let the president keep his reasons to himself. But that contentment is easier to sustain when the silence is occasional, and harder to sustain when it becomes, as it now appears to be, simply how things are done. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Peter Mutharika --- ### [Ben Phiri: EU vehicle donation a 'symbol of partnership' for civic education](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ben-phiri-eu-vehicle-donation-a-symbol-of-partnership-for-civic-education/) **Published:** October 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr Ben Malunga Phiri presided over the handover of a minibus and a Toyota Hilux donated by the European Union to the Ministry and the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) under the Boma Lathu Programme. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791355223358-600x400.jpg)Ben Phiri thanks EU for vehicle donation under Boma Lathu ProgrammeThe vehicles were officially handed over by the Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Malawi, His Excellency Daniel Aristi Gaztelumendi. Speaking during the ceremony, Dr Phiri thanked the EU for its continued support to Malawi in strengthening democratic governance, civic participation and accountability. “This vehicle is not merely a means of transport; it is a symbol of partnership, cooperation and our shared commitment to strengthening civic education in Malawi,” he said. “It will help our officers reach communities, civic education hubs and traditional authorities to ensure activities reach the intended beneficiaries.” In his remarks, Ambassador Gaztelumendi commended the strong working relationship between the European Union and the Government of Malawi, noting that the partnership continues to deepen. He expressed hope that the support would go a long way in enhancing service delivery and strengthening civic engagement at community level. The vehicles are expected to ease transport challenges for the two institutions and strengthen implementation of Boma Lathu activities, in line with the goals of Malawi 2063. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791355236265-600x400.jpg)Ben Phiri receives EU-donated vehicles to boost civic education![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791355229206-1-600x400.jpg)Minister Ben Phiri presides over handover of EU-donated vehicles Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Ben Phiri, EU --- ### [From one scandal straight into another: BWB new boss Bakuwa got his own shady past](https://www.nyasatimes.com/from-one-scandal-straight-into-another-bwb-new-boss-bakuwa-got-his-own-shady-past/) **Published:** October 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Blantyre Water Board has stunned residents by hiring a brand new chief executive just hours after sensationally firing embattled former CEO Yeremiah Chihana — only for it to emerge the utility’s dramatic new boss comes with his own murky past. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261007-WA0000-600x522.jpg)got his own shady K600million pastNew CEO Henry Bakuwa, from Mangunda in Thyolo, is far from a stranger to controversy himself. Back in 2022, he was among senior managers dramatically placed on forced leave at the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority while investigators probed a secretive, previously undisclosed bank account through which more than K600 million reportedly vanished without a trace. In an explosive twist at the time, Bakuwa later made bombshell allegations of his own, claiming in written submissions to the Auditor General that politicians had received payments from the account. The named politicians fiercely denied the claims, while MAGLA insisted the Auditor General’s findings did not substantiate any allegations of payments to ministers, politicians or public officials. Bakuwa’s shock appointment comes just a day after Chihana’s dramatic downfall was made public, with news emerging he had actually been dismissed on 5 October. According to a letter dated that same day and signed by Board Chairperson Stanley Chirwa, the sacking followed bruising disciplinary proceedings over alleged misconduct — proceedings Chihana didn’t even bother to attend, despite being given a fair chance to defend himself. Undeterred by his absence, the Disciplinary Committee pressed ahead regardless, weighing the evidence before delivering its damning findings and recommendations straight to the Board. At a crunch meeting on 5 October, the Board of Directors delivered its brutal verdict: Chihana’s conduct amounted to full-blown gross misconduct under BWB’s own Staff Service Regulations. He has now been ordered to immediately hand back every single piece of Board property in his possession — documents, files, computers, vehicles, keys, access cards, the lot. Chihana has remained conspicuously silent on the matter. The list of allegations against the disgraced former CEO makes for jaw-dropping reading. Among six formal grounds of gross misconduct, Chihana stands accused of unilaterally announcing the Board would write off clients’ water bills without directors’ approval, splashing cash-strapped Board funds on an unauthorised vehicle for his own wife, securing a staggering unauthorised K500 million overdraft from First Capital Bank, sacking senior staff without Board sign-off, and even improperly orchestrating the arrest and detention of fellow BWB directors. Adding to his misery, the Supreme Court of Appeal in Blantyre delivered a crushing blow of its own yesterday, dismissing Chihana’s desperate application for a stay order and injunction against his suspension. A powerful panel of seven justices, led by Deputy Chief Justice Lovemore Chikopa, firmly told him to take his fight to the Industrial Relations Court instead, ruling the dispute was fundamentally an employment matter. Bakuwa, meanwhile, is no newcomer to BWB’s executive corridors. A qualified chartered accountant boasting a Bachelor of Commerce in Accountancy from the University of Malawi, he previously spent over eight years inside the utility, first joining as Director of Finance back in December 2010 before rising to Acting CEO in September 2014 following a major institutional shake-up. During that earlier stint, Bakuwa notched up genuine achievements, including signing off on the hefty US$23.5 million Likhubula Water Supply Project contract in 2017, and steering the utility through a brutal fiscal crisis later that same year — introducing tough austerity measures to freeze staff loans and allowances as BWB buckled under a crushing K10 billion debt pile, including an unpaid K1.8 billion electricity bill owed to ESCOM. But it’s his subsequent spell at MAGLA that continues to cast a dark shadow over his reputation. In 2022, Bakuwa found himself at the centre of a explosive National Audit Office forensic probe into more than K600 million in suspicious cash flows funnelled through a secret, unapproved bank account at FDH Bank. The account, quietly opened in June 2019 without board or executive knowledge, saw a string of massive cash withdrawals via individual cheques — including K15.8 million in May 2020, K15 million in June 2020, and a further K24.7 million in July 2020. The scandal exploded into full-blown political drama when Bakuwa dramatically claimed in submissions to the Auditor General that K43.4 million from the mystery account had been funnelled to politicians to secure passage of the MAGLA Bill. He didn’t hold back on names either, pointing the finger at several senior figures including then-Cabinet Minister Richard Chimwendo Banda — who furiously denied the explosive claim and hit back with a staggering K300 million defamation lawsuit. Following damning audit findings that uncovered unauthorised personal benefits and allowances, Bakuwa was suspended and faced formal disciplinary proceedings of his own — only to dramatically resign in November 2022, just days before his scheduled hearing. While he was never tried or convicted in a court of law, his sudden exit left a trail of unanswered questions hanging over his name. Now, Bakuwa finds himself stepping back into BWB at a moment when public trust in the utility has been left in tatters — with critics warning his appointment, a figure still shadowed by an unresolved K600 million scandal replacing a CEO axed for gross misconduct, risks simply trading one managerial storm for another entirely. But amid all the boardroom chaos, scandal and legal drama, what Blantyre residents actually want couldn’t be simpler: water, flowing reliably from their taps — not yet more turmoil in the boardroom. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, Henry Bakuwa, Yeremiah Chihana --- ### [Malawi opposition leaders savage govt's economic record](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-opposition-leaders-savage-govts-economic-record/) **Published:** October 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s president and his opposition spent the week disagreeing, more or less, about a single number: the price of maize. Peter Mutharika, marking a year back in office, cited its fall from over K100,000 to around K35,000 a bag as proof his “4Fs” agenda — food, fuel, forex, fertiliser — was working. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784725693048-1-600x329.jpg) Chithyola Banda: Malawians are poorer today than they were a year ago, and the economic hardships they are facing are worseningOpposition leader Simplex Chithyola Banda didn’t dispute the figure. He just added everything else to the ledger: fuel, fertiliser, transport, university fees, electricity, all up. His verdict: “Malawians are poorer today than they were a year ago.” What else came out. Chithyola Banda, a former finance minister, didn’t stop at vibes. He alleged $403,605 linked to the state oil company had vanished overseas via a forged bank letter, said fertiliser deliveries had fallen drastically short of target (46,364 of a promised 102,845 metric tonnes), and raised fresh questions about the K128.7 billion Amaryllis Hotel purchase by the pension fund — a deal already under scrutiny elsewhere. UTM’s Dalitso Kabambe, a former central bank governor, piled on with debt numbers (K24 trillion inherited, K5 trillion more added in a year) and a claim that Vice-President Jane Ansah has been sidelined — which tracks with other reporting this year. The one voice without a side. Economics Association president Bertha Bangara Chikadza split the difference: “mixed results” in an economy still battered by inflation, debt and food insecurity, but “signs of improvement” too. Possibly the only sentence all week that wasn’t trying to win an argument. The actual story. Not whether maize is cheaper — nobody disputes that. It’s whether one falling price offsets a longer list of rising ones, and whether the specific allegations (the NOCMA payment, the fertiliser shortfall) hold up once someone checks the paperwork. That’s the bit worth watching, once the statements stop and the receipts start. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Chithyola Banda, Malawi Economy, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Commentator Kenani praises Muluzi's more engaged political style amid IMF talks commentary](https://www.nyasatimes.com/commentator-kenani-praises-muluzis-more-engaged-political-style-amid-imf-talks-commentary/) **Published:** October 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Social commentator Onjezani Kenani has publicly praised UDF president Atupele Muluzi for what he describes as a marked shift in political engagement, contrasting Muluzi’s relative quiet between 2020 and 2025 with his more active public commentary in the current political cycle. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261005_210505_Video-Editor-600x445.jpg)Atupele Muluzi: Doing running commentarieIn a Facebook post, Kenani said that during the earlier period, Muluzi “would emerge once in a while, make a concrete contribution to the national discourse, and then retreat into the shadows.” He said Muluzi is now “actively engaging with the issues of the day, offering almost running commentary on emerging developments” and contributing what Kenani called constructive thinking on the way forward. Kenani framed the shift as a positive development for Malawi’s public discourse more broadly, arguing that the country benefits from political leaders who “consistently engage with national issues, offer ideas, and help shape the conversation,” rather than those who, in his words, disappear after elections only to resurface during the next campaign cycle. Kenani’s post comes at the back of two recent examples of Muluzi’s commentary. On the IMF’s announcement of progress toward a new Extended Credit Facility programme for Malawi, Muluzi wrote that the development marked “a positive step forward for Malawi,” while cautioning that it was “not yet an approved programme.” He said IMF support was needed to help stabilise the economy, restore foreign exchange availability and rebuild confidence, but stressed that a Fund programme “is not the solution by itself.” Malawi, he said, must use any resulting breathing space to grow exports, attract investment, create jobs and build a more productive economy, summarising his view as “stabilisation first, growth next.” In a separate post, Muluzi addressed frustration among young Malawians directly, saying: “I hear the frustration of many young Malawians, and I share your concern about the challenges facing our country. I am not your enemy, and when I speak, I am not speaking against you, I am speaking for you.” He said criticism of government should not be equated with hostility, noting that he had criticised previous administrations and would continue to criticise the current one where he believed it was getting things wrong, while acknowledging areas where he believed it was getting things right. He said the shared goal across Malawi’s political divide was “a better Malawi, with opportunity, dignity and hope for every Malawian.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Atupele Muluzi, Onjezani Kenani --- ### [Malawi misses IMF targets, dimming prospects for near-term relief](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-misses-imf-targets-dimming-prospects-for-near-term-relief/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi has failed to meet several key benchmarks in its engagement with the International Monetary Fund, according to people familiar with the Fund’s latest assessment, a setback that appears to rule out immediate financial support as the country grapples with acute fuel and foreign exchange shortages, *Nyasa Times* understands. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260924-WA0016-e1790302811990-600x421.jpg)Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha led Malawi’s delegation in the talks.The IMF has completed its review of Malawi’s economic performance and concluded that the country fell short on a number of targets required to unlock support, according to a person close to the assessment. “What I am hearing is that we have missed on several targets. So we don’t even qualify for the immediate relief programme,” the source in treasury said. The finding threatens to compound an already severe economic squeeze. Malawi has struggled for months to secure adequate foreign currency and maintain consistent fuel supplies, and the person familiar with the review warned the country could now face a prolonged wait before any new IMF-supported programme materialises. “That delay might be catastrophic if we have no Plan B,” the person said. The setback comes as Malawi seeks a new Extended Credit Facility arrangement with the Fund, after its previous programme lapsed in May 2025 without a completed review. The IMF has repeatedly said that any significant new financing would depend on Malawi demonstrating stronger fiscal discipline, improved management of its foreign exchange regime, a credible path to debt sustainability, and progress rebuilding international reserves. For Malawian households and businesses, the strain is already evident in fuel queues, a scarcity of foreign currency and mounting pressure on import-dependent sectors of the economy. The assessment is likely to intensify scrutiny of the government’s economic management, with questions now turning to which specific targets were missed, the reasons behind the shortfall, and what contingency measures, if any, authorities have in place to sustain the economy while negotiations with the Fund continue. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** IMF, Joseph Mwanamvekha, Malawi Economy --- ### [Malawi awaits IMF verdict on talks, with Lilongwe hopeful of a positive outcome](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-awaits-imf-verdict-on-talks-with-lilongwe-hopeful-of-a-positive-outcome/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The International Monetary Fund is expected to issue a statement shortly on the outcome of its discussions with the Malawian government, with officials in Lilongwe expressing hope that the assessment will be favourable. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788533469823-600x400.jpg)Malawi finance minister Mwanamvekha: Upbeat of good IMF outcomeAn IMF mission held talks with Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha, senior government and Reserve Bank of Malawi officials, a range of stakeholders outside government, and representatives of the country’s development partners. Officials at Capital Hill, the seat of government in Lilongwe, say they are anticipating a positive outcome, pointing to what they described as the constructive spirit in which discussions were conducted. Malawi is seeking a new Extended Credit Facility arrangement with the Fund, after its previous programme lapsed in May 2025 without a completed review. The IMF has consistently said that any significant new financing will depend on the country demonstrating stronger fiscal discipline, improved management of its foreign exchange regime, a credible path to debt sustainability, and progress in rebuilding international reserves. Government sources suggest Mwanamvekha made a robust case to the IMF team during the talks, setting out the administration’s record on economic management. The outcome of the mission will be closely watched, with Malawi’s economy under mounting strain from fuel shortages, a widening gap between the official and parallel exchange rates, and persistent pressure on foreign currency reserves. A favourable assessment would mark a significant step toward unlocking fresh IMF support, though any new financing arrangement is likely to come with conditions attached. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** IMF, Joseph Mwanamvekha, Malawi Economy --- ### [Malawi crash to painful defeat in Angola – as pressure mounts on under-fire coach Pasuwa](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-crash-to-painful-defeat-in-angola-as-pressure-mounts-on-under-fire-coach-pasuwa/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Flames suffered a painful 3-1 defeat away to Angola in a gripping Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda tonight, suffering their first loss of the campaign and piling fresh pressure on head coach Kalisto Pasuwa. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791321145689-600x451.jpg)3-1 HUMILIATION: Flames stumble in Angola as qualification hopes take a hitThe defeat came as a bitter blow for the Flames, who had started their qualifying campaign in style with a confident 2-1 victory over South Sudan last month, only to be brought crashing back down to earth by a rampant Angolan side on their own turf. The result leaves Malawi sitting third in the group with three points from their opening two matches, as Angola leapfrog them into second place on four points, following a goalless stalemate of their own against Egypt. With qualification hopes now hanging in the balance, all eyes will turn to Zimbabwean coach Kalisto Pasuwa, who faces mounting scrutiny over his tactics and team selection following the Flames’ first setback of the qualifying campaign. Supporters back home will now be desperate for answers as Malawi regroups ahead of their next crucial qualifier, with the pressure firmly on Pasuwa to turn things around before the Flames’ Afcon dreams begin to slip away. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Callisto Pasuwa, Malawi Flames --- ### [IMF praises Malawi reforms but holds off on new financing deal](https://www.nyasatimes.com/imf-praises-malawi-reforms-but-holds-off-on-new-financing-deal/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** An International Monetary Fund team has concluded two weeks of talks in Malawi without reaching a final agreement on a new lending programme, though it praised the government’s progress on economic reforms. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261006_224849_Google-600x408.jpg)Malawi Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha and IMF delegation leader Tyson: Malawi makes progress in IMF talks, but deal not yet finalisedThe mission, led by Justin Tyson, the IMF’s mission chief for Malawi, held meetings in Lilongwe from 22 September to 6 October to discuss a possible arrangement under the Fund’s Extended Credit Facility. In a statement issued at the end of the visit obtained by Nyasa Times, the IMF said Malawian authorities had been “implementing strong reforms to tighten fiscal discipline, reduce the public debt burden, and improve how markets function,” adding that these provided “a good foundation for an IMF-supported program.” The Fund pointed to rising domestic revenue and controlled spending under the government’s National Economic Recovery Plan, in line with targets set in the 2026/27 budget. It also highlighted recent reforms to fuel and sugar pricing, which it said had helped improve how markets function. On inflation, the mission said price growth had eased in recent months due to lower food inflation, but noted that non-food inflation remained high. The Fund was more cautious about growth, saying Malawi’s economy faced a “challenging environment” due to climate shocks and falling demand for tobacco, the country’s main export. It also pointed to pressures linked to global trade disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East. The mission stopped short of announcing a finalised deal. The statement said authorities and IMF staff had made “considerable progress” in designing a package of policies that could underpin a loan programme, but that talks would continue. Any agreement would still need to be approved by IMF management before being presented to the Fund’s Executive Board for a final decision. Malawi has been without a functioning IMF programme since its previous arrangement lapsed in May 2025. The country has faced a severe foreign exchange shortage, fuel supply problems and a large gap between official and black market exchange rates in the months since. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** IMF --- ### [Football legends back sports writers with K2m ahead of AGM](https://www.nyasatimes.com/football-legends-back-sports-writers-with-k2m-ahead-of-agm/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Football Legends Association board members have dipped into their own pockets to hand the Sports Writers Association of Malawi a generous K2 million donation, as the body races to prepare for its upcoming Annual General Meeting in Salima this November. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261006-WA0020.jpg)FLA board members fund K2m donation to sports journalistsThe gathering, scheduled to run from 13 to 15 November 2026, will bring SWAM members together from across the country to reflect on the association’s contribution to sports development in Malawi, while tackling pressing issues facing the sports journalism profession. Speaking after presenting the donation at the FLA offices at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Board Member Noel Lipipa revealed the touching personal sacrifice behind the gesture, insisting the cherished bond between football legends and sports journalists made the decision an easy one. “We value the bond that exists between FLA and sports writers; and we are pleased to support SWAM as it brings its members together for this important meeting,” Lipipa said. In a remarkable admission, Lipipa revealed the board had deliberately avoided dipping into funds collected on behalf of Malawi’s football legends themselves — instead choosing to contribute from their own pockets to reach the final figure. “Much as FLA needs funds itself, we felt we couldn’t tap from the resources that we are collecting for the legends and so decided to contribute as board members and that’s how we have realised this amount,” he explained. “This is a personal commitment from the board members because all our issues in FLA are known to the public through what sports journalists write.” Receiving the donation on behalf of SWAM, Vice President Lucy Kadzongwe expressed heartfelt gratitude, revealing it was far from the first time FLA had stepped up to support the work of sports writers. Kadzongwe used the opportunity to issue a passionate appeal to other well-wishers and stakeholders to follow FLA’s lead, stressing that the AGM plays a vital role in strengthening the association and sharpening the skills of sports journalists across the country. SWAM says the AGM will provide a crucial opportunity for members to take stock of the association’s progress, confront the challenges facing sports journalism head-on, and chart a clear path forward for the organisation. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Football Legends Association, Noel Lipipa, SWAM --- ### [Reserve Bank of Malawi champions non-bank finance as driver of economic development](https://www.nyasatimes.com/reserve-bank-of-malawi-champions-non-bank-finance-as-driver-of-economic-development/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM), Dr George Partridge, has described non-bank financial institutions as a crucial pillar of economic growth, urging greater regional cooperation to strengthen regulation and protect savers across Southern Africa. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261006-WA0017-600x450.jpg)Governor Partridge: Reserve Bank of Malawi Calls for Stronger Regional Regulation to Unlock GrowthSpeaking at the opening of the 49th Annual General Meeting of the Committee of Insurance, Securities and Non-Banking Financial Authorities (CISNA) in Lilongwe on Monday, Dr Partridge said pension funds, insurance companies and other non-bank financial institutions have an increasingly important role to play in mobilising domestic savings and financing national development. The meeting has brought together 26 regulatory authorities from 14 SADC member states to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Dr Partridge said the expanding scale and sophistication of financial markets had made effective cross-border regulation more important than ever. “A financial institution may be licensed in one country, rely on technology hosted in another, invest across several markets and serve customers who themselves move across borders,” he said. “The risks associated with such an institution, however, do not carry passports when they cross those borders.” He argued that closer cooperation among regulators was essential to keep pace with increasingly interconnected financial systems, describing CISNA as a key platform for building supervisory capacity and responding to emerging risks. “CISNA is much more than a forum that meets periodically,” he said. “It is part of the regional infrastructure through which we strengthen our supervisory capacity, share knowledge and improve our collective ability to respond to emerging risks.” The governor also made the case for greater regulatory harmonisation across SADC, stressing that the objective was not to impose identical laws but to reduce unnecessary differences that create barriers for investors and financial institutions operating across multiple jurisdictions. In his address as guest of honour, Minister of Trade and Industry Simon Itaye echoed the call for stronger regional collaboration, describing inclusive and resilient financial systems as central to long-term economic development. He said effective financial regulation could help safeguard household savings, expand access to finance and create opportunities for businesses to grow. “Across Southern Africa today, traders receive mobile payments, farmers insure their crops against disaster and workers save for a dignified retirement,” he said. “Yet, for far too many families, a single illness, a flood, a failed harvest or a dishonest financial intermediary can wipe out years of sacrifice.” Itaye said regulators must strike a balance between protecting consumers and encouraging innovation, particularly in emerging areas such as mobile money, insurtech and crowdfunding. “Let us not regulate technology out of existence,” he said. “Let us make it safe, affordable and inclusive.” The minister also revealed that the government is reviewing the Financial Services Act, Cooperatives Act and Microfinance Act in an effort to align them with SADC model laws. He challenged CISNA members to accelerate regulatory harmonisation, strengthen protection for small savers and ensure financial systems support broader economic inclusion across the region. The four-day gathering concludes with discussions on strengthening regulatory frameworks, promoting financial stability and expanding access to financial services across Southern Africa. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** George Partridge, Reserve Bank of Malawi, SADC --- ### [Airtel Malawi rewards Scorchers squad with 5G routers after landmark WAFCON campaign](https://www.nyasatimes.com/airtel-malawi-rewards-scorchers-squad-with-5g-routers-after-landmark-wafcon-campaign/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Airtel Malawi has rewarded members of the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, with 5G routers and a year-long data subscription in recognition of their outstanding run at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261006-WA0014-600x501.jpg)Kapoloma (in black suit) presenting the 5G router to Scorchers captain Tabitha![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261006-WA0013-600x400.jpg)Scorchers players all smiles after receiving the 5G routers from Airtel MalawiThe telecommunications company said the team’s achievements marked a significant moment for Malawian football and warranted tangible recognition. Airtel Malawi’s Head of Public Relations, Steven Kapoloma, described the Scorchers’ campaign as historic, noting that their progression to the final during their maiden appearance at the continental tournament was an accomplishment worthy of celebration. “The achievement of reaching the final in their maiden WAFCON appearance is remarkable and deserves to be rewarded,” he said. A total of 50 routers will be distributed, with recipients including players, members of the technical team and officials who travelled with the squad to Morocco. The initiative has been welcomed by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM). Executive Committee member Major General Gilbert Mitawa said the reward recognised the dedication shown by the team and could serve as further encouragement ahead of future assignments. He added that acknowledging the players’ efforts would help inspire them to continue performing at a high level when representing Malawi. The recognition comes as the Scorchers turn their attention to Olympic qualification. They are scheduled to face Zimbabwe in the qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games, with the first leg set to be played at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Friday. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** Airtel Malawi, Scorchers --- ### [Malawi's U-23 AFCON dream ends as Eswatini progress](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-u-23-afcon-dream-ends-as-eswatini-progress/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Junior Flames have been knocked out of the CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after a 1-1 draw away to Eswatini, with the hosts progressing 2-1 on aggregate. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261006-WA0012-482x600.jpg)Late Nchema Equaliser Fails to Prevent Junior Flames ExitTrailing 1-0 from the first leg at Bingu National Stadium, Malawi needed a strong response but were unable to break the deadlock in the opening half. Eswatini took a significant step towards qualification in the 76th minute when Njongo Siphelele scored to put the hosts ahead and extend their aggregate lead. The Junior Flames continued to push for a way back into the contest and levelled late through John Nchema. However, the equaliser was not enough to alter the outcome of the tie. The match ended 1-1, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory for Eswatini and bringing Malawi’s Under-23 AFCON qualifying campaign to an end. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Junior Flames --- ### [Desperate! 19 Malawians nabbed by Zambian police in dramatic fuel-smuggling bust](https://www.nyasatimes.com/desperate-19-malawians-nabbed-by-zambian-police-in-dramatic-fuel-smuggling-bust/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Zambian police have swooped on a staggering 19 Malawians allegedly caught attempting to smuggle more than 5,400 litres of petrol across the border into Malawi — a dramatic bust that exposes just how desperate the country’s fuel crisis has become. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791290488634-600x338.jpg)Fuel crisis desperation: 19 Malawians caught smuggling petrol across Zambian borderEastern Province police commanding officer Robertson Mweemba revealed the scale of the operation, confirming officers in Lundazi intercepted 13 Malawians transporting a staggering 4,500 litres of petrol, crammed into plastic containers and loaded onto a convoy of vehicles. In a separate sting, police in Chipata swooped on six more Malawians alongside four Zambian nationals, seizing a further 905 litres of petrol — once again stashed in plastic containers in a bid to dodge the authorities. Mweemba confirmed the entire smuggled haul had been destined for Lilongwe, the Malawian capital at the very heart of the nation’s ongoing fuel nightmare. Background: a crisis driving Malawians to extreme measures The dramatic smuggling bust comes as Malawi battles one of its worst fuel shortages in years, with chronic queues at filling stations across the country forcing desperate motorists, commuters and transport operators to seek fuel by any means necessary. The crisis has already sent official transport fares spiralling, with commuters on some routes now paying double what they were just weeks ago, while black market petrol inside Malawi has reportedly been fetching prices as high as K20,000 per litre — a staggering markup that has made cross-border smuggling an increasingly tempting, if illegal, lifeline for struggling Malawians. The shortages have been largely blamed on Malawi’s severe foreign exchange crisis, which has left the state-owned National Oil Company of Malawi scrambling to secure new supply deals and alternative payment arrangements with international fuel suppliers, as the country’s dwindling dollar reserves make it increasingly difficult to pay for fuel imports through conventional channels. With legitimate supply chains under such strain, cross-border smuggling operations like the one uncovered in Zambia’s Eastern Province are likely to become an increasingly common — and increasingly risky — feature of Malawi’s ongoing energy crisis. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Fuel, Zambia --- ### [President Mutharika jets off to South Africa on another private visit – sparks fresh round of speculation ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/president-mutharika-jets-off-to-south-africa-on-anothrt-private-visit-sparks-fresh-round-of-speculation/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has left Malawi for a private visit to South Africa, with officials offering little in the way of explanation over the trip’s purpose or how long the president intends to stay away. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261006_152133_WhatsApp-600x444.jpg)Where’s the President? Mutharika jets to South Africa with no explanation givenAccording to an official statement signed by Chief Secretary to the Government Dr Justin Saidi, Mutharika departed Malawi today through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, bound for South Africa. In a move likely to spark fresh speculation, the brief statement pointedly failed to reveal either the duration or the purpose of the president’s private visit, leaving Malawians guessing over exactly what has taken their head of state across the border. Officials say further information regarding Mutharika’s return to the country will be communicated by the relevant authorities in due course — though no firm timeline has been given. Background: a trip shrouded in secrecy amid swirling rumours The low-key departure comes at a particularly sensitive moment for the Mutharika administration, with the president’s health having already become the subject of intense public speculation in recent weeks. Opposition figures, including Malawi Congress Party spokeswoman Dr Jessie Kabwila, have previously demanded the president make a public address to prove his physical fitness, amid persistent rumours questioning his wellbeing. Those claims were seemingly dampened just days ago when media analyst Dr Bright Mhango declared Mutharika appeared “conspicuously fit, well and composed” during a lengthy state television interview marking his first year back in office. Any private trip abroad by a sitting president — particularly one offered with so little detail — risks reigniting those very same whispers, especially given Malawi’s long and turbulent history of presidential health concerns colliding with political uncertainty. It is also not the president’s first low-profile trip since returning to office. Mutharika previously made a private visit to South Africa earlier in his term, an occasion marked by its own controversy after Vice-President Jane Ansah later claimed she had been deliberately blocked from seeing him off at the airport. With officials offering no further clarity on this latest departure, all eyes will now be on Kamuzu International Airport for any sign of the president’s return — and on whether government breaks its silence before speculation fills the gap left by an unusually sparse official statement. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Peter Mutharika, South Africa --- ### [EthCo invests in staff wellbeing with new peer counselling programme](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ethco-invests-in-staff-wellbeing-with-new-peer-counselling-programme/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Ethanol Company Limited (EthCo) has launched a psychosocial Peer Counselling Programme to provide employees with accessible first-line support for personal and workplace-related mental health challenges and well-being. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Chakaniza-left-presents-a-certificate-to-Chrissy-Madimbo-Centre-as-Mhone-looks-on-600x400.jpg)Chakaniza (left) presents a certificate to Chrissy Madimbo (Centre) as Mhone looks onUnder the programme, EthCo has trained six of its employees, who have been certified by St John of God Hospitaller Services in Mzuzu. The training programme comprised one week of intensive classroom instruction, followed by seven weeks of supervised practical work, equipping participants with the knowledge and hands-on skills required to provide effective psychosocial counselling services. Upon successful completion of the programme, the participants were formally certified and are now qualified to carry out peer counselling responsibilities. EthCo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lusubilo Chakaniza said the company fosters a culture of care, support and mutual respect among employees, while providing an environment where they feel valued and empowered to seek help when needed. “The introduction of this programme marks an important milestone in EthCo’s commitment to employee wellbeing. By investing in the wellbeing of our people, we are building a stronger, healthier and more resilient workplace for everyone,” said Chakaniza. Chakaniza further said the company believes the initiative will help reduce the mental health challenges employees face during and outside working hours, while urging employees to make good use of the service. “As EthCo, we believe that early support can often prevent issues from escalating and contribute to better mental, emotional and social wellbeing,” she said. One of the trained employees who will serve as a counsellor under the initiative, Ella Chimbalanga, appreciated the training saying it mandates them to prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of their fellow employees. “We have acquired fundamental counselling skills and are well-equipped to provide support in a professional, ethical and compassionate manner. We have understood that our roles include providing a safe and supportive space, while maintaining confidentiality and offering guidance,” said Chimbalanga. Christopher Mhone, Programme Manager for St John of God Hospitaller Services in Mzuzu, said it was encouraging to see companies prioritizing the mental wellbeing of their employees, saying this provides a smooth working environment. “We believe that the health of an employee is the health of the employer. Through these initiatives, efficiency and productivity improve and manifest themselves within the work environment, resulting in fewer conflicts and thereby improving the status of the organization,” said Mhone. According to St John of God, EthCo has become the first company to produce certified psychosocial peer counsellors through this programme, setting a benchmark for workplace mental health initiatives. A notable feature of the certification is its broader community impact. The newly qualified counsellors are not limited to supporting fellow employees within the EthCo workplace. Their certification enables them to extend their services beyond the company, providing psychosocial support to members of the wider community as well, according to Mhone. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Madimbo-Right-engages-an-employee-in-a-counselling-session-600x400.jpg)Madimbo (Right) engages an employee in a counselling session![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Chakaniza-left-presents-a-certificate-to-Ella-Chimbalanga-centre-as-Mhone-looks-on-1-600x400.jpg)Chakaniza (left) presents a certificate to Ella Chimbalanga (centre) as Mhone looks on![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Chakaniza-left-presents-a-certificate-to-one-of-the-trained-counsellors-Jacob-centre-as-Mhone-looks-on-600x400.jpg)Chakaniza (left) presents a certificate to one of the trained counsellors Jacob (centre) as Mhone looks on Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Ethco, Mental health, Peer mentoring --- ### [K3billion tarpaulin scandal rocking Malawi –ADMARC faces demands for answers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/k3billion-tarpaulin-scandal-rocking-malawi-admarc-faces-demands-for-answers/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s state grain marketing body is facing explosive questions tonight after shelling out a staggering K2.97 billion for just 100 tarpaulins — a jaw-dropping K29.67 million per tarpaulin — in a deal now engulfed by uncomfortable questions over political connections. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/535441510_10162154191852153_2962516136833694818_n-e1758258780143-600x458.jpg)Kenani: The K2.4billion question: how ADMARC’s tarpaulin deal ballooned far beyond market priceSocial and political commentator Stanley Kenani has blown the lid on the astonishing price tag, revealing that comparable 60ft by 40ft tarpaulins, complete with industrial-grade 750gsm thickness, typically cost around K5.6 million each, VAT included — meaning 100 should have cost taxpayers no more than roughly K560 million. “What kind of tarpaulins cost this much?” Kenani demanded, branding the eye-watering price tag utterly indefensible. Records show the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation named Maiden Investment, a company owned by businessman Charles Maiden, as the successful bidder for the supply of 100 tarpaulins, with the contract value confirmed at a staggering K2,966,980,045. But the jaw-dropping price is far from the only red flag raising eyebrows across Malawi tonight. In a startling coincidence, Maiden is the very same businessman who, just weeks before ADMARC announced the contract, played host to a string of senior government figures at the glitzy opening of his private lodge in Mulanje. On 29 August 2026, Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha officially cut the ribbon on Paches Paradise Lodge at Nkando in Mulanje — a lavish facility owned by none other than Maiden himself. Also spotted at the high-profile opening were Information and Communications Technology Minister Dr Shadric Namalomba, Foreign Affairs Minister Dr George Chaponda, First Deputy Speaker Victor Musowa, and Mulhako Wa Alhomwe representative Muchanakhwaye Mpuluka — a remarkable turnout of political heavyweights for the launch of a private lodge. The unusually high-powered guest list sparked plenty of whispers at the time, with critics openly questioning why so many senior cabinet ministers had made the trip to Mulanje for the occasion. Supporters, however, dismissed the fuss, insisting attention should instead be focused on the investment and development the lodge could bring to the local area. Now, with the ADMARC contract thrust firmly into the spotlight, that seemingly innocent gathering is facing fresh and uncomfortable scrutiny. The burning question on everyone’s lips: is there any link between Maiden’s apparent closeness to senior political figures and the subsequent awarding of his company’s near-K3 billion contract? It must be stressed that there is currently no evidence that the ministers’ attendance at the lodge opening influenced the procurement process in any way, and their presence alone does not establish any wrongdoing whatsoever. But the sheer scale of the contract, combined with the staggering per-unit price and Maiden’s very public proximity to Malawi’s political elite, has created what many now see as an urgent and legitimate demand for full transparency. ADMARC is now facing mounting pressure to explain exactly how the eye-watering contract price was calculated, and whether the tarpaulins in question carry vastly different specifications from those cited by Kenani. Malawians are also demanding the corporation reveal how many companies competed for the lucrative contract, what prices rival bidders submitted, the technical specifications involved, the evaluation criteria used, and crucially, why Maiden Investment ultimately triumphed. The Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority is also facing calls to urgently clarify whether the entire procurement process complied fully with public procurement rules and regulations. At the heart of the storm lies one simple, damning calculation: based on Kenani’s figures, 100 tarpaulins should have cost Malawian taxpayers around K560 million. Instead, ADMARC is paying K2.967 billion — leaving a jaw-dropping gap of roughly K2.407 billion that demands serious explanation. Tonight, the questions keep piling up: What exactly is ADMARC buying? Why does each tarpaulin cost nearly K30 million? How many companies tendered for the contract? What were their prices? Why did Maiden Investment come out on top? And crucially, were any relationships between the winning bidder and politically connected figures properly declared and managed? ADMARC now owes Malawians clear, honest answers — and fast. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** ADMARC, Ben Botolo, Charles Maiden, corruption, Stanley Kenani --- ### [Blantyre Water Board sacks CEO Chihana for third time](https://www.nyasatimes.com/blantyre-water-board-sacks-ceo-chihana-for-third-time/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The beleaguered chief executive of Blantyre Water Board has been sacked for the third time in just six months, in an astonishing saga that has seen him bounce between the courtroom and the boardroom since the day he took the job. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260829_033716_Instagram.jpg)Chihana dismissed as Blantyre Water Board saga continuesYeremia Chihana was summarily dismissed by BWB on Monday, just as he was simultaneously fighting a separate legal battle in court over his previous removal — adding yet another explosive chapter to a dispute that has already produced a dizzying cycle of suspensions, court victories, reinstatements and fresh allegations. In a letter dated 5 October 2026, BWB Board chairperson Stanley Chirwa informed Chihana that the board had accepted the damning findings of a disciplinary committee that investigated serious allegations of misconduct against him. The board revealed Chihana had been formally summoned to appear before the committee and given a full opportunity to answer the charges, present his defence and produce evidence in his favour — but he simply failed to show up. Undeterred by his absence, the committee pressed ahead with proceedings after satisfying itself that Chihana had been properly notified and given every chance to be heard. After carefully weighing the committee’s report, the disciplinary record, the charges and the evidence, the board delivered a brutal verdict: Chihana’s conduct amounted to gross misconduct that had fundamentally breached the standards expected of a chief executive and irreparably shattered the trust between him and the board. Citing a raft of staff regulations alongside the Employment Act and his own employment contract, BWB confirmed it had summarily terminated Chihana’s employment with immediate effect — and ordered him to hand back every piece of company property in his possession, from vehicles and keys to computers, access cards, passwords and financial records. The dramatic dismissal caps an extraordinary run of events for a man who had barely settled into the role. Chihana was first suspended on 27 April 2026 — just three weeks after taking up the position — over explosive allegations including making unauthorised public pronouncements, among them a declaration that BWB would provide free water in cholera-hit areas, granting unauthorised individuals access to company premises, documents and vehicles, and allegedly orchestrating the arrest and detention of acting directors without the board’s knowledge. Chihana wasted no time fighting back, immediately challenging the suspension in court. The High Court initially sided with him, halting the suspension and granting him permission to seek judicial review. But the reprieve proved short-lived — on 19 May, Justice Allan Hans Muhome overturned that ruling, declaring the dispute was fundamentally an employment matter that belonged before the Industrial Relations Court instead. But the legal rollercoaster was only just beginning. In August, BWB suspended Chihana for a second time, this time over a fresh set of bombshell allegations including misrepresentation, unauthorised appointments, and securing a staggering K500 million overdraft from First Capital Bank without board approval. Once again, Chihana fought back — and once again, he won, securing another court victory that saw him triumphantly return to office at the end of August, with BWB confirming his reinstatement in an internal memo. But his comeback was short-lived. On 8 September, the High Court dramatically vacated an injunction that had been keeping BWB from removing Chihana from office, even as his broader legal challenge remained very much alive. The State argued his continued presence was actively disrupting operations, insisting another person urgently needed to step in as CEO to guarantee uninterrupted water supplies to the people of Blantyre. Now, the latest dismissal letter reveals Chihana faced a total of six disciplinary charges — with the board ultimately siding against him on every count that mattered. Among the most serious allegations: that he unilaterally announced BWB would provide free water to cholera hotspots without board or management knowledge, allowed an unauthorised individual to drive and control a company vehicle, and caused the arrest and detention of company directors behind the board’s back. The board insisted the sheer seriousness of the proven misconduct, combined with the immense responsibility and accountability demanded of the CEO role, meant the employment relationship had become simply untenable. Chihana has consistently disputed the allegations levelled against him throughout the saga, repeatedly turning to the courts in his bid to cling onto the role. The burning question now is whether Monday’s dramatic summary dismissal will finally draw a line under the chaotic Chihana-BWB saga once and for all — or whether it will simply trigger yet another fierce legal battle. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, Yeremiah Chihana --- ### [Bright Mhango's whiplash week – savage govt critique, then a staunch defence of the President's health](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bright-mhangos-whiplash-week-savage-govt-critique-then-a-staunch-defence-of-the-president-health/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A razor-sharp media commentator has left Malawi’s political class reeling after a whiplash-inducing run of broadcasts — first tearing into the government with brutal honesty, then turning around to shred opposition claims about the President’s health. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261005_105929_Facebook-600x371.jpg)Bright Mhango calls out Kabwila’s health claims as Mutharika appears ‘composed’ on state TVOutspoken panellist Dr Bright Mhango sent shockwaves through the political establishment with his unflinching commentary, first declaring the administration’s political honeymoon well and truly over during an appearance on Times TV’s Hot Current programme. In a pointed broadside on executive transparency, Mhango drew striking comparisons with American presidential standards, insisting public figures owe the nation complete openness about their personal health and fitness — branding honesty “the best policy” at a time of mounting national strain. He didn’t stop there, sounding the alarm over a worrying resurgence of political thuggery and cadre culture, revealing disturbing instances of party strongmen harassing ordinary citizens at fuel queues amid the country’s ongoing economic shortages. But in a dramatic twist just a day later, Mhango returned to the airwaves on Monday’s *Kwagwanji* programme with a verdict that stunned many — delivering a strikingly different take as he reviewed President Peter Mutharika’s state television interview with MBC. Taking direct aim at persistent health rumours pushed by opposition figures — including Malawi Congress Party spokeswoman Dr Jessie Kabwila, who had demanded the President make a public appearance to prove his physical fitness — Mhango delivered a blunt rebuttal, declaring that Mutharika appeared conspicuously fit, well and composed throughout the entire broadcast. The dramatic U-turn lays bare the volatile and unpredictable nature of Malawi’s political optics, where opposition attempts to stoke health speculation around the President can be swiftly and dramatically neutralised by a single well-timed state media appearance. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Bright Mhango, Peter Mutharika, Times TV --- ### [Supreme Court refuses to save Chihana's job hours before he's formally dismissed](https://www.nyasatimes.com/supreme-court-refuses-to-save-chihanas-job-hours-before-hes-formally-dismissed/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** It truly never rains but pours for Yeremiah Chihana. In an astonishing twist of fate, the embattled former water board chief was dealt a brutal one-two punch on Tuesday — losing his Supreme Court battle and his job in the space of a single, catastrophic day. The former legislator had rushed to the ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788774070667-600x338.jpg)Game over for Chihana: Supreme Court snub and sacking land on same catastrophic daySupreme Court of Appeal seeking emergency judicial relief to halt the effects of his suspension as Blantyre Water Board chief executive — only for the seven-member bench to dramatically dismiss his application on the spot. As if that humiliation wasn’t enough, Chihana was then summarily sacked from the public water utility altogether, delivering a devastating double hammer blow in the space of just hours. Sitting in Blantyre on Tuesday, the Supreme Court of Appeal threw out Chihana’s bid for a stay order and injunction, effectively slamming the door on his hopes of staying in post while his case dragged on — and leaving his employment dispute to be fought out in the Industrial Relations Court instead. The powerful panel of seven justices, led by Deputy Chief Justice Lovemore Chikopa, ruled firmly that the dispute was fundamentally an employment matter that belonged before the specialised labour court, not the country’s highest court of appeal. The crushing ruling capped months of escalating warfare between Chihana and the BWB board, a saga that has already produced a dizzying sequence of suspensions, court orders, dramatic reinstatements and renewed suspensions. Then came the knockout blow. A chilling dismissal letter dated 5 October 2026, signed by BWB board chairperson Stanley Chirwa, confirmed Chihana had been summarily dismissed from the very position he had only taken up in April — bringing an abrupt and humiliating end to a tenure defined almost entirely by legal warfare rather than leadership. It marks the latest chapter in a turbulent saga that has seen Chihana repeatedly drag the board through the courts in a desperate bid to cling onto his office. The courts had already signalled where this was heading, with the High Court ruling back in May that the dispute was fundamentally an employment matter and discharging an earlier order that had temporarily halted his suspension. The legal rollercoaster showed no signs of slowing, with the High Court striking again in September — lifting a second injunction that had been temporarily shielding Chihana from the effects of his suspension. Now, with the Supreme Court slamming shut his latest legal lifeline and the BWB board formally terminating his employment, Chihana finds himself facing arguably the darkest moment yet in his extraordinary fall from grace. The dramatic developments also pile fresh pressure on questions over governance and stability at one of Malawi’s most critical public utilities — an organisation already grappling with serious financial strain, having recently been hit with a crushing judgment debt of nearly K3 billion, including collection costs, in a separate legal matter entirely. For Chihana, Tuesday will go down as a truly catastrophic day: the Supreme Court refused him the lifeline he desperately sought, while his own employer simultaneously moved to sever ties with him for good. The saga may not be over yet, with Chihana still free to pursue his fight through the Industrial Relations Court. But for now, the brutal message from Tuesday’s events is unmistakable: the courtroom has failed to save his job — and the boardroom has now officially taken it away. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, Yeremiah Chihana --- ### [Bid to block Vice-Presidents from automatic rise to Malawi presidency](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bid-to-block-vice-presidents-from-automatic-rise-to-malawi-presidency/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Lilongwe resident has submitted a draft Constitutional Amendment Bill to Parliament proposing far-reaching reforms to Malawi’s Vice-Presidency, including ending the automatic succession of a Vice-President to the presidency and making the office entirely appointive and removable by the President, *Nyasa Times* has learnt. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261005_231540_Google-600x329.jpg)Veeps: Malawian citizen seeks review of automatic Vice-Presidential succession ruleIn a proposal addressed to Speaker of the National Assembly Sameer Suleiman, concerned citizen Boldwin Bickiel Dzuwalatsoka argues that Malawi’s current constitutional framework has repeatedly generated political tensions, mistrust and power struggles between Presidents and their deputies. The draft Bill seeks to overhaul key sections of Chapter VIII of the Constitution governing the Executive, contending that the current arrangement effectively creates a permanent “President-in-waiting” and encourages political rivalry rather than national development. Dzuwalatsoka cites the experiences of several former Vice-Presidents, including Justin Malewezi, Cassim Chilumpha, Joyce Banda, Saulos Chilima, Michael Usi and Justice Jane Ansah, as evidence that the office has become a recurring source of political instability and constitutional disputes. Under the proposed reforms, the Vice-President would no longer be elected on a joint presidential ticket. Instead, the President would appoint a Vice-President after assuming office. The Bill further proposes that the Vice-President serve entirely at the President’s pleasure and could be dismissed at any time without impeachment proceedings or the need to provide reasons. “The office of the Vice-President shall be ceremonial in nature,” the draft states, adding that any executive authority exercised by the office holder would be delegated by the President. One of the most significant changes would affect presidential succession. Currently, Malawi’s Constitution provides that the First Vice-President automatically assumes the presidency for the remainder of a presidential term in the event of the President’s death or permanent incapacity. The proposed amendment would abolish that arrangement. Instead, the Speaker of the National Assembly would become interim President within 24 hours of a vacancy occurring. The Speaker would then be required to organise a fresh presidential election within 90 days after the burial of the deceased President. During the transition period, the Speaker would retain both the offices of Speaker and President and would have powers to appoint a Cabinet to ensure continuity of government. The outgoing Vice-President would cease holding office immediately but retain state-funded retirement benefits, including security, transport, accommodation and financial support. The proposal also calls for the creation of a new constitutional provision guaranteeing benefits for former Vice-Presidents after leaving office. In the memorandum accompanying the Bill, Dzuwalatsoka argues that the existing constitutional arrangement encourages political manoeuvring instead of governance. He says the reforms would reduce conflict between Presidents and Vice-Presidents, protect office holders from political humiliation, and allow greater focus on development. The proposal offers Parliament two possible transitional pathways. One would make the amendments effective immediately upon passage and presidential assent, while the other would defer implementation until after the next general election. Dzuwalatsoka acknowledges that amending Executive provisions of the Constitution would require compliance with Sections 196 and 197 governing constitutional amendments. He recommends seeking certification from the Speaker that the changes do not affect the substance or effect of the Constitution and securing support from at least two-thirds of Members of Parliament. In his conclusion, he urges Parliament to consider the reforms before the next general election, arguing that Malawi’s experience has shown the need to revisit the structure and role of the Vice-Presidency. The proposal has not yet been tabled in the National Assembly and would require extensive parliamentary scrutiny and constitutional review before any legislative action could be taken. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Constitution, Malawi Cabinet --- ### [Health minister admits Malawi facing medicine shortage 'crisis'; KCH faces 5,000-patient surgical backlog](https://www.nyasatimes.com/health-minister-admits-malawi-facing-medicine-shortage-crisis-kch-faces-5000-patient-surgical-backlog/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a kind of honesty that only arrives once denial has become impossible, and Malawi’s health system produced two versions of it in the space of a single news cycle this week. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784246000102-600x450.jpg)‘We have to admit, there are no drugs’ – health minister Baloyi’s shock confession amid forex crisis![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261006_024420_Instagram-337x600.jpg)KCH Director General Amos Msekandiana:hospital grapples with 5,000-patient surgical backlogAt Kamuzu Central Hospital, it took the form of a number: nearly 5,000 people now waiting for surgery, a queue grown so long that the hospital’s own director general fields daily calls from families asking, in effect, whether grief or desperation can be converted into a shorter wait. At the Ministry of Health, it took the form of a sentence blunt enough to need no translation: “We have to admit. There are no drugs. It is a crisis.” Taken separately, each story reads as a familiar strain on a stretched public system. Taken together, they describe something closer to a system running out of the two things medicine cannot function without — capacity and supply — at the same time, for overlapping reasons. Start with the waiting list. Amos Msekandiana, KCH’s director general, described a situation that has moved past routine overcrowding into something more personal and harder to manage: relatives calling him directly, asking whether a loved one’s name might move a few places up the list. That is not merely an administrative headache. It is what happens when a referral hospital becomes the only hospital that functions as one — when, as health rights activist Dorothy Ngoma put it, conditions as ordinary as malaria, chest infections and diarrhoea are still finding their way to a central facility meant for complex surgical care, because the district and community hospitals that should be absorbing them cannot. Ngoma’s point deserves to be taken as the structural diagnosis it is, rather than a passing quote. A central hospital clogged with conditions that lower-level facilities should be treating is not evidence that KCH is failing; it is evidence that the tiers beneath it are. Msekandiana’s own proposed remedy — shifting some surgical procedures out to district hospitals, partly to save patients the cost of travelling to Lilongwe at all — is a tacit acknowledgment of the same thing: the fix for an overloaded top of the system is not more capacity at the top, but functioning capacity further down. In the meantime, there is the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital partnership, a visiting surgical camp from Tanzania working through orthopaedics, neurosurgery, cardiology and more over five days in October. Cardiologist Kelvin Masava’s account of the preceding week in Mzuzu — 526 patients assessed, 44 surgeries performed — is a genuinely useful contribution, and Bart Kruijsen’s framing of the mission, that more equal access to surgical care makes life “more valuable” in the communities it reaches, is not empty rhetoric. But it is also, by its nature, a temporary intervention layered onto a permanent shortfall. A camp that arrives for five days cannot be the architecture a 5,000-patient backlog depends on; it can only be the proof, each time it returns, that the backlog is still there. The medicine shortage runs on a parallel logic, and Minister Madalitso Baloyi’s confrontation with local manufacturers in Blantyre makes the mechanism unusually visible. Her question to them was almost provocative in its specificity: if the ministry had the money today for a million units of Panado and Aspirin, could they actually deliver? It is the kind of question that exposes where a supply chain’s weak link actually sits — and the answer that came back was not capacity. Manufacturers said they were holding millions of units in stock already. What they lacked was payment, certainty, and the foreign currency to keep producing at all. That is the detail worth sitting with. This is not, primarily, a story about Malawi being unable to make or source medicine. It is a story about a government owing money to the companies that can, in a currency environment where those companies then cannot themselves buy the imported raw materials needed to keep making it. Tawanda Musasa’s appeal — consistent procurement, faster regulatory turnaround, support that outlasts the crisis rather than responding to it — is less a request for charity than a description of what it would take to stop the shortage from becoming cyclical: drugs run low, government scrambles to pay, manufacturers produce what they can, the debt accumulates again, and the shortage returns. Neither story, read carefully, is really about doctors, nurses or pharmacists falling short. KCH’s staff are recruiting locums and running weekend surgical camps to outpace a queue that keeps growing anyway. Local manufacturers are sitting on stock they cannot yet get paid to release. The strain, in both cases, is structural and financial before it is clinical — a health system whose people are working at capacity inside a funding and currency environment that keeps moving the ceiling lower. The minister’s admission was, in that sense, the easy part. The harder test is whether “we have to admit it is a crisis” becomes the sentence that precedes sustained investment, or simply the sentence Malawians will hear again the next time the shelves run bare. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, National **Tags:** forex, health, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Madalitso Baloyi --- ### [Malawians forced to hitch rides and skip meals as fuel crisis sends bus fares rocketing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawians-forced-to-hitch-rides-and-skip-meals-as-fuel-crisis-sends-bus-fares-rocketing/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s fuel crisis has sent bus fares through the roof — leaving skint commuters hitching lifts on the back of pickup trucks just to get to work. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261006_031513_Chrome-600x323.jpg)Snaking queues have since resurfaced at filling stationsFares have DOUBLED on some routes almost overnight, with passengers from Area 25 to Lilongwe’s Old Town now stung for K6,000, up from K4,000. It’s even worse heading to Mponela in Dowa, where fares have rocketed to K11,000 — up from K6,000. A fruit seller Brenda Tholo, says the hikes are wrecking her small business. She now pays K2,500 each way instead of K1,500. “That makes me spend K5,000 per return trip,” she said. “I have no option, but pass on the amount to the buyers.” Motorbike taxi driver Alfred Kwepeya says he sometimes hunts for fuel ALL DAY — and black market pumps are charging a jaw-dropping K20,000 a litre. “I cannot afford petrol on the black market,” he said. Long-distance routes have been hit hardest. Mzuzu to Karonga now costs around K60,000, up from K40,000. Blantyre to Lilongwe has smashed past K55,000, up from roughly K40,000. Minibus bosses say they’re stuck in an impossible bind. Coaxley Kamange, of the Minibus Owners Association, said: “The minibus operators spend more time searching for fuel, once they get it, they want to recover the cost. That’s why we are having unstable bus fares.” He insists drivers are told NOT to buy black market fuel — but with pumps running dry, patience is wearing thin. Passenger chief Don Napuwa says fed-up commuters are now choosing to walk rather than pay eye-watering fares. “We can only ask government to solve the problem,” he said. “Otherwise, gains they have made in terms of economic recovery will go several steps backward.” Behind the chaos, Malawi’s state fuel buyer Nocma is scrambling to secure supplies, blaming a worsening dollar shortage for the mess. The firm is now hunting for a massive 440,000 tonnes of fuel through ports in Mozambique and Tanzania — and has even started asking suppliers for new payment deals to ease the pressure on Malawi’s dwindling foreign currency reserves. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Fuel, inflation --- ### [Success, on Mutharika's own terms — and the terms nobody else is quite using](https://www.nyasatimes.com/success-on-mutharikas-own-terms-and-the-terms-nobody-else-is-quite-using/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a particular rhetorical move politicians reach for when a year has gone neither brilliantly nor badly, and Peter Mutharika reached for it with real fluency on MBC this week: the rollercoaster. It is a useful word, because it promises motion without committing to a direction. Things went up. Things went down. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791144746864-1-440x600.jpg)A president grading his own homework, and the uncomfortable gap between the number and the nounYou, the listener, are invited to remember the thrill rather than interrogate the destination. What it does not do — what it is specifically designed not to do — is answer the only question that actually matters a year into a government’s term: on balance, are Malawians better off than they were twelve months ago? Mutharika’s own answer, delivered in the interview that forms the basis of this report, was an unambiguous yes, built almost entirely around what his administration calls the 4Fs: food, fuel, forex and fertiliser. And on the most visible of those, the numbers he cited are genuinely striking. A 50-kilogram bag of maize, he said, has fallen from over K100,000 to around K35,000 — a collapse in price that, if accurate and sustained, would be one of the more consequential economic facts in recent Malawian memory, given how directly maize price tracks with whether ordinary households can afford to eat. It is the kind of number a government is right to lead with. But sit with that number for a moment longer, because it does something interesting to the rest of the interview: it sets an extremely high bar that the other three Fs do not clear. On fuel, the President’s own account shifted mid-sentence from achievement to caveat — supply was stabilised within the first twelve months, he said, before immediately conceding that it “now faces hurdles due to global challenges,” attributing disruption to “the international situation, transportation, and so forth.” That is not quite an admission of failure, but it is a frank admission that the stabilisation he is claiming credit for is, in the present tense, not actually holding. On forex, the hedging was even more explicit: relief is pinned to the conclusion of IMF talks over a revived Extended Credit Facility — a negotiation Malawi does not control the timeline of, and one that has not concluded. Hope, in other words, standing in for the achievement itself. This is where the independent voices quoted alongside the President earn their place in the story, because they do something the President’s own framing cannot: they hold the good and the bad in the same sentence rather than sequencing them as achievement-then-asterisk. Economics Association of Malawi president Bertha Bangara-Chikadza credited the administration with real progress — free secondary education, interventions that have genuinely helped bring food prices down — while noting, in the same breath, that households and businesses are still living through four to six hours of load shedding a day, and that forex shortages continue to constrain economic activity broadly. Her verdict, that “the first year shows some progress, but the recovery remains incomplete and fragile,” is not a rejection of the President’s case. It is, if anything, a more careful version of it — minus the rollercoaster metaphor, plus the inconvenient parts. Governance analyst Gift Sambo’s contribution points somewhere the 4Fs framework does not reach at all: institutional accountability. His observation that “recent scandals involving critical public institutions suggest that the Mutharika administration is failing to enforce bureaucratic accountability” is a different kind of criticism from “the fuel supply has hiccups.” It is not about whether the government delivers outcomes; it is about whether the government can discipline the machinery beneath it when that machinery goes wrong. A president can announce a falling maize price and a stabilising currency and still be presiding over institutions that nobody fully trusts to behave — and those are not the same achievement, however much they get folded into a single year-one narrative. There is also a structural irony sitting quietly underneath this whole interview that is worth naming plainly: Mutharika is marking a year back in an office he was voted out of in June 2020, when Malawians handed him 38 per cent against Lazarus Chakwera’s 58.7. He has now returned with 56.8 per cent under the same 50-plus-one threshold that once worked against him. That is not evidence for or against his current record — electorates change their minds for reasons that have little to do with any single year’s performance — but it is a reminder that “success,” in Malawian presidential politics, has already proven itself to be a genuinely reversible judgment within a single decade. The number that matters this time next year will not be the maize price alone. It will be whether the fuel stabilises without a caveat attached, whether the forex relief arrives rather than remains pending, and whether the institutions Sambo is worried about start looking disciplined rather than merely described as “being worked on.” A rollercoaster, after all, eventually has to come back down to the platform it started from — and voters tend to remember exactly where they were standing when it does. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** DPP, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Blue Eagles secure K250m sponsorship from Standard Bank Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/blue-eagles-secure-k250m-sponsorship-from-standard-bank-malawi/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Standard Bank Malawi has thrown a lifeline to league leaders Blue Eagles FC, unveiling a blockbuster K250 million sponsorship deal in a glittering ceremony at the Malawi Police Service Headquarters in Lilongwe. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261006_024837_Instagram-600x393.jpg)Malawi Police football team secures K250m backing from Standard BankThe timing could hardly have been sweeter for the Eagles, who were handed the eye-watering cheque just as they sit proudly at the summit of the top-flight FDH Bank Premiership. Standard Bank chief executive Philip Madinga, himself a former talented footballer, swept his eyes across the packed room before dropping the bombshell announcement to rapturous applause. “That is why today we are proud to commit a one-year long sponsorship of K250 million to the Eagles Football Club,” Madinga declared. “This investment will make Standard Bank the name sponsor of the team that has demonstrated remarkable performance in Malawi’s football landscape.” Madinga revealed the hefty investment will cover the club’s key priorities, including playing and selected team apparel, as well as administrative support, explaining the bank’s broader mission behind the gesture. “At Standard Bank, our purpose is clear: Malawi is our home, we drive her growth,” he said. “We believe that supporting sport is one of the most effective ways of contributing to that growth because sport creates opportunity, develops talent, strengthens communities and inspires the next generation of leaders.” In a startling admission that will raise eyebrows among football fans, Malawi Police Service Inspector General Richard Luhanga confirmed the club has been struggling financially behind the scenes, despite its position at the top of the table. “The milestone today is another victory that we can get sponsorship despite being a government team,” Luhanga said. “Our mission statement is working together with all stakeholders. We are grateful for this sponsorship. We are struggling to run the team. This sponsorship will help us run our team.” The police chief also used the occasion to thank Standard Bank for the timely gesture, insisting the donation had arrived at exactly the right moment for the club. Malawi National Council of Sports board chairperson Jim Kalua echoed those sentiments, hailing the deal as proof that government backing alone is not enough to keep Malawian football competitive. “This is an important partnership, and as Sports Council, we commend Standard Bank,” Kalua said. “This is more than a financial support. It is an important investment in the growth of Eagles Football Club.” He went further, issuing a pointed message to Blue Eagles about the responsibility that comes with the windfall. “Government alone cannot develop sports. There is need for partnership,” he said. “I urge Blue Eagles to ensure issues of good governance are undertaken and also bring results on the pitch.” Blue Eagles chief administration officer William Nkhoma said the sponsorship would be transformative, helping the club operate successfully at the highest level of Malawian football. Despite enjoying backing from sponsors including World Bet and Sana Cash and Carry, Nkhoma admitted operational challenges remain a constant battle behind the scenes — making Standard Bank’s intervention all the more significant. “Despite having good sponsorship from World Bet and Sana Cash and Carry, operational challenges still remain,” he said. “That’s why we are grateful for this sponsorship. We are looking forward to a successful partnership that it will have a long time impact. This is a major milestone for the Eagles Football Club.” The dramatic cash injection could prove decisive as Blue Eagles battle to fend off fierce title rivals FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers in what is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested Premiership title races in recent memory. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Blue Eagles, Phillip Madinga, Standard Bank --- ### [Title race wide open as Malawi's top flight resumes](https://www.nyasatimes.com/title-race-wide-open-as-malawis-top-flight-resumes/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s FDH Bank Premiership returns to action this weekend, with the second round of fixtures set to shape both the title race and the battle to avoid relegation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788918159372-600x338.jpg)Big Bullets hope to gain ground on title push The opening half of the season produced plenty of intrigue, but the second round is expected to sharpen the contest further, with leading clubs unable to afford slip-ups against sides lower down the table. League leaders Blue Eagles face a demanding start to the second round, with back-to-back away trips to the south to face second-placed FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and third-placed Mighty Wanderers. Silver Strikers, meanwhile, host Mighty Wanderers at home in a fixture expected to carry significant weight in the title picture. Home advantage, squad depth and consistency are likely to prove decisive factors as the contenders are tested. At the other end of the table, bottom clubs Kamuzu Barracks and Creck Sporting Club will have the chance to test themselves against the division’s biggest names, hosting Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers respectively in Lilongwe. Both sides will be eager to use those fixtures to climb out of the relegation zone. The round also offers a measure of progress for several of the league’s improving sides. Ekhaya Football Club, along with newly promoted Masters FC and Luanar Mitundu FC, face tests against the division’s bigger clubs as they look to establish themselves as genuine contenders for next season’s Airtel Top 8. With the campaign entering a more decisive phase, coaches will face added pressure over team selection and tactics, while squads carrying injuries or suspensions may find themselves at a disadvantage during a congested fixture schedule. As the second round gets under way, this weekend’s results are likely to offer an early indication of which clubs are genuine title contenders, and which face a fight to preserve their top-flight status. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** FDH Premiership --- ### [Scorchers first home game since WAFCON silver: Malawi host Zimbabwe in Olympic qualifier](https://www.nyasatimes.com/scorchers-first-home-game-since-wafcon-silver-malawi-host-zimbabwe-in-olympic-qualifier/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Scorchers will make their first home appearance since their historic WAFCON silver medal when they host Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors in the first leg of their Olympic qualifier at Bingu National Stadium on Friday, 9 October. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1786571321928-600x600.jpg)Chawinga sisters lead Scorchers squad for Zimbabwe qualifierThe tie, which concludes with the return leg in Harare on 13 October, gives fans their first chance to see the squad in action on home soil since Malawi’s debut run to the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Coach Lovemore Fazili has named a squad built largely around that WAFCON campaign, retaining captain Tabitha Chawinga, her sister Temwa Chawinga, Faith Chimzimu, Rose Kadzere, Leticia Chinyamula and Chimwemwe Madise, alongside a number of new faces. The Chawinga sisters remain the squad’s standout performers, with their pace and goalscoring record helping establish the Scorchers as one of the most closely watched women’s sides on the continent. With the tie to be decided over two legs, the Football Association of Malawi has urged supporters to turn out in numbers for the first leg. Standard tickets are priced at K4,000 online or K5,000 at the gate, with VIP tickets available online at K10,000. Malawi will be looking to use home advantage to build a lead before travelling to Harare for the second leg on 13 October. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Scorchers, women football --- ### [Wiskes signs MoU with LUANAR on natural resources collaboration](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wiskes-signs-mou-with-luanar-on-natural-resources-collaboration/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening and institutionalising collaboration between the two institutions. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261006-WA0000-600x400.jpg)Ministry of Natural Resources partners LUANAR in new agreementThe signing ceremony took place on Monday at the Ministry’s headquarters at Capital Hill in Lilongwe. Minister of Natural Resources Patricia Wiskes said the MoU formalises a partnership that has already been delivering results, particularly through collaboration in fisheries research, training, extension, aquaculture development and support to lakeshore communities. She said the partnership will now be broadened to cover the Ministry’s wider mandate, including fisheries and aquaculture, forestry, environmental management, climate services, research, innovation and capacity building. “The agreement should not become another document that gathers dust, but should translate into tangible results in Malawi’s rivers, lakes, forests, communities and other natural resource systems,” she said. LUANAR Vice Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda described the MoU as comprehensive, providing a framework for the two institutions to work jointly across a range of areas. “Academic institutions cannot effectively deliver solutions without clear policy direction from the Government,” he said, commending the Ministry’s leadership for its commitment to strengthening the relationship between the two institutions at the highest level. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News **Tags:** Luanar, Patricia Wiskes --- ### [Muluzi calls for forex reform to tackle Malawi's economic crisis](https://www.nyasatimes.com/muluzi-calls-for-forex-reform-to-tackle-malawis-economic-crisis/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** UDF president Atupele Muluzi has issued a dramatic call for Malawi to overhaul its entire foreign exchange system, insisting that liberalising the exchange rate — backed by a vital injection of foreign currency — is the crucial first step to resolving the country’s crippling shortages of fuel, medicine and other essentials. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261005_210530_Video-Editor-600x474.jpg)Atupele Muluzi’s uncomfortable truth about Malawi’s economyMuluzi’s intervention came hot on the heels of President Peter Mutharika’s recent MBC interview, in which the President claimed his administration had already delivered on roughly 50 per cent of its election promises since taking office on 5 October 2025. But while acknowledging what Mutharika described as progress, Muluzi insisted the government must stop basking in first-year achievements and confront the ticking time bomb at the heart of Malawi’s economic woes. “At the heart of many of these problems is one issue: forex,” Muluzi declared bluntly. He argued that the foreign exchange crisis is the root cause behind a cascade of economic misery currently gripping households and businesses — from fuel shortages and runaway prices to unreliable electricity, medicine shortages and desperately limited job opportunities. Laying bare the scale of the crisis, Muluzi revealed that Malawi needs a staggering $3.3 billion every year just to finance essential imports like fuel, fertiliser and medicines — yet the country generates a mere $1 billion from exports, leaving a devastating $2.3 billion annual shortfall. “For many years, that gap was partly covered through donor support and borrowing. But that model is no longer sustainable,” he warned. In a damning illustration of just how broken the system has become, Muluzi pointed to the yawning gap between the official exchange rate and the black market, revealing that while the official rate sits at around K1,800 to the dollar, the greenback is fetching an eye-watering K4,000 on the parallel market. “That is not a healthy economy,” he said, warning the gulf was actively fuelling arbitrage, scaring off investors and driving shortages and soaring prices that are hammering ordinary Malawians through expensive medicines, fuel struggles and rocketing business costs. Muluzi welcomed ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, saying Malawi desperately needs an injection of foreign currency to stabilise the economy — but issued a stark warning that external help alone will not fix the crisis. “Malawi needs an injection of foreign exchange to stabilise our economy and support a credible reform programme,” he said. “But we must also confront the difficult issue at the centre of this crisis: the exchange rate.” Under his so-called Business First Plan, Muluzi called for the exchange rate to be liberalised — but cautioned that any move must be handled with extreme care rather than rushed through recklessly, insisting Malawi must first secure enough foreign currency to cushion the transition. Crucially, he said the country must break its addiction to borrowing and start generating its own dollars through genuine production, investment and exports. “We must start producing more dollars,” he insisted, pointing to mining, energy, tourism, agriculture and manufacturing as the sectors capable of transforming Malawi’s fortunes and attracting serious international investment. Muluzi said Malawi was already sitting on a goldmine of untapped potential — including valuable minerals, fertile land, energy resources and world-class tourism opportunities — but warned that investors need genuine confidence they’ll be able to operate freely, access foreign exchange and repatriate their profits. He issued a blunt warning against continuing to borrow Malawi’s way out of trouble. “We cannot keep borrowing our way out of a problem that requires production and investment,” he said. In his most pointed attack yet, Muluzi accused Malawi’s political class of serial procrastination on the tough decisions the country desperately needs. “We have been postponing difficult decisions,” he said. “And every time we postpone them, the pain gets bigger.” He delivered an impassioned plea on behalf of Malawi’s youth, warning they have run out of patience for empty promises. “Our young people don’t need another speech telling them to be patient,” he said. “They need opportunity. They need jobs. They need electricity. They need fuel. They need affordable medicines. They need investment. They need hope.” Muluzi called for a fundamental shift in Malawi’s economic mindset — from shortages to production, from borrowing to investment, from uncertainty to confidence, and from delay to decisive action. “Malawi can turn this around,” he said. “But we have to be prepared to make difficult decisions today to build a better Malawi tomorrow.” He closed with a direct appeal for the economic debate to rise above party politics altogether. “This is not about politics,” Muluzi said. “This is about the future of Malawi.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Atupele Muluzi, forex, Malawi Economy --- ### [Teachers are at heart of Malawi 2063 agenda, says Education Minister Msaka](https://www.nyasatimes.com/teachers-are-at-heart-of-malawi-2063-agenda-says-education-minister-msaka/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Education Minister Bright Msaka has said teachers are central to Malawi’s human capital development, arguing the country cannot achieve its Malawi 2063 vision without them. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261005-WA0011-431x600.jpg)Msaka: Malawi we want to see tomorrow must be shaped through the teachers we support and empower todayMsaka made the remarks in his Ministerial Press Statement marking World Teachers’ Day 2026, commemorated today, 5 October. This year’s observance is held under the theme “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures,” marking 60 years since the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. “The theme calls upon governments, education stakeholders and society to recognise, support and strengthen the teaching profession in a rapidly changing world shaped by technological advancement, climate change, inclusion and other emerging challenges,” Msaka said. He said the government of President Arthur Peter Mutharika recognises that quality education depends on well-prepared, competent and motivated teachers and teacher educators, and has established the Teachers Council of Malawi to strengthen professionalisation and regulation of the teaching profession. Government is also advancing the transition to a Diploma in Primary Education for primary school teachers, while strengthening Continuous Professional Development and the capacity of teacher educators. Msaka called on parents, communities, learners, alumni associations, education institutions, the private sector, development partners and all Malawians to stand with teachers and teacher educators. He encouraged communities and former students to develop their own initiatives recognising teachers, including awards and practical support to improve their working and living conditions. “The Malawi we want to see tomorrow must be shaped through the teachers we support and empower today,” Msaka said. “Standing with teachers and teacher educators means standing for quality education. Standing for quality education means investing in human capital and in Malawi’s future.” He extended his appreciation to all teachers and teacher educators across Malawi for their dedication and service to the nation. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, News **Tags:** Bright Msaka, teachers --- ### [Malawi struggle for training venue ahead of Angola clash](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-struggle-for-training-venue-ahead-of-angola-clash/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi national team, the Flames, suffered a fresh blow in their preparations for Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against hosts Angola, after failing to secure a suitable venue for a recovery session on Monday morning. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260914-WA0008-600x433.jpg)Pasuwa confident despite disrupted build-up to Angola qualifierIt follows a difficult start to the trip, with the squad left stranded at Luanda airport for almost two hours on arrival. Head coach Kalisto Pasuwa told Football Association of Malawi media the technical team had hoped to run a recovery session but struggled to find a venue. He said staff were still trying to establish whether a pitch would become available in time for players to do some stretching before the squad’s final training session. On team news, Pasuwa confirmed striker Richard Mbulu has returned to training but remains under assessment ahead of the match. The coach said the late additions of Chawanangwa Gumbo and Robert Saizi had strengthened his options as Malawi manage a disrupted build-up. Pasuwa said Malawi will need to be tactically disciplined for the away fixture, with transitions between defence and attack key to keeping their shape against a vocal home crowd. Young goalkeeper Amos Sande could be handed his first start, depending on his performance in Monday’s final session. Pasuwa praised the ‘keeper’s development, particularly his communication with defenders. “The player is faring very well and is very fast in communicating with others,” Pasuwa said. He also welcomed Gumbo’s recall, pointing to the pair’s previous work together at COSAFA and the African Nations Championship. “He is not new as we were together at COSAFA, and also at CHAN. He knows what we want and it just took where he left and we are moving,” Pasuwa said. Despite the disrupted preparations, Pasuwa said every player picked understands the responsibility of representing Malawi, and must carry the national badge with pride against Angola on Tuesday. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Angola, Callisto Pasuwa, Malawi Flames --- ### [From South Africa to Lilongwe: Pastor Khumbo Joram set to headline Prophet Hara's big celebration](https://www.nyasatimes.com/from-south-africa-to-lilongwe-pastor-khumbo-joram-set-to-headline-prophet-haras-big-celebration/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A renowned South African preacher is set to add international prestige to Prophet Justice Hara’s highly anticipated book launch after confirming he will attend the event in Lilongwe next week. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791230271053-342x600.jpg)South African Pastor Khumbo Joram Backs Prophet Hara’s Book LaunchPastor Khumbo Joram, founder and leader of Holy Nation Church in South Africa, has announced that he will grace the launch scheduled for 14 October 2026 at the Pearl Convention Centre in the capital. His confirmation comes as excitement continues to build around the event, which is expected to draw church leaders, authors, believers and members of the public from across Malawi and beyond. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261005-WA0020-480x600.jpg)Prophet Hara Pulls International Church Giant as SA Pastor Khumbo Joram Confirms Lilongwe Visit for Blockbuster Book LaunchPastor Joram said he was looking forward to supporting Prophet Hara on the special occasion. “I can’t wait to be part of this great occasion, supporting my brother in a good cause,” he said, while encouraging people from around the world to attend. The launch, which coincides with Prophet Hara’s birthday celebrations, is expected to bring together prominent religious leaders, family members, friends, ministry partners and well-wishers. The South African cleric’s presence is likely to raise the profile of the event even further, given his reputation and longstanding leadership in Christian ministry. Organisers say the gathering will celebrate faith, leadership, friendship, ministry and the enduring power of books to inspire lives. The event follows last year’s successful launch of five publications by Prophet Hara, underscoring his growing commitment to sharing knowledge and spiritual insights beyond the pulpit. A passionate writer, Prophet Hara traces his love for authorship back to his secondary school years. Those close to him describe him as a humble servant leader dedicated to preserving and sharing the teachings of his ministry through the written word. Speaking ahead of the launch, Prophet Hara revealed that writing has been part of his journey for many years. “I started writing these books when I was still in secondary school. What we are seeing today is the result of many years of writing, learning, experience and commitment,” he said. “Some of these books were inspired by revelations and visions I received while at university. My desire is that they should not simply sit on people’s shelves, but speak to readers, inspire them and help them on their journey through life.” With an international guest now confirmed and anticipation growing, the launch is shaping up to be a landmark occasion celebrating faith, literature and Prophet Hara’s continuing impact as a spiritual leader and author. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National, Religion, Religious News **Tags:** Prophet Hara --- ### [FCB's Mwathengere named Malawi's top PR practitioner by PRSM](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fcbs-mwathengere-named-malawis-top-pr-practitioner-by-prsm/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM) at the weekend recognised First Capital Bank (FCB) Corporate Communications Manager Memory Mwathengere with the 2026 Best PR practitioner award in the corporate category. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Mwathengere-I-am-grateful-for-the-recognition-600x399.jpg)Mwathengere- I am grateful for the recognitionMwathengere was awarded during the society’s annual lake conference and 10-year anniversary in Salima and edged out fellow women contenders, National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Akossa Mphepo-Hiwa and Airtel Malawi Head of Brand and Communications Norah Chavula. In an interview, Mwathengere said she was elated with the recognition by the PR body. “I am deeply honoured to be named the 2026 PR Professional of the Year in the Corporate Category by the Public Relations Society of Malawi. This is not just a personal milestone, but a win for First Capital Bank and a reflection of the value we place on strategic communication and building a strong, trusted brand. “I am grateful for the recognition and encouraged to keep learning, growing and contributing to the profession,” said Mwathengere. Presenting the award, one of the judges at the event, Dr George Mindano said Mwathengere demonstrated exceptional ability to align communication with business objectives, deliver measurable impact, strengthen brand value and contribute to the overall success and sustainability of her organization. He said the awardee has demonstrated how strategic public relations can deliver tangible business value adding that over the past year, the awardee has consistently connected communications to customer acquisition, digital adoption, brand positioning, client engagement and institutional trust. “From leading the communication strategy for a well-known nationwide campaign to positioning their institution before international investors, the awardee has used integrated, data-driven communication to generate measurable reach, engagement and business outcomes. “The awardee’s work has also strengthened client relationships through premium experiences and enhanced the institution’s corporate reputation through strategic media and stakeholder engagement.” “Through her creativity, measurable performance and a strong understanding of the Bank’s business priorities, she has demonstrated that modern corporate PR is not simply about visibility but also building brands, creating value, strengthening relationships and contributing to sustainable business growth,” said Mindano. Mwathengere won the award through FCB digital promotion dubbed ‘*Chinthuchi Tatenga*’ which had a grand prize is K10 million to encourage the use of the bank’s digital and mobile banking services. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** First Capital Bank, Memory Mwathengere, Public Relations Society of Malawi --- ### [Pro Veritas gets Malawi’s first Pension Advisor license](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pro-veritas-gets-malawis-first-pension-advisor-license/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Pro Veritas Consulting Group Limited has become Malawi’s first licensed Pension Advisor after being issued a license by the Registrar of Financial Institutions. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Chiphaso-excited--480x600.jpeg)Chiphaso- excitedThe license allows the company to provide professional and technical advice to pension funds, provident funds and their members on governance, compliance, investment oversight, risk management and retirement planning. Pro Veritas Executive Director Bidronce Chiphaso described the license as an important milestone for both the firm and Malawi’s pension industry. “This landmark license is not only a milestone for Pro Veritas, but also a significant step in the evolution of Malawi’s pension industry. “It reinforces our commitment to providing independent, professional and technically sound advice, turning insights into sustainable solutions and ultimately delivering on our promise of ‘Transforming Societies’,” said Chiphaso. Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Director of Pension Compliance and Support Agness Sentala said the new category was created to address a gap in the pension market. “Under the original Pension Act, 2010, the only recognised intermediary was the pension broker, whose role, by its nature, was to act on behalf of employers and employees. “The pension advisor was subsequently introduced in the Pension Act, 2023 to address a gap in the market of providing independent advisory services specifically to pension funds and pension fund members,” said Sentala. She said the new advisory function would provide professional support in areas where trustees and members may otherwise lack adequate information. “Certain pension matters are highly technical and require specialised expertise and guidance. “Without adequate information and professional support, trustees and pension members may be susceptible to making poorly informed or untimely decisions that could adversely affect their retirement outcomes,” she said. Vanguard Pension Services General Manager Isaac Kalebe said the new role would complement existing pension service providers by giving trustees an independent perspective on their overall arrangements. “In contrast, a Pension Advisor operates at an institutional supervisory level. They provide independent oversight of all service providers, assess total cost structures, evaluate asset-liability alignment, and help trustees set high-level policy without getting bogged down in daily execution,” said Kalebe. He said pension funds were also facing economic and investment pressures that could affect members’ returns. “Pension funds face severe macroeconomic headwinds, high inflation, currency volatility, and presently heavy concentration risk on a sluggish Malawi Stock Exchange, that directly threaten real member returns,” he said. Life Insurance and Pension Association of Malawi (LIPAM) Vice Chairperson and Zamara Pension Administration Limited Managing Director Ekari Chauluka said the license would expand the range of specialist services available to pension stakeholders. “The licensing of the first pension advisor is a key milestone in the evolution of the pension market in Malawi and signals maturity of the practice to incorporate specialist service providers beyond the pension administrators who have traditionally worn two hats as both administrators and advisors,” said Chauluka. He said pension advisers would widen the pool of locally available independent expertise for pension trustees, employers and members who previously sought such services from foreign-based specialists. “This will help save some forex in non-actuarial advisory areas,” he said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, National **Tags:** Malawi Stock Exchange, pension, Pro Veritas --- ### [National Bank of Malawi TESSAM Games’ Top 8 line-up complete](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-tessam-games-top-8-line-up-complete/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Eight teams have been identified to compete in the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc TESSAM Games Top Eight Championship following their triumph in the regional games which concluded over the weekend. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Hiwa-says-sport-is-an-important-part-of-young-peoples-development-002-600x400.jpg)Hiwa says sport is an important part of young people’s developmentAccording to the Tertiary Sports Association of Malawi (TESSAM), the eight teams qualified in each of the men’s football, women’s football and netball categories. LUANAR-Bunda, Nalikule College of Education, Domasi College of Education, LUANAR-NRC, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), University of Malawi (UNIMA) and University of Livingstonia (UNILIA) have made the list in the men’s football category. The women’s football line-up comprises LUANAR-City Campus, UNIMA, Domasi College of Education, LUANAR-NRC, Nalikule College of Education, KUHeS, MUST and Mzuzu University (MZUNI). In netball, the qualified teams are Nalikule College of Education, LUANAR-City Campus, University of Lilongwe (UNILIL), KUHeS, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), UNIMA, Domasi College of Education and UNILIA. The championships are scheduled for October 17 and 18 with TESSAM expected to issue communication on fixtures, accommodation, transportation, technical regulations, accreditation and other logistical arrangements once the venue and final preparations are confirmed. TESSAM General Secretary Henry Chiphaka said the association is pleased with the level of competition demonstrated during the regional qualifying stages. “We commend all the participating institutions for their commitment, sportsmanship and competitive spirit throughout the qualifying stages. “The quality of competition demonstrated across the regions reflect the growing standard and development of university and college sport in Malawi,” said Chiphaka. Chiphaka also appreciated the support from NBM plc and other stakeholders for their continued partnership in developing and promoting tertiary sports in Malawi. NBM plc Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Akossa Mphepo-Hiwa said the bank is pleased to support a platform that gives students an opportunity to develop their sporting abilities while gaining valuable life skills. “At NBM plc, we believe sport is an important part of young people’s development. It gives students a chance to grow their confidence, learn to work as a team, build discipline and develop leadership skills while also showcasing their talent. “Through our partnership with TESSAM, we are proud to support opportunities that help young people grow and contribute to the development of Malawi,” said Mphepo-Hiwa. She said the Bank is looking forward to the national championships and encouraged all the qualified institutions to prepare well for the competition. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/MUST-ladies-football-team-celebrates-after-victory-against-KuHES-002-600x400.jpg)MUST ladies football team celebrates after victory against KuHES![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/UNILIA-football-team-secures-spot-in-TESSAM-Top-8-002_edited-600x449.jpg)UNILIA football team secures spot in TESSAM Top 8 Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** National Bank of Malawi, Tessam --- ### ['Tikwere ndi wotsika': Castel Malawi's biggest ever promotion offers cars, bikes and cheaper prices](https://www.nyasatimes.com/tikwere-ndi-wotsika-castel-malawis-biggest-ever-promotion-offers-cars-bikes-and-cheaper-prices/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s leading alcoholic beverage producer has unveiled its biggest-ever promotion, slashing prices on popular beers and dangling the keys to a brand new pickup truck in front of thrilled customers, as the festive season approaches. Castel Malawi Limited officially launc ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261005-WA0012-600x331.jpg)Beer prices slashed as Castel Malawi launches record-breaking festive promotionhed the eye-catching ‘Tikwere Ndi Wotsika Promotion’ at its head office in Makata, Blantyre, with the company confirming the campaign will run from 5 October 2026 right through to 23 January 2027 — making it the largest promotion in the firm’s entire history. Head of Sales Mkhwachi Peter Mhango revealed the initiative was designed as a heartfelt thank-you to loyal customers, giving the company a special way to celebrate the end of the year together with the very people who keep it in business. In a move set to delight cash-strapped consumers, Mhango confirmed the company has slashed prices on selected beers, making them significantly more affordable at a time when households across Malawi continue to battle mounting economic pressures. But it’s the dazzling prize list that’s sure to grab the most attention. The luckiest customer of all will drive away with a brand new Nissan Navara, while others stand to win motorbikes, solar light packages, caps, t-shirts and free 330ml Gin, among a host of other instant prizes up for grabs throughout the promotion. “As a responsible company, we needed to react to the current market situation by engaging our customers in activities that are also going to give them value,” Mhango said. “Honestly, the business environment is very challenging but we still thought it wise to bring excitement to our customers and consumers because they are playing a crucial role in contributing to our growth and we believe that through this promotion, we’ll help to change lives of our customers.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Castel Malawi --- ### [Mpira M'mudzi Mwathu donates K1m towards sports writers' AGM](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mpira-mmudzi-mwathu-donates-k1m-towards-sports-writers-agm/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Grassroots football organisation Mpira M’mudzi Mwathu has handed over a generous K1 million donation to the Sports Writers Association of Malawi, as the body races to secure enough funding for its upcoming Annual General Meeting in Salima this November.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261005-WA0007-600x584.jpg) ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261005-WA0006-600x450.jpg)Grassroots football champions step up with K1million boost for sports journalists ahead of crunch AGMThe cheque was presented on Sunday in Lilongwe, with MMM Founding Director Chimango Munthali praising sports journalists for the pivotal role they play in driving the development of grassroots and youth football across Malawi, and pledging his organisation’s continued backing. “It’s important that the sports writers have an opportunity to interact, share new insights and network,” Munthali said. “As Mpira M’mudzi Mwathu, we understand how important media is in the development of an institution, the development of the game itself and the development of even an individual player in any sport. We feel obliged to support the sports journalist in any way we can.” SWAM General Secretary Wesysylas Chirwa expressed heartfelt gratitude for the timely gesture, revealing it will go a long way toward covering the costs of hosting the three-day gathering, scheduled to run from 13 to 15 November. “We sincerely appreciate this generous gesture which will go a long way towards addressing some of the requirements for the AGM,” Chirwa said. “We look forward to receiving more support from various stakeholders as we continue preparing for the AGM.” The donation comes hot on the heels of a far larger contribution from football giants Mighty Wanderers and club president Dr Thom Mpinganjira, who recently handed SWAM a whopping K10 million toward the same event. Despite the welcome boost, organisers still have significant ground to cover, with the AGM carrying a hefty K51 million price tag that SWAM is determined to meet before journalists gather in Salima. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Mpira M'mudzi Mwathu, SWAM --- ### [Malawi opposition leader brands DPP govt's first year 'proven leadership in failure, mismanagement and misery'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-opposition-leader-brands-dpp-govts-first-year-proven-leadership-in-failure-mismanagement-and-misery/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s opposition leader has delivered a blistering verdict on President Peter Mutharika’s first year back in office, accusing the government of failing on virtually every front — from fuel and food to foreign exchange — while handing out a damning new catchphrase that’s set to haunt the administration. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261005-WA0005-600x371.jpg)‘Cheap nsima cannot buy fuel!’: Opposition leader’s scathing attack on Mutharika’s first year back in powerSimplex Chithyola Banda, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, tore into the Democratic Progressive Party government in a strongly worded statement marking President Mutharika’s first year, accusing officials of a total lack of seriousness in tackling the economic and social misery gripping ordinary Malawians. At the heart of his attack was the country’s crippling fuel crisis, which Chithyola said has made a dramatic and painful return — with long queues and dry pumps back on Malawi’s streets. He laid the blame squarely on the government’s decision to scrap open tendering for fuel purchases in favour of a secretive Government-to-Government arrangement paid for in US dollars, a move he said froze Malawian transporters out entirely. “The record on fuel speaks for itself,” Chithyola declared, pointing out that when his own Malawi Congress Party was last in power, fuel availability stood at just 40 per cent and was successfully raised to 70 per cent without hurting consumers. Today, he said, Malawians are once again spending entire nights stuck in queues. The opposition leader reminded voters exactly what they were promised at the ballot box — jobs, food, cheap fertiliser, free secondary education, real development through the Constituency Development Fund, and a swift end to corruption — insisting he was speaking out of constitutional duty rather than malice, as the official check on executive power. And he saved his sharpest line for the government’s flagship claim of success: cheap maize prices. Chithyola said the DPP’s boast of “cheap nsima” had been achieved only by forcing farmers — who had already paid through the nose for expensive farm inputs — to sell at rock-bottom prices. “Malawians have realised something simple,” he said. “Cheap nsima cannot buy fuel, cheap nsima cannot pay school fees, cheap nsima cannot buy medicine and cheap nsima cannot fix the economy.” He revealed the devastating reality facing maize farmers, who have been forced to sell their crop at just K20,000 a bag — equivalent to K400 per kilogram — far below the government’s own minimum price of K500. More than 75 per cent of smallholder farmers, he said, are being forced to sell below cost simply because they have nowhere to store their harvest and desperately need cash. He accused ADMARC of failing to step in and rescue struggling farmers, claiming vendors have instead snapped up the bulk of the maize while the National Food Reserve Agency has been powerless to help — even as government now prepares to import a staggering 200,000 metric tonnes of maize from abroad. Tobacco farmers, he warned, have fared even worse, enduring what he branded the worst year on record, with auction income expected to collapse by 50 per cent. Turning to foreign exchange, Chithyola delivered perhaps his most damning assessment yet, describing Malawi’s current shortage as the worst in living memory. He pointed to the Foreign Exchange Notice of 2026, issued on 7 September, which bars anyone from holding more than $1,000 in foreign cash without Reserve Bank permission — with travellers limited to taking out just $100. “A government that has to police a traveller’s US$1,000 has lost control of the economy,” he said, revealing that importers are now waiting up to three months just to access $10,000, while hospitals run dangerously short of medicines. He also sounded the alarm over collapsing donor confidence, warning it takes years to build but only moments to destroy. He pointed to Norway’s shock announcement that it will close its embassy in Lilongwe by the end of July 2027 — bringing a 27-year relationship and roughly K93 billion in annual support to an abrupt end — alongside Britain’s plans to slash aid by 60 per cent next financial year, rising to a devastating 90 per cent cut by 2028/29. In his bleakest warning yet, Chithyola cautioned that Malawi is barrelling toward a full-blown hunger crisis, with national maize production languishing at just 2.9 million metric tonnes against a national need of 3.6 million. He projected serious food shortages stretching from October 2026 through to January 2027, with up to 7.5 million Malawians facing food insecurity next year. Determined to offer more than criticism, Chithyola unveiled a sweeping six-point rescue plan, demanding Parliament vet all government contracts above K1 billion, that Reserve Bank orders be made legally binding with personal liability attached, and the introduction of a Whistleblower Protection Act offering a 10 per cent reward. Among his most explosive proposals was a call to reverse the controversial Amaryllis Hotel deal entirely, recovering K90 billion plus interest, alongside forensic audits of NOCMA, ADMARC, NFRA and the Affordable Inputs Programme. He also demanded an immediate return to open tendering for fuel purchases, the rebuilding of Malawi’s 60-million-litre strategic fuel reserve, and 70 per cent of fuel transport contracts reserved exclusively for Malawian operators. His plan further called for scrapping the current farm input scheme in favour of a transparent e-voucher system, backing local fertiliser factories, and launching a “One Youth One Hectare” initiative. On agriculture, he demanded ADMARC pay farmers K500 per kilogram in cash, and called for the national grain reserve to be rebuilt to 300,000 metric tonnes. Rounding off his plan, Chithyola called for every learner to be guaranteed one textbook, the recruitment of 20,000 new teachers, the creation of a K100 billion Youth Enterprise Fund offering loans at just 5 per cent interest funded by recovered state assets, and the long-awaited dualisation of the M1 road between Lilongwe and Blantyre. He delivered a brutal closing verdict on the administration’s first year in power. “DPP promised proven leadership, but one year on has proven leadership in failure, mismanagement and inflicting misery,” he said. “But Malawi is not for sale — and when Malawians think of a better Malawi, MCP is the answer.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Chithyola Banda, DPP, Malawi Economy, MCP, Peter Mutharika --- ### [K559m house, K370m bridge and court case that won't end: inside Mzimba Hora's CDF billions](https://www.nyasatimes.com/k559m-house-k370m-bridge-and-court-case-that-wont-end-inside-mzimba-horas-cdf-billions/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A council has launched a K559 million house for a government extension worker in a village where the High Court found voters were handed cash during the last election, while the constituency’s MP waits to learn if she keeps her seat. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261001-WA0001-1.jpg)Mumba;K559m house in village where court found voters were given cash, as MP’s election ruling hangs in the balanceM’mbelwa District Council has unveiled the Chaboli house and a K370 million bridge over the Luweya River in Mzimba Hora. In November 2025 the High Court found that Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cadres gave voters between K2,000 and K10,000 at Chiseng’ezi and Chaboli polling stations. It declared the MP, Martha Mzomera Ngwira, not duly elected. She appealed, and the Supreme Court of Appeal heard the case in January. It has yet to rule. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260930-WA0005-1-600x380.jpg)Why does a K559m house cost twice as much as a water scheme? Council silent on costs**A price that needs explaining** The Chaboli house accounts for about 60 per cent of the two projects’ value. Earlier this month the same council launched a K249 million piped-water scheme at Bulala Trading Centre, also in Mzimba Hora, so Chaboli costs K310 million more. A similar scheme at Edingeni cost the same K249 million. A house and a water scheme are different kinds of work, and the K559 million may include costs the council has not mentioned. But the documents that would settle the question have not been published, including the Bills of Quantities, the engineer’s estimate, the bids and the tender evaluations. **A bridge with a history** Building materials meant for the Luweya bridges featured in a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) criminal case that ended last year. Former councillor Dan Nkosi was convicted on three counts of misuse of office and one of forgery, and was sentenced to four years. His co-accused, Ngwira’s husband and predecessor as MP, Christopher Ngwira, was acquitted. Christopher Ngwira has a separate conviction for abuse of office over a school project in the constituency. The High Court upheld it in 2022 and reduced his sentence to immediate release on health grounds. Mrs Ngwira, who is also Deputy Minister of Gender, said at the launch that the projects would improve services and create jobs. Residents say a new bridge is badly needed, as the old crossing collapsed in March 2024. ‘**No wrongdoing shown’** The record does not show that Mrs Ngwira has done anything wrong in connection with the current projects, and nothing in the public record links the choice of Chaboli to the election dispute. Her husband’s convictions are his alone. Together with Bulala, the three projects total K1.178 billion, almost a quarter of the constituency’s K5 billion CDF allocation for 2026/27, which is up from K200 million. The full programme has not been published. District Commissioner Emmanuel Bulukutu urged communities to monitor the work. The council’s finance director has said the process would be transparent and that no contractor would be favoured. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News --- ### [Questions over CDF spending in constituency where MP's election was nullified](https://www.nyasatimes.com/questions-over-cdf-spending-in-constituency-where-mps-election-was-nullified/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **A K370 million bridge at Luweya, where a former councillor was convicted over diverted bridge materials. An MP the High Court declared not duly elected, still awaiting the Supreme Court. Her husband and predecessor, whose abuse-of-office conviction was upheld on appeal. Nyasa Times examines K1.178 billion in new CDF projects and the court record behind them.** M’mbelwa District Council has launched a K559 million house for a government agricultural extension worker at Chaboli — the same polling station where, in November 2025, the High Court found that Democratic Progressive Party cadres had handed cash to voters during the parliamentary election. In the same judgment, the court declared the constituency’s MP, Martha Mzomera Ngwira, not duly elected. She has appealed, and the Supreme Court of Appeal, which heard the case in January, has yet to rule. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260930-WA0005-1-600x380.jpg)Why does a K559m house cost twice as much as a water scheme? Council silent on costsThe council also launched a K370 million bridge across the Luweya River. Materials meant for Luweya bridges were at the centre of a CDF criminal case that ended last year with the conviction of former councillor Dan Nkosi. His co-accused, former Mzimba Hora MP Christopher Mzomera Ngwira, was acquitted. Christopher Ngwira is Martha Ngwira’s husband and predecessor as the constituency’s MP, and separately has an abuse-of-office conviction, upheld on appeal in 2022, over a publicly funded school project in the constituency. The record does not show that Martha Ngwira has committed any wrongdoing in the current projects, and this news outlet makes no such claim. But the council has not published the documents — Bills of Quantities, professional cost estimates, tender evaluations or selection records — that would show how the projects were chosen, priced and awarded. Two projects, K929 million Both projects are in Mzalangwe, Hora Constituency, and due for completion within 90 days. The Chaboli project comprises a house, toilets and a water supply system; its contractor was not named. The Luweya bridge includes erosion-protection works and is being built by a joint venture of Be Quality, Rama, and R and U Construction. The council valued the two at “about K900 million”; its own figures total K929 million. At the launch, Ngwira — also Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare — said the projects would improve service delivery and create local jobs, and that the bridge would ease movement after the previous crossing collapsed in March 2024. Resident Washington Hara said it would particularly help pregnant women travelling for healthcare. District Commissioner Emmanuel Bulukutu urged communities to monitor the contractors’ standards; council chairperson Joel Nkhata appealed to residents to guard materials against theft. A price that needs explaining The Chaboli house accounts for about 60 per cent of the two projects’ combined value. Earlier this month, the same council launched a K249 million piped-water scheme at Bulala Trading Centre, also in Mzimba Hora, and an identically priced scheme at Edingeni in Mzimba South West — each with a solar-powered pump, two tanks and 10 water points. Chaboli costs K310 million more than Bulala: more than twice as much. Buildings and water schemes are different kinds of work, and headline figures alone cannot establish whether a price is fair — K559 million may cover site works, electricity, professional fees and contingencies the council’s description omits. The documents that would settle the question — the priced Bill of Quantities, drawings, the pre-tender engineer’s estimate, the bids, the evaluation report and the signed contract — are not public. The engineer’s estimate matters most: it shows what professionals expected the house to cost before contractors named their price. Money on an unprecedented scale Under the Reformed CDF, each of Malawi’s 229 constituencies receives K5 billion in 2026/27, up from K200 million — a national total of K1.145 trillion. The 2026 Guidelines reserve 72 per cent, about K3.6 billion per constituency, for community development projects. Chaboli alone is 11.18 per cent of Mzimba Hora’s full allocation and about 15.5 per cent of its project money; with Luweya and Bulala, the three projects total K1.178 billion — 23.56 per cent of the full allocation, and roughly a third of this year’s project money. In September, government released K85.5 billion to 30 of the 36 local councils as advance payments to contractors, taking CDF-related releases since April to almost K145 billion. M’mbelwa is not among the six councils excluded for failing to complete procurement. The constituency’s full 2026/27 programme — every project, contractor, price and timetable — has not been published. Chaboli in the judgment On 24 November 2025, in *Henri Mumba v Malawi Electoral Commission and Martha Munthali (Martha Mzomera Ngwira*), High Court Judge Thomson Ligowe ruled in Mzuzu that Ngwira had not been duly elected. The petitioner, an MCP candidate represented by lawyer Justin Dzonzi, proved that known DPP cadres distributed between K2,000 and K10,000 to influence voters at Chiseng’ezi and Chaboli polling stations, and that a DPP representative had for a time acted as polling officer at Chasimba. The judge held that the irregularities, unrebutted by evidence or cross-examination, had largely compromised the election’s integrity. The findings are under appeal. They do not implicate the people of Chaboli, and nothing in the public record links the choice of Chaboli for the K559 million project to the election dispute — though the council has not published records showing when or how the site was selected, which would clarify whether the decision preceded or followed the 2025 dispute. Appeal stalled Ngwira’s lawyer, Christon Ghambi, announced an appeal the day after the judgment. In December 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeal granted permission to appeal and suspended the High Court ruling, halting a by-election the Electoral Commission had scheduled for 17 March 2026. The appeal closed on 21 January 2026; as of July, The Nation reported judgment still outstanding, and none has been reported since. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261001-WA0001.jpg)Mumba won High Court ruling but awaits appealLegal scholars have criticised the delay in 2025 election cases generally, arguing that uncertain representation undermines accountability and communities’ voice in development decisions. The practical effect: more than a billion kwacha in new projects is being committed in Mzimba Hora while the constituency’s election outcome remains before the courts. From husband to wife Christopher Mzomera Ngwira represented Mzimba Hora before his wife. Barred from standing in 2019 after a bankruptcy ruling, he was replaced on the DPP ticket — after an initial switch to Henri Mumba was reversed — by Martha Ngwira, who won the seat. Six years later, Mumba, now standing for the MCP, brought the petition that saw her declared not duly elected. A conviction upheld Following an ACB investigation into the Lukwelukwe School project, funded through Mzimba District Assembly’s Local Development Fund, the Mzimba Magistrate’s Court convicted Christopher Ngwira of abuse of office on 28 September 2020 and sentenced him to 48 months with hard labour on 16 October. Reports at the time said he had used forged bank documents to obtain K650,000, of which K400,000 was later returned; Martha Ngwira, then the MP, attended the sentencing. In May 2022, Justice Chimwemwe Kamowa of the High Court in Mzuzu upheld the conviction on appeal, reducing the sentence to immediate release on health grounds. The conviction is Christopher Ngwira’s alone and is not evidence of wrongdoing by his wife. Luweya’s earlier case In Criminal Case No. 50 of 2020, the ACB prosecuted Christopher Ngwira and former Mzilawaingwe Ward councillor Dan Nkosi over CDF resources during their 2014–2019 terms, alleging diverted materials worth about K3.76 million meant for the Chankhalamu and Luweya bridges, about K2.12 million for Mzalangwe Police Unit, and materials meant for Nthumba Health Centre. The trial closed in March 2024; judgment followed over a year later. In May 2025, Senior Resident Magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda acquitted Ngwira, finding the State’s witnesses had not linked him to the diversion. The ACB said it would consider appealing. Nkosi was convicted on three counts of misuse of office — including the Luweya bridges count — and one of forgery, and sentenced to four years; his lawyer said he would appeal. A bridge with a history The need for a Luweya crossing is long documented: M’mbelwa’s 2017–2022 District Development Plan listed bridge works there, including a Baphani-Mzalangwe-Luweya bridge. The council says the structure being replaced collapsed in March 2024. Unanswered in the public record: what was previously built at Luweya and under which programme, whether the 2024 collapse was investigated, how much public money has already gone into crossings there, and how the new K370 million design addresses the old one’s failure. The procurement trail M’mbelwa advertised CDF works across its constituencies from June 2026 under reference MDC-CDF-W-1-2026-27. At a recent bid opening, the council’s director of finance, Robert Ziba, said the process would be transparent and that no contractor would be favoured. The tender results for Chaboli and Luweya have not been published — so for a K370 million contract, the public cannot see which companies make up the Luweya joint venture, which leads it, each partner’s share or track record, what rivals bid, or what the engineer estimated the bridge should cost. With a 90-day completion window, payment certificates, inspection reports and any contract variations for both projects fall due before year’s end. The record K559 million is being spent at Chaboli, a polling area named in a judgment that declared the constituency’s MP not duly elected — a judgment still awaiting the Supreme Court. K370 million is being spent at Luweya, where materials meant for the bridges there have already produced a criminal conviction. The MP’s husband and predecessor stands convicted, on appeal, of abuse of office over another development project in the constituency. And three projects worth K1.178 billion — almost a quarter of Mzimba Hora’s K5 billion allocation — have been launched without their Bills of Quantities, cost estimates or tender records made public. If the prices are fair and the projects were chosen on merit, those documents will show it. THE COURT RECORD - *Henri Mumba v MEC and Martha Munthali (Martha Mzomera Ngwira*), Electoral Petition No. 62 of 2025, High Court, Mzuzu — 24 November 2025: Justice Thomson Ligowe declared Ngwira not duly elected. - *Martha Ngwira and MEC v Henri Mumba, Supreme Court of App*eal — stay granted in Civil Application No. 58 of 2025; hearing closed 21 January 2026; judgment pending. - *Lukwelukwe School case (ACB v Christopher Mzomera Ngwira), Mzimba Magistrate’s Court* — convicted 28 September 2020, sentenced 16 October 2020; upheld on appeal by the High Court in Mzuzu, May 2022, sentence reduced to immediate release. - *CDF materials case (ACB v Christopher Mzomera Ngwira and Dan Nkosi), Criminal Case No. 50 of 2020, Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court*, Mzuzu — Ngwira acquitted May 2025; Nkosi convicted on three counts of misuse of office and one of forgery, sentenced to four years. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Christopher Ngwira, Constituency Development Fund, Henry Mumba --- ### [Out of forex, out of credit, out of fuel: critic's verdict on Malawi's pump crisis](https://www.nyasatimes.com/out-of-forex-out-of-credit-out-of-fuel-critics-verdict-on-malawis-pump-crisis/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A prominent political commentator has accused President Peter Mutharika’s government of recycling the excuses of its predecessor, as motorists face long queues and patchy supplies of petrol and diesel. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/20261005_104611-600x600.jpg)‘Same excuses, different president’: Commentator accuses Mutharika of copying Chakwera on fuelIdriss Ali Nassah challenged the administration’s explanation that international supply chain shocks are behind Malawi’s worsening fuel shortages. In a post, he said the line resembled what he called former president Lazarus Chakwera’s “convoluted excuses” during the last fuel crisis, when Chakwera blamed the war in Ukraine and was heavily criticised. The real problem, Nassah argued, is Malawi’s lack of foreign exchange, exhausted supplier credit lines and depleted strategic fuel reserves. “Okay, but how is it that, in the region, Malawi is the only country particularly affected?” he wrote. He claimed that fuel remains available in neighbouring countries. “Anywhere else that you look—Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana—there is fuel,” he said. His comments come as Malawians again face long queues. Emmanuel Mataka, chief executive of the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA), recently told parliamentary committees that forex shortages were hindering fuel imports, saying the country still has a gap between the foreign currency it earns and what it needs to import goods including fuel. The problem is not new. An IMF report noted that international banks had stopped confirming letters of credit for Malawi’s fuel imports, and that supplier credit lines had become harder to sustain because of inadequate forex. Nassah ended by accusing the government of reviving “Chakwera’s book of convoluted excuses” barely a year into its term. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, Fuel, Idriss Ali Nassah, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Mzimba Queens crowned northern netball champions as league more than doubles in size](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mzimba-queens-crowned-northern-netball-champions-as-league-more-than-doubles-in-size/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **K2m prize for winners, and sponsor Vitumbiko Mumba promises ‘state of the art’ changing rooms at Rosedale Court** Mzimba Queens are the 2026 Northern Region Netball League champions after beating Malongo Sisters of Rumphi 52-42 in a fierce final. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261005-WA0002-600x400.jpg)Up for the ball: a goal attack and goal defence challenge as a shot goes up during the Northern Region Netball League final at Rosedale CourtThe Queens led from the start, winning the first quarter 16-9 and the second 26-17. They were 38-32 ahead after three quarters before closing out the win. They took home K2 million, while the runners-up got K1.5 million. Karonga Sisters finished third after beating Chitipa Home Sisters 47-46, winning K1 million. Chitipa Home Sisters collected K750,000 for fourth place. The league has grown sharply, with 98 teams taking part this season, up from 38 last year. League sponsor Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba, who presented the trophy on Sunday at Rosedale Court, pledged to build a changing room and an ablution block at the court. “Netball has always put Malawi on the map and we need to invest more in the sport,” he said. Ken Phiri, Netball Association of Malawi general secretary for the north, praised Mumba as “a man of his words”. He said the association would immediately engage Mzuzu City Council on the pledge. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261005-WA0003-600x450.jpg)Mzimba Queens strike a pose on the podium with league sponsor Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba, \[check who the man in green is\] after being crowned 2026 Northern Region Netball League champions.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261005-WA0004-600x400.jpg)Medals on, bite down: the champions celebrate with their trophy after beating Malongo Sisters 52-42 in the final. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Netball --- ### [Catholic Bishop blames Malawi's poverty on 'greed and corruption' among leaders](https://www.nyasatimes.com/catholic-bishop-blames-malawis-poverty-on-greed-and-corruption-among-leaders/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A senior Catholic bishop has blamed Malawi’s persistent poverty on corruption and greed among its leaders, telling a packed stadium that the country lacks politicians willing to sacrifice for its development. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791185467456-600x400.jpg)‘God cannot bless a country with such leaders’: Bishop blames Malawi’s poverty on greed and corruptionBishop Adrian Peter Chikufwa of Dedza, vice-president of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops, was main celebrant at the National Centenary Celebration of World Mission Sunday at Mzuzu Stadium on Saturday. The event drew Catholics and faithful from other denominations. He said poverty was not caused by Malawians failing to work hard but by a lack of financial sacrifice. Corruption and selfishness continue to undermine progress, he said, and such leaders “cannot bless a country”. He called for national resources to be shared equitably, calling this essential for meaningful development. The Church itself, he said, needs resources for its missionary work. “With support from the outside world, the church would have a different face now,” he said. He urged Catholics to keep giving, and reminded them that Baptism makes every Christian a missionary. ‘Faithfulness and generosity’ Monsignor Dih Anh Nguyen, secretary general of the Pontifical Missionary Union in Rome, praised the Catholic Church in Malawi for its faithfulness and generosity. He said Malawi was the first country to provide World Mission Sunday offerings in two phases. “I am happy and grateful for the opportunity to be in Malawi and celebrate the 100 years of World Mission Sunday with the church,” he said. Fr Peter Madeya, national director of the Pontifical Missionary Societies in Malawi, urged Catholics to “move away from the mentality of being recipients of donor support” and to give through their own contributions. Government at the Mass Second Vice-President Enock Chihana, who attended with Justice Minister Charles Mhango, said collaboration between political leaders and churches was key to development. He told the congregation that the government would keep working with churches, and praised the Catholic Church’s role in health and education. He said peace and solidarity drive development, but “peace will only exist if there is unity”. The celebration also launched a five-year strategic plan for the Association of Diocesan Development in Malawi (ADCOM), which Bishop Chikufwa heads. He said it should be “a reliable working document” for the country’s dioceses and not just a blueprint. The event was held under the theme “One in Christ, United in Mission”. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** corruption, poverty, Roman Catholic Church --- ### ['Austerity? Not here': Admarc CEO Botolo spends 10 months in lodges](https://www.nyasatimes.com/austerity-not-here-admarc-ceo-botolo-spends-10-months-in-lodges/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The chief executive of cash-strapped state grain trader Admarc has spent about 10 months living in lodges at the corporation’s expense. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-1050.jpg)Ben Botolo says the house is uninhabitable, but a senior OPC official says it isn’t the time to ‘make demands’ in an age of austerityBen Botolo, a former secretary to the Treasury who was appointed in December last year, has yet to move into the official house at Mudi residential estate in Blantyre. He says it is not habitable and is being renovated. A senior official in the Office of the President and Cabinet, who asked not to be named, questioned why he has not moved in while the work goes on. “This does not speak to the spirit of austerity measures,” the official said. “If the other CEO lived in there then it must be fit enough for anyone.” Botolo shared videos showing an old, unpainted house that appears to be under renovation. He said his predecessor, Daniel Makata, left it in “tatters”. Makata disputes that, saying he left in February, though his contract ran to June. “If the house was in tatters I would not have lived there,” he said. Botolo said Admarc has lacked the money to finish the work but expects it to be done this month. He said he avoids hotels in favour of cheaper lodges costing about K135,000 a day, and works between Lilongwe and Blantyre on matters including salary payments. He accepted the arrangement could attract criticism but said his priority was reviving Admarc. The row comes as Admarc told the public in March it needs K144 billion to operate and restore itself during 2026/27. Admarc board chairperson Grey Nyandule Phiri and Comptroller for Statutory Corporations Stuart Ligomeka have not commented on the matter. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** ADMARC, Austerity measures, Ben Botolo --- ### [Mighty Wanderers U-turn: Bob Mpinganjira reinstated as head coach](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mighty-wanderers-u-turn-bob-mpinganjira-reinstated-as-head-coach/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers have brought back Bob Mpinganjira as head coach with immediate effect, in a dramatic about-turn at the Blantyre club. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260712_171942_Facebook-600x359.jpg)Mpinganjira is back: Wanderers reverse course on head coachIn a statement dated 4 October 2026, the club’s board said the decision followed a “thorough review” of its technical setup. The statement was signed by board secretary Chancy Gondwe on behalf of Mighty Wanderers Football Club (2021) Limited. The rest of the Technical Panel “remains intact for the time being”, the club said, with any further changes to be announced “in due course”. The board urged members, supporters and stakeholders to keep offering “unwavering support” to the technical team as the club strives for success this season and its ultimate goal of “making Mighty mighty again”. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Bob Mpinganjira, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [Dedza Dynamos unveil new board as Goshen City era begins](https://www.nyasatimes.com/dedza-dynamos-unveil-new-board-as-goshen-city-era-begins/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Club announces nine-strong board led by Paul Mzungu after restructuring, with an MP among the directors** Dedza Dynamos have a new boss. Goshen City Dedza Dynamos Football Club have unveiled a restructured board of directors, led by chairperson Paul Mzungu, effective from 1 October 2026. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Malango-2-487x600.jpg)Joshua Malango MP- in the boardThe club said the nine-member board brings experience in football, business, technology, law and governance. Its job is to steer the club’s strategic direction, governance, technology and commercial growth, and to oversee all club operations. Mzungu promised big things. “We will bring Goshen City Dedza Dynamos to greatness and take Goshen City and Dedza Dynamos brands to greater heights through shared vision and professionalism,” he said. Joining him are Joshua Malango MP, Timothy Banda, William Chiwaya, Felix Joseph Kholowa, Thengo Stevens, Felix Feston Madukani, Lloyd Khuda Chiwanda and Felix Kamtsalira, all as directors. Appointments for the technical, finance, marketing and administration teams will follow “in due course”, the club said. It also thanked the outgoing Executive Committee for its “recommendable service and dedication”. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Dedza Dynamos --- ### [Flames left stranded at Luanda airport for nearly two hours as Angolan officials fail to show](https://www.nyasatimes.com/flames-left-stranded-at-luanda-airport-for-nearly-two-hours-as-angolan-officials-fail-to-show/) **Published:** October 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s national football team were left waiting at Luanda airport for almost two hours after landing in Angola, with no one from the host federation there to meet them. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791148100240-600x600.jpg)Malawi squad greeted by empty arrivals hall, then by officials who ‘went to the wrong airport’The Flames touched down at 4 de Fevereiro International Airport at exactly 16:30, only to find nobody from the Angolan Football Federation waiting. After an hour, two officials finally turned up. They told the Malawi delegation they had believed the plane would land at Luanda’s newly opened airport. After apologising, they left. It took close to two hours in all before another bus was arranged to take the players to their new base, the Skyna Hotel in Luanda. Football Association of Malawi first vice-president Madalitso Kuyera said the matter would be investigated. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Angola, Flames --- ### [Two report cards, one verdict: Mutharika has steadied Malawi, but not yet changed it](https://www.nyasatimes.com/two-report-cards-one-verdict-mutharika-has-steadied-malawi-but-not-yet-changed-it/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A year into President Peter Mutharika’s second term, two independent assessments by Malawi’s own press agree on the big picture and disagree on almost everything underneath it. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/219D75CE-2D9F-4FF8-B53C-ECC38493AA83-600x400.jpeg)President Mutharika:Stabilising an economy is largely about restraint, while transforming one demands delivery.*Nyasa Times* scored the president 7.6 out of 10, the highest mark in its cabinet review, crediting him with free secondary education, a reformed Affordable Inputs Programme and early macroeconomic stability. *Nation on Sunday’s* panel of independent experts gave the government 62.2 per cent overall, a “Satisfactory” rating built on manifesto commitments, with the economy weakest at 54.3 per cent and social services strongest at 72.5. Both say stability has been delivered and transformation has not. Inflation is down, and talks with the IMF are unfinished. Both find power the weakest area. *Nyasa Times* reports four to six hours of daily load-shedding, and Nation cites Egenco data showing available generation of 370MW against peak demand of about 452MW. Beneath that consensus the details diverge. The Nation panel’s best score of all went to health, at 85 per cent, for restored supply chains and funding. Nyasa Times gave Health Minister Madalitso Baloyi 4.0, citing drug and equipment shortages. The two are measuring different things: one rates a sector’s foundations, the other a minister’s results. Fuel and food tell a similar story. Nyasa Times, writing in August, said fuel supply had been consistent. By the Nation’s October edition, queues were returning. On maize, Nation’s editorial says prices have fallen by more than half, yet a report in the same edition notes a sharp rise in August, and Nyasa Times cites an 8 per cent monthly increase. Even on new generation, Nyasa Times says none has been added, while the Office of the President, replying to the Nation, points to new plants. The methods differ too. Nation documents blind expert scoring weighted to the manifesto, though with a small panel and an editorial that opens by congratulating the president. Nyasa Times scores individual ministers but does not name its assessors. The numbers do not conflict so much as measure different things: a president rated 7.6 and a government rated 6.2, with ministers averaging around five. As Mutharika prepares to address the nation on MBC, the question is no longer whether he can steady the ship. It is whether anyone aboard can feel it moving. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** DPP, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Malawi's 'warm heart' has gone cold, says Mutharika, as he reflects on forex, tax pain and national mood](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-warm-heart-has-gone-cold-says-mutharika-as-he-reflects-on-forex-tax-pain-and-national-mood/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **President says forex is hardest challenge, defends fuel and food record, and warns of more tax pain a year into his term** Malawi’s president, Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika, has said the economic road ahead will be “rough”, acknowledging that foreign exchange shortages remain his most difficult problem and that further taxation will be unpopular but necessary. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791144736845-600x400.jpg)‘Too much strife, too much anger’: Mutharika’s stark warning on national moodSpeaking to the state broadcaster MBC on Sunday, the first anniversary of his inauguration, Mutharika said the forex shortage was “a very complicated matter”, with “some forces” at work, but insisted the government was “working very hard” on it. Teams from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank were in the country for talks on reviving the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), he said, and securing it would help stabilise the economy. He was more upbeat on fuel, saying supply had been stable for the past year despite problems with international supply and transport. On food, he said the government had made it “available to everybody and affordable”. Those claims sit uneasily with recent reporting that fuel queues were returning over the past two weeks, with petrol and diesel prices sharply higher than a year ago. Reports also that 1.9 million people are food insecure, though maize prices have fallen from last year’s highs. Mutharika said recovery would take time, describing his “four F” agenda as a five-year programme, “not just one year”. Higher taxes, he said, would be painful. “I know people don’t like paying more taxes… we have to do that, to sacrifice. In the long run we will be able to succeed.” He ended on a sombre note. “There is too much strife and there is too much anger in this country,” he said. “There was a time this country was the warm heart of Africa, but that heart is no longer warm.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** forex, IMF, Malawi Economy, Peter Mutharika, World Bank --- ### [One year on, Mutharika says freedom restored but economy still 'a process'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/one-year-on-mutharika-says-freedom-restored-but-economy-still-a-process/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Peter Mutharika has marked one year back in office with a wide-ranging reflection on his return to power, telling Malawi Broadcasting Corporation on Sunday evening that his time out of government had sharpened his determination to rebuild the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791144767537-600x419.jpg)President Mutharika: Malawians are now free, there are no longer hostages in their own country“It was very exciting time, I can tell you that, after five years in the wilderness,” Mutharika said in his opening remarks during the interview with Simon Shumba, thanking Malawians for “the confidence they showed on me” in returning him to office. He noted he was now the first person to win Malawi’s presidency three times, and the first to secure three million votes in an election. “It has been a very exciting journey, it has been like a rollercoaster like anything else,” he said, adding that his administration had “achieved a lot of things we set out to do.” He described his central mission in explicitly two-part terms: first, to “liberate this country and restore freedom to the people because people were threatened,” a goal he said was now achieved; and second, to rebuild the country after what he described as a difficult inheritance from the previous administration of Malawi Congress Party led by Lazarus Chakwera. “We inherited a difficult situation as bad as it can get,” he said. “We have tried our best to make some changes, certainly food security, that is the most important thing.” Mutharika pushed back firmly against critics who have downplayed food security as an achievement. “I know some person said that achieving food security is not an achievement. I was surprised to hear that because ask those people in Machinga eating Chitedze, or Nyika in Chikwawa and Nsanje; they will tell you what it means, it was an achievement” he said. On the broader economy, he was candid about the limits of a single year. “The economy cannot be repaired with a magic hand, it’s a process,” he said. “It will take longer but we are trying our best.” He said he was “pleased with the support that we are getting” from economic sectors and from Malawians themselves. The president also pointed to what he called newfound personal and political freedom under his administration, framing it in explicitly historical terms. “Malawians are now free, there are no longer hostages in their own country,” he said, using the Chichewa phrase “*palibe kuzunzika*” — there is no more suffering — to contrast the present with what he described as a past era of fear, referencing “*zikwanje*,” a term associated with violent political intimidation. “I am proud of that,” he said. He also cited the rollout of free secondary education and expanded loan access for tertiary students as achievements he was proud of, thanking banks for “providing loans for whoever needs for education.” Asked about a widely shared photograph of him at his desk working overnight, Mutharika said it had been taken without his knowledge by a relative. “I work very, very hard,” he said. “I like to work but I do have time to rest, I do relax with the family.” He said he follows international news through CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera, and listens to music — though he declined to say which. “Don’t ask me which music, that is a state secret,” he said in a lighter moment. Looking ahead, Mutharika called for national unity in the task of rebuilding, appealing directly to the private sector, civil society, faith groups, youth and women to work together. “Nobody is coming from outside this country to rebuild this country,” he said. “We must unite.” He acknowledged that the path ahead would involve difficult, unpopular decisions, including on taxation. “It will be a rough road. We are taking measures but they are painful,” he said. “I know people don’t like paying more taxes. We have to do that, to sacrifice. In the long run we will be able to succeed.” Mutharika said he has achieved 50 percent of what he set out to do in his first year in office. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** DPP, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Mutharika points to road rebuilding as flagship of first year back in power](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharika-points-to-road-rebuilding-as-flagship-of-first-year-back-in-power/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Peter Mutharika has pointed to a national road reconstruction drive as one of the signature achievements of his first year back in office, telling state broadcaster MBC on Sunday that long-neglected infrastructure was finally being restored after years of disrepair. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791144754437-600x432.jpg)From M1 to Lower Shire: Mutharika details year one of road reconstruction“The roads which have not been maintained since around 2022, we are now rebuilding the roads,” Mutharika said in a wide-ranging interview marking a year since his return to the presidency. He cited ongoing work on the M1 highway and the Khwekwere road, and said the Liwonde to Matawale road was already complete. The Malawi leader said further projects were nearing completion, including roads linking Monkey Bay to Mangochi and to Makanjira, as well as a donor-funded route in the Lower Shire descending from Thyolo down to Bangula. In urban areas, he pointed to road projects in Luchenza and ongoing works in Lilongwe, alongside new market infrastructure being built in Lilongwe and Mzuzu. “We are doing roads in Lilongwe. The new markets, these are modern markets in places like Lilongwe and Mzuzu. There are lots of things we are doing,” he said. Mutharika set a target of completing the national road network by 2028, after which, he said, construction of entirely new routes would begin. “We hope to finish the road network in 2028, all things being equal. We are rebuilding the country and then we will start new roads,” he said. He also highlighted a road connecting Chiweta to Karonga, which he said was financed through engagement with commercial banks — part of what he described as a broader shift toward private-sector involvement in national infrastructure. “We are now able to engage the private sector and the banks,” he said. “Private sector is now fully committed to develop this country with the government. We will rebuild it together.” Mutharika framed the infrastructure push as central to a wider pitch for national cooperation, calling on private organisations, civil society, NGOs, faith communities, youth and women to work collectively toward reconstruction. “We must unite,” he said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** infrastracture, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Malawi's President Mutharika to address nation on first anniversary in office](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-president-mutharika-to-address-nation-on-first-anniversary-in-office/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika will address the nation on state broadcaster Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) this evening. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787936204363-600x400.jpg)President Mutharika to address nationThe speech comes as Mutharika marks one year in office today. He was sworn in on 4 October 2025 after winning the September 2025 election. His address follows an assessment by Nation Publications Limited, which gave his government an overall score of 62.2%, or “Satisfactory”, from a panel of independent experts. In an accompanying editorial, the Nation on Sunday said Mutharika’s government had “fairly restored and steadied the basic machinery of Statehood” after inheriting a broken economy from the previous administration of Lazarus Chakwera. The panel scored social services highest at 72.5%, with health at 85%. The paper also noted that maize prices have fallen by more than half. Governance scored 63.3%, which the paper linked to renewed respect for judicial independence and the rule of law. The economy scored lowest, at 54.3%. The paper pointed to high commercial bank lending rates, persistent power outages, fuel queues returning in the past two weeks and inconclusive talks with the International Monetary Fund. It also said the Anti-Corruption Bureau was struggling to hire a substantive director general. The editorial urged the government to restructure national debt, create an enabling environment for private investment and publish savings from its austerity measures. It concluded: “The honeymoon is officially over; the real work must now begin.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Peter Mutharika --- ### [Malawi should DNA-test every newborn to spare fathers 'devastating' shock, says campaigner](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-should-dna-test-every-newborn-to-spare-fathers-devastating-shock-says-campaigner/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A leading Malawian campaigner has called on the government to consider making DNA tests compulsory for every newborn, saying men are being driven to despair when they discover, long after the fact, that they have raised other men’s children. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791112314815-600x270.jpg)Ndaferankhande:Charity boss says men are taking their own lives after discovering, years later, that children they raised are not theirsPilira Ndaferankhande, head of the charity In the Shoes of Men, said some fathers have taken their own lives after learning the truth when a child reached 18 or 25. She cited a recent study which, she said, found that eight in ten men who took DNA tests discovered the children they believed were theirs had been fathered by other men. “Such testing could help ensure that all parents accept early that the child is theirs,” said Ndaferankhande, who also heads the Malawi Interfaith Association for Action. “Testing years later is disruptive because the relationship is already established.” She spoke on Saturday night at a fundraising dinner at the Golden Peacock Hotel in Blantyre, organised by Abambo Tibe Khonde. The money will help build a house to support men who are considering ending their lives. Many men, she said, suffer in silence because of the belief that “a man does not cry”. Jefferson Milanzie, who founded Abambo Tibe Khonde, said he started the group after reaching a point where he wanted to end his own life. He described his daily torment, with calls from police, long hours sitting alone in his car after reaching home, and nights unable to sleep. He said the organisation has reached 18,000 people, including some who were on the brink of suicide, and has taken its work to several districts. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** DNA --- ### [Fill Bingu stadium for the Scorchers: Malawi host Zimbabwe in Olympic first leg](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fill-bingu-stadium-for-the-scorchers-malawi-host-zimbabwe-in-olympic-first-leg/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Scorchers return to Lilongwe on Friday as heroes, and fans have the chance to say thank you in person. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1786571329897-600x450.jpg)Scorchers: Fans urged to pack Bingu National Stadium for first leg against ZimbabweThe national women’s team host Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors on 9 October in the first leg of their Olympic qualifier at Bingu National Stadium. After their run to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final, supporters now have the chance to turn out in large numbers to honour the team that put Malawian women’s football on the continental map. The Scorchers beat Nigeria, then Ghana 2-1 in the quarter-finals and Algeria 3-1 in the semi-finals, before losing 3-0 to Cameroon in the final. With the tie decided over two legs, a strong result at home would give Malawi a platform for the return in Harare five days later. Zimbabwe will not be pushovers. At the recent COSAFA tournament they lost 3-1 to Zambia and went out to South Africa on penalties after a 1-1 draw. They also beat Botswana and Eswatini and drew 0-0 with Zambia, so the Mighty Warriors are both resilient and competitive. Head coach Lovemore Fazili has named a squad built largely around the group that went to WAFCON, with a few additions. He is also looking further ahead, with preparations under way for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** Bingu national stadium, Scorchers --- ### [Silver Strikers Ladies top NBM Women's Premiership at international break](https://www.nyasatimes.com/silver-strikers-ladies-top-nbm-womens-premiership-at-international-break/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Defending champions Silver Strikers Ladies lead the NBM Women’s Premiership on nine points after three rounds, level with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women, as the league pauses for the international break. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261004-WA0002-600x400.jpg)Silver Strikers Ladies playing against Chitoliro heroines in their latest fixture![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261004-WA0003-600x375.jpg)Silver Strikers Ladies playing against Chitoliro heroines in their latest fixtureCivil Service Women moved into third place with a 5-0 win over Chitoliro Heroines at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday. Vitumbiko Mkandawire scored four of the goals. Ascent Soccer Academy and Mighty Wanderers drew 3-3 at the same ground. The result leaves Ascent fourth with five points and Wanderers fifth with four. Kukoma Ntopwa Queens recorded their first win of the season, beating Rumphi Sisters 1-0 at Rumphi Stadium. They are seventh with three points. Rumphi Sisters and Chitoliro Heroines are the only sides without a win after three matches. The league resumes on 17 October 2026. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Silver Strikers Ladies, women football --- ### [Arithmetic of a Malawian recovery: Mutharika has tamed inflation, cheapened maize - Nobody has told the petrol pump](https://www.nyasatimes.com/arithmetic-of-a-malawian-recovery-mutharika-has-tamed-inflation-cheapened-maize-nobody-has-told-the-petrol-pump/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is an old rule of politics that voters do not judge governments on rates of change. They judge them on prices. By that standard, President Peter Mutharika’s first year looks rather less impressive than his officials would like. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/petroda-e1665572595777-522x600.jpg)Fuel problems biteThe government’s best exhibit is inflation, which fell from about 29 per cent in October 2025 to 20 per cent this August. Maize, the staple on which most Malawians live or go hungry, now sells at around K42,000 a bag, against more than K80,000 in many markets last year. Nation on Sunday, whose one-year review supplies most of the figures here, credits imports and market interventions. But disinflation is not deflation. It means prices are rising more slowly, not that they have come down. Petrol has gone from K3,499 a litre to K5,619 in under a year, an increase of 61 per cent. Diesel has risen 68 per cent, from K3,500 to K5,863. Queues are creeping back. Egenco figures show available generation of 370MW against peak demand of roughly 452MW, with nearly 67MW lost to load-shedding. Those who can afford to are buying their way out. Some small businesses told the paper they spend as much as K450,000 a month on generators just to stay open. Those who cannot go hungry: 1.9 million Malawians are food insecure, a number expected to reach 2.6 million in the lean season. The deeper problem is growth. The economy is expanding by an estimated 2.8 per cent, which the paper says leaves income per head flat. The Democratic Progressive Party promised 6.5 per cent from 2028 to 2030, and getting from here to there will take some doing. Debt servicing swallows about a quarter of the budget. And the Treasury has yet to account for the K500 billion in savings it promised for 2026. The economist Milward Tobias put it without ornament: “There is no economic recovery yet.” Mutharika ran as the man who knew how to run things. A year in, he has shown he can stop the bleeding. What he has not shown is that he can heal the patient, and Malawians, who are paying more for almost everything, are unlikely to wait very long for the answer. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Fuel, inflation, maize, Malawi Economy, Peter Mutharika --- ### [A year of stability, little transformation: the audit that puts Mutharika at 62.2%](https://www.nyasatimes.com/a-year-of-stability-little-transformation-the-audit-that-puts-mutharika-at-62-2/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A year after his return to State House on a promise of “proven leadership”, President Arthur Peter Mutharika has been given a mark that is neither failure nor triumph: 62.2%, or “Satisfactory”. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261004_085233_Instagram-600x401.jpg)Mutharika scores 62.2% for year one: ‘Satisfactory’, but experts say honeymoon is overThe score comes from an independent audit by Nation Publications Limited, published to mark the first anniversary of his 4 October 2025 inauguration. A panel of economists, lawyers and policy researchers scored the government against the DPP’s own manifesto, with the economy and governance each weighted at 37.5% and social services at 25%. The pattern behind the headline number matters more than the number itself. Social services scored highest, at 72.5%, lifted by health, where Maziko Matemba gave 85% for extra funding, drug-budget increases and a US grant. Governance scored 63.3%, with the panel noting restraint by the executive and signs of judicial independence. The economy scored lowest, at 54.3%, with the experts agreeing that the pain is easing but recovery is not yet felt at household level. There are fault lines inside the verdict. The Anti-Corruption Bureau has been without a substantive director general for two and a half years, and political scientist Gift Sambo, who scored the government 55%, said corruption remains widespread. The Office of the President told the paper that the government has made “significant progress” in laying the foundations for recovery. Nation’s own conclusion was less generous: for the president, who ran on a record, the first year has shown he can stop the slide. “The honeymoon is officially over; the real work must now begin,” it said. The test for Mutharika is no longer whether he can stabilise the state. It is whether he can turn stability into something his voters can feel. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** DPP, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Nine demands and one doubt: HRDC challenges Mutharika's grip on power](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nine-demands-and-one-doubt-hrdc-challenges-mutharikas-grip-on-power/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The most striking line in the Human Rights Defenders Coalition’s latest statement is not a demand but a doubt. Malawians, it says, are “entitled” to know whether President Peter Mutharika is actually running the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261004_094053_Google-600x582.jpg)“Entitled to know”: rights coalition presses Mutharika on who is in chargeIssued on Saturday, the statement accuses the administration of eroding the independence of key institutions while ordinary citizens struggle with failing public services. Signed by Vice-Chairperson Madalitso Banda and National Coordinator Kelvin Chirwa on behalf of the board, it sets out nine demands. The first concerns the machinery of accountability. The HRDC wants full independence restored to the offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and wants Parliament to compel the DPP to reinstate cases it says were wrongly discontinued, with citizens given legal standing to enforce them. That would be a significant shift in who can hold prosecutors to account. The second goes to the heart of its doubt. The coalition demands an “immediate, direct presidential explanation” for the treatment of First Vice-President Jane Ansah, and the restoration of her office’s constitutional function. The statement does not spell out what that treatment has been, leaving the implication to speak for itself. The remaining demands fall into two groups. On institutions and rights, the group calls for respect for Parliament’s oversight role and the independence of the Malawi Electoral Commission, urgent and properly funded action against human trafficking with real enforcement and victim protection rather than legislative promises, and an end to the arrest, harassment and court-imposed silencing of human rights defenders. On the state’s competence, it wants published timelines and transparent reporting on the electricity, water, fuel and passport crises, evidence of the savings from government austerity measures, and a transparent, merit-based process for all parastatal appointments. The statement was also backed by regional representatives Harold Kachepatsonga (Central), Gibson Chisale (Northern) and Loveness Thole (Women Human Rights Defenders). The HRDC said it “remains committed to ensuring respect for human rights for all Malawians.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** HRDC, Malawi Cabinet, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Is Chithyola doing enough? Leaked letter sparks war of words over opposition leader's 'inactiveness'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/is-chithyola-doing-enough-leaked-letter-sparks-war-of-words-over-opposition-leaders-inactiveness/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A public row has erupted between a self-described concerned citizen and Malawi’s Leader of Opposition, after a leaked letter accused Simplex Chithyola Banda of failing to speak up for ordinary Malawians. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Chithyola-399x600.jpg)Finance Minister ChithyolaIn the letter, Joshua Mbewe challenges Chithyola to take a more active role on the issues hitting citizens, and insists he is not trying to undermine him or meddle in the internal politics of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). “Your inactiveness is betraying the one who appointed you on that position,” reads part of the letter. Mbewe adds that the 1.7 million people who voted for former President Lazarus Chakwera “are not only MCP members”, saying: “even I for one, I’m not MCP but I voted for him.” The exchange follows reported pushback from Chithyola’s camp, which is said to argue that those targeting Chakwera’s political future are trying to build a narrative that Chithyola is failing the public. His supporters have also questioned the timing of the criticism, given that Parliament has yet to resume. Mbewe rejects that reading. He says his concern is the responsibilities of the office, not MCP succession or Chakwera’s future. He argues that the Leader of Opposition holds a significant national position and should use it to scrutinise government policy, expose shortcomings and provide checks and balances on behalf of the public. He also questions why Chithyola appears ready to respond strongly to criticism, while the same energy is not always evident when tackling the hardships facing ordinary Malawians. “I am not fighting you,” the letter says. “I am not in a political battle with you. I am simply being honest with you as a Malawian and as someone who expects accountability from the office you hold.” The dispute now turns on what effective opposition looks like. Chithyola’s camp has linked the criticism to wider political manoeuvring around Chakwera, while Mbewe maintains it is about accountability. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** ch, MCP --- ### [Mumba's K1bn bet: poverty, not talent, is holding Malawi's students back](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mumbas-k1bn-bet-poverty-not-talent-is-holding-malawis-students-back/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** On a Friday night in Lilongwe, a roomful of guests heard a pointed message from the founder of an organisation with “politics” in its name: stop expecting politicians to save you. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261004-WA0001-600x400.jpg)Vitumbiko Mumba is putting K1bn behind students who arrive at university too hungry to think“Many people have placed too much hope in politicians,” said Vitumbiko Mumba, an engineer, as he launched the People Over Politics Foundation and its Student Stipend Fund. He has pledged K1bn over five years to keep disadvantaged students in university. His case is simple and blunt. Malawi is wasting its best resource, he argues, because young people enter higher education in extreme poverty with their minds fixed on getting through the day. “Their imaginative and innovative minds are focused on survival rather than developing ideas that can propel economic growth,” he said. He described young Africans as driven by a “righteous anger” at unequal opportunity and a lack of direction, and said the fund grew out of that realisation. This is not a promise made from a standing start. The scholarship programme already supports 150 students at universities across the country, and more than K200m of Mumba’s own money has gone to needy students in public institutions. The new fund is meant to widen that reach. The guest speaker, Lathitha Mbuzwana, said the money will cover accommodation, food and other basics that struggling students cannot afford, and will go to the underprivileged regardless of political affiliation. Mumba also pointed to the demographic clock: by 2030, he said, a large share of the world’s young people will live in Africa, which makes education all the more urgent. Agnes Hara, a lecturer at Mzuzu University, called the fund a major relief for students with nowhere else to turn. She urged beneficiaries to use the chance well and, once they graduate, to help others in the same position. The launch was held under the theme “Turning Scars of Pain into Symbols of Resilience”. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Vitumbiko Mumba --- ### [Malawi praised for "faithfulness and generosity" as Church marks centenary of World Mission Sunday](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-praised-for-faithfulness-and-generosity-as-church-marks-centenary-of-world-mission-sunday/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The secretary general of the Pontifical Missionary Union in Rome has praised the Catholic Church in Malawi for its faithfulness and generosity in supporting missionary work. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791069136460-600x400.jpg)Catholics urged to sustain the Church’s missionMonsignor Dih Anh Nguyen was speaking on Saturday at Mzuzu Stadium during the National Centenary Celebration of World Mission Sunday, which drew Catholics and faithful from other denominations. “I am happy and grateful for the opportunity to be in Malawi and celebrate the 100 years of World Mission Sunday with the church,” he said. He noted that Malawi was the first country to provide World Mission Sunday offerings in two phases. The main celebrant, Bishop Adrian Peter Chikufwa, vice-president of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops, urged the faithful to keep supporting the Church so that it can carry out its missionary work. “The church needs resources for its missionary works,” he said, adding that without support from the outside world the Church “would have a different face now”. He thanked those who had given, and asked everyone present to continue. He also reminded Catholics that Baptism makes every Christian a missionary, whatever their position or workplace, so that the Church continues to grow. The celebration also saw the launch of a five-year strategic plan for the Association of Diocesan Development in Malawi (ADCOM). Bishop Chikufwa, who is ADCOM president, said the plan should give direction to the country’s dioceses and be used as a practical working document. “This plan should be a reliable working document rather than simply a blueprint,” he said. Fr Peter Madeya, national director of the Pontifical Missionary Societies in Malawi, described the centenary as a time to remember and honour those who have contributed to the Church’s growth over the years. He called on Catholics to move away from “the mentality of being recipients of donor support” and to support the Church through their own contributions. The event was held under the theme “One in Christ, United in Mission”. Government officials in attendance included Second Vice-President Enock Chihana and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Charles Mhango. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News, Religion, Religious News **Tags:** Roman Catholic Church --- ### [Chihana credits Catholic Church with shaping nation's schools, clinics and farms](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chihana-credits-catholic-church-with-shaping-nations-schools-clinics-and-farms/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Second Vice-President, Enock Chihana, has paid tribute to the Catholic Church’s role in the country’s development, pointing to its work in health, agriculture and education. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791068752599-600x400.jpg)Enock Chihana, a former pupil of a Catholic secondary school, at centenary of World Mission SundaySpeaking on Saturday at Mzuzu Stadium, following the National Centenary Celebration of World Mission Sunday, he said he was himself a beneficiary of that work, having received his secondary education at St John Bosco Secondary School. Chihana also praised the Church for fostering peace and unity, which he described as a prerequisite for development. “Unity and solidarity in anything is very important, whether in government, politics or any society, for development,” he said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Roman Catholic Church --- ### [Torch of unity arrives in Lilongwe as Malawi gears up for Region 5 Games](https://www.nyasatimes.com/torch-of-unity-arrives-in-lilongwe-as-malawi-gears-up-for-region-5-games/) **Published:** October 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s sporting hopefuls had their moment in the spotlight as the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games torch arrived at Bingu National Stadium. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791068199864-e1791068365447-600x317.jpg)Flame lands at Bingu National Stadium as athletes eye glory in Maputo this DecemberThe flame’s arrival kicks off Malawi’s leg of a relay that is part of build-up to the games, which run from December 4 to 13, 2026 in Maputo, Mozambique. It will continue through the other 10 participating countries. Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Alfred Gangata said the torch is a symbol of unity among Africans through sport. Malawi National Council of Sports board chairperson Jim Kalua said he hopes the relay will fire up local athletes ahead of the competition. Among those set to compete is Amanda Kondowe, who said she hopes to perform well and represent Malawi with pride. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Olympic --- ### [Mkwezalamba hails Bisika's legacy as envoy launches UK record](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mkwezalamba-hails-bisikas-legacy-as-envoy-launches-uk-record/) **Published:** October 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** In an age when many diplomats leave their posts quietly, Malawi’s outgoing High Commissioner to the UK has chosen to put his record on the table, and in print. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0437-450x600.jpeg)Mkwezalamba (L) and Bisika at the magazine launch![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1791013919668-457x600.jpg)Dr Thomas Bisika and Joab Frank Chakhaza launching the magazine with a live interviewDr Thomas Bisika launched a magazine at Ufulu Gardens this week documenting his time at Malawi House, where he was also accredited to Ireland, Finland, Sweden and Denmark. “There has to be a record of what you are doing,” he said. “People should also know what we are getting.” The first copy went for K500,000 at auction, bought by former Economic Planning Minister Dr Maxwell Mkwezalamba, who called Bisika “a distinguished public servant, diplomat and politician”. Veteran broadcaster Joan Frank Chakhaza questioned the envoy on stage about his achievements, challenges and lessons learned. The timing matters. With traditional development assistance shrinking, Bisika described Britain as a strategic partner whose value now lies increasingly in trade, investment and economic cooperation. He pointed to two initiatives: the Malawi Diaspora Engagement Policy, which aims to keep Malawians abroad connected to home, and the Malawi Business Chamber of Commerce UK, chaired by Edgar Chibaka with Hannington Gondwe as chief executive. The chamber is working towards a formal launch in Malawi. Among those paying tribute were retired generals Marko Chiziko Nundwe and John Msonthi, who welcomed the magazine as a useful record of Malawi’s diplomacy abroad. .Policymakers increasingly see the diaspora as a source of capital, expertise and international networks. Whether that promise translates into investment is the test his successors will inherit Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Maxwell Mkwezalamba, Thomas Bisika --- ### [Teacher, 37, arrested airport after stash of foreign cash is found hidden in plastic bag inside his suitcase](https://www.nyasatimes.com/teacher-37-arrested-airport-after-stash-of-foreign-cash-is-found-hidden-in-plastic-bag-inside-his-suitcase/) **Published:** October 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A 37-year-old Malawian teacher of Asian origin has been dramatically arrested at Bakili Muluzi International Airport after customs officials discovered a hidden stash of foreign currency concealed in his luggage — just as he was about to board a flight to South Africa. Suhel Shirajamed Gangat was stopped in his tracks when his two suitcases were put through routine scanning at the airport, formerly known as Chileka, triggering a search that uncovered the undeclared cash. Airport police spokesperson Dorrah Machila Chathyoka revealed the full scale of the discovery, confirming officers found a staggering R40,000 — roughly K4.8 million — concealed in a plastic bag hidden among Gangat’s belongings. “He was bound for South Africa when he had his two suitcases scanned. A further search physically found R40,000 concealed in a plastic bag by the suspect,” Chathyoka said. When confronted and asked to produce supporting documentation for the cash, Gangat was unable to provide any justification — a failure that led directly to his arrest and the immediate seizure of the money. “Asked about the supporting document, Gangat failed to account for it, leading to his arrest and seizure of the cash,” Chathyoka confirmed. “Meanwhile, Gangat has been charged with illegal possession of foreign currency and he is due to appear in court.” Background: a country starved of hard currency The arrest comes amid a severe and deepening foreign exchange crisis gripping Malawi, with banks currently restricting individual customers to a maximum of just $200 in forex disbursements — a cap branded a “slap in the face” to entrepreneurs and ordinary Malawians by critics, as the economy continues to buckle under crushing forex shortages. The scarcity of hard currency has fuelled a thriving parallel market, with dealers offering vastly inflated rates far beyond the official exchange, as desperate businesses and individuals scramble for the dollars, pounds and rand they need to trade, travel and survive. Strict controls on the movement of undeclared foreign currency — like those enforced in Gangat’s case — form part of the government’s broader effort to clamp down on illegal cash flight and protect what little foreign currency remains within Malawi’s formal banking channels, amid mounting pressure to stem the outflow of a resource the country can increasingly ill afford to lose. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** forex --- ### ['Roads have to be fixed, corruption must be fought': The brutal checklist DPP has yet to tick off](https://www.nyasatimes.com/roads-have-to-be-fixed-corruption-must-be-fought-the-brutal-checklist-dpp-has-yet-to-tick-off/) **Published:** October 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A scathing Malawi News editorial has laid out a brutal checklist of unmet promises facing the Democratic Progressive Party one year into power, arguing that the trust Malawians placed in the party at the ballot box was effectively secured long before a single vote was cast — and now must be repaid in full. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/20260819_174140-1-600x600.jpg)Not long enough to achieve enough — but long enough to show it’: Paper’s damning verdict on year oneThe comment piece contends that widespread discontent with the previous administration’s record — a struggling agricultural sector, a strained health system, under-performing education, and crumbling roads — had already built overwhelming public support for change well before the September 2025 election. Malawians backed the DPP, the paper argues, in the hope of securing stronger protection of human rights, a tougher stance on corruption, and real improvements to living standards, education, health services and infrastructure — promises the editorial says were central to the party’s campaign. A year on, the paper delivers its unflinching verdict: that support now amounts to “a vote of faith” the government has yet to fully justify. Ordinary Malawians, it notes, are openly debating where the administration has delivered and where it has fallen short — across the economy, health, the fight against corruption, public appointments, and agriculture and food security. And while the editorial concedes there have been pockets of genuine progress, it makes clear the bulk of the job remains undone — laying out its brutal checklist in black and white: roads have to be fixed. Fuel supply has to be reliable. Corruption has to be decisively fought. Drugs must be available. The paper stops short of declaring the government a failure, acknowledging that a single year in office may not be long enough to resolve every challenge facing the country. But it insists that one year is more than enough time to show clear signs of direction — and issues a pointed warning that the clock is now ticking. “The authorities should listen to all credible and well-meaning voices as to the direction they want the country to go,” the editorial states, concluding bluntly: “Time is of the essence for the administration to make good of people’s belief.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** DPP, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Malawi's chief justice urges public to trust judiciary despite delays](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-chief-justice-urges-public-to-trust-judiciary-despite-delays/) **Published:** October 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a particular kind of appeal that judges rarely have to make — not for a verdict to be respected, but for the institution itself to be believed in. That was, in essence, the request Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda put to Malawians in Blantyre on Friday, urging the public to keep faith with the judiciary even as he acknowledged, in the same breath, that the system delivering justice is still struggling to function as it should. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790942737821-600x284.jpg)Chief justice acknowledges challenges in justice delivery![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790942752185-600x284.jpg)Malawi chief justice opens new judicial calendar amid concerns over delaysThe occasion was the formal opening of the 2026/2027 judicial calendar — the kind of ceremonial milestone that, in a healthier year, might pass with little more than procedural remarks. Instead, it became a forum for something closer to collective stocktaking, with the judiciary and the executive each offering their own account of what is holding the system back. Attorney General Frank Mbeta’s contribution was notably candid. He did not dispute that judgments are taking too long to arrive, nor pretend the concern was unfounded; he acknowledged it directly, attributing the delays in large part to funding constraints the government says it is working to address. It is a familiar admission in Malawian public life — the problem is real, the money is the obstacle, the fix is underway — but it carries particular weight when made about the institution responsible for resolving everyone else’s disputes. The sharper note came from Malawi Law Society president Davis Njobvu, who pointed to a structural gap rather than a budgetary one: the continued absence of an operational Judicial Service Commission. The Commission exists, on paper, as the body meant to oversee judicial appointments, discipline and accountability — the mechanism, in other words, by which a judiciary answers for itself. Without it functioning, Njobvu’s point was essentially this: trust is being asked for without the usual instrument that makes trust verifiable. That juxtaposition is worth sitting with. A Chief Justice asking the public to believe in the courts is not, on its own, unusual — judiciaries everywhere depend on public confidence to function. What is less comfortable is doing so while the body designed to hold the institution accountable is not yet in place, and while the government’s own law officer is conceding that delay has become a defining feature of how justice is currently delivered. None of this amounts to a crisis of legitimacy, at least not yet. Institutions under strain are not the same as institutions failing, and today’s event was, by most accounts, intended as a moment of honest reflection rather than alarm — an opportunity, as framed by those present, to take stock of progress and set a course forward. But an honest reckoning also means naming the gap between the appeal being made and the apparatus needed to earn it. Malawians are being asked to trust a judiciary that is, by its own admission, still waiting on the funding to move faster and the commission to prove it can police itself. That is not necessarily too much to ask. It is, however, a lot to ask on faith alone — and faith, as a principle of governance, tends to run thinner the longer it goes untested. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Judiciary, Justice Rezine Mzikamanda, Malawi Law Society --- ### [When Chikangawa Forest fell silent, the media lost its way!](https://www.nyasatimes.com/when-chikangawa-forest-fell-silent-the-media-lost-its-way/) **Published:** October 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s tragedy on 10 June—the unfortunate crash that killed the Republican Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others—did not unfold only in the Chikangawa forest. It unfolded on our screens, in our newsrooms, and across every broadcast frequency in the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261002-WA0001-517x600.jpg)Peter MakossahSocial media screamed. But mainstream media stumbled too. It was chaotic. Unfortunately, it still is. And, even more uncontrollable, now. As the country waited for clarity, some print media houses and broadcasters rushed to fill the silence with speculation. Unverified claims were aired as breaking news. Graphic images slipped into bulletins. Panels debated conspiracy theories before investigators even reached the crash site. In the race for ratings, restraint became optional. The ongoing Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee inquiry has exposed the consequences: some eye-and-ear witnesses arriving with half-truths and narratives shaped by both viral posts and sensational headlines; officials forced to correct misinformation aired on prime‑time; families grieving while their loved ones’ images looped on TV. So, why the lawlessness? In fact, it is safe to say that Malawi has laws — the Electronic Transactions & Cyber Security Act, the Communications Act, the Data Protection Act — but, truth be said, all these laws, were built for a slower world. These laws could not contain the wildfire of social media, nor the shockwaves of mainstream media missteps. Every mainstream media house, print or broadcast, random social media influencers and any other digital idiot did as they please to please their audiences, and for some, to get likes and views for payment. So what do I suggest Malawi needs to do now going forward? I strongly believe that if we can put the following strategies in place, we can do much better. Put in place a workable and practical National Digital & Broadcast Crisis Protocol — one authoritative voice, one verified stream of information. Have a strong digital and broadcast forensic standards — protecting evidence from contamination by online rumours or premature reporting. Put in place strong, punitive modern rules on harmful content — for both social platforms and traditional media houses. Enact new strong cyber laws and repeal the old toothless ones to curb the scourge. Conduct public education on digital and media responsibility — because, I believe that the TRUTH is a national asset. I am sure these and many other factors would help the nation in the event of any other national tragedy. The crash was a national wound. Social media made it septic. Mainstream media, at moments, deepened the infection. So far, I believe that the Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee isn’t doing the inquiry any justice as the members appears to be emotional, taking sides and are inquistorial in their approach. The committee is divided. One gang is looking to find guilt while the other side of the fence is in defence mode. The question, therefore, is; what does this committee want to achieve in the end? I am sure that as a country, we need to establish the truth that we already know, that the fatal accident was a direct result of broken systems that the nation has been operating on for over three decades. It is time we gird our loins. We need to fix our systems or else we will continue having inquiries that bring nothing but gives people allowances. Just imagine if this Parliamentary Hoc Committee members were not receiving allowances, would this committee took 90 days to finish the inquiry? I think not. But, I know, as many do, that Money makes people work harder. If Malawi wants dignity, order, and truth in the next crisis, it must build a media ecosystem, digital and traditional, where facts outrun rumours, where restraint outruns sensationalism, and where grief is not turned into content. This is not just a legal challenge. It is a moral quagmire. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Columns, Politics **Tags:** plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima --- ### [General Phiri freed on bail after night in cells – as arms trafficking charges rock Malawi's military](https://www.nyasatimes.com/general-phiri-freed-on-bail-after-night-in-cells-as-arms-trafficking-charges-rock-malawis-military/) **Published:** October 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former Malawi Defence Force commander General Paul Valentino Phiri has been granted bail after a dramatic court appearance, following his shock arrest on corruption charges linked to an alleged illegal arms trafficking scandal. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790941391702-600x437.jpg)Ex-army chief General Phiri walks free on K10m bail – after being charged over ‘illegal arms trafficking’ scandalSenior resident magistrate Shukurani Kumbani set bail at a hefty K10 million cash bond, backed by two sureties bonded at K20 million each — a striking sum reflecting the seriousness of the charges against the once-powerful military chief. As part of his strict bail conditions, the disgraced former commander has also been ordered to report to police once every month until his trial, which is now scheduled to begin on 12 November 2026. Phiri’s dramatic court appearance came just a day after Anti-Corruption Bureau investigators swooped to arrest him on five separate counts, with the ACB confirming the charges relate to abuse of office and dealing in terrorist property. Speaking after the bail hearing, Phiri’s lawyer Powell Nkhutabasa revealed the full scale of the allegations facing his client, disclosing that the charges also extend to breaches of procurement procedures. “The General was informed of the reasons why he had been detained. After that, we made an application for bail, and the court has since released him on bail,” Nkhutabasa said. In a bombshell development, the ACB alleges the charges stem from Phiri’s role in facilitating illegal arms trafficking back in June and July 2025 — raising fresh and troubling questions over security lapses at the very top of Malawi’s military establishment. It comes after Phiri was forced to spend Thursday night behind bars in police custody, after his original court appearance was abruptly postponed at the eleventh hour — a last-minute switch that left both his legal team and onlookers scrambling for answers at the time. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Malawi Defence Force, Valentino Phiri --- ### [MCP power struggle: why toppling Chithyola Banda is 'step one' to ousting Chakwera](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcp-power-struggle-why-toppling-chithyola-banda-is-step-one-to-ousting-chakwera/) **Published:** October 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A furious row over whether Malawi’s Leader of Opposition Simplex Chithyola Banda has gone mysteriously silent on the issues gripping the nation has exposed deep public confusion over exactly what his job actually involves, according to political analysts. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784725693048-1-600x329.jpg)‘Two different jobs!’: Analysts hit back at critics of ‘silent’ opposition leader Chithyola BandaCritics have accused Chithyola Banda of failing to speak out on trending national controversies — but insiders insist the backlash stems from a fundamental mix-up between two entirely separate roles: Leader of Opposition, and party spokesperson. The Leader of Opposition is, in fact, a formal constitutional office enshrined in the Malawi Constitution and Parliamentary Standing Orders — a governance institution in its own right, not a mouthpiece expected to churn out daily soundbites for the Malawi Congress Party. His actual mandate, analysts explain, is to scrutinise government policy, propose credible alternatives and lead opposition business inside Parliament — a world away from the rapid-fire political commentary expected of a party spokesperson, whose job is to respond daily, defend the party and engage in the relentless news cycle. Governance analyst Ceasar Kondowe didn’t hold back in defending the embattled opposition leader, telling *Nyasa Times* his silence on minor controversies is by design, not neglect. “Chithyola does not comment on every trending issue. When he speaks, it carries the weight of an alternative government,” Kondowe said. He explained that the Leader of Opposition reserves his voice for matters of genuine national importance — constitutional issues, major policy shifts, the State of the Nation Address and the national budget — rather than wading into every daily news story. “People expect him to behave like a spokesperson. Those are two different jobs,” Kondowe insisted. And he delivered a stinging rebuke to critics, arguing that if the party spokesperson falls silent, responsibility shifts to the Secretary General — not to the Leader of Opposition at all. “The Leader of Opposition would be capturing other people’s jobs if he issued statements every day outside Parliament. That is the job of the SG and spokesperson,” he said, pointing out that Chithyola Banda has in fact spoken out forcefully on critical national issues — but inside Parliament, exactly where his constitutional mandate places him. But the real explosive claim lies elsewhere. Sources deep inside the Malawi Congress Party have told *Nyasa Times* that the online campaign targeting Chithyola Banda, fronted by so-called “concerned citizens,” is in fact linked to a bitter internal power struggle tearing through the party. Insiders allege Chithyola Banda is viewed by disgruntled factions as the last line of defence standing between them and party president Lazarus Chakwera — with the calculation being that toppling Chithyola Banda first would make it far easier to move against Chakwera himself. “It has nothing to do with the role of Leader of Opposition. It is a fight for leadership of the party,” Kondowe said bluntly, cutting through the public debate to expose what insiders claim is really driving the campaign. Amid the turmoil, moves are already underway to tighten coordination between the office of the Leader of Opposition and the party’s communications wing, in a bid to clearly separate strategic parliamentary leadership from the daily grind of political messaging. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Chithyola Banda, Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP --- ### [Economist blasts 'sleeping' minister Mathanga over fuel crisis](https://www.nyasatimes.com/economist-blasts-sleeping-minister-mathanga-over-fuel-crisis/) **Published:** October 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s fragile economic recovery — recently hailed by the World Bank — is now at serious risk of being wiped out entirely by the country’s crippling fuel shortage, a leading economic commentator has dramatically warned. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261001_041050_Google-600x455.jpg)Mathanga: ‘Minister must wake up from deep slumber!’: Economist’s furious attack on government’s silence as fuel crisis threatens to wipe out Malawi’s hard-won economic gainsDr Ben Dzolowere launched a blistering attack on the government’s handling of the crisis, demanding Minister of Energy Jean Namathanga finally break her silence and address an increasingly desperate public, as fuel queues continue to snake through Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu with no end in sight. It comes just weeks after the World Bank praised Malawi for genuine economic progress, pointing to fiscal consolidation, improved foreign exchange management and growing signs of stabilisation following years of brutal economic shocks. But Dzolowere warned those hard-fought gains could unravel entirely unless fuel supply is urgently normalised, delivering a stark warning that has sent shockwaves through economic circles. “Fuel is the engine of the economy,” he said bluntly. “When it stops, everything stops.” The crisis has already triggered a devastating chain reaction across the economy. Transport costs have soared as minibus operators and freight transporters hike fares to cover hours lost sitting in queues, as well as the cost of sourcing fuel from the thriving black market. Traders, in turn, are passing those brutal extra costs straight onto already struggling consumers. That surge in transport costs is now feeding directly into runaway inflation, with food prices and the cost of basic goods climbing sharply as moving commodities from farms and border posts to markets becomes dramatically more expensive. Dzolowere issued an ominous prediction that headline inflation is set to spike dramatically — potentially wiping out the very stabilisation the World Bank praised just weeks ago. The damage doesn’t stop there. Productivity across the country is collapsing, with workers losing entire days stuck in fuel queues instead of earning a living, while small businesses are being forced to slash operating hours or shut down completely, unable to run generators or deliver goods to customers. Manufacturing has also been thrown into chaos, with factories struggling desperately to move raw materials and finished products. Perhaps most alarmingly, the crisis is fuelling a thriving parallel black market where desperate motorists are being forced to pay an eye-watering three times the official pump price just to keep moving — draining vital cash outside formal channels and piling even more pressure onto the country’s already fragile foreign exchange reserves. Government coffers are also taking a direct hit, with plummeting business activity translating into sharply lower VAT and tax collections — threatening to undo the very fiscal consolidation that won Malawi praise from the World Bank in the first place. Dzolowere warned that investor confidence has been badly shaken, with persistent shortages sending a damning signal of poor planning that risks reversing the hard-won credibility Malawi has painstakingly rebuilt with international development partners. In his most scathing remarks yet, Dzolowere demanded the minister “wake up from deep slumber” and finally provide Malawians with a clear roadmap — including current fuel stock levels, what supplies are currently in transit, and a firm timeline for when normal supply will return. He is calling for daily updates from both the ministry and NOCMA until the crisis is brought fully under control. The Ministry of Energy has previously blamed the intermittent fuel supply on forex constraints and logistical bottlenecks along the import corridor — an explanation critics say is wearing increasingly thin as the crisis drags on. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Fuel, inflation, Jean Mathanga, Malawi Economy --- ### [Malawi's traditional healers get degree boost – as govt moves to regulate herbal medicine](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-traditional-healers-get-degree-boost-as-govt-moves-to-regulate-herbal-medicine/) **Published:** October 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Traditional healers and leading scientists have joined forces in a dramatic call for Malawi to fully embrace herbal and alternative medicine, demanding urgent research, tighter regulation and an end to the age-old rivalry with conventional doctors. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261002-WA0003-600x400.jpg)‘We need to come together’: Call for end to rivalry between herbalists and doctors![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261002-WA0005-600x400.jpg)Inside the push to bring herbal medicine into Malawi’s hospitals – as new law looms![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261002-WA0004-600x400.jpg)‘Faith alone is not enough’: Scientists and herbalists demand Malawi finally embraces traditional medicineThe extraordinary appeal came at a high-level Science Café hosted by Kamuzu University of Health Sciences during its 5th Research Dissemination Conference, held under the theme “Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Malawi: Opportunities, Challenges and Pathways for Health System Integration.” Professor Isaac Kingsley Amponsah, Head of the Department of Herbal Medicine at Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, told the gathering the reason millions turn to traditional remedies was refreshingly simple. “Many people rely on traditional medicine because it is accessible and affordable, particularly in rural communities,” he said. But the professor issued a stark warning against relying on blind faith alone, insisting rigorous science must underpin every remedy handed out to patients. “Without research, you can never come up with clear evidence on how to use herbal medicine,” he stressed, adding that scientific research was the only way to prove what actually works, what is genuinely safe, and precisely how it should be administered. In a major announcement, Francis Malunga, Director of Beatitude Naturopathy and Wellness Centre, revealed that Kamuzu University of Health Sciences is now preparing to launch a groundbreaking Bachelor’s Degree in Herbal Medicine — a move that could transform how traditional medicine is taught and practised across the country. Malunga also issued a passionate plea for traditional healers and conventional doctors to finally bury the hatchet after years of simmering rivalry. “We need to come together and learn from one another,” he urged. Meanwhile, Dr Nitta Chinyama Nayeja, Director of Curative and Medical Rehabilitation in the Ministry of Health, delivered a blunt assessment of what keeps traditional medicine alive — and what could ultimately put patients at risk. “Trust is what keeps traditional medicine alive,” she said, “but regulation is what will keep people safe.” In a significant development, Dr Nayeja revealed that government is now drawing up a Parliamentary Bill designed to create a legal framework for traditional and complementary medicine for the very first time, with the Pharmacy Department throwing its weight behind the legislation as new regulations are drafted. She warned the move could not come soon enough, disclosing that herbal medicine is now being widely used to manage both infectious and non-infectious diseases across Malawi — making tighter regulation an urgent priority rather than a distant ambition. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, National **Tags:** herbalist, KuHes --- ### [Wanderers FC gives K10m to support sports writers' annual meeting](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wanderers-fc-gives-k10m-to-support-sports-writers-annual-meeting/) **Published:** October 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers Football Club and its president, Dr Thom Mpinganjira, have donated K10 million to the Sports Writers Association of Malawi (SWAM) ahead of its Annual General Meeting, set to take place in Salima from 13 to 15 November 2026. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261002-WA0007-600x359.jpg)Wanderers FC gives K10m to support sports writers’ annual meeting![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261002-WA0008-600x338.jpg)Mpinganjira and Wanderers donate K10m to SWAMDr Mpinganjira contributed K5 million in his personal capacity, with the club matching the amount to bring the total donation to K10 million. Speaking at a cheque handover ceremony at Lali Lubani Road in Blantyre, acting Chief Executive Officer for Wanderers, Welloce Kachingwe, said the club recognised the role sports journalists play in the development of football in Malawi. “It is the sports journalists that make people know whatever is happening in the beautiful game of football. We felt this was the right time to partner with these sports writers by injecting some funds towards their forthcoming AGM,” Kachingwe said. “Our president has passion for sports and he felt obliged to see the AGM take place. This marks the beginning of a working relationship that will see the two sides working together even in future.” SWAM President Mphatso Malidadi welcomed the donation, describing it as timely. “We are so grateful for this gesture. This amount will help in making our AGM a success. We were supposed to have this AGM in October but we have shifted it to November because we still need more funds. We know Dr Mpinganjira as someone who values sports journalists,” Malidadi said. “Let me encourage more organisations and companies to come forward and partner with us because our budget is at K51 million.” The AGM will also commemorate World Sports Journalists Day, with journalists set to be trained on a range of sports journalism issues by experienced facilitators. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Mighty Wanderers FC, SWAM --- ### [National symposium at BICC to accelerate Malawi 2063 agenda through agrifood investment](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-symposium-at-bicc-to-accelerate-malawi-2063-agenda-through-agrifood-investment/) **Published:** October 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi will host a National Agrifood Systems Investment Symposium on Monday, 5 October 2026, at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe, as part of efforts to accelerate implementation of the Malawi 2063 development agenda. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261002-WA0009-600x380.jpg)“Unlocking Private Sector Investment for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation in MalawiThe symposium, themed “Unlocking Private Sector Investment for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation in Malawi,” will focus on the private sector’s role in transforming the country’s agrifood systems and wider economy. It is being organised by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade, Business and Tourism, together with the National Planning Commission and other partners, with support from the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GIZ). Speaking at a media briefing in Lilongwe on Thursday ahead of the event, National Planning Commission Director General Fredrick Changaya said transforming the agrifood sector would require collective effort, with greater investment, innovation and partnerships needed to unlock the sector’s potential. “We need to work together in creating policies and sustainable solutions that will transform our economy,” he said. Principal Secretary for Trade in the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade, Business and Tourism, Wiskes Mkombezi, said government could not transform Malawi’s agrifood systems without strong involvement from the private sector. “We need the private sector to work hand in hand with the government because they are key partners in opening doors for industrialisation and economic growth,” he said. GIZ Country Director Dr Inge Baumgarten highlighted the importance of partnerships in supporting sustainable agrifood systems transformation in Malawi. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** agriculture, food security, Malawi 2063 --- ### [Malawi's cities and municipals come together for first-ever urban governance symposium](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-cities-and-municipals-come-together-for-first-ever-urban-governance-symposium/) **Published:** October 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mayors, deputy mayors and senior council officials from across Malawi have gathered in Salima for a first-of-its-kind national symposium aimed at tackling the shared challenges facing the country’s urban centres. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261002-WA0011-600x400.jpg)Malawi local councils unite to tackle urban development challengesThe two-day event, organised by the Malawi Local Government Association (MALGA), brought together representatives from the country’s four cities, three municipal councils and Karonga Town Council — including chairpersons of service committees and directors of finance, planning, public works and engineering. MALGA Executive Director Hadrod Zeru Mkandawire said the symposium was designed to give councils a shared platform to address urban challenges collectively, rather than tackling them in isolation. “This symposium transitions into a premier platform for collaborative dialogue, knowledge sharing, and strategic planning to drive sustainable urban development across our nation,” he said. He added that the gathering would help strengthen the performance of local government authorities through peer-to-peer learning, with councils expected to share best practices, success stories, case studies and lessons from their own experiences of city and municipal governance. Mkandawire said the symposium builds on the recent government-led orientation and induction of councillors and controlling officers, and forms part of MALGA’s wider strategic plan for 2024–2030. The initiative, he said, is aligned with Malawi’s 2024 Decentralisation Policy and sits within the association’s broader work on partnerships, capacity building and membership services. Timpuza Mwansambo, Director of Administration in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, welcomed the initiative, saying urban centres stand to improve service delivery significantly by learning from one another and working more closely together. The symposium was supported by several MALGA partners, including the Roads Fund Administration, Habitat for Humanity and Real Print. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261002-WA0010-600x400.jpg)MALGA symposium sets out roadmap for urban councils’ collaboration Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** MALGA --- ### [Race against time:ACB scramble to keep lid on funds from Amaryllis Hotel deal before crucial deadline expires](https://www.nyasatimes.com/race-against-timeacb-scramble-to-keep-lid-on-funds-from-amaryllis-hotel-deal-before-crucial-deadline-expires/) **Published:** October 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1782205613277-600x476.jpg) ACB scramble to keep lid on funds from Amaryllis Hotel deal before crucial deadline expiresMalawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau is locked in a desperate race against the clock to keep a tight grip on funds tied to the controversial purchase of the plush Amaryllis Hotel — with the clock ticking down fast on a crucial three-month restriction order due to expire next week. The high-stakes deadline falls on October 7, leaving investigators scrambling to show they have made real progress before the window on their current powers slams shut. At the heart of the drama is the Public Service Pension Trust Fund, which bankrolled the purchase of the prestigious hotel — a deal now under intense scrutiny from the country’s top anti-graft watchdog. The restriction notice, which prevents Yusuf Investments Limited, the hotel’s owners, from touching the disputed funds, was finalised in a High Court judgment delivered by Judge Redson Kapindu on September 25 — after the court had already renewed the order on an interim basis back in July. ACB Senior Public Relations Officer Jacqueline Ngongonda said the ruling came as a huge relief to investigators, after a lower court had initially declined to renew the bureau’s restriction notice — a setback that threatened to derail the entire probe. “The ruling is a relief as it comes after the magistrate court declined to renew the restriction notice on funds implicated in the purchase of Amaryllis Hotel,” Ngongonda said in a written response following the High Court decision. She confirmed the bureau was not resting on its laurels, vowing swift action before time runs out. “The bureau will take appropriate action before the expiry of the 3-month period,” she said. The stakes could not be higher. Should the notice lapse without renewal, Yusuf Investments Limited would instantly be free to access the funds — unless the bureau can convince a court to extend the restriction yet again. But Judge Kapindu didn’t make things easy for investigators, warning in his ruling that the bureau would need to come armed with far more compelling justification if it hopes to secure any further renewal. He pointedly noted that the long-running investigation had already dragged on for a substantial period of time — a thinly veiled suggestion that patience may be wearing thin within the judiciary. Adding further intrigue, court documents reveal that some of the suspicious cash transactions underpinning the ongoing investigation are alleged to have taken place as far back as January 2026 — fuelling questions over why the probe has taken so long to produce concrete results. Both the ACB and the Financial Intelligence Authority have enjoyed the benefit of this restraint for months, Kapindu noted bluntly — but warned that “there is a need to show progress and/or other convincing justification in subsequent renewal applications before the Magistrate.” Lawyers for Yusuf Investments Limited, meanwhile, have gone on the offensive, arguing in court documents that the interim renewal of the Restriction Notices was legally incompetent — and demanding the court throw the order out entirely. Amaryllis Hotel has found itself thrust firmly into the national spotlight amid the escalating legal battle, with its gleaming facade now synonymous with one of Malawi’s most closely watched corruption probes. The case centres on how the property came to be purchased using pension fund money — a transaction that has triggered alarm bells at both the ACB and the Financial Intelligence Authority over the source and handling of the funds involved. The saga underscores the mounting pressure facing Malawi’s anti-corruption institutions to demonstrate real, tangible progress in high-profile financial crime cases, rather than relying indefinitely on court-granted restraining powers — a message the judiciary itself now appears to be sending loud and clear. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel, Anti Corruption Bureau --- ### [Minister Ben Phiri leads mourners at emotional funeral of dethroned former Paramount Chief](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-ben-phiri-leads-mourners-at-emotional-funeral-of-dethroned-former-paramount-chief/) **Published:** October 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mourners gathered in Bolero on Thursday to pay their final respects to former acting Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe, Mtima Walter Gondwe, in an emotional ceremony attended by senior government figures — just years after his extraordinary fall from grace saw him stripped of his chieftaincy by court order. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790917494492-600x414.jpg)Ben Phiri: ‘The president is very sad’ – as dethroned ex-chief buried in emotional ceremonyLeading the tributes was Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr Ben Phiri, who represented President Arthur Peter Mutharika at the funeral and praised the late chief’s commitment to grassroots development. “The president is very sad to learn about the passing of the late chief,” Phiri told mourners. “It is not about how much money you leave behind or had at the point of death that matters. It is about the number of lives one touched. The late touched a number of lives.” Family representative Group Village Headman Kamuzinga painted a moving picture of a man devoted to his community, revealing the late chief had quietly supported numerous orphans and vulnerable families throughout the area — leaving behind a gap the community will feel deeply for years to come. Before his rise to traditional leadership, Gondwe built a long and dedicated career in public service, working for over 14 years as a civil servant in Mzimba District, where he started as a community development assistant before being promoted to community development officer. His journey to the chieftaincy, however, took a dramatic and controversial turn. Gondwe was crowned Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe in October 2019, only to be sensationally dethroned through a court order in 2021 — a stunning reversal that saw him replaced by the current Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe, Joseph Bongololo Gondwe. The late chief passed away at Mzuzu Central Hospital on Saturday at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife and three children. The funeral drew a heavyweight turnout from Malawi’s political elite, with Second Vice-President Enock Chihana joining Minister Ben Phiri, along with several other cabinet ministers, senior government officials, fellow chiefs and members of the community, all gathering to bid farewell to a man remembered as much for his humility as for his turbulent chapter in traditional leadership. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Ben Phiri, Chief Chikulamayembe --- ### [Malawi unveils plans for new railway link to Tanzania as transport costs squeeze consumers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-unveils-plans-for-new-railway-link-to-tanzania-as-transport-costs-squeeze-consumers/) **Published:** October 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi has dramatically ramped up plans to build a brand new north-bound railway connecting the landlocked nation to the Tanzania-Zambia rail network, in a bold bid to slash transport costs that are currently crippling businesses and piling fresh misery onto struggling households. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261002-WA0000-600x450.jpg)Kumwembe: Malawi moves ahead with plans to join Tanzania-Zambia railwayThe ambitious scheme would link Malawi to the Tazara line — the bi-national railway that already carries cargo and passengers between Zambia and Tanzania’s bustling Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam. Astonishingly, Malawi currently has no functioning railway network beyond Lilongwe, with infrastructure limited to a patchwork stretching between Blantyre and the capital, and between Balaka and Nayuchi in Machinga. Secretary for Transport and Public Works Bright Kumwembe dropped the bombshell plans during the opening of a two-day Central Corridor National Stakeholders Dissemination Workshop, branding the railway a “flagship project” under the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency — and revealing the scheme will be rolled out in carefully staged phases. “This project will be done in phases. Currently, we are working on a feasibility study which is being assisted by the corridor itself. The African Development Bank has actually vouched that they are going to provide resources for that feasibility study,” he said. And Kumwembe didn’t hold back when it came to describing the devastating impact of Malawi’s transport woes on ordinary consumers, branding costs a “killer issue” for the country’s entire economy. “We are hovering about 50, 60 percent of costs and that is felt by the buyer or the consumer in the country because all those costs are passed on to the consumer,” he revealed. The scale of the crisis is staggering: transport costs are estimated to account for a jaw-dropping 60 per cent of Malawi’s import and export expenses — a burden that ultimately lands squarely on the shoulders of hard-pressed shoppers. Malawi officially joined the Central Corridor in December 2023, becoming the sixth member state granted access to the Port of Dar es Salaam — a lifeline port already handling close to 70 per cent of the nation’s cargo. Existing alternative routes run through Nacala, while the once-vital Beira corridor remains disconnected entirely. The push for a new northern route comes as Malawi’s existing rail infrastructure languishes in a state of alarming disrepair. The southern rail link to Nsanje, which once connected Malawi to neighbouring Mozambique and Zimbabwe, has lain dilapidated ever since the catastrophic wash-away of the Mtayamoyo Bridge in Nsanje back in 1999 — a quarter of a century ago. Efforts to rehabilitate the south have fared little better. The 72-kilometre Marka-Bangula line in Nsanje has been plagued by repeated delays since construction began in May 2022. The project, handed to China Railway 20th Bureau Group at a hefty K68 billion, has already blown through two deadlines — November 2023 and April 2024 — thanks to a toxic combination of contractor changes, devastating cyclones and the kwacha’s sharp devaluation. The price tag has now ballooned to a staggering K100 billion-plus. The stakes could hardly be higher for ordinary Malawians already buckling under a brutal cost-of-living crisis. The basic needs basket for an average urban family has now rocketed to a punishing K1 million a month, while fuel prices have surged by more than 120 per cent since October 2024 — when petrol cost just K2,530 a litre. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** railway --- ### [Army boss in cuffs:Ex-Malawi Defence Force commander arrested over ‘illegal arms trafficking’ and terrorism-linked offences](https://www.nyasatimes.com/army-boss-in-cuffsex-malawi-defence-force-commander-arrested-over-illegal-arms-trafficking-and-terrorism-linked-offences/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A retired former commander of the Malawi Defence Force has been dramatically arrested over allegations of illegal arms trafficking in a case set to rock the country’s security establishment. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261001_115117_Google-600x457.jpg)Ex-MDF General Valentino Phiri arrested on terrorism linked chargesThe Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) announced on Thursday that General Paul Valentino Phiri (Retired), once one of the most powerful figures in Malawi’s military hierarchy, had been taken into custody on five counts related to abuse of office and dealing in terrorist property. In a bombshell statement, the anti-graft body said the charges stem from allegations that the former army chief played a role in facilitating illegal arms trafficking during June and July 2025. The stunning arrest places a former military commander at the centre of an investigation involving allegations of weapons trafficking and terrorism-related offences, raising major questions about activities allegedly carried out during and after his tenure in national security circles. Investigators said General Phiri was being cautioned following his arrest and is expected to appear before court thereafter. The ACB released few details about the allegations but confirmed that the charges relate to abuse of office and dealings involving terrorist property. The development is likely to send shockwaves through Malawi’s defence and security community, given General Phiri’s former position at the helm of the country’s armed forces. No response from the retired general had been made public at the time of publication. As with all criminal proceedings, the allegations remain accusations and General Phiri is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The ACB says further details on the case will be released as appropriate. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Anti Corruption Bureau, Malawi Defence Force, Terrorism, Valentino Phiri --- ### [General Phiri's court date abruptly postponed – as he's hauled into police custody](https://www.nyasatimes.com/general-phiris-court-date-abruptly-postponed-as-hes-hauled-into-police-custody/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Dramatic scenes unfolded outside a Lilongwe courthouse as former Malawi Defence Force commander General Paul Valentino Phiri was abruptly sent away on the eve of his scheduled hearing — with no explanation given for the sudden change of plan. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790858844347-600x459.jpg)‘I was prepared for court’: Lawyer’s bewilderment as ex-military chief’s hearing abruptly delayedPhiri had already arrived at Area 3 Court, flanked by Anti-Corruption Bureau prosecutors and investigators ready for proceedings to begin, when officials announced the case would instead be heard Friday 2 October. No official reason has been given for the abrupt shift in the court calendar, fuelling speculation over what lies behind the last-minute U-turn. The retired general is now expected to be held in police custody overnight until tomorrow’s hearing. His lawyer, Powell Nkutabasa, appeared just as blindsided by the sudden change, telling reporters outside court: “I was prepared for court, but we have been advised to come tomorrow.” He declined to comment further. General Phiri’s court appearance marks a dramatic fall for a man who once held one of the most powerful positions in Malawi’s security establishment as commander of the Malawi Defence Force. His case is being handled by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the country’s lead agency in investigating and prosecuting graft among senior officials — though details of the specific allegations against him have not been made public in connection with this hearing. The sudden rescheduling is likely to raise fresh questions about transparency in how high-profile corruption cases involving senior military and government figures are being handled, at a time when Malawi’s anti-graft institutions are already under pressure to demonstrate they can hold the powerful to account without fear or favour. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Anti Corruption Bureau, Malawi Defence Force, Powell MKhutabasa, Valentino Phiri --- ### [Malawi Housing Corporation backs PR conference, hails role of strategic communications](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-housing-corporation-backs-pr-conference-hails-role-of-strategic-communications/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) on Wednesday sponsored the opening cocktail reception for the 2026 Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM) Annual General Meeting, reaffirming its commitment to strategic communication, transparency, and sustainable urban development across the country. Speaking during the opening ceremony, MHC Chief Executive Officer Mr. Bob Chimkango highlighted the natural alignment between housing development and public relations, emphasizing that building modern communities requires trust, clear stakeholder dialogue, and effective public engagement. “Housing and urban development are not merely about bricks and mortar; they are deeply rooted in people and community,” said Chimkango, adding; “No major national transformation can succeed without clear, transparent communication. Our partnership with PRSM reflects our commitment to fostering strong media relations and driving conversations around modern, sustainable urban living.” The MHC CEO further shared key updates on the corporation’s ongoing urban renewal agenda, citing the redevelopment of the Malangalanga Staff Quarters in Area 1, Lilongwe, as a model for future national housing initiatives. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261001-WA0004-463x600.jpg)Chimkango speaking at event throws weight behind PR conference, praises strategic communications​Following unanimous endorsements from local property owners, civic leaders, ward councillors, and the area’s Member of Parliament, Chimkango said MHC is transforming the legacy quarters into a modern, safe, and affordable residential estate. He said the master plan includes comprehensive infrastructure upgrades—such as improved road networks, modern drainage, street lighting, and dedicated green spaces—while creating local employment opportunities during construction and ongoing maintenance. ​**Call for Public Support on Commercial Operations** ​Highlighting the Corporation’s mandate to operate efficiently as a commercial entity, Chimkango appealed to public relations professionals and media institutions to assist in framing MHC’s tenant enforcement measures in terms of business accountability. He noted that long-overdue rent defaults, non-compliance, and unauthorized subletting directly hinder the Corporation’s ability to maintain existing properties and fund new housing projects. “To renovate dilapidated houses and build new estates for Malawians, MHC must operate with financial discipline,” Chimkango stressed. “Enforcing tenant obligations and addressing long-standing defaults is simple business logic. We look to our partners in the media and PR industry to help amplify the message that responsible tenancy is vital for sustainable national development.” ​MHC reiterated its commitment to executing its national housing master plans with speed, accountability, and complete operational transparency. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Bob Chimkango, Malawi Housing Corporation --- ### [Malawi faces contraceptive funding shortfall, UN agency warns](https://www.nyasatimes.com/un-warns-malawi-faces-contraception-funding-gap-that-could-crush-young-womens-futures/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A devastating funding crisis threatens to strip vulnerable young women across Malawi of access to contraception, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has warned, as the country braces for a shortfall of more than $10 million in 2027. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260930-WA0025-600x400.jpg)Dalen: Malawi faces $10MILLION contraception funding gap that could crush young women’s futuresThe stark warning came as UNFPA marked World Contraception Day, observed on 26 September each year, with UNFPA Representative for Malawi, Richard Delate, insisting access to contraception remains absolutely critical in allowing women and girls to take control of their own futures. At the heart of the appeal is the heartbreaking story of Linda Kanyoza, who was just 16 years old when Cyclone Freddy tore through her home, leaving her family with nothing. She and her family were forced into a makeshift camp, where poverty and uncertainty shaped daily life. It was there that Linda met a travelling vendor who promised to marry her and whisk her away to town, where she believed life might finally improve. But when he discovered she was pregnant, he vanished without a trace, leaving the teenager to raise her child entirely alone. Linda dropped out of school and was forced to confront the brutal realities of motherhood while still a child herself. Today, however, Linda accesses contraceptives in her own community through a community-based distribution agent trained with UNFPA support, offering her a lifeline of hope she never imagined possible. “I know I can plan when I want to have another child, and I hope this will help me go back to school and finish my education,” Linda said. Her story, UNFPA says, illustrates exactly what contraception can make possible, allowing Linda to plan any future pregnancy while still pursuing her dream of finishing school, and offering other women and couples across the country the power to decide when to have children and build the families they choose. But that choice depends entirely on access, and access is now hanging by a thread. UNFPA revealed that nearly one in three girls aged 15 to 19 in Malawi has been pregnant, with the rate soaring even higher in rural communities at 34 percent, compared to 19 percent in urban areas, underscoring the urgent need for women and girls to have accurate information and reliable services they can trust, particularly when emergencies upend their lives. Delate praised the Malawian government for stepping up, revealing it released K730 million in 2026 to purchase vital contraceptives, with a further K1 billion earmarked for 2027, calling the commitments crucial steps toward sustaining family planning services and ensuring contraceptives reach health facilities and communities, especially in rural areas. “A choice is meaningful only when people have the means to act on it,” Delate said. “The investment by the Government of Malawi, and other donors is making it possible for women and couples across Malawi, to decide the future they want for themselves and their families.” He added that for Linda specifically, these investments are keeping alive her hope of returning to school and securing a better future for herself and her family. But Delate delivered a chilling warning alongside the praise. With donor support declining amid a shifting global funding landscape, he revealed Malawi now faces an estimated gap exceeding $10 million for contraceptive procurement in 2027. “Unless that gap is closed, reliable access to contraception will be at risk for young women like Linda, who depend on it to plan when to have another child and pursue their education,” he warned. UNFPA has vowed to continue working closely with government and partners to secure vital contraceptive supplies and bring essential information and services closer to those who need them most. Marking this year’s World Contraception Day, Delate issued a powerful closing appeal: “We call for sustained investment so that women and girls in every community can make choices about their own futures, reach their full potential, ensure the wellbeing of their families, communities and Malawi.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, Health, News **Tags:** contraceptives, UNFPA --- ### [Mutharika names nine new commissioners for Malawi's human rights watchdog: Ndanga reappointed](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharika-names-nine-new-commissioners-for-malawis-human-rights-watchdog-ndanga-reappointed/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Peter Mutharika has appointed nine members to serve on the Ninth Cohort of the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), with their three-year term officially taking effect from September 20, 2026. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1785241428194-600x400.jpg)Ndanga: MHRC training exposes ongoing use of torture by police and prison staffThe newly appointed commissioners include Orison Joseph Themba Chaponda, Viwemi Chavula, Godfrey Dalitso Kangaude, Andrew Kavala, Lingalireni Mihowa, Teresa Chirwa Ndanga and Stella Nkhonya. The cohort is also automatically joined by the Law Commissioner and the Ombudsman, who both sit on the Commission by virtue of their respective offices. Ndanga, notably, is no stranger to the role, having previously served on an earlier cohort before being reappointed to continue her work on the watchdog body. Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi confirmed the appointments in an official statement, revealing they were made in strict accordance with Section 131(2) of the Constitution of Malawi. Saidi said the names of the newly appointed commissioners would be formally published in the Government Gazette, fulfilling the legal requirements governing such high-profile appointments. The incoming commissioners are now expected to hit the ground running, with a clear focus on promoting and protecting human rights across the country. The appointments come shortly after Mutharika publicly conceded that the Commission has been severely under-funded, with the President personally promising to rectify the situation and ensure the watchdog finally receives the resources it desperately needs. The Malawi Human Rights Commission is constitutionally mandated to promote awareness of human rights, investigate human-rights violations, and carry out a wide range of other functions aimed at strengthening the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms for all Malawians. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** MHRC, Peter Mutharika, Teresa Temweka Ndanga --- ### [Malawi's fuel shortage is a forex crisis wearing a different face](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-fuel-shortage-is-a-forex-crisis-wearing-a-different-face/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a particular kind of queue that tells you more about the state of a nation than any government press release. It forms outside a filling station, it does not move for hours, and everyone in it already knows what the attendant is going to say before he says it. Those queues are back in Malawi, and they are getting longer. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/fuel-1536x840-1-600x328.jpg)Malawi’s fuel crisis is back — and it is a warning about what happens when a currency problem becomes a country’s problemWhat began weeks ago as scattered stockouts has hardened, with grim predictability, into something closer to a national condition. Diesel has been genuinely scarce for about three weeks; petrol joined it last week. In the cities — Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Zomba — some fuel is at least trickling through, if you have the patience to wait for it. Beyond them, the picture is starker still. Happy Jere, who chairs the Fuel Retailers Association, put a number on what that actually means: urban filling stations running at roughly 30 per cent of normal diesel supply, and remote stations at zero. Not low. Zero. Into that vacuum has rushed the market that always rushes into vacuums. Diesel that costs K5,863 a litre at the official pump is changing hands on the roadside for K10,000 to K15,000 — nearly three times the legal price, sold by vendors with no pretence that this is anything other than scarcity turned into profit. It is worth sitting with that spread for a moment, because it is not really a story about petrol stations. It is a story about what happens to a price when a government cannot guarantee the supply behind it. And the supply problem, everyone closest to it agrees, does not start at the pump. It starts at the Reserve Bank of Malawi. Jere’s diagnosis was blunt: Malawi is short of the dollars needed to pay for the fuel it has to import, and until that changes, the queues will not meaningfully shorten. His prescription — take cash-crop farming seriously, take mining seriously, and have the Reserve Bank actually enforce its own forex controls rather than watch the black market grow around them — is not a new argument in Malawi. It is close to the oldest argument in Malawi. What is new is how visibly, and how quickly, its absence is now being felt. The human cost of that absence is arriving in the form of stranded trucks. Francis Mkandawire of the Truck Drivers Union described vehicles spending up to a week sitting in fuel queues — a week in which nothing they are carrying moves, nothing they earn accumulates, and the only fuel reliably available is the smuggled diesel crossing in from neighbouring countries at around K12,000 a litre. Transporters Association of Malawi spokesperson Frank Banda, meanwhile, pointed to a more distant cause: the war in Ukraine, now well into its fourth year, and the continuing strain it has placed on regional fuel supply chains. His members have sent trucks to Beira in Mozambique and to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to load cargo, with no firm word yet on when, or with how much, they will return. The same currency squeeze now strangling the forecourts is, by government’s own admission, strangling the power grid too. Speaking at the Fifth Malawi National Energy Conference in Salima, Minister of Energy Jean Mathanga told government representatives, development partners and energy sector stakeholders that the forex crisis is compounding an already dire situation, forcing Malawians to endure increasingly prolonged power outages on top of the fuel queues. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261001_041050_Google-600x455.jpg)Mathanga: Forex shortages are hammering the ability of utilities and energy companies to import essential inputs“Our people continue to experience frequent and, in some cases, prolonged electricity interruptions,” Mathanga said, revealing that forex shortages are hammering the ability of utilities and energy companies to import essential inputs and meet their own foreign-currency obligations, even as the country’s generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure cries out for investment and maintenance it is not receiving. Demand, she added, continues to dramatically outstrip Malawi’s available generation capacity. European Union head of cooperation George Dura, addressing the same conference, warned that the sector needs innovative financing models and conditions capable of attracting investment, given the limits of public resources, but cautioned against treating money as a cure-all. “Innovative financing alone cannot solve this challenge either. What matters equally, and perhaps even more, is creating the conditions that make projects bankable,” he said. Former Escom chief executive Kandi Padambo went further, warning that Malawi’s generation capacity remains “insufficient” and calling for liberalised budgets to revamp it. He also proposed a dedicated fuel pipeline and greater use of railway transport, arguing both would cut the cost of moving fuel into the country and ease the very pressure on foreign exchange reserves now visible in the queues outside filling stations. Mathanga confirmed government is pressing ahead regardless, pointing to the $100 million Malawi Electricity Access Project already under way. It is tempting to treat a fuel shortage, or a power crisis, as a logistics story: ships, ports, trucks, queues, transformers. But in an economy Malawi’s size — one million litres of petrol and one million of diesel consumed every single day, 720 million litres of both combined over a year — fuel, and the power that depends on much of the same imported infrastructure, is not a sector. It is the bloodstream. It moves the maize to market and the patient to hospital and the exporter’s goods to the port that might, eventually, earn the foreign currency that was the problem in the first place. That is the uncomfortable circularity at the heart of this crisis: the shortage of dollars causes the fuel shortage and starves the power sector of the inputs and investment it needs, and both of those shortages, by stalling the trucks and the farms and the mines that would earn those dollars, make the underlying currency shortage harder to solve, not easier. None of which is a reason for fatalism. Currency crises are not, in the end, acts of God; they are the accumulated result of choices about exports, borrowing, enforcement and priority. But they are also not solved at the pump, or at a podium in Salima, however many hours the queue stretches, however sharply the black-market price climbs, and however many conferences call for innovative financing while officials work out what to do next. What is playing out on Malawi’s forecourts and power grids this month is downstream of a decision still waiting to be made somewhere upstream, and until it is, the queues, and the blackouts, remain the most honest indicator the country has of how urgent that decision has become. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** forex, Fuel, Malawi Economy --- ### [Police evidence on Chilima phones doesn't match up](https://www.nyasatimes.com/police-evidence-on-chilima-phones-doesnt-match-up/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Senior Malawian police officers have delivered starkly conflicting accounts over the condition and handling of former vice-president Saulos Chilima’s mobile phones following the devastating June 10, 2024 military plane crash in Nthungwa Forest, Viphya Plantation.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261001_043610_Google-600x453.jpg) Former Northern Region Deputy Commissioner of Police Glinton Mitayi told the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee investigating the crash that he personally discovered two phones near Chilima’s body, insisting they were in good condition, with no visible cracks, when he handed them over to a Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officer at the scene. But that account was flatly contradicted by former Malawi Police Scenes of Crime Unit head Gwendoline Umali, who told the committee the phones already had visible cracks by the time they were handed to her team at Raiply in Mzimba. Umali revealed that when her team arrived at the scene on July 11, 2024, a separate team of CID officers led by Harry Mbewe informed them they had already collected evidence, including a total of seven phones, two of which belonged to Chilima. She said the items were subsequently handed over to her team and taken to Lilongwe, where evidence bags containing money and phones were passed on to then Crimes Superintendent Loudon Mthinda for safe custody. Mthinda confirmed that Mbewe had handed the items to Umali and another officer, before the money and phones were eventually passed to him for safekeeping. He revealed that on June 14, Joshua Valera, a relation of Chilima’s, came to inquire about items belonging to the former vice-president, successfully identifying an iPhone, a Samsung phone, K1,894,000 in cash, a jacket, a diary and keys. According to Mthinda, Valera initially wanted to collect the items but was only permitted to take the phones after Umali specifically requested they first undergo forensic examination. Criminal Investigation Department director Jessie Nyirongo clarified to the committee that she had suggested to Inspector General Merylene Yolamu that the phones should not undergo forensic examination at all, explaining that because the devices belonged to the vice-president, there was a need to respect his privacy. Nyirongo said the IG agreed with her proposal, and the phones were eventually released to the bereaved families. But Nyirongo insisted there had been nothing suspicious about the decision, stressing that forensic examination is normally standard procedure when dealing with items recovered from an accident scene. The glaring discrepancy over the phones’ actual condition was repeatedly raised by committee members throughout the hearing. Umali maintained that Chilima’s phones had cracks but were otherwise in reasonable condition, while other phones recovered from the crash scene were far more extensively damaged. Dowa Kasangazi MP George Kadzipatike, of the Malawi Congress Party, pointedly challenged Umali, noting that her testimony directly contradicted Mitayi’s earlier evidence that Chilima’s phones were in good shape when he first picked them up. Umali stood firm, insisting the phones handed over to her definitely had cracks. Nkhata North MP Mackenzie Nkhwazi, of the Democratic Progressive Party, pressed Criminal Investigation Department director Nyirongo directly over whether Mitayi’s evidence that the phones had no visible cracks was correct. Nyirongo responded that she had not been present at the scene and therefore could not comment. When Umali was asked to explain the stark discrepancy, she insisted she could not speak to what Mitayi had personally observed. “Mitayi’s observation remains his observation and my observation is also a different observation,” Umali told the committee. Committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu also questioned why Nyirongo had claimed the Inspector General provided feedback within a week, when Umali’s own report indicated that instructions to release the phones had only come through a full month later. Nyirongo clarified that she had relayed the information to the Scenes of Crime Unit after a week or more, while the unit itself had given a later date for the phones’ eventual collection. Chilima and eight others tragically died when the military aircraft crashed on June 10, 2024, in a tragedy that continues to generate fresh controversy as the parliamentary inquiry uncovers mounting inconsistencies in the official account of events surrounding the disaster. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Malawi Police, plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima --- ### [Furious Wanderers bosses slap players and coaches with brutal pay cuts](https://www.nyasatimes.com/furious-wanderers-bosses-slap-players-and-coaches-with-brutal-pay-cuts/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers’ decision to dock a week’s worth of perks from players and technical staff following their 2-1 defeat to Blue Eagles sits in an interesting grey zone, one that says as much about the pressures facing Malawian football clubs as it does about the legality of the punishment itself. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789414469110-e1789415263568-600x441.jpg)Dr Thomson Mpinganjira president of Wanderers : What Wanderers’ salary cuts reveal about football’s accountability problemThe defending FDH Bank Premiership champions have endured a wretched run of late: four consecutive losses across all competitions, including a chastening 7-1 aggregate exit to Tanzania’s Simba Sports Club in the CAF Champions League and defeat to Ekhaya Football Club in the Airtel Top 8 Cup final. Against that backdrop, the loss to Blue Eagles, which effectively handed the Lilongwe side top spot at the halfway point of the season, appears to have been the moment club management decided something needed to visibly change. According to sources, the response was a crisis meeting held immediately after the defeat, at which players and technical staff reportedly agreed to a week-long deduction of their perks. Crucially, the club insists this was reached by consent rather than imposed unilaterally, and that any amounts withheld would be refunded if results improve in the second half of the season. That framing matters, because FIFA’s regulations are explicit on this point: clubs cannot cut or withhold a professional player’s base salary purely on the grounds of poor performance. What clubs can legitimately do is adjust performance-related bonuses, which appears to be the distinction Wanderers are relying on by describing the deduction as affecting “perks” rather than salary proper, and by presenting it as a mutually agreed, temporary and refundable measure rather than a disciplinary pay cut. Whether that framing survives scrutiny may depend on exactly what these “perks” constitute and whether players felt they had genuine freedom to refuse the arrangement in a meeting convened in the raw aftermath of a damaging defeat. Collective agreement reached under the shadow of a dressing-room crisis is not always the same thing as agreement freely given, and clubs across the world have occasionally found that distinction tested when players or their representatives later object. What makes the episode worth watching beyond its immediate footballing context is what it says about accountability structures in Malawian club football more broadly. Docking pay, even performance-related pay, is a blunt instrument, and one more commonly associated with clubs under serious financial or results-based strain than with a reigning champion still sitting third in the league, a single point off second place, having lost only twice domestically all season. The gap between Wanderers’ continued competitiveness in the league and the apparent severity of the internal response suggests the pressure driving this decision may have as much to do with cup performances and continental embarrassment as with league form itself. Wanderers’ director of football, David Kanyenda, had not responded to questions on the matter by the time of publication, leaving the club’s own account of events, relayed through unnamed insiders, as the only version currently on record. Given the regulatory sensitivity around salary deductions in professional football, a clearer, on-the-record explanation from the club of exactly what was agreed, and on what legal basis, would do more to settle the matter than any amount of anonymous sourcing. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Mighty Wanderers --- ### [Msaka says Malawi must harness health science to boost economy](https://www.nyasatimes.com/msaka-says-malawi-must-harness-health-science-to-boost-economy/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology has delivered a rallying cry to the country’s brightest medical minds, insisting health research must be viewed as far more than simply treating patients, but as a genuine engine for driving the nation’s economic transformation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260930-WA0043-600x400.jpg)Minister Msaka issues bold challenge to Malawi’s top researchers — insisting health science holds the key to unlocking national economic growthBright Msaka SC issued the bold challenge while officially opening the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) 5th Research Dissemination Conference, held under the theme “Advancing Economic Development through Multidisciplinary Health Research and Innovation.” “Malawi should look at health research beyond the provision of medical services and recognise its potential to contribute to economic development,” Msaka declared to the gathered researchers and academics. The minister insisted multidisciplinary research and innovation hold the power to generate genuine, practical solutions for communities across Malawi, while simultaneously strengthening the country’s broader development ambitions. Msaka didn’t hold back in setting out his expectations either, urging researchers to ensure their work remains legally sound, relevant and genuinely innovative, so government can effectively translate their findings into real-world policy interventions and national development strategies. Speaking directly to Nyasa Times, the minister revealed a further dimension to his vision, explaining how health research could dramatically boost the economy simply by helping people understand their own health status earlier and take swift action when needed. “Early detection and intervention could help reduce premature deaths and enable people to remain productive members of society,” Msaka explained, framing preventative healthcare as a direct economic multiplier for the nation. Meanwhile, KUHeS Council Chairperson Professor Alfred Mtenje used the opening ceremony to highlight research’s critical role closer to home, revealing how investment in research could help the university itself overcome pressing internal challenges. “Investment in research could help the University find solutions to challenges affecting areas such as financing, accommodation, research infrastructure and international partnerships,” Mtenje said, underscoring just how central research has become to the institution’s long-term financial sustainability. The prestigious conference, running from 30 September to 2 October 2026, brings together researchers and stakeholders from across Malawi to share groundbreaking findings and explore how health research and innovation can be translated into tangible, practical solutions capable of driving the country’s development forward. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260930-WA0040-600x400.jpg)Msaka calls for health science to drive Malawi’s economic growth Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Bright Msaka, Malawi Economy, Research --- ### [Northern Region Netball League reaches thrilling climax this weekend](https://www.nyasatimes.com/northern-region-netball-league-reaches-thrilling-climax-this-weekend/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Netball fever is set to grip Mzuzu this weekend, as ten fiercely competitive teams prepare to battle it out for regional supremacy in the dramatic finale of the Northern Region Netball League, sponsored by Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260930-WA0023-600x400.jpg)Ten teams set for explosive showdownThe action-packed finals will unfold at Rosedale Netball Court from Saturday to Sunday, with Chitipa Homesisters, Chilumba Barracks Sisters, Ekwendeni Resource, Ekwendeni Resource Reserve, Islanders Sisters, Karonga Queens, Malongo Sisters, Moyale Queens and Mzimba Queens all set to go head-to-head for glory. Northern Region Netball Committee General Secretary Ken Phiri revealed everything is now in place for what promises to be a thrilling weekend of high-stakes netball, with teams desperate to secure the ultimate prize on offer. “All the teams are ready. It is through these finals that we shall see a team that will be promoted into the FDH Premier League. We want to thank the sponsor Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba for all the funding,” Phiri said. The stakes could hardly be higher, with a coveted spot in the prestigious FDH Premier League hanging in the balance for whichever side emerges victorious from the gruelling two-day showdown. League sponsor Vitumbiko Mumba is expected to attend the climactic finale in person, taking up the role of Guest of Honour when the champions are finally crowned on Sunday. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Netball, northern region, Vitumbiko Mumba --- ### [Bitter civil war erupts in Malawi chess over 'one-man rule' ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bitter-civil-war-erupts-in-malawi-chess-over-one-man-rule/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Chess Association (CHESSAM) has descended into open warfare ahead of crucial presidential elections, after a bitter fallout between the incumbent leader and a former president exploded into a full-blown campaign controversy. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Susan-Namangale-516x600.jpg)CHESSAM former president Susan NamangalePresidential aspirant Mark Ndipita has seized on the chaos, vowing to tear down what he brands damaging “one-man decision making” at the heart of the association, as the race for the top job turns increasingly hostile. The explosive row stems from a bruising dispute between sitting CHESSAM president Mpilo Mizere and former leader Susan Namangale, centred on her unsuccessful bid for the FIDE Vice Presidency. Namangale claims she was left out in the cold after CHESSAM refused to endorse her campaign, forcing her to scramble for backing elsewhere. Despite the setback, she still managed to secure 58 votes, finishing an impressive fifth. But Mizere has fiercely defended his decision, insisting Namangale’s campaign tactics had created damaging friction among African chess officials. He claims he privately urged her to soften her approach, promising to reconsider CHESSAM’s endorsement if she complied — an offer he says she flatly rejected. Namangale, however, tells a very different story. She insists she campaigned vigorously but entirely respectfully on behalf of her preferred candidate, firmly denying any accusation of being divisive. She has also raised pointed questions over whether the withdrawal of support represented official CHESSAM policy, or simply Mizere’s own personal decision. Ndipita has wasted no time capitalising on the bitter row, promising that his leadership would fundamentally overhaul how the association handles matters of international significance. “Issues that determine Malawi’s image on the world chess stage cannot be decided by a single person,” he declared. The presidential hopeful has pledged unconditional support for Malawians chasing opportunities on the global stage, whether as players, arbiters or administrators, insisting national interest must always come before personal rivalries. “Whenever a Malawian succeeds internationally, the whole country benefits,” Ndipita said. Women’s chess features prominently in his manifesto too, with Ndipita outlining ambitious plans for a dedicated fund for women, fast-tracked training for female coaches and arbiters, school-based girls’ chess clubs, and a brand new National Women’s Grand Prix. But it was his most dramatic pledge that has truly stunned the chess community. In an extraordinary gesture, Ndipita revealed he would sensationally abandon his own presidential ambitions entirely should Namangale decide to throw her hat back into the ring. “Should Ms. Namangale declare her intention to return as CHESSAM president, I will step aside and commit my entire campaign team to her victory,” he declared. With tensions running high and battle lines firmly drawn, CHESSAM members are now bracing for a dramatic showdown when new leaders are elected in October. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Chess Association of Malawi, Mark Ndipita, Susan Namangale --- ### [MPs demand answers after Army and Police clash over Chilima wreckage discovery](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mps-demand-answers-after-army-and-police-clash-over-chilima-wreckage-discovery/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A baffling one-hour discrepancy has emerged over the moment the wreckage of the aircraft carrying former Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others was discovered — raising fresh questions over the desperate search operation and the preservation of vital evidence. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789739135250-600x400.jpg)THE CHILIMA CRASH PUZZLE: MPs chase missing minutes, conflicting accounts and disputed testimonyParliament’s Ad-hoc Committee investigating the Chikangawa plane crash has expressed concern after being presented with two conflicting times for the discovery of the wreckage. The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) recorded the discovery at 10:58am, while the Malawi Police Service (MPS) reportedly put the time at 9:30am — a difference of more than an hour. Committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu said the discrepancy was far from a minor detail, warning that the precise timeline could have major implications for determining whether anyone aboard the aircraft could have survived and how evidence at the crash scene was handled. “We need to firm up a timeline, and we will continue with our investigations to corroborate information from Malawi Police and MDF to determine the exact time, because that has major implications,” Nyamilandu said. The revelations came after the committee questioned former commander of the MDF 101 Brigade, Major General Richard Tobias Chagonapanja, on Tuesday. The conflicting accounts have also raised questions about how the various search teams were coordinated during the crucial hours after the aircraft disappeared. Nyamilandu said the committee will now travel to the Northern Region for two days to verify evidence already handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). In Mzuzu, MPs are expected to question police officers who photographed the crash scene and secured property recovered from the wreckage. The committee will also meet members of the Fire Brigade involved in the search-and-rescue operation, as well as volunteer eyewitnesses who may shed further light on what happened during the frantic search. NIGHT SEARCH CONTROVERSY Earlier, Chagonapanja told the committee that the MDF rejected a proposal to suspend the search overnight on June 10, 2024, despite difficult weather conditions and concerns about preparedness for night operations. Other stakeholders had reportedly proposed a tactical pause until dawn because of thick fog, poor visibility and the risks associated with continuing the operation in darkness. But Chagonapanja said the military command decided the search should continue. He told the committee that, after consulting then MDF General Commander Paul Valentino Phiri, he was directed to allow military teams to remain in the search area. By around 10pm, he said, most teams had withdrawn, leaving MDF soldiers and Raiply patrols on the ground. The wreckage was eventually located 27 kilometres north of Kasitu Camp. Chagonapanja said the search had been hampered by a combination of treacherous terrain, severe weather and the absence of a functioning Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). The aircraft was flying through mountainous and heavily forested terrain, while thick fog and poor visibility made the search even more difficult. He also referred to interim findings by Germany’s Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU), which indicated that the aircraft’s ELT was not operational at the time of the crash because its battery had expired. Without an effective electronic distress signal, rescuers were unable to use the system to pinpoint the aircraft’s location, further complicating the hunt through the vast and rugged Chikangawa forest. WITNESS TESTIMONY CHALLENGED But the inquiry took another dramatic turn when Chagonapanja challenged the testimony of key witness Ephraim Duma, telling the committee that the account presented by Duma was false. Duma had previously given evidence to the committee about what he claimed to have witnessed before the aircraft came down, making his testimony one of the more closely scrutinised accounts in the investigation. The committee must now weigh the competing accounts as it attempts to establish a definitive timeline of the crash, the search operation and the discovery of the wreckage. The investigation comes as MPs continue to examine what happened in the hours before and after the aircraft disappeared — and whether crucial opportunities were lost during the frantic search for survivors. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Malawi Defence Force, Malawi Police, plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima, Walter Nyamilandu Manda --- ### [Zambian hitmaker Yo Maps set to headline Sand Music Festival as organisers confirm final details for beachside bash](https://www.nyasatimes.com/zambian-hitmaker-yo-maps-set-to-headline-sand-music-festival-as-organisers-confirm-final-details-for-beachside-bash/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Music fans across Malawi are gearing up for a weekend of beats and sunshine, after organisers confirmed Zambian star Yo Maps as the headline act for this year’s Sand Music Festival, themed “Rhythms of the Shore.” ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20261001_011742_Google-600x409.jpg)Yo Maps: Headline act at Sand Music FestivalThe star-studded festival, organised by Capestars, will take over Kingfisher Inn in Mangochi from October 23 to 25, following the venue’s last-minute relocation from Sunbird Nkopola Leisure Centre due to scheduling clashes at the original site. Yo Maps, one of Zambia’s biggest music exports known for his chart-topping hits and flamboyant style, headlines a lineup organisers promise will deliver an unforgettable beachside experience against the backdrop of Lake Malawi. Tickets are already on sale, with standard entry priced at K65,000 and VIP access available for K150,000, offering fans the chance to scan a QR code or visit www.mzanga.com to secure their spot ahead of what is expected to be a sell-out weekend. The festival has attracted a strong roster of sponsors and partners, including MBC, Mzanga, HS Winehouse, Zodiak and Kingfisher Inn itself, reflecting the growing scale and commercial pull of the annual beachside event. Organisers are also inviting prospective sponsors to get involved, with a dedicated contact number, +265 885 36 26 76, provided for anyone interested in backing the festival. With its new venue boasting wider camping space and enhanced security thanks to a secure perimeter capable of housing all vehicles on site, organisers insist fans have nothing to worry about despite the recent changes, promising the same unforgettable music and atmosphere Sand Music Festival has become known for. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Sand Music Festival --- ### [Court rules MACRA unlawfully dismissed former director general Daud Suleman](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-rules-macra-unlawfully-dismissed-former-director-general-daud-suleman/) **Published:** October 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Industrial Relations Court has ruled that the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) unlawfully dismissed its former director general, Daud Suleman, finding that the regulator failed to follow proper employment procedures before removing him from office. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790246058368-1-600x400.jpg)Former MACRA chief Suleman was wrongly dismissedThe court found that MACRA officials did not afford Suleman a fair disciplinary hearing, denying him the opportunity to respond to the allegations against him before his dismissal, in breach of basic employment law. Under Malawi’s employment regulations, employers are required to hold a fair disciplinary hearing and give staff the opportunity to present their side of events before any decision to terminate employment is made. Confirming the ruling, Suleman said the court’s decision vindicated his long-running legal battle against his former employer. Suleman was appointed to lead MACRA, the government body responsible for regulating Malawi’s telecommunications, broadcasting and postal sectors. His sudden termination from the post sparked considerable public and political interest, with speculation at the time over the circumstances surrounding his removal. Suleman subsequently took his case to the Industrial Relations Court, arguing that his dismissal was procedurally flawed and violated his statutory labour rights. Following the court’s ruling that the dismissal was unlawful, MACRA now faces the prospect of being ordered to pay compensation and damages for unfair dismissal, with the full financial implications of the judgment expected to be determined in due course. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Daud Suleman, Macra --- ### [Sickle cell warrior Lympie C on her lifelong battle with pain and stigma](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sickle-cell-warrior-lympie-c-on-her-lifelong-battle-with-pain-and-stigma/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A TOP HEALTH campaigner has issued a chilling warning over the dangerous myths surrounding a devastating blood disorder—revealing sufferers are still being shunned over horrific claims of WITCHCRAFT. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790789431543-582x600.jpg)​’Painful and unpredictable’: Living with sickle cell disease​Bridget Moyo, national coordinator of the Break Sickle Cycle Organisation, lashed out at widespread ignorance that is actively blocking diagnosis, treatment, and vital support for those living with sickle cell disease. ​Speaking as Sickle Cell Awareness Month drew to a close, Ms Moyo exposed the shocking reality faced by victims, revealing many still wrongly believe the genetic condition is “contagious” or rooted in dark magic. ​”These beliefs are both completely false and deeply harmful,” she warned. ​Ms Moyo also delivered a damning indictment of the medical front line, raising the alarm over health workers who lack the basic training to manage patients during severe medical emergencies. ​Now, her organisation is taking the fight to the streets, launching a high-profile awareness blitz across schools and bustling market hubs to shatter the dangerous stigma once and for all. ​’AN UNPREDICTABLE NIGHTMARE’ ​Her rallying cry was echoed by courageous musician and sickle cell “warrior” Lympie C, who was diagnosed at just three months old. ​She opened up about the agonizing reality of living with the disease, describing a relentless nightmare of sudden, crippling pain crises, widespread discrimination, and a heartbreaking lack of proper medical care. ​”Living with this condition is deeply challenging,” Lympie C revealed, highlighting the bitter isolation felt by patients—especially those stranded in isolated rural communities with limited access to life-saving drugs. ​The brave artist urged families to rally behind loved ones rather than cast them out, hammering home the message that the inherited disorder cannot be passed on like a virus. ​The Break Sickle Cycle Organisation is on a mission to build a disease-free future while fighting tooth and nail to improve patient care, boost medical education, and give every warrior a fighting chance. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, News **Tags:** sickle-cell --- ### [Chivayo, the tycoon who bought his way into Malawi's elite, killed in helicopter crash](https://www.nyasatimes.com/238241-2/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![Chivayo](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/20260930_222108-600x600.jpg)Zimbabwean tycoon known for wild spending sprees and private jets is killed in helicopter crash alongside wife –Controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo — the flamboyant tycoon whose eye-watering K1.7 billion (£800,000/$1 million) donation to a charity chaired by Malawi’s First Lady sparked a political firestorm — has died in a horror helicopter crash, according to reports from Harare. Chivayo, 45, known for his jet-set lifestyle of private planes and lavish shopping sprees, was killed alongside his wife Lucy “Lulu” Muteke when the aircraft came down in the Marondera Rural area east of Harare on Wednesday, Zimbabwean news site ZimLive reported. Six people were on board in total — and none survived. Nick Mangwana, Zimbabwe’s permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, confirmed the devastating news in a statement. “Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash,” he said. Police said the helicopter went down at around 5pm. The cause of the crash is not yet known. ZimLive was first to break the news of Chivayo’s death, with NewZimbabwe.com and prominent Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono also confirming that the businessman and his wife had been killed. Chivayo was never a man to do anything by halves. His social media feeds were a relentless showcase of private jets and extravagant spending — the full trappings of self-made wealth — cementing his status as one of the most eye-catching figures to emerge from Zimbabwe’s business scene since 2024, as he expanded his influence across the region. He had, until recently, enjoyed a close relationship with Malawi’s former president Lazarus Chakwera — a friendship that appeared to lose some of its shine after Chakwera’s shock election defeat last year. But ever the survivor, Chivayo swiftly pivoted, later securing a reception with President Peter Mutharika, in a move critics suggested showed either remarkable adaptability — or simply that his political loyalties were for sale to whoever held power. His K1.7 billion donation to Beautify Malawi, the charity chaired by First Lady Gertrude Mutharika, thrust the organisation into an unwanted spotlight, raising awkward questions about the tycoon’s motives and his cosy ties to Malawi’s political elite. It also emerged that Chivayo had splashed out on luxury cars for Malawian politicians — including one gifted to the First Lady’s son, Tadikila. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Wicknell Chivayo, Zimbabwe --- ### [Gangata election challenge put on hold pending appeal](https://www.nyasatimes.com/gangata-election-challenge-put-on-hold-pending-appeal/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Proceedings in an election petition challenging Sports Minister Alfred Gangata’s victory in the Lilongwe City Mtandire-Mtsiriza Constituency have been suspended pending a ruling by the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260930-WA0020.jpg)Gangata (c): Election petition against him statedThe High Court’s decision means the case brought by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidate George Zulu will not proceed until the appeal court determines an application filed by Mr Gangata. Mr Zulu is contesting the results of the 16 September 2025 General Election, in which Mr Gangata was declared the winner of the parliamentary seat. Mr Gangata, who is also Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the Central Region, appealed against an earlier High Court ruling that allowed the election petition to proceed. His lawyer, Khumbo Soko, confirmed that the petition had been stayed pending the outcome of the appeal. Mr Gangata is seeking an order from the Supreme Court of Appeal suspending the implementation of the earlier High Court decision until his appeal is determined. The appeal court is yet to rule on the matter. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Alfred Gangata, Gangata --- ### [Crime-hit Msundwe receives new K380m police unit funded by Apostle Kawinga's Creck Hardware](https://www.nyasatimes.com/crime-hit-msundwe-receives-new-k380m-police-unit-funded-by-apostle-kawingas-creck-hardware/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A business mogul has poured a staggering K380 million into building a modern police unit for the people of Msundwe and Kalolo, in a dramatic boost for a community long plagued by security concerns. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260930-WA0016-600x450.jpg)Creck Hardware boss Apostle Kawinga hands over Msubdwe police unit to Malawi PoliceCreck Hardware and General Supplies officially handed over the state-of-the-art facility to the Malawi Police Service on Wednesday, marking the end of a two-year construction project that began in 2024. The sprawling complex boasts 12 rooms, including eight offices for officers, two holding cells and a kitchen, with officials hailing it as a major step forward in the fight against crime. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Apostle Clifford Kawinga, Managing Director of Creck Hardware, said the project was the company’s way of giving something back to the communities that have supported its growth over the years. “It has taken us K380 million which we have invested in this project,” he said. “As a responsible private institution, we believe corporate social responsibility is key. We have not done this for the people of Msundwe alone, but for our fellow Malawians.” Kawinga said he hopes the facility will serve communities for at least the next two decades while helping police crack down on criminal activity by providing officers with a better working environment. The donation was warmly received by Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga, who described it as a timely and much-needed gift. “This is quite a good gift to us as police and the community here in Msundwe and the people of Kalolo,” he said. “Msundwe has been in the news quite a lot, and our intention is to make sure all areas in Malawi remain peaceful and secure.” Luhanga praised Creck Hardware for stepping forward where communities desperately needed support, adding that police would ensure the facility is properly maintained. He also issued a stern warning to vandals, saying anyone found damaging police infrastructure would face the full force of the law. For Senior Chief Kalolo, the new unit represents the answer to years of frustration. The traditional leader said residents had endured persistent security challenges because of the lack of proper police infrastructure in the area. “Today our prayers have been answered,” he said. “This police unit is a great gift to my people. It will help reduce crime and bring peace to Msundwe and Kalolo.” The chief thanked Apostle Kawinga for remembering the community and pledged that local residents would work closely with police to protect the facility. The development could prove even bigger in the months ahead, with Government already constructing 15 additional houses at the site as part of plans to transform the unit into a fully-fledged police station. For many residents, the gleaming new complex is more than just a building. It is a symbol of hope that one of Malawi’s most troubled areas could finally turn a corner in the battle against crime. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260930-WA0015-600x400.jpg)Kawinga with cops after new police unit opens for Msundwe and Kalolo Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Apostle Clifford Kawinga, Creck Hardware, Malawi Police, Msundwe --- ### [Minister Chipungu unveils Kasasile resettlement plan; 600-hectare site secured](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-chipungu-unveils-kasasile-resettlement-plan-600-hectare-site-secured/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The government has unveiled plans to relocate the displaced Kasasile community to a 600-hectare estate in Mpherembe, Mzimba District, in what ministers say will finally bring an end to the long-running Kasasile land dispute in Nkhata Bay. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260930-WA0014-400x600.jpg)Chipungu: End in sight for Kasasile land sagaSpeaking on Wednesday, Lands Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu said the move fulfils a campaign pledge made by President Arthur Peter Mutharika to residents affected by the controversy, which has left many families without permanent land. Chipungu made the announcement after accompanying Second Vice-President Enock Kanzingeni Chihana to meet members of the community. He said plots would be allocated between 5 and 10 October, with government-provided vehicles transporting families to the new site from 26 to 30 October. Authorities expect the resettlement exercise to be completed by November 2026. The minister said his department had spent months consulting residents and engaging stakeholders in search of a lasting solution to the dispute. Officials assessed a number of potential locations, including Kapilisisi, Zgabhika, Dobadoba, Mubangwe and Katonthowolo estates, before settling on the Mpherembe site. Chipungu said he would personally visit the new settlement during the first week of November to monitor progress and assess conditions on the ground. He urged members of the Kasasile community to continue working with the Ministry of Lands to ensure the relocation is carried out in a safe and orderly manner. The minister also issued a warning to anyone seeking to obstruct the process, saying those who unlawfully interfere with the resettlement programme would face legal consequences. The announcement marks the most significant step yet in efforts to resolve the Kasasile land saga, a dispute that has remained a source of uncertainty for affected families and a recurring challenge for successive administrations. Government officials say the relocation is intended to provide the community with a permanent and sustainable settlement after years of displacement. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, land --- ### [LUANAR professor calls for greater youth participation in Malawi's economic development](https://www.nyasatimes.com/luanar-professor-calls-for-greater-youth-participation-in-malawis-economic-development/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Newly inaugurated Professor Kennedy Machira of the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) has called for deliberate measures to ensure that Malawi’s youthful population plays a greater role in the country’s economic development. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260930-WA0003-600x450.jpg)Professor Machira: “Parents should start mentoring their children to stand on their own through innovation,”Professor Machira made the call on Wednesday at LUANAR’s Bunda Campus during his Professorial Inaugural Lecture, held under the theme “Demographic Change and its Effect Towards Economic Development: A Realisation Pathway for Sustainable Human Welfare in Malawi.” He said young people constitute about 78 percent of Malawi’s population, making their participation in productive economic activities critical to the country’s development. According to Professor Machira, however, a large proportion of the youth are currently not making a meaningful contribution to economic development, while the country continues to experience a high fertility rate. He described the situation as a major concern, particularly because of its implications for poverty and human welfare. He urged families to take an active role in preparing young people for economic independence by encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship and the meaningful use of technology. “Families should start mentoring their children to stand on their own through innovation and meaningful use of technology in business investments,” Professor Machira said. He argued that Malawi has significant natural resources, including land and water, which could be harnessed to transform the country’s economy. What is required, he said, is a change in mindset at all levels of society to address the underlying causes of poverty. LUANAR Vice Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda described the inaugural lecture as more than a ceremonial event, saying it provides an opportunity for a scholar to reflect on his intellectual journey while outlining ideas that could shape the future. “This is not just a formality, but it is a moment that a scholar speaks for what he has done in his intellectual journey and where he is taking us in the next step,” Kaunda said. He said Professor Machira’s journey reflected years of determination and contribution to the university. Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Country Director Dr Eluphy Banda Nyirenda said the subject of the lecture was particularly important given Malawi’s large youthful population. She said the country must ensure that young people are equipped with knowledge, opportunities and access to platforms that encourage creativity and innovation. “The subject goes to the heart of the nation,” Dr Nyirenda said, stressing the need to equip young Malawians to become productive participants in the economy. She said young people should be empowered to produce, lead and embrace agricultural commercialisation, particularly as Malawi seeks to transform its agriculture sector. Dr Nyirenda also emphasised that universities cannot achieve this transformation alone. She called for greater support from government and development partners to help create an environment where young people can access opportunities, develop innovations and turn their ideas into viable enterprises. The inaugural lecture therefore placed Malawi’s demographic trends at the centre of discussions on economic development, with speakers highlighting the need to transform the country’s large youth population into a productive force through education, innovation, entrepreneurship and increased participation in agriculture and other sectors of the economy.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260930-WA0006-600x450.jpg) Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Luanar --- ### [Mwisho Mhango at Hannover 96: An update on the Malawian star's journey in Germany](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mwisho-mhango-at-hannover-96-an-update-on-the-malawian-stars-journey-in-germany/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Who is Mwisho Mhango? A recap of his rise to fame Born on 15 September 2007 in Malawi, Mhango joined Ascent Soccer Academy in Lilongwe, the country’s only full-time residential football academy programme since 2018, where he received both educational and football training. He was identified as one of the nation’s most promising talents from an early age, earning call-ups to the Malawi U17 team at just 14 years old. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260930-WA0010.jpg)Mwisho MhangoHis breakthrough came at the 2025 COSAFA U20 Championship in Windhoek, Namibia (4-13 July 2025), where Mhango netted four goals in the tournament and five goals across the broader Region 5 Youth Games competition, claiming both the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awards. His performances helped Malawi reach the final for the first time in over 20 years, ultimately finishing as runners-up to South Africa. The displays garnered significant interest from European clubs, with Mhango having already completed trials at Iceland’s Breidablik and Austrian champions SK Sturm Graz before Hannover 96 secured his signature. The landmark move: From Malawi to Hannover 96 The landmark move was confirmed on 26 September 2025, Mhango’s 18th birthday, when Hannover 96 officially signed him from Ascent Soccer Academy on a five-year contract running until 30 June 2030. Under FIFA regulations governing non-EU players, he could not complete the international transfer before turning 18, which is why the deal was finalized on that specific date. He officially joined the club’s setup on 1 January 2026 after a three-month integration phase at the 96 Academy boarding school. The move provided a historic milestone for Malawian football, marking the first time a locally developed talent had gone directly from a Malawian academy to a German professional club in the 2. Bundesliga system. Hannover provided the teenager with a long-term development path focused on incremental progression rather than immediate pressure, with the club stating their intention to improve his tactical and physical awareness before preparing him for potential senior squad appearances. The transfer was not just an opportunity for an individual, but a chance for Malawi as a footballing nation. It brought to the forefront the importance of structured youth soccer development and demonstrated the ability for academies like Ascent Soccer to produce players capable of reaching international settings. Two years in Germany: Progress, challenges, and current status As of late September 2026, nearly one year after signing his professional contract, Mhango has yet to make an official competitive appearance for Hannover 96 in the 2. Bundesliga. According to official season statistics, he has recorded zero appearances, zero goals and zero assists in the 2026-27 campaign. The midfielder has progressed through Hannover’s integration system and has been training with the first team squad, but has not featured in matchday selections for competitive fixtures. The move from youth football to senior football in Germany remains challenging. Faster decision-making, more intense physical battles, tactical discipline and consistency at professional level are all requirements players need to adapt to in order to compete at this higher level. Hannover is continuing to oversee Mhango’s progress with close attention paid to his development. In an interview published in April 2026, Hannover 96 head coach Christian Titz provided an update on Mhango’s development, stating: ‘Mhango is a player who is highly talented and can be deployed in attacking midfield, but also on the wings. He possesses a great deal of technical skill and has significantly developed his game, especially in terms of physicality and intensity.’ Titz noted that ‘the differences in pace, physicality, and defensive tactics are enormous, and that’s precisely where a young player needs a certain amount of time to get used to all the routines.’ On the possibility of featuring Mhango in competitive matches, the coach remained non-committal: ‘I don’t want to make any predictions about Mwisho. We thought long and hard about what the right path is for him, and we came to the conclusion that the high-intensity training sessions with us and the recurring test matches are a good path for him.’ Titz added that while ‘with the ball, Mhango is already very noticeable and has already accumulated many good actions’, the bigger areas for improvement currently lie in his work off the ball. Navigating the ‘Integration Phase’: On and off the pitch For many young players, the transition to the football integration stage is a significant challenge when moving abroad. Adjusting for Mhango has meant adapting to a new football culture, navigating a different language landscape and embracing the professional lifestyle expected of athletes in Germany. During his three-month integration phase at the 96 Academy boarding school (October-December 2025), he focused on acclimatisation before becoming eligible for competitive matches from January 2026. Leaving Malawi and heading to Hannover was no easy feat. This involved new challenges in day-to-day activities, team communication, training techniques and tactical strategies. As Christian Titz noted in his April 2026 interview, ‘the differences in pace, physicality, and defensive tactics are enormous, and that’s precisely where a young player needs a certain amount of time to get used to all the routines.’ If adapted successfully, this integration can lay the groundwork for a long career in Europe. The experience of Mhango follows a pattern seen among many African players who have moved to Europe. Talent is the key that unlocks the door, but it’s the dedication, patience and consistent development that will help players establish themselves once inside. Mhango’s playing style and key highlights in Germany Mhango’s most notable attributes are his attacking skills, both in central midfield and on the wings. According to Christian Titz, he ‘is a player who is highly talented and can be deployed in attacking midfield, but also on the wings’. His abilities include good close control, creativity, and confident passing to take responsibility in attacking situations. Standing at 1.67m (5ft 6in), he compensates for his stature with technical quality and vision. His performances prior to his move to Germany put him on the radar of European scouts due to his impact during the 2025 COSAFA U20 Championship and Region 5 Youth Games. The Player of the Tournament award went to him not only for his goal-scoring (five goals in five matches at Region 5 Games, four in the Championship proper) but for his ability to control games with movement, technical skill, and attacking threat. He also earned a spot in the COSAFA Youth Championship Best XI. His focus at Hannover has been on building the physical and tactical skills needed in European football. The club has worked to help him become more effective without the ball, improve his intensity and play a consistent level of football against older and stronger opposition. As Titz observed, ‘with the ball, Mhango is already very noticeable and has already accumulated many good actions. However, the bigger areas for improvement currently lie in his work off the ball.’ What’s next for Mwisho Mhango and Malawi’s hope? Mhango’s future will now rely on how fast he can translate his development into senior-level appearances. Another milestone would be a Bundesliga 2 appearance with Hannover 96, but it is expected that the club will still tread carefully with a youngster to gain experience on the pitch. The Malawi national team fans are also keeping an eye on his development. The Flames have always looked for young players who can play at a very high level and Mhango is a new generation of Malawian players growing in European systems. The buzz surrounding his possible first team breakout is growing and fans are closely watching Hannover’s form and the German side’s general appeal. As interest in Hannover 96 continues to grow, fans can check for match updates and odds related to the team’s future through the [Leonbet promo code](https://www.sportytrader.com/en/betting-sites/leonbet/promo-code/)from SportyTrader. In the end, Mhango’s tale continues to be written. His journey to Germany has already been a defining moment in the history of Malawian football, but the next hurdle is establishing a sustainable career in the league. His future trajectory at Hannover 96 suggests he may be a big name for European football in the years to come, as a player for the foreseeable future in Malawi. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Mwisho Mhango --- ### [Court to rule November 20 on Dutch national accused of sodomy in Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-to-rule-november-20-on-dutch-national-accused-of-sodomy-in-malawi/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Blantyre court will deliver its verdict on November 20 in the case of a Dutch national accused of sodomising boys at a Malawian children’s foundation, after the trial wrapped up this week. Wim Akster, who ran programmes ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260929_124645_Facebook-600x304.jpg)COURT VERDICT LOOMS: Dutch aid boss to learn fate in Blantyre sodomy trial on November 20including bursary administration at Timotheos Foundation, faces charges of having carnal knowledge against the order of nature and non-consensual kissing, relating to alleged incidents between 2019 and 2020. Chief Resident Magistrate Paul Chiotcha concluded hearing the case in Blantyre yesterday after the defence called its 15th and final witness. Akster was found to have a case to answer back in April this year. His final defence witness told the court he had been a beneficiary of the foundation’s bursary scheme between 2012 and 2015. He said that in 2020 he received a call from a Timotheos Foundation employee informing him that Akster had been arrested on sodomy allegations, and was asked to come forward and testify if Akster had touched him indecently. Akster’s lawyer, Michael Goba Chipeta, has been granted 30 days to prepare final submissions, a timeframe the State also agreed was reasonable. State lawyer Victor Jere said he was pleased the case had reached its conclusion, with the ruling now set for next month. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News **Tags:** sexual- offence, sodomy --- ### [Muluzi's age argument against Mutharika](https://www.nyasatimes.com/muluzis-age-argument-against-mutharika/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a particular kind of political attack that requires no evidence, no policy critique, and no real engagement with an opponent’s record, merely the passage of time itself. Atupele Muluzi has now deployed it twice against Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika, and it is worth asking whether it amounts to much of an argument at all. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260930_080857_Google-600x422.jpg)Too old to lead? Muluzi doubles down on age attack against MutharikaSpeaking to Zodiak on Tuesday evening, the UDF leader offered his latest assessment of the DPP leader and State President: “We respect Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika very much, but we have to accept that he has grown old.” It is a formulation that manages to sound both deferential and dismissive in the same breath, the political equivalent of “with all due respect”, which is rarely followed by anything respectful. Age, of course, is not nothing in politics. Stamina matters, as does the capacity to engage with a country’s problems over a demanding term in office, and voters are entitled to weigh it when they choose who should lead them. But Muluzi’s repeated invocation of Mutharika’s age, without accompanying detail on what specifically about his leadership has failed, or what a younger alternative would concretely do differently, reads less like a substantive critique and more like a placeholder for one. It is the sort of line that sounds sharp in a soundbite and rather thin on reflection. Muluzi did gesture toward substance elsewhere in the interview, linking Malawi’s leadership troubles to allegations that some government officials have been exploiting the hardships facing ordinary citizens. That is a genuinely serious claim, and one that deserves to be made with specifics: which officials, what conduct, what evidence. Left as a general allegation, it risks becoming just another item in the standard opposition repertoire, gestured at rather than pursued. None of this is to say Mutharika is beyond criticism, or that Muluzi has no case to make against him. Malawi’s economic difficulties are real, and an opposition leader positioning himself as an alternative is doing exactly what opposition leaders are supposed to do. But “he has grown old” is doing an enormous amount of work for very little argument. If Muluzi wants Malawians to conclude that the country needs a different kind of leadership, he would do better to spell out precisely what Mutharika has got wrong and what he, Muluzi, would do instead, rather than simply pointing at the calendar and hoping voters draw the conclusion for him. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Atupele Muluzi, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Scorchers coach Fazili picks US-based midfielder spotted on video clips: 4 new faces for Olympic qualifiers against Zimbabwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/scorchers-coach-fazili-picks-us-based-midfielde-spotted-on-video-clips-4-new-faces-for-olympic-qualifiers-against-zimbabwe/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Women’s National Football Team coach Lovemore Fazili has shaken up his squad ahead of a crucial Olympic qualifying clash with Zimbabwe, drafting in four fresh faces for the Scorchers as they prepare for next month’s showdown with the Mighty Warriors. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1786624869160-600x595.jpg)Kadzere back in Scorchers squadFazili unveiled his provisional squad for the 2028 Olympic qualifiers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, with United States-based midfielder Asante Khemsia among the standout new additions, alongside Rumphi Sisters goalkeeper Jane Nyirenda and Ascent Soccer Academy duo Miyamiko Mkandawire and Talandira Chinyanvula. MDF Leonesss defender Patricia Nyirenda has also returned to the Scorchers squad after being sidelined for two consecutive years through injury. Nyirenda, who played a part in the side that won the Cosafa Championship back in 2023, last featured for the Scorchers during their semi-final defeat to Zambia in 2024. The squad also includes Nyirenda’s sister Temwa, alongside Rose Kabzere, Faith Chimzimu and Chimwemwe Madise, all of whom have earned provisional call-ups for the crucial qualifiers. But there was disappointment for Morocco-based forward Sabina Thom, who has been ruled out entirely due to injury. Speaking after unveiling the squad, Fazili revealed exactly why he had taken a gamble on the US-based midfielder, despite her never previously featuring for the national side. “We had several video clips for her and were impressed. The other local players have also performed well and deserve to be in the squad,” Fazili explained. Fazili has largely kept faith with the bulk of the squad that made history by winning silver at the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) finals in Morocco, with captain Tabitha Chawanje once again expected to lead the side. The Scorchers will host Zimbabwe in the first-leg qualifier at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on October 9, before travelling to Zimbabwe for the crucial second-leg clash four days later. It will mark the first home match for the Scorchers in over a year since finishing runners-up at the Wafcon finals, and comes after Malawi previously saw off Angola 2-0 in an earlier round of Wafcon qualifiers. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Lovemore Fazili, Olympics, Scorchers --- ### [Msaka to universities: Start earning Malawi dollars to copy Zambia's forex model](https://www.nyasatimes.com/msaka-to-universities-start-earning-malawi-dollars-to-copy-zambias-forex-model/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Bright Msaka, has thrown down a bold challenge to the country’s universities, demanding they step up and help mobilise desperately needed foreign exchange through their teaching and other services. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1783593548032-600x597.jpg)Let’s make our universities competitive’: Msaka’s forex challenge to Malawi’s academic institutionsSpeaking during the signing ceremony of public sector reform commitments with academic institutions in Blantyre, the minister openly questioned why Malawi’s universities weren’t cashing in on international students paying their fees in hard currency. Msaka pointed to neighbouring Zambia as a prime example of how universities elsewhere have become genuine sources of forex, insisting Malawi’s institutions could easily replicate the same success. “In Malawi we have a lot of students doing their studies in Zambia and they pay in dollars. We can also do the same, let’s improve our services and make our universities” competitive enough to attract international students, Msaka urged. The minister didn’t hold back in demanding urgency from institutions signing up to the reform commitments, warning that Malawi cannot afford to simply wait around for universities to fail before taking action. “Let’s work together and ensure that these commitments are implemented within the stipulated period. We should not wait for institutions to fail and start doing something. We need to develop early warning systems,” Msaka said. Universities across the country responded by outlining their own reform priorities. Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor Nancy Chitera revealed her institution has already made “tremendous progress” in expanding resource mobilisation, citing diversification of finance mobilisation streams, expansion and rehabilitation of infrastructure, and greater utilisation of Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL). Chitera said the university is deliberately shifting away from a model where partnerships are largely project-specific, instead working to develop long-term strategic relationships that can sustain funding well into the future. Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor Mwapasa Mipando outlined three key reform areas of his own: process efficiency through digital transformation, stronger governance through oversight and compliance, and corporate sustenance through revenue diversification. Meanwhile, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) Vice-Chancellor Professor MacPherson Mallewa revealed his institution’s reforms would centre on research and innovation, revenue generation, and teaching and learning. Beyond the four public universities, the Malawi National Examination Board (MANEB) and Malawi Institute of Education (MIE) also signed up to their own commitment areas, with MANEB executive director Dorothy Nampota confirming her institution’s participation in the sweeping reform drive. The push comes as Malawi continues grappling with a punishing foreign exchange crisis, with authorities increasingly turning to every available sector of the economy, education included, in a desperate bid to shore up the country’s dwindling dollar reserves. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, National **Tags:** Bright Msaka, forex, University of Malawi --- ### [Embassy drama: Malawi envoy battles government over shock Kuwait recall](https://www.nyasatimes.com/embassy-drama-malawi-envoy-battles-government-over-shock-kuwait-recall/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s ambassador to Kuwait has launched a dramatic legal fight after being ordered to pack his bags and leave in just 16 days—despite regulations that allegedly require three months’ notice. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260929-WA0013-1-600x372.jpg)Government Confirms Envoy—Then Orders Him HomeYounos Abdul Karim, who has served as Malawi’s ambassador to Kuwait since 2022, is challenging the Government’s dramatic decision to end his posting, accusing authorities of acting outside the rules governing the country’s diplomatic service. The extraordinary dispute comes after a series of apparently contradictory Government decisions over who should represent Malawi in Kuwait. On 31 August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Kuwaiti authorities that it was withdrawing the appointment of Alison Liwanda as ambassador-designate and confirmed Karim as Malawi’s substantive ambassador. Yet barely weeks later, Karim was ordered to return to Malawi by 30 September 2026 and hand over his responsibilities as head of mission. According to court documents, the ambassador says the decision gave him only 16 days to wind up his affairs and leave his post. That, he argues, flies in the face of MPSR 4:105, which provides for a statutory three-month notice period for ambassadors facing recall. Karim has now secured an interim order from the Industrial Relations Court in Blantyre preventing the Government from treating him as having ceased to be Malawi’s ambassador to Kuwait pending determination of the dispute. The order directs the Attorney General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chief Secretary and Malawi’s embassy in Kuwait to continue recognising Karim as the lawful holder of the post. The case has thrown an uncomfortable spotlight on the Government’s handling of one of Malawi’s most sensitive diplomatic postings. Officials had initially sought Kuwait’s agrément for Liwanda, who has served as Malawi’s deputy ambassador in Kuwait for about 15 years. That move was subsequently withdrawn, with Karim’s position reaffirmed. Then came the recall. The speed of the reversal has raised questions over why Karim was recalled so soon after the Government had formally confirmed him as ambassador—and why he was allegedly not given the notice period provided for under the regulations. The dispute could also force scrutiny of whether Kuwait was properly and promptly informed of the rapidly changing decisions surrounding Malawi’s diplomatic representation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to publicly explain the reasons for Karim’s abrupt recall or address the allegation that the required three-month notice was not observed. What began as a Government decision to reshuffle diplomatic responsibilities has therefore escalated into a court battle over the rules governing Malawi’s foreign service. And until the Industrial Relations Court makes a final determination, Karim remains recognised as Malawi’s ambassador to Kuwait under the interim order—leaving the Government facing an unusually public legal challenge over its handling of a diplomatic appointment. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Diplomats, Kuwait --- ### [Malawi moves towards advanced cancer treatment with nuclear medicine facilities](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-moves-towards-advanced-cancer-treatment-with-nuclear-medicine-facilities/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi is on the brink of a major breakthrough in the fight against cancer, with advanced diagnosis and treatment facilities known as nuclear medicine set to launch in Lilongwe, dramatically boosting access to life-saving cancer care for thousands of desperate patients. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790709130469-1.jpg)Dr Leon Masamba: Boosting for Malawi cancer diagnosis and treatmentThe exciting development was revealed by renowned oncologist Dr Leo Masamba ahead of the 5th Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) Research Dissemination Conference, which opens Wednesday at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre. “There is need to increase capacity in tools and human resources to improve cancer treatment access. The public should anticipate introduction of nuclear medicine facilities soon in Lilongwe,” Masamba announced. The three-day conference, running under the theme “Advancing Economic Development through Multidisciplinary Health Research and Innovation,” will also showcase Malawi’s newly published Cancer Treatment Guidelines, unveiled just months ago. Masamba explained the guidelines represent a crucial tool for health workers at primary and secondary facilities, helping ensure earlier diagnosis while guiding patient navigation and referral pathways for advanced treatment. The leading oncologist further revealed that research focused on boosting public awareness and strengthening referral pathways holds real potential to slash the number of cancer cases being caught dangerously late. With Malawi entering October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Masamba urged women across the country to become more self-aware and practise regular self-breast examinations, alongside seeking clinical checks from health workers. Meanwhile, prominent health advocate Dorothy Ngoma issued her own passionate appeal, insisting frontline health workers remain absolutely vital in the fight for early breast cancer detection. “Women should be taught to check and examine themselves every month. Any abnormality on breast size or colour should be reported at earlier stage,” Ngoma stressed. She revealed the devastating reality that far too many women only come forward once lumps have already developed, leaving surgeons with agonisingly little time to act. “As experts discuss this at KUHeS, what is crucial is how much of that information is trickling down to communities,” Ngoma warned, calling for breast cancer screening to be embedded at every level of society with collective support. “Government and people, including men, must support each other especially women. We must not wait until things are bad and start running around for treatment because for most it is too late,” she pleaded. According to Ngoma, late presentation of cancer ultimately forces patients into brutally expensive treatment paths, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery — placing a devastating financial burden on both struggling families and government coffers alike. *This article discusses cancer diagnosis and treatment. If you have concerns about your health, please consult a qualified medical professional.* Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, National --- ### [Malawi tobacco farmers face days in the cold amid registration chaos](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-tobacco-farmers-face-days-in-the-cold-amid-registration-chaos/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Thousands of Malawi’s poorest tobacco farmers have been left sleeping outdoors in the bitter cold for days on end, as a catastrophic technical meltdown of the country’s new registration system plunges the crucial planting season into chaos. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260929-WA0000-600x450.jpg)Malawi farmers face hardship as tobacco registration system breaks downMalawi’s 2025/2026 tobacco registration season has descended into utter turmoil, with smallholder growers forced to camp out at registration centres across the country night after night, battling persistent technical failures and a shambolic rollout of the new Know Your Grower (KYG) system. From Nambuma in Lilongwe, to Kandewu in Ntcheu and Bolero in Rumphi, the horror story is the same everywhere: endless queues, failed fingerprint scanners, collapsed networks, and exhausted farmers reduced to sleeping on sacks outside offices and huddled under trees, desperately waiting for a system that simply refuses to come online. The registration drive, jointly run by the Tobacco Commission (TC), TAMA Farmers Trust and other stakeholders, was supposed to streamline the grower database, wipe out fictitious “ghost farmers” and improve traceability. Instead, it has become a living nightmare for the very people it was designed to help. At Bolero, grower Tiwonge Nyirenda revealed the full extent of the ordeal, describing how she arrived at the centre on Monday morning only to still be waiting, unregistered, by Saturday evening. “I came from deep in the village with money for transport. The officials told us the system is down. The network is failing and the gadgets are not capturing fingerprints. “We have been told to wait. For three nights we have been sleeping here on sacks outside the EPA office. We have no food, we have no blankets. This is not how we should be treated,” Nyirenda said. She revealed that desperate farmers begin arriving as early as 4am, only to be repeatedly told the system is “offline” — leaving many trapped in a punishing cycle of waiting with nowhere to go. Another grower, who declined to be named, painted an even bleaker picture, describing farmers from remote areas like Hewe forced to spend more than four days camped at the centre, burning through money meant for fertiliser just to survive. “We are poor farmers. We budgeted K20,000 for transport, but now we have spent double because we are sleeping at the trading centre. The officers only register 15 people per day when we are hundreds,” the grower said. The devastating scenes are being repeated across Ntcheu and Lilongwe too, with growers everywhere reporting they have completely exhausted the meagre funds they had set aside for transport and food. At Nambuma EPA, farmer Ashan Mangani could barely contain his fury at the timing of the fiasco. “We are being punished. And what is more painful is that this year’s tobacco market has been the worst. And then we have this!” Mangani fumed. Growers and field officers across all three districts point to a catalogue of failures behind the collapse: constant system downtime where registration gadgets fail to sync with the central server, biometric scanners unable to capture the fingerprints of elderly farmers, chaotically understaffed centres lacking basic power backup and internet connectivity, and a total communication vacuum leaving farmers with no idea when, or if, the system will ever stabilise. One field officer in Ntcheu, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted the system had been rolled out before proper testing. “We are embarrassed because farmers think we are the ones delaying them, but it is the system. Sometimes it logs in for 30 minutes and goes off for the whole day,” he confessed. TC spokesperson Telephorus Chigwenembe said he needed more time to “establish what is happening,” though sources within the Commission privately admitted there have been “intermittent connectivity challenges,” particularly in rural EPAs. For countless growers, the chaos threatens far more than mere inconvenience — it puts their entire livelihoods on the line. Without registration, farmers cannot be allocated a quota, cannot access vital inputs on loan, and cannot sell their crop at auction floors next year. “Last year we were told to register early. Now we have come early and we are being punished. If I am not registered, what will I do with my nursery? The rains are coming,” one desperate farmer at Kandewu lamented. Farmer representative bodies, including TAMA Farmers Trust, have voiced serious alarm that the botched registration could result in dangerously low grower numbers being recorded, throwing off vital production estimates and market planning for the entire season. “If this continues, many genuine smallholder growers will be left out. The Commission must urgently fix the system, decentralize further, and provide mobile registration teams instead of forcing farmers to sleep at EPAs for a week,” warned another farmer from Nambuma. As of Saturday evening, growers at Bolero remained huddled desperately around a small fire, still waiting anxiously to discover whether the system would finally return to life on Monday. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, National **Tags:** tobacco --- ### [Malawi Housing Corporation roars back to profit under Chimkango](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-housing-corporation-roars-back-to-profit-under-chimkango/) **Published:** September 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC), the state-owned property and housing body, has returned to profitability in the first quarter of the 2026/2027 financial year, in what management is presenting as a significant milestone in the institution’s long-running financial recovery. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790709023628-1-422x600.jpg)Profit comeback! Chimkango (r) with Lands Minister Chipungu – leads MHC out of the redOn the corporation’s operational performance measure, the result marks MHC’s first profitable quarter since 2019, according to chief executive Bob Chimkango, who has previously said the corporation’s last profitable year was followed by sustained cash-flow pressure and mounting losses. The improvement is being framed within the corporation as an early, tangible outcome of the current policy direction under President Peter Mutharika, ministerial oversight from Chimwemwe Chipungu, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, and a programme of management reforms Chimkango has been implementing since taking over the institution. The result lands as the Mutharika administration pushes a broader agenda of improving the performance of state-owned enterprises, part of a wider effort to strengthen public institutions and extract greater economic value from government-held assets, many of which have struggled with weak balance sheets and operational inefficiencies for years. MHC’s return to profit, if sustained, would represent a notable turnaround for an institution that has featured prominently in discussions about the financial health of Malawi’s parastatal sector. Analysts will be watching subsequent quarters closely to determine whether the improvement reflects durable operational gains, such as stronger rental income, improved cost control or debt restructuring, or whether it is driven by one-off factors that may not recur. The corporation has not yet disclosed detailed line-item figures behind the quarterly result, including revenue, operating costs or the specific drivers of the swing into profit. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790710331650-600x345.jpg)MHC’s Stunning Revival Under Chimkango Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Bob Chimkango, Chimwemwe Chipungu, Malawi Housing Corporation --- ### [Miss Malawi founder Carver Bhima dies](https://www.nyasatimes.com/miss-malawi-founder-carver-bhima-dies/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi beauty pageant world has been plunged into mourning following the death of Carver Bhima, the founder of the Miss Malawi Organisation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790709253977.jpg)Caver Bhima: The man who helped shape Malawi’s beauty pageant industry has died.Bhima, a towering figure in Malawi’s pageantry industry, died after years of helping shape and promote beauty contests in the country. His death has sent shockwaves through the pageantry fraternity, with the Miss Malawi Organisation describing him as a pioneer who firmly believed in the potential of young women. In a statement, the organisation said Bhima’s death represented a huge loss to the pageantry family. Beyond founding the Miss Malawi Organisation, Bhima served as a mentor and guide to successive Miss Malawi titleholders and was also involved in supporting other beauty pageants across the country. His influence extended beyond the crown itself, as he helped nurture young women and provided guidance to contestants navigating the highly competitive world of beauty pageantry. For years, Bhima remained closely associated with the Miss Malawi brand and played a role in shaping the country’s pageant landscape. His passing now leaves a major void in an industry he helped build. Tributes are expected to pour in from former Miss Malawi queens, contestants, pageant organisers and others who worked with him during his years in the industry. Details surrounding his death and burial arrangements had not been announced at the time of publication. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment, Featured **Tags:** Miss Malawi --- ### [Mining law review on track to deliver 'greater benefits' for Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mining-law-review-on-track-to-deliver-greater-benefits-for-malawi/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s government has declared itself delighted with progress on a sweeping review of the country’s Mines and Minerals Act, insisting the shake-up is firmly on track to deliver a modern, clear and responsive legal framework for the nation’s booming mineral sector. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260929_203020_Google-600x439.jpg)Mzonde-will ‘benefit more’ from its mineral wealthPrincipal Secretary for Mining, Rodwell Mzonde, revealed the review is advancing well as part of government’s ongoing drive to strengthen the mining sector and ensure Malawi and its people finally reap greater rewards from the country’s rich mineral wealth. Mzonde was quick to stress that the review does not amount to scrapping the Mines and Minerals Act, 2023, which currently governs the regulation and licensing of mining activities, as well as the establishment of the Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority. “The review should not be interpreted as a rejection of the Mines and Minerals Act, 2023. Rather, experience with the legislative framework and developments in the mineral sector has identified areas where the law can be clarified, strengthened and improved,” Mzonde explained. He said the review is squarely focused on modernising the legislative framework, closing critical legal and regulatory gaps, strengthening protections for responsible and predictable mineral investment, and securing greater, more sustainable benefits for the country as a whole. Mzonde revealed the review has factored in a wave of positive developments across the sector, including the emergence of strategically vital mineral projects and surging interest in critical minerals such as rutile, graphite and rare earths, alongside fresh opportunities for value addition and local participation throughout the mining value chain. The PS said government is particularly encouraged by progress examining licensing and mineral-right administration, compliance and enforcement, institutional coordination, community participation and benefits, local content, value addition, mineral reporting and data management, and the administration of strategic mineral developments. On community benefits specifically, Mzonde said government is satisfied the review is strengthening vital provisions to ensure responsible mineral development delivers real, tangible benefits for host communities, including clearer rules on Community Development Agreements, compensation and resettlement, environmental responsibilities, and mine closure and rehabilitation. He added that solid progress is being made on measures to ensure mineral rights only end up in the hands of applicants with genuine technical, financial and operational capacity to actually undertake mining activities, alongside efforts to formalise and grow artisanal and small-scale mining operations. On value addition, Mzonde confirmed government is pleased with progress toward Malawi progressively capturing a far greater share of value from its mineral resources through beneficiation and in-country processing, while ensuring such requirements remain realistic both technically and economically. Further progress has reportedly been made on strengthening mineral production and sales reporting, mineral valuation and royalty administration, and improving information-sharing between institutions responsible for mining regulation, taxation, customs and financial oversight. Mzonde revealed the review is being conducted within the broader framework of Malawi 2063, taking careful account of transparency and accountability issues, including disclosure, beneficial ownership, and compliance with international standards such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). He praised the level of stakeholder engagement throughout the process, which has drawn in mining companies, artisanal and small-scale miners, host communities, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, professional bodies, investors and development partners, including women and youth representatives. While acknowledging that Malawi continues drawing valuable lessons from established mineral-producing nations including Zambia, Botswana and Tanzania, Mzonde insisted the revised framework will be firmly tailored to Malawi’s own constitutional and legal system, mineral endowment and national development priorities. He expressed confidence the review will ultimately deliver a modern, clear, predictable and enforceable framework capable of attracting responsible mineral investment, while securing greater and more sustainable benefits for Malawi and its people. Once the technical and consultative processes are complete, the proposed amendments will proceed through the appropriate government policy and legislative procedures, including formal consideration by Cabinet and Parliament. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** mining --- ### [Malawi suffer late Eswatini sucker punch in AFCON qualifier](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-suffer-late-eswatini-sucker-punch-in-afcon-qualifier/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s U-23 football team, the Junior Flames, suffered a narrow 1–0 defeat to Eswatini U-23 in the first leg of the AFCON U-23 qualifiers on Tuesday afternoon at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260929-WA0015-600x600.jpg)Malawi’s Junior Flames were left facing an uphill battle after a late strike condemned them to a narrow 1–0 defeat against Eswatini in the first leg of their AFCON U-23 qualifier.The match produced few clear-cut chances, with both sides struggling to break the deadlock during the first half. Despite making several attempts on goal, neither team could find the finishing touch as the opening 45 minutes ended goalless. Eswatini eventually broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute through Sibonelo Vlakati, who unleashed a well-struck effort from the edge of the penalty area. The shot flew directly into the roof of the net, giving the visitors a 1–0 lead. The Junior Flames pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way past the Eswatini defence before the final whistle, leaving Malawi with a narrow deficit to overturn in the second leg. “It’s not over yet until we go back to the second leg, we will go back to our drawing board and see where we can do better,” Bob Mpinganjira who is the head coach for Malawi said. The two teams will meet again in the return leg on 6 October 2026, when Malawi will need to score to keep their hopes of progressing in the AFCON U-23 qualifiers alive. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Junior Flames --- ### [Man wrongly jailed for 14 years over sex offence walks free after spending two years behind bars ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/man-wrongly-jailed-for-14-years-over-sex-offence-walks-free-after-spending-two-years-behind-bars/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A man who spent two agonising years behind bars has finally walked free after the High Court in Zomba quashed his conviction and dramatically overturned a 14-year prison sentence, ruling that his alibi should never have been dismissed by the lower court. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790685769192-452x600.jpg)Assistant Director Ndeketa (far right) with Nangwere (second from right) and relatives.Saint Mark Nangwere had been convicted in 2024 under sections 138(1) and 137(1) of the Penal Code, relating to sexual offences against a minor and indecent assault, before being handed the lengthy custodial sentence that would ultimately be torn apart on appeal. The Malawi Legal Aid Bureau fought hard to overturn the conviction, arguing that the lower court had erred in law by convicting Nangwere despite a clear alibi defence, and insisting the prosecution had failed to prove all elements of the offences to the required legal standard. Crucially, during the original trial, two defence witnesses testified that Nangwere had been with them throughout the entire day the alleged incident was said to have taken place, revealing he had been undertaking carpentry apprenticeship work alongside them and had even shared lunch at the same location. The case was handled by Assistant Director Zaheed Ndeketa, alongside Senior Legal Aid Advocates Chibamahara Msyale and Uza Kaime, who argued forcefully on appeal that prosecutors had comprehensively failed to disprove Nangwere’s alibi. The High Court heard the appeal on 28 September 2026, and after carefully considering the evidence, judges acquitted Nangwere entirely, setting aside the 14-year prison sentence in a dramatic vindication for the wrongly convicted man. By the time of his release, Nangwere had already endured two long years behind bars, raising fresh questions over how such a conviction was allowed to stand despite the existence of a credible alibi defence. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** justice, sexual- offence --- ### [COMMENT: You cannot tax a nation into prosperity — Malawi's leaders must finally learn this lesson](https://www.nyasatimes.com/comment-you-cannot-tax-a-nation-into-prosperity-malawis-leaders-must-finally-learn-this-lesson/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a peculiar kind of madness gripping Malawi’s economic policy, one that would be almost comical if the consequences weren’t so devastating for ordinary people. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260924-WA0016-e1790302811990-600x421.jpg)Mwanamvekha: Wake up callWhile government ministers stand at podiums preaching the gospel of investment, export growth and industrialisation, their own tax authority is quietly strangling the very businesses capable of delivering it. This week’s extraordinary intervention by the country’s biggest private sector players should serve as a wake-up call to anyone still clinging to the fantasy that Malawi can tax its way to prosperity. Here we have companies controlling more than ten trillion Kwacha in combined assets — titans of industry with the financial muscle to genuinely transform this economy — standing up in Blantyre and delivering an unambiguous verdict: government’s punishing tax regime is choking the life out of investment. Let that sink in. These aren’t small traders grumbling about red tape. This is NICO General, Old Mutual and Press Corporation — corporate giants whose combined balance sheets could fund entire infrastructure projects — openly declaring that Malawi’s tax policy is actively repelling the capital the country desperately needs. NICO General’s chief executive Vizenge Kumwenda didn’t mince his words, and nor should he have. “Huge tax by government is failing people to invest in this country,” he said, adding that the “continuous review” of tax policy is creating chaos for anyone brave enough to consider putting their money into Malawi. When was the last time a business leader felt confident enough to speak that plainly? The frustration in that statement should terrify anyone in government who genuinely cares about economic growth. And yet here we have ministers standing at the same event, talking a big game about export-led growth, special economic zones and processing soya beans for the Chinese and American markets — all while seemingly oblivious to the fact that their own revenue-hungry policies are undermining the very foundation needed to achieve any of it. The maths simply doesn’t add up. You cannot simultaneously court foreign and domestic investors with talk of “conducive environments” while squeezing every possible Kwacha out of the businesses already operating within your borders. Investment doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it happens when businesses can see a credible, stable path to profitability. Endless tax reviews, unpredictable levies and a punishing corporate tax burden are the enemy of exactly that kind of stability. Nowhere is this contradiction more glaring than in mining. Minister Thoko Tembo openly admitted that Malawi earns a pitiful return from its mineral wealth — just ten percent through licensing and corporate tax — while simultaneously conceding that the sector lacks the skills and finance to become genuinely profitable. If that isn’t proof that heavy-handed taxation isn’t the answer, nothing is. You cannot squeeze value out of an industry you haven’t first allowed to properly develop. Then there’s the small matter of energy and forex, two crises so severe that Old Mutual’s Tavona Mbiza felt compelled to state the painfully obvious: Malawi simply cannot industrialise without access to foreign currency. When goods become artificially expensive because forex is scarce, and when mining cooperatives are reduced to relying on solar panels just to keep operations running, no amount of tax revenue will paper over those fundamental cracks in the economy. Here is the uncomfortable truth Malawi’s political class must confront: taxation without genuine economic growth is not a strategy, it is a slow bleed. You can raise VAT, tighten enforcement and squeeze every formal business till the pips squeak, but if the underlying economy isn’t producing, exporting and industrialising, all you are doing is taxing an ever-shrinking pie. Eventually, businesses either collapse, flee to the informal sector, or simply stop investing altogether — exactly the outcome the private sector is now warning against. Government’s instinct, understandably, is to reach for the tax lever because it is the quickest way to plug short-term budget holes. But quick fixes are not the same as sustainable strategy. Real prosperity comes from unleashing the very sectors ministers claim to champion: agriculture, mining, tourism and manufacturing. It comes from fixing the energy grid so gold cooperatives aren’t reliant on patchy solar power. It comes from stabilising the forex market so businesses can actually plan for the future. And yes, it comes from resisting the temptation to treat every fiscal shortfall as an excuse for another tax hike. Malawi’s business leaders have now said, clearly and publicly, what many have long suspected: the country’s tax and energy policies are the barrier, not the solution. Government would do well to listen — because no economy in history has ever taxed its way into prosperity. They have only ever grown their way there. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Joseph Mwanamvekha, Malawi Economy, tax --- ### [Club in chaos: Dedza Dynamos axes entire executive committee ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/club-in-chaos-dedza-dynamos-axes-entire-executive-committee/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Goshen City Dedza Dynamos FC has plunged into a sweeping boardroom overhaul after dramatically dissolving its entire executive committee as part of a major governance shake-up. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260929_162948_Google-1-600x561.jpg)patron Lewis Yumbe Msukwa announced the shake upIn a statement issued to stakeholders, patron Lewis Yumbe Msukwa announced the immediate disbandment of the FDH Bank Premiership side’s leadership team following what he described as a comprehensive operational review designed to secure the club’s long-term future. “To streamline our day-to-day operations and establish a more robust governance model, I hereby declare the immediate dissolution of the current executive committee,” Msukwa said. The surprise move paves the way for an interim governance structure to take control with immediate effect, while a newly constituted board of directors is expected to be unveiled within days to oversee the club’s strategic direction and financial affairs. Despite the dramatic changes behind the scenes, the club has sought to reassure supporters and players that football operations will continue as normal. Officials insist arrangements are already in place to ensure training sessions, match registrations and team logistics remain unaffected during the transition period. Dynamos say the full membership of the new board, along with revised administrative structures and communication channels, will be announced by 1 October 2026 as the club embarks on a new era of leadership. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Dedza --- ### [Minister Chipungu denies business ties to man accused of running trafficking ring](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-chipungu-denies-business-ties-to-man-accused-of-running-trafficking-ring/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, Malawi’s Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, has denied having any business relationship with Bahar Sarker, a Bangladeshi national accused of running a smuggling and kidnapping operation, after being named in a recent investigation into his alleged links with senior government figures. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1786548520358-1-600x416.jpg)Minister of Lands Chimwemwe Chipungu: No connectionThe investigation, published by the Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) in September under the headline “Inside the Smuggling and Kidnapping Ring That Reached the Highest Levels of Malawi’s Government”, identified Sarker as the alleged head of a trafficking syndicate. Sarker is on remand at Maula Prison alongside a co-accused, Rizwan Farook Akbar, facing kidnapping charges over the alleged abduction of a man named Sharif Islam in Lilongwe. The report described Chipungu as Sarker’s “most crucial contact” in government, alleging that Sarker had claimed the minister personally arranged VIP seating for him at the presidential inauguration in Blantyre. The investigation further alleged that Sarker went on to establish a joint venture, IK Investments, with the minister’s brother, Godfrey Chipungu, in order to bid for military supply contracts, including a foodstuff contract for the Malawi Defence Force’s Kamuzu Barracks. In an interview, Chipungu rejected any suggestion of a business relationship, saying his contact with Sarker amounted to two unconnected, public encounters. He said Sarker had been a customer at a lodge he has owned since 2016 on the Mchinji-Lilongwe road. “As a business owner since 2016, I interact with hundreds of people who come to the lodge. Knowing someone as a client does not mean you are in business together or that you are partners,” he said. The second encounter, he said, occurred while he was serving at the Ministry of Defence, when Sarker visited his office to introduce his company. “It was a formal, introductory courtesy call, the kind I received from many individuals and companies who wanted to introduce their services to the Ministry. There was no business agreement, no contract, no IK Investments, and no transaction that followed that meeting,” he said. Addressing the specific claim regarding IK Investments, Chipungu said: “I have no business link, direct or indirect, with Mr. Bahar Sarker. I have never been a director, shareholder or partner in IK Investments, and I have never facilitated any MDF procurement for him or for my brother.” He pointed to comments made to PIJ by Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga, who said police investigations had found no evidence that any ministers had received payments from Sarker, and suggested Sarker may have invoked ministers’ names without their knowledge. Chipungu said he did not condone trafficking, smuggling or kidnapping in any form, and supported the full investigation and prosecution of anyone found responsible. “Human trafficking and kidnapping are serious, heinous crimes against humanity. If anyone is found guilty, the law must take its course,” he said. The minister has faced scrutiny in recent months over his personal wealth, and has previously said, through his lawyers, that his lodge business predates his ministerial appointment and was financed through a bank loan. He urged the public not to draw conclusions from his professional and business contacts with people later accused of wrongdoing. “The nature of public office and private business means you will meet thousands of people. Meeting someone does not make you complicit in what they do privately,” he said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, human trafficking --- ### [Sand Music Festival forced into last-minute venue switch as organisers scramble to avoid date clash chaos](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sand-music-festival-forced-into-last-minute-venue-switch-as-organisers-scramble-to-avoid-date-clash-chaos/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Music fans have been left scrambling to update their plans after organisers of this year’s Sand Music Festival announced a dramatic last-minute venue change, just weeks after the event’s dates were also shifted. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790678713891-600x550.jpg)Impakt Events Management lead coordinator Yamikani Chinguwo admitted the decision to relocate had not been an easy oneImpakt Events Management confirmed the popular festival will now take place at Kingfisher Inn, rather than its original home at Sunbird Nkopola Leisure Centre, after the initial venue became inaccessible following a knock-on effect from earlier schedule changes. “We have relocated the Sand Music Festival from Sunbird Nkopola Leisure Centre to Kingfisher Inn,” organisers announced. “Same unforgettable music and experience. Mark your calendars and see you at Kingfisher Inn.” The venue switch comes hot on the heels of an earlier shake-up, with the festival’s dates already having been pushed back from September 25-28 to October 23-25. Impakt Events Management lead coordinator Yamikani Chinguwo admitted the decision to relocate had not been an easy one, but was ultimately necessary to sidestep a looming logistical nightmare. “After we changed the dates, the event was crashing with other functions at the same venue,” he explained. “We tried to explore all remedies, but in the end we felt shifting the venue was a safer option for us as organisers and our target audience.” But Chinguwo was quick to reassure worried festival-goers that the sudden switch shouldn’t dampen spirits, insisting the new venue actually comes with some serious perks of its own. “This new venue gives us a greater chance to have Malawian-owned bars and food stalls on site. It has a wider area for camping and a huge compound capable of accommodating all cars inside the perimeter of the venue. That means issues of security are sorted,” he said. Organisers are now urging fans to take note of both the new dates and new location as final preparations continue ahead of what they insist will still be an unforgettable weekend of music and entertainment. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Impakt Events Management, Sand Music Festival --- ### [Why your data keeps disappearing — MACRA investigates TNM and Airtel Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/why-your-data-keeps-disappearing-macra-investigates-tnm-and-airtel-malawi/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s telecoms watchdog has launched an urgent investigation after being flooded with complaints from furious mobile users who say their data bundles are mysteriously vanishing far faster than they should. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260929_143558_Google-1-600x357.jpg)MACRA launches urgent probe as furious mobile users accuse TNM and Airtel of secretly draining data bundlesThe Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) confirmed it had taken note of the growing outcry from consumers on both TNM and Airtel networks, who claim their hard-earned data is being exhausted at an alarming and unexplained rate. MACRA Director General Dr Mayamiko Nkoloma revealed the regulator is now actively engaging both mobile network operators to get to the bottom of exactly what is causing the reported problem. The watchdog says the crackdown is designed to ensure mobile operators are providing services in a manner that is fair and transparent to ordinary Malawians who rely on their phones every single day. MACRA is also probing whether hidden technical faults, or other undisclosed factors, could be contributing to the alarming rate at which customers’ data bundles are apparently disappearing. The scandal has struck a nerve with mobile users across the country, many of whom depend heavily on data services for everything from communication and social media to online work, education and accessing vital digital services. For now, MACRA has urged the public to be patient and allow the regulatory process to run its course as it works alongside both operators to uncover the truth and address the mounting concerns. The controversy comes at a time when Malawians are more reliant than ever on mobile internet, making the accuracy and transparency of data billing an increasingly pressing consumer issue that could have major implications for millions of subscribers nationwide. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Airtel Malawi, Macra, TNM --- ### [Continental Holdings profits more than double as banking arm fuels strong first-half growth](https://www.nyasatimes.com/continental-holdings-profits-more-than-double-as-banking-arm-fuels-strong-first-half-growth/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Continental Holdings Plc (CHL) delivered a sharp rise in earnings during the first six months of 2026, with profit after tax more than doubling as its banking subsidiary capitalised on balance sheet growth and resilient demand for financial services despite Malawi’s challenging economic environment. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260929_140811_Chrome-1-600x450.jpg)CHL is continuing to benefit from its strategy of combining investment banking, asset management, pensions and property businessesThe financial services group reported profit after tax of MWK43.4 billion for the six months to June 30, up 121 percent from MWK19.6 billion in the corresponding period last year. Total comprehensive income increased to MWK49.9 billion, compared with MWK20.9 billion a year earlier. The strong earnings performance was underpinned by a near doubling of total income to MWK88.7 billion from MWK44.4 billion, while profit before tax rose to MWK65.1 billion from MWK30.4 billion. Earnings per share climbed to MK12.03 from MK5.45. Total assets expanded by 38 percent to MWK1.1 trillion, reinforcing CHL’s position among Malawi’s largest diversified financial groups. Shareholders’ funds increased to MWK116 billion, up from MWK63.6 billion at the same point in 2025. The group’s performance was overwhelmingly driven by CDH Investment Bank, whose profit after tax surged 124 percent to MWK41 billion. The bank accounted for more than 94 percent of group earnings and grew its balance sheet by 37 percent to approximately MWK1.05 trillion, benefiting from growth in both interest and non-interest income. “The increase was driven by strong performance across all group companies, led by CDH Investment Bank,” the company said, adding that the results demonstrated the resilience of its diversified business model amid difficult macroeconomic conditions. Asset management subsidiary Continental Asset Management Limited also posted robust growth, with profit after tax rising 127 percent to MWK3.2 billion. The company benefited from active management of its fixed-income portfolio during a period of subdued equity market performance. Funds under management stood at MWK1.03 trillion at the end of June. Other subsidiaries made more modest contributions. Continental Pension Services Company doubled profit after tax to MWK184 million, supported by growth in its client base and pension product offerings. Continental Properties Limited recorded the fastest percentage growth, with earnings climbing 351 percent to MWK458 million, largely driven by expansion in its asset leasing business. One weak spot was Continental Capital Limited, the group’s brokerage arm, where profit fell 41 percent to MWK447 million as trading activity on the Malawi Stock Exchange slowed amid bearish market conditions. The balance sheet reflected strong liquidity and lending growth. Customer deposits increased to MWK352.3 billion from MWK258.5 billion a year earlier, while loans and advances to customers rose to MWK182.5 billion from MWK131.3 billion. Cash generation also improved significantly. Net cash from operating activities reached MWK68.3 billion, compared with MWK231 billion in the prior year, while cash and cash equivalents increased to MWK91.6 billion at the end of June. Management said the operating environment had improved modestly as inflation eased and interest rates declined. However, it cautioned that persistent foreign exchange shortages and global economic uncertainty continued to present risks. Investors are also watching Malawi’s ongoing domestic debt reprofiling programme. CHL said no agreement had yet been reached between the government and holders of eligible instruments but that the group was actively stress-testing and restructuring its debt holdings in anticipation of the eventual outcome. Despite those uncertainties, the board signalled confidence in the outlook by declaring a third interim dividend of MWK4.46 billion, equivalent to MK1.48 per share, payable in October 2026. Combined with two earlier interim distributions, shareholders will have received MWK18.2 billion in interim dividends for the 2026 financial year. The results suggest CHL is continuing to benefit from its strategy of combining investment banking, asset management, pensions and property businesses, with the banking division remaining the dominant driver of profitability as Malawi’s financial sector navigates an improving but still fragile economic recovery. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Continental Holdings Ltd, Malawi Stock Exchange --- ### [Malawi's cheques to be axed for good  as Reserve Bank announces final deadline: March 2027](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-cheques-to-be-axed-for-good-as-reserve-bank-announces-final-deadline-march-2027/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Reserve Bank of Malawin has officially confirmed the death of the cheque, announcing that the payment instrument will be scrapped for good on 11 March 2027 — marking a dramatic shift towards electronic and digital payment methods across the country.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260929_135628_Google-600x260.jpg) The bombshell announcement came in a joint statement issued late on the night of 28 September 2026, signed by Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor Dr George Partridge alongside the Bankers Association of Malawi (BAM). Under the transition arrangements now in place, banks have agreed to honour cheques issued on or before 29 September 2026, giving customers still relying on the paper-based system a final window to access funds covered by eligible cheques before the axe finally falls. According to the announcement, any cheques presented for clearing on or before 29 September may continue to be processed by banks right up until the hard deadline of 11 March 2027 — after which point banks will be strictly forbidden from processing cheques of any kind. Customers and businesses that have long relied on cheques as their preferred method of payment are now being urged to act fast and switch to alternative channels offered by banks and licensed payment service providers, including internet banking, mobile banking, electronic funds transfers (EFTs), payment cards and mobile money services. The sweeping move forms part of wider efforts by authorities to modernise Malawi’s financial system, promoting safer, faster and more efficient digital payment methods as the country edges closer to becoming a cashless, cheque-free economy. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** Reserve Bank of Malawi --- ### [Malawi Queens captain urges immediate preparations for 2027 Netball World Cup](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-queens-captain-urges-immediate-preparations-for-2027-netball-world-cup/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Netball Team captain Takondwa Lwazi has called for preparations to begin immediately as the Queens shift focus to next year’s Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260929-WA0004-600x537.jpg)Gondwe-Xaba cutting the cake while Queens Captain Lwazi looks on![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260929-WA0005-600x471.jpg)Queens assistant coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa (in green track suit) receiving a flower upon arriving at the airportThe Queens returned home from Nairobi, Kenya, where they secured qualification for the 2027 World Cup after finishing with a bronze medal. Lwazi said the team could not afford to delay preparations if it is to meet its objectives at the tournament. “For us to achieve our target next year, preparations have to start immediately. We know the task ahead of us next year and, so, we need to focus more on preparations,” she said. Nico Group Head of Marketing and Customer Experience Taweni Gondwe-Xaba credited the team’s success to the company’s investment, saying it reflected “a team that is developing with purpose”. She said Nico was focused on supporting long-term initiatives for the squad. Government has also pledged its support. Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Jameson Ndalama, said government was committed to providing the Queens with the necessary support ahead of the tournament. He added that completion of the Griffin Sayenda Indoor Sports Complex would help by offering training facilities comparable to international standards. Queens assistant coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa said the technical panel had already lined up a number of international matches for the team, which she said would be crucial in exposing players to different styles of play and strengthening their competitiveness before the World Cup. The Queens will look to build on their Nairobi campaign in the build-up to Sydney 2027, with increased international exposure and quality training expected to form a key part of their preparations. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260929-WA0004-600x537.jpg)Gondwe-Xaba cutting the cake while Queens Captain Lwazi looks on Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Malawi Queens, Nico --- ### ['Hope is becoming scarce': Editorial's damning verdict on Malawi's fuel crisis and nepotism claims](https://www.nyasatimes.com/hope-is-becoming-scarce-editorials-damning-verdict-on-malawis-fuel-crisis-and-nepotism-claims/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A blistering newspaper editorial has torn into Malawi’s political leadership over the country’s recurring fuel crisis, declaring that Malawians have been badly let down by both the current and previous governments as queues for petrol and diesel make an unwelcome return. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/fuel-1-600x329.jpg)Malawi trapped in cycle of broken promises as fuel queues returnThe scathing *Daily Times* piece accuses the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of failing to deliver on the very promises that swept it to power, warning that “hope is becoming a scarce commodity” as citizens discover that what was pledged on the campaign trail simply isn’t materialising on the ground. According to the editorial, the DPP vowed in the run-up to the September 16, 2025 elections to promote meritocracy across government — yet the piece claims nepotism has instead “taken centre stage,” with tribesmen allegedly being placed in key public positions as though the country “belongs to people from one region.” But the DPP isn’t the only party in the firing line. The editorial delivers an equally brutal verdict on the ousted MCP administration, accusing the former ruling party of having “bettered” the dark art of nepotism during its time in charge, and claiming it refused to allow peaceful demonstrations in its own political strongholds — turning Malawi, the piece alleges, into “a dictatorship in a democratic dispensation.” The editorial goes further still, resurfacing anger over the MCP government’s controversial decision to ban the importation of chilled milk on medical grounds, insisting the public complained loudly at the time but was simply ignored. It was under MCP, the piece claims, that fuel supply chaos truly took hold, with motorists left queuing for “nights and days on end” — a crisis so severe, the editorial argues, that it ultimately convinced Malawians to “mercilessly” vote the party out of power altogether. Enter the DPP, swept into office on a wave of promises to restore public trust — including a firm pledge to finally resolve the fuel shortage crisis once and for all. But in a damning twist, the editorial reveals that the queues are already back, branding the situation “not what Malawians expected” given the government’s bold promise of a lasting solution. The piece doesn’t hold back in questioning the motives of Malawi’s political class more broadly, suggesting that some administrations may be deliberately allowing crises to fester simply to justify quick-fix interventions they can personally profit from. In its most explosive claim, the editorial alleges that governments have previously turned to middlemen to temporarily ease fuel shortages, only for those arrangements to end amid accusations of kickbacks once the middlemen were eventually cut loose. “This is not the way to go,” the piece declares firmly, calling instead for Malawi to fundamentally restructure its economy by exporting more than it imports — a shift the editorial insists is essential to generating the forex needed to keep the country’s fuel tanks permanently full. Without such drastic action, the editorial warns ominously, Malawi is destined to face the agony of fuel shortages “forever.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Fuel, nepotism --- ### [Malawi groups to hold national dialogue on Mutharika's first year](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-groups-to-hold-national-dialogue-on-mutharikas-first-year/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Peter Mutharika’s turbulent first year back in office is set to be placed under the microscope, as a powerful coalition of civil society and professional organisations prepares to put his administration’s performance under the spotlight at a major national dialogue. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789143017071-600x440.jpg)Coalition plans review of Mutharika’s first year on 20 OctoberThe explosive assessment will take place on October 20, 2026, at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe, bringing together government, Parliament, the Judiciary, civil society, academia, the private sector, media and other key stakeholders for a day of reckoning over the President’s leadership so far. According to a concept note detailing the dialogue, the gathering will assess Mutharika’s record on democratic governance, the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts, alongside human rights and civic space — with the delivery of essential public services during his first year also firmly in the crosshairs. The powerful convening consortium behind the initiative reads like a who’s who of Malawi’s civil society and professional bodies, comprising the Malawi Law Society (MLS), Youth and Society (YAS), the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), the National Advocacy Platform (NAP), Network and the Political Science Association of Malawi. Adding further weight to the initiative, YAS Executive Director Charles Kajoloweka met with Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi last Wednesday, personally delivering a formal invitation urging government representatives to take part in the crucial discussions. The invitation itself did not mince words about the significance of the exercise, outlining the coalition’s clear intention to hold the administration to account on the promises made during its first year. With Mutharika’s leadership now facing an unprecedented level of coordinated scrutiny from across Malawi’s civil society landscape, all eyes will be on Bingu International Convention Centre next month as the President’s first year in power is dissected in full public view. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Civil society, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Police IG Luhanga echoes Chilima's proverb as he admits searchers 'got lost'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/police-ig-luhanga-echoes-chilimas-proverb-as-he-admits-searchers-got-lost/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s police chief has made a startling admission to MPs investigating the Chikangawa plane crash, telling them officers searching for the aircraft carrying former vice-president Saulos Chilima “really did get lost”, as he described a search crippled by dense forest, freezing conditions and a flood of online misinformation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790605323487-600x297.jpg)We got lost’: Police chief Luhanga’s stunning admission over Chilima crash search, as he insists officers used pangas and hammers at the wreckage to avoid sparking a fireInspector General of Police Richard Luhanga made the remarks while giving evidence to the Parliamentary Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the 10 June 2024 crash, which killed Chilima and eight others. His words carried an eerie echo. In Chichewa, Luhanga used a proverb the late Chilima was known to favour, roughly translated as “a journey has no value if you are lost”, before conceding: “Ife *tidasocheradi”,* meaning “we really did get lost”. He stressed that the search in Chikangawa Forest was hit by many difficulties, among them false messages spreading on social media. Luhanga backed former Army Commander General Valentino Phiri’s description of the search area as “*Ndi kokhwithima*“, meaning very dense. “It’s September now, but this forest is still dense,” he told the committee. He told MPs the search was hampered by inadequate search equipment and poor preparedness for the extreme cold. He also blamed misinformation on social media and live commentary by some traditional media outlets for complicating the operation, accusing some outlets of interviewing people who, he said, made incoherent statements and suggested the officers involved did not know what they were doing. Such interference, he warned, risked the police losing control of the operation to members of the public. But it was his explanation of the recovery operation that may raise the most eyebrows. Luhanga insisted officers had deliberately used pangas and hammers, rather than machinery, at the crash site as a safety precaution. Machinery, he told the committee, risked producing sparks that could have ignited a fire at the wreckage. The use of manual tools, he said, was therefore not evidence that officers lacked appropriate equipment, but a deliberate decision to minimise the risk of fire while accessing the wreckage. The testimony adds to an inquiry that has already heard conflicting accounts about the search effort, with MPs continuing to press witnesses on how information was handled and what resources were available in those critical hours. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Malawi Police, plane inquiry, Richard Luhanga --- ### [The mystery of Malawi's 2nd VP Chihana's Nairobi trip](https://www.nyasatimes.com/the-mystery-of-malawis-2nd-vp-chihanas-nairobi-trip/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a particular genre of diplomatic non-story that has become familiar in the age of the Facebook communiqué: two politicians meet, one of them posts a photograph, and the rest of us are left to work out what, if anything, actually happened. Malawi’s Second Vice President, Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana, has just supplied a textbook example. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260927_202153_Facebook-1-594x600.jpg)Picture this, Malawi second vice president with Raila Jnr: Chihana’s cosy Nairobi snap leaves us guessingWe know he was in Kenya. We know this because Raila Odinga Jr, son of the veteran Kenyan opposition figure and former prime minister, posted a photograph of the two men in conversation, thanking Chihana “for visiting our great nation Kenya and for another great meeting.” We do not know why he was there, what was discussed, or whether the trip carries any official standing at all. Neither the Office of the President and Cabinet in Lilongwe nor anyone in Nairobi has troubled to clarify. This is, admittedly, a minor mystery in the great scheme of regional diplomacy. But it is worth pausing on, because Chihana’s post is an interesting one, and the questions it raises say something about how the office of Second Vice President has been used since its rather pointed revival. The post itself was resurrected by President Peter Mutharika in October last year, following the 2025 general election, as part of a government of national unity, and handed to Chihana, whose father, Chakufwa Chihana, held the identical title under President Bakili Muluzi. It is not, constitutionally speaking, a job with sharply defined edges: the holder assists the President with assigned duties, turns up at official functions, and coordinates the odd government programme when asked. In practice, this has increasingly meant serving as Malawi’s stand-in on the international circuit. In June, Mutharika delegated Chihana to preside over an Extraordinary SADC Organ Troika Summit, a move that civil society groups, rather touchingly, read as evidence of trust and unity at the top of government, as though the alternative interpretations hadn’t occurred to anyone. Which brings us back to Nairobi. Was this a formal bilateral engagement, the sort that ordinarily comes with a joint statement and a delegation list? Or was it simply two political figures, one the son of a famous father, catching up on the margins of something else entirely, with rather more enthusiasm on Facebook than in any official record? The Odinga family’s own relationship to formal office is, after all, a complicated one; Raila Jr’s father has spent a career as Kenya’s most durable opposition leader without quite reaching the presidency himself, which makes the optics of the meeting, cordial though they plainly were, a little harder to place within the usual conventions of state visits. None of this is remotely scandalous. Politicians meet other politicians’ relatives all the time, and not every handshake requires a press release. But there is something quietly instructive in the gap between how much we now learn about diplomacy from a son’s Facebook post and how little we learn from the institutions actually charged with conducting it. *Nyasa Times* has, sensibly, asked the Office of the President and Cabinet for details. Whether an answer arrives before the next photograph does is, on current form, an open question. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Enoch Chihana, Kenya --- ### [From seminary to Oxford to Parliament: Mtumbuka tells Malawian students to embrace failure](https://www.nyasatimes.com/from-seminary-to-oxford-to-parliament-mtumbuka-tells-malawian-students-to-embrace-failure/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Rumphi Central MP (UTM Party) Dr Matthews Mtumbuka has urged Malawi university students to treat failure not as something to fear but as an integral part of the path to success, drawing on his own winding journey from a rural upbringing to Oxford and eventually Parliament. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260928-WA0007-1-600x450.jpg)Mtumbuka at a gathering of the National Movement of Catholic Students in MalawiSpeaking on Sunday at a gathering of the National Movement of Catholic Students in Malawi (NMCS Pax Romana Malawi), held at the University of Malawi (UNIMA) to mark the movement’s 70th anniversary in Africa, Mtumbuka, a UTM presidential running mate, told students to believe in themselves and make the most of whatever opportunities came their way, regardless of background. He structured his address around three themes: that students are chosen to serve, that success is a choice, and that faith guides everything, before turning to his own life story as evidence that determination and faith can outweigh circumstance. “I wanted you as young men and women to be inspired and to believe that no story of success is impossible,” he told the gathering. Mtumbuka recounted growing up the son of two rural primary school teachers in Rumphi, and enrolling at St Patrick’s Seminary with ambitions of becoming a priest before changing course to study engineering at what was then the Polytechnic, now the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS). There, he served as president of the engineering students’ body in his second year and as Students Union President in his fourth, before founding a renewable energy NGO in his final year and going on to win a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford, where he completed a PhD at 27, making him the youngest Malawian to hold a doctorate at the time. He went on to work for Shell Oil in Scotland before returning to Malawi in 2009 to join Malswitch, now NITEL, a decision he said was driven by a wish to serve his country. He later spent eight years at Airtel, with postings in Rwanda and Kenya, before leading two international engineering and IT companies in Malawi and retiring early in 2023 to found his own firm, which now employs more than 80 people. Mtumbuka entered politics in 2024 following the death of former vice-president Saulos Chilima, and told students that setbacks along the way are inevitable, citing his own defeat in the 2025 presidential election as running mate to Dalitso Kabambe before winning the Rumphi Central parliamentary seat in a by-election in March 2026. “Failure is a stepping stone for success. Those who fear failure, fear success,” he said, adding: “Those who are afraid of failure do not have enough desire for success.” He urged students to commit fully to even the most modest starting points. “You may start as an intern. Work as the most hardworking person your boss has ever seen. You may start to work as a volunteer, let everyone be ashamed to let you go without giving you the full time job. “You may start with the smallest of tiny businesses, but work like a donkey and with passion more than the passion Ronaldo has for football and slowly the world will smile at you,” he said. Turning to the issue of graduate unemployment, Mtumbuka appealed to government to expand job creation through mining, manufacturing and export industries, and to explore labour export partnerships with countries facing skilled labour shortages. “With the excess graduates that we have, government should also partner with countries in need of skilled labour to send our young people there for white collar jobs,” he said. He encouraged students to begin small, through internships, volunteering or modest businesses, citing two Malawian science students who began as volunteer researchers at the Wellcome Trust in the early 2000s and have since become professors. He also urged students to maintain good health, stay positive, remain organised, surround themselves with supportive people, and continuously develop their skills. Success, he told the gathering, should be measured not only by personal achievement but by the capacity to serve others, a message organisers said was intended to inspire the next generation of Catholic students to carry the movement’s values forward as it marks seven decades since its founding in 1956. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Mathews Mtumbuka, Roman Catholic Church, University of Malawi --- ### [CDH Investment Bank commits K8.5m towards ECAMA Annual Conference](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cdh-investment-bank-commits-k8-5m-towards-ecama-annual-conference/) **Published:** September 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** CDH Investment Bank has supported the Economics Association of Malawi (ECAMA) with K8.5 million towards its Annual Economic Conference scheduled for 29 to 30 October 2026 in Mangochi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260928-WA0002-1-600x450.jpg)CDH Investment Bank supports Ecama conferenceThis year’s conference will be held under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Making Reforms Work.” Speaking during the cheque presentation on Monday in Lilongwe, CDH Bank’s Account Relationship Manager for Corporate and Public Sector, Jennie Madinga, said the bank remains committed to helping businesses grow. “We believe our support towards the conference will help the association to grow and help both the public and private sector to brainstorm on how we can improve our nation on top of the already existing efforts,” she said. Madinga said the knowledge and strategies shared at the conference will enhance the economy and support the attainment of Malawi Vision 2063. In her acceptance remarks, ECAMA Executive Director Dr Esmie Kanyumbu hailed the bank for its timely support towards the Annual Economic Conference. The platform brings together multiple stakeholders, including government, the private sector, academia and frontline stakeholders, to discuss issues of national importance. “The outcome of the conference will help on how we want the economy to forge ahead,” she said. Kanyumbu said the conference will focus on reforms and how to make them work, covering implementation, consistency and accountability as key elements needed for the economy to grow and develop. She commended the government for taking seriously some of the issues that have previously been recommended by the association. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** CDH Investment Bank, ECAMA --- ### [Chaponda slams UN 'talk shop': Malawi demands bold UN reforms on debt, climate and African veto](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chaponda-slams-un-talk-shop-malawi-demands-bold-un-reforms-on-debt-climate-and-african-veto/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi has delivered a trenchant critique of global governance at the United Nations in New York, calling on the international body to abandon performative diplomacy and transform itself into an “engine of delivery” for the Global South. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790615513973-600x402.jpg)Chaponda: action not words! issues rallying cry for private investment to smash economic hardship​Addressing the 81st UN General Assembly General Debate, Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr George Chaponda, warned that public faith in multilateralism was collapsing under the weight of unfulfilled promises. ​”Restoring trust in the international system requires concrete action on development, climate change, debt, global governance, health and peace,” Chaponda told delegates, arguing that traditional international institutions continue to leave developing economies exposed to systemic shocks. ​Central to Chaponda’s address was a call for comprehensive debt relief and expanded access to concessional financing aimed at boosting agriculture, industrialisation, and infrastructure across southern Africa. He also demanded the immediate, full capitalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund—a key mechanism designed to compensate climate-vulnerable nations suffering the brunt of global warming despite contributing negligible global emissions. ​Turning to global security and representation, the foreign minister reiterated longstanding calls for a fundamental overhaul of the UN Security Council. Chaponda argued that permanent African representation, complete with veto rights, is essential to rectify the historic underrepresentation of a continent home to 1.4 billion people. He further pressed for a legally binding global Pandemic Treaty and robust investment in African pharmaceutical manufacturing to prevent a repeat of the stark vaccine inequities witnessed during recent health emergencies. ​Chaponda’s intervention comes at a critical juncture for Malawi and the broader Southern African Development Community (SADC). The landlocked nation has faced severe economic headwinds in recent years, compounded by climate-induced extreme weather events—including devastating tropical cyclones and prolonged droughts linked to El Niño patterns—that have crippled agricultural output and heightened food insecurity. ​These environmental shocks have exacerbated an acute debt crisis, squeezing fiscal space and limiting public spending on healthcare, education, and climate adaptation. Like many low-income countries, Malawi spends a disproportionate share of its national revenue on debt servicing, leaving its economy reliant on external concessional loans and international aid. ​Politically, Chaponda’s remarks align with a growing, unified push among African leaders to demand institutional parity on the world stage. The continent’s campaign for structural reform within the UN Security Council and international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank has gathered momentum, driven by frustration over Western-centric decision-making and delayed climate finance. ​Despite the sharp critique, Chaponda reaffirmed Malawi’s foundational commitment to economic diplomacy and multilateralism, declaring that the country remains “open for business” to international partners willing to invest in sustainable development. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** George Chaponda, United Nations --- ### [Muluzi looks to wartime Kyiv for lessons in national resilience](https://www.nyasatimes.com/muluzi-looks-to-wartime-kyiv-for-lessons-in-national-resilience/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** When opposition politicians seek inspiration for domestic policy, war zones are rarely the first destination on the itinerary. Yet United Democratic Front (UDF) leader Atupele Muluzi has returned from Kyiv offering precisely that: drawing an explicit parallel between Ukraine’s wartime endurance and the economic challenges facing Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790592302051-433x600.jpg)​’Turn crisis into innovation’: Atupele Muluzi draws domestic parallels after Ukraine visit​Writing on social media following his attendance at the Platform for African Democrats (PAD) summit in the Ukrainian capital, Muluzi argued that Malawi could “borrow a leaf” from a country currently facing an existential struggle. ​’**Existential crisis’** ​”When a nation faces an existential crisis, what does it do? It comes together. It innovates. It finds solutions,” Muluzi wrote, praising the “extraordinary circumstances” under which Ukrainians have demonstrated resilience. ​The comparison is a bold political maneuver. Malawi is not engaged in armed conflict, but the southern African nation has been grappling with severe structural headwinds, including chronic foreign exchange shortages, rising inflation, and persistent cost-of-living pressures. ​By framing these domestic difficulties alongside a major geopolitical crisis, Muluzi is attempting to pivot the local political conversation. His message suggests that Malawi’s current difficulties stem not merely from policy missteps, but from systemic institutional failures that require a national, unified response. ​**Turning crisis into innovation** ​For Muluzi, Ukraine’s appeal lies in its operational adaptability under pressure. His central argument is that resilience should not be viewed merely as passive endurance, but as a catalyst for innovation and systemic reform. ​”Ukrainians have demonstrated this spirit,” he noted, urging Malawians to turn “desperation into determination, crisis into innovation, and adversity into a reason to build a better future.” ​**A strategic pivot** ​The timing and tone of Muluzi’s statements carry clear domestic political weight. By positioning himself as an internationalist capable of drawing lessons from global conflicts, the UDF leader seeks to present a distinct vision of governance ahead of broader political contests. ​However, translating the existential unity of a nation under military invasion to a country battling economic stagflation presents obvious political challenges. Critics may argue that comparing Malawi’s economic woes to Ukraine’s active war zone overstates the immediate comparison. ​Nevertheless, Muluzi’s comments highlight a growing trend among African opposition leaders: leveraging international platforms to critique domestic performance and frame national reform as an urgent necessity rather than a routine political debate. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Atupele Muluzi, Malawi Economy, Ukraine --- ### [Life sentence for man who killed farmer and buried body in pit](https://www.nyasatimes.com/life-sentence-for-man-who-killed-farmer-and-buried-body-in-pit/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A COLD-BLOODED killer who brutally butchered a 35-year-old farmer with an axe and buried his body in a shallow pit has been jailed for life. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260928_195449_Google-600x414.jpg)Sick murderer buried innocent farmer in shallow pit after bloody attack​Fombe Nyamatchilenga launched a violent attack on innocent Moses Semu before callously hiding his remains in a hole. ​Alarm bells rang when Mr Semu’s cattle returned home alone from grazing in Chipakuza Village, Nsanje District. ​A frantic search was launched and the tragic victim’s body was discovered buried in the dirt. A post-mortem revealed he had died from a horrific, severe head injury. ​Police raided Nyamatchilenga’s home, uncovering a bloody horror scene—recovering a blood-stained axe, a deadly panga knife, and a gore-soaked T-shirt. ​The cowardly killer fled the village when quizzed by locals, but eagle-eyed cops finally tracked him down and arrested him in Chilomoni Township, Blantyre. ​Prosecutor Layna Kulesi, from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, proved Nyamatchilenga was at the scene of the crime and nailed him with the damning forensic evidence found at his house. ​Two other men originally charged over the 2014 horror, Willy Semu and Mark Kaunde, walked free after the court ruled there was insufficient evidence against them. ​Justice Chimwemwe Chima delivered the crushing verdict at the High Court’s Criminal Division in Blantyre, handing Nyamatchilenga a life sentence following his conviction for murder. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** murder --- ### [Malawi U-23 face Eswatini at Bingu Stadium Tuesday in crucial AFCON qualifier](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-u-23-face-eswatini-at-bingu-stadium-tuesday-in-crucial-afcon-qualifier/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Under-23 national team will be looking to make home advantage count when they host Eswatini in the first leg of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Under-23 qualifier on Tuesday at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260928-WA0004-600x600.jpg)Malawi U-23 Head Coach Bob Mpinganjira​With qualification decided over two legs, the Junior Flames know that a positive result at home will provide a crucial platform ahead of the return fixture in Eswatini. ​“It is a very important game for us as Malawi because we are playing at home, and we know we need a good result,” said head coach Bob Mpinganjira. ​“We have to play our lungs out and work extra hard to get a positive result to put ourselves in a good position going into the away match.” ​Mpinganjira will have a stronger squad at his disposal following the return of four players who were recently away with the senior national team, the Flames. Washali Jaziya, Blessings Kanowa, Mwisho Mhango, and Oscar Petro have all rejoined the Under-23 setup, adding valuable experience and depth. ​The Junior Flames have also been boosted by the inclusion of several players who featured for Malawi at the recently concluded COSAFA Under-20 tournament. ​Kondwani Tebulo, James Lumbe, Lameck Mithi, Misheck Billiat, Clever Kalambo, and Precious Kwalenga are among those joining the U-23 squad, giving Mpinganjira additional options as he prepares his side for the decisive encounter. ​The qualifier carries added significance, with the aggregate winner advancing in the race for a place at next year’s AFCON Under-23 finals in Egypt. The tournament also serves as the direct pathway to qualification for the Olympic Games. ​For Malawi, the immediate objective will be to capitalize on home support in Lilongwe and secure a comfortable lead, as Mpinganjira calls for a disciplined and committed performance to begin their qualifying campaign on a high note. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Bob Mpinganjira, Junior Flames --- ### [Kabambe should put his evidence on the table on Malawi corruption](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kabambe-should-put-his-evidence-on-the-table-on-malawi-corruption/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Dr Dalitso Kabambe’s open letter makes grave allegations, then leaves Malawians to guess who and what he means. He refers to corruption, money laundering, human trafficking, Cabinet ministers and the judiciary, but identifies no case and presents no evidence in the letter. If he knows of wrongdoing, he should take what he knows to the appropriate authorities. These matters are too serious to use as hints in a political message. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260927_081910_Google-600x454.jpg)Kabambe: Justify your claimsKabambe, of all people, should understand the damage an accusation can do before the facts have been tested. He was arrested and faced serious allegations himself. Proceedings against him were later discontinued. He would rightly have objected if political opponents had treated his arrest as proof of guilt. It is disappointing, then, to see him invite a rush to judgement against others through allegations he has yet to substantiate publicly. This is no argument for shielding anyone. Every credible allegation should be investigated independently, regardless of whom it implicates. Kabambe should identify the cases he is referring to and submit any evidence he holds. That would give investigators something to examine and the public a basis on which to assess his claims. Kabambe writes as though he is advising President Mutharika from a distance. Malawians will remember that he served as Reserve Bank governor under Mutharika before entering politics through the DPP. He later joined UTM and stood against Mutharika in 2025, finishing a distant third. He has every right to criticise the government. His political history also gives the public reason to ask whether this letter is a serious appeal for accountability or an attempt to gain ground through suggestion. The economic problems he lists deserve an answer. Fuel shortages, unreliable electricity, foreign exchange pressures and the cost of living affect households and businesses every day. The government must explain what it is doing and be judged by the results. Kabambe, as a former central bank governor, should also say what he would do differently, how he would pay for it and when Malawians could expect relief. He should not ride on the legacy of others when he was Governor. An open letter can start a debate. It cannot substitute for evidence or an economic programme. Kabambe should put both before the country and not seek cheap popularlity by doctoring allegations when he himself was not so long ago a victim of political witchhunting. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Columns, National **Tags:** corruption, Dalitso Kabambe --- ### [Chairman chastised: Malango steps in to demand Nyamilandu respect parliamentary rules during public dressing-down](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chairman-chastised-malango-steps-in-to-demand-nyamilandu-respect-parliamentary-rules-during-public-dressing-down/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A fiery parliamentary inquiry into the tragic plane crash that killed Malawi’s Vice-President Saulos Chilima descended into chaos on Monday after an explosive row erupted between furious politicians. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1785350660363-600x400.jpg)Malango : Accuses parliamentary chief Nyamilandu of trying to SILENCE evidence row​The Ad-Hoc Parliamentary Committee hearing turned into a dramatic showdown when Lilongwe Mude MP Mphatso Boti Phiri blasted suggestions that phones were the *only* items damaged when the aircraft went down in the Chikangawa forest on June 10, 2024. ​Phiri hit back hard after another member pointed out that a victim’s passport had been recovered intact—questioning why the phones were reportedly ruined while other personal belongings survived. ​Slamming the commentary as ‘misleading’, a protective Phiri warned the committee was leaping to premature conclusions before all the evidence had even been gathered. ​**CHAOS IN ROOM** ​But in a scathing put-down, Committee Chairman Walter Nyamilandu turned on Phiri—publicly rebuking his colleague for airing the committee’s internal squabbles in front of the cameras. ​The high-stakes hearing then reached boiling point when Dedza Kasina MP Joshua Malango launched a sensational intervention, aggressively stepping in to challenge the chairman himself! ​Malango demanded that Nyamilandu stop the public dressing-down and respect Parliament’s strict Standing Orders in managing committee disputes. ​The sensational bust-up brought the crucial witness questioning to a screeching halt, exposing deep divides over how evidence and internal rowiness are being handled. ​The inquiry continues as the committee desperately seeks answers into the tragic crash that claimed the lives of Vice-President Chilima and eight others. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Joshua Malango, plane inquiry, Walter Nyamilandu Manda --- ### [​No shield for online gossip: Legal warning over social media shares as Malawi cyber laws bite](https://www.nyasatimes.com/no-shield-for-online-gossip-legal-warning-over-social-media-shares-as-malawi-cyber-laws-bite/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawians who share unverified rumours on WhatsApp and social media could face criminal prosecution or crippling civil damages, a UK-based Malawian lawyer and former journalist has warned. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790595952392-600x596.jpg)Makossah: “Forwarded as received” is no legal defenceWriting in The Nation’s “My Turn” opinion column, Peter Makossah said phrases such as “forwarded as received” and “just sharing to find out if it’s true” have long been treated as shields against liability, but no longer offer protection under the law. “Legally, that ‘forward’ button is a loaded gun, and your fingerprint is on the trigger,” Makossah wrote. He said that under the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act, a person who shares a defamatory post is not merely a messenger but becomes a publisher in the eyes of the law. Sharing falsehoods, he argued, gives them “a new lease on life,” regardless of intent. Makossah said the police and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) have sharpened their focus on digital enforcement, adding that anonymity through burner SIM cards is becoming a “thin shield” against increasingly capable tracking tools. Criminal defamation struck down, but other offences remain Makossah’s warning comes after a landmark ruling in July 2025, when the Constitutional Court struck down Section 200 of the Penal Code, the criminal defamation provision. In Joshua Chisa Mbele v the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General, Justices Chifundo Kachale, Fiona Mwale and Mzondi Mvula unanimously found the provision invalid. The court ruled that using criminal sanctions to protect personal reputations was an unjustifiable restriction on free expression under Section 44(2) of the Constitution. The judgment effectively reclassified defamation as a strictly civil wrong. Makossah said some online commentators wrongly took the ruling as licence to say whatever they wished about public officials. He argued that prosecutors have instead turned to the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act of 2016, under which offences such as cyber harassment (Section 86) and offensive communication (Section 87) carry heavy fines and custodial sentences. “The naming has changed, but the steep fines and custodial sentences remain identical,” he wrote. Civil claims and WhatsApp administrators Even those who avoid a police cell, Makossah warned, could face financial ruin. He said civil defamation suits in Malawi are rising, with high-profile cases seeing public figures and private individuals ordered to pay tens of millions of kwacha over digital slurs. “In a civil court, a judge does not care if you were just ‘gossipping with friends’,” he wrote. “They care about the damage caused to a person’s livelihood, mental health or reputation.” He also cautioned WhatsApp group administrators, saying those who allow groups to become vehicles for character assassination, cyberbullying or doxxing without intervening are “effectively acting as the editor of a reckless, unregulated newspaper.” Makossah said stalking people across Facebook profiles, instigating online “pile-ons” and orchestrating character assassinations are no longer regarded as harmless internet drama but as digital crimes. His advice to social media users was blunt: before forwarding a juicy voice note about a politician or a neighbour, ask whether the claim could be proved true in a court of law. “If no, let the chain break with you. ‘Forwarded as Received’ is no longer a disclaimer, it is a confession,” he wrote. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** cyberbullying, defamation, Social media --- ### [Gangata promises support as Malawi Queens celebrated after sealing World Cup berth](https://www.nyasatimes.com/gangata-promises-support-as-malawi-queens-celebrated-after-sealing-world-cup-berth/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** This is the incredible moment Malawi’s netball heroics were celebrated in style after the sensational squad touched down on home soil following a thrilling campaign in Kenya. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790594055427-600x450.jpg)Minister Gangata promises support as Malawi’s netball team returns from Kenya​The Queens brought the bronze medal home from the Africa Netball Championship — and, even more importantly, punched their ticket to the upcoming World Cup in dramatic fashion. ​Fans, government ministers, and corporate sponsors packed out the Bingu International Convention Centre on Monday to give the triumphant team the roaring reception they deserved. ​Leading the glittering welcoming party was Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata, who lined up alongside bosses from top sponsors Nico Group to shower the players with praise. ​An emotional Gangata pledged full government backing as the team prepares to take on the world’s best on the biggest stage of all. ​”By finishing third in Africa and qualifying for the World Cup, you have shown every young girl what courage can achieve,” Gangata declared to the cheering crowd. “The nation is behind you and will support you. We are all proud of you and expect more!” ​The squad’s heroics were also heavily lauded by Nico Group’s head of marketing Taweni Gondwe-Xaba, who admitted the ladies had delivered a massive payout on the company’s big-money investment. ​”Today is about recognising what you have achieved. You have won a bronze medal and, more importantly, secured a place at the World Cup. This is a great milestone,” Gondwe-Xaba beamed. ​”By qualifying for the World Cup, you have returned the investment. As you know, we are a business entity, and we are satisfied that we are getting returns from the investment.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Alfred Gangata, Malawi Queens --- ### [Malawi's economists press for fiscal discipline and forex reform as debt nears 91% of GDP](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-economists-press-for-fiscal-discipline-and-forex-reform-as-debt-nears-91-of-gdp/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **The Economics Association of Malawi says tight budgets and a more flexible exchange rate are needed, but warns that the medicine carries costs for business** Malawi’s economists are urging the government to rein in spending and overhaul its management of foreign exchange, as a severe dollar shortage collides with public debt of about K24tn, equivalent to roughly 91 per cent of gross domestic product. ![Bangara-Chikadza](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260928_124714_Google-600x387.jpg)Bangara-Chikadza: Fix forex woesThe Economics Association of Malawi (Ecama) says fiscal discipline and foreign exchange reform are among the country’s most stubborn policy problems. Bertha Bangara-Chikadza, Ecama’s president and an economics lecturer at the University of Malawi, listed the priorities: reducing the fiscal deficit, holding the line on expenditure, improving forex management and exchange-rate flexibility, and tackling distortions in the parallel market, where dollars trade at a premium to the official rate. Her prescription for the public finances was a tight fiscal stance, with firmer control over spending, curbs on domestic borrowing and stronger accountability at parastatals and other state-owned enterprises. Heavy domestic borrowing by the government tends to crowd out private-sector lending, and loss-making state entities are a recurring drain on the budget. She was candid that the trade-offs are real. “Contractionary fiscal policy, for example, could help the government reduce its deficit, but adversely affect businesses that depend heavily on public procurement,” Ms Bangara-Chikadza said. In an economy where government is a major customer for local firms, austerity risks deepening the very slowdown that the forex squeeze has already begun to cause. The debt figure sharpens the dilemma. At about 91 per cent of GDP, Malawi has little room to borrow its way through the shortage of hard currency, while a more flexible exchange rate would narrow the gap with the parallel market but push up the cost of imported fuel, medicines and inputs. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, National **Tags:** ECAMA, forex, Malawi Economy --- ### ['Not silence, intimidation or political spin': Kabambe challenges President Mutharika to confront corruption and economic strain](https://www.nyasatimes.com/not-silence-intimidation-or-political-spin-kabambe-challenges-president-mutharika-to-confront-corruption-and-economic-strain/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/APM-and-Kabambe-1-600x600.jpg)‘Speak directly to the nation’: A call for integrity in Malawi’s leadershipMalawi’s opposition UTM leader, Dalitso Kabambe, has publicly urged President Peter Mutharika to “speak directly to the nation” about what his administration is doing to tackle corruption and the country’s economic difficulties, in an open letter that lands days before the president’s first anniversary in office. Kabambe, a former governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi, posted the letter on Facebook, saying Malawians needed reassurance that graft would be confronted with resolve. “Please speak directly to the nation. Acknowledge these challenges, explain what is being done and demonstrate through action that those responsible will be held accountable,” he wrote. He did not point to specific cases. He said he would have preferred to raise the concerns with the president in person, but that circumstances had made that difficult. He also suggested that a small number of people around Mutharika could be acting in ways that damage his leadership. “Serious allegations have been raised concerning corruption, money laundering, human trafficking, public procurement, members of the cabinet and the judiciary,” Kabambe wrote. “These matters demand careful, independent investigation, not silence, intimidation or political spin. When people raise concerns about wrongdoing, they should not automatically be branded enemies of you or your administration.” He argued that the executive, judiciary and legislature should be protected rather than weakened, whether by allegations of misconduct or by efforts to silence those who speak out. On the economy, he pointed to fuel and gas shortages linked to low foreign exchange reserves, unreliable electricity and the rising cost of living as problems demanding leadership. Cathy Maulidi, the presidential spokesperson, said that the president’s team had yet to see the letter. Political and governance analysts said Kabambe was raising issues that were already in the public domain and needed to be addressed. **A former ally turned critic** Kabambe’s history with Mutharika gives the letter added edge. Mutharika appointed him central bank governor on 21 April 2017, and he served until 2020, when he was replaced after Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance took power following the court-sanctioned rerun of the presidential election that June. That year Kabambe entered frontline politics by declaring his affiliation to Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party, and he later aspired to succeed him as leader. He left the DPP in 2024 and joined the UTM, where he beat his challengers to succeed the late Saulos Chilima, the party’s founder and Malawi’s former vice-president. In the 16 September 2025 general election, his first appearance on the ballot, Kabambe finished third with about 211,000 votes. Mutharika will mark one year since his inauguration on 4 October. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** corruption, Dalitso Kabambe, forex, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Police shifted from search to recovery after Chilima wreckage found, ex-IG tells MPs](https://www.nyasatimes.com/police-shifted-from-search-to-recovery-after-chilima-wreckage-found-ex-ig-tells-mps/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s former Inspector General of Police has mounted a robust defence of the force’s handling of the June 2024 plane crash that killed former vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight others, telling MPs her actions were guided entirely by the information available to her at the time. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790586743851-600x450.jpg)Ex-police chief Yolamu insists she ‘acted on info available’ in Chilima plane crash probeMerlyne Yolamu appeared before the parliamentary ad-hoc committee investigating the tragedy, insisting her responsibility had been to respond to the intelligence she received, mobilise available resources and launch the search and rescue operation through the police’s established command structure. The former police chief revealed that the force’s director of operations travelled to the Northern Region on the morning of June 11, 2024, to join the Northern Region commissioner and other officers already engaged in the frantic hunt for the missing aircraft. But the search would soon turn to tragedy. Yolamu told the inquiry that once the wreckage was discovered, both the director of operations and the regional commissioner personally informed her of the devastating news. From that moment, she explained, the nature of police involvement changed dramatically, shifting from a search for the missing plane to supporting management of the crash scene and the grim recovery operation that followed. Yolamu said police continued working alongside the Malawi Defence Force and other stakeholders to transport the bodies of the victims after the wreckage was located. The inquiry is expected to hear further testimony today from current Inspector General Richard Luhanga, who was serving as Northern Region Commissioner of Police at the time of the crash, as well as Glinton Mitaye, then deputy commissioner for the region. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Malawi Police, plane inquiry --- ### [Chithyola 'not fit' to lead opposition, claims MCP's Major as Chakwera's inner circle comes under fire"](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chithyola-not-fit-to-lead-opposition-claims-mcps-major-as-chakweras-inner-circle-comes-under-fire/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A fierce leadership battle has erupted at the heart of Malawi’s opposition MCP, after party heavyweight Alex Major launched a blistering broadside against former president Lazarus Chakwera’s closest allies — branding Simplex Chithyola Banda and other confidants “opportunists” more interested in clinging to power than genuinely serving the party. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/PHOTO-2023-12-20-15-15-06-600x400.jpg)Chithyola Banda: Branded not fit for leader of Opposition![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260927_094316_Google-600x596.jpg)MCP in turmoil as Major accuses Chakwera’s Area 10 advisers of ‘self-interest’ and challenges him to declare his handMajor wasted no time declaring his own leadership ambitions, warning bluntly that the race to succeed Chakwera as MCP president has already begun and that he refuses to be written off. “If Chakwera is confident in his support, he should publicly declare his intention to contest, that would show courage. Until he does, doubts about his plans will continue,” Major said, throwing down the gauntlet to the former president to come clean about his political future. But it was his attack on Chithyola Banda’s appointment as Leader of Opposition that landed the most damaging blow, with Major insisting the role should never have gone to him in the first place. “I’ve previously criticised the choice of Chithyola Banda as Leader of Opposition, saying Gotani Hara deserved it as the more senior MP, the same principle Chakwera benefited from earlier in his own career,” Major fumed, exposing what he clearly views as a glaring double standard at the heart of Chakwera’s decision-making. Major went further still, taking direct aim at the wider circle of allies gathered around Chakwera’s Area 10 residence, naming Chithyola Banda alongside Hon Nangozo, Jessy Kabwila, Henri Mumba and Jean Sendeza as figures he views with deep suspicion. “I also caution those advising him at his Area 10 residence… whom I see as opportunists tied to his political survival,” he warned pointedly, suggesting the group’s loyalty stems from self-preservation rather than genuine conviction. In a withering assessment of Chakwera’s presidency, Major accused the party’s inner circle of misleading their leader in the run-up to the devastating 2025 election defeat, warning that those now pushing for his political comeback are “the same people who falsely assured him things were fine” before disaster struck at the polls. He delivered a particularly damning observation about Chakwera’s apparent change of heart since losing power, revealing that the former president visited MCP headquarters just three times during his entire five years as President — yet now makes the trip twice a week, alongside a fresh round of funeral and church visits apologising to supporters he once seemingly neglected. “MCP has plenty of capable leaders beyond Chakwera and we’re ready to move forward with new leadership,” Major declared defiantly, making clear his belief that the party’s future lies far beyond its former president and his inner circle. He also issued a stark warning against any attempt to rewrite the party’s constitution to extend Chakwera’s grip on power, insisting such a move “won’t succeed” and urging the former leader to instead “retire with dignity” — while personally pledging his own support for Chakwera as a former president, provided he steps aside gracefully. Major didn’t spare Chakwera’s judgment either, suggesting the former president had repeatedly placed his trust in the wrong people, including Sean Kampondeni, leaving many civil servants feeling badly let down. In his most damning verdict of all, Major suggested history itself may ultimately deliver a harsh judgment on Chakwera’s leadership. “In my view, MCP lost the government due to self centredness, arrogance and a manufactured image of moral superiority. History may ultimately judge him as the weakest of MCP’s four presidents,” Major concluded. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Alex Major, Chithyola Banda, Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP --- ### ['MCP can never rebrand under Chakwera': MP's scathing verdict as reform row explodes](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcp-can-never-rebrand-under-chakwera-mps-scathing-verdict-as-reform-row-explodes/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Member of Parliament has delivered a blistering public attack on President Lazarus Chakwera, declaring the party can “never reform or rebrand” while he remains in charge — as internal tensions over the party’s future explode into open warfare. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790534586040-1-522x600.jpg)‘Real reform never came’: Ayuba James turns on Chakwera in blistering attackAyuba James, Independent MP for Nkhota Kota Central and MCP member, launched the scathing broadside in a series of social media posts, accusing Chakwera’s leadership of comprehensively failing to deliver the reform and rebranding the party promised in the wake of its 2025 election defeat. James didn’t hold back, blasting Chakwera’s handling of appointments to the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) as proof the party leadership has no genuine appetite for change. He singled out the exclusion of Vitumbiko Mumba from the NEC as a particularly glaring missed opportunity, arguing a savvier political operator would have seized the moment to extend an olive branch. “A shrewd politician would have seen that Mumba has been growing politically after the 2025 elections. He would also have naturally felt the need to atone,” James wrote in his post. The MP reserved further fury for Chakwera’s decision to appoint Simplex Chithyola Banda as Leader of Opposition, branding the move a direct contradiction of everything the party had promised about genuine reform. “But when the first opportunity to start showing real reform and rebranding arrived, Dr. Chakwera single-handedly appointed Chithyola as Leader of Opposition, the same Chithyola that lectured us about SOSISA Economics,” James fumed. He went further still, warning that sidelining figures like Mumba from the NEC sends an unmistakable message about the party’s true intentions. “Leaving out people like We Gat This from the NEC appointments in MCP is simply a statement that ‘we cannot reform and we are not prepared to rebrand,'” James declared. In his most damning verdict yet, James concluded that meaningful change simply cannot happen within MCP while Chakwera remains at the helm, calling instead for an entirely different leadership approach to transform the party’s fortunes. “Ultimately, MCP can never reform or rebrand with President Chakwera still in charge,” he wrote bluntly. The explosive intervention comes as James has increasingly used his platform to champion McBride Nkhalamba, who, according to widespread speculation within party circles, is being tipped to contest the MCP presidential race in the party’s upcoming elections. In one particularly pointed post referencing former president Bakili Muluzi’s famous 2004 remarks about “selling” the country Bingu wa Mutharika as his successor, James appeared to draw parallels to the current succession battle, writing cryptically: “*Anali adivaizala wa ma pulezidenti 60!!!!, muno mu Africa*. Selling us Bingu wa Mutharika. *Nanga pamene simukumvetsa ndi pati maguy kwenikweni maguy mbali iyoyo? Mufuniranjinso umboni wina?”* The fiery outburst adds fresh fuel to the increasingly bitter succession battle already engulfing MCP, with the party’s future direction, and Chakwera’s own political survival, hanging firmly in the balance. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP, Sylvester Ayuba --- ### [Professor Chasukwa elected new president of Malawi Political Science Association](https://www.nyasatimes.com/professor-chasukwa-elected-new-president-of-malawi-political-science-association/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Professor Michael Chasukwa has been elected as the new President of the Malawi Political Science Association (PSA), following a vote held at the association’s 4th PSA Biennial Conference at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260928_010105_Google-600x461.jpg)Professor Michael ChasukwaChasukwa, a professor of political science at the University of Malawi (UNIMA), takes over leadership of the association for a two-year term running from October 2026 to September 2028, heading a newly elected Executive Council (EXCO) tasked with steering the organisation’s direction over the coming years. Joining Chasukwa at the top of the new leadership team is Annie Sainala Kalebe, a lecturer in political science at the Catholic University of Malawi, who has been elected Vice President after previously serving as a Councilor and Executive Member on the outgoing EXCO. Mavuto Bamusi, a Technical Advisor for Civil Society Strengthening at GIZ, has been elected Secretary General, moving up from his previous role as Publicity Secretary within the association. Dr Clemence Alfazema of Palladium has been appointed Treasurer General, while Dr George Chaima, a political analyst and Executive Director of the New Restoration Plan, takes over as the association’s new Publicity Secretary. Rounding out the newly elected Executive Council are three Councilors and Executive Members: Associate Professor Nandini Patel of IPI, Beauty Msiska Phiri, a lecturer at the Catholic University of Malawi, and Dr Chrispine Mphande, a lecturer in History and Development Studies at Mzuzu University. The election of the new leadership marks the beginning of a fresh two-year chapter for the Malawi Political Science Association, with the newly elected officials now set to guide the organisation’s activities, advocacy and academic engagement through to September 2028. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Malawi Political Science Association, Professor Michael Chasukwa --- ### [Chakwera, the constitution, and why MCP's succession row matters](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-the-constitution-and-why-mcps-succession-row-matters/) **Published:** September 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Here’s the thing about the row unfolding inside Malawi’s Congress Party. On the surface, it looks like fairly standard post-defeat squabbling, the sort every party goes through after a bruising election loss. Dig a little deeper, though, and there’s a more interesting question at stake, one that goes beyond who leads the MCP and gets at something more fundamental about how the party sees itself. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/20260927_095843-1-600x600.jpg)Chakwera’s ‘frenemies’: what the MCP succession fight really revealsLazarus Chakwera lost the presidency a year ago. That much isn’t in dispute. What is in dispute is whether he gets another go at leading his party into the next election, and crucially, whether the rules should be rewritten to make that possible. Chisomo Mbembeza, the party’s Kasungu District chairperson, has been admirably candid about the mechanics of what’s being proposed. Malawian law, he points out, would allow Chakwera to stand again. The MCP’s own constitution currently would not. His solution isn’t to accept that constraint, it’s to change the constitution so the constraint disappears. Now, plenty of parties tweak their internal rules from time to time. That’s normal politics. But when the rule change in question exists, transparently, to benefit one specific person who has just lost a general election, it’s worth pausing on what that says about the party’s priorities. One senior figure inside the NEC, who didn’t want to be named (draw your own conclusions about why), did some arithmetic that’s worth sitting with. If Chakwera contests the convention, wins, and then goes on to seek re-election through to 2034, you’re looking at 21 years in charge of the party. Twenty-one years. That’s not a detail, it’s the whole story in one number. And there’s a historical irony sitting right underneath this. Malawians voted in 1993, decisively, to reject life presidency. That referendum is baked into the country’s modern political identity. So a proposal, even one confined to a political party rather than the state, that edges toward indefinite leadership sits uneasily against that backdrop, whatever the legal technicalities. Not everyone in the party is going along with it, which is itself instructive. Former secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka has been unwilling to entertain the idea that any convention simply hands Chakwera continuity by default. And Alex Major, long a fixture of MCP presidential contests, has gone further still, calling for an emergency convention and alleging the existence of what he calls a “parallel vetting committee” designed to filter out rivals before they get anywhere near a ballot. Whether that committee exists exactly as described is almost beside the point. The fact that a senior figure feels able to make that accusation publicly tells you the level of trust inside the party has broken down significantly. Here’s the practical argument, though, and it’s one worth taking seriously regardless of where you sit on Chakwera personally. A defeated leader asking for continuity isn’t automatically wrong, incumbents do sometimes deserve another shot. But one senior party figure put the electoral logic plainly: a fresh face capable of winning over undecided voters would likely do more for the party’s prospects than doubling down on someone who’s already lost with every advantage of incumbency behind him. That’s not a hostile take, it’s just how opposition politics tends to work. Parties that keep backing leaders who’ve already lost, hoping loyalty will eventually be rewarded with victory, don’t have a brilliant track record. With names like Prince Kapondamgaga, Esau Phiri, Daudi Suleman and McBride Nkhalamba being floated as alternatives, the MCP clearly isn’t short of options. What it seems to be short of is agreement on whether those options should even get a fair hearing, or whether the rulebook gets quietly rewritten first to make sure they don’t need to. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics --- ### [Blantyre Archdiocese launches Month of Mission as Church marks centenary of World Mission Sunday](https://www.nyasatimes.com/blantyre-archdiocese-launches-month-of-mission-as-church-marks-centenary-of-world-mission-sunday/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Archdiocese of Blantyre has launched its Month of Mission at St Anthony of Padua Parish in Chinyonga Township, opening a pe ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790531242309-1-600x400.jpg)100 years of World Mission Sunday: Blantyre Archdiocese opens Month of Missionriod of prayer, charitable works and fundraising in support of the Church’s missionary activity. The launch was presided over by the Archdiocese’s vicar general, Fr George Buleya, who called on the faithful to take an active part in spreading the Gospel through prayer, works of charity and financial contributions to the Church’s missionary endeavours. He thanked the Christians of Chinyonga Parish for the commitment and dedication shown in organising the event. The Month of Mission is observed annually by Catholic dioceses in the lead-up to World Mission Sunday, traditionally marked on the penultimate Sunday of October, and forms part of the wider work of the Pontifical Mission Societies, the Church’s principal agency for coordinating and funding missionary activity worldwide. The societies operate in virtually every diocese, encouraging Catholics to support missionary priests, religious and lay workers serving in territories where the Church remains young or under-resourced. This year’s observance carries particular significance, marking a century since the establishment of Mission Sunday by the Pontifical Mission Societies, an anniversary being marked across the universal Church. The centenary theme reflects on a hundred years of Catholics worldwide being invited, once a year, to renew their solidarity with the Church’s missionary vocation through prayer and material support. In Malawi, this year’s principal national celebrations will be held on October 18 in the Diocese of Mzuzu, bringing together Catholics from across the country’s dioceses in a shared act of commitment to the Church’s missionary work, before parishes return to their own local observances for the remainder of the Month of Mission. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News, Religion, Religious News **Tags:** Roman Catholic Church --- ### [Police foil terrifying arms smuggling bid as Mozambican duo caught with AK-47, pistols and horseman's pick ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/police-foil-terrifying-arms-smuggling-bid-as-mozambican-duo-caught-with-ak-47-pistols-and-horsemans-pick/) **Published:** September 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Police have made a chilling weapons discovery after arresting two Mozambican nationals caught attempting to bypass a security roadblock while armed with a terrifying arsenal, including an AK-47 assault rifle, multiple pistols and a horseman’s pick. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20220118-WA0003-450x600.jpg)Recovered guns and ammunitionJulio Aromado, 25, and Steven George, 30, were dramatically apprehended at Kamuzu Bridge Roadblock in Chikwawa earlier today, 27 September 2026, after officers spotted the pair attempting to slip past checkpoint officials undetected. According to a statement issued by National Police spokesperson Gladys Chiwaula, alert officers acted swiftly the moment they noticed the suspicious pair, moving quickly to make the arrest before recovering a disturbing cache of weapons. “The two were arrested today, 27 September 2026 at Kamuzu Bridge Roadblock in Chikwawa where they tried to bypass the roadblock. When Police saw them, they impulsively managed to arrest the two and recovered the aforementioned weapons,” the statement revealed. Among the haul recovered by police were an AK-47 rifle, two pistols, a Heckler and Koch firearm, a pound hammer, a panga knife and a horseman’s pick — a combination of weapons that will raise serious concerns over exactly what the pair may have been planning. Police have since issued a stark warning to the public, making clear that illegal firearms and offensive weapons remain strictly prohibited, and that anyone caught in possession of such items will face the full force of the law. The force also took the opportunity to remind Malawians that an ongoing amnesty period remains in place, offering members of the public a final window to voluntarily hand in illegal firearms to police without facing prosecution. The dramatic arrest comes amid heightened concern over cross-border weapons smuggling and security along Malawi’s porous border regions, with authorities continuing to ramp up checks at key roadblocks in a bid to intercept illegal arms before they reach communities further inland. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News --- ### [Hope Water unveils K271 million expansion to boost clean water access for over 10,000 people](https://www.nyasatimes.com/hope-water-unveils-k271-million-expansion-to-boost-clean-water-access-for-over-10000-people/) **Published:** September 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Hope Water, which operates at Dowa Turn Off, has unveiled a K271 million expansion drive aimed at improving access to clean and safe water for over 10,000 people. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260927-WA0004-1-600x556.jpg)Semu: project seeks to address persistent water challengesThe project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal Number 6 on clean water and sanitation, as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and Malawi Vision 2063 (MW2063). The initiative is being implemented under Rhema Institute, an umbrella non-governmental organisation, with funding from Hope for a Child UK. Rhema Executive Director and Hope Water Managing Director Innocent Semu said the project will involve extension of piped water networks, installation of new water kiosks and rehabilitation of existing water supply systems. The Government of Malawi presided over the launch of Hope Water in 2019, when the project was serving only 3,000 to 4,000 members of the community. Semu described the new expansion as a major achievement, noting that the upgraded system will now serve significantly more people. According to Semu, the project seeks to address persistent water challenges while contributing to economic growth in underserved communities. “Access to clean water is not just a social issue but an economic one. When communities have reliable water, businesses thrive, health costs go down and productivity increases,” said Semu. He disclosed that several materials for the project have already been procured. “As we speak, several materials for the project have already been bought such as solar panels, pipes for connectivity and other solutions for the project like tanks have already been bought,” he said. He added that the new facility will now be pumping between 80,000 and 100,000 litres of water per day. “This is a big achievement because it will help to reduce interruptions,” he said. Semu said Hope Water operates under Rhema as its umbrella organisation, which is coordinating the project to ensure sustainable community impact. The project directly contributes to SDG 6, which seeks to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030, while also supporting SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth through business empowerment. It also aligns with the African Union Agenda 2063, whose official theme for 2026 is “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” The AU framework positions water as a strategic asset for inclusive growth, industrialisation, health and climate resilience. At national level, the expansion supports Malawi Vision 2063 (MW2063), particularly its pillar on human capital and sustainable environmental management, which prioritises universal access to safe water as a foundation for economic transformation. The K271 million project is expected to benefit over 10,000 people directly, while thousands more will benefit indirectly through an improved business environment and public health. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National --- ### [Malawi govt axes 298 'ghost teachers' from payroll in massive crackdown as officials hunt for civil service fraudsters](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-govt-axes-298-ghost-teachers-from-payroll-in-massive-crackdown-as-officials-hunt-for-civil-service-fraudsters/) **Published:** September 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s government has struck a major blow in its war against payroll fraud, sensationally removing 298 teachers from the September 2026 payroll after they failed to show up for a crucial nationwide verification exercise designed to root out so-called “ghost workers”. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/ghost-workers.jpg)Exposed: “ghost workers” in public sector payrollThe Department of Human Resource Management and Development revealed the dramatic purge as part of an ongoing, months-long personnel audit targeting civil servants across the country, aimed squarely at exposing fraudsters siphoning off taxpayer money through fictitious or unverified employment records. According to an explosive letter from the Ministry of Education, signed by Norah Chikhungu on behalf of the Secretary for Education, the 298 teachers and officers were unceremoniously struck off the payroll after failing to undergo the mandatory verification process. In a bid to give the affected staff one final chance to clear their names, the Ministry has now directed all Directors, Heads of Institutions and Education Division Managers to urgently track down and inform the axed workers, instructing them to appear in person for verification at the HR Department offices at Capital Hill in Lilongwe between 25 and 29 September 2026. Those hoping to be reinstated face a rigorous documentation check, with affected officers required to produce original copies of their offer letters, promotion letters, academic certificates, National ID, PSR 19 forms, confirmation letters and authority to teach. The dramatic crackdown forms part of a much wider government drive to clean up Malawi’s bloated civil service payroll, which has long been plagued by allegations of ghost workers draining desperately needed public funds meant for genuine, hardworking employees. With the clock now ticking for the 298 affected teachers to prove their legitimacy, the government’s message is unmistakably clear: verify your employment, or face permanent removal from the public payroll altogether. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National --- ### [University of Malawi investigates report of student in distress over financial and academic pressures](https://www.nyasatimes.com/university-of-malawi-investigates-report-of-student-in-distress-over-financial-and-academic-pressures/) **Published:** September 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The University of Malawi (UNIMA) says it is investigating reports that a third-year student left a note expressing suicidal thoughts, reportedly linked to financial difficulties and academic pressure. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260927-WA0003-449x600.jpg)Major: University student contemplating suicide![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260927-WA0002-450x600.jpg)The letter by MajorAccording to the note, the student, named as Joseph Njeni Major, said he had been due to graduate with the 2021/2022 cohort but was withdrawn from his studies on financial grounds before completing them. He described himself as a self-sponsored student who had struggled to secure assistance despite reaching out to several people, and said he felt unable to move forward with his life as a result. The note reportedly cited a number of pressures, including responsibility as a household breadwinner, debts said to total K594,500, academic pressure, limited access to a laptop and digital learning platforms, and difficulties related to accommodation and daily survival. The authenticity of the note and the current wellbeing of the student could not be independently verified at the time of writing. The university says it is looking into the matter. *If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out to a trusted person, a healthcare provider, or a crisis helpline in your area for support.* Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** University of Malawi --- ### [Nadolo, Mbemba win Blantyre Marathon](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nadolo-mbemba-win-blantyre-marathon/) **Published:** September 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** South Africa-based athlete Mphatso Nadolo has won the eighth edition of the Blantyre 42.195 Kilometre (km) Race at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790493424247-600x492.jpg)Nadolo wins Blantyre Marathon for fourth timeHe crossed the finish line in 2:25.01 hours, about two minutes ahead of runner-up and last year’s champion McDonald Maganizo, who clocked 2:27.28 hours. Allan Chirwa took third place in 2:27.31 hours. This marks the fourth time Nadolo has claimed the title, having also won in 2019, 2021 and 2024. In the women’s category, Fostina Mbemba claimed victory for the first time, beating runner-up and former champion Tereza Master by 12 minutes. Nadolo had entered this year’s race determined to add to his tally after sitting out last year’s edition, when Maganizo claimed victory in his absence. Ahead of the race, Nadolo said he had been training hard with the aim of finishing in under two hours and 20 minutes and “bringing the glory back to Zomba.” The marathon, now in its eighth year, drew both professional and amateur athletes competing across three categories: the full 42.195km marathon, a 10km race and a 5km fun run, with organisers targeting a turnout of more than 300 participants this year. This year’s winners take home a cash prize of K2 million each, along with a place at this year’s regional half marathon in South Africa, scheduled for November. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790494558203-600x338.jpg)Fostina Mbemba finish first in women category Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports --- ### [Diesel desert: Lilongwe drivers queue for HOURS as fuel runs dry — but petrol keeps flowing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/diesel-desert-lilongwe-drivers-queue-for-hours-as-fuel-runs-dry-but-petrol-keeps-flowing/) **Published:** September 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Fed-up motorists have been left fuming this week as diesel all but vanished from Lilongwe’s filling stations — with cars and trucks queuing for HOURS while petrol keeps flowing just yards away. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260927_090734_Chrome-600x321.jpg)Queues of cars and trucks have formed at filling stations throughout the week, with vehicles waiting for extended periods at the handful of stations still holding diesel stock, while stations without it have simply been passed overChaotic scenes have played out across Malawi’s capital as drivers desperately hunt for diesel, only to find pump after pump bone dry — even as petrol continues pouring out at the very same stations. In a bizarre twist, this latest fuel headache has struck diesel and diesel ALONE, sparing petrol drivers the queues that have plagued the country before. Bosses at the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) have previously blamed chaos at ports in Tanzania and Mozambique — plus knock-on chaos from conflict in the Middle East — for choking off vital fuel supplies to landlocked Malawi. And the stakes couldn’t be higher. Diesel is the lifeblood of Malawi’s economy, powering everything from buses and lorries to farm machinery and generators — meaning empty tanks now threaten to send shockwaves through the whole country. Truckers and haulage firms are already feeling the pinch, with fears mounting that empty diesel tanks could soon mean empty shelves and rocketing prices for ordinary Malawians. MERA has hiked and slashed fuel prices repeatedly this year as global oil markets go haywire — and bosses are begging panicked Malawians to ignore rumours and wait for official updates. But there’s still no end in sight, with queues showing zero signs of shrinking and no timeline given for when diesel will finally flow again. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Fuel --- ### [MCP split over Chakwera's future: party flirtation with 'life leadership'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcp-split-over-chakweras-future-party-flirtation-with-life-leadership/) **Published:** September 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is entering a period of internal reckoning that looks set to shape its fortunes well beyond the immediate horizon of the 2030 General Election. At issue is a question that many parties eventually confront but few resolve gracefully: what happens to a defeated leader who does not wish to step aside. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/lazarus-chakwera-1-600x379.jpg)The MCP is choosing more than a leader — it’s choosing whether Chakwera gets a second actAccording to multiple sources, the party’s politburo is now visibly split over whether former president Lazarus Chakwera should contest the MCP presidency again, with senior figures within his own inner circle, including his former chief of staff, among those positioning themselves as alternatives. The word being used inside the party, tellingly, is “frenemies” — a description that captures both the personal proximity and the political distance now opening up between Chakwera and some of those who once served him. Former secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka, one of the names being floated as a potential successor, has been notably direct in rejecting the idea that any convention obliges the party to hand Chakwera another term, a position that puts him at odds with the camp still actively campaigning on the former president’s behalf. The dispute is not occurring in the abstract. It is unfolding against the concrete backdrop of grassroots elections the party has been ordered to hold by the High Court, following a May judgment directing MCP to conduct polls for its district and regional committees. Secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda has since confirmed, via a memorandum released on 19 September, that elections will proceed for all regional, district, constituency, ward and area committees, encompassing the newly demarcated political regions agreed at a National Executive Committee meeting earlier in September. What makes these ordinarily administrative elections newly consequential is the succession context surrounding them. Sources close to Chakwera say his allies are already working to secure preferred candidates within the party’s grassroots structures, a strategy that would, if successful, shape the composition of delegates attending the eventual elective convention, and with it, the outcome of the presidential contest itself. Interviews with NEC members, district chairpersons and local organisers, including one figure who led a pro-Chakwera strategy session in Kasungu, suggest a party girding itself for a protracted and closely fought internal struggle. The immediate flashpoint may be the composition of local committees, but the underlying question, whether Chakwera can legally seek another term as MCP president at all, is one the party has yet to resolve, and one that will likely determine how bitter this contest ultimately becomes. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics --- ### ['They're like parasites': UTM's Kabambe launches savage attack on 'corrupt' government](https://www.nyasatimes.com/theyre-like-parasites-utms-kabambe-launches-savage-attack-on-corrupt-government/) **Published:** September 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe has launched a scathing broadside against the ruling government, branding corrupt officials “parasites” feeding off state resources, as he delivered a blistering assessment of the DPP’s first year back in power. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260927_081910_Google-600x454.jpg)Kabambe:insisted Malawi’s fortunes would look drastically different today had he emerged victorious in 2025,Kabambe, who himself contested the September 16, 2025 elections, didn’t hold back as he questioned whether government’s much-publicised anti-corruption measures were bearing any fruit whatsoever, or simply amounted to empty rhetoric designed to placate an increasingly frustrated public. The opposition leader delivered a damning economic report card too, ranking the country’s gains as poor and pointing squarely to failed monetary policies that he says have left forex scarcity crippling businesses and investment across the nation. “SMEs are struggling, their businesses aren’t moving, they can’t import as they would wish because forex is illusive,” Kabambe said. He went further still, exposing the stark gulf between official and black-market exchange rates as proof of a system failing ordinary Malawians and entrepreneurs alike. “Sadly, banks don’t have forex in desirably volumes; and the disparities in rates between the black-and-official market is so huge,” he said. Turning his fire on the fight against graft, Kabambe accused government of allowing corruption-busting institutions to be hijacked by political interests, singling out the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Police and the Financial Intelligence Unit as agencies that have lost their way entirely. “These agencies need autonomy. They cannot continue to operate like political dogs whose parameter is restricted to investigating, arresting and prosecuting opposition political figures,” Kabambe fumed, accusing the very institutions meant to root out corruption of instead being weaponised against political rivals. Renewing his ambitions for the 2030 presidential race, Kabambe insisted Malawi’s fortunes would look drastically different today had he emerged victorious in 2025, declaring that with “serious and focused leadership,” the country would need just eight months to reclaim economic stability. He also took aim at government’s Chief Secretary directly, demanding action rather than empty promises when it comes to genuinely tackling the hostile economic conditions gripping the nation. “Take the hostility measures for instance; Government’s Chief Secretary should walk the talk and go beyond words-and-statements that will truly benefit the nation,” Kabambe said. The fiery intervention lands at a politically sensitive moment, as the DPP-led government continues to face mounting pressure over its handling of the economy, with persistent forex shortages, rising living costs and stalled anti-corruption reforms all fuelling growing public discontent just one year into its return to power. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics --- ### [Anti-Corruption Bureau explosive new 'lifestyle audit' manual to hunt down Malawi's overnight millionaires](https://www.nyasatimes.com/anti-corruption-bureau-explosive-new-lifestyle-audit-manual-to-hunt-down-malawis-overnight-millionaires/) **Published:** September 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790442163703-600x450.jpg)Chembezi : lifestyle audit Malawi’s anti-corruption watchdog has unveiled a hard-hitting new weapon in its fight against dirty money, revealing plans for a sweeping “lifestyle audit” manual designed to expose individuals suspected of amassing suspicious fortunes through questionable means. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) confirmed it has developed the explosive new investigative tool, which will be used to probe anyone whose lavish lifestyle appears wildly out of step with their known income — whether they work in government or the private sector. ACB Acting Director General Gabriel Chembezi said that the crackdown will cast an extraordinarily wide net, sparing no one from scrutiny regardless of where they sit in society. “The lifestyle audit manual has been designed to crack down on individuals amassing unexplained wealth through dubious means, and the probe will cast a wide net, targeting both public officials and private sector players suspected of suspicious overnight riches,” Chembezi declared. The bombshell announcement comes amid growing public frustration in Malawi over so-called “briefcase businessmen” and officials whose sudden displays of extravagant wealth, from luxury cars to sprawling mansions, have long raised eyebrows but rarely faced formal investigation. Chembezi revealed that the manual will be presented to the responsible ministry for approval next week, marking a significant step toward turning the initiative from paperwork into practice. The move follows years of mounting pressure on Malawian authorities to get tougher on corruption, with civil society groups and anti-graft campaigners repeatedly demanding more aggressive tools to track illicit wealth accumulation, rather than relying solely on lengthy, evidence-heavy prosecutions that can take years to conclude. Lifestyle audits, widely used in other jurisdictions battling corruption, typically allow investigators to compare an individual’s declared income and assets against their actual spending patterns, property holdings, vehicles and overall standard of living, flagging glaring discrepancies for further probe. If approved, the new manual could mark one of the most significant shifts yet in how Malawi’s anti-corruption authorities pursue the untouchable elite long suspected of enriching themselves through graft, kickbacks and abuse of office, while ordinary Malawians continue to grapple with soaring living costs and economic hardship. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** electricity, energy --- ### [Civil society groups push for improvements to Malawi's electricity supply](https://www.nyasatimes.com/civil-society-groups-push-for-improvements-to-malawis-electricity-supply/) **Published:** September 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A consortium of civil society organisations (CSOs), led by MaBLEM and the Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC), says there is growing commitment within the energy sector to address Malawi’s electricity supply challenges. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260926-WA0010-600x275.jpg)Mkwezalamba(holding a mic): “We will continue engaging authorities until the electricity supply improves,”The consortium says it is engaging authorities to identify and address challenges contributing to the country’s power deficit, which currently stands at about 100 megawatts, particularly during peak hours. Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Friday, HRCC Board Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba said engagements with the Ministry of Energy had identified three major challenges affecting electricity generation: technical issues, financial constraints and maintenance problems. Mkwezalamba, however, said the CSOs had received positive indications from the authorities that steps were being taken to address the challenges. According to him, maintenance equipment is expected to arrive in the country between September and October, with maintenance works expected to improve the performance of generating units and increase electricity supply by December. “There has been negligence in maintenance works during the past years, and through our engagement they have assured us of huge progress in maintenance and that by December load shedding will be reduced,” Mkwezalamba said. He said the energy sector, through the Electricity Generation Company (EGENCO), is also making progress in procuring additional generators, which are expected to boost electricity generation and ultimately improve supply through the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM). Mkwezalamba said Malawi needs to significantly increase its generation capacity to meet growing demand for electricity and support economic development. “The expectation is that this country should produce at least 1,000 megawatts. Currently, the country is producing less than 500 megawatts, so we are appealing that all staff at EGENCO and ESCOM should hold hands and work diligently to achieve the goals,” he said. The CSOs’ engagement comes amid continued concerns over electricity reliability, with power shortages affecting households, businesses and other institutions. Mkwezalamba said the consortium would continue engaging the authorities to monitor progress and ensure that commitments made in the energy sector translate into tangible improvements in electricity supply. The CSOs are therefore calling for sustained cooperation among government agencies and energy-sector institutions to address technical, financial and maintenance challenges and improve Malawi’s generation capacity. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, safe water --- ### [Malawi Queens win bronze at Africa Netball Cup](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-queens-win-bronze-at-africa-netball-cup/) **Published:** September 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Queens secured the bronze medal at the Africa Netball Cup after beating Namibia 50-45 in Nairobi on Saturday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260926-WA0021-600x400.jpg)Malawi Queens take broze at Africa CupThe Queens held their nerve in a tight contest to claim third place at the continental tournament. Coach Debbie Fuller praised her side’s defensive work in the third and final quarters, while pointing to areas still needing improvement ahead of next year’s World Cup. “Third is better than fourth, the good thing is that we have utilized the opportunity. The key thing is that when we are going for world class games, we also have to be world class, so we need to go up another two or three levels as we are going to the World Cup,” Fuller said. The result gives Malawi valuable international experience as they continue preparations for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney. Earlier on Saturday, Uganda were crowned champions after edging South Africa 56-53 in a closely fought final. Malawi’s focus now turns to building towards next year’s World Cup, with Fuller calling on her side to raise their standards as they prepare to compete on the global stage. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260926-WA0019-600x400.jpg)Malawi Queens beat Namibia to claim bronze in Nairobi![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260926-WA0020-1-600x400.jpg)Uganda crowned Africa Netball Cup champions as Malawi take bronze Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** Malawi Queens --- ### [Malawian entrepreneur launches Pita-GO to digitise transport sector](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawian-entrepreneur-launches-pita-go-to-digitise-transport-sector/) **Published:** September 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Renowned Malawian entrepreneur and project developer Jones Yamikani Chadza has announced plans to launch a digital technology-based transport platform aimed at improving commuter safety and modernising Malawi’s mobility system. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/20260926_160950-600x600.jpg)New Pita-GO platform aims to boost commuter safety in MalawiIn an exclusive interview, Chadza said Pita-GO is a newly registered, homegrown initiative designed to connect passengers, drivers and transport operators through a safer, more convenient and efficient network. “Pita-GO was born out of the need to respond to the changing world and the modern movement of people and goods. “We looked at security challenges, especially with the growing number of motorcycles on our roads, where riders are sometimes attacked by criminals posing as customers,” said Chadza. “We want to put in place a system that tracks movement, ensures accountability and guarantees safety for both the rider and the passenger.” The platform will also provide delivery services for food and other goods, helping to decongest cities and reduce long queues in commercial areas. According to Chadza, the company is already engaging key stakeholders including the Malawi Police Service, the Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS) and MACRA to ensure regulatory compliance and safety. “We are in communication with the Malawi Police and the traffic department. What remains is to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). They will be our key partners when it comes to enforcement and emergency response,” he said. He added that only compliant drivers and riders will be allowed to register on the platform, with strict verification of driving licences, roadworthiness and other legal requirements. On payments, Pita-GO will introduce cashless options including mobile money, Airtel Money, TNM Mpamba and a dedicated Pita-GO card. “Passengers will load money onto the card and upon completion of a trip or delivery, the system will automatically deduct the fare. This is the direction the modern world is taking and Malawi cannot be left behind,” Chadza said. He said the innovation will also support the tourism sector by providing smart, reliable transport for visitors and for people who need safe movement at night. “Pita-GO will start in Lilongwe and will expand to other tourism hotspots like Salima and Mangochi. When a motorcycle operator is registered with Pita-GO, he is safe because we can monitor his location. No one can steal his motorbike and passengers are also guaranteed security,” he said. Pita-GO is currently in its development and implementation phase. Details regarding its official launch, pilot operations and service availability will be announced in due course. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Breaking News, Business, Featured, National **Tags:** Jones Yamikani Chadza, Pita-Go --- ### [Malawi, Kazakhstan establish ties as Chaponda eyes new trade markets](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-kazakhstan-establish-ties-as-chaponda-eyes-new-trade-markets/) **Published:** September 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi and Kazakhstan have formally established diplomatic relations, with the two countries also outlining early plans for trade covering wheat, tea, coffee and macadamia nuts. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260926_155625_Samsung-Browser-600x317.jpg)Chaponda inks Joint Communiqué with Kazakhstan on sidelines of UN summitThe development was sealed on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, where Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, George Thapatula Chaponda, met his Kazakh counterpart, Mukhtar Tleuberdi. The two ministers signed a Joint Communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Malawi, formally placing ties between the two nations on an interstate footing. Both sides agreed to strengthen political dialogue and expand practical cooperation, including direct contacts between their foreign ministries, companies and educational institutions. Among the areas discussed, trade emerged as one of the most tangible. According to Kazakhstan-based news outlet *DKNews.kz*, the two countries considered the possibility of Kazakhstan supplying wheat to Malawi, although no volumes, timelines, logistics routes or commercial terms have yet been finalised, meaning the discussions remain at an exploratory stage. Malawi, on its part, expressed interest in pushing its own products onto the Kazakh market, particularly tea, coffee and macadamia nuts, giving the emerging relationship an immediate commercial dimension, Kazakh grain moving one way, Malawian agricultural exports moving the other. Beyond agriculture, the two countries also identified mining, digitalisation and education as additional sectors where cooperation could grow. No specific investment projects, participating companies or financing details have been announced at this stage, with officials describing the talks as having defined priority sectors rather than produced concrete deals. Both governments said they intend to maintain regular dialogue going forward, with the next step being whether the political understanding translates into direct business negotiations between companies and institutions in both countries. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** George Chaponda, Kazakhstan --- ### [Why is Malawian talent missing from football's global marketplace?](https://www.nyasatimes.com/why-is-malawian-talent-missing-from-footballs-global-marketplace/) **Published:** September 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Following engagements with leading European football clubs, Malawian international sports executive James Woods examines why opportunities available to talent elsewhere in Africa remain difficult to establish in his home country** For Malawian international sports executive James Woods, one question has become increasingly difficult to ignore: why has it been easier to create international opportunities for footballers from other African markets than from Malawi? ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/20260926_153627-600x600.jpg)Woods Trials at Benfica, deals with Lyon: What’s holding Malawian football back?It’s a question informed by more than a decade in international football, spanning club investment, strategic partnerships, player development, commercial operations and sports diplomacy. Over recent weeks, Woods has travelled between England, Portugal, Sweden and Denmark, combining meetings with senior football executives and sporting directors with the practical work of introducing emerging African talent to European clubs. His activities have included accompanying players for trials at Benfica, facilitating opportunities with Olympique Lyonnais and presenting talent to Scandinavian clubs, alongside discussions with senior football figures in Spain, France, Belgium and Italy. His professional network extends to leading European football institutions, including clubs such as FC Barcelona. But beyond those relationships lies a more consequential question about how international football operates, and why Malawi has struggled to establish a stronger presence within it. Throughout his international career, Woods has worked extensively with athletes from West and East Africa, connecting emerging talent with established professional football networks. Operations in which he has held senior responsibilities have supported pathways into professional football across Europe, North America and Asia, including major leagues in England, Spain, France, Germany, China and Scandinavia. Their wider development networks have included footballers who subsequently represented their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup. Yet comparable opportunities involving Malawian talent have proved considerably harder to establish. **Why some African markets are progressing** The difference, Woods suggests, is not necessarily the quality of individual footballers. It is the environment surrounding them. International recruitment is a competitive business. European clubs require reliable player information, consistent development standards, competitive exposure and confidence in the institutions responsible for preparing young athletes for professional football. Markets with credible academies, professional management and established recruitment relationships are better positioned to attract international attention and investment. For Woods, working extensively with talent from West and East Africa has underlined the importance of those foundations. “Having worked with talented footballers from across Africa, I have seen what becomes possible when you have the right development structures, investment and international relationships. “Naturally, I want to see more Malawian players accessing those same opportunities. The challenge is understanding what is preventing us from achieving that consistently,” he said. His European engagements have provided further opportunities to explore recruitment requirements, development models and longer-term institutional relationships. The distinction between arranging an overseas trial and establishing a functioning international pathway is particularly important, he argues: a trial may create an opportunity for one footballer, while an established relationship between credible institutions can create opportunities over successive generations. That, he says, is where the commercial potential lies. **The challenge closer to home** Malawi’s difficulties in establishing a stronger international football presence are not new. In June 2024, *The Nation* reported a decline in the number of Malawian footballers playing professionally in Europe, highlighting concerns about development structures and international exposure. The country has since pursued initiatives to strengthen youth development, including the Football Association’s Luwinga Inclusive Academy. The question is how such initiatives can connect with international recruitment networks and attract sustained commercial investment. Woods’ experience offers a perspective on that challenge. As a Malawian operating within international football, he has established professional relationships and worked with development models that have supported opportunities elsewhere on the continent. His previous involvement in Malawi also demonstrates that international sporting relationships can deliver results beyond the pitch. In 2023, Woods spearheaded the initiative that placed Malawi’s tourism brand on the shirts of Spanish professional club CD Leganés, connecting international football with the country’s wider commercial and promotional ambitions, an agreement publicly confirmed by the club. But establishing a football development industry requires something different from delivering an individual commercial project. It demands sustained investment, credible local partners and institutions capable of meeting international professional standards. **Bringing international opportunities home** For Woods, contributing more extensively to Malawi remains an important ambition. His work with African athletes and international football institutions has demonstrated what established development networks can achieve. The question is how Malawi might create an environment in which comparable relationships become commercially viable. “Malawi is home. I have spent years building relationships and working internationally, and I would welcome the opportunity to see more of that experience benefit Malawian football. But it has to be approached professionally. We need to understand the obstacles, identify credible partners and create an environment where serious investment and long-term relationships can succeed,” he said. That, he suggests, would require collaboration between domestic football institutions, private investors and professionals with established international experience. It would also mean looking beyond individual transfers towards organisations capable of identifying talent, preparing footballers for international competition and participating commercially in their progression. For Woods, the contrast between his extensive work with athletes from other African markets and the more limited opportunities he has developed in Malawi remains a compelling reason to examine what needs to change. His recent European engagements demonstrate the international networks available to experienced African football executives. The unanswered question is what it will take for more Malawian footballers and domestic institutions to become part of them. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260926-WA0007-474x600.jpg)James Woods: Malawi needs ‘credible partners’ to unlock football’s global market Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports --- ### [Sparc Systems Limited crowned ICT Company of the Year at TICON Africa 2026 Awards](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sparc-systems-limited-crowned-ict-company-of-the-year-at-ticon-africa-2026-awards/) **Published:** September 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Sparc Systems Limited has been crowned ICT Company of the Year at the prestigious Technology Information Confederation (TICON) Africa 2026 Excellence Awards. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260926-WA0013-452x600.jpg)“Malawi’s Sparc Systems named ICT Company of the Year in Zambia”The award was presented during an exclusive Awards Gala Evening held on Thursday, September 24, alongside the 4th Annual TICON Africa Conference in Livingstone, Zambia. TICON Africa is a Pan-African body advancing ICT, collaboration and professional standards across the continent, with its awards honouring individuals and organisations driving Africa’s digital growth through visionary leadership and impactful innovation. After a rigorous vetting and adjudication process conducted by an independent panel of judges, Sparc Systems Limited emerged victorious, distinguishing itself within a highly competitive continental field. Its Managing Director, Wisely Phiri, was also nominated as a finalist for the prestigious TICON ICT Professional of the Year Award. The award caps off a landmark year for Sparc Systems Limited, which also saw its leadership recognised across regional industry forums and corporate awards in Southern Africa. Reacting to the development, Senior Brand Awareness and Digital Marketing Executive at Sparc Systems Limited, Alice Satela, told *Nyasa Times* it felt good to be recognised in that manner, saying it was an indication that the Malawian firm was serving Africa well. “This win is all about our clients and partners. Their trust is what drives us every day. We are beyond proud to show what passionate, home-grown African technological leadership can do,” she said. Sparc Systems Limited is a leading Pan-African ICT systems integrator and enterprise provider. With physical operations in Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Mozambique, Sparc Systems delivers enterprise-grade IT infrastructure, cloud solutions, cyber security, software development, data centre managed services and technical training to over 150 enterprise, financial and public sector clients across the African continent. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260926-WA0014-450x600.jpg)“Malawian tech firm Sparc Systems wins top ICT award at TICON Africa”![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260926-WA0012-490x600.jpg)Sparc Systems caps landmark year with continental ICT award win Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News --- ### [20 scholarships up for grabs as Magodi School welcomes former Sunderland player](https://www.nyasatimes.com/20-scholarships-up-for-grabs-as-magodi-school-welcomes-former-sunderland-player/) **Published:** September 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A private school in Lilongwe has announced plans to award full secondary school scholarships to 20 underprivileged pupils from across Malawi this year. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0030-450x600.jpg)Ex-Sunderland star visits Magodi School as scholarship scheme launchesMagodi Christian Private School’s director, William Madhlopa, made the announcement during a visit by former Sunderland footballer Al Johnson, who donated football kit to learners at the school and performed a football juggling display for pupils. “Privately owned schools can further contribute towards the growth of education standards by also giving less privileged students across the country education space and scholarships,” Madhlopa said. Johnson, who turned to football freestyling and sports evangelism after a serious injury ended his professional playing career at the age of 16 while at Sunderland, said his aim was to encourage talented young people to put their faith first. Since turning professional as a freestyler, Johnson has performed half-time and pre-match shows for clubs including Manchester City, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Hull City and Motherwell. He is regularly involved in school health weeks and church events across Europe and Africa. Prospective candidates for the Malawi scholarships will need to apply, with shortlisted learners due to be announced by the end of October 2026. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0029-600x450.jpg)Magodi School partners with football freestyler to boost education access Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Scholarships --- ### ['Long live Mutharika' — Malawi VP Ansah praises president during Nkhotakota donation drive"](https://www.nyasatimes.com/long-live-mutharika-malawi-vp-ansah-praises-president-during-nkhotakota-donation-drive/) **Published:** September 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Vice President Dr Jane Ansah has publicly thanked President Peter Mutharika for choosing her as his running mate in the 2025 elections, showering him with praise as she reflected on becoming the country’s second-in-command. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790414697099-600x420.jpg)God bless him for long life’ — Malawi’s Vice President Jane Ansah heaps praise on Mutharika as she thanks him for making her second-in-commandSpeaking during a charitable visit, the Vice President — who also serves as a Bishop at her church — expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the President, declaring “long live Mutharika” as she thanked him for the opportunity to serve in one of the nation’s highest offices. Ansah didn’t hold back in her praise for the veteran leader, offering him a blessing rooted in her own faith, wishing him “God bless him for long life.” The Vice President made her comments while donating essential items to vulnerable communities in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota District, through the Jane Ansah Foundation, an initiative she says is close to her heart. During the visit, Ansah encouraged Malawians to remain determined and work towards becoming independent and self-sustaining, urging communities to form cooperatives and groups so they could receive assistance in building sustainable livelihoods. “We have asked them to form cooperatives and groups, and they should be assisted, to become independent, self-sustaining. Because these people come from families so that they can also support the households,” Ansah said. “We will assist them with everything, whether it’s farming, we’ll assist them with seed and fertiliser, as we did in Rumphi,” she added. The Jane Ansah Foundation donated 400 bags of maize, alongside blankets, soya pieces, bicycles and other essential supplies to vulnerable groups in the area — support Ansah said reflected her broader commitment to helping those facing difficult circumstances. She went on to express her gratitude to President Mutharika directly, thanking him for appointing her as his deputy, a role she said has enabled her to reach and assist vulnerable communities right across Malawi. Local leaders welcomed the Vice President’s visit warmly. Senior Chief Kanyenda applauded Ansah for visiting his area and providing timely relief items, saying the assistance had arrived at exactly the right moment for communities still recovering from recent hardship. Member of Parliament for Nkhunga Constituency, Dorothy Chikonje, also thanked the Vice President for the donation, noting that many elderly people, people with physical disabilities, people of short stature and people with albinism in the area had been struggling with hunger following floods experienced during the last rainy season. The Jane Ansah Foundation says its mission is to empower and improve the lives of socioeconomically disadvantaged and marginalised people, including orphaned children, vulnerable families, the elderly, persons living with disabilities, and people with albinism, through sustainable support and empowerment programmes. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790414653434-2-600x450.jpg)God bless him for long life’ — Malawi’s Vice President Jane Ansah heaps praise on Mutharika as she thanks him for making her second-in-command Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics --- ### [Analysis: Malawi's silent stroke crisis is a warning the health system cannot afford to ignore](https://www.nyasatimes.com/analysis-malawis-silent-stroke-crisis-is-a-warning-the-health-system-cannot-afford-to-ignore/) **Published:** September 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A new international study, published this month in the journal Neurology, has found that strokes among young adults have nearly doubled globally over the past three decades, driven largely by ischemic strokes caused by blocked blood flow to the brain. The research was carried out in the United States. But Malawian health experts are warning, with some urgency, that the country should not assume it is watching from a safe distance. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2025-11-30-at-11.02.58_78a983aa-600x600.jpg)Masamba: Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, delivered a scathing assessment of government’s historic failure to prioritise non-communicable diseases Malawi has no dedicated national statistics tracking stroke incidence, a gap that itself says something about how far the condition has sat outside the country’s public health priorities. Yet Bright Chimatiro, Executive Secretary of the Stroke Support Organisation Malawi (SSO-Malawi), says the signs of an increase are already visible on the ground, even without the data to quantify it precisely. What makes this significant is the underlying driver both globally and, increasingly, locally: hypertension. Chimatiro describes high blood pressure as the single most important risk factor for stroke, working by placing continuous, excessive force against blood vessels until, in the most severe cases, one ruptures, causing a hemorrhagic stroke. It is a slow, largely invisible process, one that produces no obvious symptoms until the damage is already done, which is precisely what makes it so dangerous at a population level. Chimatiro’s explanation of why Malawi may be particularly exposed is worth taking seriously. He points to a severe lack of public awareness around hypertension, compounded by dietary patterns, sugary and fizzy drinks given to children from a young age, and alcohol consumption among young people who have little understanding of how it compounds their risk. Add to that the pressures of modern life, and the ingredients for a rising hypertension burden are largely in place, quietly, before anyone notices. There is a genuine bright spot in the research: more people worldwide are now surviving strokes than in previous decades. But survival is not the same as recovery, and Chimatiro is careful to flag the less celebrated consequence of that trend, survivors require ongoing care and rehabilitation, support that is expensive and, in Malawi’s case, unevenly available. The newly established Stroke Unit at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital represents real progress, but Chimatiro’s own assessment is candid: the problem extends well beyond central hospitals, into communities where rehabilitation infrastructure barely exists. This is where the conversation moves from clinical to political. Anthony Masamba, MP for Mchinji North East and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, offers a blunt diagnosis of his own: non-communicable diseases, of which stroke and hypertension are prime examples, have simply never had a budget line. “There has never been budgetary allocation for the NCDs,” he says, explaining why his committee has been pushing for the Public Health Act to be reviewed and passed. That the new Act proposes to formally recognise NCDs and allocate budget toward them is a meaningful, if overdue, shift, and Masamba’s confirmation that it will be tabled in the next parliamentary sitting is worth watching closely. Alongside it, a Food and Nutrition Bill addressing lifestyle and dietary drivers of disease is also reportedly moving through the pipeline via engagement with the Ministry of Health. None of this guarantees quick results. Legislation takes time to translate into functioning services, particularly rehabilitation capacity outside major hospitals, and awareness campaigns take longer still to shift entrenched habits around diet and alcohol. But the World Health Organization’s own assessment, that the great majority of global stroke burden traces back to a manageable list of factors including high blood pressure, smoking, poor diet and high blood glucose, is a reminder that this is substantially a preventable crisis rather than an inevitable one. Malawi’s challenge now is less about diagnosing the problem, which its own health advocates have done clearly, and more about whether the political and financial commitment implied by the pending Public Health Act translates into the screening, awareness campaigns and rehabilitation services that a rising tide of young stroke patients will need. *This article discusses a health condition that can be serious or life-threatening. Readers concerned about their blood pressure or stroke risk should consult a qualified healthcare professional.* Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, National **Tags:** Blood Pressure, non-communicable diseases --- ### [Joyce Banda honoured with two international awards at UN General Assembly in New York](https://www.nyasatimes.com/joyce-banda-honoured-with-two-international-awards-at-un-general-assembly-in-new-york/) **Published:** September 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s fourth president, Dr Joyce Banda, received two international awards on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, in recognition of her work on women’s leadership and access to higher education. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0035-600x277.jpg)Joyce Banda Takes Centre Stage in New York With Two International AwardsThe awards were presented at separate ceremonies on Wednesday, 24 September, held at 777 United Nations Plaza and the 959 Residents Lounge. Banda, who remains Malawi’s only female head of state to date, was recognised as a trailblazer in African politics and champion for women’s rights and social justice. Justina Mutale, one of the event’s organisers, praised what she described as Banda’s transformative leadership, citing her commitment to empowering marginalised communities and addressing issues including poverty, education and healthcare. In her acceptance remarks, Banda said the recognition reflected more than four decades of work. “I accept the Awards with profound humility and gratitude, and that for me they signify a great recognition of the work I have been doing for over four decades, work rooted in a simple belief that we must uplift the poor, empower women, and give young people a chance to dream,” she said. At a second ceremony, Banda was presented with the SOS Global Servant, Leader for Peace Award, recognising her contribution to advancing higher education opportunities for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as artificial intelligence and business administration. The award relates to work carried out through the Joyce Banda Foundation International, which, in partnership with the Nekotech Foundation, has sponsored 31 Malawians to complete master’s degrees in the United States. The foundation has said it now intends to expand the scheme to support 100 students pursuing science-related postgraduate qualifications. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0033-2-600x277.jpg)New York Salutes Joyce Banda With Two International Awards![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0042-1-600x277.jpg)Two Awards, One Global Icon: Joyce Banda Honoured at UN General Assembly![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0031-600x277.jpg)Global Spotlight on Joyce Banda as She Receives Two International Awards Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National --- ### [Malawi's beauty boom sparks fresh safety warnings over dodgy WhatsApp sellers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-beauty-boom-sparks-fresh-safety-warnings-over-dodgy-whatsapp-sellers/) **Published:** September 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790373655327-1-450x600.jpg)Pauline Chilemba of Leen Luxe Skin revealed the extensive behind-the-scenes checks retailers must carry out when they don’t manufacture products themselvesMalawi’s booming skincare industry is facing mounting calls for tighter safety standards, as beauty brands and pharmacists warn that consumers, particularly those with sensitive skin, could be putting themselves at risk without proper quality checks and professional guidance. As the market for lotions, creams and organic treatments continues to explode across the country, industry insiders are sounding the alarm over the need for rigorous formulation standards, thorough safety testing, and expert medical advice before products ever reach consumers’ bathroom shelves. Innocent Chima of Bloom Organic Products stressed that precision, not guesswork, must be the foundation of every product hitting the market. “Organic products rely on exact maths rather than guesswork during formulation. To keep things safe and consistent, we need to calculate every oil with a strict safety buffer,” he explained. Meanwhile, Pauline Chilemba of Leen Luxe Skin revealed the extensive behind-the-scenes checks retailers must carry out when they don’t manufacture products themselves, insisting trust in suppliers simply isn’t enough on its own. “Because we do not manufacture the products ourselves, we rely on trusted suppliers and perform thorough checks on products, packaging ingredients and labelling expiry dates before selling,” Chilemba said. She added that customer feedback plays a crucial role too, with her business actively educating shoppers on correct product use and urging them to speak up immediately if anything goes wrong. But it was PharmaPrime Pharmacy’s William Mpute who issued perhaps the most pointed warning, urging consumers to think twice before falling for heavily hyped skincare products flooding social media feeds. “Before using products aggressively pushed by individual sellers on WhatsApp or other social media, consumers ought to consult a skin specialist or qualified health practitioner,” Mpute warned. He went further, cautioning shoppers against buying skincare products from unauthorised vendors or unverified sources altogether, highlighting the serious risks posed by counterfeit goods and dangerous, mismatched ingredients that could wreak havoc on unsuspecting skin. With Malawi’s beauty market showing no signs of slowing down, experts are united in their message: convenience should never come at the expense of safety when it comes to what consumers put on their skin. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National --- ### [Kamkwalala named acting Chief Elections Officer at Malawi Electoral Commission](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kamkwalala-named-acting-chief-elections-officer-at-malawi-electoral-commission/) **Published:** September 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s electoral body has moved swiftly to fill a leadership void, appointing Andrew Kamkwalala as Acting Chief Elections Officer, just weeks after his predecessor Andrew Mpesi dramatically resigned from the top post.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790373024445-2-600x600.jpg) The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) confirmed the appointment in a statement signed by Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, following Mpesi’s resignation from the position on 21 August 2026. Kamkwalala steps up from his role as Deputy Chief Elections Officer responsible for finance and administration, a position he has held since joining the commission back in 2022, giving him deep institutional knowledge as he takes the reins during this critical transition. Justice Mtalimanja has now called on stakeholders across the political and civic spectrum to rally behind Kamkwalala and offer him their full support, as the electoral body works urgently behind the scenes to permanently fill the vacant top position. The appointment comes at a sensitive time for MEC, which is already grappling with mounting internal pressures ahead of crucial by-elections and the looming 2030 general election. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Kamkwalala --- ### ['Chi m'bulu' crackdown: Malawi  pesticide regulator suspends imports of deadly rat poison"](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chi-mbulu-crackdown-malawi-pesticide-regulator-suspends-imports-of-deadly-rat-poison/) **Published:** September 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s pesticide regulator has taken the dramatic step of suspending import licences for a highly toxic chemical widely used to protect maize and kill rats, following alarming reports of misuse that have put lives at risk across the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790373941187-600x450.jpg)“Malawi locks down ‘chi m’bulu’ supply chain after poisoning deaths fearedThe Pesticides Control Board (PCB) confirmed it had suspended licences for the importation of aluminium phosphide, commonly known locally as ‘chi m’bulu’, citing significant dangers including accidental poisoning, occupational exposure, and even cases of intentional self-poisoning. PCB board chairperson Dr Victor Madhlopa made the explosive announcement at a media briefing at the institution’s headquarters in Bvumbwe, declaring the crackdown had become unavoidable given the scale of misuse being uncovered. “A comprehensive, rigorous review has been initiated. Moving forward, we are establishing a strictly controlled gateway into the country. This chemical will feature locked-down distribution pipelines,” Dr Madhlopa said. In an unequivocal warning to those hoping to exploit loopholes, he added: “Its application will be restricted exclusively to large-scale, authorised, and certified grain dealers who have undergone verified professional training. The days of open-market access are over.” PCB registrar James Kaphale further revealed the extent of the danger posed by the chemical, confirming that aluminium phosphide is classified as a highly hazardous, restricted pesticide, meant only for sale to and use by certified applicators. But despite those existing controls, Kaphale admitted the substance had alarmingly found its way into both formal and informal markets, with disturbing reports of illegal sale, diversion, decanting, repackaging, and handling by completely untrained individuals. Kaphale said the crisis demanded a fundamental shift away from Malawi’s previous reliance on licensing and periodic inspections, calling instead for a rigorous, targeted supply-chain control system capable of tracing every single movement of the deadly chemical, from the moment it enters the country to its final point of use. The sweeping new measures mark one of the most significant regulatory crackdowns on a widely used agricultural pesticide in recent years, as authorities scramble to close the net on a chemical that has proven far easier to misuse than to control. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National --- ### ["Malawi Revenue Authority strengthens trade partnership with new AEO licences](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-revenue-authority-strengthens-trade-partnership-with-new-aeo-licences/) **Published:** September 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has awarded Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) licences to seven new operators, as part of efforts to facilitate legitimate trade and strengthen compliance with customs requirements. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790374112622-600x401.jpg)“Businesses hail efficiency gains as MRA expands Authorised Economic Operator programme”Speaking during an AEO Stakeholder Meeting in Blantyre, MRA Commissioner General Felix Tambulasi said the programme represents an important partnership between the Authority and the business community. “This partnership is built on trust and compliance and a shared interest in making legitimate trade more efficient, predictable and secure,” he said. According to Tambulasi, the programme enables MRA to facilitate compliant businesses while strengthening its management of customs risks, with operators benefiting from greater predictability and efficiency in the movement of goods. “I am pleased that this initiative has grown to 22 operators, comprising 19 importers and three exporters. This growth demonstrates the value that businesses place on the programme and the confidence that has been built between MRA and participating operators,” he said. While awarding the new operators, Tambulasi urged existing AEOs to continue maintaining high compliance standards, including accurate declarations, adherence to customs requirements and timely payment of government revenue. MRA Commissioner of Customs and Excise Patrick Kachingwe said AEO status provides compliant importers and exporters with simplified customs procedures, including reduced controls on their goods and more flexible arrangements for settling customs taxes. “Because they are trusted players in the supply chain, we apply minimal controls on their goods. In some cases, their goods are not subjected to the same level of examination that normally applies to other importers,” Kachingwe said. He said the programme, which was initiated in 2018, continues to strengthen collaboration between MRA and the business community by facilitating efficient trade and promoting compliance with customs requirements. Speaking on behalf of the operators, CFAO Mobility Risk and Governance Manager Sylvia Lwinga said the company had benefited significantly from being an AEO, including receiving priority treatment when its cargo arrives at ports, with assigned officers helping to ensure efficient processing. “Before participating in this programme, it would take significant time to process cars and get them to our customers. “However, since becoming part of this initiative, we have benefited significantly and are now able to reach our customers more effectively,” she said. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790374117533-600x308.jpg)“MRA grows AEO programme to 22 operators as trust with business community builds” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** Malawi Revenue Authority --- ### [Poor attendance overshadows Malawi's winning start to Afcon qualifying](https://www.nyasatimes.com/poor-attendance-overshadows-malawis-winning-start-to-afcon-qualifying/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Flames opened their TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over South Sudan on Friday night — but the celebrations were tempered by a strikingly poor turnout at the magnificent Bingu National Stadium, with vast sections of the 40,000-capacity venue left conspicuously empty. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790366575484-600x600.jpg)“Empty seats at Bingu Stadium despite Malawi’s win over South Sudan”The clash, played under the floodlights on a Friday evening straight after the working week, saw both Malawi and South Sudan eager to kickstart their qualifying campaigns on a winning note. In the end, it was the hosts who came out on top, edging a tense encounter 2-1. But rather than a packed, roaring stadium befitting such a crucial fixture, supporters were left scattered thinly across the stands, with the disappointing attendance sparking fresh concern among football followers about the national side’s ability to draw crowds. Some observers have been quick to link the underwhelming numbers to the Flames’ recent inconsistent form, suggesting fans may be growing increasingly reluctant to turn up in force until the team proves it can deliver results on a more regular basis. Despite playing in front of a half-empty stadium, Malawi’s players still had a job to do — and they duly delivered for those supporters who did make the effort to travel to Bingu National Stadium, securing a vital three points to open their qualifying account. With qualification for next year’s tournament very much on the line, Malawi will now be hoping that Friday’s victory can serve as the spark needed to reignite genuine enthusiasm among the wider fanbase — and convince far bigger crowds to fill Bingu National Stadium as the Flames continue their qualifying push in the fixtures still to come. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports --- ### [Malawi beat South Sudan 2-1 to open Afcon qualifying campaign](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-beat-south-sudan-2-1-to-open-afcon-qualifying-campaign/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi began their TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over South Sudan at Bingu National Stadium on Friday night. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0026-600x600.jpg)Flames man skips past a South Sudan challenge on his way to victory at Bingu National StadiumBabatunde Adepoju gave the Flames an early lead in the 19th minute, but South Sudan levelled almost immediately after the restart, capitalising on a mix-up in the Malawi defence to equalise in the 46th minute. Lloyd Njaliwa restored Malawi’s advantage in the 65th minute, and although both sides created further chances as the game opened up, neither could add to the scoreline. Malawi coach Kalisto Pasuwa made several changes as the match progressed, bringing on Wisdom Mpinganjira, Francisco Madinga and Ephraim Kondowe for Chifundo Mphasi, Patrick Mwaungulu and goalscorer Adepoju, adding fresh energy going forward. Late substitutions saw Yankho Singo and Adel Kaduya replace Gaddie Chirwa and Blessings Singini as Malawi shored up their defensive shape to see out the win. The result gives Malawi maximum points from their opening qualifier. They will next travel to Angola for an away fixture in ten days’ time. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790366585458-600x450.jpg)Pure joy in the stands as Malawi fans celebrate a winning start to their Afcon qualifying campaign Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** Malawi Flames, South Sudan --- ### [Chaponda secured $150m for Malawi education while Netanyahu addressed UN"](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chaponda-secured-150m-for-malawi-education-while-netanyahu-addressed-un/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr George Chaponda, was not in fact present in the UN General Assembly hall during Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial address, his office has revealed — directly contradicting earlier reports and viral social media claims suggesting he had remained seated while dozens of delegations staged a dramatic walkout. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789745308026-e1789745831369-600x445.jpg)Chaponda was NOT in UN hall during Netanyahu speech — was securing $150m education deal insteadAccording to Chaponda’s personal assistant, the minister was instead engaged in crucial bilateral talks with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) at the exact moment the Israeli prime minister, along with other speakers, addressed the assembly. The clarification comes after images circulating widely on social media appeared to show the minister seated in the chamber, sparking a wave of commentary questioning why Malawi’s delegation had not joined the mass protest walkout that saw dozens of countries exit the hall. But Chaponda’s office insists the minister was nowhere near the assembly floor at the time, having instead prioritised a high-level meeting with the GPE — an international body chaired by former Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete, which has played a significant role supporting foundational education initiatives across Malawi. And the meeting proved anything but a routine diplomatic engagement. According to the minister’s office, Malawi walked away from the talks having secured a staggering $150 million in funding to extend GPE-backed education projects in the country through to 2029 — a major financial win that could prove transformative for Malawi’s education sector in the years ahead. The revelation raises fresh questions over the accuracy of the earlier reports and the images that fuelled speculation about the minister’s whereabouts during Netanyahu’s address. It also puts Malawi’s diplomatic priorities at the UN General Assembly into sharper focus, suggesting officials were instead focused on securing tangible development gains for the country rather than making a symbolic stand inside the assembly hall. *Nyasa Times* has approached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for further comment and clarification on the sequence of events, and will provide updates as more details emerge. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics --- ### [Not crazy! Duma's friend vouches for ‘bulletproof’ witness in Chilima plane crash probe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/not-crazy-dumas-friend-vouches-for-bulletproof-witness-in-chilima-plane-crash-probe/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A close friend of Ephraim Duma—the witness who stunned the Chikangawa plane-crash inquiry by claiming he saw former Vice-President Saulos Chilima calling for help from the doomed aircraft—has revealed that he encouraged Duma to step forward. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790347355036-1-600x512.jpg)8 Discover: Friend Urged Witness Who Claimed Chilima Called for Help to Come Forward​Appearing before the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee investigating the crash, the friend, identified as Munthali, said he has known Duma since 2019 when they lived near each other in Dwangwa. ​Defending Duma’s credibility, Munthali told committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu that Duma was mentally sound and a established entrepreneur. He detailed Duma’s ventures, noting he owned a cement shop, a grocery store, a clothing outlet, a minibus, a motorcycle, and a house, which he sold to relocate operations to Lilongwe. ​Munthali’s testimony aims to bolster one of the most sensational accounts presented to the panel. Duma previously testified that while returning from purchasing a motorcycle in Ekwendeni, he saw the Malawi Defence Force aircraft pause in mid-air. He claimed Chilima appeared at the door in a black suit, white shirt, and red tie, calling for help before the plane flew toward the hills. ​Duma further alleged that after following the aircraft with two others, they encountered armed foreign men who pursued them. He claimed one companion was killed and that he was shot three times in the back, surviving only because magical powers rendered him bulletproof. ​Despite the extraordinary nature of these assertions, Munthali maintained that his long-time friend was fully sane when he urged him to present his account. ​The committee continues to review witness statements and physical evidence to reconstruct the events surrounding the Chikangawa Forest crash, which claimed the lives of Vice-President Chilima and eight others. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics --- ### [Malawi Queens to play for bronze after semi-final defeat to South Africa](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-queens-to-play-for-bronze-after-semi-final-defeat-to-south-africa/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Queens beaten by South Africa in Africa Netball Cup semi-final Malawi’s Queens have missed out on a place in the Africa Netball Cup final after a 62-46 defeat to South Africa in their semi-final in Nairobi. The Queens started well, matching South Africa throughout the first quarter as the sides finished level at 14-14. South Africa began to take control in the second quarter, opening up a four-goal lead to go into half-time 29-25 ahead. The gap widened further in the third quarter as South Africa extended their advantage to 44-35, and despite Malawi’s efforts to respond, they were unable to significantly close the gap in the final period. South Africa held firm through the closing stages to seal a 62-46 win and book their place in the final. Malawi will now play in the bronze-medal match, facing the loser of the other semi-final between Uganda and Namibia as they look to finish the tournament on the podium. Despite the semi-final defeat, Malawi have already secured an important outcome from the tournament – their run to the semi-finals has confirmed their place at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0016-600x400.jpg)Malawi secure World Cup spot despite Africa Netball Cup semi-final lossThe Queens will now be looking to end their campaign with a third-place finish, while using the tournament as a building block ahead of their return to the global stage next year. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports --- ### [Prophet Kambale's Life International Church marks a decade with groundbreaking ceremony](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-kambales-life-international-church-marks-a-decade-with-groundbreaking-ceremony/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a particular kind of energy that builds around a church anniversary when the milestone is not simply looking backwards but breaking ground on something new. That was the atmosphere at Mbinzi Secondary School Hall in Area 3, Lilongwe, where Life International Church (LIC), founded by Prophet Amos Kambale, marked a decade of ministry with a two-day Total Transformation Conference that doubled as the launch of its next chapter altogether. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0011-600x400.jpg)Zimbabwean prophet leads groundbreaking for new Malawi church complexThe celebration, held on 12 and 13 September, drew a crowd large enough to test the limits of the venue. By the second day, the hall had reached capacity, with worshippers spilling outside into tents, onto plastic chairs arranged in the courtyard, and, for the truly committed, straight onto the ground — a fair indication of how far the church’s reach now extends, ten years after its founding in 2016. Fittingly, the anniversary was more than a retrospective. Roughly 150 metres from the school hall, on land the church already owns in Area 3, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for what will become LIC’s first permanent complex, a structure designed to eventually seat some 2,000 worshippers. It is the kind of ambition that tends to accompany a ministry entering its second decade with confidence rather than caution. The task of turning the first sod fell to a notable visitor: Prophet Prime Kufa of Zimbabwe, closely associated with Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa, who is himself regarded as Prophet Kambale’s spiritual father. Kufa’s presence was treated as an occasion in its own right. His arrival at Kamuzu International Airport on 11 September was met with a police band and escort, a welcome that signalled just how much weight the church placed on his visit. Kufa made clear he had travelled to Malawi as an envoy, standing in for Prophet Makandiwa, who he said could not, under any circumstances, allow the milestone to pass unmarked. Over the two days, Kufa did more than perform ceremonial duties. He led the groundbreaking, joined Kambale and his wife in cutting the anniversary cake, and ministered throughout the conference, with messages centred on spiritual growth, transformation and what he described as the power of God to bring freedom into people’s lives — financial freedom included. That theme, Total Transformation, ran through the entire gathering, reflecting the strand of ministry Kambale has built his reputation on: teaching grounded in the Word, prophetic ministry, healing and miracles, alongside a consistent emphasis on faith and financial empowerment. For a congregation that began a decade ago, the past two days offered a moment to pause and take stock of what has been built. But with the ground now broken on a structure meant to carry the church into its next phase, the anniversary read less like a conclusion than an opening chapter, one the congregation, judging by the crowds spilling out of the hall, seems fully invested in following. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0013-600x400.jpg)Hall overflows as Prophet Kambale’s church celebrates a decade — with groundbreaking for 2,000-seat complex![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0008-534x600.jpg) ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0009-600x304.jpg)Worshippers pack out venue as prophet’s church marks 10 years with dramatic new church build![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0014-600x400.jpg)“From Ten Years to the Next: Prophet Kambale Breaks Ground on New Church Complex” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National --- ### [Taekwondo Association of Malawi to hold awareness games in Blantyre](https://www.nyasatimes.com/taekwondo-association-of-malawi-to-hold-awareness-games-in-blantyre/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Taekwondo Association of Malawi (TAM) has organised awareness games to take place on Saturday, 26 September, at Chichiri Shopping Mall car park from 9am to 12:30pm. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0003-600x558.jpg)Taekwondo body showcases ‘more than a combat sport’ at Blantyre event”Held under the theme “Taekwondo: More than a Combat Sport – Building Discipline, Respect and Character”, the event will showcase different dimensions of Taekwondo, including demonstrations, fighting, youth activities and disability-inclusive activities. The event will bring together guests from the sports fraternity, government, Blantyre City, traditional leaders, sponsors and potential partners, all coming together to celebrate Taekwondo and its contribution to communities. TAM President Major Louis Msukwa told Nyasa Times the general public is invited to attend the event. “Parents, young people, schools, sports lovers and the general public should come and have a rare and exciting feel of Taekwondo beyond the competition arena. They will discover why Taekwondo is more than a combat sport,” said Major Msukwa. In July this year, TAM launched a charity outreach programme in Salima, combining sport with community service in support of vulnerable members of society, particularly the elderly. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0002-600x400.jpg)Malawi Taekwondo Association hosts community awareness games this Saturday Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports --- ### [Analysis: Malawi's election body is under strain — and the timing could not be worse](https://www.nyasatimes.com/analysis-malawis-election-body-is-under-strain-and-the-timing-could-not-be-worse/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is facing mounting internal pressure over a contested relocation to Blantyre, alongside a string of other grievances that its own staff union says risk undermining confidence in the body just as it prepares for crucial by-elections and the 2030 general election. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/mtalimanja-1-600x363.jpg)Mtalimanja: Malawi Electoral Commission faces pressure over relocationAt issue is President Peter Mutharika’s October 2025 executive order directing MEC, along with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority and the Malawi Housing Corporation, to relocate their headquarters from Lilongwe back to Blantyre. The Malawi Prisons Service was separately ordered to return to Zomba. MEC initially moved to Lilongwe in June 2023 to bring the commission closer to the seat of government. The union representing MEC staff has demanded a meeting with the full commission within seven days, citing a list of unresolved concerns: the relocation itself, uncertainty over the lease for Chisankho House in Lilongwe’s City Centre, the sealed Njewa warehouse, the arrest of senior officials, and what staff describe as strained relations between the commission and Capital Hill. In a letter dated 21 September 2026, addressed to MEC chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja and copied to all commissioners, the union said the chairperson’s 8 September response had failed to adequately address employees’ concerns or provide clear commitments on outstanding matters. “Staff further noted the absence of clear commitments and practical measures to resolve the issues presented,” the letter reads. For her part, Mtalimanja, a High Court judge, said in her 8 September response that MEC had sought clarification on whether the President’s directive amounted to unlawful interference with the commission’s constitutional independence. She said MEC would continue operating from Lilongwe until the matter is resolved by the courts. The dispute is not confined to staff grievances. It also touches on the future of Chisankho House itself, where MEC remains despite the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development’s involvement in the relocation question — leaving the commission’s physical presence in Lilongwe, like its institutional footing, in a state of limbo. MEC’s director of media and public relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, said matters raised by employees or their representatives would be handled through the appropriate institutional channels, calling for resolution through constructive dialogue, mutual respect and established processes. But the unease extends beyond MEC’s own staff. Boniface Chibwana, executive director of the Institute for Multiparty Democracy, warned that the situation could affect public confidence in the commission as it prepares for forthcoming by-elections and the 2030 general election — a concern echoed by Civil Society Elections Integrity Platform chairperson Benedicto Kondowe, who said staff demands needed to be taken seriously before internal grievances begin to affect MEC’s constitutional mandate. Gift Sambo, an expert in electoral and legislative politics at the University of Malawi, went further, calling for legal and institutional mechanisms to be put in place specifically to insulate MEC from what he described as unnecessary interference from political actors. That framing gets to the heart of why this dispute matters beyond questions of office space and staff morale. An electoral commission’s credibility rests substantially on its perceived independence from the executive. A relocation order issued by presidential directive, contested by the commission’s own chairperson on constitutional grounds, and now compounded by unresolved staff grievances, risks becoming a live illustration of exactly the kind of interference commentators like Sambo are warning against — regardless of the government’s stated rationale for the move. Whether the courts ultimately side with MEC’s reading of its constitutional independence, or with the executive’s authority to direct the location of public institutions, the practical cost is already being felt inside the commission: unresolved leases, sealed warehouses, arrested officials and a workforce that says it has not been given clear answers. With by-elections looming and the 2030 general election on the horizon, Malawi’s electoral body can ill afford to spend the intervening years distracted by a fight over its own address. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** democracy, Malawi Electoral Commission --- ### [Chaponda stayed put as Malawi skips UN walkout on Netanyahu](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chaponda-stayed-put-as-malawi-skips-un-walkout-on-netanyahu/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr George Chaponda, stayed in the chamber for the duration of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address, even as delegations from a number of other countries walked out in protest. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260925_044531_Facebook-600x295.jpg)Chaponda remains in chamber as countries stage walkout during Netanyahu addressNetanyahu faced a starkly divided hall as he took to the podium, with large sections of the chamber emptying out shortly after he began speaking. According to reports, delegations from dozens of countries – spanning the Arab world, Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and Oceania – took part in the walkout, amid continuing international criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Malawi was not among them. Images shared online show Chaponda seated in the assembly hall throughout Netanyahu’s roughly 40-minute address, as the Israeli prime minister continued speaking to a visibly emptier chamber. The walkout followed days of discussion at the UN on the situation in Gaza, with several nations having already moved to formally recognise Palestinian statehood ahead of Netanyahu’s address. Only a small number of delegations, including that of the United States, remained fully seated for the duration of the speech, according to reports from the assembly. Malawi’s government has not issued a statement explaining the delegation’s decision to remain in the hall, and it is not clear whether this reflected a specific diplomatic position. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics --- ### [Wycliffe Chimwendo teams up with gospel greats for December comeback show](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wycliffe-chimwendo-teams-up-with-gospel-greats-for-december-comeback-show/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Beloved gospel star Wycliffe Chimwendo is gearing up for a triumphant comeback after time away from the spotlight, with the Blantyre-based singer set to mark an incredible 30 years in music with a lavish celebration later this year. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790303481852-480x600.jpg)‘I feel energized to make this comeback’ — Gospel legend Chimwendo set for dazzling return with star-studded 30th anniversary bashThe hitmaker behind smash tracks “Total Lie” and “Afafaniza” revealed he is “reeling to go” and preparing to unleash a wave of brand new music, alongside a string of live performances designed to remind fans exactly why he became a household name. “I feel energized to make this comeback and more so that I am looking at celebrating my 30 years in music. I am thankful to God for the walk I have made, ministering His words,” Chimwendo said. The veteran musician will headline a spectacular 30th anniversary celebration at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on December 20, 2026 — an event already generating serious buzz among Malawi’s gospel music faithful. As headliner for the milestone night, Chimwendo is expected to share the stage with a stellar lineup of fellow old-timers from the gospel scene, including Kenya-based Chrissie Kamthunzi, Bishop Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango, the Ndirande Anglican Voices, and Lloyd Phiri and the Happiness Voices. Chikondi Chapambana, who is managing the star-studded anniversary celebrations, teased that fans should brace themselves for something truly special from the veteran performer. “He is making this comeback rebranded and so, there is so much to see and at the same time he is looking forward to continue to minister the word of God through music,” Chapambana said. Chimwendo first burst onto the gospel scene with his debut hit “Wanga Ndi Yesu” back in 1996, before going on to release six further albums that cemented his status as one of Malawi’s most cherished gospel voices — including *God is on My Side, Sizobisa, Ndani Akufuna Yesu and Yesu Wapambana.* With three decades of ministry through music behind him, fans across Malawi will be eagerly counting down the months until Chimwendo takes to the BICC stage in what promises to be an unforgettable night of celebration, worship and nostalgia. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Malawi Music, Wycliffe Chimwendo --- ### [No devaluation, vows Mwanamvekha, as Malawi eyes new IMF programme](https://www.nyasatimes.com/no-devaluation-vows-mwanamvekha-as-malawi-eyes-new-imf-programme/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s government has ruled out devaluing the national currency, the Kwacha, even as a new World Bank report shows the country still grappling with serious economic headwinds despite some progress on public finances. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260924-WA0016-452x600.jpg)‘We won’t repeat past mistakes’ — Mwanamvekha rejects currency devaluation”Finance minister Joseph Mwanamvekha conceded that more needs to be done to deliver positive economic outcomes, but was unequivocal that currency devaluation would not be part of the plan. He said he was hopeful that ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank would produce a “homegrown” reform programme instead. “This time, we are negotiating with the IMF and the World Bank so that we don’t have to repeat the same mistakes that we have done before. “We need to come together and come up with reforms that are properly sequenced and timed and also reforms that will protect the vulnerable people,” Mwanamvekha said. His remarks came as the World Bank launched its latest Malawi Economic Monitor report in the capital, Lilongwe, titled “Building Stability to Unlock Growth.” World Bank division director Firas Raad said the government had managed to execute its 2026/27 national budget within approved limits for the first time in more than five years, calling it a significant institutional achievement. The primary fiscal deficit fell sharply, from 3.7 per cent to 0.4 per cent of GDP, while the overall deficit narrowed to 8.8 per cent. However, Raad cautioned that the improvements have yet to translate into meaningful gains for ordinary Malawians. GDP growth is projected at just 2.7 per cent this year, only marginally ahead of population growth, with persistent inflation, foreign exchange distortions, unreliable energy supply and a difficult business climate continuing to weigh on investment and job creation. The report also painted a mixed picture on poverty. The overall poverty rate has fallen to 47.3 per cent from 50.7 per cent, but food poverty has worsened, rising to 24 per cent from 20 per cent, while inequality has widened further. “These are not abstract statistics; they represent millions of families working harder and earning less, and young people unable to find work,” Raad said. Talks are also under way on a possible new IMF funding arrangement, with an IMF mission currently in the country for policy negotiations, its first visit in three months. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260924-WA0016-e1790302811990-600x421.jpg)‘We won’t repeat past mistakes’ — Mwanamvekha rejects currency devaluation”Despite the World Bank’s praise for recent fiscal discipline, officials in Lilongwe made clear that whatever reforms follow, a devaluation of the Kwacha will not be among them. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** IMF, Joseph Mwanamvekha, Malawi Kwacha, World Bank --- ### [Germany urges Malawi to sustain momentum on productive energy use after PEW project closure](https://www.nyasatimes.com/germany-urges-malawi-to-sustain-momentum-on-productive-energy-use-after-pew-project-closure/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Germany has called on Malawi to maintain momentum and continue investing in productive uses of energy, as the country builds on progress achieved under the Putting Energy to Work (PEW) project. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0000-600x450.jpg)Malunga: “The productive use of energy is critical to Malawi’s economic transformation agenda.”The call was made at the closing event of the PEW component of the Energizing Development initiative, held Thursday in the capital Lilongwe. The initiative was co-financed by the European Union and Germany and implemented by German development agency GIZ. The project aimed to strengthen Malawi’s market for productive-use energy technologies and services, helping enterprises, farmers and cooperatives adopt energy solutions to improve productivity, create jobs and boost livelihoods. Susanne Meltl, deputy head of German Cooperation, said the initiative had shown how access to green energy could drive economic growth when linked to productive activities. “For German Development Cooperation in Malawi, access to energy matters when it helps farmers and small businesses become more productive, strengthen their livelihoods and create opportunities for others,” she said. Meltl stressed the need to build on the project’s gains to ensure productive energy use continues supporting businesses and communities beyond the programme’s lifespan. Malawi’s Ministry of Energy also praised the initiative, saying it had demonstrated the role of energy in supporting the country’s broader economic transformation agenda. Thokozani Malunga, deputy director of research and development at the ministry, said productive use of energy was critical to enabling farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses to convert access to modern energy services into economic opportunities. “The productive use of energy is critical to Malawi’s economic transformation agenda. By enabling farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses to use energy for productive activities, this initiative has contributed to increased incomes, improved productivity, and greater resilience,” Malunga said. He added that lessons and partnerships developed under the project would continue to inform government efforts to expand access to modern energy services that support economic growth. The PEW project worked across three areas: strengthening the supply of productive-use energy technologies, stimulating demand among potential users, and improving the enabling environment for market development. Productive-use technologies include energy solutions that directly support economic activities such as irrigation, agro-processing and refrigeration, moving beyond energy access as an end in itself toward equipment that small businesses and farmers can use to boost output. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260925-WA0001-600x450.jpg)Some of the delegates at the event Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** energy, European Union in Malawi, Germany --- ### [300 runners set for Blantyre Marathon showdown at Kamuzu Stadium](https://www.nyasatimes.com/300-runners-set-for-blantyre-marathon-showdown-at-kamuzu-stadium/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Blantyre is bracing for a weekend of high-octane athletics as the eighth edition of the city’s iconic 42.195 Kilometre race prepares to descend on Kamuzu Stadium this Sunday, 27 September, with organisers targeting a bumper turnout of more than 300 competitors. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790298733675-600x450.jpg)K2million up for grabs as Blantyre Marathon returns this SundayThe prestigious event will see professional and amateur athletes alike battle it out across three thrilling categories, as Malawi’s running community gears up for what promises to be a spectacular showcase of talent and endurance. Chairperson for the organising committee, Chifundo Tenthani, revealed that preparations were already well underway, with the vast majority of logistics already locked in place. “Preparations are going on well. We had done over 80 percent of what we required. Registration was made easy using both online and physical methods,” he confirmed. Tenthani disclosed that the committee was banking on attracting well over 300 participants across the full 42.195km marathon, a punchy 10km race, and a family-friendly 5km fun run — with organisers keen to make the event as inclusive as possible. “One of the strategic pillars of Malawi National Council of Sports is sports for all. So that’s why we have included these races so that we register as many people as possible. Everyone should be encouraged to come and play,” he said. In a bid to silence critics after previous route controversies, Tenthani confirmed that technical officials had rigorously verified and certified the course this year, guaranteeing runners will cover the precise distances required. “In terms of age group, it is open. Apart from the marathon itself, which has an age limit of 19 above, the rest of the races are open for everyone. Registration fees have been set at K15,000 for the full marathon, K10,000 for the 10km race and K5,000 for the 5km fun run,” he added. Ahead of race day, the organising committee has also rolled out a community clean-up initiative, set to take place this Friday, 25 September, from 9am, stretching from Ginnery Corner all the way to Shoprite in Blantyre. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on seasoned long-distance star and three-time champion Mphatso Nadoolo, who has confirmed his highly anticipated return to the race, declaring he’s been training relentlessly to reclaim his crown. “Training is going on well. Last year I did not participate and there was another winner. I want to finish the race in less than two hours 20 minutes and bring the glory back to Zomba,” Nadoolo vowed defiantly. The stakes couldn’t be higher for competitors, with this year’s marathon champion set to pocket a staggering K2 million cash prize, alongside a golden ticket to compete in this year’s prestigious regional half marathon in South Africa, scheduled for November. Last year’s title was claimed by Mc Donald Maganizo and Mercy Malembo in the men’s and women’s categories respectively — with both champions now firmly in the sights of this year’s hungry field of challengers. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Marathon --- ### [Cash for kill? Sister 'named as mastermind' in pension murder plot"](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cash-for-kill-sister-named-as-mastermind-in-pension-murder-plot/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Chilling new details have emerged in the murder trial of Agnes Katengeza, after police told the High Court that a painstaking trail of stolen electronic devices — including her iPhone — ultimately led investigators to her own family. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790265943532-600x450.jpg)Murder accused’s sister was sole pension beneficiary, court hearsDetective Sub-Inspector Penjani Ng’ambi told the court in Lilongwe how officers used the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of Agnes’s stolen iPhone, taken from her bedroom, to track the device all the way to Blantyre. There, the person found in possession of the phone told police he had purchased it from Amos Katengeza — the first accused in the shocking murder case. Investigators then discovered that Amos himself was also in Blantyre, and had been in contact with a technician tasked with updating the operating system on an iPhone 13. “It turns out that iPhone 13 is one of the items which went missing from Agnes Katengeza murder scene,” Ng’ambi revealed to the stunned courtroom. Police swiftly tracked Amos down in Blantyre and arrested him, discovering an iPad and an HP laptop stashed in a bag he was carrying at the time. Ng’ambi, testifying as the fourth witness in the case, follows earlier evidence from Rosabel Mwakifwamba, who had received parcels in Blantyre on Amos’s behalf via courier, and computer technician Joseph Saiti. But it was the detective’s most explosive claims that sent shockwaves through the courtroom — alleging that Amos had implicated his own sister, Egnat, in planning their relative’s brutal murder. According to Ng’ambi’s chilling testimony before Justice Bruno Kalemba, Amos was questioned back in September 2023 and insisted he could never have killed Agnes simply over stolen gadgets — before allegedly claiming the murder had in fact been carefully planned together with Egnat. Crucially, Egnat was listed as the sole beneficiary of Agnes’s pension fund held at the Reserve Bank of Malawi — a chilling detail investigators say pointed to a clear financial motive behind the killing. Acting on Amos’s alleged information, police cautioned Egnat and obtained official RBM documents confirming her status as the nominated pension beneficiary. Both siblings were later brought in for questioning, though Amos ultimately chose to exercise his right to remain silent. The pair now stand jointly charged with murder. In another dramatic twist, the court heard that investigators had desperately tried to retrieve WhatsApp messages from Agnes’s phone — but were only able to recover conversations dating from 2019 to 2023, with a suspicious gap covering the crucial June to September 2023 period conspicuously missing. Justice Kalemba has since adjourned proceedings until this afternoon, when Ng’ambi is expected to continue his gripping testimony. The State is being led by Director of Criminal Litigation in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Dzikondianthu Malunda, as the shocking case continues to unfold before the High Court. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790265826378.jpg)Man implicated sister in planning sister-in-law’s murder, court told Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** murder --- ### [Airtel and TNM detail phone-tracing efforts after Malawi plane crash](https://www.nyasatimes.com/airtel-and-tnm-detail-phone-tracing-efforts-after-malawi-plane-crash/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Dramatic new details of the desperate scramble to locate the aircraft carrying former vice-president Saulos Chilima have emerged before Parliament, as former Airtel Malawi managing director Charles Kamoto revealed exactly how officials raced against time to trace phones belonging to those onboard. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/462473254_959026052923432_8973121575576292343_n-600x547.jpg)Kamoto: Former Airtel boss tells inquiry how phones were traced after Chilima crashKamoto told the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee investigating the Chikangawa crash that he was personally approached by former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba, alongside former MACRA director general Daud Suleman, who asked Airtel to trace phones belonging to passengers aboard the doomed flight on June 10, 2024. According to the explosive testimony, Airtel was initially handed the phone numbers belonging to the late vice-president himself and former second lady Mary Chilima — but Kamoto revealed the company was unable to trace any activity whatsoever on Chilima’s own number, while his wife’s phone connected instead to a tower in Area 30, Lilongwe. The search intensified further at 14:43, when the SPC’s office supplied Airtel with additional numbers belonging to Daniel Kanyemba, Chisomo Chimaneni and Lucas Kapheni — all of whom were among those aboard the ill-fated aircraft. Kamoto revealed he personally relayed the chilling update that Kanyemba’s phone was ringing but going unanswered, while the remaining numbers could not be reached at all. Crucially, Kamoto disclosed that Kanyemba’s number had been connecting to a tower at Raiply — a detail that would prove significant in the desperate search operation. He explained that while Airtel’s systems could not pinpoint the phone’s exact location, the company provided investigators with a sketch map based on the tower’s coverage area in a bid to help narrow down the search zone. Adding further pieces to the puzzle, TNM official Lloyd Gowera revealed that only two phones linked to passengers aboard the aircraft showed any identifiable last connection to the company’s network towers. Gowera told the committee the phones belonged to Daniel Kanyemba and Major Aidin, with Major Aidin’s device showing its last connection at the Mzimba turn-off at 11:11 on June 10, 2024 — while Kanyemba’s phone had last connected at Nthungwa Tower at 10:16 that same morning. Gowera also revealed that TNM had not initially been supplied with the phone numbers of those aboard the aircraft, as the majority were not TNM subscribers. Instead, the company was forced to rely on its own Know Your Customer (KYC) records on June 11 to identify which phone numbers were registered to individuals named on the aircraft’s passenger manifest. The dramatic testimony offers the clearest picture yet of the frantic, hour-by-hour telecommunications trail that unfolded as searchers desperately tried to pinpoint the aircraft’s location in the immediate aftermath of its disappearance. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Airtel Malawi, Charles Kamoto, plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima, TNM --- ### [Spies on guard: Malawi deploys intelligence agents as fertiliser handouts launch for 1.2million farmers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/spies-on-guard-malawi-deploys-intelligence-agents-as-fertiliser-handouts-launch-for-1-2million-farmers/) **Published:** September 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi government has officially launched its 2026/27 Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme, promising more than 1.2 million smallholder farmers access to cheap fertiliser and seed — but issued a chilling warning to officials involved in its distribution that any theft or diversion of the vital supplies will not be tolerated. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790293712489-600x400.jpg)Minister Mbilizi launches subsidy scheme for 1.2million farmers amid fresh warning: ‘Not a single bag of fertiliser will be stolen’Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Fatch Mbilizi presided over the launch at Kalira 1 Primary School Ground in the area of Traditional Authority Vuso Jere, revealing that a staggering 1,221,862 farmers are expected to benefit this year — a significant jump from the 1.1 million who received support last season. “Government wants FISP to benefit farmers not only in food production but also in income generation,” Mbilizi told the gathered crowd. Under the new arrangement, farmer organisations will be handed coupons allowing them to redeem subsidised NPK and Urea fertiliser at K20,000 per bag, alongside a five-kilogramme bag of certified maize seed priced at K10,000. The scheme will specifically target farmers cultivating between 0.4 and two acres of land, with farmer organisations tasked with selecting beneficiaries and redeeming inputs collectively as groups — a move designed to boost transparency and accountability. Beneficiaries will also be paired up to produce organic Mbeya fertiliser, supplementing the subsidised inputs they receive. “Each pair of farmers will make 10 bags from two bags of NPK and Urea and use this on about four acres,” Mbilizi explained. The minister didn’t hold back in addressing last year’s troubling scandal, when fertiliser theft plagued several institutions responsible for managing the scheme. “I have warned everyone involved in managing this process to ensure that not a single bag of fertiliser is stolen or diverted from the right beneficiaries,” she declared firmly. In a bid to prevent a repeat of last season’s embarrassment, Mbilizi confirmed that security agencies and government intelligence operatives had been deployed to safeguard the inputs throughout the distribution process — including during transportation. The minister also revealed that all fertiliser required for the season had already been secured through procurement, while government was working urgently to shorten the distribution timeline following criticism over last season’s delayed rollout. On the wider agricultural strategy, Mbilizi confirmed government was pushing forward with irrigation development, rehabilitating irrigation schemes and rolling out solar-powered pumps to nearly 800 sites nationwide — a critical lifeline for farmers battling brutal El Niño-induced dry spells. Meanwhile, Ntchisi East legislator Phoebe Chikaonda praised the decision to launch the programme in her constituency, urging beneficiaries to pull together to maximise their harvests. “We are humbled that the programme started here in my constituency, and I urge beneficiaries organised in groups to work together to maximise their harvest,” she said. Beneficiaries at the launch welcomed the early rollout of inputs, saying the timely distribution would finally allow them to begin crucial land preparations ahead of the coming farming season. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Farm Input Subsidy, National Intelligence Service, Roza Mbilizi --- ### [CSOs warn reformed CDF faces collapse due to delays in disbursement of funds](https://www.nyasatimes.com/csos-warn-reformed-cdf-faces-collapse-due-to-delays-in-disbursement-of-funds/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A coalition of 11 civil society organisations (CSOs) has faulted government for the slow pace of disbursement and implementation of the Reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF), warning that at the current rate, even half of the K1.3 trillion appropriated by Parliament may not be utilised before the rainy season shuts down construction. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790269838959-1-600x336.jpg)Kondowe (c) :the figure released so far is negligible against the total envelope.In a joint statement released in Lilongwe on Thursday, the organisations acknowledged that government has released K85.5 billion to 30 of the 36 local councils for advance payments to contractors, alongside other releases for project management, bursaries, sports development and economic empowerment. The statement was jointly signed by Benedicto Kondowe, National Advocacy Platform (NAP) Chairperson and Joint Coalition Chair; Willy Kambwandira of the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency; Michael Kaiyatsa, NACA Chairperson and CHRR Executive Director; Bertha Phiri, Malawi Economic Justice Network Executive Director; Lewis Msiyadungu, CCJP National Coordinator; Moses Mkandawire, Nyika Institute Executive Director; Charles Kajoloweka, Youth and Society Executive Director; Mwadidada Theu, Youth Decide Campaign Chairperson; Viwemi Chavula, Centre for Civil Society Strengthening Executive Director; Maggie Kathewera Banda, NGO Gender Coordination Network Chairperson; and Ernest Wilford Wyson, Church and Society President. The CSOs argued that the figure released so far is negligible against the total envelope. “While these releases are welcome, the pace of disbursement against the approximately K1.3 trillion earmarked for CDF is deeply concerning. As the financial year progresses and the rainy season approaches, the implementation window is rapidly narrowing,” reads the statement. “At the current pace, we fear that even half of the earmarked resources may not be disbursed in time for meaningful implementation. This would be more than an absorption problem: it would represent lost development and defeat the very purpose of the Reformed CDF.” The CSOs said the stakes could not be higher. Under the 2026 CDF Guidelines, 72 percent of CDF resources are reserved for community development projects — translating to approximately K3.6 billion per constituency for classrooms, health facilities, water systems and roads. “Failure to release and utilise these resources means classrooms not built, health and water infrastructure delayed, roads unattended and other community priorities are deferred. A budget allocation delivers no development until it reaches communities and produces results,” they argued. The coalition also raised alarm over six local councils that have failed to access the latest project resources because they have not met the required accountability conditions. While insisting that conditions should not be waived, the organisations said government cannot afford to abandon those councils. They recalled their earlier warning in the Joint CSO Statement on the 2026 CDF Guidelines of 19 April 2026 that performance-based disbursement, if not carefully implemented, could “disadvantage already under-capacitated Local Authorities, thereby entrenching inequalities in development outcomes across constituencies.” “Government must therefore urgently provide targeted, time-bound support to enable these councils to comply. Communities should not become collateral victims of correctable institutional weaknesses,” the statement says. Beyond the technical delays, the CSOs framed the crisis as a democratic failure. When Parliament appropriates substantial resources for local development but those resources are not released and translated into services, they argued, the link between public commitments, approved budgets and delivery to citizens is broken. “Persistent failure to operationalise duly appropriated development resources would undermine electoral accountability. Citizens must be able to judge public institutions not by promises and allocations, but by whether approved resources actually deliver development,” the statement reads. The statement also wades into the growing controversy over who should preside over CDF project launches and site handovers, with reports of political interference in some districts. The organisations pointed to Guideline 10.2.2 on Project Launch and Site Handover, which they describe as unequivocal: a site handover may be presided over by the Council Chairperson or a person duly delegated by the Council Chairperson. “This is not a discretionary protocol to be altered for convenience; it is part of the governance framework governing CDF implementation and must be observed. “Any departure risks blurring institutional mandates, weakening accountability and undermining the integrity of the Local Authority governance framework within which the CDF is implemented,” the statement says. In its call to action, the coalition made six demands: that government publish a clear, time-bound and council-specific disbursement and implementation roadmap showing resources already released, outstanding balances and timelines; that it accelerate the release and implementation of CDF resources before the rainy season significantly disrupts works; that it provide targeted technical support to the six struggling councils; that it ensure strict adherence to mandates prescribed by the Guidelines, including Guideline 10.2.2; that it strengthen transparency by regularly disclosing council-specific information on disbursements, projects, contractors, implementation progress and expenditure; and that accelerated implementation should not compromise procurement integrity, financial management, audit, project quality or anti-corruption safeguards. “The resources have been appropriated. The communities are waiting. The implementation window is closing. What is required now is urgent delivery within the Guidelines, with transparency and accountability. The promise of the Reformed CDF must translate into visible development on the ground,” the CSOs stated. They said they remain ready for constructive engagement while reserving the right to pursue appropriate lawful accountability measures to protect public resources. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Civil society, Constituency Development Fund --- ### [Catholic lawyers gather in Lilongwe as Red Mass marks 125 years of evangelisation in Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/catholic-lawyers-gather-in-lilongwe-as-red-mass-marks-125-years-of-evangelisation-in-malawi/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s legal community will come together in Lilongwe on Saturday 26 September for the annual Red Mass, a liturgy that has long marked the opening of the legal year in Catholic tradition and drawn the judiciary, the bar and the Church into a shared act of prayer for the administration of justice. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-8027-600x275.jpg)Lawyers to have their mass on SaturdayThe Mass, to be held at St Patrick’s Parish in Chimutu, Area 18, has been organised by the Catholic Lawyers Association of Malawi (CLAM) and will be celebrated by the Rt Rev Vincent Mwakhwawa, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, as principal celebrant, assisted by concelebrating priests. This year’s liturgy carries particular symbolic weight, falling under the theme “Rooted in Christ, Serving Justice and Truth: Celebrating 125 Years of Evangelisation in Malawi” – linking the Church’s own long history in the country to the vocation of those who serve within its courts. The order of service will open with the traditional penitential act and hymns sung by the choir, before readings drawn deliberately to speak to those charged with upholding the law. The first reading, from the Book of Wisdom, will be the prayer of Solomon asking God for the wisdom “that sits by your throne” to govern with a right and just spirit and to judge without partiality – a passage long associated with the vocation of judges and lawyers within the Catholic tradition. The second reading, from St Paul’s Letter to the Romans, will urge the congregation to offer themselves as “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” and to resist conformity to the age, being transformed instead by the renewal of the mind. The Gospel, from St John, will recall Christ’s promise of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit of truth, sent to guide and teach – an image with evident resonance for a congregation of advocates and legal practitioners gathered under that same title. In the collect, Bishop Mwakhwawa is expected to pray that God would pour out the Holy Spirit “upon all who serve in the administration of justice,” asking for judges, magistrates and lawyers to be granted “wisdom in discernment, integrity in judgment and courage in the defence of truth,” so that they might safeguard the dignity of every person and protect the weak and vulnerable. The prayers of the faithful will extend that theme across seven petitions, praying in turn for the Church, for those who govern the nation, for judges, magistrates and lawyers, for the poor and vulnerable seeking justice, for Catholic lawyers specifically, for Malawi as a nation, and for the faithful departed who had served in the administration of justice. The liturgy will draw on the Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs III, “Jesus the Way to the Father,” with its emphasis on Christ as the way, the truth and the life who gathers men and women into one family. The prayer after Communion will ask that those present be sustained “in the administration of justice,” remaining faithful to truth and labouring tirelessly for justice and peace. The Mass is expected to conclude with a solemn episcopal blessing invoking wisdom, courage and the guidance of the Holy Spirit over the assembled lawyers, before the recessional procession. Announcements and speeches will be followed from CLAM president Counsel Alfred Majamanda and from Bishop Mwakhwawa as guest of honour. The Red Mass tradition, observed in Catholic legal communities in various forms across the world, takes its name from the red vestments historically worn to mark the occasion, and traditionally serves as an invitation to those who work within the justice system to reflect on the moral and spiritual dimensions of their vocation. For Malawi’s Catholic lawyers, this year’s gathering placed that reflection within the wider anniversary of the Church’s presence in the country, framing the pursuit of justice and truth as part of a longer story of faith taking root in Malawian life. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News, Religion, Religious News **Tags:** Malawi Law Society, Roman Catholic Church --- ### [World Bank credits Malawi with fiscal discipline as Mwanamvekha hails 'candid' report](https://www.nyasatimes.com/world-bank-credits-malawi-with-fiscal-discipline-as-mwanamvekha-hails-candid-report/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The World Bank has praised the Malawi government for demonstrating stronger financial discipline, saying public finances are finally showing signs of improvement after years of double-digit deficits. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260924-WA0017-1-600x450.jpg)Mwanamvekha vows to sustain fiscal discipline after World Bank praises budget progressIn its latest Malawi Economic Monitor, the Bank describes the shift as an initial step toward fiscal consolidation following a prolonged period of overspending. According to the report, the overall budget deficit, including Reserve Bank of Malawi operations, stood at 8.8% of GDP in the 2025/26 financial year, narrowing by 1.7 percentage points on the previous year. While the deficit remains elevated, the Bank notes that budget execution stayed within the envelope approved by parliament for the first time in more than five years, with expenditure falling below the ceiling set at the mid-year revision. “This marks a notable departure from the pattern observed over the preceding five years, during which budget outturns largely exceeded both the original and revised deficit targets,” the report states. The primary deficit also narrowed, falling by 3.3 percentage points of GDP relative to the previous financial year – a reduction the Bank characterises as an early sign of fiscal consolidation. Revenue gains and spending controls drive the improvement The Bank attributes the positive trend to a combination of stronger revenue collection and more disciplined spending. New measures, including an increase in the VAT rate from 16.5% to 17.5% and an expanded electronic invoicing system, have helped push domestic revenues to 18.6% of GDP in 2025/26. That figure remains below both the 19% target set out in Malawi’s Domestic Revenue Mobilization Strategy (2021-26) and the sub-Saharan African average of 21.9% of GDP, but the trajectory is described as encouraging. Tax revenues, meanwhile, rose to 16.8% of GDP, bringing Malawi in line with the regional average. The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) is credited as central to the improvement. The World Bank says the rise in tax revenue was driven by stronger income tax receipts, aided by a resilient banking sector, improved collection of goods and services taxes, and higher non-tax revenue, including dividend payments from parastatals. The report singles out MRA’s expanded e-invoicing system and tighter enforcement of tax compliance as key factors in closing revenue leakages and boosting both VAT and income tax collection – enhancements that have, for the first time in years, brought Malawi’s revenue effort into line with the regional average. On spending, stronger control measures helped reduce total expenditure by 0.6 percentage points of GDP, bringing it down to 29.8% of GDP in 2025/26. The World Bank suggests that if the MRA sustains its revenue drive and government maintains spending discipline, Malawi could consolidate its fiscal gains, reduce its reliance on costly domestic borrowing, and free up fiscal space for critical capital investment. Government response Speaking as guest of honour at the launch of the report, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Joseph Mwanamvekha welcomed the findings, describing them as a fair reflection of government’s efforts to restore fiscal discipline. “I want to thank the World Bank for this candid and balanced report. It confirms that the tough decisions we have been making are beginning to bear fruit,” said Mwanamvekha. He pointed to the narrowing of the fiscal deficit to 8.8% of GDP, down from higher levels the previous year, and to government staying within its approved budget for the first time in over five years, as evidence that fiscal consolidation efforts are taking hold. The minister also praised the MRA for driving revenue growth through measures including the VAT increase and the expanded e-invoicing system, which he said had helped lift domestic revenues to 18.6% of GDP and tax revenues to 16.8% of GDP, now on par with the regional average. Mwanamvekha said government intends to sustain this discipline in order to reduce reliance on expensive domestic borrowing, stabilise the economy, and create room for investment, job creation and private sector growth. “Our focus now is to ensure that this discipline is sustained and that Malawians feel the benefits through lower inflation, stable prices, and more resources for development,” he said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Joseph Mwanamvekha, Malawi Economy, World Bank --- ### [Malawi business leaders warn taxes, energy crisis choking investment](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-business-leaders-warn-taxes-energy-crisis-choking-investment/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The country’s private sector giants have revealed they hold over ten trillion Kwacha in assets, but say heavy taxes, forex shortages and persistent energy challenges are choking investment in Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260924_200859_Gallery-1-600x409.jpg)Malawi’s biggest firms demand tax and energy reforms to unlock investmentThe sentiments were shared in Blantyre on Thursday during a Business Breakfast held under the theme “Driving Economic Transformation Through Collaborative Partnership”, which brought together government officials and captains of industry. Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Industrialization, Business, Trade and Tourism Simon Itayi said government is banking on the private sector to drive exports. “Malawians need to do more in exportation for the economy to boost,” he said, adding that government is working on a Smuggling Bill and an import substitution strategy. He said Malawi has huge investment potential in natural and agricultural resources that can be exported to make the country competitive. “Why should people invest in Malawi? Firstly natural resources, agricultural resources, all these can be exported. Malawi needs to export so that it should be competitive on the market,” he said. Itayi disclosed that while Malawi has an opportunity to grow 800 to 1,000 tonnes of soya beans, this year it has only produced 200 tonnes, adding that the Malawian environment is becoming investor friendly by looking at processing for the market. He said government is working to procure markets for soya beans, pigeon peas, sugar and macadamia nuts, noting that countries like China and America are looking for these products. He further said government is working on cooperatives in the value chain in mining, especially gold, but the challenge remains finance and bargaining power. He announced that special economic zones are to be opened by government for manufacturing, agro-processing and export-oriented production. On tourism, he said government is looking at the lake and mountains and wants to partner with the private sector to develop tourism destination centres in Mangochi, Salima and Mulanje. He said government has confirmed that it will provide a conducive environment for anyone to do business. Minister of Mining Thoko Tembo admitted that Malawi is earning very little from its mining resources. “For government right now to get money through mining is through mineral licensing and corporate tax and only ten percent is what Malawi is earning,” he said. He said one issue that Malawi is failing on in mining is that it does not have enough resources, including skills and finances, to conduct profitable mining. “The ministry has then invited the private sector to finance the cooperatives running gold mining in order for Malawi to benefit,” Tembo said, adding that some cooperatives are using solar-powered electricity to produce gold and need to be financed. “There is so much that Malawi can do so that it becomes competitive on the market in terms of mining,” he said. Responding, Press Corporation Chief Executive Officer Professor Ronald Mangani said mobility challenges and energy are the main factors stopping both local and international players from investing in Malawi, and asked government to consider the issue with much attention. Old Mutual Managing Director Tavona Mbiza said Malawi cannot industrialise without finances, lamenting forex scarcity. “Malawi cannot industrialize without finances and lack of forex is among key issues that Malawi is facing, other financial challenges include difficulty of the stock exchange. When forex is scarce it means goods will also be expensive thereby not staying competitive on the market,” said Mbiza. NICO General Chief Executive Officer Vizenge Kumwenda was more direct in accusing government, saying huge taxes are stifling investment. “Huge tax by government is failing people to invest in this country. The continuous review of government tax is giving a lot of problem to people wishing to invest,” said Kumwenda. Kumwenda said as a private sector they are currently working with several cooperatives dealing with small-scale mining so that these people should be adding value to the gold they are mining, citing poor and insufficient energy supply as the main challenge, since mining requires huge amounts of electricity. Together, NICO General, Old Mutual and Press Corporation hold over ten trillion Kwacha in assets, a financial muscle the private sector says government must unlock by fixing tax, energy and forex policies. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, National **Tags:** Nico, Old Mutual, tax --- ### [Malawi netball body questions 'integrity' of World Cup qualification process](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-netball-body-questions-integrity-of-world-cup-qualification-process/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s netball chiefs have erupted in fury after organisers controversially axed the semi-finals at the Africa Netball Cup in Nairobi — a shock last-minute shake-up that has left the Malawi team scrambling and demanding urgent answers. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260924-WA0023-1-600x600.jpg)Kauma:”Malawi netball association demands answers after Africa Netball Cup semi-finals scrapped”The Queens had been on course to face South Africa in a highly anticipated semi-final showdown after finishing second in Pool 2, in what looked set to be a thrilling route to the final of the 2026 Africa Netball Cup. But in a stunning about-turn, tournament organisers scrapped the semi-final fixtures entirely, instead declaring that pool leaders South Africa and Uganda would go straight through to contest the final — while second and third-placed teams would instead be shunted into a separate play-off battle for World Cup qualification spots. The bombshell decision means Malawi will now face Zimbabwe on Friday in a World Cup qualifying play-off, rather than the semi-final clash fans had been eagerly anticipating. Organisers attempted to explain away the chaos in a hastily issued statement, admitting the combined tournament format had backfired spectacularly. “We must admit that going forward; we will not accommodate countries that have already qualified for the World Cup into the same tournament as the qualifiers,” read the statement, signed by the Acting President of Africa Netball. “The decision to combine both tournaments was initially taken with the best intentions, to address the financial challenges faced by many of our member countries. However, we have now realised that this combined format is not practical and has caused confusion,” the statement admitted. But the extraordinary U-turn has infuriated the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM), who have now formally written to both Africa Netball and World Netball demanding urgent clarification over the shock introduction of additional World Cup Sydney 2027 qualification fixtures mid-tournament. In a hard-hitting statement signed by General Secretary Yamikani Kauma, NAM blasted the sudden axing of the semi-finals as a “significant change” to the very competition structure under which teams originally entered. “NAM entered the competition on the basis of the qualification criteria published by World Netball, which stated that the top two teams at the conclusion of the Africa Regional Qualifier would receive World Cup invitations, with the next eligible teams to benefit where already qualified nations occupied qualifying positions. Our position is not about Malawi’s qualification status. It is about the integrity, transparency and consistent application of the rules governing the qualification process,” the statement fumed. NAM also raised serious concerns over exactly who authorised the eleventh-hour changes, particularly given that World Netball had already published clear qualification criteria before the tournament began. “Our position is simple. Published qualification rules should be applied consistently, afford countries the right to compete, protect athletes’ welfare, and preserve the integrity of the World Cup qualification process,” the statement concluded defiantly. With the row now escalating, all eyes will be on Friday’s crunch play-off clash against Zimbabwe — as Malawi’s netball bosses continue to demand answers over a controversy that has cast a shadow over the entire tournament. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Malawi Queens, Netball Association of Malawi --- ### ['We need to be offensive but careful' —  Flames coach Pasuwa warns of 'dangerous' South Sudan](https://www.nyasatimes.com/we-need-to-be-offensive-but-careful-flames-coach-pasuwa-warns-of-dangerous-south-sudan/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi coach Kalisto Pasuwa has vowed his Flames side will come out attacking against South Sudan on Friday, but issued a stark warning to his players not to underestimate their supposedly weaker opponents in the crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790269862135-600x450.jpg)The under-pressure Flames coach Pasuwa warns of ‘dangerous’ South Sudan ahead of crunch Afcon opener, as injuries strike squadSpeaking at a tense pre-match press conference at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Thursday, Pasuwa insisted his side must go on the front foot despite facing the lowest-ranked team in Group B — but admitted the so-called “small teams” have burned Malawi before. “We are hoping for the best. In these games, we are playing with the mind. What are regarded as small teams are always dangerous. We need to be focused,” Pasuwa told reporters. “We need to be offensive but we need to be careful because we can be caught on counterattacks. We need to move in defensive positions and create space,” he added. The Zimbabwean tactician pointedly referenced Malawi’s shock defeat to São Tomé and Príncipe — a match many had dismissed as a formality before the Flames suffered an embarrassing upset. Adding to the pressure, Pasuwa’s side head into the crunch clash hit by a fresh injury crisis, with the coach confirming two key players will miss out entirely. “We did some medicals to assess who are fit. Richard Mbulu groin injury. Then Jordan Kananga, ankle sprain. Adiel Kaduya was sick, but today seems okay. So Mbulu and Kananga will not be part of the team. Overall most of the guys are ready and eager to play,” Pasuwa revealed. Stand-in captain Charles Petro struck a defiant tone despite the setbacks, insisting the squad remains fully focused on delivering a positive result. “The coach has done everything. Now it is about us to play our part. It’s a crucial game and we need to be focused,” Petro said. Across the divide, South Sudan coach Christian N’Sengi-Biembe — only recently appointed to the role — admitted preparations had been far from smooth, with logistical nightmares disrupting his side’s build-up. “There were some problems bringing players from abroad but that should not be an excuse. We are prepared and we want to play this match with joy. I trust the quality of my players and we are good to go. There is no big or small team as we saw with African teams at the World Cup. We will therefore work hard in this match,” he said. South Sudan captain Peter Maker Manyang echoed his coach’s confidence, insisting his side arrive in Lilongwe with genuine ambitions of springing an upset. “We are prepared and I feel this is the right time for us to get into this match. We are looking for a win just like Malawi,” Manyang said. Friday’s high-stakes clash forms part of a fiercely competitive Group B, which also features football heavyweights Egypt and Angola — meaning both Malawi and South Sudan know dropped points early could prove costly in the race for Afcon qualification. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Callisto Pasuwa, Malawi Flames, South Sudan --- ### [South Sudan coach Seseko insists his underdogs can shock Malawi ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/south-sudan-coach-seseko-insists-his-underdogs-can-shock-malawi/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** South Sudan coach N’sengi Biembe Seseko has declared himself confident of springing a shock result against Malawi in Friday’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Bingu National Stadium, despite admitting his side’s build-up has been anything but smooth. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790270077396-600x450.jpg)South Sudan coach Seseko insists his underdogs can shock Malawi despite chaotic World Cup preparationsSpeaking to reporters at Bingu National Stadium, the Congolese tactician revealed the extraordinary pressure of taking charge of his very first match as head coach, in conditions far from ideal. “We are happy to be here. This is my first game as head coach. Preparations have not been easy because the league was ongoing,” Seseko admitted. But the newly-appointed boss was quick to insist his side would not use the disrupted preparations as a get-out clause ahead of the high-stakes clash in Lilongwe. “But that is not an excuse, we want to win this game. We are in progression but we are here to get a good result,” he said defiantly. Seseko openly acknowledged his side arrive as clear underdogs against a Malawi team many expect to dominate — but insisted that status would only fuel his players’ hunger for an upset. “We are going to adapt. I trust in the quality of the players. Despite being a low ranked team in the group we are not under pressure. Mathematically we are good,” he said. “There are no big or small teams in football. We have seen that at the world cup. The fact that we are viewed as underdogs will motivate us to play better,” the coach added defiantly. Backing up his coach’s bullish stance, South Sudan captain Peter Maker — who has previous experience facing the Flames — declared himself confident his side can finally get the better of Malawi. Maker recalled a previous meeting between the two nations that ended in painful fashion for South Sudan, despite a battling display. “The last time we faced Malawi was at Kamuzu Stadium. We had a very good game despite dropping points. This is a new team and we are ready to get a good result,” Maker said. The skipper went further, insisting his side now boast the quality to trouble Malawi and should not be written off ahead of Friday’s clash. “I think this time we are good as we have good players. No one is underrating the other. These days there is no lower team, who needs it more wins,” he said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Malawi Flames, South Sudan --- ### [Malawi's unfinished revolution: the case for a 'Third Liberation'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-unfinished-revolution-the-case-for-a-third-liberation/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** United Democratic Front president Atupele Muluzi has argued that Malawi has achieved political liberation twice over but has failed, on both occasions, to convert that freedom into meaningful economic gains for ordinary citizens. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/20260924_150533-2-600x600.jpg)“Malawi won political freedom twice. It never won economic freedom, argues Atupele Muluzi”Writing in a chapter titled “The Bumpy Ride of Malawi’s Liberation: From Hope to Despair and Back Again”, part of a new collection, Why Liberation Movements Fail: Perspectives from Across Africa, edited by Greg Mills and Ray Hartley, Muluzi sets out his central thesis: that Malawi has repeatedly changed governments without changing the underlying system of governance itself. Quoting a senior civil servant he interviewed for the chapter, Muluzi writes: “Malawi has repeatedly changed who governed, not how the country was governed.” The former cabinet minister traces this pattern through what he describes as two distinct liberation moments – the attainment of independence in 1964, and the restoration of multiparty democracy in the 1990s – arguing that both fell short of the transformation Malawians had been promised. He opens the chapter with Mario Cuomo’s well-known observation that politicians “campaign in poetry” but “govern in prose”, using the line to draw a distinction between the emotive power of liberation movements – built on promises of hope, sacrifice and dignity – and the harder, less romantic work of governing, which demands institutions, competence and difficult economic trade-offs. In Malawi’s case, he argues, the poetry of liberation succeeded while the prose of governance did not. The first liberation ended colonial rule, Muluzi writes, but eventually gave way to one-party authoritarianism under Hastings Kamuzu Banda. The second ended that one-party system and restored multiparty democracy, but, in his assessment, failed to deliver economic liberation – leaving the country instead with “disillusionment, weak institutions and persistent poverty”. It is from this diagnosis that Muluzi develops his concept of a “Third Liberation”: a citizen-led effort intended to complete what he sees as the unfinished work of Malawi’s first two political transitions. This phase, he argues, must move beyond simply replacing political leaders and instead focus on transforming the institutions and economic structures that shape ordinary Malawians’ opportunities. Speaking in July, Muluzi described the Third Liberation as a programme built around “creating jobs, expanding opportunities, and ending the economic system that has failed to deliver prosperity for many citizens.” He argues Malawi has instead developed what he terms a “rentier system”, in which economic opportunity is concentrated in the hands of powerful interests. In a separate interview earlier this year, Muluzi went further still, describing Malawi as an “economic capture project” that he alleges is controlled by a network with influence over government, the courts, the media and the marketplace – allegations that remain his own characterisation and have not been established by any independent investigation. He points to the transport sector and the Affordable Inputs Programme as examples of what he regards as entrenched vested interests. On the risks of challenging that system, Muluzi is blunt: “If you try to reform the system, they isolate you, they target you, and they crush you.” He also connects Malawi’s economic troubles to the growing exodus of young Malawians seeking opportunity abroad. “Our biggest export today is our own citizens,” he says, arguing that emigration reflects the domestic economy’s failure to generate sufficient opportunity at home. For Muluzi, the answer is not simply another change of government. He calls instead for stronger institutions, a more professional public service, economic reform, greater investment, and a system that rewards enterprise and productivity rather than political connection – a shift, as he frames it, from a “politics of privilege” to an “economy of opportunity”. The chapter draws on interviews with politicians, businesspeople, civil society figures, religious leaders and ordinary Malawians. Muluzi’s intervention forms part of his ongoing effort to promote the Third Liberation as both a political and economic argument for Malawi’s future; in July he said the country’s next phase must prioritise “job creation, expanding opportunities, restoring dignity, strengthening public institutions, and ensuring that economic growth benefits all citizens.” The wider volume examines the record of liberation movements across the African continent, asking why organisations once synonymous with freedom, sacrifice and justice have so often struggled to deliver democratic accountability and economic transformation once in power. For Muluzi, Malawi’s experience offers a clear lesson: political liberation alone is not enough. The country, he argues, still has to complete the transition from freedom from colonial and authoritarian rule to freedom from poverty, economic exclusion and institutional dysfunction. That unfinished business, in his account, is the case for a Third Liberation. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Atupele Muluzi, democracy, economy, Third Liberation, UDF --- ### [What Suleman testimony does – and doesn't – tell us about the search for Chilima's plane](https://www.nyasatimes.com/what-suleman-testimony-does-and-doesnt-tell-us-about-the-search-for-chilimas-plane/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Daud Suleman’s appearance before the parliamentary committee investigating the Chikangawa crash was, by any measure, one of the more technically detailed sessions of the inquiry so far. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790249490287-1-586x600.jpg)Daud Suleman, former Director General of Macra gave a calm but forensic account to the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee investigating the June 10, 2024 crashThe former head of Malawi’s telecoms regulator set out, methodically, what his agency did in the hours after the aircraft carrying Saulos Chilima and eight others disappeared – and, just as pointedly, what it did not do. The distinction matters, because public understanding of MACRA’s role in the search has been muddled almost from the outset. Suleman’s evidence was, in effect, an attempt to correct that record. According to his account, MACRA’s involvement began on the instruction of the then Secretary to the President and Cabinet, who asked Suleman to establish whether phones belonging to people on the aircraft’s passenger manifest had registered any activity on the mobile networks. Suleman says he contacted the chief executives of both Airtel Malawi and TNM directly. The then Airtel boss, Charles Kamoto, reported back at 16:47 that the last known tower connection for some of the numbers was near Raiply – a detail that, if accurate, would have offered searchers a rough approximate location, though not a precise one. Suleman told the committee MACRA went further still, contacting communications regulators in Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique to check whether the same numbers had connected to networks across the border. All three reported back in the negative. What Suleman was careful to stress throughout, however, was the limit of what any of this data could actually show. Mobile network information, he explained, can indicate the approximate location of a device via the cell tower it last connected to – it is not an aviation tracking system, and should not be treated as one. Responsibility for locating, navigating and conducting search-and-rescue operations for the aircraft itself, he said, sat elsewhere, with aviation authorities. This is a technical point, but not a trivial one. If public and parliamentary understanding of the search has conflated telecommunications data with aviation tracking capability, then expectations of what MACRA could realistically have contributed – and by extension, judgments about any perceived shortcomings in the search – may have been built on a misunderstanding of what the regulator was actually equipped to do. Suleman was similarly precise on the more sensitive question of whether phones might have remained active after the crash. Here, he drew a line around privacy: further detail on that would have to come from the mobile operators, he said, not from MACRA, because it involved data protections beyond the initial, narrower request made on the day. The session also produced two moments that extended beyond the search itself. The first was Suleman’s response to online claims – some quite serious – that a Facebook post he made in the early hours of June 10 indicated prior knowledge of the crash. His explanation, that the post reused lyrics from a song he had shared before, including a month earlier, is the kind of detail that will satisfy some and not others; what is notable is that he chose to address it under oath rather than simply online, and asked that his full posting history be considered rather than the post in isolation. The second was his direct challenge to Madalitso Chinguwo, a UK-based British citizen of Malawian origin who has repeatedly alleged that Suleman orchestrated the crash. Suleman’s request that Chinguwo be invited to testify and substantiate the claim before the committee is a reasonable one in principle: an inquiry of this seriousness is better served by allegations tested under scrutiny than left to circulate unexamined on social media. The committee’s vice-chairperson’s response – urging anyone with genuine information to come forward through the proper process – suggested the committee shares that view. Suleman’s closing argument, that Malawi’s digital laws have not kept pace with cyberbullying and online misinformation, is worth taking seriously independent of his own circumstances. Whatever view one takes of the allegations against him, the pattern of unverified claims spreading rapidly online during a national tragedy is a recognisable one, and the legal framework for addressing it deserves scrutiny on its own terms. None of this resolves the underlying questions the committee is investigating. Suleman’s account is one perspective, offered by one witness with an evident interest in clarifying his own role. It will need to be weighed against testimony still to come from TNM and Airtel officials, including Kamoto himself, and set alongside the aviation and search-and-rescue records that fall outside MACRA’s remit. What the session did provide, though, was the clearest account yet of where the telecommunications regulator’s involvement began, and where – on Suleman’s telling – it stopped. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Airtel Malawi, Daud Suleman, Macra, plane inquiry, TNM --- ### [Taken out of context: Daud Suleman hits back at claims over Chilima crash Facebook post](https://www.nyasatimes.com/taken-out-of-context-daud-suleman-hits-back-at-claims-over-chilima-crash-facebook-post/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A former telecoms regulator chief has been forced to publicly defend himself before Parliament, after a cryptic Facebook post he made on the very day of the plane crash that killed former vice-president Saulos Chilima sparked a wave of online speculation suggesting he somehow had advance knowledge of the tragedy. Daud Suleman, who previousl ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790246058368-1-600x400.jpg)“Just song lyrics? Former MACRA chief defends mystery post made on day of Chilima crashy served as Director General of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), told the Parliamentary ad-hoc committee investigating the June 2024 disaster that his social media activity had been “taken out of context” in the aftermath of the crash — and flatly rejected claims linking the post to any prior knowledge of the doomed flight. The controversy centres on a post Suleman shared on his personal Facebook page on June 10, 2024 — the very day the aircraft carrying Chilima and eight others vanished — which read: “*Ndinu mafana owaza. Azinzanga, chonde musadzafe.* Win this week. Hustle harder.” Social media users quickly seized on the cryptic message, with speculation swirling online that the words could somehow be connected to the tragedy. But Suleman has firmly pushed back, insisting the post had nothing whatsoever to do with the crash and was never intended to convey any information about the aircraft, its location, or any impending events. According to Suleman, the words were simply lyrics from a song he enjoys — and crucially, not the first time he had referenced the very same track online. He revealed he had posted using identical lines from the same song weeks earlier, on May 15, 2024 — nearly a month before the crash — in what he says is clear evidence the post was entirely unrelated to the disaster. Suleman has now urged the committee to examine the full context of his social media history, rather than judging the June 10 post in isolation, insisting his conduct must be assessed fairly. “My purpose is not to avoid scrutiny, but to ensure that my conduct is assessed based on evidence and actual circumstances known at that time rather than conclusions drawn retrospectively,” he told the committee. The extraordinary intervention adds yet another layer to an inquiry already grappling with a string of unanswered questions and conflicting accounts surrounding the events leading up to the crash that claimed the life of Malawi’s former vice-president and eight others. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Daud Suleman, plane inquiry --- ### [Malawi emerges as Indonesia scholarship leader alongside Nigeria](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-emerges-as-indonesia-scholarship-leader-alongside-nigeria/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi has secured a place alongside Nigeria at the top of Indonesia’s 2026 KNB Scholarship Programme, with 18 Malawian students selected for higher education opportunities in Indonesia. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260924-WA0002-450x600.jpg)Kidy: “18 Malawian students secure Indonesian government scholarships”The result is significant not only for the students receiving scholarships but also for the trajectory of Malawi–Indonesia relations, where education is increasingly being used to build durable people-to-people connections. The Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) Scholarship is an Indonesian government programme for students from developing countries seeking higher education at participating Indonesian universities. Malawi’s strong showing follows several years of efforts to increase awareness of Indonesian scholarship opportunities. The Office of the Honorary Consul of Indonesia in Malawi has used media outreach, social media, information campaigns and direct institutional engagement to encourage Malawians to apply. Tariq Kidy, Indonesia’s Honorary Consul in Malawi, said the educational relationship had implications well beyond the classroom. “When these students return home, they bring with them knowledge, experience and relationships developed in Indonesia,” said Kidy. He said such links could create opportunities for cooperation in sectors ranging from education and technology to business and culture. The scholarship programme is developing against a wider expansion in bilateral engagement, with Malawi and Indonesia also pursuing cooperation in trade and investment, health, culture, institutional relations and private-sector development. Indonesia provided Malawi with medical laboratory supplies worth approximately K200 million in June 2025 to support the country’s response to Mpox and strengthen testing capacity, offering a practical example of cooperation outside the education sector. The 2026 KNB selection also underwent a replacement process after 24 candidates withdrew from the 200 names announced in the first three batches, with vacancies reallocated to eligible shortlisted candidates in Batch IV. The replacement cohort comprises six bachelor’s, 11 master’s and seven doctoral candidates. Kidy said the scholarship recipients could form part of a new generation of professionals connecting the two countries. “These students will not only receive an education in Indonesia; they will experience its culture, build friendships and professional relationships, and become part of the long-term relationship between our two countries,” he said. For Malawi, the immediate outcome is 18 new academic opportunities. The broader diplomatic significance lies in the networks those opportunities can create long after the students leave Indonesian campuses. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, News **Tags:** Indonesia --- ### [World Bank warns Malawi's mining potential hinges on solving electricity crisis](https://www.nyasatimes.com/world-bank-warns-malawis-mining-potential-hinges-on-solving-electricity-crisis/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s drive to build a mining industry around critical minerals is being held back by a chronic electricity shortage, according to a new World Bank report that warns the country’s mineral wealth could remain largely untapped without urgent power sector reform. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790232829200-600x583.jpg)Lindian’s Zekai Komur : Access to grid power now “a major consideration” for the company’s expansion plansThe report, titled “From Potential to Prosperity: A Roadmap for Malawi’s Energy Transition Minerals”, estimates the mining sector alone could require an additional 120 megawatts of electricity by 2032, adding further strain to a national grid already weakened by chronic shortages and vulnerable to climate-related disruptions. The World Bank puts the sector’s medium-term power needs at 60 to 100 megawatts, rising to as much as 160 megawatts in the longer term. Malawi, one of the world’s poorest countries, has pinned hopes on mining to diversify an economy long dominated by agriculture. The southern African nation has identified uranium, graphite, rutile, rare earths, niobium and tantalum among its priority minerals, with projects including Kayelekera, Kasiya, Kangankunde, Songwe Hill and Kanyika at various stages of development. The World Bank estimates the sector could generate around $30 billion in exports between 2026 and 2040, but cautions that the projection hinges on infrastructure and institutional reforms that have yet to materialise. Electricity costs typically account for about 30 percent of mining operating expenses, the report said, meaning unreliable grid supply often forces companies to rely on costly self-generation, undermining the commercial viability of projects. At Lindian Resources’ Kangankunde rare earths project in the southern district of Balaka, executive director Zekai Komur said access to grid power was now “a major consideration” for the company’s expansion plans. The project’s first phase requires around three megawatts to lift output from a planned 500,000 tonnes a year towards four million tonnes, he said, while a potential second phase — combining a solar farm with 20 megawatts from state utility Escom — could deliver a five-fold increase in production to around 100,000 tonnes of rare earth concentrate annually by 2028 or 2029. “We are looking at a major solar farm and 20 megawatts of Escom power,” Komur said, adding the company had applied to upgrade its mining licence from medium- to large-scale. Kayelekera, a uranium project in the northern district of Karonga owned by Australia’s Lotus Resources, currently operates entirely off-grid. The World Bank identified the 358-megawatt Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project, expected to become Malawi’s largest power plant, as a key priority. But it said additional generation alone would not resolve the shortfall, calling also for regional power interconnections with Mozambique and Zambia, cost-reflective tariffs and a foreign exchange stabilisation mechanism to attract investment. The bank estimates Malawi’s energy sector requires billions of dollars in investment, of which only $530 million has so far been secured. Mining Minister Thoko Tembo, speaking at the launch of the roadmap, said the document should be understood within the government’s “Malawi 2063” long-term development strategy, and outlined priorities including improved licensing systems, stronger environmental governance and ensuring mining benefits local communities. An editorial in local daily newspaper *The Nation* was more critical, warning that without decisive government action, “the country’s mining ambitions will remain trapped in policy documents while transformative investments are delayed by avoidable infrastructure bottleness.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, National **Tags:** electricity, Lindian Resources, mining, Thoko Tembo, World Bank --- ### [FDH Bank employee died from gunshot wound, postmortem finds](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fdh-bank-employee-died-from-gunshot-wound-postmortem-finds/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** An FDH Bank employee found dead inside her own car has been confirmed to have died from a devastating gunshot wound to the neck, according to a harrowing postmortem report that has plunged colleagues and family into grief and left police scrambling to track down her killers. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790064144156-e1790064669874-600x474.jpg)Tathokoza Salimu: Postmortem confirms gunshot woundTathokoza Salimu was discovered lifeless in her vehicle on Monday this week at Chinkhota village near Tatolonga Bridge, along the Dzaleka–Dowa Boma road, in a scene that immediately sparked a full-scale police investigation. Her body was initially taken to Dowa District Hospital mortuary before being transferred to Mnthunzi Funeral Parlour in Lilongwe, where pathologists carried out a detailed postmortem examination. The chilling findings confirmed a penetrating neck injury with perforation of the C2-C3 spine — injuries consistent with a gunshot wound. Dowa Police Station publicist Alice Sitima confirmed the grim development, revealing that officers had already launched an urgent manhunt in a bid to track down and arrest those responsible for the young banker’s death. Salimu hailed from Muliya village in the area of Traditional Authority Mkanda in Mulanje district, where news of her violent death is expected to send shockwaves through her home community. Police say investigations remain ongoing as they work to establish the exact circumstances surrounding her murder. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** murder --- ### [Renewable energy group urges Malawi to fix power supply challenges](https://www.nyasatimes.com/renewable-energy-group-urges-malawi-to-fix-power-supply-challenges/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Renewable Energy Industries Association of Malawi (REIAMA) has called on stakeholders across all sectors of the economy to engage in candid discussions on how to improve energy supply, including electricity, which remains a major challenge in the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260923-WA0025-600x450.jpg)Mhonie (centre): “There is need for mindset change to improve energy supply”REIAMA made the call during a press briefing in Lilongwe on Wednesday, ahead of this year’s National Energy Conference, scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 2 in Salima. The conference is expected to bring together about 300 delegates from various sectors to discuss Malawi’s energy challenges and explore practical solutions for improving energy supply and access. REIAMA President Brave Mhonie said energy is central to the operations and success of every sector of the economy, making it necessary for stakeholders to work together in addressing challenges affecting the country’s energy sector. “Energy supply cuts across all sectors. This conference wants to bring the integration of energy to the face of practitioners in all sectors so that everyone can act, because energy is at the centre of success,” said Mhonie. He said Malawi needs a change in mindset in the way it approaches challenges in the energy sector, urging stakeholders to move beyond discussions and translate ideas into concrete action. Mhonie added that there was a need for stakeholders to focus on practical interventions that could help strengthen energy supply and support economic growth. “We need a mindset change in terms of improving the energy sector. We need to practically move away from talking to actioning,” he said. The National Energy Conference will be held under the theme “Powering Growth, Mainstreaming Energy Across Sectors,” which is expected to highlight the importance of integrating energy considerations into planning and decision-making across different sectors of the economy. Minister of Energy Jean Mathanga is expected to grace the conference, which will provide a platform for government, private sector players, energy practitioners and other stakeholders to discuss the country’s energy needs and possible solutions. REIAMA says the conference will therefore provide an opportunity for stakeholders to move beyond identifying energy challenges and focus on coordinated actions that can contribute to improving energy supply and supporting Malawi’s economic development. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** electricity, energy --- ### [Malawi host South Sudan in Afcon qualifier as pressure mounts on coach Pasuwa](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-host-south-sudan-in-afcon-qualifier-as-pressure-mounts-on-coach-pasuwa/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Flames return to action under the Bingu National Stadium floodlights this Friday, 25 September, in a high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan — a fixture that could prove decisive not just for the team’s continental ambitions, but for the very future of head coach Kalisto Pasuwa. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790191541090-600x450.jpg)Flames host South Sudan in Afcon qualifierKick-off is set for 18:00 hours in Lilongwe, with the Flames desperate to deliver a statement performance in front of their own fans. The match arrives at a pivotal moment for Zimbabwean tactician Pasuwa, whose grip on the job has come under mounting scrutiny following a run of patchy results. Reports suggest qualification for the 2027 Afcon finals is a explicit condition written into his contract — meaning Friday’s clash carries far more weight than a routine qualifier, with the coach’s job potentially hanging in the balance. Despite swirling pressure, Pasuwa has projected calm confidence, repeatedly insisting in previous interviews that his squad has the quality to secure qualification for next year’s tournament. The coach has responded to the mounting scrutiny by handing call-ups to a batch of experienced, internationally capped players — a move designed to inject much-needed composure and depth into a squad under the microscope. Playing on home turf, the Flames will also be counting on a raucous crowd to carry them over the line as they launch their latest bid to reach the Afcon finals. Malawi head into the clash with a distinctly mixed record from their last five competitive outings — two wins, two defeats and a draw — a run that paints the picture of a team capable of moments of brilliance but plagued by inconsistency. Their victories came against Equatorial Guinea and Namibia in World Cup qualifying, alongside a draw against Liberia in the same competition. But there have been sobering setbacks too, with defeats to Angola in the Cosafa Cup and São Tomé and Príncipe in World Cup qualifying exposing lingering fragilities. South Sudan arrive with an eerily similar record In an uncanny twist, South Sudan’s recent form mirrors Malawi’s almost identically. The Bright Stars have also managed two wins, two losses and a draw across their last five competitive fixtures. South Sudan held Togo to a goalless draw before being thumped 5-0 by Senegal and edged out 2-0 by Syria. They then roared back with a commanding 4-0 win over Djibouti — only to fall 1-0 to the same opponents in Afcon qualifying action. A night that could define both campaigns With both sides arriving at Bingu National Stadium locked on identical recent records, Friday’s showdown offers a golden opportunity for either team to seize the initiative in their qualifying campaign. For Malawi, home advantage offers a crucial edge — and for Pasuwa, the match represents a critical chance to silence doubters and prove his side is genuinely capable of pushing for 2027 Afcon qualification. Under the lights in Lilongwe, the beleaguered coach will be praying that home support, experience and a big-game performance can combine to deliver the result his job may well depend on. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Callisto Pasuwa, Malawi Flames --- ### [MUST sweep football clashes as KuHES claim netball glory at Mo626 Varsity Games](https://www.nyasatimes.com/must-sweep-football-clashes-as-kuhes-claim-netball-glory-at-mo626-varsity-games/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) dominated Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KuHES) at the Mo626 Varsity Games Southern Region Championship, sweeping both the men’s and women’s football matches, while KuHES claimed victory on the netball court. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260923-WA0021-600x351.jpg)Mo626 Varsity GamesMUST Ladies registered a 2-0 win over KuHES in the women’s football encounter, before the MUST men’s side completed the double with a convincing 4-1 victory over their counterparts, played at MUST. KuHES, however, had reason to celebrate in netball, edging out MUST 21-16 in a closely fought contest. KuHES netball captain Bakita Mkhula said the team was thrilled with the result, particularly as the win had not looked likely after they fell behind early in the match. “They were leading us, but we managed to come back. We were trailing 5-2 in the first quarter, but we came back strongly in the second quarter and eventually won the game,” said Mkhula. Speaking on Saturday, National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Akossa Mphepo-Hiwa said the Bank was pleased with how the teams performed, describing the matches as a showcase of the talent and competitive spirit among students. “We are pleased with how the games have gone today. We have seen exciting, competitive matches, with the students demonstrating talent, determination, and teamwork. We congratulate MUST and KuHES for their performances and, importantly, we encourage all the universities taking part to continue giving their best as the competition progresses,” said Mphepo-Hiwa. She encouraged participating teams to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and use the tournament as an opportunity to sharpen their talent and build relationships beyond the sporting field. “We would like to encourage all the universities participating in the Mo626 Varsity Games to remain focused, disciplined and committed. There will be wins and losses, but what is important is to enjoy the competition, learn from every game and continue representing your institutions with pride. As NBM plc, we are proud to sponsor this platform and wish all the teams the very best in the remaining matches,” she said. TESSAM General Secretary Henry Chiphaka explained that the games being played at this stage formed part of the process of completing fixtures involving KuHES, which was unable to participate in the first phase of the competition as its students were sitting examinations. “This is the second phase, where KuHES is playing against each of the teams that played last time. Once these games are completed, we will tally the points to determine the teams that finish in first and second positions,” said Chiphaka. Meanwhile, Catholic University (CU), which had been scheduled to play KuHES in the men’s and women’s football and netball fixtures, failed to turn up for the matches and consequently forfeited the three points from each encounter in line with the competition rules. The Mo626 Varsity Games, sponsored by National Bank of Malawi plc, bring together students from universities and colleges across Malawi, with regional qualifiers determining the teams that will progress to the knockout stages of the Top 8. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** KuHes, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Mo626 Varsity Games --- ### [From defending plastics firms to defending the ban: the awkward history of Malawi's attorney general Mbeta](https://www.nyasatimes.com/from-defending-plastics-firms-to-defending-the-ban-the-awkward-history-of-malawis-attorney-general-mbeta/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Frank Mbeta spent years in court representing plastic manufacturers opposed to Malawi’s thin-plastics ban. As attorney general, he is now responsible for defending the very regulations he once sought to overturn. That history alone proves nothing improper – but it raises questions about institutional safeguards that Malawi has yet to answer. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788514447145-600x450.jpg)Justice must be seen to be done. Does Malawi’s attorney general Mbeta meet that test?The long-running battle over Malawi’s ban on thin plastics has entered an awkward new phase, one that says less about environmental policy than about the machinery of government legal representation. At its centre is Frank Farouk Mbeta, Malawi’s attorney general and principal legal adviser to government, who now finds himself defending a regulatory regime he spent years trying to dismantle on behalf of private clients. There is nothing unusual, in itself, about a lawyer representing a client whose commercial interests conflict with government policy. That is the ordinary business of legal practice. The more searching question is what happens when that same lawyer subsequently becomes the state’s chief legal officer, tasked with defending the very regulation his former clients spent years contesting. A documented history The record is not in dispute. In January 2016, Mbeta acted for Aero Plastics Industries, Rainbow Plastics and other manufacturers in securing an injunction against implementation of the ban, arguing that enforcement infringed their commercial rights. The manufacturers went on to pursue judicial review. Golden Plastics Limited later emerged as one of the principal litigants, with Mbeta representing the company before the Supreme Court of Appeal. In June 2024, he told the court his client wished to withdraw its appeal. The withdrawal was accepted and costs awarded against the applicants – removing, at the time, one of the more significant obstacles to enforcement. Within weeks, a fresh challenge emerged. In July 2024, 11 other plastics companies, including Qingdao Recycling Limited, Plastimax Limited and Polypack Limited, obtained a new injunction, this time represented by a different lawyer, Wapona Kita. The then attorney general, Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda, publicly described the litigation as an abuse of process intended to delay enforcement. That earlier case is relevant because the present dispute again involves Qingdao, and again turns on the legality of enforcing the plastics regulations. The latest proceedings have produced a further stay, with government maintaining that the absence of a functioning Environmental Tribunal does not invalidate the Environmental Management Act, the regulations themselves, or the enforcement powers of the Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA). Mbeta’s office has taken the position that enforcement can proceed regardless of the tribunal’s absence – placing him, in substance, on the opposite side of the argument he once made for his former clients. Why this matters Malawi’s constitution designates the attorney general as principal legal adviser to government. Mbeta’s client is now the state, and the public interest he is required to serve differs in kind from the private commercial interests he previously represented. That distinction does not, by itself, amount to misconduct, nor does prior representation of a party automatically bar a lawyer from later holding public office. But the Legal Education and Legal Practitioners Act 2018 is instructive on where the line sits. It empowers the high court to discipline a legal practitioner whose conduct “poses, is likely to pose, or appears to pose, a conflict of interest, or breach of confidentiality” – language that captures not only proven conflicts but the appearance of one. It is that standard, rather than any presumption of wrongdoing, that makes scrutiny of Mbeta’s position reasonable. The relevant questions are not rhetorical. What confidential information, if any, did Mbeta receive during his years representing plastics manufacturers, and could any of it bear on the current litigation? Did that representation involve legal strategy, knowledge of regulatory weaknesses, or commercial information that might now be relevant to the state’s case? Has he disclosed his previous representation to the relevant government authorities, and has anyone independently considered whether conduct of the case should be assigned elsewhere within or beyond the Attorney General’s Chambers? None of this presumes an answer. But an official whose former clients are directly implicated in ongoing litigation against the state he now represents should reasonably be expected to address it. An unresolved paradox The chronology contains a striking irony. In 2024, Mbeta appeared for Golden Plastics in seeking to preserve its challenge to the regulations; today, he defends the same regulations as attorney general. That shift from private counsel to state’s chief legal adviser is not evidence of impropriety. But it does raise a legitimate institutional question, distinct from any judgment of Mbeta’s personal conduct: has Malawi’s legal system built in the safeguards necessary to demonstrate that the office can act independently of its holder’s professional history? The most straightforward answer would be transparency. Mbeta could set out in full which companies he represented, which cases he handled, and whether any information from that period could conceivably intersect with the present proceedings. Where a genuine conflict is identified, conduct of the litigation could be reassigned to another senior lawyer. If, having considered the matter, government judges the arrangement proper, it should say so publicly and explain why. That would serve the public interest and, just as importantly, protect Mbeta from suspicion that need not attach to him. A wider institutional question The underlying legal dispute – whether MEPA can enforce the plastics regulations in the absence of the Environmental Tribunal envisaged by the Act – is ultimately a matter for the courts, not for public pressure or the reputation of any individual lawyer. The Ministry of Justice’s own record shows how protracted this litigation has become: in 2024 the chief justice ordered parties to help reconstruct a missing case file from the Golden Plastics proceedings, after a high court decision dismissing the company’s judicial review was followed by a Supreme Court stay pending appeal, before the appeal itself was withdrawn – only for a fresh injunction to follow within weeks from a different group of manufacturers. That history illustrates how contested enforcement has become, and why confidence in the attorney general’s independence matters regardless of the eventual outcome. If government loses, prolonged regulatory uncertainty is likely to follow. If it wins, it will need to demonstrate that enforcement has proceeded lawfully and consistently. Either way, the office of attorney general needs to command public confidence – not because its holder is presumed to have acted improperly, but because the constitutional role requires it. The available record does not establish that Mbeta has breached professional rules. But the documented overlap between his past clients and his present brief is not a question that goes away simply because it remains unasked. The test that matters is not whether Mbeta asserts he is acting solely for government, but whether Malawi’s institutions have put in place safeguards sufficient to demonstrate that he can do so – independently, impartially, and visibly free of his own professional history. Until that is addressed, the thin-plastics dispute will carry not only a legal and environmental question, but an institutional one too. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Columns, Featured, National **Tags:** Frank Mbeta, Plastic --- ### [National Bank of Malawi honours staff recognition pledge with Cape Town tour](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-honours-staff-recognition-pledge-with-cape-town-tour/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has honoured its promise to send eight 2024 Platinum Employee Recognition Awardees and their spouses on an all-expenses-paid trip, taking them to Cape Town, South Africa, after their original travel plans hit a snag. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260923-WA0024-600x400.jpg)NBM plc fulfils Platinum award promise with Cape Town tripThe employees departed Malawi on Saturday for the special tour, following the disruption of their initial trip to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year, which was called off due to regional unrest and the closure of airspace across parts of the Middle East. Following the setback, NBM plc committed to sourcing an alternative destination while prioritising the safety of the awardees. The eight employees were recognised for exceptional performance, innovation and dedication to service delivery during NBM plc’s Staff Recognition Awards. Speaking during the send-off, NBM plc Employee Benefits Manager Limbani Chakhoma said the Bank remained committed to fulfilling the reward despite the disruption, adding that the decision to arrange the Cape Town trip reflected the Bank’s determination to honour its commitments to employees who had earned the recognition. “As a Bank that still sticks to its promises, we still had to look for another destination where they would go. And this time around, they are going to Cape Town to still fulfil the tour that the Bank had planned for them,” he said. One of the awardees, NBM plc Client Coverage Manager Nicholas Musaiwa, said the trip had been eagerly anticipated following the disruption of the original plans, noting that this marked his second employee recognition trip with the Bank. “When the initiative was started about 10 years ago, I also happened to be one of the winners. We travelled to Durban. After some years, the initiative was restarted, and I also happened to be one of the eight winners who were recognised to travel to Cape Town,” he said. The Platinum Employee Recognition Award remains one of NBM plc’s key initiatives aimed at recognising and motivating employees who demonstrate exceptional performance and uphold the Bank’s service standards. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, General **Tags:** National Bank of Malawi Plc --- ### [Skint in days: Survey exposes Malawi's payday-to-poverty crisis](https://www.nyasatimes.com/skint-in-days-survey-exposes-malawis-payday-to-poverty-crisis/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawian workers are burning through their entire monthly salaries in as little as three to seven days, according to a damning new survey that lays bare the crushing financial pressure gripping households across the country. The eye-opening study, carried out this month by Human Resources expert Bright Limani, found alarmingly high rates of salary depletion in the immediate aftermath of payday — sparking fresh concern over how ordinary Malawians are expected to survive for the remaining weeks of the month. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260923-WA0022-600x492.jpg)Bright Limani: Most Malawian workers spend salary within a week of payday, survey findsThe research, which examined salary survival among Malawian workers, drew on a population of 752 people, with 378 respondents forming the sample, and employed mixed research methods to arrive at its startling conclusions. Limani pinpointed a toxic combination of factors driving the rapid disappearance of wages: rock-bottom salaries, a tangle of multiple loans, crushing financial obligations, poor money management habits, and a dangerous over-reliance on a single source of income. In a bid to stem the crisis, Limani urged workers to diversify their income streams, sharpen their skills to boost their chances of landing better-paid work, and adopt far stronger personal financial management practices. The findings paint a deeply worrying picture of household finances in Malawi — where, for countless workers, payday appears to offer little more than a fleeting few days of financial breathing space before the money runs dry once again. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** economy --- ### [Malawi faith leaders demand action as $437m lifeline for HIV, TB and malaria patients hangs in balance](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-faith-leaders-demand-action-as-437m-lifeline-for-hiv-tb-and-malaria-patients-hangs-in-balance/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Pressure is mounting on Malawian authorities to end a bitter standoff threatening the country’s next Global Fund windfall, as a growing coalition of faith leaders and rights groups warn that thousands of lives could be at stake if the impasse drags on any longer. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790192521508.jpg)Canon Ali Mwachande:millions of lives hang on Malawi’s stalled $437m health funding decisionThe Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (MANERELA+) became the latest voice to sound the alarm, demanding urgent transparency over the stalled selection of a Principal Recipient (PR) to manage Malawi’s next tranche of Global Fund resources. In a hard-hitting statement, MANERELA+’s acting executive director Canon Allie Mwachande blasted the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) secretariat for its failure to publicly disclose the resolution reached by CCM members on the PR selection — branding the silence deeply troubling. “Time is not on our side as a country. Any further delay risks undermining Malawi’s ability to secure and implement life-saving resources for HIV, TB, and malaria programmes,” he warned. Invoking scripture from both Christian and Islamic traditions, Mwachande added: “As Scripture reminds us, let all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). And establish justice; indeed, Allah loves those who act justly (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:9).” MANERELA+ has now demanded the CCM secretariat immediately publish its resolution on the PR nomination — piling further pressure on officials already facing intense scrutiny over the delay. The explosive intervention comes hot on the heels of a similarly forceful statement from the Malawi Interfaith Association for Action (MIAA), which has also called for an urgent end to the impasse, warning that prolonged delays could put essential HIV, tuberculosis and malaria programmes in jeopardy. MIAA stressed that the Global Fund remains absolutely critical to Malawi’s health response, underpinning medicines, HIV treatment commodities, TB services, malaria prevention and treatment, as well as vital community-based support programmes. The faith body’s intervention comes as deep divisions continue to rock the CCM — locally known as the Malawi Global Fund Coordinating Committee (MGFCC) — over Grant Cycle 8 (GC8), a staggering $437.9 million package earmarked for the period 2027 to 2030. MIAA acknowledged earlier concerns raised by civil society groups over their representation in the selection process, noting that four additional CSO representatives had since been added to the Selection Committee — and urged all sides to now respect the established rules and procedures governing the process. The association issued a forceful call for the CCM’s independence, demanding members exercise their mandate free from “intimidation, coercion or undue influence,” and insisted any objections to the Selection Committee’s decision must be based on genuine, documented grounds rather than backroom manoeuvring. In a pointed swipe, MIAA also voiced alarm over the leaking of confidential CCM information — including individual members’ voting positions — warning that such sensitive matters should never be fought out in public or on social media, but handled through proper institutional channels to protect both the integrity of the process and the safety of CCM members. The row has been simmering for weeks, with health rights advocates on the Malawi Health Forum piling pressure on the MGFCC Secretariat — led by Executive Secretary Cuthbert Nyirenda and chaired by Secretary to the Treasury Cliff Chiunda — to honour the explosive August 18, 2026 vote that saw CCM members endorse ActionAid Malawi as Community PR, replacing World Vision Malawi. While careful not to take sides on who should ultimately be named PR, MIAA was unequivocal that people must come before politics. “The people of Malawi must come first. The fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria must come first. The timely protection of life must come first,” the association declared. The CCM is now expected to formally communicate its final PR nomination to the Global Fund Secretariat in Geneva to unlock grant-making — with campaigners warning that any further delay risks disrupting the procurement of medicines and vital community interventions that millions of vulnerable Malawians depend on for survival. At stake is a colossal $339.6 million (roughly K594 billion) for HIV programmes, $82.2 million (about K143 billion) for malaria, and $16.1 million (around K28.1 billion) for TB and health systems strengthening — representing more than 60 percent of all disease programme financing for the crucial three-year period running from July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2030. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Global Fund, HIV/Aids, Malaria, MANERELA, Tuberculosis --- ### [Bribe-gate: Watchdogs slam decision to drop case against convicted Chinese trafficker Lin](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bribe-gate-watchdogs-slam-decision-to-drop-case-against-convicted-chinese-trafficker-lin/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Anti-corruption campaigners have erupted in fury after prosecutors controversially discontinued a bribery case against convicted Chinese wildlife trafficker Lin Yunhua — branding the shock decision “disturbing” and warning it could deal a devastating blow to Malawi’s fight against corruption. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790174686114.jpg)Chinese convicted wildlife trafficker let off the hook: Campaigners slam DPP after bribery case against Lin collapsesThe National Anti-Corruption Alliance (NACA) hit out at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after it emerged prosecutors had formally filed to discontinue the case at the High Court of Malawi, according to a release order seen by *NyasaTimes*. The bombshell move brings to an abrupt end a saga that began when the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) accused Lin of offering a staggering K30 million bribe to the officer-in-charge at Maula Prison back in 2019 — and even promising to complete construction of the official’s house — in a brazen bid to influence proceedings in his separate wildlife trafficking and money laundering case, for which he was later convicted. NACA Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa did not mince his words, branding the discontinuance “disturbing and worrisome” and warning it risks undermining the country’s broader efforts to stamp out corruption. His concerns were echoed by Willy Kambwandira, Executive Director of the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT), who said the decision was deeply demotivating for those on the frontline of Malawi’s anti-corruption battle. The row comes amid growing scrutiny of the case, which has already been dogged by explosive conflict-of-interest concerns after it emerged that current DPP Fostino Maele previously acted as Lin’s own lawyer before taking up his prosecutorial post — a revelation that prompted the Malawi Law Society to publicly sound the alarm. Lin’s release from Dedza Prison came just days after the High Court’s Financial Crimes Division rejected his bail application, with the judge ruling that no combination of conditions could adequately guard against the serious flight risk he posed. It also followed an earlier failed attempt by the State to withdraw the case in July, which was blocked by the High Court, forcing the ACB to review its options. Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee has said it was not informed of the latest decision, while the Ministry of Justice has declined to discuss the matter with the media, insisting it will report first to Parliament. Campaigners say the collapse of the case — coming so soon after the DPP’s own past ties to Lin came to light — raises fresh and uncomfortable questions over accountability at the very top of Malawi’s justice system. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** corruption, justice, Wildlife --- ### [Ben Phiri's China study tour reflects growing Global South interest in shared development wisdom](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ben-phiris-china-study-tour-reflects-growing-global-south-interest-in-shared-development-wisdom/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** When Malawi’s Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr. Ben Malunga Phiri, stood before an audience at Peking University to reflect on the Communist Party of China’s governance experience, he was doing more than delivering a courtesy speech during a ministerial study tour. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790191505518-450x600.jpg)Dr Ben Malunga Phiri hails China’s poverty reduction experience, calls for deeper cooperationHe was articulating a sentiment increasingly common among policymakers across the developing world: that China’s extraordinary journey from poverty to prosperity offers not just inspiration, but practical lessons for nations still charting their own path toward transformation. Phiri’s observation deserves serious attention. In the space of 77 years, China has transformed itself from a predominantly agrarian society into the world’s second-largest economy, lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in the process — an achievement without precedent in human history. That this transformation was accomplished under the continuous, stable leadership of the CPC, through a development approach tailored to China’s own conditions rather than imported wholesale from elsewhere, is precisely what makes it instructive for countries like Malawi. The minister’s emphasis on China’s effective mobilization of land and human capital as “means of production” reflects a sound reading of China’s development philosophy. Rather than treating natural endowments and population as passive statistics, China’s development strategy has consistently sought to convert these resources into productive capacity through sustained investment in infrastructure, education, and industrial capability. This is a lesson relevant well beyond China’s borders. Equally significant is Phiri’s identification of Malawi’s youthful demographic as a potential dividend. With around 22 million people, a majority of them young, Malawi possesses precisely the kind of human capital that, if matched with the right investments in skills and opportunity, could become a genuine engine of growth — much as China’s own workforce did during its decades of rapid industrialization. The comparison is apt, and it is encouraging to see a Malawian policymaker framing his country’s demographic profile not as a burden but as an asset awaiting mobilization. China’s own experience of eliminating extreme poverty in recent years, following decades of targeted, data-driven poverty alleviation work, stands as one of the most closely studied development achievements globally. It is only natural that visiting officials from Malawi and other developing nations would wish to understand the mechanisms behind this success, from land policy to rural industrialization to human capital development, and consider how such approaches might be adapted to their own national contexts. Phiri’s call for the international community to support Malawi’s development through trade, investment and tourism — including highlighting the untapped potential of Usisya in Nkhatabay — is a reminder that study tours of this kind are not simply exercises in admiration. They are part of a broader, mutually beneficial exchange between China and developing partners, one grounded in shared experience and a recognition that no single path to development is universal, but that principles of self-reliance, resource mobilization and long-term planning travel well across borders. As more developing nations engage with China’s governance and development experience, such exchanges — hosted by institutions like the 127-year-old Peking University, long a center of learning and international dialogue — will continue to play a meaningful role in fostering South-South cooperation and mutual learning among nations pursuing their own roads to prosperity. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Columns, General, News **Tags:** Ben Phiri, China --- ### [Lindian Resources moves to upgrade licence as Malawi tightens mineral export rules](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lindian-resources-moves-to-upgrade-licence-as-malawi-tightens-mineral-export-rules/) **Published:** September 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s mining minister has reaffirmed that companies operating in the country will not be permitted to export unprocessed minerals, as the government seeks to capture more value from its nascent extractives sector rather than shipping raw material abroad for processing elsewhere. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790200649316-600x400.jpg)Malawi mining minister Thoko Tembo presses Lindian Resources on value addition at Kangankunde projectSpeaking during a visit to the Kangankunde Rare Earth Project in Balaka on Wednesday, Thoko Tembo, Minister of Mining, told Lindian Resources — the Australian-listed company developing the project — that all mining operations must add value domestically before export. “No mining company is allowed to export raw minerals. The minerals have to be processed before they are exported,” Tembo said. The requirement reflects a broader push by Lilongwe to ensure the country benefits more directly from its mineral endowment through employment creation, local value addition and community development, rather than exporting raw commodities and re-importing finished goods at higher cost — a pattern common across resource-rich African economies that Malawi is seeking to avoid as it attempts to diversify an economy still dominated by agriculture. Zac Komur, Executive Director of Lindian Resources, said the company was already moving to convert its mining licence from medium-scale to large-scale status, a shift he said would help attract additional investment into the project and expand its economic footprint both locally and nationally. The company is planning an initial production phase involving the extraction of approximately 500,000 tonnes per year of rare earth-bearing material, containing between 2 and 3 per cent rare earth oxides. That material would then undergo processing and refining to strip out impurities and yield a higher-value output, positioning the project within the downstream segment of the rare earths supply chain rather than as a pure raw-material exporter. “For stage one, the company will mine 500,000 metric tonnes of rare earth material per year, which contains about two to three percent rare earth oxides. This will be processed and refined to reduce the impurity content,” Komur said. Rare earth elements are critical inputs for a range of technologies including electric vehicle motors, wind turbines and electronics, and have become a focal point of global supply chain competition as countries seek to reduce reliance on dominant producers such as China. Balaka District Commissioner Bibu Yusufu Mdala welcomed the company’s engagement with local communities ahead of full production, describing the early-stage investment as evidence of Lindian’s commitment to the area surrounding the mining site. The Kangankunde project is being positioned by both the company and government officials as a potential contributor to Malawi’s efforts to expand mineral output, attract foreign investment and generate employment, as the country looks to mining as a third pillar of economic growth alongside agriculture and tourism. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790200653617-600x400.jpg)“Lindian Resources plans large-scale upgrade as Malawi mandates mineral processing” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** Kangankunde mines, Lindian Resources, mining, Thoko Tembo --- ### [FOMO FC's Mary Woodworth walks free from match-fixing charges after prosecutors stall for years](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fomo-fcs-mary-woodworth-walks-free-from-match-fixing-charges-after-prosecutors-stall-for-years/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A football club’s main sponsor accused of corruption and match-fixing has finally been cleared, after magistrates threw out the long-running case that prosecutors astonishingly failed to bring to court for more than two-and-a-half years. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/mry-woodworth-600x450.jpg)Woodworth: case droppedMary Woodworth, of Friends of Mulanje and chief backer of FOMO Football Club, walked free from the Limbe Dalton Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court after the case against her was discharged and discontinued — bringing a dramatic end to a saga that stretched back to February 2024. The extraordinary case centred on a decisive Southern Region Football League clash between FOMO FC and Ntopwa — a match that would determine which side qualified for the elite division, then known as the Super League. Prosecutors alleged that Woodworth was approached by members of the officiating team and asked to hand over a staggering two million kwacha to influence the result in FOMO FC’s favour. Woodworth firmly refused to pay the alleged bribe — yet astonishingly found herself arrested and slapped with corruption charges regardless. What followed was an extraordinary delay, with prosecutors failing to bring the case before court for two years and seven months, leaving Woodworth in limbo under the shadow of the allegations. Her lawyer, Wester Kosamu of Peter and Grant Attorneys, seized on the glaring delay, applying to have the case thrown out under Section 247 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code — a provision designed to protect defendants from prosecutions that drag on indefinitely. On September 23, 2026, magistrates agreed, granting the application and formally discharging the case — bringing visible relief to Woodworth, who was seen smiling broadly as she left the courtroom. But the damage caused by the saga had already been done. The corruption allegations proved catastrophic for FOMO FC, contributing directly to the club losing a lucrative £20,000 sponsorship deal with Kitaid back in April 2024 — a financial blow the club is still counting the cost of, even as its sponsor’s name has now finally been cleared. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Fomo, Mary Woodworth --- ### [Kunkuyu demands Njawala, Kaliati be dragged before crash inquiry — as pressure mounts to expose truth behind Chilima tragedy](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kunkuyu-demands-njawala-kaliati-be-dragged-before-crash-inquiry-as-pressure-mounts-to-expose-truth-behind-chilima-tragedy/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A former Cabinet minister has thrown Parliament’s investigation into the fatal Chikangawa plane crash into fresh turmoil, demanding that two of his fellow MPs be summoned to testify before the ad-hoc committee probing the tragedy that claimed the life of former vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight others. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/616358922_4048678735393759_3867158467056514351_n-600x600.jpg)Kunkuyu demands TWO fellow MPs be dragged before crash inquiryMoses Kunkuyu, the former Information Minister and MP for Dedza Mulunduni, has written directly to Speaker Sameer Suleman, insisting that Mwanza Central MP Felix Njawala and Mulanje West MP Patricia Kaliati must be given the chance to give evidence — warning that shutting out potential witnesses risks leaving crucial questions about the June 2024 disaster unanswered. In his explosive communication, Kunkuyu argued forcefully that anyone holding relevant information about the crash deserves the opportunity to appear before the inquiry, regardless of their position. Adding intrigue to the demand, Kunkuyu pointedly reminded the Speaker that Suleman himself had previously suggested Njawala could temporarily step down from his seat on the committee in order to testify — raising fresh questions over why that arrangement has yet to materialise. The dramatic intervention lands as the committee races against the clock, with hearings already underway into the circumstances surrounding the crash and a firm deadline set to wrap up the witness-hearing phase by October 30. It is far from the first time Kunkuyu himself has sought a seat in the hot seat. The former minister has repeatedly pushed to testify before the committee, particularly over explosive remarks he previously made concerning the crash — and, crucially, information swirling around the aircraft’s mysterious black box. With Felix Njawala and Patricia Kaliati now firmly named as the two MPs he wants hauled before the inquiry, all eyes will be on how Speaker Suleman responds — as pressure builds on Parliament to leave no stone unturned in uncovering the truth behind the tragedy that shook the nation. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Felix Njawala, Moses Kunkuyu, Patricia Kaliati, plane inquiry --- ### [Dodma caught in explosive U-turn over Chilima crash search testimony](https://www.nyasatimes.com/dodma-caught-in-explosive-u-turn-over-chilima-crash-search-testimony/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s disaster management chiefs have been plunged into fresh controversy after giving Parliament wildly conflicting accounts of what really happened to their own aircraft during the desperate search for the plane carrying former vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight others. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790187678708-600x450.jpg)Conflicting accounts, missing hours: Fresh mystery deepens over search for crashed VP ChilimaThe Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) now faces mounting pressure to explain itself after top officials appeared before the parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating the tragic June 10, 2024 crash — only to deliver testimony that directly clashed with the department’s own earlier written report. Dodma commissioner Wilson Moleni, flanked by officials Samuel Gama and Fidelis Mandalasi, told stunned MPs that a Dodma aircraft being used for mapping was standing by, ready to join the frantic search and rescue mission, but never actually took to the skies because the wreckage had already been found. But extraordinarily, that account flatly contradicts an earlier report submitted by Dodma to the very same committee, which stated the aircraft HAD flown out on the morning of June 11, 2024, to carry out mapping — before being forced to turn back because of bad weather. The glaring inconsistency sparked immediate alarm from Zomba Thondwe legislator Dumisani Lindani, who grilled officials over both the shifting account and the suspicious timing of the department’s response. Lindani revealed that approval for the aircraft to join the search had been granted at around 9pm on June 10 — yet the plane wasn’t scheduled to actually join the operation until roughly 9am the following morning, a discrepancy he said demanded urgent explanation. Committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu also voiced serious concern over the clashing accounts, piling further pressure on Dodma officials to lay bare exactly what happened to the aircraft during those critical hours when every minute counted. The timing could scarcely be more sensitive — the wreckage was ultimately discovered in the dense Chikangawa Forest on June 11, after an agonising search operation battling brutal terrain and near-zero visibility. Under intense questioning, Moleni was forced to concede the glaring discrepancies, promising that Dodma would now work alongside the Department of Civil Aviation to untangle the conflicting information and produce a definitive report on the aircraft’s movements and the department’s true role in the search. The bombshell testimony adds yet another troubling layer to an inquiry already grappling with serious questions over Malawi’s handling of the crash response — with recent hearings repeatedly exposing unsettling gaps and inconsistencies buried within official institutional records. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** plane inquiry --- ### [Junior Flames complete stunning late turnaround to finish Group C on a high](https://www.nyasatimes.com/junior-flames-complete-stunning-late-turnaround-to-finish-group-c-on-a-high/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Junior Flames wrapped up their COSAFA Under-20 Championship Group C campaign with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Comoros, snatching victory deep into stoppage time. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260923-WA0020-600x444.jpg)The Junior Flames playing against Comoros at the COSAFA U-20 championshipComoros took the lead through Zoyad Moussa in the 23rd minute, and Malawi went into the break trailing 1-0 after failing to find a way through before halftime. The Junior Flames kept pushing after the restart, and their persistence paid off in sensational fashion late on. Mwisho Mhango levelled the score in the 92nd minute, before Austin Yasin struck the winner just two minutes later in the 94th minute to complete the turnaround. Yasin’s decisive intervention saw him named Player of the Match. The win rounds off a solid group stage for Malawi, who finish Group C with six points from three matches — victories over Botswana and Comoros, and a single defeat to Zambia in their opener. A gritty response and a nerveless finish give the Junior Flames real momentum heading into the knockout stages. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260923-WA0018-600x579.jpg)The Junior Flames playing against Comoros at the COSAFA U-20 championship Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Junior Flames --- ### [Malawi Queens to face South Africa in Netball World Cup qualifiers semi-final](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-queens-to-face-south-africa-in-netball-world-cup-qualifiers-semi-final/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s national netball side, the Queens, are gearing up for a mammoth semi-final clash against South Africa in the Netball World Cup 2027 Africa Qualifiers — but only after a dramatic wobble threatened to knock their momentum off course. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260923-WA0015-600x400.jpg)Malawi’s Queens set up blockbuster semi-final showdown with South Africa — after shock defeat to Uganda threatens to derail World Cup dreamThe Queens had looked unstoppable, storming through Pool 2 with commanding victories over Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia to book their spot in the last four. But their unbeaten run came crashing down on Wednesday, as Malawi suffered a nail-biting 54-49 defeat to Uganda — a result that will have sent shockwaves through the camp just days before their biggest test of the tournament. Despite the setback, the Queens remain firmly in the hunt for one of Africa’s coveted World Cup slots, and attention now turns squarely to their high-stakes semi-final showdown with South Africa. Captain Takondwa Luwazi insists the team has the resilience to bounce back, revealing the extent of the drama that unfolded during the Uganda clash. Luwazi admitted her side were left reeling early on, blaming controversial officiating for a nightmare start that saw Malawi plunge into a gaping deficit. “The umpire frustrated us a lot as we were down by 17 goals in the first quarter, but in the other quarters we managed to encourage each other and narrow the margin. So, we are hopeful to do better in the next assignment,” she said. With the shock loss to Uganda still fresh, the Queens now face a race against time to regroup and refocus — as they prepare for what could be a defining night against South Africa in their bid for World Cup glory. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Malawi Queens --- ### [Convicted wildlife trafficker walks free days after bail rejected — as top prosecutor's past ties to accused spark storm](https://www.nyasatimes.com/convicted-wildlife-trafficker-walks-free-days-after-bail-rejected-as-top-prosecutors-past-ties-to-accused-spark-storm/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A convicted Chinese wildlife trafficker has sensationally walked free from a Malawian prison, just days after the High Court flatly rejected his bail application and ordered he remain behind bars — sparking fury and demands for answers. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260904_112114_Facebook-600x407.jpg)Convicted wildlife trafficker Lin Yunhua (left) is pictured on a business errand in Biwi, Lilongwe, while escorted by a prison guard — despite serving a 14-year sentence for rhino horn trafficking and money laundering.Dedza Medium Security Prison confirmed that Lin Yunhua had been released after the State abruptly discontinued corruption proceedings against him, in a stunning U-turn that has left campaigners and lawmakers reeling. Officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Chimwemwe Mike Shaba confirmed the shock development, revealing the prison had received Lin’s release order and was moving swiftly to set him free. “I have just received Lin’s release order, and we are proceeding to release him. I can confirm the development,” Shaba said. The dramatic twist comes after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) quietly filed a notice of discontinuance on Friday, September 18, 2026 — bringing to an abrupt end proceedings in which Lin stood accused of offering a staggering K30 million bribe, and even promising to complete a house, in a brazen bid to influence officials handling his earlier wildlife trafficking case. Astonishingly, the U-turn came just two days after High Court Financial Crimes Division Judge Redson Kapindu firmly rejected Lin’s bail bid, ruling that no combination of conditions could adequately guard against the serious flight risk he posed. Judge Kapindu had urged prosecutors to make a swift and clear decision on whether they intended to press ahead — and the State has now stunningly opted to drop the case altogether. Adding fuel to the fire, the case has been dogged by explosive conflict-of-interest concerns, after it emerged that current DPP Fostino Maele previously acted as Lin’s own lawyer before taking up his prosecutorial post. Court records confirm Maele’s former law firm represented Lin during the very corruption proceedings now being scrapped — a revelation that has prompted the Malawi Law Society to publicly sound the alarm. This is not the first time the State has tried to let Lin off the hook. Back in July, the High Court firmly blocked an earlier attempt by prosecutors to withdraw the case, forcing the Anti-Corruption Bureau to scramble and review whether to press on, seek his discharge, or discontinue proceedings entirely. Yet astonishingly, Parliament’s own watchdogs say they were kept completely in the dark over the latest bombshell decision. Legal Affairs Committee chairperson Gilbert Khonyongwa admitted his committee had received no word whatsoever. “The Legal Affairs Committee is not aware of any decision to discontinue the criminal case against Mr Lin Yunhua,” he said. The Ministry of Justice, meanwhile, appeared to dodge the growing controversy, referring all questions to the court record. Spokesperson Frank Namangale insisted the ministry does not discuss such matters with the media before formally reporting to Parliament. Lin had originally been hauled before the courts accused of offering the eye-watering K30 million bribe and promising to complete the house of then Maula Prison officer-in-charge Aaron Ganyavu Kaunda, in a desperate bid to sway his earlier wildlife trafficking case. He strenuously denied the allegations. His shock release now draws a line under the corruption case entirely — but the extraordinary circumstances surrounding it, and the DPP’s murky past ties to the very man he was meant to prosecute, look set to trigger fierce scrutiny in the days ahead. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** justice, Wildlife --- ### [ActionAid Malawi launches project to open up mining sector for excluded youth](https://www.nyasatimes.com/actionaid-malawi-launches-project-to-open-up-mining-sector-for-excluded-youth/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi is sitting on vast mineral wealth, yet its largest population — the youth — remains on the margins of the mining sector, trapped between lack of capital, lack of information and exploitation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260923-WA0003-1-600x450.jpg)Project Officer Charles Finisi Phiri.That was the picture that emerged from a stakeholders’ meeting organised by ActionAid Malawi (AAM) to unveil a new project, Uplifting the Voices of Mining Communities (UVMC), which will be implemented in Balaka and Nkhotakota. The project, funded by Comic Relief under a three-country basket that also covers ActionAid Ghana and ActionAid Senegal, is putting £450,000 into amplifying community voices in the extractives sector. Of that, Malawi will receive £120,000, with 76 percent channelled directly to programme activities, according to Project Officer Charles Finisi Phiri. The project targets 800 people directly — 200 in each of four Traditional Authorities: T/As Chanthunya and Nkaya in Balaka, and T/As Mphonde and Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota. Of these, 60 percent are women, 30 percent youth and 10 percent marginalised groups living in and around mining sites. “Our young people are being exploited. This project therefore aims to build capacity and amplify the voices of mining affected communities, particularly the women, youth, and marginalized groups,” said Phiri. He listed a litany of abuses at mining sites, including environmental degradation, pollution, human rights violations and child labour. “There are a lot of environmental issues that are happening in the mining sites. There are issues of environmental degradation. We have pollution, and there are human rights issues, and the issues of child labour. So we thought that this project should be there to address those things,” he said. On governance, Phiri pointed to a lack of coordination, lack of transparency and slow decentralisation of the mining sector as some of the barriers holding the industry back. “So we want to address these challenges so that young people, women and the local communities we are serving are benefitting from mining activities,” he said. For the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the project comes at a critical time. Speaking in an interview afterwards, Deputy Director of Youth Kettie Mwalweni-Mwandira admitted that young people are not meaningfully participating in the mining sector, and are instead being pulled into artisanal and small-scale mining under harsh conditions. “From observation, our young people are being exploited in the mining industry because most of them, they come in with no knowledge. They don’t get enough wages. “They are abused, and especially the young women, the adolescents and young women, they tend to be abused in the mining sector,” she said. She added that even young people who manage to acquire a mining licence often hit a wall when it comes to capital. “Most of our young people who have got the capability to have a license, what happens is that they might have a license, but they don’t have capital,” she said, describing the exclusion as costly for a country battling a severe youth unemployment crisis. Government figures show 44.1 percent of young people are classified as NEET — Not in Education, Employment or Training — representing about 10 million young people with nothing to do. “We have got high unemployment rate amongst our young people. This is a very big challenge that we are facing as a country. What we want to do is to make sure that we tap into this resource. “This is a big resource to us as a country to make sure that we are able to develop and attain the Malawi 2063 that we want,” she said. Mwalweni-Mwandira said the UVMC project aligns directly with the National Youth Policy, particularly two of its ten broad pillars: youth skills development and enterprise, and meaningful youth participation in nation building. “What we are expecting is that this project will improve meaningful participation of young people in the mining sector — participation in terms of them being able to voice out areas that they want government to include that concerns them, and for them to be able to get a livelihood out of the mining sector,” she said. For the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, the turn to mining is not accidental but economic necessity. An official responsible for Poverty Reduction and Social Protection, Andrea Gondwe Mjuma, described ActionAid Malawi as “a major and lifetime partner of government in terms of socio-economic development.” He said Malawi has three priority sectors in its development agenda — agriculture, mining and tourism — with mining now being pushed to help diversify an economy battered by climate change. “Before now, our economy has already been relying on agriculture, which since independence was contributing around 50 something percent to GDP. “Currently it is contributing around 22 percent because of declining productivity. Interestingly, mining has been contributing less than one percent and yet Malawi is endowed with precious mineral resources,” he said. “Government says can we diversify our economy so that we develop the mining sector. The aim is: we want to see our people being employed in the mining sector, and we want to see mining contribution to economic growth to rise and even surpass agricultural contribution.” Mjuma, who holds a PhD in Agriculture and Resource Economics, said years of climate shocks had forced government to rethink its reliance on agriculture. “Strategically we were so much focused on agriculture, which we have been overwhelmed by climate change. With cyclones Malawi has been experiencing since 2016, we’ve seen declining productivity. “This is why government now is trying to cushion or indeed build resilience of our economy by focusing on other equally important sectors like mining,” he said. Beyond reaching the 800 targeted beneficiaries, the project will also build youth capacity in advocacy, value chain analysis and leadership, enabling them to claim space in policy processes and benefit economically from the mining sector. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** ActionAid, mining --- ### [Buck stops here: Malawi puts $1,000 limit on cash in your pocket](https://www.nyasatimes.com/buck-stops-here-malawi-puts-1000-limit-on-cash-in-your-pocket/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawians and visitors alike are facing a dramatic new crackdown on cash, after the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) slapped sweeping restrictions on the physical possession and movement of foreign currency — with anyone caught holding more than $1,000 without central bank permission now at risk. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790162773609-1-322x600.jpg)Malawi imposes new currency controls as forex crisis deepeUnder the astonishing new rules, anyone physically carrying more than US$1,000 — roughly K1.75 million — or its equivalent in another foreign currency, must first secure the blessing of the central bank, or risk falling foul of the law. The eyebrow-raising restrictions are laid out in the Foreign Exchange (Limit on Physical Possession of Foreign Currency) Notice, 2026, quietly issued by the central bank on September 7 and published in the Malawi Government Gazette on September 18. Anyone attempting to take or send more than $1,000 out of the country will now be forced to prove the cash was purchased from an authorised dealer — or otherwise obtain explicit permission from the RBM before crossing the border. It doesn’t stop there. The central bank has also clamped down on how much Malawi kwacha can leave the country without its say-so. Cross-border traders will be permitted to carry kwacha equivalent to up to $5,000, but ordinary travellers face a far stingier cap — just $100. The dramatic tightening of the rules comes as Malawi grapples with a punishing foreign exchange shortage and a booming black market in forex, with authorities apparently determined to choke off unofficial cash flows once and for all. Travellers, businesses and everyday citizens dealing in foreign currency now find themselves under far greater scrutiny, particularly when large sums of cash are involved. The RBM has left no room for ambiguity, making clear that any foreign currency exceeding the new threshold simply cannot be carried across Malawi’s borders without the correct paperwork or central bank sign-off. The crackdown lands against the backdrop of Malawi’s long-running forex crisis, which has left the country starved of hard currency, disrupted access to vital imports, and piled pressure on the wider economy. In effect, the central bank has handed itself sweeping new powers to monitor exactly how much physical foreign currency is leaving Malawi — and to demand answers over where that money came from. For everyday travellers, it’s the eye-catching $1,000 possession threshold that will raise the most eyebrows, while cross-border traders must now operate within a separate $5,000 kwacha limit. The bombshell new rules mark a major escalation in Malawi’s battle to rein in foreign currency flows, as authorities scramble to contain a forex crisis that shows little sign of easing. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** forex, Reserve Bank of Malawi, US Dollar --- ### [Namiwa's freedom hangs by a thread as judge reserves ruling on explosive bid to revoke his bail](https://www.nyasatimes.com/namiwas-freedom-hangs-by-a-thread-as-judge-reserves-ruling-on-explosive-bid-to-revoke-his-bail/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Human rights campaigner Sylvester Namiwa is facing an agonising wait to discover whether he will be stripped of his freedom and hauled back into custody, after High Court Judge Mzondi Mvula reserved judgment on a dramatic State bid to revoke his bail. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260911_014526_Instagram-600x409.jpg)One press briefing, one man’s freedom: Judge to decide fate of gagged activist Sylvester Namiwa (r) picture with his lawyer Majekete The outspoken Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) Executive Director appeared before the High Court in Lilongwe, where prosecutors demanded his release be torn up over a press conference he held just weeks after walking free — with a ruling now expected between 20 and 22 October 2026. The explosive application puts Namiwa’s right to speak publicly at the very heart of a fresh courtroom showdown, with the State insisting he flagrantly breached a strict condition attached to his release when he addressed reporters on September 4. Prosecutor Dzikondianthu Malunda, representing the State, told the court that the press briefing flew in the face of conditions imposed when Namiwa was granted bail on August 21 — conditions that reportedly barred him from commenting publicly on his case or holding press conferences relating to it. Malunda insisted Namiwa crossed that line, and the State is now demanding the court revoke his bail entirely — potentially sending the activist straight back behind bars while he awaits trial on explosive treason and publishing false news charges. But Namiwa is refusing to go down without a fight. His lawyer, Gladwell Majekete, hit back forcefully, arguing that the September 4 press conference made no mention whatsoever of the criminal proceedings against his client and therefore could not possibly amount to a breach of the bail condition. Majekete went further, insisting the restriction could never reasonably be read as a blanket ban preventing Namiwa from ever facing the media again — particularly when the subject matter had nothing to do with the charges hanging over him. During the tense hearing, Judge Mvula reminded Namiwa of an earlier directive urging him to steer clear of public comment as part of his bail compliance — and made clear that guidance should remain firmly in place while the court deliberates. The stakes could scarcely be higher for Namiwa, who was arrested on July 30 and later charged with treason and publishing false news likely to cause fear and alarm — among the most serious offences available under Malawi’s criminal law. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. The State’s explosive bid to revoke his bail first emerged during September’s plea-taking and directions hearing, initially blindsiding the defence after prosecutors failed to immediately disclose their grounds. The court subsequently ordered the State to file its formal application, giving the defence a chance to respond. Now, with arguments from both sides laid bare, the court faces a critical question: did Namiwa’s press conference truly cross the line — or did the State stretch the meaning of his bail restriction far beyond what was ever intended? For Namiwa, the answer could determine whether one press briefing costs him his freedom all over again. The nation now waits for Judge Mvula’s ruling next month. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Sylvester Namiwa, treason --- ### [Malawi's medicine time bomb: Hospitals face catastrophic drug shortage as CMST rack up $18m debt to foreign suppliers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-medicine-time-bomb-hospitals-face-catastrophic-drug-shortage-as-cmst-rack-up-18m-debt-to-foreign-suppliers/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s public hospitals are teetering on the brink of a full-blown medicine crisis, campaigners have dramatically warned, after it emerged the country’s Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) is failing to pay foreign suppliers a jaw-dropping $18 million debt. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-5466-600x482.jpg)Bwaila ‘Bottom’ Hospital in Lilongwe. Patients wailt for treatment in the pre-labour ward in crowded conditions. -Photo: Abbie Trayler-Smith/OxfamThe Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has fired off an explosive letter to the Parliamentary Committee on Health, sounding the alarm over a drug shortage disaster unfolding in public health facilities across the country. The letter, dated 22 September 2026 and addressed to Health Committee Chairperson Anthony Masamba — with copies sent to the Minister of Health, the Minister of Finance and CMST’s Executive Director — lays bare how public hospitals are struggling to get their hands on essential medicines because CMST owes its mostly Indian suppliers in excess of $18 million. CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa dropped the bombshell figures, revealing that Malawi needs roughly $25 million a year — around $2 million a month — just to keep drug supplies flowing. Yet shockingly, CMST can only scrape together between $50,000 and $70,000 from commercial banks, a sum branded wildly inadequate to satisfy foreign creditors. According to the damning letter, Malawi imports a staggering 80 percent of its drugs, with public facilities routinely ordering supplies through CMST, which then sources them from abroad. Namiwa didn’t hold back, savaging CMST for abandoning loyal local suppliers who he says once stepped up to rescue the country during previous hard times. “Additionally, you may wish to know that the situation has been worsened by CMST’s decision to adopt the ex-stock style of procurement and has also taken a paradigm shift that has completely abandoned local suppliers for no apparent justification,” the letter fumes. He went further, praising the patriotism of local suppliers who, he says, moved heaven and earth to secure forex and bring in life-saving drugs — even while being paid in Malawi Kwacha. “While they were being paid by the CMST in Malawi Kwacha, local suppliers did whatever they could to get hold of forex and bring in the much-needed drugs to save their kinsmen, driven by the patriotism spirit,” he added. CDEDI insists that despite government pumping increased — and timely — funding into Central, General and District Hospitals, the nation is still hurtling towards a devastating stockout crisis unless urgent action is taken. The fiery watchdog has now demanded answers over how the government is prioritising its scarce foreign currency, and what long-term fix — if any — is on the table to end the forex chaos once and for all. “Only healthy people can contribute significantly to social and economic development; hence the saying, a healthy nation, a wealthy nation,” Namiwa declared. CDEDI is now pleading with the Parliamentary Committee on Health to step in and summon a crisis summit before it’s too late. “We besiege you Hon to consider invoking the powers invested in you and the entire Parliamentary Committee on Health, to call for a high-level indaba to bang heads and find a lasting solution to the looming drug shortage crisis, before it is too late,” Namiwa’s letter pleads. The explosive warning comes as desperate Malawians who rely solely on public healthcare are reportedly being turned away empty-handed or forced to fork out for medicines at private pharmacies instead. The Parliamentary Committee on Health has yet to respond publicly — though this publication has seen a stamped copy confirming the letter was received. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, National **Tags:** Central Medical Stores, health --- ### [Mtengo Wakumunda trains young agripreneurs to boost maize value chain](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mtengo-wakumunda-trains-young-agripreneurs-to-boost-maize-value-chain/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawian food-processing and agribusiness firm Mtengo Wakumunda Enterprise is rolling out an Agribusiness Facility for Africa (ABF) Matching Grant Fund project designed to strengthen the maize value chain and improve nutrition outcomes across Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260922-WA0005-600x450.jpg)Rotzoll and Likongwe sitting in front together with young trainers at the meeting held in Lilongwe![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260922-WA0004-600x450.jpg)Rotzoll (left) and Patricia Likongwe ABF advisor: “We expect farmers from all over the country to apply these technics.”As part of the initiative, the company, working with technical partner Etagrix, is running a two-day National and Regional Trainer of Trainers (ToT) Bootcamp in Lilongwe, bringing together 13 young people with agricultural backgrounds drawn from across the country’s regions. The training aims to arm participants with knowledge and hands-on skills they can pass on to smallholder farmers, with a focus on agribusiness development, agricultural production and climate-smart farming practices. Sylvester Chabuka, Founder and Managing Director of Mtengo Wakumunda Enterprise, said the company works closely with smallholder farmers, helping them access agricultural knowledge, climate-smart practices, farm inputs and markets. “As part of the project’s efforts to improve farmers’ access to information and strengthen agribusiness support, Mtengo Wakumunda has also developed the FarmLink mobile application, which is available for download and provides farmers with practical agricultural and business information in one place,” said Chabuka. He explained that the initiative seeks to tackle some of the key challenges farmers face in accessing timely agricultural information and business opportunities. A central pillar of the training is building a network of young agricultural trainers capable of reaching farmers across Malawi and supporting them to boost productivity and strengthen their role in agricultural value chains. Iris Cordelia Rotzoll, Head of Project at GIZ — an implementing partner on the initiative — said the training gives young people the chance to share knowledge that could ultimately benefit farmers working in value chains such as maize and livestock, adding that the skills gained are expected to help farmers lift both productivity and livelihoods. “We expect to have farmers all over the country that will be able to apply these techniques that they are learning today and also to practice climate-smart agriculture to protect and make the best out of the soil and to fight climate events such as El Niño and remain resilient and be able to produce something,” said Rotzoll. Climate-smart agriculture sits at the core of the project, as farmers increasingly grapple with weather-related setbacks threatening agricultural output. By promoting improved farming practices, the initiative hopes to help farmers build resilience while making the most of their land and resources. For the young people on the Bootcamp, the training also doubles as a chance to build skills they can carry back into their communities. Jazzakah Mapasa, a farmer from SCOPE Malawi and one of the participants, said the training would equip them with knowledge they could put to practical use supporting farmers. “The training will impart knowledge in us that will be translated to farmers in assisting them to build their capacity in agri-business,” said Mapasa. The initiative forms part of wider efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains, build climate resilience and expand opportunities for smallholder farmers, while contributing to Malawi’s food and nutrition security. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260922-WA0005-600x450.jpg)Rotzoll and Likongwe sitting in front together with young trainers at the meeting held in Lilongwe Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, News **Tags:** agriculture, Mtengo Wakumunda --- ### [Well-wisher Sosola donates uniforms to over 200 pupils in Mangochi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/well-wisher-sosola-donates-uniforms-to-over-200-pupils-in-mangochi/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A well-wisher, Paul Sosola, continues to support primary school children with uniforms across the country, with learners at Lulanga Primary School in Mangochi district the latest beneficiaries of his gesture on Monday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260922-WA0006-600x269.jpg)Sosola donates uniformA total of 236 pupils — 106 boys and 130 girls — from the school received uniforms valued at K1.7 million. Sosola, 58, funds the initiative together with his wife through farming in Lilongwe, and has already carried out similar donations in Rumphi, Kasungu (three schools) and Chikwawa (three schools). He says his wish is to reach as many districts as possible across the country. The driver at the Ministry of Health in Lilongwe said he wants to put to rest the myth that people of Mangochi do not value education. “I personally do not want to see any child getting discouraged to go to school because of lack of school uniform. Children get motivated to go to school and work hard when they have school uniform, pens and exercise books. “I have no intention to venture into politics. I wish to beckon partners who may be interested in this initiative join me in this noble cause,” said Sosola. The school’s headteacher praised the gesture and called on other well-wishers to follow Sosola’s example. Standard 8 pupil Mussa Mahatma Gandhi, one of the recipients, said the uniforms were a great motivation. “I will always be present at school and people will know which school I attend,” he said. In rural Malawi, many children lack the basic materials needed to stay in school, and initiatives like Sosola’s go a long way in sustaining children’s education and inspiring hope for their future. Sosola has so far spent K30 million since rolling out the initiative. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, General, News **Tags:** Education, Mangochi --- ### [Media Council of Malawi marks 30 years with special excellence awards](https://www.nyasatimes.com/media-council-of-malawi-marks-30-years-with-special-excellence-awards/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Media Council of Malawi (MCM) is set to hand out Media Excellence Contribution Awards as part of celebrations marking its 30th anniversary, with the milestone event taking place in Lilongwe on 26 September, 2026. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260922-WA0003-600x600.jpg)MCM Executive Director Moses KaufaRunning under the banner “Three Decades of Promoting Professional, Independent and Professional Media in Malawi”, the MCM@30 celebrations will pay tribute to three decades of work supporting the growth, professionalism and self-regulation of the country’s media sector. MCM Executive Director Moses Kaufa said the awards would honour individuals and institutions whose outstanding service, leadership, courage, innovation and long-standing contribution have helped shape the media landscape in Malawi over the years. He added that the anniversary celebrations offer a chance to look back on the Council’s journey since it was founded in 1996, while also recognising those who have driven progress in journalism, broadcasting, media freedom, access to information, professional standards and public-interest communication across the country. Kaufa was quick to point out that the MCM@30 awards differ from the usual annual journalism competitions, stressing that they are purely honorary recognitions built around long-term impact, sacrifice and sustained contribution to the sector. The anniversary festivities will run alongside the Annual Media and Access to Information (AMATIC) 2026 conference, a joint initiative between MCM, the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) and the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR). Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Media Council Of Malawi --- ### [Cement Gate tycoon Chunara at centre of new land grab storm](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cement-gate-tycoon-chunara-at-centre-of-new-land-grab-storm/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A controversial tycoon once linked to a scandal-hit duty-free cement deal is facing fresh accusations of muscling in on land rightfully belonging to ordinary Malawians — sparking fury among villagers and raising uncomfortable questions about power and privilege at the top. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790094499312.jpg)Chunara — the man behind Malawi’s Cement Gate scandal — builds wall over land ‘stolen’ from villagersMahmed Shafee Ahmed Chunara shot to notoriety over the so-called “Cement Gate” affair, in which 20,000 bags of cement were controversially imported from Zambia for President Arthur Peter Mutharika under duty-free arrangements. Now the businessman finds himself at the heart of a fresh storm — this time over disputed land in ADL/Lumbadzi, Salima, and now Magwero, where furious chiefs and villagers claim a newly erected perimeter wall has severed footpaths that communities have relied on for generations to reach the M1 Road. But locals say the row over a blocked footpath is merely the tip of the iceberg. At the heart of the row lies land claimed by Malawians whose interests reportedly stretch back to 2009 — claims that wound their way through the Ministry of Lands before landing in the High Court, where judges ultimately sided with the landholders, recognising their right to occupy the property and barring interference. A follow-up court arrangement was designed to protect those affected, promising equivalent replacement land — or compensation where none was available. Yet extraordinarily, despite that legal victory, parts of the very land covered by the ruling now sit enclosed behind Chunara’s wall, with construction ploughing ahead since late 2025 seemingly unchecked. Questions are now mounting over exactly how land that was subject to court protection ended up behind someone else’s fence — and whether any lawful transfer, extinguishment or compensation ever took place. It is far from the first time the Chunara name has surfaced in a Malawian land row. Similar concerns have previously been raised over prized land in ADL/Lumbadzi and Salima, fuelling growing unease over the scale of land amassed by his business empire. Sources claim Chunara has secured more than 50 prime plots at the sought-after ADL development — a site where politicians and the well-connected have allegedly helped themselves to land at the expense of ordinary citizens. Chunara is said to have brushed off concerns from local people and authorities, reportedly declaring that nothing will happen to him and nothing will stop him, citing his connections to the powerful. Meanwhile, campaigners say Malawians who have called the land home for years are being left to fight alone, with no one stepping in to protect them. Chunara has not publicly responded to the claims. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Ahmed Chunara, corruption, land --- ### [UK-based striker Gwengwe snubs Malawi's Afcon squad amid mystery 'personal reasons'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/uk-based-striker-gwengwe-snubs-malawis-afcon-squad-amid-mystery-personal-reasons/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawi international has turned his back on the Flames’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifying squad just days before kick-off — sparking fresh questions over his commitment to the national side. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260923_082551_Chrome-600x437.jpg)Shaquille GwengweShaquille Gwengwe, who plays his club football in England with New Port County, was handed his maiden call-up for Malawi’s crunch qualifiers against South Sudan and Angola next week. But the 25-year-old has sensationally pulled out, citing personal reasons, leaving the Flames’ backroom staff scrambling just as they prepare to face two rivals in their Afcon push. Football Association of Malawi communications chief Collins Nsunza confirmed the shock withdrawal, revealing that Gwengwe had specifically asked not to be involved in the upcoming double-header. “He will not join the current squad but has asked to be considered,” Nsunza said — leaving the door ajar for a future recall, even as fans are left wondering what lies behind his sudden U-turn. The Flames will now have to regroup without their new recruit as they eye qualification glory on the road ahead. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Malawi Flames, Shaquille Gwengwe --- ### [Bullets show misfiring striker the door — Dustan Banda shipped back to Civo](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bullets-show-misfiring-striker-the-door-dustan-banda-shipped-back-to-civo/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have confirmed that misfiring forward Dustan Banda has been shipped back to Civo United on loan — just months after he was drafted in to fire the Malawian giants to glory. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790143619724.jpg)Bullets loan flop Dustan Banda banished back to Civo after goalless spelBanda was signed by Bullets in a bid to cure their chronic goal-scoring woes, but the move has proved a flop, with the frontman frozen out and failing to make a single appearance for the club in recent weeks. The misfiring striker has now been shunted back to Civo for the second half of the 2026/2027 FDH Bank Premiership season — a stunning fall from grace for a player once tipped to solve Bullets’ attacking woes. The setback comes despite Bullets sitting pretty in second place on the table, boasting 31 points from 15 matches played, as the People’s Team continue their pursuit of silverware without the misfiring frontman in their ranks. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Civo United, Nyasa Big Bullets --- ### [MPs push to bring Chichewa into the House as Parliament grills top officials over language shake-up](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mps-push-to-bring-chichewa-into-the-house-as-parliament-grills-top-officials-over-language-shake-up/) **Published:** September 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs has descended on the Office of the Clerk of Parliament, grilling top officials over a bold proposal that could see Chichewa and other local languages finally take centre stage on the floor of the National Assembly. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790081627782-600x359.jpg)Parliamentary committee engages Clerk’s office on institutional independence, local languages proposalThe high-level engagement, held at the Parliament Building in Lilongwe, saw MPs press for updates on the plan to let Members of Parliament debate in local languages — a move that would mark a dramatic break from the English-only tradition that has long dominated Malawi’s Legislature. **Breaking the English monopoly** At the heart of the discussions is a proposal to allow MPs to ditch English in favour of Chichewa and other local languages during debates — a change campaigners say would make Parliament more accessible and representative of ordinary Malawians, many of whom speak little or no English. But it’s far from a simple switch. The Committee is now wrestling with the legal, procedural and institutional headaches the shake-up could bring, examining exactly what changes would be needed — from translation and interpretation systems to procedural rule changes — to make the move work without derailing the smooth running of parliamentary business. To get a fuller picture of what’s at stake, MPs are lining up meetings next week with the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), the Lost History Foundation, officials from the University of Malawi (UNIMA), and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development — bringing together language experts, civil society and government voices to help shape the proposal. **Also on the agenda** Alongside the language debate, the Committee also received updates on two other major fronts: a sweeping review of Parliament’s Standing Orders, briefed by Deputy Clerks Chikondi Kachinjika (Corporate Services) and Joseph Manzi (Procedural Services), and ongoing efforts to secure financial autonomy for the Legislature — a push aimed at freeing Parliament from budgetary dependence on other arms of government so it can properly fulfil its constitutional watchdog role. If adopted, the local languages proposal would represent one of the most significant shifts in how Malawi’s Parliament conducts its business in decades — putting Chichewa, spoken by the vast majority of Malawians, on equal footing with English in the country’s highest legislative chamber. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Chichewa, Malawi Parliament --- ### [Minister Ben Phiri touts China's economic playbook as blueprint for Malawi's industrial future](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-ben-phiri-touts-chinas-economic-playbook-as-blueprint-for-malawis-industrial-future/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Local Government Dr Ben Phiri has held up China’s rapid economic transformation as a model for Malawi to draw from, following a presentation delivered during his ongoing study tour at Peking University in Beijing. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790104230904-450x600.jpg)Minister Ben Phiri pitches Usisya’s untapped riches to Chinese investors and scholars at Peking UniversityIn a statement on his study tour, Phiri said the programme had offered valuable insight into the development models pursued by the People’s Republic of China since 1949, and how Malawi could apply similar lessons to chart its own path forward. He noted that in just 77 years, China had transitioned from a peasant-based agrarian economy into a heavily industrialised global powerhouse, a transformation that lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. Delivering a presentation themed “My Country and My Perspective on Communist Party of China (CPC)’s Governance,” Phiri said proper utilisation of land for increased productivity, together with the effective harnessing of human capital, were central to unlocking Malawi’s own economic fortunes. He linked the message directly to government policy, saying the approach aligns with President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s agenda of transforming Malawi from a largely subsistence and import-dependent economy into an industrialised, export-driven one. While acknowledging that Malawi and China operate under very different political systems, Phiri argued there was still much to learn from China’s discipline in building thriving industries, creating sustainable jobs and growing national wealth. He also stressed the importance of involving Malawi’s youth in nation-building efforts, saying the country owed its “youth dividend” the seriousness needed to ensure young people play an active role in development, as has been the case in China. **Pitching Usisya to Chinese investors** Phiri also used his time at Peking University to make a direct pitch for investment closer to home, presenting the tourism and agricultural potential of Usisya, a lakeshore area in Nkhata Bay district, to the gathered investors and academics. He described Usisya as a place of natural splendour, boasting pristine beaches along Lake Malawi, dramatic mountains and fertile farmland, and argued the area is crying out for serious investment to unlock its full potential. Phiri said his time in China, where land has been strategically harnessed to lift millions out of poverty, had opened his eyes to the possibilities sitting largely untapped back home. “Malawi can create great economic opportunities through investment in tourism and agriculture,” Phiri told the gathering. “We have witnessed how China has been transitioning from poverty to prosperity since 1949. The same can happen with Malawi.” The minister also pointed to Malawi’s youthful population as a key asset, arguing it could supply the manpower needed to drive the kind of development he envisions. In a direct appeal to his audience, Phiri didn’t hold back: “When I see you, I see you not only as fellow scholars but tourists and investors. So I welcome you to Malawi,” he said. Phiri’s passion for the area dates back to his first visit to Usisya during last year’s election campaign, since which he has become a vocal advocate for improving road access to the remote lakeshore community. He has thrown his support behind the proposed Mpamba–Chikwina–Usisya road, arguing the project would significantly ease the movement of people and goods between Usisya and the rest of the country. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Ben Phiri, China, Usisya --- ### [Chisale walks free as K5bn asset case is thrown out by Supreme Court of Malawi ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chisale-walks-free-as-k5bn-asset-case-is-thrown-out-by-supreme-court-of-malawi/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Presidential bodyguard-turned-Deputy Minister Norman Chisale MP, has scored a dramatic legal victory after the Supreme Court of Appeal discontinued the long-running K5 billion asset case that had hung over him for years. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784749176657-600x400.jpg)Chisale’s K5bn Asset Case Discontinued by Supreme Court of AppealThe case centred on explosive allegations that Chisale had unlawfully amassed money and property worth more than K5 billion during his years at the heart of power — assets that had been seized by the State, including roughly K1.7 billion in cash and financial holdings, 21 properties and a sprawling fleet of motor vehicles. The legal saga took a decisive turn when Director of Public Prosecutions Fostino Maere applied to the High Court to have the case discontinued, only for the court to reject the application outright. Undeterred, Chisale took the fight to the Supreme Court — and won. Delivering the ruling, Justice Dingiswayo Madise found that the High Court had been wrong to reject the discontinuation agreement, noting that the law does not dictate how parties must resolve their disputes. He went further, declaring it was not the court’s place to force the DPP to pursue a prosecution the State itself had already decided to abandon. Chisale’s rise and fall reads like something out of fiction. He began his career in military intelligence before landing a job as a presidential valet to Bingu wa Mutharika in 2009. When Mutharika died in office, Chisale transferred his loyalty to his brother, Peter Mutharika, eventually becoming head of the president’s personal security detail — a role that transformed him into one of the most powerful, and feared, men in Malawi. His downfall began in 2020, when he was arrested over allegations he’d imported 1.2 million bags of cement worth K5 billion duty-free using the former president’s name — a scandal that would come to define his legal troubles for years. Anti-corruption prosecutors subsequently obtained court orders to seize a staggering list of assets linked to Chisale and his family, at various points reported to include dozens of luxury vehicles, bank accounts, a dozen or more properties in Malawi, and additional properties reportedly linked to him in Russia, South Africa and Zambia. Chisale has long insisted the assets were not his own, but gifts belonging to former president Mutharika — a claim that, if true, would implicate his old boss rather than clear his own name. Mutharika has never publicly addressed the allegations. Despite the cloud of corruption charges hanging over him, Chisale’s political fortunes have taken a striking turn. He was appointed Deputy Minister of Homeland Security by President Peter Mutharika in October 2025, and now, with the Supreme Court’s ruling, walks away from the K5 billion case that once threatened to define his legacy — a case number of Malawians will see as yet another example of the well-connected escaping accountability. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Breaking News, Featured, National **Tags:** justice, Justice Dingiswayo Madise, Norman Chisale --- ### ['Give us freedom from fear': Malawi MPs demand financial independence](https://www.nyasatimes.com/give-us-freedom-from-fear-malawi-mps-demand-financial-independence/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s MPs have launched a fierce push for financial freedom from the Executive, demanding both complete autonomy over Parliament’s purse strings and a dramatic hike in its share of the national budget to properly carry out its duties. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790081617726-1-600x469.jpg)Nankhuni: Parliament Needs Freedom From Executive ControlThe demand came from Vice Chairperson of the Legal Affairs Committee Gift Nankhuni, speaking Tuesday at Parliament in Lilongwe during a presentation by Parliament’s Legal Officer Moira Matenje. Nankhuni and fellow committee members didn’t hold back, venting frustration over the Executive’s continued grip on Parliament’s funding — a stranglehold they say repeatedly stalls the Legislature’s planned activities. Drawing a pointed comparison, Nankhuni took aim at the disparity between Parliament and the Judiciary. “I have always wondered why when you go to the Judiciary, you find that there is no interference at all from the executive. When there is interference, it is at a particular level,” Nankhuni said. Mchinji North MP Rachel Mazombwe echoed the sentiment, insisting the Legislature’s lack of independence had dragged on for far too long. She argued it was high time MPs and Speakers of the House were given the freedom to do their jobs without fear of intimidation — or being left cash-strapped. **Budget demand: from 0.53% to a whopping 1.6** The meeting, which also featured presentations on the proposal to introduce local languages into parliamentary debates and an update on the ongoing review of Standing Orders, saw the committee push for a dramatic increase in the Legislature’s share of the national budget — jumping from a modest 0.53 percent to a far more substantial 1.6 percent. The proposed hike, MPs argue, would give Parliament the financial muscle it desperately needs to properly fulfil its constitutional watchdog role — without having to constantly go cap in hand to the very Executive it’s meant to be holding to account. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Gift Nankhuni, Malawi Parliament --- ### [Ex-Police boss Muwanga falters in English, switches to Chichewa under fire from MPs](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ex-police-boss-muwanga-falters-in-english-switches-to-chichewa-under-fire-from-mps/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A tense showdown erupted at the Chikangawa plane crash inquiry Tuesday, as former Police Director of Operations Commissioner Akis Muwanga was sharply rebuked by Committee Chairperson Walter Nyamilandu Manda after responding to MPs’ questions in a manner the chairman branded disrespectful. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260922_212132_Facebook-600x364.jpg)Ex-Police Commissioner Muwanga Faces Rebuke During Chikangawa InquiryThe ex-officer, who visibly struggled to answer in English, was forced to switch to Chichewa mid-testimony. But it wasn’t the language switch that caught the chairman’s attention — it was Muwanga’s entire attitude in the hot seat. Nyamilandu wasn’t having it, firing back at the former commissioner in no uncertain terms. “You are being questioned by Honourable Members of Parliament. They are Honourable Members, and you must answer them respectfully,” Nyamilandu told him. The blistering intervention came as MPs pressed Muwanga hard over crucial details surrounding the search and rescue operation following the Chikangawa plane crash — a moment that left onlookers stunned to see a former senior police officer struggling to hold his own, and being publicly reminded exactly where he was sitting. It was, in short, a stark reminder for Muwanga: this was Parliament, not a police interview room — and Honourable Members expect to be treated as such. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** plane inquiry --- ### [National Bank of Malawi sponsors LUANAR Alumni Connect with K4m donation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-sponsors-luanar-alumni-connect-with-k4m-donation/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has thrown its financial weight behind a major reunion for one of the country’s most respected universities, pledging a K4 million sponsorship to support the upcoming LUANAR Alumni Connect initiative. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790101887590-600x449.jpg)National Bank of Malawi Pledges K4 Million to Bring LUANAR Graduates TogetherThe symbolic cheque handover took place at NBM’s headquarters in Lilongwe, with the flagship gathering itself set to take place at the Botanic Gardens in Lilongwe on 28 September 2026. Speaking at the ceremony, NBM Corporate Banking Senior Manager Shadrack Malenga said the bank was proud to throw its support behind the initiative, framing it as part of a much wider commitment to boosting education and development across Malawi. “As National Bank, whenever we have professionals meeting like that, we always seek to encourage such gatherings because they tend to be hubs for innovations where various good initiatives can diffuse into the wider economy and the population at large,” Malenga said. Accepting the donation on behalf of the university, LUANAR Deputy Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor Agness Mwagwela praised the bank’s generosity, saying the gesture had given fresh momentum to the institution’s broader vision. LUANAR — the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources — traces its roots back to 1964, when the government established Bunda College of Agriculture to train Malawian nationals in agriculture at a time when most such roles were still held by expatriates. Bunda went on to become a constituent college of the University of Malawi, before being transformed into a fully-fledged university in 2011 through an Act of Parliament, merging with the Natural Resources College to officially become LUANAR in 2012. Today, the university stands as one of Malawi’s leading centres for agricultural and natural resources education, boasting faculties spanning agriculture, natural resources, development studies and food and human sciences, alongside a student body of several thousand and a growing network of alumni now working across government, private industry and academia both in Malawi and abroad. Alumni gatherings of this kind have increasingly become a platform for former graduates to reconnect, share expertise and forge partnerships aimed at driving innovation back into Malawi’s wider economy. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Luanar, National Bank of Malawi Plc --- ### [Ex-Army chief turns on Police boss Luhanga to face crash probe — While clearing his own name](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ex-army-chief-turns-on-police-boss-luhanga-to-face-crash-probe-while-clearing-his-own-name/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s former military commander has thrown a fresh curveball into the parliamentary inquiry investigating the Chikangawa plane crash, demanding that police chief Richard Luhanga be dragged before the committee to answer tough questions — while simultaneously clearing his own name of any wrongdoing. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790101001545.jpg)Ex-MDF chief turns the spotlight on Police boss Luhanga over crash searchGeneral Paul Valentino Phiri, who led the Malawi Defence Force at the time of the tragedy, told the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee that current Inspector General of Police Luhanga should be summoned to testify over the search and rescue operation, revealing that Luhanga was serving as the then-Commissioner of Police responsible for the Northern Region when the aircraft went missing. Phiri didn’t stop there. He also called for the MDF soldiers who first stumbled upon the crash site to be hauled before the committee, so they can explain exactly how they discovered the wreckage, the bodies, and everything else that unfolded in those grim moments. According to Phiri, he was told a team of MDF soldiers found the site at almost the exact same time as a separate team of police officers — a detail that could prove crucial to reconstructing the timeline of that fateful day. But the retired general reserved his most pointed remarks for himself and the institution he once led, flatly rejecting any suggestion that he or the MDF had anything to hide. “Me and MDF are not enemies of the country. We are friends of the country and as such cannot advance evil intention,” Phiri declared, insisting that whatever the military did during the search was carried out entirely in good faith, and urging the committee not to fall for what he called misconceptions about the tragedy. The aircraft, a Malawi Defence Force Dornier 228 carrying Vice-President Saulos Chilima, former First Lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri and seven others, vanished on 10 June 2024 while flying from Lilongwe to Mzuzu, with officials at the time blaming poor visibility for its failure to land. Wreckage was discovered the following day deep in Chikangawa Forest by MDF soldiers, with all nine on board confirmed dead — a tragedy that triggered a wave of national mourning, an initial Commission of Inquiry, and, more recently, a fresh parliamentary probe ordered by President Peter Mutharika after gaps were identified in earlier investigations, including assessments by German aviation experts. Phiri himself has already faced pointed questioning in earlier phases of the inquiry. Former Defence Minister Harry Mkandawire previously told the committee that it was Phiri who called him on the morning of the crash to say the aircraft had turned back to Lilongwe due to bad weather — information that never proved accurate, and which the committee has pressed Phiri to explain the source of. Mkandawire also told the inquiry that clearance for Chilima to use the ill-fated aircraft had, according to Phiri, come directly from then-President Lazarus Chakwera. Phiri’s latest appearance forms part of the committee’s third phase of hearings, alongside three other key witnesses: former Acting Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority Samuel Kalua, Civil Aviation’s Director of Aerodromes and Air Navigation Standards Fredrick Chisepeya, and former Deputy Inspector General of Police Operations Akis Muwanga. The committee is aiming to wrap up this phase of witness interviews by the end of October. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** plane inquiry --- ### [Ansah takes aim at prejudice: ‘No one should be denied a chance’](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ansah-takes-aim-at-prejudice-no-one-should-be-denied-a-chance/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Vice-President Jane Ansah has delivered a powerful rallying cry to people with short stature and albinism — urging them to smash through prejudice, chase their dreams and refuse to be defined by other people’s perceptions. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790087192695-600x400.jpg)Ansah’s Defiant Call: ‘Believe in Yourself and Break Through the Barriers’Ansah made the impassioned call on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as she hosted a farewell luncheon in Blantyre for beneficiaries who had completed driving lessons at Sabwera Driving School under the Jane Ansah Foundation. The Vice-President told the beneficiaries that physical differences should never become a barrier to ambition, urging them to believe in themselves, build a vision for their lives and fight to achieve their goals. She said supporting people with short stature and people with albinism remained one of her passions. Ansah challenged the beneficiaries not to allow negative attitudes or societal barriers to rob them of opportunities, stressing that confidence, determination and equal access could open doors that prejudice tries to shut. And among those who have refused to let physical challenges stand in his way is Rodwell Kamenya, popularly known as Mr Handisamu. Kamenya celebrated a major personal milestone after completing driving lessons, fulfilling his long-held ambition of mastering a manual vehicle. He revealed that his passion for driving dates back several years, when he had a personal gear extension fitted to make it easier for him to reach and operate the vehicle’s gears. But Kamenya’s message went beyond his own achievement. He urged other people with short stature to believe in their abilities, pursue their dreams and refuse to be discouraged by circumstances or society’s perceptions. His journey, he said, showed the difference that opportunity and inclusion can make — allowing people to acquire skills, build independence and pursue ambitions that might otherwise seem out of reach. The luncheon marked the end of the beneficiaries’ driving lessons and underscored the Jane Ansah Foundation’s drive to promote inclusion, independence, skills development and equal opportunities for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Jane Ansah --- ### [Eight parties in trouble over ‘living-room’ headquarters](https://www.nyasatimes.com/eight-parties-in-trouble-over-living-room-headquarters/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Eight registered political parties without a single seat in Parliament have been hit with hefty fines of between K3 million and K5 million after being caught flouting the rules laid out under the Political Parties Act — including operating without proper offices and failing to keep their records up to date. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-8147.jpg)Mbakuwaku Movement for Development President Peter Kuwani: Party finedRegistrar of Political Parties Dr Kizito Tenthani has now given the errant parties just 30 days to cough up and get their affairs in order — or risk being slapped with a punishing extra K500,000 for every single day they remain in breach. The compliance sweep threw up some eyebrow-raising findings, with several parties allegedly running their operations not from proper offices, but from members’ own homes or makeshift venues instead. Others were found to have quietly changed their leadership without bothering to tell the Registrar at all. In total, 14 non-parliamentary parties were put under the microscope, with those penalised including the Assembly for Democracy and Development, Mbakuwaku Movement for Development, Nationalist Patriotic Party and Liberation for Economic Freedom Party. And this could just be the beginning. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has confirmed the crackdown won’t stop there — inspections are now set to extend to parliamentary parties too, putting Malawi’s bigger political players firmly on notice. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Kizito Tenthani, Mbakuwaku, Political Parties Bill --- ### ['Our hands were tied': Ex-aviation chief reveals frustrating truth behind botched search for Chilima's doomed plane](https://www.nyasatimes.com/our-hands-were-tied-ex-aviation-chief-reveals-frustrating-truth-behind-botched-search-for-chilimas-doomed-plane/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A former top aviation official has lifted the lid on just how hamstrung and frustrating the desperate search for Vice-President Saulos Chilima’s missing plane really was — revealing that military secrecy and a lack of resources left rescuers effectively powerless in those critical hours. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790070131581-600x446.jpg)Samuel Kalua, former acting Director General of the Civil Aviation AuthoritySamuel Kalua, former acting Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, made the startling admission to the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee investigating the Chikangawa Forest plane crash, describing an operation so restricted it left him unable to act the way he normally would. Responding to committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu Manda’s question on just how frustrating the search truly was, Kalua didn’t mince his words: it was, he said, extremely frustrating — made worse by the fact the missing aircraft was a military plane, putting it largely outside his control. “If this were a civilian aircraft, as soon as I heard the aircraft was missing, I would have informed my line Ministry probably the OPC as well and immediately I would have gone public, on radios and TVs requesting assistance,” Kalua told the committee. But with the Vice-President himself on board, Kalua explained, going public for help simply wasn’t an option — that kind of appeal would have required the President’s own sign-off. “We were conducting this search with tied hands, so to say. So it was very frustrating,” he said. Pressed further by Nyamilandu on whether adequate resources had been available for the search, Kalua admitted that too had been a serious obstacle, with a shortage of proper equipment compounding the chaos of those desperate hours. The aircraft, carrying Vice-President Saulos Chilima, former First Lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri and seven others, vanished on 10 June 2024 while flying from Lilongwe to Mzuzu. Despite a massive overnight search involving the Malawi Defence Force, police and other agencies, the plane wasn’t located until the following day, when wreckage was finally discovered in the dense, unforgiving terrain of Chikangawa Forest. All nine people on board were killed. The tragedy triggered a period of national mourning and a formal Commission of Inquiry, and continues to face renewed scrutiny through the ongoing parliamentary probe, which is now examining not just the cause of the crash but the chain of command, communication and resources behind the search itself. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** plane inquiry --- ### [Analyst Matenje questions why MCP didn't apologise while in power](https://www.nyasatimes.com/analyst-matenje-questions-why-mcp-didnt-apologise-while-in-power/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A political analyst has issued a stark warning to Malawi’s political class, urging every party — including the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) — to take a hard look at the Malawi Congress Party’s spectacular fall from grace, which has now left the party grovelling for forgiveness from ordinary Malawians. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260920_203710_Facebook-600x446.jpg)Chakwera in MCP’s apology tourLatimu Matenje’s blunt intervention comes hot on the heels of a fresh round of contrition from MCP, after party leader Dr Lazarus Chakwera issued an apology and appealed for forgiveness during a stop in Dedza on Sunday — closely followed by remarks from party spokesperson Jessie Kabwira, who publicly apologised to former coalition partners over MCP’s conduct during its time in government. Matenje didn’t hold back, arguing that while MCP’s latest mea culpa shows the party has finally owned up to its mistakes, one glaring question remains: why didn’t it apologise while it was still in power, rather than waiting until it had lost it? He warned that rebuilding shattered public trust won’t come easily, and urged MCP to go further still — delivering a proper, sincere apology to the very parties it partnered with during the 2020 election, rather than the piecemeal contrition offered so far. But Matenje’s sharpest words were reserved for the DPP and the rest of Malawi’s political establishment, warning them to steer well clear of the kind of failures that could one day leave them, too, on their knees begging Malawians for forgiveness. MCP’s apology tour has been building momentum in recent days. Spokesperson Jessie Kabwira recently admitted the party had failed to honour agreements struck with allies during its 2020 to 2025 stint in power, when MCP contested and won the presidency alongside UTM and several smaller parties, telling reporters: “There are somethings we were supposed to do well but we didn’t. We have learnt our mistakes.” The apology, however, has already drawn fire from within MCP’s own ranks, with Nkhotakota Central MP Silvester Ayuba James publicly savaging it as empty theatre, insisting no party in its right mind would trust MCP again while Chakwera remains at the helm. It’s far from Chakwera’s first public act of contrition. As far back as 2016, he apologised on MCP’s behalf for atrocities committed during the country’s one-party era, repeating the gesture again in 2021 as president. More recently, in September 2025, at the height of a bruising election campaign, Chakwera apologised directly to Malawians over the fuel crisis and the long queues that came to define much of his presidency — before MCP was ultimately swept from power in the 16 September 2025 election that brought the DPP back into government. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, MCP --- ### [Sex romp death: Rumphi man, 35, dies mid-session at lodge](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sex-romp-death-rumphi-man-35-dies-mid-session-at-lodge/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A 35-year-old man has died after collapsing mid-session with a sex worker at a lodge in Rumphi — in a tragic case that has stunned the local community. Timothy Mkandawire breathed his last yesterday (Monday) after things took a horrifying turn during his visit to the guest house, according to Rumphi Police spokesperson Noel Kamchenga. Kamchenga said Mkandawire had booked into the lodge with a woman who works in commercial sex. Mid-way through their encounter, he began struggling to breathe — then suddenly stopped breathing altogether. It was the woman herself who raised the alarm, frantically alerting the guard and lodge owner, who called police. Officers arrived to find Mkandawire’s body still in the room. He was rushed to Rumphi District Hospital, where a postmortem revealed the grim cause: breathing difficulties triggered by dangerously low blood sugar. Mkandawire hailed from Mputa Village, under Senior Chief Chikulamayembe in Rumphi district. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Rumphi, sex, Sex-workers --- ### [Casino Marina: Lilongwe's glitzy gaming den 'set to shut its doors', 30 jobs hang in the balance](https://www.nyasatimes.com/casino-marina-lilongwes-glitzy-gaming-den-set-to-shut-its-doors-30-jobs-hang-in-the-balance/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s glamorous Casino Marina, nestled inside the five-star Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe, is reportedly set to close its doors for good this Friday — putting around 30 jobs on the line, *Nyasa Times* understands. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790062720503-600x335.jpg)Casino Marina LilongweThe high-rolling venue is said to have been slapped with a hefty tax bill that management insists is simply impossible to swallow, given the business’s current performance. “The business has not been performing well, and the tax we are expected to pay is punitive. We have no choice but to close,” a senior manager reportedly said. If confirmed, the closure would mark the end of the road for one of Lilongwe’s flashiest entertainment venues, leaving roughly 30 staff facing an uncertain future — casualties, it seems, of a brutal squeeze between a punishing tax burden and disappointing returns. **Background** Casino Marina Lilongwe burst onto the scene in November 2016 with much fanfare — a lavish launch complete with live entertainment, a fashion show and cash draws worth over K100,000. Backed by a major Chinese holding company with sister casinos already operating in Sri Lanka, Zambia and Mozambique, the venue was billed from day one as a slice of five-star glamour in the heart of the capital. Housed within the plush Golden Peacock Hotel Complex in Area 13, the casino quickly established itself as one of the largest gaming establishments in the country, boasting around 70 slot machines and roughly 20 gaming tables offering everything from blackjack and roulette to baccarat, Three Card Poker and Texas Hold’em, alongside a restaurant serving international cuisine and two VIP high-roller rooms. In the years since, Casino Marina has been held up as a symbol of Lilongwe’s growing casino trade, credited with helping put the capital on the map as a gambling and tourism destination, alongside a handful of other venues that have since sprung up in its wake. Its potential closure would represent a dramatic fall for a venue once seen as a flagship of Malawi’s gaming industry — and raises fresh questions over the tax environment facing entertainment and leisure businesses operating in the country. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, General, News **Tags:** Casino Marina --- ### [Zambian cops storm Malawi to recover 20 stolen cows](https://www.nyasatimes.com/zambian-cops-storm-malawi-to-recover-20-stolen-cows/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A dramatic cross-border operation saw Zambian police storm into Malawi last week, hunting down a gang accused of rustling 20 cattle from a farmer’s kraal — in a heist that left the victim counting devastating losses worth 116,500 Zambian Kwacha. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260922-WA0000-600x321.jpg)Cross-border cattle heist bustedThe animals vanished without a trace from Kabwanda Village in Chief Tembwe, Chama district, sometime between the night of 30 August and the following morning, leaving farmer Julius Nyirenda staring at an empty kraal and a gut-wrenching loss of his entire herd. But Zambian investigators weren’t about to let the thieves get away with it. According to Zambia’s TV Yatu, detective work quickly pointed the finger at Malawian nationals — triggering a daring follow-up operation that crossed straight over the border. On 16 September, officers from Chama Police Station, led by their Officer in Charge, swept into Kafukule Police Station in Mzimba District, Malawi, where a crucial tip-off finally cracked the case wide open. The raid paid off in spectacular fashion, with police recovering 15 of the stolen cattle and slapping handcuffs on three Malawian suspects: Justin Phiri, 31, Waluza Mumba, 38, and Daniel Mtonga, 31 — all from Mzimba District. According to police, the trio didn’t hold back once caught, confessing to stealing all 20 cattle from across the border before handing them over to a mystery figure known only as “Prince.” In a grim twist, the suspects also admitted one of the stolen cows had already met its fate — slaughtered for a braai, with the carcass reportedly left in Prince’s possession. The rest of the herd, meanwhile, had been deliberately scattered across separate kraals in a desperate bid to cover the gang’s tracks. But it wasn’t enough — the trail eventually led both Zambian and Malawian police straight to the missing animals. In a small silver lining, one cow had already found its own way home, after Nyirenda personally tracked it down near the Malawi-Zambia border — bringing the total number of recovered cattle to 16. All three suspects have now been jointly charged and arrested for possession of livestock believed to have been stolen outside Malawi, and are expected to appear before the Magistrate Court. Once the case has been heard, police say arrangements will be made to hand the recovered cattle back to Nyirenda, with officers escorting the herd safely back across the border into Zambia. Police credited the successful recovery to the close working relationship between Zambian and Malawian law enforcement — along with crucial tip-offs from residents living along the porous border. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** cattle, Zambia --- ### [Passport crisis strands Malawians for weeks: Immigration's quiet rationing system exposed](https://www.nyasatimes.com/passport-crisis-strands-malawians-for-weeks-immigrations-quiet-rationing-system-exposed/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has run out of passport booklets — leaving desperate applicants without their vital travel documents for months and sparking fresh fears over the government’s ability to deliver even the most basic of public services. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260828_101217_Facebook-600x489.jpg)Out of Booklets: Immigration’s Passport FiascoAn investigation has revealed the department has, for several weeks, been unable to issue passports as normal, all because of a shortage of the physical booklets needed to produce them. And the fallout is brutal. The shortage is already wreaking havoc on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Malawians, with some applicants reportedly unable to fly out for urgent medical treatment, while others are missing crucial trips to source goods for their businesses. What should be a routine process has instead turned into an agonising waiting game for people with pressing, sometimes life-changing, reasons to leave the country. For those chasing specialised medical care abroad, the stakes couldn’t be higher — every day lost waiting for a passport is a day lost accessing potentially critical treatment. Business owners are being hit hard too. Those relying on cross-border trips to stock their shops now face disrupted supply chains and mounting financial pressure on enterprises already stretched to breaking point. It’s a staggering failure for a department whose entire purpose is to make sure Malawians can move freely in and out of their own country. Department spokesperson Pasqually Zulu has confirmed the crisis, telling Zodiak Online that officials are now prioritising only the most urgent applicants while they wait for fresh booklets to arrive. In effect, that means Immigration is now running a rationing system — quietly deciding who gets to travel and who doesn’t, while everyone else is left in limbo with no clear answers. It remains unclear exactly how many applicants have been caught up in the shortage, or when the department expects passport production to return to normal. The debacle raises uncomfortable questions about Immigration’s planning and procurement — especially given passports aren’t some optional extra, but an essential document that ordinary Malawians rely on for work, education, medical care and business. For those who’ve already paid their fees and handed in their paperwork, the question is painfully simple: where is the passport they’ve paid for? And for anyone whose travel is tied to a medical emergency, a job opportunity or a business lifeline, this isn’t just red tape — it’s a delay with very real, and potentially devastating, personal and financial consequences. For now, Malawians are left stuck in limbo, waiting on booklets that have yet to arrive, while Immigration works through what it deems its most urgent cases first. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Immigration Department, Passport --- ### [From kidney failure to crusader: Maliro launches Foundation to save lives](https://www.nyasatimes.com/from-kidney-failure-to-crusader-maliro-launches-foundation-to-save-lives/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian man who discovered, in the most terrifying way possible, that he’d been born with only one kidney has turned his brush with death into a mission to protect thousands of others from suffering the same fate. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790064199194-480x600.jpg)‘I never knew I only had one kidney’: Maliro’s fight to save othersEmmanuel Maliro only found out about his rare condition after collapsing into kidney failure in 2023 — a diagnosis that plunged him headfirst into Malawi’s brutal, under-resourced dialysis system. Now, he’s channelling that ordeal into a brand-new charity, the Mphukira Foundation, aimed at getting Malawians talking about kidney health before it’s too late. “Kidney care in Malawi is a crisis. Dialysis requires three sessions per week, public hospitals are full and private hospitals are too expensive for most people. We want Malawians to know where their kidneys are, what they do, and how to protect them,” said Maliro. He said the foundation will team up with health workers and medical experts to run sensitisation campaigns across the country, with the ultimate goal of getting ordinary Malawians thinking seriously about their kidney health long before disaster strikes. Maliro revealed the foundation will be run alongside his wife, Dr Susan Brown, a clinician based in the United States. **Background** Maliro’s foundation lands at a moment when Malawi’s kidney care system is buckling under pressure. The country of roughly 22 million people has, for years, relied on just two public hospitals — Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre — to provide dialysis for patients battling chronic kidney disease, leaving the entire three-million-strong Northern Region without a single dialysis machine. The strain has proved devastating. Patients from the north and outlying districts routinely face crippling travel costs just to access treatment, with some sleeping on hospital verandas between sessions and others missing appointments entirely because they simply can’t afford the trip. Breakdowns at government facilities have repeatedly forced desperate hospitals to bus patients between cities, with those unable to afford private alternatives, which can cost tens of thousands of kwacha per session, left dangerously exposed. Health advocacy groups, including the Malawi Health Equity Network and Kidney Foundation Malawi, have separately sounded the alarm over the disease’s growing toll, warning that kidney disease often strikes as a “silent killer,” with many patients only discovering they’re ill once the condition has already reached a critical stage. Authorities have pledged to expand services, with a new dialysis centre backed by a K3 billion government allocation set to open at Mzuzu Central Hospital, aimed at finally easing the burden on patients in the north. For Maliro, though, the fight starts long before anyone ever needs a dialysis machine — with simply getting Malawians to understand the organs they’re often born with just one of, and don’t fully appreciate until it’s almost too late. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, National **Tags:** Kidney --- ### [Capital FM launches explosive new show 'The State of Affairs'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/capital-fm-launches-explosive-new-show-the-state-of-affairs/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s political and media circles are braced for fireworks as Capital FM has launched a brand-new current affairs show, providing “explosive narrative setting” that could shake up the country’s broadcast landscape. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260921_182456_Facebook-600x340.jpg)The State of Affairs on Capital FMThe station — long regarded as one of Malawi’s most influential and fiercely independent broadcasters, renowned for championing democracy and good governance — has unveiled The State of Affairs which airs Thursday, adding it to a lineup already headlined by its hugely popular Sunday Roundtable Discussion, Daybreak Malawi and Straight Talk. Insiders say the new programme forms part of a sweeping relaunch drive by the station, as bosses look to recapture the fearless, agenda-setting spirit that once made Capital FM appointment listening for Malawians hungry for straight-talking analysis of the country’s affairs. **Background: the station that built legends** Capital FM has long punched above its weight in Malawi’s crowded broadcast market, carving out a reputation as a launchpad for some of the country’s sharpest journalistic talent. Chief among them was the late Brian Banda, the maverick broadcaster whose fearless style on air made him a household name and helped cement the station’s identity as a home for hard-hitting, no-nonsense reporting. Banda’s influence is credited with shaping a generation of journalists who cut their teeth at the station before going on to thrive across Malawi’s wider media industry. With The State of Affairs, station bosses appear determined to reconnect with that legacy — betting that Malawians, hungry for robust debate on the pressing issues of the day, will tune in for a show promising to pull no punches. Whether the new programme can live up to the billing — and to the standards set by the broadcasters who came before it — remains to be seen. But for a station keen to prove it still has teeth, Thursday’s show will be watched closely every week. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Capital Radio, media --- ### [MACRA donates 10 computers to Malawi Police Secondary School](https://www.nyasatimes.com/macra-donates-10-computers-to-malawi-police-secondary-school/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), through its Universal Service Fund (USF), has donated 10 computers to Malawi Police Secondary School, in a move aimed at strengthening digital learning and promoting access to information and communication technology (ICT) among learners. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260921-WA0017-600x456.jpg)Gondwe (second from right) presenting the donation: “This is an investment in the knowledge opportunities and future of young Malawians,”The donation is expected to support the establishment of a computer laboratory at the school, giving students greater opportunity to acquire practical ICT skills and improve their digital literacy. Speaking at the handover ceremony, MACRA Board Chairperson Chancy Gondwe said the initiative represented more than the provision of equipment, describing it as an investment in the knowledge, opportunities and future of young Malawians. Gondwe said the computers would allow learners to gain practical ICT experience, access online learning resources, conduct research and develop technology skills increasingly required in both education and the workplace. “This is not just about equipment, but an investment in the knowledge, opportunities and future of young Malawians,” Gondwe said. Malawi Police Secondary School Board Chairperson, Commissioner Kelvin Mulezo, thanked MACRA for the donation, describing it as a significant milestone for the institution. He said the computers would help equip learners with valuable digital skills and strengthen their ability to participate in an increasingly technology-driven society. The planned computer laboratory is also expected to complement classroom teaching by giving students the opportunity to apply theoretical ICT knowledge through practical, hands-on learning. Through the Universal Service Fund, MACRA continues to promote digital inclusion by supporting access to ICT resources in schools and communities across the country, as part of broader efforts to bridge the digital divide and equip young people with the skills needed to participate in the digital economy. The donation to Malawi Police Secondary School marks the latest step in that effort, reflecting MACRA’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to digital education for learners across Malawi. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Macra, Malawi Police --- ### [Horror as FDH bank worker, 31, found dead in pool of blood in her own car — engine still running](https://www.nyasatimes.com/horror-as-fdh-bank-worker-31-found-dead-in-pool-of-blood-in-her-own-car-engine-still-running/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A murder investigation has been launched in Dowa after a 31-year-old bank employee was found dead in a blood-soaked vehicle abandoned along the Dzaleka–Dowa Boma road, in a discovery that has left the local community reeling. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790064144156-450x600.jpg)Tathokoza Salimu: murderedThe victim, named as Tathokoza Salimu, was found last evening at Chinkhota Village, near Tatolonga Bridge — in circumstances so disturbing they’ve sent shockwaves rippling through the area. Dowa Police Station spokesperson Alice Sitima said the alarm was first raised by passing road users, who spotted a car parked eerily along the roadside with its engine still running. What they discovered inside was truly gruesome. Police who rushed to the scene found a black Subaru Impreza with Salimu’s lifeless body slumped in the passenger seat, lying in a pool of her own blood. She had a visible wound to her neck. The grim find immediately triggered a murder investigation, with police treating the circumstances surrounding her death as highly suspicious. A search of the vehicle turned up several items that helped confirm the victim’s identity, including a driver’s licence, smartphone, and an FDH Bank teller identification card bearing her name. Salimu, it emerged, worked at FDH Bank’s branch inside the Dzaleka Refugee Camp. Chillingly, police have so far refused to reveal how she sustained the fatal neck wound, whether anything was stolen from her, or whether any arrests have been made in connection with her killing. Investigators are now racing to piece together her final movements — where she’d been, who she was travelling with, why the vehicle was abandoned at the roadside, and, crucially, what unfolded inside that car in the moments before her death. With a killer, or killers, still at large, the disturbing case has left investigators facing serious questions — and a community demanding answers. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Dowa, murder --- ### [Joyce Banda tells world leaders: stop talking, start acting on women in Congo peace talks](https://www.nyasatimes.com/joyce-banda-tells-world-leaders-stop-talking-start-acting-on-women-in-congo-peace-talks/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former Malawian president Joyce Banda has delivered a blistering call to action to African leaders and the international community, demanding they finally move beyond empty political promises and take real, concrete steps to get women a seat at the table in peace efforts across eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the wider Great Lakes Region. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790061864920-600x277.jpg)Former President Banda Urges Action on Women, Peace and Security Agenda at UNSpeaking at a high-level UN General Assembly sideline event in New York on Sunday, Banda didn’t hold back — declaring the region is already drowning in peace commitments, yet still failing to actually deliver on them. Her message was blunt: eastern DRC doesn’t need more paperwork — it needs real results for the women whose lives have been torn apart by conflict. “Despite the Women, Peace and Security agenda as anchored in UN Security Council Resolution 1325 being in place for 25 years, women remain largely excluded from formal peace negotiations,” Banda told the gathering. **Banda demands 30% quota for women** The former president went further, calling for a firm quota of at least 30 percent representation of women across mediation teams, ceasefire monitoring and peace implementation mechanisms. She also insisted that peace consultations must widen their reach — bringing in rural women, survivors of sexual violence, and displaced and young women who are so often left out of the conversation entirely. Banda didn’t stop at the negotiating table either, demanding women be handed a far bigger say in decisions over land, natural resources and post-conflict recovery — arguing that genuine, lasting peace simply cannot be separated from women’s economic security. Delivering her sharpest line of the address, Banda made clear the era of debate was over. “We have moved past the debate on why women should be included. The question now is how, with resources, protection and accountability,” she said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Congo, Joyce Banda, United Nations, women --- ### [Benson Tembo set to return as MBC Director General for third time](https://www.nyasatimes.com/benson-tembo-set-to-return-as-mbc-director-general-for-third-time/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Benson Matengambiri Tembo, 71, is set to return to the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) as Director General for a third time, succeeding the late Brian Banda in the role. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/MBC_website_launch.jpg)Benson Tembo Poised for Unprecedented Third Term at MBC HelmTembo currently chairs the MBC Board of Directors, having been appointed to the position by President Peter Mutharika earlier this year. He is now expected to move from the board into the corporation’s top executive post. He previously served as the first Director General of MBC Television following its launch in 1999, and returned to lead the corporation again in 2012. He retired from public service in 2015 upon reaching the then mandatory retirement age of 60. The role of Director General has been held in an acting capacity by Moses Chiwoni, from the Ministry of Information, since Banda’s death in August. Tembo’s expected appointment is likely to trigger a reshuffle at board level, with Moffat Banda tipped to take over as MBC Board Chairperson. Banda previously chaired the board before being appointed a commissioner of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), a dual role that prompted questions over potential conflicts of interest, as reported by *Nyasa Times* in 2016. Any appointment to the MBC board chairperson role is subject to vetting by the Public Appointments Committee of Parliament. Tembo’s return is expected to face scrutiny over his age and his association with Neno FM, a private radio station, given the potential for conflict of interest with his role at the helm of the state broadcaster. Several senior journalists, including Fegus Lipenga, Mzati Nkolokosa, Mgeme Kalilani and Greyson Chapita, were reportedly considered for the post following Banda’s death. If confirmed, Tembo would become one of a small number of individuals to have served as MBC Director General on three separate occasions, at a time when the broadcaster faces pressure to strengthen its programming, journalism, digital output and institutional credibility. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Benson Tembo, MBC --- ### [Hero cop 'recovering well' after taking bullet for kidnapped Brit — 6 suspects still at large](https://www.nyasatimes.com/hero-cop-recovering-well-after-taking-bullet-for-kidnapped-brit-6-suspects-still-at-large/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira and rescued British national Nusrat Osman remain hospitalised, though both are reported to be improving, at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre, following a shootout during last Thursday’s rescue operation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789668929375-600x400.jpg)Deputy police chief Dr Mlowoka Kayira “improving” after he took a bullet to the stomach during a daring police operationKayira was shot in the stomach while leading the operation in Mingale, Mpemba, Blantyre, to free Osman, who had been abducted a week earlier in the city’s Mount Pleasant area. He has since been moved out of intensive care into a general ward, with his family reporting a significant improvement in his condition. “We are seeing a great improvement,” a family member said. National Police spokesperson Gladys Chiwaula declined to comment on Kayira’s condition, citing privacy considerations. Osman remains admitted at the same hospital, where she is undergoing further treatment and assessment. Police say eight suspects were involved in Osman’s abduction. Of these, two have been confirmed dead, two are in custody, and six remain at large. At a media briefing on Saturday, Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga said investigations were continuing and confirmed that two suspects described by police as the operation’s masterminds were shot dead during the rescue. They have been identified as Marcolino Munguambe, 43, a Mozambican national from Muhalaze, Matola, and Limbani Anthony, 44, from Nyambi, Traditional Authority Mkumba, in Mangochi. Anthony’s body was collected from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital mortuary on Sunday. Munguambe’s body remained at the mortuary as of Monday morning. In a related development, residents of Chadzunda, on the outskirts of Blantyre, said they were living in fear over the continued whereabouts of the six suspects still at large. “We don’t know where those others are. What if they are still around?” one resident said. At the compound where the rescue operation took place, the one-room structure remains intact. Fanny Katchika, a neighbour, said she had interacted with several of the suspects prior to the operation and had not suspected any involvement in criminal activity. Since the rescue, the site has drawn visitors curious to see where Osman was found, with police vehicles regularly present in the area. Village head Luwayo has called on police to maintain a presence in the area to reassure residents and provide security. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Malawi Police, Noel Kayira --- ### [Prophet Bushiri's massive Salvation Crusade set to hit Lilongwe this Saturday](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-bushiris-massive-salvation-crusade-set-to-hit-lilongwe-this-saturday/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The countdown is well and truly on, with just days to go until famous preacher Prophet Shepherd Bushiri rolls into Lilongwe for his eagerly awaited Harvest Mandate Salvation Festival, set to take over the Garden of Peace in Area 43 on 26 September. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1790033571072-600x400.jpg)Major 1 Returns: Bushiri’s Salvation Festival Countdown BeginsBehind-the-scenes preparations are said to be in full swing as “Major 1” gears up for what’s being billed as a massive evangelistic outreach — and organisers insist this one isn’t just for the faithful already in his flock. “It should be noted that this event is not just for ECG members. The message we are sharing doesn’t need limitations. The word of God is universal,” Bushiri declared, doubling down on the festival’s come-one-come-all appeal as excitement builds. And excitement there is. Organisers are bracing for crowds to pour in from every corner of the country, with word of the festival spreading fast. It’s classic Bushiri territory — the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) founder has built his name on staging jaw-dropping, open-air crusades packed with preaching, worship and prayer, pitched not just to churchgoers but to entire communities hungry for what he calls spiritual renewal. The Lilongwe spectacle also marks a big moment in Bushiri’s homecoming story. Since founding ECG back in 2010, the Malawian-born preacher has built one of southern Africa’s biggest Pentecostal empires, once commanding a massive following from a powerhouse base in South Africa before making his return to Malawian soil. This festival is being seen as yet another sign of his ministry doubling down on home turf after years dominating headlines abroad. With the clock ticking down and the Garden of Peace being primed to host thousands, all eyes are now on Lilongwe as fans and first-timers alike brace for a day of full-throttle worship and Bushiri’s trademark prophetic showmanship — with final details expected to drop as the big day edges closer. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, National, Religion, Religious News **Tags:** Prophet Bushiri --- ### [Journalist accuses Kamangila of shielding kidnap network to smear Attorney General Mbeta](https://www.nyasatimes.com/journalist-accuses-kamangila-of-shielding-kidnap-network-to-smear-attorney-general-mbeta/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A row has erupted in Malawi’s online political sphere after veteran journalist Dickson Kashoti accused social media whistleblower Alexious Kamangila of sitting on information about the network behind the abduction of British national Nusrat Osman — and of using unfounded rumour to attack Attorney General Frank Mbeta. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784662487704-600x376.jpg)Social media firebrand Kamangila: Taken to task by KashotiIn a Facebook post, Kashoti alleged that Kamangila appeared to know the identity of the network involved in Osman’s abduction, yet had failed to alert police. Kashoti went further, dismissing Kamangila’s conduct as habitual “hallucinating” aimed at tarnishing reputations for no reason, and suggested his apparent animosity towards Mbeta — an “agemate” — was rooted in jealousy over Mbeta’s professional success and his appointment by President Arthur Peter Mutharika to the office of Attorney General. Kashoti insisted Mbeta has no personal ties within Malawi’s Asian community beyond professional dealings, calling it “ridiculous and ludicrous” to link him to what Kashoti described as a non-existent abduction cartel. He challenged Kamangila to hand over any genuine information to police, who remain actively hunting for those responsible for Osman’s kidnapping. **Background** The dispute lands against the backdrop of two separate, high-profile national stories now colliding. The first is the abduction of Nusrat Osman, 47, a British auditor and mother of two, who was seized by four men in a grey Nissan Dualis in Blantyre’s Mount Pleasant area on 11 September. Police offered a 30 million kwacha reward for information leading to her rescue; she was freed roughly a week later in a police operation, though questions have persisted over the operation’s handling and the identity of those behind the kidnapping. The second is Kamangila’s long-running public campaign against Attorney General Frank Mbeta. Kamangila, a trained lawyer in self-imposed exile in Ireland and self-styled anti-corruption whistleblower who rose to national prominence in 2024 over allegations of judicial corruption, has repeatedly argued that Malawi’s fight against corruption cannot succeed while Mbeta holds the AG’s office. Mbeta’s record has drawn scrutiny before: in 2015, while in private legal practice, he was accused by the Anti-Corruption Bureau of offering a bribe to a Malawi Revenue Authority official, an allegation that has remained a recurring point of controversy despite his subsequent appointment as Attorney General in October 2025. Kamangila is no stranger to public clashes of this kind. He has previously traded heated accusations with figures including High Court Judge Kenan Manda, whom he has publicly branded “corrupt to the core” amid separate misconduct and defamation proceedings. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Alexious Kamangila, Frank Mbeta, kidnapping --- ### [Get ready to party for your mama:  'Amayi Asangalare' concert confirmed for Nkhopola this October](https://www.nyasatimes.com/get-ready-to-party-for-your-mama-amayi-asangalare-concert-confirmed-for-nkhopola-this-october/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s mothers are set for a day to remember, with event organiser Jai Banda — better known as “Mr Entertainer” — confirming that the much-anticipated Amayi Asangalare Concert will go ahead on Thursday, 15 October, at Nkhopola Leisure Centre.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260921-WA0025-424x600.jpg) Billed as a Mother’s Day celebration like no other, the concert promises a full day of live music, entertainment, dancing and laughter, running from 8am right through to 6pm, as organisers Entertainers Promotion look to give Malawi’s women a day dedicated entirely to them. And the lineup is stacked. Revellers can expect performances from Doc. Namadingo, Miracle Chinga, Ndirande Anglican Voices and Makasu Band, promising a genre-spanning day of entertainment set against the Nkhopola Leisure Centre’s scenic backdrop.Tickets are going for MK20,000 in advance, with door entry priced slightly higher at MK25,000, and organisers are urging fans to move fast and grab theirs early. Confirming the event, Banda said the concert was designed as a heartfelt tribute to the women who give so much of themselves, love, sacrifice and endless support, to their families all year round. “This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women who give us love, sacrifice and endless support. We want people to bring their mothers, bring their families, and let’s make this celebration unforgettable,” said Banda. The concert is presented by Entertainers Promotion, with support from Sunbird and Leisure Centre. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Jai Banda, Mothers Day --- ### [Mbilizi's team blames rivals for fertiliser row — But dodges cousin claim](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mbilizis-team-blames-rivals-for-fertiliser-row-but-dodges-cousin-claim/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Agriculture Minister Roza Fatchi Mbilizi’s office has moved to counter accusations of corrupt dealings in Malawi’s fertiliser procurement system, with her team alleging that a smear campaign is being orchestrated by trading firms with a vested interest in the sector. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260630-WA0029-600x450.jpg)Minister Roza Mbilizi : Silent on Alleged Family Link to DealAccording to the minister’s team, Export Trading Limited and Farmers World Limited are behind efforts to amplify the controversy surrounding her ministry’s fertiliser procurement decisions. Her team maintains that the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) operates as an independent parastatal under the Government of Malawi, governed by its own board of directors, with the Ministry of Agriculture serving only as policy holder rather than a decision-making authority over the fund’s day-to-day procurement. However, the response has left one specific allegation unaddressed: claims that an SFFRFM board member — reportedly a cousin of the minister — was involved in negotiating the disputed fertiliser deal with a Zambian firm before Mbilizi herself engaged with the company. The minister’s team has not directly responded to it. The controversy follows earlier reporting that Mbilizi personally lobbied the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) for single-source approval to negotiate with UCF executives — a request the PPDA rejected in favour of competitive tendering. Reports have also indicated that Mbilizi subsequently directed SFFRFM to pause standard tender processes, a move that has drawn opposition criticism amid concerns over potential delays ahead of the rainy season. Ministry officials have defended the broader reform push, arguing that dealing directly with manufacturers rather than through layered agent networks would cut inflation-driven costs and better protect smallholder farmers. Critics and industry insiders, however, say the friction reflects pushback from established trade cartels and middlemen who stand to lose out under the proposed changes. The opposition has seized on the controversy, with critics accusing the ruling DPP of shielding the minister from proper scrutiny over the allegations. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** corruption, Fertiliser, Roza Mbilizi, SFFRM --- ### [Roots and rebellion: Wailing Brothers, the band that launched Malawi's reggae king, set for triumphant comeback](https://www.nyasatimes.com/roots-and-rebellion-wailing-brothers-the-band-that-launched-malawis-reggae-king-set-for-triumphant-comeback/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The legendary outfit that backed Evison Matafale during the very birth of his music career is dusting off their instruments for a comeback show — nearly 25 years after the reggae icon’s tragic death shook the nation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/20260921_190536-600x600.jpg)Wailling BrothersWailing Brothers, the band Matafale recorded his groundbreaking debut album Kuimba 1 with back in 1999, are set to take to the stage this Saturday, marking the first of a string of shows billed as “Undiluted Roots Reggae Revival.” The band’s story stretches back even further than Matafale himself. Formed in 1994 by the late Elias Chokani, the group cut its teeth in an era when Malawi’s sole broadcaster, MBC Radio 1, was virtually the only recording option available — and a notoriously restrictive one at that. It was into this scrappy family outfit that a young Matafale was welcomed, alongside names like Romeo, Yohane Kanjunju, Michael Jana and Kingsley Chikaphupha. When Matafale exploded onto the scene in 2000 with Kuimba 1, fresh from a stint in Zimbabwe, it was Wailing Brothers standing behind him — before he went on to found Black Missionaries and cement his status as Malawi’s uncrowned reggae king, only to die in police custody in November 2001 at just 32, a death that sparked riots and remains shrouded in controversy to this day. Now, more than two decades on, it’s Elias’s brother Paul Chokani — a drummer — who has stepped up to revive the legacy, teaming up with lead guitarist brother Takudziwani to bring the band roaring back to life. Announcing the shows, which will hit Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu, Chokani said the comeback is all about giving the fans what they’ve been crying out for. The opening night kicks off at Club 247 at Kameza Roundabout in Blantyre — the band’s first appearance since headlining the 2025 Tumaini Festival at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa. “This is in response to our fans’ demands. We have to respect them and bring them music to continue the Matafale legacy,” said Chokani. Fans can expect a stacked lineup, with Haxi Momba, Matafale’s own half-brother Toza, Anold Fumulani, The Peace Soul-Jahs and Amalitiri all set to share the stage. Amalitiri frontman Oyamba “Kamoyoka” Jimjim confirmed his group has thrown its full weight behind the revival shows. “We are getting set for the shows and we are looking forward to dishing out the best,” he said — teasing that the band is also cooking up three new singles, due for release by December. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Black Missionaries, Elvison Matafale, Wailling Brothers --- ### [Junior Flames roar back to life with stunning 3-0 demolition of Botswana](https://www.nyasatimes.com/junior-flames-roar-back-to-life-with-stunning-3-0-demolition-of-botswana/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Junior Flames let out a huge sigh of relief on Monday as they bounced back from opening-day heartbreak with a thumping 3-0 victory over Botswana in the COSAFA U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Mozambique. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260921-WA0019-600x537.jpg)Malawi Beat Botswana 3-0 to Revive U-20 AFCON Qualification HopesThe result couldn’t have come at a better time. Having crashed to a 2-0 defeat against Zambia in their opening group fixture, Malawi desperately needed a response — and their young stars delivered in style, keeping the Junior Flames’ qualification dreams firmly alive. There was no hint of nerves from the outset, with Malawi flying out of the blocks and pouring forward from the first whistle, repeatedly threatening the Botswana box. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 23rd minute, as Mischeck Billiat slotted home after a slick assist from Clever Kalambo. And the Junior Flames weren’t done yet. Just before the break, Kalambo produced a moment of magic — a stunning overhead kick, capitalising on a shocking mix-up in the Botswana defence — to send Malawi into the sheds with a commanding 2-0 lead. The second half saw Botswana toil in vain as Malawi kept the pressure firmly on, with the Junior Flames refusing to take their foot off the gas. And there was still time for one more twist. Deep into stoppage time, Grant Chibalo rifled home in the 90+2nd minute to put the icing on the cake and seal a resounding 3-0 win. The victory has sent morale soaring within the Junior Flames camp, giving them fresh momentum after the sting of that opening defeat to Zambia. Malawi will look to keep the good times rolling when they take on Comoros on Wednesday, 23 September, as the young stars aim to finish the group stage on a high and keep their hopes of reaching the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations very much alive. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Football Association of Malawi, Under-20 --- ### [Analysis: Malawi's forex squeeze exposes the limits of stabilisation without liquidity](https://www.nyasatimes.com/analysis-malawis-forex-squeeze-exposes-the-limits-of-stabilisation-without-liquidity/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Dalitso Kabambe, the former central bank governor who now leads the opposition UTM party, has put his finger on something Malawi’s official statistics tend to understate: a currency can look “stable” on paper while remaining acutely scarce in practice. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789581620322-600x436.jpg)Kabambe : A former Reserve Bank governor comments rather than a purely political critic, is a reminder that macroeconomic stabilisation and foreign-currency liquidity are related but distinct problems,His warning that commercial banks are now capping individual foreign-exchange disbursements at just $200 is a useful corrective to the more sanguine reading of Malawi’s macroeconomic position offered elsewhere — including in the government’s own year-one report card, which points to easing inflation, steadier food prices and consistent fuel supply as evidence of a corner turned. Both things can be true at once. Headline inflation and exchange-rate stability are typically the first indicators to respond to disciplined monetary and fiscal management — reduced government borrowing pressure, a credible IMF negotiating track, tighter spending. But those indicators describe the price of foreign currency, not its availability. A central bank can hold a rate steady while the actual stock of dollars circulating through the banking system remains critically thin, particularly in an economy as import-dependent as Malawi’s, where fuel, pharmaceuticals and industrial inputs are priced and settled in hard currency regardless of what the kwacha is doing. Kabambe’s specific claim — that banks are struggling to liquidate outstanding Letters of Credit — is the more technically significant part of his intervention, and worth taking seriously independent of its political framing. An LC is, in effect, a bank’s promise to pay a foreign supplier once goods are shipped or received; if banks cannot settle those obligations, it signals not a temporary cash-flow wrinkle but a structural mismatch between the foreign-currency liabilities the banking sector has already committed to and the foreign-currency assets it actually holds. That has second-order effects that outlast any single quarter: suppliers begin demanding payment upfront rather than extending trade credit, import costs rise to compensate for settlement risk, and businesses that depend on imported inputs — which in Malawi is most of the formal manufacturing and retail sector — face a financing bottleneck that has nothing to do with their own creditworthiness. His broader point about the limits of relying on commercial banks to drive recovery is also, in narrow technical terms, correct, if somewhat self-evident: banks intermediate deposits, they do not create foreign currency, and their willingness to extend forex-denominated credit in a thin-liquidity environment will always be constrained by prudential considerations and shareholder interests rather than developmental ones. That is not a criticism of the banks so much as a description of what commercial banking is for. It does, however, sharpen the question of where additional dollar liquidity is meant to come from if not the banking sector — official reserves, remittance inflows, export receipts, or external financing — and whether the pace of the IMF programme renegotiation the government has pointed to as a stabilisation win is fast enough to close that gap before it does more damage to private-sector activity. On government borrowing, Kabambe’s crowding-out argument is standard fiscal economics rather than a novel claim, but it lands with particular force in Malawi’s specific circumstances. High domestic borrowing costs draw commercial bank balance sheets toward government paper and away from private lending — precisely the dynamic that would compound, rather than offset, a foreign-currency-driven credit squeeze. If banks are simultaneously capital-constrained on the forex side and incentivised to hold government debt on the kwacha side, the private sector faces a pincer: it cannot easily get dollars, and it cannot easily borrow kwacha either. None of this amounts to a wholesale rebuttal of the government’s stabilisation narrative — inflation easing and fuel supply normalising are genuine achievements that matter to ordinary households in the near term. But Kabambe’s intervention, coming from a former Reserve Bank governor rather than a purely political critic, is a reminder that macroeconomic stabilisation and foreign-currency liquidity are related but distinct problems, and that solving the first does not automatically solve the second. For a government whose own assessors have already flagged that investment pledges have yet to translate into jobs, a forex market this constrained is not a footnote to that story — it may be a significant part of the explanation for it. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Dalitso kabambe, forex, Malawi Economy --- ### [Malawi Queens seal World Cup berth with 60-goal rout of Nigeria](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-queens-seal-world-cup-berth-with-60-goal-rout-of-nigeria/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s netball team, the Queens, have secured their place at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney with a commanding 82–22 victory over Nigeria in their Pool 2 Africa Qualifiers fixture. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260921-WA0021-600x400.jpg)Malawi Thrash Nigeria 82–22 to Book Netball World Cup PlaceIt was a display of near-total control. Malawi set the tone from the first whistle, taking a 21–6 lead at the end of the opening quarter and extending it to 40–11 by half-time. The second half brought no respite for Nigeria: the Queens added 23 goals to Nigeria’s three in the third quarter, moving to 63–14, before closing out the match with a further 19 goals to complete the 82–22 win. Quarter-by-quarter: - First quarter: Malawi 21–6 Nigeria - Second quarter: Malawi 40–11 Nigeria - Third quarter: Malawi 63–14 Nigeria - Fourth quarter: Malawi 82–22 Nigeria The victory extends Malawi’s record to three wins from three in Pool 2, following earlier victories over Zambia and Kenya. With qualification for Sydney 2027 now confirmed, the Queens can approach their final group-stage fixture with the pressure lifted. They will face Uganda on Wednesday, 23 September, looking to round off an unbeaten group-stage campaign on the back of a 60-goal margin of victory over Nigeria. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260921-WA0023-600x400.jpg)Malawi Crush Nigeria as Queens Book Ticket to Sydney![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260921-WA0022-600x400.jpg)Malawi Secure Sydney 2027 Spot After Dominant Win Over Nigeria Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** Africa Netball Championship, Malawi Queens --- ### [Daud Suleman to reveal what MACRA really knew during Chilima search](https://www.nyasatimes.com/daud-suleman-to-reveal-what-macra-really-knew-during-chilima-search/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Parliament has summoned the former head of Malawi’s telecoms watchdog to answer explosive questions over what authorities really knew — and when — during the desperate search for Vice-President Saulos Chilima’s missi ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2024-05-30-at-3.32.59-PM-574x600.jpeg)Ex-MACRA Boss Daud Suleman Faces MPs Over Chilima Plane Mysteryng aircraft. Daud Suleman, ex-director general of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), has been ordered to appear before the Ad Hoc Committee probing the Chikangawa Forest plane crash this Thursday, according to a letter signed by Joseph Manzi on behalf of the Clerk of Parliament. And MPs aren’t just after his memories — they want the paper trail. The committee has demanded Suleman hand over every single request, direction and instruction MACRA issued to mobile network operators over the missing aircraft, right down to the exact dates and times. It’s a demand that could prove explosive, potentially allowing lawmakers to piece together a minute-by-minute account of what unfolded between the moment the Malawi Defence Force aircraft vanished and the grim discovery of its wreckage. The plane, carrying Chilima, former First Lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri and seven others, disappeared on 10 June 2024 while flying from Lilongwe to Mzuzu. A massive overnight search involving the Defence Force, police and other agencies failed to locate it — until wreckage was finally found the next day in the dense, unforgiving terrain of Chikangawa Forest. All nine people on board were dead. Now, more than a year on, Parliament wants hard answers on the telecommunications trail behind the search. Crucially, the committee isn’t simply asking whether MACRA was involved — it wants proof: the actual instructions, the exact timings, and what came of them. The summons throws up a string of uncomfortable questions. What information did MACRA actually seek from mobile network operators? What was available, and when? Was it passed on to the teams desperately combing the forest for survivors? And, perhaps most damningly, were there delays, gaps or breakdowns in how that information was shared or acted upon during those critical hours? Suleman, who has confirmed he will attend, finds himself in an unenviable position. As the man who ran MACRA at the time of the tragedy, his testimony carries serious weight — and by demanding documents rather than settling for spoken testimony alone, the committee has given itself the ammunition to cross-check his account against records held by telecoms companies and other agencies involved in the search. The crash triggered a wave of national grief and a formal Commission of Inquiry — but questions over the disappearance, the search operation and the discovery of the wreckage have refused to go away. This latest summons signals Parliament is now digging deeper than the physical cause of the crash, turning its focus instead to the chain of communication — and potential failures — during the hours the country held its breath. Suleman’s appearance on Thursday could prove pivotal in finally establishing what role MACRA and the country’s mobile network operators played during those critical, chaotic hours. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Daud Suleman, Macra, plane inquiry --- ### [Malawi footballers to have featured in European football](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-footballers-to-have-featured-in-european-football/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi has never reached a World Cup and has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations only three times, in 1984, 2010 and 2021, so the Flames have never had the export pipeline of Senegal, Ghana or Nigeria. What it does have is a small, stubborn line of players who found a way into European football and stayed there, a story followed closely by supporters who track the African markets at [Virgin Bet South Africa](https://www.virginbet.co.za/). These are the men who made the move, and what they did when they got there. Essau Kanyenda, the Russian pioneer Nkhotakota-born Essau Kanyenda is the most accomplished of them. Spotted by Jomo Sono at a youth tournament, he joined Jomo Cosmos in South Africa in 2001 and scored 26 goals in 46 games, which earned a move to FC Rostov in 2003. He turned down interest from Olympique de Marseille to go to Russia, and became the first Malawian to play in the Russian Premier League. Kanyenda scored 16 goals in 63 games in his first Rostov spell, moved to Lokomotiv Moscow in a player exchange in 2005 and, after struggling for minutes there, rebuilt at Kamaz, Rotor Volgograd and Dynamo Bryansk. A spell with B93 in Denmark followed in 2012. He won 71 caps and scored 21 goals for Malawi, led the line at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, and died in Manchester in December 2025, aged 43. Dan Chitsulo and the long German apprenticeship Daniel Chitsulo left Civo Service United in 2000, aged 17, for 1. FC Köln, and is credited as the first Malawi-born footballer to score a professional goal in a European league. He never broke into the senior side in Cologne, but he made 111 appearances and scored 23 goals for the reserves between 2002 and 2006. What followed was a long career of substance below the top tier. VfL Osnabrück, Rot Weiss Ahlen and Preußen Münster were among six further German clubs, and he finished with 312 senior appearances and 85 goals before retiring in 2016 after sixteen years abroad. He won 24 caps for Malawi and scored eight goals. Russell Mwafulirwa’s Swedish years Russell Mwafulirwa took the southern route first, spending four years at Jomo Cosmos and two at Ajax Cape Town before joining IFK Norrköping in 2008. The Zomba-born striker scored 18 goals in 57 games in the Swedish top flight across three seasons, then dropped down to IK Sleipner. He finished with 42 caps and nine goals for Malawi, and scored against both Algeria and Mali at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. Charles Petro, the modern standard-bearer Charles Petro has taken the route furthest in the current era. A defender who also operates in midfield, he won the Super League of Malawi and a Defender of the Year award with Nyasa Big Bullets before signing for Sheriff Tiraspol in February 2021. Three seasons in Moldova brought two league titles and a domestic cup, along with appearances in Champions League and Europa League qualifying. He was on Sheriff’s books for the campaign in which the club beat Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, though he did not feature in that match. Petro joined FC Botoșani in Romania’s Liga I in 2023 and has since captained Malawi, passing 40 caps. Mwisho Mhango and what comes next The most encouraging development is also the youngest. Mwisho Mhango, a midfielder from the Ascent Soccer academy in Lilongwe, won the Golden Boot and the player of the tournament award at the 2025 COSAFA Under-20 Championship. Hannover 96 signed him on a five-year deal in September 2025, on the day he turned 18, having been unable to complete the move earlier under the rules covering non-EU players. He made his senior international debut in March 2026. Why the list stays short The obstacles are familiar. Work permit rules in England and elsewhere favour players with heavy international pedigree, which a side outside the African top 20 cannot easily supply. The well-trodden path to South Africa’s Premier Soccer League also absorbs most Malawian talent before European scouts see it. Petro and Mhango matter because they show the route is still open, and academies such as Ascent are shortening it by putting young Malawians in front of European clubs at 16 rather than 26. The next name on this list may not have to wait as long. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Esau Kanyenda, Football Association of Malawi --- ### [Adelaide credits NBM sponsorship for rising standards in Malawi women's football](https://www.nyasatimes.com/adelaide-credits-nbm-sponsorship-for-rising-standards-in-malawi-womens-football/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Women’s football in Malawi is on the up — and National Women FA president Adelaide Migogo says National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc’s cash injection deserves the credit. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789996505285-600x412.jpg)Adelaide Migogo: Rising Standards in Women’s Football Thanks to NBM![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789996516734-561x600.jpg)NBM’s K400m Boost for Women’s FootballMigogo delivered the praise on Saturday at the launch of season two of the NBM Women’s Premiership League, held at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre, declaring that NBM’s beefed-up financial backing has transformed the competitive landscape of the game. According to Migogo, the increased funding has sparked fierce competition among players, all battling it out for a coveted spot in the national team ahead of a huge World Cup push. “We are happy that National Bank has started this season pumping in money. The competition from the matches is stiff, as everyone is keen to be part of the Scorchers squad ahead of the 2027 World Cup. We are watching improved games which also gives confidence to the sponsors,” she said. NBM plc Chief Risk Officer Charles Ulaya echoed the sentiment, saying the quality on display in the opening matches had thoroughly won the bank over — and pledged NBM’s continued backing for the sport’s growth. “This is quality football; the players were playing tactically and strategically. The sponsorship has contributed to changing perceptions about women’s football and strengthening the development of the game,” Ulaya said. Champions and Bullets start with a bang The launch was swiftly followed by action on the pitch, with both defending champions Silver Strikers Ladies and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women kicking off their title bids in winning fashion. Silver Strikers staged a stunning comeback to see off Kukoma Ntopwa Queens 3-1, with Ireen Khumalo, Madyina Ngulube and Yamikani Mhango all finding the net. Khumalo was crowned Player of the Match for her efforts. Meanwhile, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women made light work of Chitoliro Heroines, cruising to a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Mary Chavinda, Tadala James and Fauzah Muhammad. Bernadetta Mkandawire picked up the Player of the Match honours. Bullets coach Maggie Chombo said the win was no accident, crediting her side’s sheer determination and sharp preparation. “We agreed during training that this is the best game. Let us try to win it at all costs,” she said. Over at Silver Strikers, coach Shadreck Chikhosi made no secret of his side’s ambitions to defend their crown. “We are the champions; we need to retain the pace we have. That is why we will keep on winning,” he declared. Sponsorship soars to K400 million Underlining Migogo’s point, NBM plc has dramatically hiked its sponsorship package for the league — jumping from K280 million last season to a whopping K400 million this time round, cementing the bank’s status as one of the biggest backers of women’s football in the country, and giving real weight to Migogo’s claim that the investment is driving standards up across the board. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Adelaide Migogo, National Bank of Malawi, National Women Football Committee, women football --- ### [Chilima crash inquiry nears milestone as ex-police, military chiefs set to testify](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chilima-crash-inquiry-nears-milestone-as-ex-police-military-chiefs-set-to-testify/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Parliamentary Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the Chikangawa plane crash says it’s on track to wrap up the third phase of its probe by the end of October, after hammering out a fresh six-week schedule to grill key witnesses involved in the search and rescue operation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789739135250-600x400.jpg)MP Nyamilandu (c) No Date Yet for Final Chikangawa Crash ReportCommittee members were locked in lengthy talks over the revised programme, which had to be reworked to squeeze in extra witnesses who weren’t on the original list. Committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu said he was confident the interviews would be wrapped up by month’s end — but stopped short of putting a date on when the committee’s much-anticipated final report will actually see the light of day. “Once we complete the third phase, then we will wait on the analysis with the pathologists and digital forensic experts,” he said. “The report will be released once all those processes are complete.” Tomorrow, the committee is set to hear from four heavyweight witnesses: - Samuel Kalua — Former Acting Director General, Civil Aviation Authority - Fredrick Chisepeya — Director of Aerodromes and Air Navigation Standards, Civil Aviation Authority - Akis Muwanga — Former Deputy Inspector General of Operations, Malawi Police Service - General Paul Valentino Phiri — Former Commander, Malawi Defence Force Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima, Walter Nyamilandu Manda --- ### [Big Four cash in: Wanderers, Bullets lead the pack as Malawi football gate takings top K1 billion](https://www.nyasatimes.com/big-four-cash-in-wanderers-bullets-lead-the-pack-as-malawi-football-gate-takings-top-k1-billion/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s football giants are laughing all the way to the bank — with Mighty Wanderers, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Silver Strikers and Ekhaya FC revealed as the biggest earners from gate revenue after the opening round of the 2026 FDH Bank Premiership. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789991655660-476x600.jpg)Turnstile Titans: Wanderers, Bullets, Silver Strikers, Ekhaya Cash In BigThe figures, verified by the Super League of Malawi (SULOM) on Monday, confirm what most fans already suspected: the country’s most-watched clubs are also its biggest money-spinners at the turnstiles. And the numbers are impressive. SULOM’s verified figures show the first round raked in a staggering MWK1,083,053,220 in gate revenue — comfortably up on the MWK1,064,559,470 collected over the same period last year. That’s a jump of MWK18,493,750, or 1.74 percent, year-on-year — proof, SULOM says, that Malawian fans are still turning out in force and keeping the league’s finances ticking over. Unsurprisingly, it’s the country’s two most fiercely supported clubs, Wanderers and Bullets, leading the charge among the top earners, with Silver Strikers and Ekhaya FC rounding out the top four. The message is clear: for all the talk of sponsorship deals and broadcast rights, it’s still the fans through the gates who remain the financial backbone of Malawi’s top-flight football. With SULOM’s verification now official, all eyes turn to whether the Big Four can keep the momentum going as the 2026 FDH Bank Premiership rolls into round two. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Ekhaya FC, FDH Premiership, Mighty Wanderers, Nyasa Big Bullets, Silver Strikers --- ### [CH3's K6.9m desk donation brings relief to Mchesi Primary](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ch3s-k6-9m-desk-donation-brings-relief-to-mchesi-primary/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Lilongwe fabrication firm has come to the rescue of Mchesi Primary School, handing over 100 desks in a move that’s brought huge relief to a school that had been battling a chronic shortage. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260921-WA0010-563x600.jpg)CH3 Interactions donates 100 desks to Mchesi Primary School![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260921-WA0009-600x552.jpg)100 Desks, Big Smiles: Firm’s Generous Gift to Mchesi PrimaryCH3 Interactions, based in Mchesi, splashed out MK6.9 million to maintain and restore the desks, delivered as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility drive. Chief Executive Clement Nazombe said the gesture was far from a one-off, revealing the firm has ambitious plans to furnish schools right across Malawi with reconditioned and brand-new desks. “We would like to complement on government’s efforts towards improving education standards,” Nazombe said, stressing just how significant the exercise was for the school. He’s now calling on other businesses, alumni groups and individuals to join the cause, saying CH3 Interactions is eager to team up with more partners to keep desks flowing into classrooms nationwide. The handover sparked scenes of pure joy at Mchesi Primary, with both staff and pupils celebrating the donation — proof, organisers say, of just how powerful generous CSR gestures can be for communities in need. CH3 Interactions isn’t just about desks, though. The firm specialises in furniture for schools, offices, hospitals and other institutions, alongside bespoke custom pieces. It also handles steel and aluminium fabrication and supply, plus delivery and installation services — and, according to Nazombe, even branches into waste management and general supplies. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, Featured, News **Tags:** CH3 Interactions, Education --- ### [Malawi's climate fight 'strangled' by crushing debt burden, ActionAid warns](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-climate-fight-strangled-by-crushing-debt-burden-actionaid-warns/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi is being denied the chance to fight back against climate change because a staggering 24 percent of the national budget is being swallowed up by debt repayments, campaigners have warned. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260921-WA0004-600x400.jpg)‘We Just Need Funding’: ActionAid’s Blunt Verdict on Malawi’s Climate ResponseActionAid Malawi (AAM) Climate Justice Focal Chairperson Jimmy Chimalizeni made the explosive claim during an aerobics event the organisation jointly staged with fellow NGOs to rally young people ahead of the Global Week for Climate Justice. Chimalizeni didn’t mince his words, insisting Malawi simply cannot achieve climate justice while its finances remain shackled by debt. He said the country’s spiralling public debt is directly sabotaging the fight against climate change, with scarce cash that should be going towards climate action, health, education and agriculture instead being siphoned off to service loans. “This year during the Global Week for mobilisation for climate justice, the young people have been mobilised. Mostly, we are talking about the issues of debt cancellation,” he said. “We have calculated a very huge amount of public debt, and at this stage, its repayment has affected the allocation of other resources into other essential public services like health, education, and agriculture.” ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260921-WA0001-600x400.jpg)an aerobics event the organisation jointly staged with fellow NGOs to rally young people ahead of the Global Week for Climate Justice.For ActionAid, the message is stark: climate justice and debt justice are two sides of the same coin. According to the organisation’s own figures, more than 24 percent of the national budget — recorded in government books as public debt charges — is now being funnelled into debt servicing, leaving climate financing scraping the barrel. “The funds that are required to be channeled towards climate action now have been redirected to debt servicing. This has left other sectors like climate financing with very little resources,” he said. It’s why, Chimalizeni explained, this year’s youth-driven campaign is demanding not just climate action but outright debt cancellation and a shake-up of the global debt system. **Youth demand a seat at the table** Campaigners are also pushing back against the idea that young people are merely helpless bystanders in the climate crisis. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260921-WA0006-600x400.jpg)an aerobics event the organisation jointly staged with fellow NGOs to rally young people ahead of the Global Week for Climate Justice.ActionAid wants them recognised as “agents of change” with a genuine say in decisions on climate policy. “We are seeing young people not just as victims of climate change… but we are also seeing them as agents of change, so we want them to have a seat at the table, even on questions of climate and climate justice,” Chimalizeni said. **Mining cash ‘must reach communities’** With mining activity booming across Malawi, ActionAid is also demanding that proceeds from extraction be transparently redirected into climate financing — and that communities living alongside mining operations actually see the benefit. Chimalizeni said the timing couldn’t be more critical, with world leaders set to gather for the UN General Assembly in October and COP30 in November, where Malawi’s negotiators must make the case for debt-distressed, climate-vulnerable nations like itself. **‘People know the answers — they just need the money’** Pressed on what government and NGOs should actually do to tackle the root causes of climate vulnerability, from farming to energy poverty, Chimalizeni insisted the solutions already exist at grassroots level — they’re just starved of cash. “Most of our interventions, they simply need funding. This is right from the communities where we work, where a lot of people are saying we believe that the solutions are just there. They just need funding,” he said. He singled out energy as an urgent priority, accusing authorities of telling Malawians to abandon firewood without giving them anything affordable to replace it with. “We are telling people not to use firewood, but we are not giving them the other alternatives. Most of these energy sources are expensive,” he said, calling for government subsidies on solar, gas and other clean energy sources. He also warned that Malawi’s heavy dependence on hydropower — vulnerable to both drought and flooding — leaves the country dangerously exposed, and renewed calls for a genuine, “just” transition to diversified energy sources. “We need a proper transition. We need a just transition to other sources of energy. If we can allocate more resources towards these investments, I’m sure we can deal with the climate crisis,” he said. ActionAid’s verdict is blunt: unless Malawi frees up fiscal space from crippling debt, empowers its youth, and ensures mining wealth actually funds climate resilience, the country will keep paying the price for a crisis it did almost nothing to cause. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News **Tags:** Action Aid, climate change --- ### [National Bank of Malawi's K2.3bn football sponsorship kicks off in style](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawis-k2-3bn-football-sponsorship-kicks-off-in-style/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Football-mad fans packed out stadiums across Malawi for a thrilling opening weekend of top-flight women’s football, delighting sponsors who have just ploughed a staggering K2.3 billion into the beautiful game for the 2026/27 season. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260920_231851_Instagram-559x600.jpg)Silver start NBM title defence with a winNational Bank of Malawi plc risk and compliance manager Charles Ulaya said bosses were left hugely impressed by both the quality of football on show and the sheer scale of fan turnout as the campaign got underway. The banking giant unveiled its blockbuster sponsorship package ahead of the new season, with the NBM Women’s Premiership handed a whopping K400 million — a major boost on the K280 million doled out the previous year. “The season has kicked off on a high note,” beamed Ulaya, clearly thrilled with how the bank’s investment was already paying dividends on the pitch. And the action didn’t disappoint. Defending champions Silver Ladies made a statement of intent in their title defence, storming back from behind to seal a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over hosts Kukoma Ntopwa Women at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre. Silver Ladies interim head coach Shadreck Chikhosi — whose side stormed to glory last season with an imperious 48 points from 18 games — admitted he was delighted to see his troops hit the ground running. Fans at the same venue were then treated to a footballing masterclass as FCB Nyasa Bullets Women put on a ruthless display, thrashing Chitoliro Heroines 3-0. Mary Chavinda, Tadala James and Fauzah Mohammed all got on the scoresheet as the Bullets served notice of their own title ambitions. National Women’s Football Association chairperson Adelaide Migogo hailed the opening weekend as a resounding success, saying she was thrilled by the entertaining, end-to-end action on display — and predicted more of the same as the season unfolds. **Background: a league on the rise** The NBM Women’s Premiership has enjoyed a remarkable surge in profile and investment in recent years, with the bank’s latest funding boost reflecting growing corporate confidence in the women’s game as both a commercial and sporting proposition in Malawi. Silver Ladies’ triumph last season — crowned inaugural champions after a dominant campaign — helped fuel excitement heading into the new season, with rivals such as FCB Nyasa Bullets Women now firmly in the hunt to dethrone them. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** National Bank of Malawi Plc, National Women Football Committee, women football --- ### [EDF, FDH Bank partner to formalise Malawi gold trade](https://www.nyasatimes.com/edf-fdh-bank-partner-to-formalise-malawi-gold-trade/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Export Development Fund (EDF) has struck a partnership with FDH Bank to open four new Gold Trading Centres in Karonga, Mzimba (Jenda), Mangochi and Blantyre, as the state-backed fund seeks to draw a greater share of the country’s gold trade into formal channels. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20200430-WA0036-450x600.jpg)Searching for gold in KasunguThe tie-up extends EDF’s purchasing network beyond its existing outposts in Lilongwe and Liwonde, bringing formal buying capacity closer to producers and traders in regions where gold mining activity has historically outpaced formal trading infrastructure. Under the arrangement, FDH Bank will host centres within its branches in Karonga, Mzimba and Mangochi, giving EDF access to established banking infrastructure without the cost of building its own. The Blantyre centre will instead be housed at the Reserve Bank of Malawi’s premises. The expansion comes as EDF looks to scale up volumes moving through the formal market. Acting managing director Inglis Nyamilandu said the fund was constrained by having only two buying points to date, despite gold traders operating across the country. “By taking our services closer to where the gold is being mined, we expect to reach more traders and increase the volumes of gold we purchase,” he said, adding that the FDH partnership allows EDF to “leverage their branch network” rather than build out its own, with further district-level expansion planned. For FDH Bank, the deal marks a deeper push into Malawi’s mining sector. Managing director Noel Mkulichi said the bank saw an opportunity to put its existing branch footprint to use in support of the country’s mineral value chain, framing the partnership as consistent with its broader institutional strategy in the sector. The formal gold market itself is a relatively young piece of state infrastructure, established by government in 2021 to bring structure to a trade that had largely operated outside official channels. The Gold Purchase Programme remains owned by the Reserve Bank of Malawi, with EDF acting as implementing agent. Since the market’s inception, EDF has purchased just over 1.63 tonnes of gold — 1,630,368.68 grams — as of September 2026, a figure that underscores both the scale of gold flowing through informal networks and the runway still available to formalise it. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** FDH Bank, Gold, Gold Buyers Association --- ### [Sigh of relief: The vote that rescued Malawians](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sigh-of-relief-the-vote-that-rescued-malawians/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** On 16 September 2025, Malawians went to the polls to elect a President, Members of Parliament and Councillors. The incumbent, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, standing on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ticket, polled 3,035,249 votes (56.76%), defeating his rival, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader Lazarus Chakwera, who garnered 1,765,170 votes (33.01%). ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789143017071-600x440.jpg)President MutharikaThe election has been described as a “sigh of relief” for many Malawians, coming at the end of a five-year term widely characterised as a period of economic hardship. Analysts say voters went to the ballot box not merely to choose a leader, but to rescue themselves from that hardship. 1\. Why it was called a protest vote Analysts have labelled the result a protest vote. For three consecutive years, inflation ran above 20%, while chronic forex shortages left the country grappling with shortages of fuel, fertiliser and medicine. One lecturer in Blantyre summed up the mood: “When Peter Mutharika was governing in the first term, things did not go so well. For him to come back with such an emphatic win… it shows you how badly Chakwera has done.” 2\. The maize crisis: ufa, the real ballot paper In Malawi, maize flour — ufa — functions as something of a second ballot paper, and prices in the run-up to the election were punishing. In July, the national average price stood at K791 per kg (K39,550 per 50kg bag) — up 8% from K731 at the end of June, though still 32% cheaper than the same period the previous year, when prices hit K1,169. By August, prices surged again, rising 20% to K960 per kg from K803 at the end of July. The Southern Region was hit hardest, with prices reaching K1,037 per kg, compared to K943 in the Centre and K751 in the North. A 50kg bag rose from K45,000 in July to K55,000 in August, with some markets charging as much as K70,000. Government had set the farmgate price at K900 per kg, but farmers were reportedly selling for as low as K650 per kg (K32,500 per bag), as ADMARC had yet to begin buying. 3\. The situation on the ground now In the days since the vote, relief has begun to take hold. In Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu and district markets across the country, maize is once again cheaper, more available and more affordable. ADMARC and NFRA depots have reopened, traders are releasing stocks they had previously been hoarding, and cross-border imports are flowing more freely. Families can now access ufa without the long queues that had become routine. Conclusion Under the previous administration, Malawians were squeezed from both directions — low prices for farmers, high prices for buyers. That dynamic is a major reason many viewed the 16 September vote as an opportunity to reset the cost of living, and why the outcome has been felt by many as a genuine rescue. As Mutharika marks 12 months in office, Malawians have also welcomed the disappearance of the fuel queues that once accompanied every trip to the pump. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Columns, Politics **Tags:** DPP, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Minister Ben Phiri renews push for Usisya road as key to unlocking tourism 'gem'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-ben-phiri-renews-push-for-usisya-road-as-key-to-unlocking-tourism-gem/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian government minister currently on a governance course in China has used the moment to renew his call for the long-awaited Mzuzu–Usisya road, holding up China’s model of blending farming with tourism as proof of what Malawi could achieve at home. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787065534451-557x600.jpg)Minister Ben Phiri: Usisya Has ‘Everything’ Needed to Become Major Tourism HubIn a Facebook post, Ben Phiri pointed to Usisya in Nkhata Bay as a prime example of untapped potential, describing his first visit to the area during last year’s campaign as a revelation. He said he was “stunned” by what he found — pristine beaches on Lake Malawi, dramatic mountains, cool breezes, fertile farmland, sweet bananas and welcoming communities — calling it, in his words, “a GEM.” But Phiri said that potential remains locked away because of the area’s poor road access. He argued Usisya has everything needed to become a major tourism hub — one where agriculture and tourism intersect, youth find employment, local councils generate revenue, and the country as a whole benefits. It’s for that reason, he said, that he remains a committed advocate for construction of the Mzuzu–Usisya road, singling out a critical 30km stretch as the missing link. He described the road as far more than infrastructure, framing it as the key to connecting farmers to markets, patients to hospitals, and tourists to what he called paradise. Drawing a direct line to his current trip, Phiri said China has demonstrated that integrating agriculture with tourism can work — and argued Malawi should aim to replicate that success in Usisya. He closed his post with an open invitation to Malawians who haven’t visited the area: go and see it for themselves, he said, and they’ll understand exactly what he means. The post is the latest in a series from Phiri promoting the integration of farming and tourism as a development model, a theme he has been building on since an earlier post on the same subject. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, News **Tags:** Ben Phiri, Malawi Tourism, Usisya --- ### [Chidale finishes runner-up in Uganda as Sunshine Tour form continues](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chidale-finishes-runner-up-in-uganda-as-sunshine-tour-form-continues/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s top-ranked professional golfer, Paul Chidale, produced a strong showing at the Pearl of Africa Sunshine Development Tour at Entebbe Golf Club in Uganda, finishing as runner-up in the event. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789978839696-596x600.jpg)Chidale: I played wellChidale carded rounds of 67, 64 and 69 to finish on nine-under-par 204, four strokes behind eventual champion Ronald Rugumayo of Uganda. He shared second place on the leaderboard with Nigeria’s Godwin Okoko, while England’s Matt Millar and Slade Pickering tied for fourth on eight-under-par 205. Speaking to SuperSport television after his round, Chidale said he was pleased with his overall performance despite some difficulties on the greens. “I played well only that my putting was not on target. So, I later on settled for double putting,” he said. The golfer’s trip to Uganda was sponsored by Jibs Security Services, whose managing director, Innocent Chikoko, said the company was pleased with the result. “We are proud to have contributed towards his success and we hope he will continue to shine for the nation,” Chikoko said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Golf, Paul Chidale --- ### [Malawi's ex-No.2 lets rip: Usi brands DPP and MCP 'twins' as he accuses new govt of outdoing predecessors in graft](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-ex-no-2-lets-rip-usi-brands-dpp-and-mcp-twins-as-he-accuses-new-govt-of-outdoing-predecessors-in-graft/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s former Vice President Dr Michael Usi has torn into the country’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, declaring there is barely any difference between the current DPP administration and the MCP government he served under — except that the DPP, he says, has taken corruption to new heights.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789973047535-600x400.jpg) Speaking to a local broadcaster, Usi said the only real difference between DPP rule and the previous MCP administration was that the DPP government had gone further in corruption and looting state resources. Breaking a period of public silence, the former VP, who leads the Odya Zake Alibe Mulandu party, said DPP and MCP were essentially “twins” — separated only by which one had taken looting further. Usi said the Tonse Alliance had started well after its 2020 election win, but things soured when MCP began sidelining leaders of partner parties from governing — and argued the current administration has gone even further down that road since taking power on 16 September 2025. He also dismissed government boasts over food security, insisting there was no reason for DPP to take pride in claims that “people are eating,” calling it an obvious baseline rather than an achievement, and said the real priorities should be tackling corruption, crime and development. He further urged politicians to fear ordinary citizens, arguing that it is the public who holds the power to elect or remove leaders from office. > *Boma ili ndi la MCP langosiyana kuti ili lalawirira kuba* — Usi **Usi isn’t alone** His broadside lands just days after UTM Party leader Dr Dalitso Kabambe launched his own explosive assault on the DPP, marking one year since Peter Mutharika’s party took office. Kabambe alleged more than K20 billion in disputed transactions at Blantyre Water Board, a further K4.7 billion allegedly paid to suppliers by Southern Region Water Board with nothing delivered, and a staggering K38.8 billion said to have vanished from a maize import deal involving Zambia — on top of K11.8 billion in alleged irregularities at power utility ESCOM and K1 billion tied to fuel contracts at NOCMA. He accused the DPP administration of shielding those implicated rather than rooting out the corruption, arguing every stolen kwacha was money that should have gone toward medicines, roads and clean water. Notably, state broadcaster MBC and the privately-owned Nation newspaper gave Kabambe’s speech no coverage at all, while the Daily Times splashed it on its front page under the headline “Kabambe takes on govt” — fuelling opposition claims that critical voices are being frozen out of mainstream media. Government has yet to respond in detail to either set of allegations. DPP-aligned commentators have pushed back hard, with one pro-government outlet dismissing Kabambe’s claims as “the same tired politics of allegations without proof.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** DPP, MCP, Micheal usi --- ### [Malawi's kidnapping wave exposes cracks in police accountability](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-kidnapping-wave-exposes-cracks-in-police-accountability/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A string of high-profile abductions across Malawi has prompted the country’s leading human rights watchdog to demand that police go beyond rescuing victims and start dismantling the criminal networks behind the crimes. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260728-WA0002-600x489.jpg)Kaiyatsa: CHRR pushing police on kidnappings The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) says the Malawi Police Service owes the public answers — not just about who carried out the abductions, but about their motives, where the weapons came from, and whether the cases point to something larger and more organised. CHRR executive director Michael Kaiyatsa argued that rescuing a victim cannot be where accountability ends; the public also deserves to know what happened and whether anyone will be held responsible. The case that has drawn the most scrutiny is the abduction of British national Nusrat Osman, 47, allegedly seized in Blantyre on 11 September by four unidentified men travelling in a Nissan Dualis. She was freed on 17 September in an operation during which a police officer, Deputy Inspector Noel Kayira, was struck by a bullet in the crossfire. Police accounts of the operation’s aftermath have already shifted once: officials first said four suspects had been shot dead, before Inspector General Richard Luhanga later revised that figure down to two. A Mozambican national and a Malawian suspect reportedly died afterwards at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital. For CHRR, that inconsistency is itself a warning sign. The organisation argues that unexplained gaps in the official account do more than fuel rumour — they chip away at public trust in how police handle major operations, and in the wider security system. The group has raised similar concerns about the February kidnapping of Crossroads Hotel managing director Sameer Sacranie, who returned home after 33 days still waiting for a clear explanation of what happened to him. Security analyst Alex Chisiano offered a wider read on the pattern: kidnappings used to be handled by police largely out of public view, but the emergence of high-profile victims has piled pressure on the service to be more forthcoming, even where some operational details may legitimately need to stay confidential. Chisiano also flagged a harder problem — that the involvement of influential or well-connected figures in these cases could complicate police efforts to be transparent, and called for policing that stays professional and independent regardless of who is involved. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** CHRR, kidnapping, Malawi Police --- ### ['We built your democracy' — Bishop's savage reminder to Malawi's leaders](https://www.nyasatimes.com/we-built-your-democracy-bishops-savage-reminder-to-malawis-leaders/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The venue was the message.Bishop Martin Mtumbuka didn’t deliver this at a press conference or a pastoral letter — he did it from the altar, during a Mass built around 125 years of Catholic presence in Malawi. That matters. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FD2A93AB-F413-4F81-A172-17E6F282EA86-600x338.jpeg)Bishop Mtumbuka: Sermon or Smackdown? Bishop Roasts Political Class at Anniversary MassThe Malawian Catholic Church has a specific institutional memory of speaking from the pulpit at moments of political tension — the 1992 pastoral letter Living Our Faith is the textbook example, credited with helping crack open one-party rule under Banda. By invoking that letter directly, His Grace Mtumbuka wasn’t just criticizing today’s politicians; he was reminding the country the Church has done this before, and reserving the right to do it again. The criticism is pointed but deliberately non-partisan. He didn’t name DPP, MCP, or UTM. “Politicians” as a class, “powerful politicians and their cronies” plundering parastatals — this is a broadside at the political culture itself, not a specific administration. That’s a common and often effective move for religious leaders in Malawi: it lets them stay above the fray of party politics while still landing real blows, and it’s harder for any one party to dismiss as opposition-aligned attack. The self-congratulation is doing work too. Claiming credit for 1992 while pointedly noting “not everything that came after that is nice to us” is the Church drawing a line between what it helped build (democracy) and what politicians have done with it since (the implication being: not much). It’s a classic contrast structure — we gave you the tool, you’re using it badly. The government’s response was thin. Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha showing up as guest of honour and offering only that government is “working to address the challenges” is a fairly standard non-answer — acknowledging the criticism without engaging with its substance (corruption at parastatals, power outages, mismanagement). Worth noting he was there as guest of honour at a Church anniversary, not fielding questions, so a fuller response was never really the format’s purpose. Bigger picture: this fits a broader pattern in Malawi right now — CHRR pushing police on kidnappings, Kabambe and Usi both hammering the DPP on corruption, and now the bishops weighing in on governance and parastatal looting. Independent and religious institutions are converging on the same critique from different directions, which tends to carry more weight with the public than any single opposition figure’s attacks — it’s harder to write off as “just politics” when the Catholic Church is saying it from a pulpit at a 125th-anniversary Mass. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, democracy, Roman Catholic Church --- ### [Dassu: Malawi's vice-presidency is a constitutional office, not a party asset](https://www.nyasatimes.com/dassu-malawis-vice-presidency-is-a-constitutional-office-not-a-party-asset/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There are critical moments in the life of a constitutional democracy when we must step back and confront a fundamental question: what does the supreme law of our land, the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, demand? ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260919-WA0007-600x450.jpg)Dassu with President Mutharika: The vice-president is an office of the Republic, not a possession of a political partySince our hard-fought-for democracy, the recurring debates over the status, authority, and security of tenure of Malawi’s First Vice-President present precisely such a moment. I write this neither to champion nor to attack any individual politician or political party. I write as someone who spent years in the trenches fighting for the end of the One-Party dictatorship and the birth of our multiparty democracy in 1994. Having played an active role in that struggle alongside men and women who risked everything to dismantle authoritarian rule, I bear both a civic duty and claim the absolute right to speak out when the sacred constitutional architecture we fought to build is threatened by political convenience, as it has been over the years. Those of us who challenged the autocratic apparatus of the Malawi Congress Party era of darkness and death did not do so merely to swap one set of political masters for another. We fought for a Malawi where institutions would stand taller than individuals, where constitutional mandates could not be rewritten by executive whim, and where public office would remain fundamentally answerable to the electorate under the rule of law. It is through this historical lens that we must examine the constitutional office of the First Vice-President. **Elected by the People, Not Appointed by the Party** The 1994 Constitution of the Republic of Malawi is unambiguous regarding the ultimate source of the Vice-President’s authority. Under Section 80(3), every presidential candidate must formally declare a running mate at the time of nomination. Section 80(4) reinforces this mandate, stating that the First Vice-President is elected concurrently with the President, appearing on the exact same ballot paper. Every single Malawian who casts a vote for a President is, on that exact same ballot paper, directly electing the Vice-President with the very same vote. The Vice-President is elected by the sovereign people of Malawi just as much as the President is. This distinction is of paramount legal consequence: - **Before an election:** A presidential candidate selects a running mate as Vice-President. - **After the election:** That running mate ceases to be a mere party functionary or political associate. They assume an independent constitutional office created by Section 79 of the Supreme Law and validated directly by the electorate of Malawi. **The Absolute Separation of Party and State** We must be unequivocal on this point: once the President and the Vice-President are sworn into office, their political party has **no constitutional authority whatsoever** over their tenure or state functions. A political party presents its candidates to the electorate. Once the voters make their choice at the ballot box, party jurisdiction ends and the jurisdiction of the Republic of Malawi begins. Party officials hold no legal power to summon, discipline, suspend, or recall a sitting President or Vice-President from their constitutional role, nor can they dictate how executive authority is exercised. To suggest that a party hierarchy can alter or strip the mandate of an elected officer of state is to subordinate the Supreme Law of the Republic of Malawi to the private rules of a political party. A party owns its internal constitution; it does not own the Constitution of the Republic. > **“Once the voters make their choice at the ballot box, party jurisdiction ends and the jurisdiction of the Republic of Malawi begins. Party officials hold no legal power to suspend, recall, or dictate terms to a sitting President or Vice-President.”** **The Electoral Mandate and the Succession Safeguard** When Malawians go to the polls, they do not vote for a single individual in a political vacuum. They cast their ballots for a joint executive ticket. The character, experience, integrity, and political outlook of the running mate form a vital component of the electorate’s decision. This structure was deliberately engineered during the drafting of our 1994 Constitution to avoid the concentration of absolute authority in a single person—a direct reaction to the decades of Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s Life Presidency and his authoritarian dictatorship. Furthermore, the First Vice-President is not a mere ceremonial deputy. Under Section 83(4) of the Republican Constitution, should the office of the President of the Republic of Malawi become vacant through death, resignation, or incapacity, the First Vice-President automatically assumes the Presidency for the remainder of the term. When Malawian voters cast their votes, they decide two things simultaneously: 1. Who should lead their country today? 2. And also, who is fit to step into the Presidency tomorrow should tragedy strike? To suggest that a governing party or a sitting President can simply cast aside an elected Vice-President post-election is to invalidate a core component of the democratic mandate which the voters gave under the Supreme Law. **Political Disputes Are Not Reasons to Remove a Vice-President** In any government, leaders disagree. A President and a Vice-President may fall out, quarrel over policies, or have disagreements between their families and political parties. Crucially, the Constitution of Malawi dictates that **a political disagreement is NOT a legal reason to remove a Vice-President.** Under Sections 84, 85, and 86 of the Constitution, a Vice-President can only leave office for three specific reasons: 1. **Death** or a written **resignation** signed by the Vice-President. 2. **Medical incapacity**, proved and certified by a board of doctors. 3. **Impeachment** by the Parliament of the Republic of Malawi. Under Section 86, Parliament cannot impeach a Vice-President just because they have become unpopular with the President, their spouses, or party bosses. Impeachment can **only** happen if the Vice-President has broken a major written law or committed a serious violation of the Constitution. The framers of our Constitution created these strict rules so that a President could not easily throw out a Vice-President simply because they stopped getting along. **The Right to Call the President as a Witness** Section 86 of our Supreme Law guarantees **natural justice**. This simply means **the right to a fair trial**. In any fair trial guaranteed by the Constitution: - You must be told clearly what you are accused of. - You have the right to show proof that you are innocent. - You have the right to bring witnesses and ask questions to the people accusing you. Because the President and Vice-President run the government together, most big decisions are made together. Therefore, if Parliament ever tries to impeach a Vice-President, **the Vice-President has the full constitutional right to call the President to stand before Parliament as a witness under oath.** If a Vice-President is accused of wrongdoing, they can legally demand that the President appear in Parliament to answer questions. The President cannot hide behind executive power or refuse to testify. This constitutional rule stops leaders from setting up fake or unfair trials against their deputies. > **“If a Vice-President faces a trial in Parliament, they have the constitutional right to bring the President to the witness stand to tell the truth under oath.”** **The Danger of Starving the Vice-President’s Office** Sometimes, instead of following the law, a President tries to punish a Vice-President quietly. They do this by taking away their duties, cutting their budget, or refusing to let them attend Cabinet meetings. While a President has the power to manage daily government work, **systematically stripping an elected Vice-President of all work to force them to quit violates the Supreme Law of the land.** An office created by the highest law of our land cannot be turned into an empty title simply because political relations between the President, the Vice-President, their spouses, or party officials have turned sour. **Historical Context: The Precedent of Cassim Chilumpha** Malawi has navigated this exact constitutional crisis more often than a country facing immense challenges posed by hunger, disease, and poverty deserves—and the lessons learned must not be forgotten. In 2004, Dr Cassim Chilumpha was elected Vice-President alongside President Bingu wa Mutharika under the United Democratic Front banner. When Mutharika broke away from the party to form the Democratic Progressive Party, Chilumpha remained in the UDF. The working relationship between the President and the Vice-President collapsed completely, culminating in Chilumpha’s exclusion from state affairs. In 2006, the executive attempted to declare that Chilumpha had “constructively resigned” through his absence from Cabinet meetings and public criticism of the administration. In the landmark case of *Chilumpha v Attorney General*, the High Court decisively upheld the Constitution and rejected the executive’s argument. The court affirmed that an elected constitutional officer cannot “constructively resign” and ordered the full restoration of Chilumpha’s official perks, security, vehicles, and operational funding. A similar dynamic unfolded between 2009 and 2012 when President Mutharika again fell out with his Vice-President, Joyce Banda. Expelled from the ruling party, Banda resisted demands to resign from government, established the People’s Party from opposition benches, and successfully assumed the Presidency as dictated by Section 83(4) following Mutharika’s sudden death in April 2012—preserving the constitutional order despite intense political pressure to bypass her. **Institutions Over Personalities** It is easy to defend constitutional boundaries when they protect our political allies. The ultimate test of a constitutional democracy is whether we defend those same boundaries when they benefit our political opponents. When we fought for multiparty democracy, our goal was not merely to change the leaders sitting at Sanjika, Kamuzu Palace, or State House; it was to build an enduring constitutional order governed by the rule of law under the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi. Presidents will come and go. Ruling parties will win and lose elections. Political alliances will form and fracture. But the Constitution must endure as the fixed anchor of the Republic of Malawi. If we allow Presidents or political parties to strip elected constitutional Vice-Presidents of their mandate, we abandon the rule of law in favour of political convenience. The Republic’s Vice-President does not belong to a political party. The Vice-President belongs to the Republic of Malawi—and the Constitution belongs to its people. - *The writer, **Ahmed Dassu**, is a founding member of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), former Chief Advisor to the late Chakufwa Chihana, and a former political detainee under Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s single-party rule.* Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Columns, Featured, National **Tags:** Cassim Chilumpha, Constitution, Jane Ansah, Joyce Banda, Malawi Cabinet --- ### [Rotary Club rallies Malawians to donate blood for children battling cancer](https://www.nyasatimes.com/rotary-club-rallies-malawians-to-donate-blood-for-children-battling-cancer-as-charity-reveals-scale-of-crisis-facing-young-patients-a-lilongwe-charity-has-launched-an-urgent-blood-donation-d/) **Published:** September 21, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Lilongwe charity has launched an urgent blood donation drive to support children undergoing cancer treatment, as Malawi marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September — with organisers revealing hundreds of children are diagnosed with the disease in the country every single year. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789934453658-600x450.jpg)Blood drive launched to save young cancer patients as demand outstrips supplyThe Rotary Club of Lilongwe City Centre organised the initiative to back young patients being treated at the National Cancer Centre, where blood transfusions form a critical part of care for children fighting the disease. President-elect of the club, Atupele Mpasa, said the drive was designed both to directly support children in treatment and to encourage ordinary Malawians to step forward as donors. “As we know, transfusions are a big part of cancer care, and therefore we thought that we can contribute by mobilising blood donors,” she said. In a stark illustration of the scale of the problem, Mpasa revealed that the National Cancer Centre diagnoses at least 250 children with cancer every year — a figure she warned could be even higher in reality, given that some cases in Malawi go undiagnosed altogether. She said the blood drive was intended to complement the work of health authorities in ensuring young patients have reliable access to blood whenever they need it during treatment. The initiative comes as the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) continues to warn that demand for blood among children with cancer remains persistently high, with current supplies falling short of what is needed to meet demand. Bridget Shumba, from MBTS’s Public Relations Office, welcomed the Rotary Club’s efforts, but issued a wider call to action, urging more Malawians to become regular blood donors to help prevent patients losing their lives simply because supplies have run dry. Childhood cancer remains a significant, if often overlooked, public health challenge in Malawi, where late diagnosis and limited resources can make treatment far more difficult than in countries with more developed healthcare systems. The National Cancer Centre serves as the country’s primary facility for treating young cancer patients, many of whom rely on regular transfusions to survive chemotherapy and other gruelling treatment regimes. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, observed globally each September, is aimed at raising awareness of early warning signs and improving survival rates for children diagnosed with the disease. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789934447027-600x450.jpg)‘We need more donors’: the fight to keep sick children supplied with blood Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, News **Tags:** blood, cancer, Malawi Blood Transfusion Services --- ### [Women's Premiership returns: Bullets, Strikers and Civo Service all victorious](https://www.nyasatimes.com/womens-premiership-returns-bullets-strikers-and-civo-service-all-victorious/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women, Silver Strikers Ladies and Civo Service Women have all made winning starts to the 2026/27 NBM Women’s Premiership. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260920-WA0011-600x600.jpg)Malawi Women’s Premiership season two gets under way with big winsBullets Women got the campaign under way in style with a 3-0 win over Chitoliro Heroines at Mpira Stadium on Saturday. Mary Chavinda, Tadala James and Musa Mohammed were all on target, while Bernadette Mkandawire picked up the Woman of the Match award. Also at Mpira Stadium, defending champions Silver Strikers Ladies beat Kukoma Ntopwa Queens 3-1. Ireen Khumalo, Madyina Nguluwe and Yamikani Mhango scored for the champions, with Rose Alufandika grabbing a consolation for Ntopwa Queens. Khumalo took the Woman of the Match honours. The result of the weekend came on Sunday, as Civo Service Women thrashed Mighty Wanderers Queens 5-1 at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe. Benedetta Nyenga and Vitumbiko Mkandawire both scored twice, with Anna Bazilio also on the scoresheet. Faluna Umali netted a consolation for Wanderers Queens. Elsewhere, Ascent Soccer Academy and MDF Lioness shared the points in a 1-1 draw — Mayamiko Mkandawire on target for Ascent, Asimenye Simwaka replying for MDF Lioness. FACT Ladies also opened with a win, edging Rumphi Sisters 1-0 thanks to a Freeda Gonondo goal. It’s the second season of the Malawi Women’s Premiership, following Silver Strikers Ladies’ title-winning debut campaign in 2025/26. With National Bank of Malawi continuing as headline sponsor, the new season is under way. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260920-WA0009-600x600.jpg)Bullets Women off to winning start as new Premiership season kicks off Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** women football --- ### [Malawi's immigration system turned into a marketplace: fake visas for MK2 million](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-immigration-system-turned-into-a-marketplace-fake-visas-for-mk2-million/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Inside the alleged network where an Indian restaurant worker and corrupt officials reportedly sold visas, work permits and tip-offs to foreign nationals bypassing Malawi’s borders** A shadowy parallel immigration operation is reportedly producing fake visas, work permits and residence permits for foreign nationals in Malawi, allegedly working hand-in-glove with corrupt immigration officials to bypass the country’s border controls entirely. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260920_215543_Facebook-345x600.jpg)The restaurant worker at the centre of Malawi’s alleged fake permit scandalAt the centre of the alleged network is a man identified only as Sadiq, an Indian national who works at a popular restaurant in Blantyre — and who, according to reports, has built a reputation within sections of the city’s Asian community as the man to see when official immigration channels won’t cut it. Foreign nationals looking to enter Malawi or extend their stay without going through proper procedures allegedly turn to Sadiq, who is said to work alongside sympathetic immigration officials embedded at key checkpoints, including the airport. According to the reports, the operation runs with military precision: on the day a person is due to arrive, members of the alleged network reportedly ensure that officers on duty at the airport are themselves part of the arrangement — meaning fraudulent documents sail through without being flagged by anyone outside the group. New arrivals are then said to be provided with temporary accommodation, before being told they will need to “regularise” their stay — at which point Sadiq allegedly steps in, reportedly charging MK2 million per permit. Some of those involved are then said to find employment in Indian and other Asian-owned businesses, despite holding what are alleged to be fraudulent or highly questionable immigration papers. Even more troublingly, when immigration crackdowns are planned to root out those without valid permits, corrupt officials allegedly tip Sadiq off in advance — reportedly warning him which locations and individuals to steer clear of, at a further cost of MK2 million per person, some of which is said to line the pockets of officials complicit in the scheme. The alleged racket comes against the backdrop of a sharp rise in foreign nationals arriving in Malawi from countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kuwait and India in recent months — alongside a worrying uptick in serious crimes involving foreign Asian nationals, among them murder, human trafficking, money laundering and kidnapping. Meanwhile, genuine applicants attempting to renew legitimate permits through official channels have reportedly faced mysterious delays, with documents said to go missing or applications repeatedly stalling — only to be miraculously located within hours once the applicant turns to Sadiq for help. More than ten foreign nationals are said to have come forward claiming direct knowledge of, or first-hand experience with, the alleged network’s activities. Sources suggest officials are already aware of the concerns swirling around the operation, but claim little has been done to shut it down — with suspicions that individuals within the system itself may be profiting from its continued existence. The allegations raise serious questions about the integrity of Malawi’s immigration system, with calls growing for a full and urgent investigation into how deep the alleged network runs. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship, along with the individuals named in connection with the claims, have yet to respond to the allegations. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** corruption, illegal immigrants, Immigration Department, Malawian Asians --- ### [Malawi Queens edge past Kenya to keep 100% record intact](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-queens-edge-past-kenya-to-keep-100-record-intact/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Queens are two-for-two at the World Cup 2027 Africa Qualifiers after edging out hosts Kenya 55-47 in a tightly contested group-stage clash. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789925893988-600x400.jpg)Malawi Queens beat Kenya to set up perfect record ahead of Nigeria clashIt’s the perfect follow-up to their opening statement — a 72-38 demolition of Zambia on Saturday — and keeps the Queens firmly on track in their qualification bid. Malawi set the tone early, racing into a 15-9 lead after the first quarter. Kenya hit back in the second, but couldn’t quite close the gap, with the Queens taking a 28-24 advantage into the break. The response after half-time was decisive. Malawi pulled clear in the third quarter to lead 41-33 heading into the final period. Kenya threw everything at the comeback in the fourth, but Malawi stayed composed under pressure, holding firm to seal a 55-47 win and a second victory in as many days. Two games in, two wins — and the Queens aren’t stopping there. Nigeria are up next on Monday, before Uganda await on Wednesday, as Malawi push on in pursuit of a spot at the 2027 World Cup. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789925884752-600x400.jpg)Malawi Queens make it two from two with hard-fought win over hosts Kenya Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Kenya, Malawi Queens --- ### [Chakwera breaks silence on Malawi's power crisis: 'Prices have been stolen from farmers'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-breaks-silence-on-malawis-power-crisis-prices-have-been-stolen-from-farmers/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s former president Lazarus Chakwera has broken his silence on the country’s ongoing power crisis and the collapse of crop prices, delivering a blunt assessment of the hardship facing farmers to a crowd he stumbled upon while travelling home from a funeral. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789918133123-600x400.jpg)‘A farmer doesn’t know his future’: Chakwera’s blunt verdict on crop prices and blackoutsChakwera, who led Malawi as president from 2020 until his defeat in the 2025 election, made the remarks after stopping at Chimbiya market in Dedza, as he made his way back from the burial of Professor Zimani Kadzamira. Speaking to those gathered, the former president did not hold back on the state of the electricity supply. “Electricity is unreliable. Here at Chimbiya, people used to come to trade — but this year they’ve simply been robbed… prices for crops have been stolen from them. A farmer doesn’t know what his future holds, *ndi zedi eti,*” he said. He went further, turning his attention to the plight of small-scale traders and farmers left without power to run their businesses. “We want farming to benefit you. You who run small businesses should be profiting, without power cuts getting in your way. But it seems this has fallen into the wrong hands,” he said. The former president struck a more conciliatory note as he closed his remarks, appearing to acknowledge the political weight of speaking out. “This visit is simply about seeking forgiveness from one another, because we did not always agree, we did not always understand each other. If you do not forgive, then God will not forgive us either,” Chakwera said. The comments mark a rare public intervention from the former leader, whose Malawi Congress Party lost power at the polls last year, as the country continues to grapple with chronic electricity shortages and mounting frustration among farmers over crashing produce prices. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** agriculture, Dr Lazarus Chakwera, electricity, MCP --- ### [Photos that quietly upstaged the sermon at Catholic's 125th](https://www.nyasatimes.com/photos-that-quietly-upstaged-the-sermon-at-catholics-125th/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Old political rivals shared smiles beneath a green tent in Dedza — even as the bishop chided them for seeking God only at election time** Thousands gathered at St Mary’s Nzama Parish in Dedza district on Saturday to mark 125 years of Catholic presence in Malawi. Amid the sermons and the scripture, it was often the smaller, unscripted moments beneath the marquee that told their own story about the day. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789922728069-472x600.jpg)Dausi and Kabambe embrace: a rare moment of unity at Church’s 125th celebration![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789864124479-373x600.jpg)Mwanamvekha and Kabambe: At 125, a Church anniversary brings Malawi’s political rivals together — brieflyIn one corner, veteran politician Nicholas Dausi, a longtime figure in Malawi’s ruling establishment and a devout Catholic, was seen locked in an animated embrace with UTM president Dalitso Kabambe — the two men gripping each other by the shoulders, laughing, oblivious for a moment to the political distance that usually separates them. Nearby, Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha stood shoulder to shoulder with Dr Matthews Mtumbuka, UTM’s presidential running mate and MP for Rumphi Central, and Patricia Kaliati, the UTM MP, all three dressed in the parish’s commemorative blue-and-white cloth, posing together as though the day’s seating arrangements had quietly dissolved party lines. A little further on, Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha and Kabambe themselves were photographed in conversation, hands clasped, the minister’s red pocket square catching the light beneath the tent’s green canopy. None of it was on the programme. But in a country where political rivalries tend to dominate the headlines, the images circulating from Nzama told a different story — of politicians from opposing camps, drawn together under one tent for an anniversary that belonged to neither of their parties. It was against this backdrop that Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, chairman of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops, delivered his address to the gathered faithful. His words carried an edge that the photographs, in their quieter way, seemed almost to answer. “It is surprising that politicians seek God when they are campaigning and want to win elections,” he said. “When they win, they abandon God and start contributing to the pain of Malawians. When they lose and face another election, they start seeking God again. That is not good.” He called on political and government leaders to remain committed to their faith, and to the people they serve, consistently — not selectively, shaped by the electoral calendar. He pointed to long delays in accessing government services, among them passport applications that he said can take years, and urged leaders to set aside what he called trivial disputes in favour of addressing the country’s more pressing problems, including chronic power outages. President Peter Mutharika, in a statement issued the day before, had struck a warmer note about the Church’s place in national life, describing it as “a key partner in national development” and commending its contribution to education, health and social welfare. Whether the warmth on display beneath the tent — Dausi and Kabambe’s embrace, Mwanamvekha’s easy conversation with members of the opposition — reflected anything beyond the etiquette of a shared religious occasion is, perhaps, beside the point. For one afternoon in Nzama, the Church’s 125th anniversary offered politicians from opposing sides a rare, photographed moment of common ground. The celebrations, held under the theme “Rooted in Christ, Sent for Mission,” were presided over by Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelisation at the Vatican and Special Delegate of Pope Leo XIV. The Church’s history in the country dates to 1901, when Montfort Missionaries established a mission at Nzama — recognised today as Malawi’s first Catholic parish. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789922410638-600x450.jpg)Photos that quietly upstaged the sermon at Catholic’s 125th Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** DPP, Roman Catholic Church, UTM --- ### [Shabbir Raidhan in Britain now, money laundering case in Malawi unresolved](https://www.nyasatimes.com/shabbir-raidhan-in-britain-now-money-laundering-case-in-malawi-unresolved/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **A house for sale in Lilongwe, a fresh start abroad — and unanswered questions about how a suspect under investigation was able to leave the country** There is a modest, red-roofed house in Lilongwe currently listed for sale. Its owner, according to reports, is no longer in the country — and has not been for some time. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260920_183916_Facebook-600x297.jpg)A house for sale in Lilongwe, a new life in Britain: the strange afterlife of a fraud caseShabbir Raidhan left Malawi for Dubai in July, reportedly accompanied by his wife, Amina, and their daughter. He has now, according to reports, relocated again — this time to the United Kingdom, where recent images appear to show him in Leicester city centre. The move marks the latest chapter in a case that has quietly unsettled Malawi’s financial regulators for the better part of a year. Raidhan and his wife have been linked to allegations of large-scale foreign-exchange externalisation, with transactions reportedly totalling as much as MK5 billion a week passing through accounts connected to the couple. Their florist business, La Fleur, in Lilongwe’s Area 6, has previously surfaced in reporting on the alleged scheme. The Financial Intelligence Authority arrested the couple in December 2025, having gathered what investigators at the time considered sufficient evidence for prosecution. The matter was registered at the Financial Crimes Division as Case No. 12 of 2025, before Judge Redson Kapindu. The couple were later released — a development that, at the time, went largely unannounced. By July, with the case still unresolved, the family had left for Dubai. Two months later, Raidhan appears to have moved on again, this time to Britain, as the family property back home is put up for sale. What remains unclear is how a person under active investigation for suspected money laundering was able to leave Malawi at all — and whether any restrictions were ever placed on his movement. Also unresolved: the current status of Case No. 12 of 2025, and whether any effort has been made to trace or freeze assets connected to the inquiry. Neither the Financial Intelligence Authority nor the Malawi Police Service has publicly addressed the case’s current status. In the meantime, the story of Raidhan’s departure — first to Dubai, then to the UK, with a property sale trailing behind him — has become something of a case study in the gap between an allegation and its resolution: how easily, when institutions move slowly, a person accused of significant financial wrongdoing can simply continue moving on. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Britain, Malawian Asians, money laundering --- ### [Chatama set for Botswana return after Cosafa touchline chaos](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chatama-set-for-botswana-return-after-cosafa-touchline-chaos/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **FAM scrambles to explain bizarre mid-match removal of U-20 coach over a licence the association says he doesn’t even need** Malawi’s Football Association has been forced into damage control after their own Under-20 coach was sensationally ordered off the touchline moments before kick-off — in a bizarre licensing mix-up the association blames entirely on a communication breakdown between football’s African governing bodies. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260908_072202_Google-600x430.jpg)Chatama hauled off bench over licence farce — but FAM says he’s cleared for Botswana clashEnos Chatama was pulled from the technical bench just before Malawi’s opening Cosafa 2026 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Zambia on Friday — a shambolic scene that left assistant coach Mapopa Msukwa scrambling to take charge as Malawi crashed to a 2-0 defeat. The extraordinary removal came on direct orders from Cosafa executive director Sue Destombes, who cited a rule requiring every national team head coach to hold a CAF A coaching licence — a qualification Chatama does not have. But the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) insists the whole saga should never have happened in the first place. FAM media and communications officer Collins Nsunza revealed the association had a valid contract in place with Chatama all along — and had informed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of the arrangement well before the tournament even began. “Caf wants every national team coach to have a Caf licence, which our coach Enos Chatama does not have. But Caf communicated that even though Caf A is mandatory, there are some coaches who already have existing contracts with associations,” Nsunza explained. The real problem, he said, was a simple breakdown in paperwork — with confirmation of Chatama’s contract apparently never reaching Cosafa from CAF in time. “I think the communication that Chatama still has a contract with Fam was not sent to Cosafa by Caf. We tried to sort it out, but it was too late because the game had already started,” Nsunza admitted. The farcical episode couldn’t have come at a worse moment, disrupting preparations on the very day Malawi’s young stars were already toiling — and ultimately slumping to a disappointing defeat in their opening fixture. Despite the chaos, Nsunza moved quickly to reassure furious supporters that the matter has now been fully resolved, insisting Chatama will be back where he belongs for Malawi’s next match. “Enos will be on the technical bench in our next game against Botswana because we have sorted out the issue,” he said. Malawi, sitting in Group B of the tournament, now turn their focus to recovery, facing Botswana tomorrow and Comoros on Wednesday, as they look to bounce back into winning ways. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Enos Chatama, Football Association of Malawi --- ### [Pasuwa's stunning admission: qualify or get sacked, says under-pressure Flames coach](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pasuwas-stunning-admission-qualify-or-get-sacked-says-under-pressure-flames-coach/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi coach Callisto Pasuwa has made the stunning admission that his job hangs by a thread — with qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations now the difference between survival and the sack. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Pasuwa-600x388.jpg)Pasuwa – Under-fire Zimbabwean coach admits: Afcon qualification will decide my futureThe Zimbabwean, who signed a two-year contract as Flames boss in February last year, was tasked with steering Malawi to the 2027 Afcon finals and winning the Cosafa Cup within two years of taking charge. But with the Cosafa Cup now uncertain this year, all eyes have turned to the Afcon qualifiers — and Pasuwa isn’t hiding from the pressure. Unveiling his provisional squad for the upcoming qualifiers, the beleaguered coach candidly admitted his future depends on results. “I cannot be here talking when I have all these people when I am not confident. I am very confident to say that we are going to represent, hence also my job is at stake. If I am not confident, we will not qualify so I need to be very confident,” Pasuwa said. The admission comes at a torrid time for the coach, who has faced mounting criticism from furious fans after a dismal run of results across all competitions left the Flames without a win in five consecutive matches. Malawi have been drawn in Group B of the Afcon qualifiers and kick off their campaign against South Sudan on 25 September at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, before travelling to Angola for their second match on 6 October. Those opening two fixtures are expected to be pivotal for the Flames’ qualification hopes. Malawi will then face Egypt in back-to-back November clashes, before rounding off the campaign at home against South Sudan and Angola next year. With his contract clock ticking and fans growing restless, Pasuwa now knows there is nowhere left to hide — qualification, or the axe. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Callisto Pasuwa, Flames, Football Association of Malawi --- ### ['Area looks beautiful': UK ambassador praises Mmbelwa Kingdom's forest cover](https://www.nyasatimes.com/area-looks-beautiful-uk-ambassador-praises-mmbelwa-kingdoms-forest-cover/) **Published:** September 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The UK’s ambassador to Malawi has praised environmental conservation initiatives in Mmbelwa Kingdom, Mzimba district, during a visit to the Royal Palace at eDingeni. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260919-WA0005-600x400.jpg)British High Commission ties strengthen as ambassador visits Mmbelwa KingdomHer Excellency Leigh Stubblefield met King Mmbelwa V on Saturday, where she commended the monarch for guiding his subjects in protecting forest cover in the district. “The area looks beautiful with tree cover and the environment looks good. Such an environment is key when handling issues to do with climate change. We are looking at how best we can help with aid to develop agribusiness in this area,” she said. King Mmbelwa V said the visit reflected a longstanding relationship between the British and the Ngoni people of Mmbelwa Kingdom. “Her visit cements that relationship because our great grandfathers have been working with the British from time immemorial. “We have discussed a number of issues concerning development. We have looked at a number of opportunities that if all goes well, our communities will be benefitting from the British High Commission,” he said. The king said Mzimba’s fertile land made it well suited to further development, and he had asked the ambassador to consider bringing irrigation initiatives to the area. On conservation, King Mmbelwa V said plans were under way to ensure every village in the district had its own forest. “Mzimba is one of the areas where you can find trees that are still standing. We are however notsatisfied because Mzimba was not like this. “We intend to have a village forest for each and every village. In that way, we think we will bring back the cover that we have lost,” he said. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260919-WA0003-600x338.jpg)King Mmbelwa V and UK envoy discuss development, irrigation during palace visit Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Britain, Environment, Inkosi ya Makosi M'mbelwa, Mzimba --- ### [Bishop Mtumbuka's truth bomb: exposes corruption, blackouts and broken passports](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bishop-mtumbukas-truth-bomb-exposes-corruption-blackouts-and-broken-passports/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Officials squirm in front row as fearless cleric tears into ‘collapsed’ Malawi during 125th anniversary Mass** A Catholic bishop turned what was meant to be a joyous 125th anniversary celebration into a jaw-dropping takedown of Malawi’s government today — delivering his blistering verdict on the state of the nation to government officials sitting just feet away. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FD2A93AB-F413-4F81-A172-17E6F282EA86-600x338.jpeg)‘System has collapsed’: Bishop Mtumbuka’s stunning takedown of Malawi government at church serviceBishop Martin Mtumbuka of the Diocese of Karonga stunned thousands of worshippers gathered at Mzama to mark 125 years since the first Catholic missionaries set foot in the area, as he abandoned the celebratory script and instead unleashed a damning assessment of life under the current administration. With officials seated directly in front of him, the bishop calmly but pointedly declared that while the Catholic Church had helped usher in multiparty democracy for Malawi, that democracy has spectacularly failed to deliver justice or basic efficiency to ordinary citizens. And he didn’t hold back on the details. “**It took a WEEK under Kamuzu Banda — now it’s TWO YEARS”** In an excoriating comparison sure to embarrass those in attendance, Mtumbuka revealed that passports which took just one week to process under former president Kamuzu Banda’s rule now take a staggering two years or more to issue. Missionary priests, he said, used to secure visas within three months. Now, astonishingly, some wait up to five years. “How can we serve the people when the system itself has collapsed?” the bishop demanded. **Corruption, blackouts and dry taps** The bishop then turned his fire on what he branded rampant corruption bleeding the country dry, accusing powerful officials of siphoning money from public institutions — leaving hospitals stripped of drugs, councils starved of resources, and ordinary citizens abandoned without basic services. He didn’t stop there. Mtumbuka slammed the endless electricity blackouts and dry taps that have become a grim fact of daily life for millions of Malawians, branding them nothing less than an assault on human dignity. **Stop blaming colonial missionaries, bishop tells nation** In perhaps his most cutting remark of the day, the bishop took aim at the shameful state of the Tsangano Road — declaring that anyone still blaming long-departed white missionaries for its condition, some 125 years later, “is not thinking straight.” “After 125 years, responsibility is ours,” he told the stunned congregation. Government officials seated at the front made no public response as the bishop’s words rang out across the grounds. Worshippers, meanwhile, were left buzzing, with many later praising the bishop’s willingness to speak hard truths that few in power dare utter. Tonight, the faithful have a phrase for it: “Bishop Mtumbuka pa chilungamo sagonja” — when it comes to truth and justice, he does not bend. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, Roman Catholic Church --- ### ['Surrounded by yes-men': Kabambe's savage attack on Mutharika over Malawi's economic 'crisis'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/surrounded-by-yes-men-kabambes-savage-attack-on-mutharika-over-malawis-economic-crisis/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s president risks being cocooned by advisers feeding him comforting lies while the country’s economy crumbles around him, a fierce broadside from opposition leader Dalitso Kabambe has claimed. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1785452693262-561x600.jpg)Kabambe: Accuses President Mutharika’s inner circle of prioritising political comfort over economic truth.The former central bank governor, who now leads the United Transformation Movement (UTM), unleashed the attack in a blistering Facebook post on Saturday — accusing President Peter Mutharika’s inner circle of prioritising political comfort over economic truth. Kabambe painted a grim picture of a nation still gripped by a punishing foreign-exchange crisis, with ordinary Malawians and businesses locked out of the currency they desperately need. According to the opposition chief, commercial banks are so starved of foreign currency that customers in some cases can access as little as $200 — a limit he says is choking entrepreneurs and businesses reliant on imported goods. He didn’t stop there. Kabambe claimed banks are sitting on a mountain of unpaid Letters of Credit they simply cannot liquidate, and demanded financial institutions come clean with the president about just how dire the situation has become. Banks, he warned, answer to shareholders and depositors — not to government’s development goals — meaning they cannot be relied upon to single-handedly rescue the economy. **Inflation ‘victory lap’ slammed as premature** The UTM leader also took aim at what he branded excessive celebration over recently cooling inflation figures. Official data shows headline inflation dipped from 20.8 per cent in July to 20.0 per cent in August, with food inflation easing from 14.3 to 13.4 per cent and non-food inflation slipping from 32.2 to 31.8 per cent over the same period. But Kabambe warned the improvement could prove fleeting, cautioning that seasonal pressures as Malawi heads into the lean period could reverse the gains. His sharper point: falling inflation is not the same as falling prices. Consumers, he stressed, are still paying significantly more than they were — inflation slowing down doesn’t put money back in anyone’s pocket. **Interest rates ‘ignoring savers’** Kabambe also turned his fire on interest rates, arguing that praise for lower borrowing costs conveniently ignores the raw deal facing ordinary savers. With deposit returns sitting below inflation, he warned, Malawians are quietly losing purchasing power — even as high government borrowing costs pile pressure on the public purse and starve productive investment of resources. **“He needs the truth, not comfort”** At the heart of Kabambe’s message was a direct challenge to the president himself: surround yourself with people willing to deliver bad news, not just good headlines. He argued that real economic recovery demands honesty from every corner — banks, policymakers and politicians alike — rather than messaging designed to paper over the scale of the crisis. The former central banker’s parting shot was blunt: Malawi’s leaders must be willing to confront powerful interests head-on, rather than dress up hard truths as good news. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, Dr Dalitso kabambe, Peter Mutharika, UTM Party --- ### [Malawian poet Sukali to release book asking: why are we the way we are?](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawian-poet-sukali-to-release-book-asking-why-are-we-the-way-we-are/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawian poet and author Joseph Daniel Sukali is preparing to release a new book that digs into one of the oldest questions there is — how the experiences of childhood quietly shape the adults we become. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260919-WA0001-1-600x600.jpg)book works something like a mirrorDon’t expect easy answers or a step-by-step fix for your life. The book, instead, takes a reflective look at the journey from childhood into adulthood, and at the memories and lessons we carry with us without always realising it. Not therapy, not self-help — something else Sukali is careful to position the book differently from the usual crowd. It doesn’t claim to be therapy. It isn’t another conventional self-help title either. It’s a reflection on what it means to grow up, become an adult, and try to make sense of yourself along the way. The book moves through the stages that shape identity — childhood, puberty, family, love, faith, failure, loneliness, ambition, purpose — weighing up both the small, easily forgotten moments and the bigger experiences that leave a mark. At the centre of it all sits a simple but loaded question: why do we do the things we do, and why do we feel the way we feel? “This is just how I am” — or is it? The book’s central idea pushes back on that familiar shrug. Behaviours and emotional patterns people write off as “just my personality,” Sukali suggests, often have a history — roots that stretch back further than we tend to acknowledge. In that sense, the book works something like a mirror. Moving through the different stages of growing up, it invites readers to look inward, spot patterns, and understand a bit more about how they became who they are. Who it’s for The themes are likely to land with anyone who’s ever wondered why certain memories won’t let go, why old experiences keep shaping present-day choices, or why they react to life in ways they can’t quite explain. Sukali’s pitch, ultimately, isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about understanding how you got here — and, as he puts it, making a little more sense of “the person staring back from the mirror.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Poetry --- ### [Fertiliser truck flips into ditch after 'thugs' grab wheel in road rage row ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fertiliser-truck-flips-into-ditch-after-thugs-grab-wheel-in-road-rage-row/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A man is behind bars in Mzuzu after a row over an unauthorised lift allegedly saw a gang of “touts” wrestle control of a moving lorry — sending it careering into a roadside drain and flipping it onto its side. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260919-WA0018-600x451.jpg)Driver’s lorry flipped into drain after refusing to pay ‘illegal passenger fee’Hussain Mussah, 24, of Singani Village in Machinga district, is being held by police accused of causing malicious damage to the truck in a terrifying incident at Katoto on Friday. The DAF lorry, registration ZA 11882, was hauling a consignment of fertiliser from Chitipa to Lilongwe, driven by 51-year-old Christopher Kulemeka, when the drama unfolded. According to police, Kulemeka had agreed to give a lift to a 16-year-old student heading to Chatoloma in Kasungu, at the request of a friend, Frank Banda. But as the truck passed through Katoto Bus Stage, two men who reportedly control passenger pick-ups in the area flagged it down — and demanded Kulemeka take on more passengers waiting at the stage. When he refused, the situation turned ugly fast. Sergeant Edson Chipeni, assistant public relations officer at Mzuzu Police Station, said the men were furious the driver had picked up a passenger without paying a “fine.” “This angered the suspects who then demanded K5,000.00 from the driver as a fine for picking a passenger from their operating area. “When the driver refused to pay, the suspects forcibly boarded the moving truck through both the driver and passenger doors and got hold of the steering wheel,” Sergeant Chipeni said. With the men grappling for the wheel, Kulemeka lost control of the vehicle. The truck careered off the road, plunged into a drain and overturned — smashing the windscreen, front fender and passenger door in the process. Chaos followed as onlookers who had witnessed the terrifying scene sprang into action, managing to grab hold of one of the alleged culprits — named as Mussah — before he could flee. His accomplice, known only as Steven, escaped and remains on the run. Police say a manhunt is now under way for Steven, while Mussah is expected to appear in court shortly to answer a charge of malicious damage. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Mzuzu --- ### [Malawi Queens off to flying start in World Cup qualifying campaign](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-queens-off-to-flying-start-in-world-cup-qualifying-campaign/) **Published:** September 20, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Queens made a statement start to their Sydney 2027 Netball World Cup qualifying campaign, cruising to a 72-38 victory against Zambia in their opening World Cup qualifier.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789864710727-480x600.jpg) The reigning powerhouse of African netball were in complete control throughout, dominating across all four quarters to open their qualifying journey in style. The result sets the tone for a campaign built around the team’s motto “Asatitole” — a rallying cry the squad say reflects their determination to reclaim their standing in the international game. Attention now turns to their next assignment against Kenya on Sunday, 20 September, with the match set for a 1pm local throw-up (2pm Nairobi time). The Queens’ road to Sydney 2027 continues to build momentum, with qualification for next year’s World Cup firmly in their sights. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Malawi Queens --- ### [Mtetemera clings on as Wanderers denials fail to silence angry fans](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mtetemera-clings-on-as-wanderers-denials-fail-to-silence-angry-fans/) **Published:** September 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers bosses were Saturday night scrambling to quash explosive rumours that stand-in boss Macdonald Nginde Mtetemera had already been suspended — after furious fans stormed out of Nankhaka Stadium demanding changes following a fourth successive defeat. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788301207904-e1788307080135-600x409.jpg)Nginde Mtetemera: Fans revolt as Wanderers slump to FOURTH consecutive loss under stand-in bossThe Nomads slumped to a 2-1 loss against Blue Eagles on Saturday, sparking a wave of anger among supporters and setting social media alight with claims that Mtetemera had been shown the door by club management. But Wanderers media officer Chimwemwe Kaonga moved swiftly to shut down the speculation, brandishing the rumours as fake. The denial comes at a torrid time for the Blantyre giants, who have failed to win a single match since Mtetemera was thrust into the hot seat following the suspension of head coach Bob Mpinganjira. It has been a nightmare start for the stand-in boss. His reign began in heartbreaking fashion with defeat to Ekhaya FC in the Airtel Top 8 final at Bingu National Stadium — and things went from bad to worse in the CAF Champions League, where Wanderers were humiliated 7-1 on aggregate by Tanzanian giants Simba SC across two brutal legs. Saturday’s defeat to Blue Eagles has now piled on the misery, making it four losses on the spin since Mtetemera took charge — a run that has fans openly questioning whether he is the man to turn things around. Despite the mounting pressure and growing clamour for change on the terraces, club chiefs have insisted Mtetemera remains in the dugout for now, as Wanderers scramble to halt the slide and win back the faith of their increasingly restless fanbase. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** MacDonald Mtetemela, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [Malawi Police promote and reward 8 officers as IG details Osman rescue operation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-police-promote-and-reward-8-officers-as-ig-details-osman-rescue-operation/) **Published:** September 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga has promoted eight police officers and awarded each of them K1 million in recognition of their role in the rescue of kidnapped British national Nasrat Osman, as he laid out further details of the operation at a media briefing in Blantyre. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789843777736-600x451.jpg)Osman rescue: eight officers promoted, K30 million reward still undecidedThe eight officers worked alongside Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira in the operation that freed Osman from captivity in Blantyre. National police spokesperson Gladys Chiwaula confirmed the awards, saying the officers had shown dedication to duty, which had earned them the promotions. Speaking separately at the briefing, Luhanga said police had traced Osman’s general whereabouts within two days of her abduction, though the exact location remained unclear until later in the investigation. Six people, he said, assisted police with information that helped the case progress. A decision on how to distribute the K30 million reward offered for credible tips has yet to be made. Eight suspects were involved in the abduction, according to Luhanga. Two were shot dead during Thursday night’s rescue operation, and police have now launched a manhunt for the remaining six. The motive behind the kidnapping is still not established, Luhanga said. No ransom demand was made to Osman’s family at any point. Questions were also put to Luhanga about the presence of Kayira at the scene where he was shot during the rescue. Luhanga dismissed any suggestion of irregularity. “The Deputy Inspector General was initially on the ground to encourage our officers. It was his commitment and bravery that led to the successful operation,” he said. “We should look at the good job he has done.” Luhanga credited the community for its role in the operation’s success and said police presence in cities would be stepped up as part of continued efforts to prevent crime. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** abduction, Malawi Police --- ### [Sports bodies told: stop waiting on govt, start earning your own money](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sports-bodies-told-stop-waiting-on-govt-start-earning-your-own-money/) **Published:** September 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s sports associations have been told to stop leaning so heavily on government handouts and start hustling for their own cash — with a stark warning that funding could soon be tied to results. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260815-WA0002-600x489.jpg)Kalua; Sports is serious business nowJim Kalua, board chairperson of the Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS), delivered the message at a capacity-building workshop for sports administrators in Lilongwe, as the council reviews how it hands out subventions to member associations. “Sports is serious business now” Kalua didn’t mince his words. Government money, he said, will never stretch far enough to cover everything associations need. “The money that government provides may not always be enough. These days sports is serious business and so sports associations should be vigilant in finding their own ways of generating revenue,” he told *Nyasa Times*. He went further, taking aim at those using sports administration for personal gain. “Let me also emphasize that sports administrators should not come into sports with the aim of enriching themselves. They should also not come into sports to do politics. Let them serve the nation with the aim of developing sports in the country,” he said. Should funding follow results? The call for financial independence has sparked debate over how the limited pot of government money should be divided in the first place. Analyst Casper Jangale argued MNCS should rank associations by how likely they are to succeed on the international stage — and fund them accordingly. “Funding should be equated to potential for success. If for example cricket is showing more potential to win trophies on the international stage, let them get a bigger chunk from government,” he suggested. About MNCS Established under Act No. 10 of 1974, the Malawi National Council of Sports sits at the centre of Malawi’s sporting landscape, coordinating between government and sports bodies. It is the country’s apex authority for developing, promoting, encouraging and controlling all forms of sport. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Malawi National Council of Sports --- ### [Blue Eagles close out first round on top after edging past Wanderers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/blue-eagles-close-out-first-round-on-top-after-edging-past-wanderers/) **Published:** September 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Blue Eagles wrapped up their first-round campaign with a 2-1 win over Mighty Wanderers at Nankhaka Stadium, finishing top of the FDH Bank Premiership table. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260919-WA0015-522x600.jpg)Fast start, nervy finish: Blue Eagles beat Wanderers to end first round on topThe hosts flew out of the blocks. Farhad Mcheka opened the scoring in the 24th minute, and Tonic Viyuyi doubled the lead six minutes later to make it 2-0 inside half an hour. Wanderers boss reacted immediately, sending on Emmanuel Nyirenda, Mphatso Kamanga and Rajab Nyirenda for Daniel Kudonto, Isaac Kaliati and Timothy Silwimba as he looked to change the picture. It made little difference before the break — Blue Eagles went in 2-0 up at half-time. More changes followed early in the second half, with Peter Cholopi and Promise Kamwendo introduced for Clement Nyondo and Masiya Manda on 58 minutes. But Blue Eagles — marshalled at the back by Mcheka — continued to stand firm. Wanderers finally got a foothold in the game on 75 minutes. Sama Thierry Tanjong pounced on a mix-up in the Blue Eagles defence to make it 2-1 and set up a nervy finish. It proved too little, too late. Blue Eagles saw out the closing stages to seal all three points and take the win. The result sends Blue Eagles into the second round as first-round champions, sitting top of the table on 31 points from 15 matches — 10 wins, one draw and four defeats — as the standout side of the opening half of the season. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260919-WA00141-563x600.jpg)Table-toppers Blue Eagles beat Wanderers to close out perfect first-round finish Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** Blue Eagles, FDH Premiership, Mighty Wanderers FC --- ### [Inside the Mpemba compound where a kidnap plot ended in gunfire](https://www.nyasatimes.com/inside-the-mpemba-compound-where-a-kidnap-plot-ended-in-gunfire/) **Published:** September 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a fence in Mingale that was not there a month ago. It stands just off a dirt road the colour of rust, behind stacks of burnt brick and a scatter of trees, in a village so unremarkable that even now, with police still combing the ground inside it, it is hard to credit what happened there on Thursday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260919_105540_Facebook-600x337.jpg)Abductors held British mum Osman at this hideoutBy the time officers moved in, two men were dead, a senior police officer had been shot, and a British woman taken from her home in Mount Pleasant a week earlier had been found alive. The rescue of Nasrat Osman brought to an end an abduction that had unsettled Blantyre since she was seized at Mount Pleasant. It also opened, in Mingale, a window onto how her captors had operated — quietly, and in plain sight of neighbours who noticed, but did not yet understand, what they were watching. The compound itself gives little away. A single room, roughly built, stands inside the new fencing — the room in which, police say, Osman was held. It was here, in an exchange of gunfire lasting some 15 minutes by residents’ accounts, that Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira, who oversees operations, was wounded confronting the suspects. Two of those suspects did not survive the encounter. Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga identified them, in a statement issued by WhatsApp, as Marcolino Munguambe, 43, a Mozambican national from Muhalaze, in Matola, and Limbani Anthony, 44, from Nyambi, Mkumba, in Mangochi district. What lingers, a day on, is less the violence than the strangeness residents describe in hindsight. The fence, they say, went up within the space of a week — swift, and unexplained at the time. Vehicles came and went, rarely the same ones twice. And among those who passed through the compound were people, neighbours noticed, who did not speak the language of the village — a detail that drew curious glances long before anyone suspected what lay behind the new fence. By mid-morning on Friday, that curiosity had become a crowd. Children stood among the onlookers, having left school to see for themselves. A tow truck eased one of the vehicles used in the operation onto its flatbed and pulled away. Inside the fence, the search went on — for whatever else this quiet corner of Mpemba might still give up. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** abduction --- ### [Malawi turns to its tax authority to fill the hole left by donors](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-turns-to-its-tax-authority-to-fill-the-hole-left-by-donors/) **Published:** September 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s tax authority is being asked to raise almost the entirety of the country’s K10.978tn budget for 2026/27, more than a decade after international donors withdrew direct financial support to the government following one of the country’s largest corruption scandals. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260918-WA0008-600x302.jpg)MRA boss Felix Tambulasi: Malawi’s tax authority takes on the job donors used to fundThe Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) once operated alongside donor funding that covered as much as 40 per cent of the national budget. That support was suspended in October 2013 after the so-called Cashgate scandal, in which public funds were siphoned from government accounts at Capital Hill, prompting the UK, the EU, Norway, the World Bank and other partners to halt direct budgetary assistance. That money has not returned, leaving what the authority describes as “a deep hole that Malawians need to fill.” The scale of the task is considerable. MRA revenue underwrites the salaries of teachers, doctors, nurses, police and soldiers, funds hospital drugs and school textbooks, and finances the farm input subsidy programme and social cash transfers — with no alternative domestic funding source to fall back on. Compliance push meets a hard deadline The authority has moved to reinforce compliance among taxpayers ahead of a run of deadlines this month. In a notice issued through its Msonkho Online platform, commissioner general Felix Tambulasi urged taxpayers to file and pay on time, noting that “timely compliance keeps you penalty free.” Pay As You Earn, withholding tax and presumptive tax are due by 14 September; mineral royalties and domestic excise by the 20th; value added tax by the 25th; and income tax by the 30th. Tightening the border Beyond domestic collection, MRA has positioned itself as the principal safeguard of Malawi’s trade revenue. Through the Automated System for Customs Data (Asycuda World), electronic cargo tracking, the Customs Valuation, Tariff and Facilitation System, and the Blantyre Inland Examination Centre, the authority says it is closing loopholes that allow importers to under-declare goods and avoid duty. New rules governing Customs-Controlled Warehouses now require exporters of soya, maize and groundnuts to declare earnings through the Reserve Bank of Malawi’s Currency Declaration Form, a measure intended to prevent export proceeds from being held offshore. MRA says failure to remit such earnings carries a fine equivalent to the value of the goods and a prison term of up to five years, though this penalty has not been independently verified against the underlying legislation. The authority has also introduced Kalondolako tax stamps and revised tariffs, which it says are designed to shield compliant traders from cheaper, untaxed imports. The macroeconomic case MRA frames its own performance as central to macroeconomic stability. Meeting its collection target, the authority argues, reduces the government’s need to borrow domestically, easing pressure on interest rates, inflation and the kwacha. Falling short, it says, forces the government to borrow instead at rates above 30 per cent — a figure this article has not independently verified — with knock-on effects across the economy. At the retail level, MRA argues that enforcement tools such as its Electronic Invoicing System and the Kalondolako stamps protect compliant traders in markets including Tsoka and Limbe from being undercut by smugglers. Traders holding a Taxpayer Identification Number and Tax Clearance Certificate gain access to bank loans, government contracts and export markets; those without, the authority says, remain informal, small-scale and vulnerable to closure. A long-term revenue target MRA has tied its collection goals to Malawi’s long-term development strategy, Malawi 2063, which sets out an ambition for the country to become an “inclusively wealthy and self-reliant” upper-middle-income economy by that year — a strategy distinct from, though timed alongside, the African Union’s continental Agenda 2063. The plan rests on three pillars: agricultural productivity and commercialisation, industrialisation, and urbanisation, each of which the authority argues depends on sustained tax revenue for irrigation, industrial infrastructure in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu, and public services for a growing urban population. MRA’s K6.2tn collection target for 2026/27, cited publicly by Tambulasi, is presented not merely as a revenue line but as the price of that self-reliance. Resistance on the ground That ambition has met friction in practice. Through 2025 and 2026, traders in Karonga, Lilongwe and Blantyre have closed shops, blocked roads and, in some instances, stoned MRA enforcement officers during inspections. Separately, small-scale importers have protested the rollout of the Electronic Invoicing System, arguing it raises their cost of doing business. Tambulasi has appealed directly to traders’ civic duty: “We need to love our country by paying correct amounts of taxes all the time.” Economist Dr Ben Dzolowere was more pointed in his assessment of non-compliance. “Tax evasion is not smart business, it is economic suicide,” he said. “When you hide sales, under-declare imports or refuse EIS, you are not cheating MRA, you are cheating your own country. Government will still need to pay salaries and buy drugs, so it will borrow expensively and the cost comes back to you through high interest rates, high inflation and a weak kwacha.” On the attacks on enforcement officers, he added: “Stoning MRA officers does not reduce your tax bill. It only makes enforcement more expensive… If you have issues with a tax, engage through your association. Dialogue builds a nation, stones destroy it.” Not all complaints are about the tax itself Some criticism of MRA centres not on compliance obligations but on operational efficiency. Eric Chilimampunga, managing director of Bua Holdings Company Limited, trading as Bua General Dealers Supplies Company, said the authority performed well overall but needed to speed up clearance of goods at borders and checkpoints. “If you go to borders you are greeted by fleet of trucks waiting to be cleared, what are they waiting for — that waiting increases cost of doing business by us traders,” he said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, National **Tags:** donors, Malawi Revenue Authority, tax --- ### [Malawi has 32 prosecutors for 22 million people. Clooney wants to help](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-has-32-prosecutors-for-22-million-people-clooney-wants-to-help/) **Published:** September 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi has just 32 prosecutors at its Directorate of Public Prosecutions to serve a population of 22 million – a shortfall that has left the justice system straining to bring cases of violence against women and children to court. Now, the Clooney Foundation for Justice says it wants to help close that gap. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789802865403-600x400.jpg)Clooney Foundation to fund lawyers and AI tools for Malawi’s gender violence casesThe foundation, co-founded by human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, announced new partnerships this week with Malawi’s Directorate of Public Prosecutions and Legal Aid Bureau. Under the arrangement, early-career women lawyers will be placed within the Chief Prosecutor’s Gender Based Violence and Child Crimes Unit, and at the Legal Aid Bureau, to work on cases involving child marriage, violence and sexual abuse. It marks the foundation’s first direct engagement with Malawi’s state prosecutorial office, building on existing work with the Women Lawyers Association and civil society groups in the country. Alongside the legal placements, the foundation – working with Microsoft and the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice – is equipping the Gender Based and Child Crimes Unit with new computers, cloud and internet infrastructure, a bespoke case-management system, and AI tools designed to speed up prosecutors’ handling of gender violence cases. “We’re thrilled to be announcing these partnerships to expand access to justice for women and children in Malawi,” said Amal Clooney. “I am proud that the Clooney Foundation can support Malawian women lawyers to prosecute cases involving violence against women and children and to co-create AI tools that help lawyers deliver justice for many more survivors.” The announcement came as Malawi’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Charles Mhango, hosted a Clooney Foundation delegation at Capital Hill in Lilongwe, led by Amal Clooney herself. The meeting, held under the banner “Strengthening Legal Frameworks, Access to Justice, and Ending Child Marriage and Gender-Based Violence,” saw Mhango reaffirm the government’s commitment to protecting women and children, particularly through tackling child marriage and gender-based violence. “True justice requires a multisectoral and collaborative approach,” Mhango told the delegation. “No single entity can achieve true justice by working single-handedly.” He was joined by Malawi’s Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Thom Navicha. Mhango praised the foundation’s existing backing of the Women Lawyers Association of Malawi and the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance, and proposed a formal memorandum of understanding between the ministry – including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Legal Aid Bureau – and the Clooney Foundation, to deepen the collaboration. He linked the initiative to Malawi’s long-term development blueprint, the Malawi 2063 Vision, saying the government, under President Peter Mutharika, remained committed to ensuring every woman and child in the country lived in safety and dignity. Clooney’s delegation included Professor Philippa Webb, KC, co-founder of the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice; the foundation’s co-chief executive, David Sagal; senior Microsoft officials; and the foundation’s director of strategy and administration, Perri Lyons. The visit also drew attention in Malawi for a more unlikely reason: Amal Clooney’s husband. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the justice minister noted that George Clooney was “a major Hollywood star, widely recognised for blockbuster films such as Ocean’s Eleven” – a nod to the actor’s two Academy Awards, for Syriana in 2005 and as a producer of Argo in 2012, and his nominations across six different Oscar categories over his career. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789802887754-600x400.jpg)Minister of Justice Mhango: Malawi turns to AI and Clooney Foundation to ease prosecutor shortage![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789802895494-600x338.jpg)Amal Clooney: ‘We’re proud to support Malawi’s women lawyers’ Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Clooney Foundation, gender-based-violence, justice --- ### [Pesticides Control Board tightens net on aluminium phosphide licences](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pesticides-control-board-tightens-net-on-aluminium-phosphide-licences/) **Published:** September 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Pesticides Control Board (PCB) has moved to review licences for companies importing and distributing Aluminium Phosphide, tightening its scrutiny of a supply chain accused of allowing the highly hazardous pesticide to reach unauthorised users. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260918-WA0006-600x450.jpg)Kaphale: reviewing the licencesThe review comes after the regulator discovered that some agro-dealers were allegedly selling Aluminium Phosphide outside the authorised system, including breaking the product down and selling it as individual tablets. PCB registrar James Kaphale said Friday that the regulator was reviewing the licences to identify weaknesses in the system and determine who was responsible for the movement of the chemical at each stage of the supply chain. “We are reviewing the licences and the whole distribution arrangement to establish where the gaps are,” Kaphale said. “We have to know exactly who is importing, who is distributing, who is selling and who is using these products.” Kaphale said the review would lead to new regulatory measures, which the PCB will announce shortly. “The control of highly hazardous pesticides cannot be taken lightly. We have to close the gaps,” he said. The licensing review follows engagements with CropLife Malawi and the Agro-Dealers Association on September 3 and September 10 respectively. At the September 3 meeting, the PCB told CropLife Malawi that it had observed with “grave concern” the increasing abuse and misuse of Aluminium Phosphide. The regulator said some agro-dealers were selling the chemical to unauthorised users and “decanting the product and selling it in single tablet”. CropLife Malawi agreed that the situation required urgent action and supported tighter licensing of importers and distributors, stronger inspections and improved certification of people handling the pesticide. The Agro-Dealers Association subsequently agreed to stronger licensing and monitoring of dealers and tighter controls on access to the chemical. The PCB is therefore reviewing the licensing system against the concerns raised by both the regulator and industry stakeholders. Aluminium Phosphide is classified as a Highly Hazardous Pesticide and releases phosphine gas when exposed to moisture. Exposure can cause severe poisoning, organ damage, shock and death. The PCB has the statutory mandate to control its importation, distribution, sale, storage and use. “We cannot allow a highly hazardous pesticide to be moving into the hands of people who are not authorised or trained to handle it,” Kaphale said. “New measures will be announced shortly.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** James Kaphale, Pestcide Control Board --- ### [Blantyre mayor Jomo meets Asian community, pledges action on security, by-laws](https://www.nyasatimes.com/blantyre-mayor-jomo-meets-asian-community-pledges-action-on-security-by-laws/) **Published:** September 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Blantyre City Mayor Jomo Osman has met members of the city’s Asian community to discuss security and development concerns, pledging council action on street lighting, CCTV installation and enforcement of by-laws against unauthorised shabeens. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789799509698-600x450.jpg)Mayor Jomo with Asian community representativesSpeaking after the engagement, Osman said unity had to underpin efforts to improve the city, calling for “one community, one city” and urging residents to move away from focusing on nationality or origin. Security featured prominently in the talks. Osman said the council had discussed improving lighting on streets and around shops and business premises, which he said would make the city “brighter and safer for all.” Also raised was the installation of CCTV cameras in key areas of the city, a measure Osman said would support crime prevention and give police stronger tools for investigations. On infrastructure, Osman said road maintenance remained part of the council’s existing plans and would be prioritised. He said the council was also working to enforce by-laws against shabeens operating outside designated areas, describing it as part of efforts to “restore order.” Concerns raised about motorbikes and improper parking would be looked into as part of city management, he added. The mayor said the meeting also touched on the issue of street children, with the council working alongside the Malawi Police Service and other stakeholders to find what he called “sustainable and humane solutions.” Members of the Asian community raised the need for biometric registration of SIM cards as a security measure, a suggestion Osman said he had noted and agreed was important for collective security. Osman thanked the Asian community leadership for the engagement and said the council remained committed to working with the community and all Blantyre residents “to build a safer, cleaner, and more prosperous city for everyone.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Blantyre City, Jomo Osman, Malawian Asians, security --- ### [Nigerian megastars Johnny Drille, Bayanni and Teni set to descend on Lilongwe for star-studded Afro Fest debut](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nigerian-megastars-johnny-drille-bayanni-and-teni-set-to-descend-on-lilongwe-for-star-studded-afro-fest-debut/) **Published:** September 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Three of Nigeria’s biggest music exports — Johnny Drille, Bayanni and Teni — are set to headline the brand-new Afro Fest when it launches in Lilongwe on 10 October, in what promises to be one of Malawi’s biggest musical showcases yet. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789768051344-600x600.jpg)BayanniThe Afrobeats stars will share top billing with a lineup of homegrown Malawian talent, including Kell Kay, Eli Njuchi and Teddy Makhadi, as the inaugural festival descends on Malawi Square at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC). The event is being staged by Beyond Marketing as the launch of what organisers hope will become an annual celebration of African music, culture and creativity, bringing together sounds from across the continent under one roof. Announcing the star-studded lineup at a press briefing in Lilongwe, Beyond Marketing’s Public Relations and Communications Director, Sellah Chiuye, said the festival was designed to forge stronger links between Malawian artists and their more established counterparts across Africa, opening doors for cultural exchange and creative collaboration. “This is more than just a music festival. It is a platform for African creativity, a meeting point for cultures, and an opportunity to showcase the incredible talent coming out of Malawi to audiences at home and beyond our borders,” Chiuye said. The Nigerian trio bring serious pedigree to Malawian shores. Johnny Drille, known for his soulful, emotionally-charged ballads, has built a devoted fanbase across Africa since rising to prominence after appearing on Nigerian Idol, going on to collaborate with some of the continent’s biggest names. Bayanni, one of Afrobeats’ fastest-rising young stars, has been tipped as one of the genre’s most exciting new voices, while Teni, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated female artists, has become known for her high-energy performances and chart-topping hits that have made her a household name well beyond Nigeria’s borders. Their appearance in Lilongwe marks a significant coup for Malawi’s growing live entertainment scene, offering local fans a rare chance to see genuine African music heavyweights performing on home soil — while giving Malawian stars Kell Kay, Eli Njuchi and Teddy Makhadi a coveted platform to perform alongside some of the continent’s most recognisable names.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789768292362-600x400.jpg) Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Afrifest --- ### [World Bank approves $165.9 million grant for Malawi social protection programme](https://www.nyasatimes.com/world-bank-approves-165-9-million-grant-for-malawi-social-protection-programme/) **Published:** September 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The World Bank approved on September 17 a grant financing package worth 287.8 billion kwacha ($165.9 million) for Malawi, aimed at strengthening resilience to climate and economic shocks while expanding access to jobs. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260909-WA0002-549x600.jpg)Muwonge: Ugandan economist leading World Bank’s Malawi operationsThe financing falls under a new initiative known as the Integrated Social Protection for Resilience and Opportunity Project, or INSPIRE-O. According to a World Bank statement, the project will benefit vulnerable households across all 25 districts and four cities of Malawi, combining adaptive safety nets with climate-smart public works and economic inclusion programmes targeted at the most vulnerable, particularly women and youth. Additional drought-responsive financing mechanisms will be deployed in Malawi’s 10 most drought-prone districts. Abdu Muwonge, the World Bank’s country manager for Malawi, said the investment signals the bank’s strong and enduring partnership with Malawi at a critical time, with job opportunities for young Malawians remaining limited and climatic shocks persisting, particularly with the anticipated El Nino weather phenomenon. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, National **Tags:** World Bank --- ### [Malawi's U-20s begin Afcon qualifying campaign with narrow defeat to Zambia](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-u-20s-begin-afcon-qualifying-campaign-with-narrow-defeat-to-zambia/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Under-20 Men’s National Football Team, the Junior Flames, opened their campaign in the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations Cosafa Qualifier with a 2-0 defeat to Zambia in their Group C opener, a result that flattered the visitors given the closeness of the contest. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789768247428-600x564.jpg)Malawi’s Under-20s lose to zambiaThe tie remained goalless for long periods before Zambia’s Billy Daka struck twice late on, netting in the 78th minute and again deep into stoppage time to settle a match that had otherwise been tightly contested. Malawi’s cause was not helped in the closing stages when an appeal for a penalty, after starlet Mwisho Mhango appeared to be fouled inside the box in the 89th minute, was waved away by the referee — a decision that will be debated by Malawian supporters in the days ahead. The result marks a difficult start for the Junior Flames in a qualifying tournament that carries significant weight for Malawian football’s development pipeline. The Cosafa qualifying phase forms part of the wider CAF Under-20 Afcon qualification process, through which southern African nations compete for a limited number of places at the continental finals — itself a crucial stepping stone for young players hoping to break into senior international football and attract the attention of scouts from clubs across Africa and beyond. Malawi’s youth football sides have historically found it difficult to translate promising individual talent into consistent tournament results, with limited exposure to high-level continental competition often cited as a contributing factor. A campaign at this year’s Afcon qualifiers would represent a rare opportunity for the current crop of young players to test themselves against regional rivals and gain valuable experience ahead of the senior ranks. The Junior Flames will now need to regroup as they continue their Group C campaign, with qualification for the Afcon finals still very much in the balance depending on results elsewhere in the group and Malawi’s ability to bounce back in their remaining fixtures. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Under-20 --- ### [Mozambican, Malawian named as gunmen shot dead in Osman rescue](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mozambican-malawian-named-as-gunmen-shot-dead-in-osman-rescue/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Police have named the two suspected kidnappers who were shot dead during the dramatic operation that saw British national Nusrat Osman rescued from her captors in Blantyre. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789767175924-600x338.jpg)Kidnappers who held British mum Osman at this house where Osman was being kept finally named by policeInspector General of Police Richard Luhanga confirmed in a WhatsApp message that one of the suspects, 43-year-old Marcolino Munguambe, was a Mozambican national from Muhalaze, Matola, while the other, 44-year-old Limbani Anthony, hailed from Nyambi, Mkumba, in Mangochi. The pair were killed in a fierce exchange of gunfire with police at Mpemba, near Chadzunda, during Thursday’s high-stakes rescue mission, which was launched to free Osman after she had been held captive for almost a week. Osman, 47, was snatched by armed kidnappers from outside her home in Mount Pleasant, Blantyre, the previous week, triggering a massive nationwide manhunt and a hefty reward for information leading to her safe return. The identification of the two dead suspects comes just days after police were forced into an embarrassing correction over the operation, admitting that only two gunmen had died in the shootout rather than the four initially reported in the force’s original statement. Deputy Inspector General of Police for Operations Noel Kayira, who led the rescue mission, remains in hospital recovering from gunshot wounds sustained during the operation, with a string of senior officials — including Vice-President Dr Jane Ansah — visiting his bedside in the days since. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** abduction, Malawi Police --- ### [Madinga hails Mutharika’s economic turnaround as inflation, interest rates tumble](https://www.nyasatimes.com/madinga-hails-mutharikas-economic-turnaround-as-inflation-interest-rates-tumble/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s banking chief has heaped praise on President Peter Mutharika, crediting him with steering the country’s economy firmly back on track, after a high-level meeting at Kamuzu Palace that saw both men hail a raft of encouraging economic indicators. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789752374153-1-600x433.jpg)Mutharika-Madinga Economic Alliance: Banking Giant Backs Government’s Recovery DriveBankers Association of Malawi (BAM) President Philip Madinga delivered the glowing verdict after sitting down with Mutharika, pointing to falling inflation and lower interest rates as clear evidence the President’s economic strategy is paying off. Madinga highlighted how inflation has tumbled from 28.2% in August 2025 to 20.0% in August 2026, while interest rates have eased from 26.0% to 24.0% over the same period — figures he says paint a picture of an economy finally turning a corner after years of turbulence. “We have commended the President because, since he returned to power, we have seen economic progress. Inflation is going down, and significant strides are being made toward economic recovery,” Madinga said. The glowing assessment comes as Mutharika continues efforts to stabilise Malawi’s finances, having already rolled out austerity measures elsewhere in government, including slashing the size of the country’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly to its smallest ever. Speaking after the meeting, Mutharika revealed the encounter had also paved the way for a significant new partnership between government and the country’s banking sector, with BAM signalling its readiness to invest heavily in key areas of the economy including tourism, agriculture, infrastructure and mining. “We had an extremely fruitful meeting. Crucially, we have agreed to work together to advance the country’s economy in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development,” Mutharika said. The tie-up marks a further vote of confidence in Mutharika’s economic stewardship from Malawi’s financial sector, at a time when the President has been pushing hard to convince both domestic and international stakeholders that the country’s economy is finally on a path to sustained recovery. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, National **Tags:** inflation, Malawi Economy, Peter Mutharika, Phillip Madinga --- ### [Mulli joins star-studded procession to hospital bedside of hero cop shot in kidnap rescue](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mulli-joins-star-studded-procession-to-hospital-bedside-of-hero-cop-shot-in-kidnap-rescue/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawian business magnate Leston Mulli has become the latest high-profile figure to visit wounded police chief Noel Kayira in hospital, branding kidnapping “evil” and heaping praise on the Malawi Police Service for its bravery in rescuing kidnapped British national Nusrat Osman. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789744766989-1-600x409.jpg)Business tycoon Leston Mulli at MwaiwathuMulli visited Deputy Inspector General of Police for Operations Kayira at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre, where the officer remains under treatment after being shot during Thursday’s dramatic rescue mission. “We thank God for saving the two. Kidnapping remains evil. The Malawi Police Service has demonstrated ultra-professionalism,” Mulli said, describing the crime as retrogressive to the country’s economy. Kayira was wounded during the operation to free Osman, who had been held captive since being snatched from outside her Mount Pleasant home the previous week, in a kidnapping that gripped the nation and triggered a massive police manhunt. Mulli’s visit adds his name to a growing list of prominent figures who have flocked to Kayira’s bedside since the shooting, including Vice-President Dr Jane Ansah, Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito, Health Minister Madalitso Baloyi, Deputy Inspector General of Police Evalista Chisale and Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga. The steady procession of dignitaries to the hospital underscores the wave of gratitude sweeping the country for Kayira’s bravery, with the officer being widely hailed as a hero for his role in bringing Osman’s terrifying ordeal to a safe end. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Leston Mulli, Noel Kayira --- ### [MP Chisale enters race for Bua region chairman as MCP restructures](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mp-chisale-enters-race-for-bua-region-chairman-as-mcp-restructures/) **Published:** September 19, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Member of Parliament for Kasungu Central, Chikondi Kampachike Chisale, has entered the race for chairman of the newly-created Bua region, vowing to promote unity and transparency within the Malawi Congress Party as he seeks to help steer the party back into government in the country’s next general elections. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789722128965-600x399.jpg)Chikondi Kampachike Chisale, has entered the race for chairman of the newly-created Bua regionHis bid comes as the MCP unveiled a sweeping shake-up of its internal structures, announcing it has carved out new regions across the central and southern parts of the country in a bid to strengthen the party and boost membership ahead of the 2030 polls. Party Publicity Secretary Jessie Kabwila confirmed that the central region will now be split into three separate party regions, while the southern region will be divided into two — with the northern and eastern regions remaining unchanged as single regions each. Kabwila said the restructuring was designed to make the party more manageable and to strengthen internal democracy, revealing that elections for the newly-created regional chairperson posts are expected to be wrapped up by the end of this year. Breaking down the new structure, she explained that Ntcheu and Dedza districts have now merged to form one region, Lilongwe and Mchinji have combined into another, while Dowa, Ntchisi and Kasungu have joined forces to create the new Bua region. It is that newly-formed Bua region that Chisale is now eyeing, positioning himself as a unifying figure determined to end the party’s long stretch outside government. The overhaul marks one of the most significant internal restructurings undertaken by the MCP in recent years, as the party regroups and sharpens its organisational machinery ahead of what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested battle for power in 2030. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** MCP --- ### [Chaponda to lead Malawi's slimmed-down team at UN General Assembly](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chaponda-to-lead-malawis-slimmed-down-team-at-un-general-assembly/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi is dispatching its smallest ever delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, in a dramatic display of austerity as President Peter Mutharika continues his drive to rein in government spending and steady the country’s battered economy. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789745308026-450x600.jpg)Chaponda: Malawi trims UN delegation to bare minimum amid economic squeezePresident Mutharika has handed Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda the task of leading Malawi’s delegation to the 81st UNGA session in New York, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The pared-back delegation will consist of just Chaponda and four ministry officials — with the United Nations itself picking up the tab for the officials’ costs, leaving government to fund only the Minister’s own travel. The ministry confirmed the slimmed-down team represents the smallest delegation Malawi has ever sent to the prestigious UN gathering, insisting the cutback is firmly in line with Mutharika’s wider austerity measures designed to get Malawi’s struggling economy back on track. It comes amid mounting scrutiny over government spending, with officials clearly keen to be seen tightening their belts at a time when ordinary Malawians continue to grapple with soaring living costs. Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Chipiliro Mpinganjira will later join the delegation in New York, but crucially at no cost to Malawian taxpayers — with his trip to attend Climate Week NYC 2026 instead being fully sponsored by iRise Global Inc, the organisation that extended the invitation. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Austerity measures, George Chaponda, Peter Mutharika, United Nations --- ### [Mwanamvekha: Malawi needs billions in private capital for infrastructure](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mwanamvekha-malawi-needs-billions-in-private-capital-for-infrastructure/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) has unveiled a raft of major infrastructure projects worth billions of dollars, as government looks to private sector financing to unlock the country’s development ambitions. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789738942513-1-600x399.jpg)Mwanamvekha highlights energy, transport as urgent investment prioritiesPresenting at the Infrastructure Financing and Partnership Forum in Lilongwe, PPPC chief executive officer Arthur Nanthuru said the opportunities span energy, mining, education, transportation and agriculture, among other sectors. Among the flagship schemes, Nanthuru said government plans to double electricity access from the current 26% to 50% by 2030, driven in part by the Fufu and Kholombidzo hydropower stations, valued at $702 million (K1.2 trillion) and $500 million (K875.5 billion) respectively. Other projects in the pipeline include the $968 million (K1.67 trillion) Chilumba–Mbeya railway line, $1 billion (K1.7 trillion) in mining investment, and $165 million (K289 billion) earmarked for education — specifically, accommodation for public university students and staff housing. Speaking at the same event, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation Joseph Mwanamvekha stressed the need for a collaborative approach to mobilising resources for the pipeline of public infrastructure projects. He said energy and transportation were currently the sectors most in need of urgent investment to transform people’s lives sustainably, at a time when government remains constrained by heavy debt and high expenditure obligations. The forum, held under the theme “Mobilising private capital for sustainable infrastructure development,” drew several ministers, senior government officials, financial sector representatives and development partners. Speaking as guest of honour the previous evening at the PPPC Financing Forum at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, Mwanamvekha called for stronger partnerships between government, the private sector, development partners and communities to secure sustainable infrastructure financing, describing infrastructure as critical to achieving the Malawi 2063 vision and its First 10-Year Implementation Plan (MIP-1). He identified key priority areas including power generation, roads, railways, industrial parks, export processing zones, airports, inland water transport and access to the sea. Mwanamvekha acknowledged that Malawi faces significant obstacles, including limited fiscal space, high borrowing costs and perceived investment risks. However, he said Public-Private Partnerships, blended financing models and innovative instruments such as infrastructure bonds and green financing could help unlock the private capital needed to close the gap. The event was attended by Minister of Information Dr Shadreck Namalomba, Charles Mhango, Deputy Minister of Health Charles Chalambula, Minister of Energy Jean Mathanga, Deputy Minister of Education Francis Folley, FDH Bank CEO William Mpinganjira, Standard Bank Malawi CEO Philip Madinga, Secretary to the Treasury Dr Cliff Chiunda, and other senior government officials and stakeholders. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** investment, Joseph Mwanamvekha --- ### [MP Nyamilandu demands Malawi scrap 'wasteful' retirement age for pilots after crash inquiry hears expert quit flying at 65](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mp-nyamilandu-demands-malawi-scrap-wasteful-retirement-age-for-pilots-after-crash-inquiry-hears-expert-quit-flying-at-65/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian MP has demanded an urgent shake-up of retirement rules for the country’s most critical professionals, warning Malawi is haemorrhaging vital expertise abroad — after the parliamentary inquiry into the crash that killed former vice-president Saulos Chilima heard a top aviation expert was forced to stop flying simply because he turned 65. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789739135250-600x400.jpg)MP Nyamilandu (c) demands Malawi scrap ‘wasteful’ retirement age for pilots after crash inquiry hears expert quit flying at 65Walter Nyamilandu, who chairs the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee investigating the June 10, 2024 military plane crash, made the explosive call after retired pilot and aviation expert Captain Jackson Sagawa revealed to the committee that he no longer flies, having been forced into retirement at the age of 65. Sagawa had been called before MPs to deliver crucial technical evidence on the aircraft’s final flight, including the crew’s decisions, flight procedures and the possible causes of the disaster that claimed the lives of Chilima and eight others. But it was his revelation about being sidelined from the skies at 65 that sparked Nyamilandu’s fury, with the committee chairman warning that Malawi is losing irreplaceable experience — with many of its brightest minds forced to seek work overseas instead. “Malawi has a lot of such people, even in the diaspora, and there is a brain drain. They go and work outside the country because this is rare expertise,” Nyamilandu said in an interview after the hearing. The MP insisted the country urgently needs to rethink how it treats its most experienced professionals in critical, specialist fields, where their knowledge could prove invaluable in training the next generation. “I am not saying this should apply to everybody. Let’s choose critical services like pilots,” he said, making clear his proposal was targeted rather than a blanket call to scrap retirement ages altogether. Nyamilandu pointed to a precedent already set for another critical profession, drawing comparisons with the retention of experienced judges after Parliament voted in 2022 to raise the judiciary’s retirement age from 65 to 70 — a move he suggested pilots and other specialists should now be afforded too. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Malawi Parliament, plane inquiry, Walter Nyamilandu Manda --- ### [Malawi inflation eases to seven-month low, but disinflation remains food-led and fragile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-inflation-eases-to-seven-month-low-but-disinflation-remains-food-led-and-fragile/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s headline inflation rate has fallen for a seventh consecutive month, easing to 20.01 per cent in August from 20.83 per cent in July, according to data from the National Statistical Office analysed by Chifi Mhango, chief economist at Don Consultancy Group. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/D3DBF43B-8758-4846-8AA4-7C30A42D2CC2.jpeg)Living costs remain the dominant driver of the headline figureThe rate has now declined 8.22 percentage points over the past year, from 28.23 per cent in August 2025, and 9.1 points from its October 2025 peak of 29.11 per cent. The improvement, however, reflects a slower pace of price increases rather than falling prices, and masks a shift in the composition of inflationary pressure that complicates the outlook for monetary policy. Food, which carries a 53.73 per cent weighting in the consumer price index, has driven the bulk of the disinflation. Food inflation fell to 13.41 per cent in August from 36.07 per cent a year earlier — a 22.66 percentage point collapse reflecting improved supply conditions relative to last year’s shortages. On a monthly basis, food inflation eased from 14.3 per cent in July to 13.4 per cent in August. Non-food inflation, by contrast, has proved far stickier, easing only marginally to 31.8 per cent from 32.2 per cent. Transport inflation stood at 47.42 per cent in August, housing, water and electricity at 34.59 per cent, clothing and footwear at 35.69 per cent, alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 31.89 per cent, health at 25.28 per cent, and restaurants and hotels at 24.66 per cent. Only recreation and culture (8.49 per cent), education (15.04 per cent) and communication (18.22 per cent) remained in single or moderate double digits. Mhango cautioned that the character of Malawi’s inflation problem is evolving rather than resolving. A year ago pressure was concentrated in food; today it sits in non-food essentials — transport, energy, housing and health — categories that feed directly into production and distribution costs and carry a heightened risk of second-round effects through wages and business pricing. Food, and housing, water and electricity together account for 77.4 per cent of the CPI basket, meaning that living costs remain the dominant driver of the headline figure. But the persistence of double-digit non-food inflation limits how much comfort the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) can draw from the topline decline. For the central bank, the data present a case for caution rather than for aggressive easing. Mhango argued that policymakers need to establish whether disinflation is sufficiently broad-based and durable to justify looser monetary conditions, given continuing risks from exchange rate pressures, foreign exchange availability, fuel prices, electricity costs and fiscal developments. The analysis emphasises that Malawi’s inflation dynamics are not purely monetary. Foreign exchange shortages that raise import costs, energy constraints that lift production costs, transport and logistics bottlenecks, and weak agricultural productivity are supply-side frictions that interest rate policy alone cannot resolve. Sustainable disinflation, Mhango said, will require coordination between monetary policy, fiscal discipline and structural reforms — improving agricultural productivity, foreign exchange market efficiency, energy supply, logistics and domestic supply chains. The contrast with advanced economies is instructive. UK CPI rose to 3.1 per cent in August from 2.9 per cent in July, prompting the Bank of England to hold its policy rate at 3.75 per cent, while US inflation stood at 3.4 per cent, driven by gasoline prices. Malawi’s inflation rate, even after seven months of decline, remains several multiples higher than either — underscoring that the country’s disinflation path requires policy responses tailored to structural, supply-driven causes rather than approaches borrowed from advanced-economy playbooks. The outlook remains one of cautious optimism. Should food inflation stay contained and non-food pressures continue to ease, the headline rate should keep declining. But renewed currency depreciation, higher international energy prices, supply disruptions or fiscal slippage could quickly unwind recent gains. For households, the slower pace of price growth offers marginal relief, though little respite while inflation hovers near 20 per cent. For businesses, a sustained decline would improve cost visibility and planning; for investors, durable macroeconomic stabilisation, underpinned by foreign exchange stability, would help restore predictability to the operating environment. The immediate policy challenge, Mhango concluded, is converting what has so far been a food-led, largely cyclical improvement into a durable, broad-based disinflation that lowers the underlying cost structure of the economy and supports sustainable growth. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** inflation, National Statistics Office --- ### [Mutharika's land directive: Chipungu kicks off Nantipwiri Farm allocation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharikas-land-directive-chipungu-kicks-off-nantipwiri-farm-allocation/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Hundreds of Malawian families are set to receive long-awaited plots of farmland after Lands Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu personally joined officials on the ground today to launch a major land distribution exercise, fulfilling a direct order from President Arthur Peter Mutharika. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789727623703-600x277.jpg)Chipungu launches Mutharika-ordered land handover for 401 familiesThe minister was in Thyolo and Blantyre on Friday to kick-start the allocation of the Nantipwiri Farm Valley land to 401 beneficiaries from the areas of Traditional Authorities Bvumbwe and Kapeni, marking a significant milestone for communities who have waited for the redistribution. As a symbolic first step, officials handed over 25 plots to beneficiaries on the day, with each recipient allocated a 35-metre by 35-metre piece of land earmarked strictly for agricultural use. Speaking at the event, Chipungu urged beneficiaries to remain patient as the wider exercise gets under way, acknowledging that land allocation can be a delicate and sometimes contentious process. “I strongly urged the beneficiaries to remain patient throughout the land distribution process, as land matters can sometimes be sensitive and may give rise to disputes,” Chipungu said. “It is therefore important that the process is handled carefully, fairly, and transparently to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries are treated equitably.” The minister said the initiative represented a crucial step in giving affected families genuine access to land for farming, offering hope of improved livelihoods for hundreds of households. “This exercise marks an important step towards ensuring that the affected people have access to land for agricultural production and improved livelihoods,” he said. Chipungu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the remainder of the exercise is carried out fairly and transparently as it continues in the coming weeks. “We remain committed to ensuring that the land allocation process is conducted in a fair, transparent, and orderly manner for the benefit of all eligible beneficiaries,” he said. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789727300011-600x338.jpg)401 families to benefit as Chipungu fulfils Mutharika’s land order![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789727635635-600x277.jpg)Minister Chipungu begins historic land distribution under Mutharika directive Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, land, Nantipwiri Estate, Peter Mutharika, Thyolo --- ### [Mukhito hails 'hero' Kayira as police admit shootout death toll was wrong](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mukhito-hails-hero-kayira-as-police-admit-shootout-death-toll-was-wrong/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito has hailed wounded Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira as a hero, declaring the dramatic operation to rescue kidnapped British national Nusrat Osman a stark warning to criminals across the country — as police were forced into an embarrassing climbdown over exactly how many suspects were killed in the shootout. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789727780375-1-338x600.jpg)Mukhito: Kayira’s bravery a warning to criminalsMukhito praised Kayira’s bravery in the aftermath of Thursday’s dramatic rescue mission, insisting the operation sent a clear message that “government will not stand and watch criminal activity.” But the tribute came just hours after Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga was forced to correct the force’s own account of the operation, revealing that only two suspected kidnappers were shot dead during the fierce exchange of gunfire at Mpemba, near Chadzunda — not four, as police had originally claimed in a statement issued the day before. “Actually those killed are two and yet to be identified,” Luhanga admitted, in a stunning U-turn that raises fresh questions over the accuracy of the initial police account of the deadly operation. Police had earlier said four suspects were shot during the exchange of fire with officers and later died in hospital — a claim that has now been quietly walked back as the force works to establish exactly what unfolded during the rescue. Osman and the wounded Kayira remain admitted to Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre, with Luhanga confirming the deputy police chief was continuing to make progress in his recovery. “He had a successful surgery and remains stable,” Luhanga said in a written statement, offering reassurance after Kayira was rushed into emergency treatment following the shooting. His update came after First Vice-President Dr Jane Ansah visited Kayira at his hospital bedside earlier in the day, where she too confirmed he was on the road to recovery — as tributes continue to pour in for the officer’s role in bringing the traumatic kidnapping saga to a safe conclusion. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789729531132-600x337.jpg)Mukhito: Kayira’s bravery a warning to criminals Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Malawi Police, Noel Kayira, Peter Mukhito --- ### [Salima man arrested for alleged sodomy of 11-year-old boy](https://www.nyasatimes.com/salima-man-arrested-for-alleged-sodomy-of-11-year-old-boy/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Police in Salima have arrested 28-year-old Chesamu Adam on allegations of sodomy after he was accused of having sexual intercourse with an 11-year-old boy. Salima Police Public Relations Officer Rabecca Ndiwate said the incident is alleged to have occurred in August 2026 at Mtukulamwendo. “It was on 16th August when the victim narrated to his brother that the suspect, who repairs phones at the said trading centre, has been sodomising him on a number of occasions, and was afraid to break the news to his parents,” Ndiwate said. A complaint was subsequently lodged with police, and the victim was taken to Salima District Hospital for medical examination, which indicated that he had indeed been sodomised. Chesamu, who comes from N’gomba village, Traditional Authority Lulanga in Mangochi, is expected to appear in court soon. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Salima, sexual- offence, sodomy --- ### [Malawi VP Ansah says wounded cop hero Mlowoka 'is fine' after rescuing kidnapped Briton ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-vp-ansah-says-wounded-cop-hero-mlowoka-is-fine-after-rescuing-kidnapped-briton/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Vice-President Dr Jane Ansah has said Deputy Inspector General of Police for Operations Dr Mlowoka Noel Kayira is “fine”, after visiting him in hospital following his shooting during a police operation to rescue kidnapped British national Nusrat Osman. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789668929375-600x400.jpg)Deputy police chief Dr Mlowoka Kayira “fine” after being shot in kidnap rescue, says VPAnsah was seen leaving Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre on Thursday evening after visiting Kayira, who remains in hospital receiving treatment for gunshot wounds. Asked by *Capital FM* about Kayira’s condition, the Vice-President said: “He is fine.” Kayira was shot during a police operation in Chadzunda on Thursday, as officers moved in to rescue Osman, who had reportedly been held by her captors since being abducted outside her Mount Pleasant home in Blantyre the previous week. Osman, 47, a mother-of-two originally from Leicester, was seized by four men in a daylight abduction that sparked a nationwide manhunt and a reward of 30 million Malawi Kwacha for information leading to her safe return. She is also being treated at the same hospital and is undergoing checks on her physical and mental condition following the ordeal. Ansah was among several senior officials who visited the hospital following the operation, including Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu and Blantyre Deputy Mayor Gelard Lipikwe. Police are yet to issue a full official account of how the rescue operation unfolded. But they have confirmed four suspects where shot dead. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Jane Ansah, Malawi Police, Noel Kayira --- ### [VP Ansah visits wounded hero cop Kayira after dramatic Osman rescue](https://www.nyasatimes.com/vp-ansah-visits-wounded-hero-cop-kayira-after-dramatic-osman-rescue/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Vice-President Dr Jane Ansah rushed to the bedside of wounded Deputy Inspector General of Police Dr Noel Kayira after he was shot during a dramatic operation to rescue kidnapped British national Nusrat Jiwa Osman. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789718589946-600x450.jpg)Ansah leads officials at hospital as Kayira battles gunshot woundsKayira was rushed to the emergency department at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre after being wounded while leading the mission to free Osman, who had been held against her will at a hideout in Mpemba since being snatched outside her Mount Pleasant home last Friday. Reports from the scene suggest a fierce exchange of gunfire broke out between police and the gang holding Osman captive as officers moved in to free her. Osman, 47, has also been admitted to the same hospital after being found safe, and is said to be stable but undergoing medical checks, including assessments of her physical and mental condition following her six-day ordeal. A heavy police presence descended on the hospital in the wake of the operation, with multiple police vehicles stationed outside as officers stood guard. VP Ansah was among the first senior officials to arrive at Mwaiwathu, rushing to check on Kayira’s condition and pay tribute to his bravery. She was joined at the hospital by a string of other top officials, including Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu and Blantyre Deputy Mayor Gelard Lipikwe, among many others who gathered to show their support. The precise circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, and it has yet to be established exactly where on his body Kayira was struck or the full details of how the operation unfolded. Police are yet to issue an official statement addressing the rescue operation, Osman’s recovery, or the circumstances of Kayira’s shooting, as the nation waits anxiously for further details of the operation that brought the kidnapping saga to an end. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** abduction, Jane Ansah, Malawi Police, Noel Kayira --- ### [Silver swoop for rising star Khumbula in shock mid-season raid on Moyale ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/silver-swoop-for-rising-star-khumbula-in-shock-mid-season-raid-on-moyale/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FDH Bank Premiership giants Silver Strikers have completed a swoop for hotshot attacker Aubren Khumbula, snapping him up from Moyale Barracks for an undisclosed fee. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789719991066-600x400.jpg)Bankers seal deal for in-form attacker KhumbulaMoyale Barracks confirmed the striker’s exit, bringing to an end a brief but eye-catching spell in Mzuzu that saw the youngster establish himself as one of the league’s most exciting emerging talents. Khumbula only arrived at the Kaning’ina Lions earlier this season, joining from Chintheche United, and wasted no time making an impression, banging in impressive performances throughout the first half of the campaign that quickly caught the eye of scouts across the top flight. His blistering form proved impossible for the Bankers to ignore, with Silver Strikers moving swiftly to seal his signature and finalise the switch before the January transfer window heats up further. The Capital City giants will be hoping Khumbula can hit the ground running and add firepower to their attacking options as they push for silverware in the second half of the season. Khumbula’s rise through the ranks has been a rapid one — the youngster began his football journey on the beach soccer circuit before transitioning to the eleven-a-side game, where his natural goalscoring instincts quickly marked him out as a player to watch. His switch to Silver Strikers now represents the biggest move of his fledgling career, handing him the platform to test himself against Malawi’s elite as he continues his meteoric rise through the domestic game. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Moyale Barracks, Silver Strikers --- ### [Professor Zimani Kadzamira: the scholar who stepped out of his family's political shadow](https://www.nyasatimes.com/professor-zimani-kadzamira-the-scholar-who-stepped-out-of-his-familys-political-shadow/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Professor Zimani David Kadzamira, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malawi and brother of Cecilia Kadzamira, the long-serving official hostess to President Hastings Kamuzu Banda, has died. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789717807944-525x600.jpg)Diplomat, scholar, vice-chancellor: Zimani Kadzamira rememberedHis passing closes the chapter on a career that spanned academia, diplomacy and public service, and which, over more than four decades, came to be defined as much by his own achievements as by the prominence of his family name. Kadzamira was born on 1 July 1941 in Harare, then Salisbury, in Southern Rhodesia, where he began his early schooling before returning to Malawi to complete his secondary education. He went on to study political science at Princeton University in the United States, graduating in 1966, before obtaining a doctorate in government from the University of Manchester in 1974. His academic career began in earnest in 1966, when he joined the University of Malawi as an assistant lecturer. He would remain associated with the institution for much of his working life, rising steadily through its ranks to the position of professor and taking on a series of senior administrative roles along the way, including Principal of Chancellor College. In 2005, he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malawi, succeeding the celebrated writer and academic Professor David Rubadiri, and went on to become one of the university’s longest-serving leaders of that period. His career, though, was never confined to the lecture hall. Between 1992 and 1994, he served as Malawi’s first Ambassador to Japan, before taking up a number of international roles, including with the WorldFish Center and as chairperson of the UbuntuNet Alliance, a regional research and education networking body. For many Malawians, the Kadzamira name carries a weight of its own, inseparable from the history of Banda’s three-decade rule. His sister, Cecilia Kadzamira, served as Banda’s official hostess and became known simply as “Mama,” while another sister, Mary Kadzamira, worked as Banda’s private secretary — both women wielding considerable influence at the centre of Malawi’s one-party state. Yet it is a measure of Professor Kadzamira’s own record that his obituary need not lean on that inheritance to justify its length. From assistant lecturer to professor, university administrator, ambassador and ultimately vice-chancellor, his was a career built independently of the political household into which he was born — one that intersected with Malawi’s history without being defined by it. As the country mourns his passing, he is remembered less as the brother of “Mama” Kadzamira and more as a scholar and administrator whose own decades of service helped shape the institution at the heart of Malawi’s academic life. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Mama Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira, Prof Zimani Kadzamira, University of Malawi --- ### [Judge crushes bid to reopen Pentecostal university's licence after deregistration ruling](https://www.nyasatimes.com/judge-crushes-bid-to-reopen-pentecostal-universitys-licence-after-deregistration-ruling/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian judge has thrown out a desperate legal bid by a Pentecostal university to challenge its own deregistration, ruling that officials acted lawfully in stripping the institution of its licence. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260918_021957_Google-1-600x416.jpg)Judge Howard Pemba delivered a damning verdictPentecostal Life University and Great Dominion Holdings Limited had marched to the High Court in Lilongwe in a bid to launch judicial review proceedings, furiously claiming the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology had trampled over their rights by denying them a fair hearing before pulling the plug on the university. But their bid has now been dramatically rejected, with High Court Judge Howard Pemba delivering a damning verdict on 16 September 2026, ruling that the claimants had failed to back up their explosive allegations. The judge found that the evidence overwhelmingly showed the NCHE’s decision to deregister the university had been procedurally sound, lawfully executed and entirely reasonable — dealing a crushing blow to the institution’s hopes of overturning the ruling through the courts. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, General, News **Tags:** National Council of Higher Education, Pentecostal Life University --- ### [Nomads launch Nyerere App, new kit part of commercial revolution](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nomads-launch-nyerere-app-new-kit-part-of-commercial-revolution/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers FC have finally overhauled their merchandise line-up, months after fans were left frustrated by replica kits still bearing the branding of former sponsor 888bets. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789680236316-429x600.jpg)Mighty Wanderers step up commercial drive with new merchandise and app![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789680227622-450x600.jpg)Wanderers ditch old sponsor’s logo, unveil slick new fan appThe Lali Lubani Road giants have now rolled out fresh merchandise proudly displaying the logos of new backers Ekhaya and Kingbossi, marking a major step forward in the club’s push to cash in commercially. But that’s not all — the Nomads have also unveiled plans for a brand-new “Nyerere App,” which will allow supporters to snap up club merchandise from the comfort of their own homes. Wanderers media and communications officer Chimwemwe Kaonga revealed the developments form part of a wider commercialisation drive designed to modernise the club and boost revenue. He confirmed the app is now in its final stages of development and will be fully up and running soon, promising fans an all-in-one digital hub unlike anything the club has offered before. “This application will provide user-friendly digital solutions to the club’s fan base,” Kaonga said. “It will be an all-in-one pack that will allow fans to order merchandise, subscribe to membership and buy match tickets online.” He added that supporters would also be able to stream live matches and highlights, check fixtures and league standings, and stay up to date with all the latest Lali Lubani news — all from a single app. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Mighty Wanderers FC --- ### [SMEDI contract row exposes cracks in DPP media operation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/smedi-contract-row-exposes-cracks-in-dpp-media-operation/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) faces an awkward test of its anti-corruption credentials, barely a year into office, following allegations that officials close to State House used a newly-registered company to secure lucrative contracts from a state-owned agency — allegations surfacing within days of an opposition broadside accusing the party of shielding corrupt insiders. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/namalomba-3-600x329.jpg)Namalomba: Contracts and cronyism test DPP’s first yearAt issue is a contract, reportedly worth millions of kwacha, awarded by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Institute (SMEDI) to a firm called Digital Media Sniper Tech. According to multiple sources, the company — registered less than six months ago — lists State House Media Officer Francis Kanduwa among its principals, alongside other members of the DPP’s media operation. SMEDI’s chief executive, Kondwani Kachamba, is named as having approved the award. AC has not seen the underlying contract documents, and neither SMEDI nor State House has responded publicly to the allegations. Sources close to the DPP media grouping allege the company was established with the specific purpose of winning government business, with proceeds to be distributed among media operatives loyal to the party. That arrangement has reportedly broken down: Kanduwa and Shadreck Namalomba, another figure named in connection with the company, are accused of withholding details of the contract and its proceeds from the broader media team, prompting recriminations within DPP ranks. More seriously, sources allege the company has sought to pressure other parastatal chief executives into awarding it contracts, with implicit threats to the job security of those who decline. If substantiated, such claims would point to a pattern of political leverage over procurement decisions extending well beyond a single contract. The controversy lands awkwardly for President PeterMutharika, coming just after UTM Party leader Dr Dalitso Kabambe used the one-year anniversary of the DPP’s election victory to accuse the administration of protecting corrupt actors within its ranks and failing to deliver the governance reforms promised at the ballot box. Whether the allegations gain traction will depend on whether Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau or Parliament’s oversight committees take up the matter — and on whether disaffected members of the DPP media team, said to be increasingly frustrated with the party leadership, are prepared to go on record. For now, the episode adds to a broader narrative, pressed by opposition figures, that the DPP’s first year has been marked more by continuity in patronage politics than by the change it promised voters. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** corruption, DPP, SMEDI --- ### [Prophet Bushiri to hold Harvest Mandate Salvation Festival in Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-bushiri-to-hold-harvest-mandate-salvation-festival-in-lilongwe/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Church founder and leader Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has announced a major evangelistic outreach, the Harvest Mandate Salvation Festival, to be held on 26 September at the Garden of Peace in Area 43, Lilongwe. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789686978708-416x600.jpg)ScreenshotCommunication from Prophet Bushiri’s office indicates the event will be centred on the theme of salvation, with organisers describing it as an open invitation extended well beyond the church’s existing congregation. “It should be noted that this event is not just for ECG members. The message we are sharing doesn’t need limitations. The word of God is universal,” Prophet Bushiri said. Prophet Bushiri, a Malawian-born preacher, founded ECG in 2010 and has since built one of southern Africa’s largest Pentecostal ministries, with branches across the continent and a significant following in South Africa, where the church established a major base before Bushiri relocated back to Malawi. Known for his large-scale crusades and prophetic ministry, he has drawn substantial followings. The Harvest Mandate Salvation Festival continues a tradition within ECG of staging large open-air gatherings aimed at evangelism and altar-call salvation experiences, rather than events limited to established church members. Such festivals typically combine preaching, worship and prayer, and are often positioned by the ministry as opportunities for spiritual renewal for entire communities rather than church-specific gatherings. The Lilongwe event is expected to draw attendees from across the country, reflecting ECG’s continued efforts to expand its outreach within Malawi following years of significant ministry activity abroad. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National, Religion, Religious News **Tags:** ECG Church, Prophet Bushiri --- ### [Zunaid Moti: Malawi's newest "proof point" for a deal already unravelling in Botswana](https://www.nyasatimes.com/zunaid-moti-malawis-newest-proof-point-for-a-deal-already-unravelling-in-botswana/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s government has been accused of misleading the public over a scheme to build 450 schools, clinics and vocational centres, after officials described the project as costing taxpayers nothing — only for the fine print to suggest otherwise. Behind the deal sits Zunaid Moti, the South African businessman whose Moti Group is bankrolling the venture alongside Jindal Power Group. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260918_013535_Google-1-600x509.jpg)Behind the “zero cost” pitch: Zunaid Moti and the fine print Malawi missedAt a glitzy launch in Gaborone on 6 September, Second Vice-President Enock Chihana announced Malawi would receive 300 schools, 100 clinics and 50 vocational centres from the African Hero Foundation “at zero cost to governments.” But a brochure from the foundation itself says payments are simply “activated only after delivery” — meaning government pays later, not never. **Who is Zunaid Moti?** Moti is no stranger to controversy. The South African tycoon, who chairs the Moti Group and has positioned himself as African Hero’s chief financier, has cultivated a reputation as a dealmaker willing to move fast in markets where others hesitate — and as someone whose ventures tend to attract scrutiny as quickly as headlines. Critics point to a pattern: big announcements, bigger numbers, and a habit of framing entire countries as test cases for schemes still being worked out in practice. That habit is on full display here — Moti himself has described Botswana as the “first proof point” for the model, with Malawi “already showing us what comes next.” For a continent that has heard plenty of grand infrastructure pledges evaporate, being cast as someone else’s experiment is not an obviously comforting position. **The Botswana warning** Malawi isn’t the guinea pig — Botswana got there first, and it isn’t going well. A project Moti’s foundation originally costed at P3.6 billion for 100 schools has reportedly swollen to P20 billion over 20 years, prompting opposition calls for a parliamentary inquiry and demands from public sector unions for full disclosure of the deal’s “financial, legal and contractual” terms, including who actually ends up owning the buildings. **The economics** Economist Marvin Banda cuts to the chase: “If zero upfront cost simply means Malawi starts paying later, then we have not eliminated the cost; we’ve moved it from today’s budget into tomorrow’s.” With Malawi’s public debt already above 90% of GDP, that’s not a technicality — it’s the whole question. **The ghost in the room** This isn’t Malawi’s first brush with a suspiciously generous foreign benefactor. In 2022, then President Lazarus Chakwera announced $6.8 billion in “free” infrastructure from the Bridgin Foundation that turned out to be unfinanced, unverified, and ultimately abandoned — leaving government quietly footing the bill for a mess it didn’t create. Public finance specialist Dalitso Kubalasa isn’t taking chances this time: “Malawi cannot afford another Bridgin Foundation… let’s verify, cost, and scrutinise like our budget depends on it, because it does.” **The bottom line** Nobody disputes Malawi needs schools and clinics. What’s in dispute is whether a scheme fronted by a businessman already facing hard questions in Botswana, and whose “zero cost” pitch doesn’t survive contact with his own foundation’s brochure, is the vehicle Malawi should be trusting to deliver them. Malawians, still waiting to see the actual contract, may be about to find out the hard way. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Zunaid Moti --- ### [British mum found safe as police hero takes bullet in dramatic rescue](https://www.nyasatimes.com/british-mum-found-safe-as-police-hero-takes-bullet-in-dramatic-rescue/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A senior Malawi Police officer is being hailed a hero tonight after taking a bullet to save a British mother-of-two who had been missing for almost a week after being snatched from outside her home in a terrifying daylight abduction. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260912-WA0001.jpg)Auditor snatched in broad daylight: rescued![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1684828013610-600x600.jpg)Noel Kayira, A true hero’: Officer shot saving abducted British mother in MalawiNusrat Jiwa Osman, 47, originally from Leicester, has been found safe, police have confirmed, bringing to an end an agonising search that had gripped Malawi and left her family “traumatised” after five days without a single word from her captors. The dramatic rescue is being credited to Deputy Inspector Dr Noel Kayira of the Malawi Police Service, who was shot during the operation to free her but is being celebrated as “a true hero” for his role in bringing her home safely. Osman, an auditor who moved to Malawi with her husband Nazil after he set up a business in the country, was dragged into a grey Nissan Dualis by four men at around 12:30pm on Friday, September 11, shortly after dropping her two young children at school. Her abduction sparked a massive manhunt, with police offering a reward of 30 million Malawi Kwacha — around £12,800 — for information leading to her safe rescue and the prosecution of those responsible. Her brother, Shoba Jiwa, had earlier told of the family’s anguish as the days dragged on without news, saying: “My sister has been missing for five days with no trace or call. We just want prayers. No one knows anything.” Tributes have now poured in for Dr Kayira, with messages of gratitude circulating widely thanking him for his courage and sacrifice in securing Osman’s release. A message shared by relatives read: “We are deeply grateful to Dr Noel Kayira, Deputy Inspector of Malawi Police, who took a bullet to his body and bravely saved our sister Nusrat. His courage, selflessness and dedication to protecting the lives of Malawians will never be forgotten.” The Malawi Police Service has also been praised for its swift response, with the family adding: “We thank the Malawi Police Service for their swift action, professionalism and commitment. In them we trust.” Given the sensitivity of the case, further details of the operation — including the exact location and circumstances of the rescue, and the condition of the suspects — are expected to be released by police in a fuller statement in the coming hours. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Breaking News, Featured, National **Tags:** abduction, Noel Kayira --- ### [NPM to hold business show and year-end gala in Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/npm-to-hold-business-show-and-year-end-gala-in-lilongwe/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** National Product Magazine (NPM) has announced it will hold the NPM Business Show 2026, a marketplace bringing together Malawi’s industries, manufacturers, suppliers, the private sector, government and consumers in one place. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260917-WA0006-600x337.jpg)Chinyamula: NPM marks 130th edition with new business show and gala awardsAddressing a press conference in Lilongwe, NPM Media Specialist and Managing Director Steven Chinyamula said the objective is to create a meaningful connection between producers, support institutions and the final consumer. He said the show will give manufacturers a direct platform to engage the market. “The Business Show creates an opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers to bring their products directly to consumers, explain their brands, introduce new products and engage with the market,” Chinyamula told the press conference. For consumers, he said, the benefits are direct shopping and discovery. “It creates an opportunity to see and compare products from different manufacturers and suppliers, buy directly from participating businesses, access special event prices, promotions and discounts, and discover locally manufactured products and services.” Chinyamula said one of the key advantages of a dedicated annual Business Show is affordability during the festive season. “By bringing manufacturers, suppliers and consumers together in one place, the event can help businesses promote products directly while giving consumers an opportunity to access special offers,” he said. On the relationship between government and the private sector, Chinyamula said the show offers a practical platform for dialogue. “Government plays an important role in creating and supporting an environment where manufacturing, trade, investment, entrepreneurship and business development can grow. “The private sector, manufacturers and suppliers bring the products, services, investment, employment and innovation that drive the marketplace. Consumers, in turn, are at the centre of that marketplace,” he said. He summarised the show’s model as: government supports the business environment, industry produces and supplies, the private sector builds the market, consumers create demand, and NPM brings them all together. Chinyamula said NPM believes a consistent annual platform is needed for Malawi’s commercial community to showcase progress, launch products and network. “It gives businesses an opportunity to showcase their progress and products each year, while giving consumers a regular opportunity to engage directly with the companies supplying the market,” he said. On timing, he said the end-of-year period was strategic for both business and families. “As the event takes place towards the end of the year, the Business Show will also provide an important festive-season shopping platform. Consumers can come and purchase products directly, take advantage of promotional prices and prepare for Christmas and the New Year.” Beyond business, he said, the event will also feature entertainment. “After a full day focused on industry, business, consumers, products and shopping, the Malawi Square Ground will also come alive with live performances from Malawian artists and bands.” Chinyamula announced that the day’s proceedings will transition into the NPM Year-End Gala Awards 2026. “As the Business Show concludes, the focus moves from showcasing products to recognising the businesses, brands, institutions and entrepreneurs shaping Malawi’s business landscape. During the day, businesses show what they do; during the evening, we recognise those making an impact,” he said. The Gala will honour excellence across manufacturing, retail, agriculture, financial services, hospitality, energy, automotive, construction, technology, SMEs and other sectors. The 2026 edition also marks NPM’s 130th edition milestone. “This is not simply another magazine edition. It represents years of documenting Malawi’s businesses, manufacturers, products, entrepreneurs, brands, innovations and commercial stories. For 130 editions, NPM has continued to create a platform for businesses to tell their stories,” Chinyamula said. Chinyamula urged Malawians to attend the NPM Business Show, Consumer Marketplace, Festive-Season Shopping and Year-End Gala Awards on 28 November 2026 at the BICC Malawi Square Ground in Lilongwe. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** NPM Media --- ### ['We could have found them that day': Witness claims delay cost lives in Chilima crash](https://www.nyasatimes.com/we-could-have-found-them-that-day-witness-claims-delay-cost-lives-in-chilima-crash/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A community witness caught up in the investigation into the plane crash that killed Malawi’s former vice-president Saulos Chilima has made the astonishing revelation that he was wrongly accused of being involved in the tragedy — with some people even claiming he himself had died in the crash. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789647940776-600x442.jpg)Witness says political divisions delayed rescue effort in Chilima plane crashColred Nkosi told the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee probing the June 10, 2024 disaster that he became the target of vicious rumours in the aftermath of the crash, which killed Chilima and eight others. “Some people went as far as claiming that I had been killed in the crash,” Nkosi told stunned committee members, laying bare the extent of the misinformation swirling around the tragedy. He revealed that fraudsters had gone as far as doctoring photographs linked to the disaster and flooding social media with the doctored images, fuelling confusion and distress at an already devastating time for the nation. Furious over the exploitation of the tragedy, Nkosi condemned the misuse of social media platforms and demanded that authorities, including the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), step in and take decisive action against those responsible. Nkosi, who lives in Kasangazi near the Nthungwa crash site, separately told the committee he had spotted the aircraft from his garden on the morning of June 10, 2024, describing how it roared loudly and circled the area before vanishing from his sight. He said that when word spread later that day that the plane had gone missing, residents desperately phoned several officials to report what they had witnessed — but claimed that despite alerting rescue teams to the area where they believed the aircraft had gone down, authorities instead continued searching elsewhere. “I think we could have found these people on the very day the accident happened,” he said, voicing frustration at the delayed response. Nkosi also suggested that political divisions may have contributed to the delay in locating the wreckage and rescuing those on board — raising fresh questions over how the search operation was handled in the critical hours after the crash. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima --- ### [Zimbabwean businessman guilty of murdering brother in Malawi spare parts feud](https://www.nyasatimes.com/zimbabwean-businessman-guilty-of-murdering-brother-in-malawi-spare-parts-feud/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Zimbabwean national has been convicted of murdering his own brother following a bitter and escalating feud over their family business — with a judge revealing the pair had become locked in a chilling battle over who would kill the other first. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789648737736-600x450.jpg)Fake alibi unravels as businessman convicted of killing his own brotherPardon Masukweza was found guilty by the High Court in Lilongwe of the murder of his brother, Vitalis Masukweza, after the once-close siblings fell out spectacularly over how their Mercedes-Benz spare parts business was being run. Tensions between the brothers reportedly boiled over after Vitalis broke away to launch a rival business of his own — a betrayal that appears to have set the tragic chain of events in motion. Delivering his verdict, Justice Bruno Kalemba said the evidence painted a disturbing picture of mutual hatred between the two men, describing it chillingly as a case of who would strike first. The court further heard how Masukweza had meticulously plotted a false alibi in a calculated bid to cover his tracks. State advocate Dziko Malunda told the trial that the accused had claimed to have already crossed the border into South Africa the day before the killing — but his carefully constructed cover story unravelled after traffic police stopped him on the very day his brother was murdered, blowing his alibi apart. Vitalis Masukweza was killed on 16 November 2022 in Likasi Forest, along the notorious Lilongwe–Mchinji Road, in a murder that has now ended with his own brother behind bars. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** murder, Zimbabwe --- ### [New MultiChoice Malawi CEO vows to tackle affordability, expand rural access](https://www.nyasatimes.com/new-multichoice-malawi-ceo-vows-to-tackle-affordability-expand-rural-access/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** MultiChoice Malawi’s newly appointed chief executive officer, Mvuzo Dzingwa, says the pay-television service provider will focus on expanding access across the country, including addressing the affordability of its services, as it enters a new chapter under his leadership. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789648567395-600x411.jpg)Dzingwa takes charge at MultiChoice Malawi with focus on rural growthDzingwa made the comments during his official unveiling at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre, an event that also marked 30 years since MultiChoice Group was established. “We want to make sure we scale up in terms of subscriber growth, but we also ensure we create wider and easier access for the entire communities within Malawi,” Dzingwa said. “Most of the subscribers come from high-density areas at the moment.” He said the company intends to roll out initiatives aimed at improving penetration and accessibility in rural areas, which remain underrepresented among its current subscriber base. Reflecting on the company’s three decades of operation, Dzingwa said MultiChoice had played a foundational role in shaping the entertainment industry across the African continent. “The business set the entertainment scene for the rest of Africa,” he said. “Even new entrants that have come in now, such as Netflix and Disney, were able to understand the platform that there is a market in Africa because of MultiChoice. We believe there’s even more opportunities to grow going forward.” Dzingwa takes up the role having previously held several senior leadership positions within MultiChoice Group, where he built experience in commercial strategy, trade marketing and market execution. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** Multichoice Malawi --- ### [Beyond aid: Can Malawi compete for global investment?](https://www.nyasatimes.com/beyond-aid-can-malawi-compete-for-global-investment/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The United Kingdom is changing the way it approaches development. Its new development policy speaks explicitly about moving from “donor to investor” — placing greater emphasis on investment, trade, expertise and locally led development. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260916-WA0025-449x600.jpg)Hannington Gondwe with UK High Commissioner in Malawi Her Excellency, Leigh Stubblefield. Taken at the Chamber’s Stakeholder Engagement event that took place in Lilongwe on the 20th August 2026As someone who has long advocated trade and investment as engines of economic development, I welcome this direction. But for Malawi, there should also be a warning: the world will not invest in us simply because we need investment. For decades, aid has made an important contribution to Malawi, particularly in health, education, humanitarian assistance and support for vulnerable communities. That contribution should not be dismissed. However, we must be prepared to ask ourselves an uncomfortable question: after decades of development assistance, why does Malawi remain one of the world’s Least Developed Countries? The numbers demonstrate the scale of the challenge. The World Bank estimates that Malawi’s economy grew by only 1.9% in 2025 — below population growth, and marking a fourth consecutive year in which GDP per capita declined. Inflation averaged 28.4% in 2025. More concerning still is employment. Approximately 270,000 young Malawians enter the labour market every year, while only around 40,000 formal jobs are being created. The same World Bank assessment reports that just 6% of firms export, while businesses contend with expensive borrowing, limited foreign exchange, regulatory unpredictability and other constraints**.** These are not abstract economic indicators. They represent young graduates unable to find jobs, businesses unable to obtain foreign exchange to purchase machinery, farmers struggling to increase productivity and families whose incomes are being eroded by rising prices. Aid cannot be our permanent economic model The debate should not be reduced to “aid versus trade.” Malawi will continue to require targeted development and humanitarian assistance, particularly where vulnerable people would otherwise suffer. But aid should increasingly help us build the capabilities that eventually make some forms of aid unnecessary — building productive industries, developing skills, supporting entrepreneurs, attracting capital and dramatically increasing our ability to export. The global competition for investment makes this urgent. UNCTAD reports that global foreign direct investment reached around US$1.6 trillion in 2025. Africa received approximately US$70 billion. Yet Least Developed Countries collectively accounted for only 2.7% of global FDI. In other words, capital exists — but it is highly selective about where it goes. Investors are not donors This distinction is fundamental. An investor considering Malawi is not primarily asking how much Malawi needs investment. They are asking: What is the opportunity? What is the return? What are the risks? Can I access foreign exchange? Can I repatriate legitimate profits? Is electricity reliable? Are regulations predictable? How quickly can approvals be obtained? Can I trust that the rules will not unexpectedly change after I invest? And Malawi is not competing for investment in isolation. The same investor can consider Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana or markets much further afield. Our abundance of natural resources and investment opportunities therefore means little unless we can make those opportunities investable. Stop selling potential. Start selling propositions. We frequently say that Malawi has enormous potential. We do. We have opportunities across agriculture and agro-processing, mining and critical minerals, renewable energy, tourism, manufacturing and digital services. But investors cannot invest in “potential.” They invest in propositions. Instead of simply telling international investors that Malawi has fertile land, minerals, sunshine and a young population, we should increasingly present them with properly developed opportunities: What is the project? How much investment is required? What is the projected return? Where is the market? What infrastructure exists? What incentives apply? What are the risks? Who are the potential local partners? What is the implementation timetable? This requires government and its agencies to work much more closely with the private sector, financial institutions, development partners, chambers and investors to develop a credible pipeline of bankable investment propositions. Malawi should focus on five things First, restore macroeconomic credibility. High inflation, foreign-exchange shortages, debt pressures and fiscal instability inevitably affect investment decisions. Economic stability is not separate from investment promotion; it is its foundation. Second, treat exports as a national emergency. Malawi cannot sustainably consume considerably more foreign exchange than it generates. We must produce more goods and services that regional and international markets want to buy. Third, make doing business easier. Every unnecessary licence, unexplained delay, unpredictable regulation and informal payment increases the Malawi risk premium. Fourth, add value before we export. Whether it is agricultural commodities or minerals, our ambition should increasingly be processing, manufacturing and value addition within Malawi, rather than exporting raw materials and importing finished products at significantly higher prices. Fifth, mobilise the diaspora as an economic asset. Malawians abroad should not be viewed merely as people who send remittances home. The diaspora includes entrepreneurs, investors, academics, engineers, doctors and professionals with access to international capital, technology, expertise and commercial networks. UKMCC must play its part This is also why I devote some of my spare time to the UK–Malawi Chamber of Commerce (UKMCC). Our role is not to replace government or existing institutions — it is to help build a practical commercial bridge between Malawi and the United Kingdom. We want to help UK businesses identify credible opportunities in Malawi, connect investors with the right partners and institutions, and — equally importantly — help Malawian businesses access opportunities in the UK. That last point matters. The new relationship cannot simply mean British companies investing in Malawi. A successful trade and investment relationship should also result in more Malawian businesses exporting, accessing international supply chains, attracting technology and investment, and becoming internationally competitive. Our success should ultimately be judged not by the number of conferences we organise or speeches we make, but by business connections converted into contracts, investment mobilised, exports generated and jobs created. Malawi must decide what comes next The UK’s changing approach presents Malawi with an opportunity, but it also transfers greater responsibility to us. If development partners increasingly say they want to invest and trade with us rather than simply provide aid, our response cannot simply be to change the terminology in our development strategies. We must become investment ready. That requires difficult reforms, policy consistency, accountability, infrastructure investment, a genuinely enabling environment for the private sector and relentless implementation. My interest in this is also personal. Malawi is my country of heritage. I find it difficult to reconcile the country’s enormous human and natural potential with the levels of poverty experienced by so many of our people. I do not pretend that UKMCC, or any individual organisation, can change Malawi’s economic trajectory. But government has a role. Businesses have a role. Development partners have a role. The diaspora has a role. Chambers and institutions have a role. And as individuals, we each have a role. As the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I am simply committed to playing my part. But collectively, our destination should be much more ambitious: a Malawi that produces more, exports more, attracts productive investment, creates opportunities for its young people, and progressively reduces its dependence on aid. That is the Malawi we should be working towards. - *Hannington Gondwe is the Chief Executive Officer of the UK–Malawi Chamber of Commerce (UKMCC) and an inward investment and economic development professional based in the United Kingdom.* *LinkedIn: Hannington Gondwe* Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Columns, General, News **Tags:** Britain, donors, investment, Trade --- ### [DPP's challenge: convincing Malawians life is getting better](https://www.nyasatimes.com/dpps-challenge-convincing-malawians-life-is-getting-better/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A year ago, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) returned to power on a tide of public expectation. Voters wanted relief from economic hardship, an end to shortages, lower prices and a sense that government understood the pressures facing ordinary households. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260917_112043_Google-600x568.jpg)Malawi’s DPP begins year two under pressure to show progressOne year on, the political argument has become clearer. In a lengthy assessment of the administration’s performance, UTM leader Dr Dalitso Kabambe contends that the government has largely failed to meet those expectations. His criticism ranges from the economy and corruption to governance and public services. The DPP would counter that many of the problems Malawi faces were inherited and cannot be fixed overnight. Few serious observers would dispute that. The economy remains fragile, public debt is high, foreign exchange shortages persist and public services face longstanding structural challenges. But politics is rarely judged against inheritance. It is judged against hope. For many Malawians, the key question is straightforward: does life feel easier than it did a year ago? That is where the government faces its biggest challenge. Households continue to wrestle with rising costs. Businesses complain of difficult trading conditions. Farmers remain concerned about the price of inputs. Fuel, forex and power supply continue to feature prominently in public debate. The opposition’s argument is that the administration has not just struggled with economic delivery but has also failed to convince citizens that governance standards are improving. Allegations of corruption, disputes over appointments and concerns about institutional independence have all contributed to a broader debate about accountability. Yet there is another way of viewing the government’s first year. The DPP is not being judged against perfection. It is being judged against progress. Most voters do not expect every promise to be fulfilled within twelve months. They do, however, expect evidence that difficult decisions are being taken and that the country is moving in the right direction. That is the political reality confronting the administration as it begins its second year. The next four years remain open. Governments have recovered from disappointing starts before. Equally, first-year warning signs can harden into defining political narratives. For now, the DPP’s challenge is less about defending its record and more about demonstrating momentum. The election victory secured power. Sustained improvements in the economy and public services will determine whether it keeps public confidence. Because in the end, voters tend to ask fewer questions about what governments inherited and more about what has changed since they arrived. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dalitso Kabambe, DPP, UTM Party --- ### [MBC, The Nation give UTM's Kabambe blackout on his address](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mbc-the-nation-give-utms-kabambe-blackout-on-his-address/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Despite being widely covered elsewhere, public broadcaster MBC and privately-owned daily newspaper The Nation have given UTM Party leader Dr Dalitso Kabambe no coverage of his sharp critique of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), delivered one year after Malawians elected it into office. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789581663942-1-600x400.jpg)UTM president Dalitso Kabambe launches blistering attack on government’s one year in office Kabambe’s address on Wednesday was widely covered in the local media, but MBC ignored it across all its platforms, while *The Nation* also shunned coverage of the speech. On Thursday, *The Daily Times* newspaper’s lead story was on Kabambe, headlined “Kabambe takes on govt,” detailing his assessment of the DPP’s first year in power. But *The Nation* gave the address no attention in its Thursday edition, raising suspicion over its editorial independence, with some likening the blackout to the kind of control MBC is seen to operate under as a state-captured broadcaster. On Kabambe’s address, the dominant question is not whether government has solved every challenge it inherited, but whether it has convinced citizens that the country is moving in the right direction. In a sharply critical assessment, the UTM leader argues that the administration has failed its first major test. His critique spans governance, corruption, economic management and public service delivery, portraying a government that has yet to deliver the change voters expected. The speech taps into a broader public frustration. Many of the concerns that defined the election campaign remain in place: high living costs, foreign exchange shortages, intermittent fuel supplies, blackouts and rising unemployment. For many households, economic hardship remains the defining reality of daily life. Kabambe’s most forceful criticism centres on corruption. He cites a string of allegations involving public institutions and procurement contracts, arguing that accountability mechanisms have been weakened rather than strengthened. Whether the allegations are substantiated is a matter for investigators, but the persistence of such claims underscores continuing public concerns about transparency in government. Beyond corruption, the speech raises questions about constitutional governance, including the alleged marginalisation of the Vice-President and tensions within state institutions. At a time of economic strain, political stability and public confidence in institutions are increasingly important. The critique also revives a familiar debate about patronage and meritocracy. Successive administrations have promised professional public service appointments, yet accusations of nepotism, cronyism and tribalism continue to surface regardless of who holds power. Economically, the DPP faces perhaps its greatest challenge. Citizens judge governments less by policy pronouncements than by what they experience at market stalls, fuel stations, schools and hospitals. Rising prices, expensive farm inputs and pressure on businesses have made it difficult for many voters to see evidence of meaningful improvement. Still, one year is not a final verdict. The DPP has four years remaining to demonstrate that its policies can deliver results. But first years matter because they establish priorities, leadership style and public trust. For now, the government finds itself confronting a simple political reality: voters who demanded change are waiting to see whether that promise will be fulfilled. The ultimate judgement will not come from opposition speeches or official statements, but from ordinary Malawians asking whether life today is better than it was twelve months ago. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Dalitso Kabambe, MBC, Nation Publications Limited, UTM Party --- ### [Chipalanjira steps down as Luanar Mitundu CEO amid Premiership shake-up](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipalanjira-steps-down-as-luanar-mitundu-ceo-amid-premiership-shake-up/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FDH Bank Premiership new boys Luanar Mitundu FC have confirmed the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Edgar Chipalanjira, with the club moving quickly to reassure fans that it’s business as usual on and off the pitch. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260917-WA0000-400x600.jpg)Luanar Mitundu CEO Chipalanjira resigns as Premiership rookies hit by leadership shake-upThe news comes as fellow top-flight side Goshen City Dedza Dynamos also undergo a change at boardroom level, with chairperson Gerald Kampanikiza stepping down from his role. Luanar Mitundu confirmed Chipalanjira’s exit in a letter sent to football’s governing bodies — the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), the Super League of Malawi (SULOM) and other key stakeholders. The club say they respect and accept his decision, while paying tribute to his impact during his time in charge. “During his tenure, he contributed meaningfully to the administration, development and management of the club,” Luanar Mitundu said in the statement. Bosses have moved to calm any concerns among supporters, insisting the club’s operations won’t be affected by the departure — with the existing structures set to carry the club forward. Chipalanjira played a key role in steering the club through its historic promotion into Malawi’s top flight, helping oversee the transition into Premiership football. Attention now turns to how Luanar Mitundu regroup under their current leadership as they continue preparations for their maiden Premiership campaign — with the club determined to show the CEO change won’t derail their top-flight ambitions. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Edgar Chipalanjira, FDH Premiership, Luanar Mitundu FC --- ### [Top lawyer Soko to sleep rough at rural clinic to expose Malawi's maternal health crisis](https://www.nyasatimes.com/top-lawyer-soko-to-sleep-rough-at-rural-clinic-to-expose-malawis-maternal-health-crisis/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A leading Malawian lawyer is set to swap his comfortable home for a night on the floor of an under-resourced rural health centre — all in a bold bid to shine a light on the desperate conditions mothers and medical staff endure across the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787914817363-e1787915064792-600x456.jpg)Khumbo Soko: “Sleepover Challenge.”Khumbo Bonzoe Soko, a private practice lawyer and former president of the Malawi Law Society, will spend the night of 27 September 2026 at Mpherembe Health Centre as part of a daring personal fundraising mission dubbed the “Sleepover Challenge.” The stunt forms part of Nation Publications Limited’s flagship Mothers’ Fun Run initiative, which this year has set its sights on 25 health facilities under the Mzimba North District Health Office — including Mpherembe, Ekwendeni and Mapale. Speaking candidly about his motivation, Soko admitted it was all too easy for people in positions of privilege to overlook the realities faced by ordinary Malawians battling to access basic healthcare. “I want to experience first hand the difficulties that fellow Malawians experience in accessing health care,” he said. “It’s easy to be dismissive of these initiatives from the comfort of our homes, but getting closer to where the need actually is gives us a fresh perspective.” His extraordinary gesture has won the full backing of the powerful Mzimba Heritage Association (Mziha), where Soko himself serves as Secretary General — lending significant weight and influence to the campaign. In a statement issued yesterday, Mziha threw its support behind the initiative, urging Malawians far and wide to dig deep for the cause. “Mziha strongly encourages members of the public, the local business community and all subjects of His Majesty the King to contribute to this noble cause,” Soko said. The association has also called on the public to get behind the Sleepover Challenge itself, insisting it lays bare the grim reality faced daily by mothers and overstretched health workers in facilities lacking even basic resources. NPL’s Head of Business and Organisational Development, McDonald Kadewa, hailed Mziha’s backing as a major boost for the campaign, pointing to the association’s deep influence among communities across Mzimba North. He said the partnership hands local people a genuine stake in tackling the very problems affecting their own health facilities. “We are excited and delighted that Mziha is taking ownership of the initiative because we are fundraising and mobilising support for communities that are the beneficiaries,” Kadewa said. “We believe other cultural groupings will emulate this example and take an active role in addressing challenges facing their communities.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, Health, News **Tags:** Khumbo Soko, Safemotherhood --- ### [Judge orders release of epileptic remandee jailed seven years without trial](https://www.nyasatimes.com/judge-orders-release-of-epileptic-remandee-jailed-seven-years-without-trial/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian man who spent seven harrowing years locked up awaiting trial over his own father’s death has finally walked free — after a judge ruled there was simply no case against him. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789632695711-600x400.jpg)Legal Aid Bureau lawyers who represented the remandees, from left: PLAAs Namagonya, Harawa and Kondowe.Stevie Kalemba, 37, who suffers from epilepsy, was hauled before Kasungu Police in January 2019 after a night that would upend his entire life — one he says he has no memory of whatsoever. His devastated family had asked him to sleep at their home that night so they could keep a close eye on his condition. But in a tragic turn of events, his father reportedly caught him trying to leave the house — and in the chaos that followed, Kalemba was said to have pushed him to the ground. His father later died from the fall. Kalemba, reeling and confused, was told the devastating news by his own sister — and has maintained ever since that he cannot recall what happened that fateful night. What followed was seven long years trapped inside Maula Prison, awaiting a trial that never came, as his case languished in Malawi’s overburdened justice system. It was only after Legal Aid Bureau lawyers stepped in to fight for his freedom that the case finally reached a dramatic conclusion. Kalemba had initially applied for bail — but after seeing the State’s response, his lawyers made the bold decision to push for a full discharge instead. High Court Judge Justice Mzondi Mvula agreed, ordering Kalemba’s immediate release in a ruling that also recommended he be rushed to hospital for urgent treatment for his epilepsy. Kalemba’s astonishing release came as part of a much wider legal shake-up in Lilongwe, where the High Court also granted bail to 31 other remandees who had been left languishing behind bars on homicide charges, some for years, without trial. The remandees were represented by Principal Legal Aid Advocates Ruth Harawa, Chanju Kondowe and Kisa Namagonya, while Justices Kalemba, Manda, Banda and Ngwira also presided over the marathon bail hearings. In four further cases, judges ordered reception orders requiring prosecutors to submit mental health assessment reports on remandees, which will determine how those cases proceed. The sweeping bail exercise was carried out in collaboration with the Paralegal Advisory Service Institute (PASI), with funding from Irish Rule of Law International — shining a fresh spotlight on the plight of remand prisoners left waiting years for justice in Malawi’s courts. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** justice, Legal Aid --- ### [Malawi court warns against two-tier justice for rich defendants: 'No to buying freedom'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-court-warns-against-two-tier-justice-for-rich-defendants-no-to-buying-freedom/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian High Court judge has rejected proposed bail conditions for a convicted wildlife trafficker and money launderer, warning that allowing wealthy defendants to fund private detention arrangements would create unequal treatment before the law. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/OG-DRAW1.jpg)Justice Kapindu: Freedom ‘should not be privately bought’, judge rules in trafficking caseJudge Redson Kapindu turned down the conditions proposed by Lin Yunhua, who had offered to reside at his daughter’s house in Lilongwe’s Area 49 upon release, with the property put forward as collateral should he breach his bail terms. According to Lin’s lawyer Vaida Banda, the accused would adhere to a curfew set by the court and remain within his residence during curfew hours, with visits restricted to immediate family at specific times. Police would be required to visit the residence to ensure compliance, rotating officers to avoid familiarity and recording each visit on audio and video for submission to the court. Banda told the court Lin was prepared to cover all expenses arising from the arrangement, including transportation and allowances for the police officers involved in his supervision. But the judge said the proposal rested on the assumption that Lin had “substantial financial resources to finance the whole arrangement,” and warned it risked creating an “unacceptable regime of differential treatment between the affluent remand prisoner and the indigent or less affluent one.” The court noted that a poorer defendant facing an identical flight risk would have no means to finance police deployments, electronic monitoring or private confinement at home, meaning wealth alone would determine the conditions of detention. The judge said the arrangement would effectively allow a high-risk but wealthy defendant to “buy for himself or herself, a different mode and place of detention that is different from the ordinary prisoner.” Kapindu went further, cautioning that Malawi’s bail system must not evolve into one where defendants who pose genuine flight risks can “through private financial means, effectively pay their way out of conventional remand prison custody.” Questioning the logic of the proposed arrangement, the judge asked “who exactly, in that relationship, is serving whom?” and compared it to requiring a prisoner to pay the wages of the guards assigned to prevent his own escape. He concluded that freedom guaranteed by the state should not, as a general rule, be privately purchased. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260904_112114_Facebook-600x407.jpg)CAUGHT ON CAMERA — Convicted wildlife trafficker Lin Yunhua (left) is pictured on a business errand in Biwi, Lilongwe, while escorted by a prison guard — despite serving a 14-year sentence for rhino horn trafficking and money laundering. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** justice, Wildlife --- ### [Kabambe wades into VP Ansah row, accusing govt of triggering constitutional crisis](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kabambe-wades-into-vp-ansah-row-accusing-govt-of-triggering-constitutional-crisis/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** UTM president Dalitso Kabambe has waded directly into the growing row over Vice-President Jane Ansah’s treatment within government, branding it nothing short of a constitutional and governance crisis. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/20260916_202645-600x600.jpg)Dalitso Kabambe says treatment of Vice-President Jane Ansah amounts to a “constitutional and governance crisis”Kabambe alleged that Ansah is being systematically left out of Cabinet meetings and is not being delegated to represent President Peter Mutharika at official functions, even when she is available to attend. He did not mince his words in describing the situation, branding the alleged treatment “humiliating” and openly questioning whether it reflects the constitutional role the Vice-President is supposed to occupy within government. Kabambe went further, accusing the administration of clamping down on civil society, alleging that some rights defenders have faced arrest simply for speaking out and demanding accountability from government. “Citizens must remain free to question those in authority,” Kabambe insisted, arguing that criticism and scrutiny of government are essential ingredients of a functioning democracy – not acts of disloyalty. The UTM leader also raised fresh concerns over what he described as interference in the office of the Speaker of Parliament, warning that the independence of key constitutional institutions must be protected at all costs. “Malawi needs leadership that respects the Constitution and allows institutions to perform their functions independently, particularly at a time when citizens are facing significant economic pressures,” Kabambe said, adding that institutional stability was vital to maintaining public confidence, and that infighting within government should not be allowed to create further uncertainty for ordinary citizens. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dalitso Kabambe, Jane Ansah --- ### [Mumba's charity for poor students hit by registration hold-up](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mumbas-charity-for-poor-students-hit-by-registration-hold-up/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A charitable foundation set up by Malawian MP Vitumbiko Mumba to help vulnerable college and university students is at risk of missing its planned launch date after officials failed to complete its registration, despite the process dragging on for nearly nine months. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/625361455_1354195240073176_370424323747729456_n-600x452.jpg)Mumba: Delay threatens launch of Malawi student charityThe Mzimba Central Constituency MP’s People Over Politics Foundation was due to be unveiled with fanfare in Lilongwe on 2 October 2026 — but behind the scenes, lawyers acting for the charity have accused the Registrar General’s office of leaving the application languishing despite claiming every requirement had been met. Furious lawyers have now issued a stark seven-day ultimatum, warning they will pursue “legal and other remedies” unless the registration is finalised — or officials explain in writing exactly why it has stalled. The foundation, designed to operate as a charitable trust supporting some of Malawi’s poorest students, first submitted its application back on 1 January 2026. But instead of a swift approval, the paperwork was left in bureaucratic purgatory for months. It wasn’t until April that officials finally responded — only to demand corrections. Lawyers scrambled to fix the issues and resubmitted the application on 25 April 2026. Yet still, nothing. In a strongly-worded letter to Chikumbutso Namelo, Registrar General at the Companies, Registration and Intellectual Properties Centre (CRIPC), Jefferson Luwa of Maxoreen Attorneys did not hold back. “We have been following up with your Lilongwe office. The application has since been on ‘pending approval’ since January, 2026,” he wrote, laying bare months of frustration. Luwa warned the delay was now directly jeopardising the charity’s ability to help the very students it was created for — with the clock ticking down to its high-profile launch. “Our client intends to launch its charitable activities on 2nd October 2026. However, despite the considerable period that has elapsed since the submission of its application, your office has yet to complete the registration process,” the letter states. The lawyers have demanded that if any further documentation is genuinely needed, officials must say so in writing immediately — rather than continuing to sit on the application in silence. With just weeks to go before the planned launch, the standoff raises real questions over whether Mumba’s charity will be able to begin its work on schedule — or whether red tape at the heart of Malawi’s registration system will delay help for vulnerable students yet again. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Vitumbiko Mumba --- ### [DPP hails 'productive' first year in office as critics offer more cautious verdict](https://www.nyasatimes.com/dpp-hails-productive-first-year-in-office-as-critics-offer-more-cautious-verdict/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party has marked one year since sweeping to power at the ballot box, describing its opening year in government as a success, even as political analysts offer a more mixed assessment. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789570876702-600x417.jpg)Namalomba: Good first anniv6in power for DPPDPP has chalked 12 months since Malawians went to the polls in an election that unseated the Malawi Congress Party government and returned the DPP to power, in a contest that was closely watched both at home and among Malawi’s international partners for signs of stability in one of southern Africa’s poorest but most closely-contested democracies. The DPP’s return to office followed a campaign fought against a backdrop of economic strain, including chronic fuel shortages, a depreciating currency and rising food insecurity that had tested the previous administration’s popularity. Those pressures framed voters’ expectations of the incoming government and now form the yardstick against which its first year is being measured. Shadric Namalomba, the party’s spokesman and Minister of Information, said the administration had used its first year in office productively, pointing in particular to improvements in the availability of fuel and in household food security — two of the issues that had dominated public frustration in the run-up to the election. He also cited the rollout of free secondary education as among the government’s signature achievements of the past year, framing it as evidence of the DPP delivering on campaign commitments made to voters. However, the government’s account of its own performance has not gone unchallenged. Political and governance experts consulted on the anniversary offered a more qualified verdict, describing the DPP’s first year in office as a mixed bag rather than an unambiguous success . The diverging assessments underscore the scrutiny the DPP now faces as it seeks to consolidate its mandate, with the government’s own account of stabilised fuel supplies and expanded access to education likely to be tested against independent economic data and public sentiment as the administration moves into its second year. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, Peter Mutharika, Shadreck Namalomba --- ### [Malawi music stars line up for lakeside all-nighter at Sunbird Nkopola for Accountant's Explosion concert](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-music-stars-line-up-for-lakeside-all-nighter-at-sunbird-nkopola-for-accountants-explosion-concert/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A line-up of some of Malawi’s most prominent musicians will take to the stage at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge on 19 September for The Accountant’s Explosion, an all-night concert promising performances from dusk until dawn.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260917_015436_OneDrive-600x562.jpg)![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260917_015452_OneDrive-600x600.jpg)![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260917_015503_OneDrive-600x572.jpg)![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260917_015515_OneDrive-567x600.jpg) ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260917_015535_OneDrive-1-600x575.jpg)Ma Blacks ready – Lakeside concert to bring together Malawi’s top musicians for all-night show![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260917_015545_OneDrive-530x600.jpg)![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260917_015553_OneDrive-600x579.jpg) The event is the work of promoter Jai Banda, known in Malawi’s entertainment circles as Mr Entertainer, who has billed the night under the tagline “one night, many stories, one stage, one explosion”. Doors open at 6pm, with performances scheduled to run through until the early hours. The bill brings together artists including Skeffa Chimoto, Dan Muyaya, Ras Palinji, Thommy Zimitsani, Anthony Makondetsa, Khonzie Masimbe and Anjiru Fumulani, alongside live sets from Six Solid Band and Makasu Band. Banda said the concert had been conceived as more than a straightforward night of music. “We are telling a story through music,” he said. “Every artist has been strategically placed to create a unique journey for patrons from the moment they walk through the gates until the final song at dawn.” The night begins with DJ Tackdeal, who will warm up the crowd before Six Solid Band opens the live performances. Makasu Band, Ras Palinji, Thommy Zimitsani and Dan Muyaya are set to follow, building towards a 10pm slot for veteran performer Skeffa Chimoto. Beyond midnight, the programme continues with sets from Moda Fumulani, Khonzie Masimbe and Anthony Makondetsa, before Anjiru Fumulani takes the stage into the early hours. DJ Tackdeal returns at 3am to close out the night. Banda said the line-up had been put together with a broad audience in mind. “We’ve assembled a line-up that reflects the richness of Malawian entertainment,” he said. “Whether you love live bands, cultural sounds or dance music, there will be something for everyone.” He framed the concert as an opportunity for reprieve after a demanding year. “People work hard throughout the year and deserve moments to relax and enjoy themselves,” he said. “We are inviting everyone to come and be part of an experience that will be talked about long after the night is over.” Set against the backdrop of Lake Malawi, the concert forms part of a season of major entertainment events at lakeside venues. As Banda put it: “The stage is set. The artists are ready. Now it’s time for the fans to write the next chapter of the story.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Black Missionaries, Jai Banda --- ### ['Everything is possible': Kumwenda fires up Malawi Queens ahead of crunch Nairobi showdown](https://www.nyasatimes.com/everything-is-possible-kumwenda-fires-up-malawi-queens-ahead-of-crunch-nairobi-showdown/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawian netball sensation Mwai Kumwenda has spoken of her excitement ahead of the Africa Netball Cup, insisting her young Malawi Queens side is ready to battle it out for a coveted spot at the 2027 World Cup in Sydney. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789570931656-600x400.jpg)Netball star Kumwenda (c): Young Malawi Queens ready to fight for World Cup spot in KenyaThe blockbuster eight-day tournament kicks off in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 19 to 26, with matches held at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani — and far more than continental bragging rights at stake. The competition doubles as a crucial African qualifier for the Netball World Cup Down Under, with the pressure firmly on for nations still hoping to book their ticket to Sydney. South Africa and Uganda have already sealed their World Cup places, meaning the remaining hopefuls — including Malawi — will be scrapping it out in Kenya for the continent’s final two spots. The women’s competition has been split into two fiercely contested pools. Pool 1 pits South Africa against Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Tanzania, while Malawi finds itself in a tough Pool 2 alongside Uganda, Zambia, hosts Kenya and Nigeria. Star shooter Kumwenda, one of the game’s most recognisable faces on the continent, admitted the Malawi Queens are entering the tournament in transition — with just four senior players in the squad and a wave of exciting young talent stepping up. “There are a lot of opportunities for the young players in the squad with only four senior players,” Kumwenda said. “This tournament is very significant for Malawi as we are building a new team.” The seasoned goal shooter said the squad has been putting in the hard yards behind the scenes as they prepare to take on some of Africa’s netball powerhouses. “There is a lot for all of us to learn from this tournament and we need to play our lungs out as we play game by game,” she added. “We have been training hard and everything is possible.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Malawi Queens, Mwai Kumwenda --- ### [Malawi launches drive to close measles immunity gap ahead of nationwide campaign](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-launches-drive-to-close-measles-immunity-gap-ahead-of-nationwide-campaign/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Health authorities have urged parents and guardians across Malawi to bring children aged 9 months to 9 years for measles and rubella vaccination, and children aged 12 to 59 months for Vitamin A supplementation, ahead of a nationwide campaign running from September 21 to 25, 2026. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260916-WA0023-600x270.jpg)Dzoole: Health officials urge parents to vaccinate children as measles outbreaks continueThe call was made at a media engagement in Mponela, Dowa, this week, with officials warning that the country’s immunity gap has left it vulnerable to repeated outbreaks. Dr Jane Dzoole, Deputy Programme Manager for the Extended Programme on Immunization, said the campaign was critical to curbing measles outbreaks that have persisted since 2024. She said routine immunization coverage needs to exceed 95% to close the gap, but has hovered between 80% and 85% in recent years. As of June 2026, Malawi had recorded more than 200 confirmed measles cases, with the central and southern regions worst affected. Districts including Nsanje, Chikwawa, Balaka, Lilongwe and Kasungu have been hit hardest. Dzoole noted that the last supplementary immunization campaign, held in 2023, achieved administrative coverage of 82.4%, though only five districts reached the 95% target and ten fell below 80%. A post-campaign survey later put actual coverage at 75.7%. Officials described measles as one of the most contagious diseases in the world, spread through respiratory droplets, with an incubation period of 7 to 23 days. Patients are most infectious four days before and after the rash appears. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a blotchy rash, while complications can include pneumonia, diarrhoea, ear infections and encephalitis, particularly among unvaccinated children under five. Rubella, though usually mild, poses serious risks to pregnant women, potentially causing Congenital Rubella Syndrome and associated birth defects. Globally, measles cases rose to 11 million in 2024 from 10.34 million in 2023, causing an estimated 95,000 deaths, mostly among unvaccinated children under five, with Africa remaining the hardest-hit region. Dzoole said treatment focuses on supportive care, including Vitamin A dosing at diagnosis, the following day, and again after four to six weeks if deficiency signs persist, alongside proper nutrition and care of the eyes, mouth and skin. The five-day campaign aims to vaccinate more than 95% of children aged 6 months to 9 years, deliver Vitamin A to children aged 12 to 59 months, interrupt measles transmission, and strengthen surveillance and routine immunization systems. Dzoole appealed to parents, guardians, religious leaders and teachers to support the effort, urging communities to bring every eligible child forward. Speaking at the same event, Malawi Red Cross Society Director of Programmes and Development Lenard Maganga urged journalists to verify information and avoid sensational headlines aimed solely at attracting attention. He said the rise of artificial intelligence had made it easier for people to create fake images, making it more important than ever to distinguish fact from opinion in reporting. The Malawi Red Cross Society is supporting the campaign with a contribution of K600 million. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Health, News **Tags:** Measles --- ### [Woman who saw Chilima's plane go down claims she was threatened into silence](https://www.nyasatimes.com/woman-who-saw-chilimas-plane-go-down-claims-she-was-threatened-into-silence/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A community member from northern Malawi has told a parliamentary committee investigating the plane crash that killed former vice-president Saulos Chilima that she was threatened and had her two sons taken by police after reporting the disaster to authorities. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789571007980-600x264.jpg)‘They took my boys’: Terrified witness who raised the alarm on VP Chilima’s doomed flight reveals how police seized her two sons days after she reported the crashFlora Mkandawire, who lived near the Nthungwa forest, gave evidence to the committee probing the June 10, 2024 crash that killed Chilima, former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri and seven others when a Malawi Defence Force aircraft went down in the Chikangawa Forest en route from Blantyre to Mzuzu. Mkandawire said she was in the forest collecting firewood when the aircraft crashed, after watching it fly for about three minutes on an apparently altered course. She described the plane as greyish, flying low with its landing gear down, before it came down in a relatively flat, largely bare area near farmland. She told the committee she alerted a local teacher, identified as Nthungwa Primary School headteacher Mr Mwalwanda, who called police in Mzuzu at around 11am — roughly an hour after the crash, according to a separate witness account. Soldiers in the forest, who were not visibly armed, ordered her and others to leave before police arrived, she said, and she later heard three gunshots shortly after the crash. Mkandawire said she initially stayed silent about what she had seen after receiving threats, and that two days after the crash police took away her two sons. She said the incident deepened her fear, prompting her to deny to police that she had made the call reporting the crash and to sleep in a farm field for several days rather than return home. She said fear gripped the community in the crash’s aftermath, with villagers avoiding the forest to search for possible survivors. She also said she later encountered two unarmed people in the forest area following the crash. The committee has not yet corroborated Mkandawire’s allegations. Investigators are expected to examine who allegedly threatened her, why her sons were reportedly detained, and what police records exist of her initial call, as part of the broader inquiry into Malawi’s deadliest aviation disaster in recent years. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima --- ### [Clooney announces law scholarships for Malawian girls](https://www.nyasatimes.com/clooney-announces-law-scholarships-for-malawian-girls/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) has announced a new partnership with the University of Malawi to provide fully-paid scholarships to 30 girls to study law, alongside a fellowship programme for early-career lawyers working on the rights of women and children who are victims of violence.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260916_184125_Gmail-600x370.jpg) The announcement was made in Zomba on September 15, 2026, with Amal Clooney, Co-Founder of the Clooney Foundation for Justice, present alongside CFJ Fellows and university partners at the University of Malawi. According to the Foundation, one in three girls in Malawi is a victim of violence, and one in ten is forced to marry before she turns 15. While the law protects girls against such abuse, the Foundation says very few victims are ever able to reach the justice system—a gap it attributes largely to a severe shortage of legal professionals. Malawi has fewer than 1,000 lawyers serving a population of 22 million, along with only 30 prosecutors and 56 judges. The new Scholarship and Fellowship Programme is designed to increase the pipeline of qualified lawyers in the country and invest in the next generation of justice champions. The scholarship component will fund 30 outstanding female law students at the University of Malawi, beginning with ten girls this year, helping them overcome financial barriers to entering the legal profession. The initiative forms part of CFJ’s broader Justice for Women & Children programme, which provides legal aid and advocacy for women and children facing violence while investing in the development of women lawyers. Through this programme, the Foundation says it has reached over 30,000 women and children across Africa, including hundreds of cases in which its lawyers represented women fighting for their rights. “I am so proud to launch this new Scholarship Program at the University of Malawi so that brilliant young girls in Malawi can now study law at the nation’s top law school. “And I’m excited that our new Fellowship Program will help the University expand access to justice for women and children across the country—starting now and for years to come,” said Clooney. Through the partnership, CFJ will place a Fellow at the University’s Legal Clinics to support legal cases on behalf of women and children and mentor law students interested in the field. The year-long Fellowship will focus on defending the rights of women and children who are victims of violence in court, as well as contributing to the development of artificial intelligence tools the Foundation is building in collaboration with the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice, aimed at improving access to justice in Malawi. The Fellow will also conduct research into legal remedies for violence against women and children, including child marriage, to inform future litigation and policy work. Dr Ngcimezile Mbano-Mweso, Head of Department for Public Law and Clinical Legal Education at the University of Malawi, welcomed the partnership. “Legal education must connect students with the people the law is meant to serve. A Clooney Foundation Fellow will help strengthen access to justice and technology, giving both the Fellow and our students a unique opportunity to help women and children in their community,” she said. The CFJ Fellowship Programme provides early-career women lawyers with fully funded, year-long work placements and mentoring, embedding Fellows within legal aid organisations across Africa. To date, Fellows across the continent have contributed to more than 500 cases and reached over 5,500 students through outreach sessions. In Malawi, Fellows have previously worked with the Women Lawyers Association of Malawi and the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance. The University of Malawi Legal Clinics, based within the School of Law, Economics and Government, combine legal education with practical access-to-justice work, providing law students with hands-on training while supporting underserved communities through legal services, community engagement, clinical research and policy advocacy. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, Featured, News **Tags:** Amal Clooney, Clooney Foundation, University of Malawi --- ### [Kabambe alleges eye-watering BILLIONS missing in water board, ESCOM and maize import scandals - as he accuses DPP of shielding the corrupt](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kabambe-alleges-eye-watering-billions-missing-in-water-board-escom-and-maize-import-scandals-as-he-accuses-dpp-of-shielding-the-corrupt/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **UTM president alleges over K20 BILLION involved in disputed Blantyre Water Board transactions** - **Claims K38.8 billion “disappeared” from maize import deal involving Zambia** - **Alleges further billions missing at Southern Region Water Board, ESCOM and NOCMA** - **Accuses DPP government of protecting and shielding those implicated in corruption** - **Says corruption is directly depriving Malawians of medicines, roads and water** UTM president Dalitso Kabambe has unleashed a barrage of explosive corruption allegations against the DPP government, claiming billions of kwacha have vanished across a string of state institutions – while accusing the administration of shielding those responsible. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789581620322-600x436.jpg)Kabambe : Accuses DPP of shielding corrupt baronsKabambe alleged that more than K20 billion may have been involved in disputed transactions at Blantyre Water Board, while a further K4.7 billion was allegedly paid out to suppliers by Southern Region Water Board with no corresponding deliveries ever made. In one of his most staggering claims, Kabambe alleged that K38.8 billion had “disappeared” from a maize import transaction involving Zambia – an allegation likely to raise serious questions given Malawi’s ongoing food security concerns. He did not stop there, also alleging K11.8 billion in irregularities at power utility ESCOM, along with a further K1 billion linked to fuel contracts at NOCMA. Kabambe accused the DPP administration of failing to tackle corruption head-on, claiming that instead of rooting it out, government had “protected and shielded” individuals implicated in the alleged scandals. He argued the allegations exposed the urgent need for stronger accountability within government, warning that every kwacha lost to corruption represents money that should have gone toward essential services Malawians desperately need – including medicines, roads and clean water. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** corruption, Dalitso Kabambe, DPP, UTM --- ### [Kabambe tears into DPP's economic record - as debt threatens to hit staggering K40 trillion](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kabambe-tears-into-dpps-economic-record-as-debt-threatens-to-hit-staggering-k40-trillion/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Accuses government of failing to deliver on promises of lower prices, cheaper fertiliser and more jobs** UTM president Dalitso Kabambe has launched a scathing attack on the DPP government’s handling of the economy, accusing it of failing to deliver the transformation Malawians were promised when they voted the party back into power a year ago. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789581663942-1-600x400.jpg)UTM president Dalitso Kabambe launches blistering attack on government’s economic policiesSpeaking in a national address, Kabambe said the government’s banking, borrowing, fiscal, monetary and exchange-rate policies were “out of touch with economic realities” – and squarely blamed them for what he described as worsening conditions across the country. On poverty, Kabambe said the DPP inherited a country already struggling, yet had failed to make any dent in poverty levels during its first year in office. With economic growth remaining sluggish and the population growing faster than the economy, he warned Malawi would continue to struggle unless there was a dramatic shift in policy direction. He also took aim at the government’s failure to conclude a new programme with the International Monetary Fund, claiming Malawi’s own economic policies were partly to blame for the prolonged and stalled negotiations. Ordinary Malawians, Kabambe said, are feeling the pinch through soaring prices for fuel, food, transport, education, water and electricity – with inflation eating into household budgets and squeezing small businesses to breaking point. He painted a grim picture of the country’s foreign exchange crisis, warning that shortages continue to disrupt supplies of fuel, fertiliser, medicines and raw materials needed by businesses. The widening gap between official and parallel-market exchange rates, he said, was making it increasingly difficult for businesses to access foreign currency – with those costs ultimately passed straight on to consumers. Tobacco farmers were singled out as particular victims of the crisis, with Kabambe explaining that their produce is priced using official exchange rates, even though some of their production costs are driven by the far higher parallel-market rate. In one of his starkest warnings, Kabambe revealed the DPP had inherited public debt of around K24 trillion – and cautioned that the figure could balloon beyond K40 trillion if current trends continue. He also cited alarming food insecurity figures, claiming government’s own reports showed 2.3 million people lacked enough food in 2025, dropping only slightly to around two million in 2026 – before warning that projections point to as many as five million Malawians facing food insecurity by 2027. Unemployment was another key target, with Kabambe warning that young Malawians are increasingly unable to find productive work, even as businesses grapple with rising costs and weaker economic activity – a situation he described as a devastating loss to the country’s overall productivity. “Malawians’ economic expectations remain largely unmet, one year after the Democratic Progressive Party returned to power,” Kabambe said, pointing to voter hopes for lower prices, cheaper fertiliser, more jobs and reliable electricity, fuel and transport – none of which, he argued, had materialised. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Dalitso Kabambe, DPP, Malawi Economy, UTM Party --- ### [Kampanikiza resigns as Chairperson of Goshen City Dedza Dynamos](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kampanikizaresigns-as-chairperson-of-goshen-city-dedza-dynamos/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Goshen City Dedza Dynamos Chairperson Gerald Kampanikiza has dramatically resigned from his position with immediate effect, citing a string of grievances including claims he was viewed as a threat to the club’s ownership. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789573876263-600x595.jpg)Kampanikiza: Alleges the club’s sponsor, Goshen City, was not given sufficient recognitionGeneral Secretary Mavuto Mugode confirmed that the club had received Kampanikiza’s resignation letter, but asked for more time before commenting further on the matter. In his letter, Kampanikiza – who also serves as a Malawi Congress Party politician – detailed several challenges that led to his decision, including being perceived as a threat to the team’s ownership and what he described as a lack of respect for the executive committee’s role within the club. He also claimed the club’s sponsor, Goshen City, had not been given sufficient recognition, and said his ambition had always been to contribute to the team’s success despite recent difficulties. Among those difficulties, Kampanikiza pointed to personal attacks made against him on sports programmes broadcast by some media houses, which he suggested had made his position increasingly untenable. The club says it is yet to decide who will take over the chairperson role, with the position remaining vacant until further notice. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Gerald Kampanikiza, Goshen City --- ### [U-Turn! Capital FM's CDF report forces rapid govt rethink](https://www.nyasatimes.com/u-turn-capital-fms-cdf-report-forces-rapid-govt-rethink/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Ministry of Local Government has performed a swift U-turn and ordered district councils to let Members of Parliament (MPs) take centre stage at Constituency Development Fund (CDF) project launches – just a day after lawmakers erupted in protest over being sidelined in favour of council chairpersons and councillors. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-218-600x386.jpg) New email from Ministry Secretary Moses Chimphepo tells District Commissioners MPs should now preside as guest of honourThe row broke into the open after Capital FM reported that MPs were furious at an arrangement which saw district council chairpersons and councillors installed as guests of honour at CDF project launches, effectively relegating elected Members of Parliament to the sidelines of events funded through their own constituencies. Within 24 hours, the Ministry moved to defuse the row. In an email addressed to District Commissioners, Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government Moses Chimphepo directed that MPs should now preside over the launches as guests of honour. “Please note that this is not a council meeting nor district-wide activity. It is constituency-based. As such, you are being advised to allow the Members of Parliament to preside as the Guest of Honour during the launch of CDF projects within their constituency,” the email read. The rapid response has been welcomed by lawmakers. Member of Parliament for Chiradzulu Nyungwe Constituency Mwai Ndalama thanked the Minister of Local Government for acting swiftly once concerns were raised, praising the turnaround as a sign the ministry was listening to MPs’ grievances. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Capital FM, Constituency Development Fund, Moses Chimphepo --- ### [Malawi discovers the political value of removing a small annoyance](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-discovers-the-political-value-of-removing-a-small-annoyance/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Peter Mutharika has drawn praise after his government announced that Malawi’s National Identity Card will no longer carry an expiry date, in a reform officials say will spare millions of citizens the recurring cost and inconvenience of renewal. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789570863483-600x461.jpg)Mukhito Announces End of ID Card Expiry as Mutharika Wins Praise on AnniversaryMinister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito unveiled the change on Tuesday in Lilongwe at the launch of the Nzika Digital ID Wallet, a new system designed to modernise Malawi’s approach to identity management. Mukhito directed the National Registration Bureau (NRB) to begin issuing the expiry-free cards from September 16 – a date chosen, deliberately or not, to coincide with the first anniversary of the Democratic Progressive Party’s return to government. The timing is unlikely to be lost on observers. A year into its term, the administration has faced a mixed public reception, with voters crediting it for a degree of economic stability while continuing to raise concerns over corruption and questions about cohesion at the top of government. Against that backdrop, the ID reform offers ministers a straightforward, easily communicated achievement: a bureaucratic irritant removed, with immediate and visible benefit to ordinary citizens. Under the previous arrangement, Malawians were required to renew their National ID periodically, a process that frequently involved long queues and, for those in rural areas, considerable travel to registration centres. Officials say scrapping the expiry requirement will remove that burden entirely, allowing the card to remain valid indefinitely once issued. The reform sits alongside a wider digital transformation drive within Malawi’s public services. The newly launched Nzika Digital ID Wallet provides a digital counterpart to the physical card, and the NRB said 22,000 people have already registered since the rollout began. NRB Principal Secretary Patrick Machika said the initiative was intended to improve efficiency and bring government services closer to citizens, describing it as a central part of the country’s broader digital agenda. The launch also drew comment from international partners. United Nations Resident Coordinator to Malawi Rebecca Dontoh called the Nzika Wallet an important step in strengthening the country’s digital identity infrastructure, suggesting it could eventually play a meaningful role across sectors including finance and elections, while continuing to complement rather than replace the physical card. Dontoh, however, struck a more cautious note on the risks of digital exclusion, warning that citizens without reliable access to the internet, smartphones or electricity – a substantial share of the population, particularly outside urban centres – must not be left behind as the system expands. She urged government to ensure straightforward mechanisms for citizens to correct errors in their records, and stressed that robust data protection safeguards would be essential to sustaining public confidence in the system over time. For Mutharika, the announcement represents a comparatively uncomplicated win at a moment when his government’s broader record continues to invite more contested assessments. Whether the goodwill generated by the reform endures, or proves simply one favourable episode within a wider and more critical national conversation about the DPP’s first year in office, remains to be seen. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260916-WA0020-600x450.jpg)Malawi scraps expiry date on national ID cards as digital identity system launches Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Digital Wallet, DPP, National ID, Peter Mukhito, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Malawi scraps ID card expiry date, Mukhito announces at Digital Wallet launch](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-scraps-id-card-expiry-date-mukhito-announces-at-digital-wallet-launch/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s national identity cards will no longer carry an expiry date, the country’s Minister of Homeland Security has announced, in a move aimed at simplifying the national identification system for citizens. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260916-WA0020-600x450.jpg)Malawi scraps expiry date on national ID cards as digital identity system launchesPeter Mukhito made the announcement on Wednesday while delivering a statement at the launch of the National Registration Bureau’s (NRB) Mzika Digital ID Wallet in Lilongwe. The change comes as the country continues to expand its use of digital identification, with the NRB revealing that 22,000 people have so far registered for the Mzika Wallet, a digital version of the National ID. Speaking at the launch, NRB Principal Secretary Patrick Machika said the initiative would help improve how government operates and delivers services to citizens, describing the digital system as part of a broader effort to support Malawi’s digital transformation agenda by improving efficiency and bringing government services closer to the public. United Nations Resident Coordinator to Malawi Rebecca Dontoh described the Mzika Wallet as an important step towards strengthening digital identity in the country. She said the digital ID could play a significant role across various sectors, including finance, elections and government-supported initiatives, while complementing rather than replacing the physical National ID. The digital format, she noted, offers greater convenience and faster access to identification services. However, Dontoh cautioned that digital transformation must remain inclusive, warning that people without reliable access to the internet, smartphones or electricity risked being left behind as the system expands. She said identity inclusion must remain a central priority as Malawi develops its digital identification infrastructure. While reaffirming the United Nations’ support for the initiative, Dontoh also called on government to ensure citizens could easily correct errors in their identification information, and stressed the importance of protecting citizens’ personal data, warning that strong safeguards would be essential to building and maintaining public confidence in the system. The launch of the Mzika Digital ID Wallet marks a further step in Malawi’s transition towards digital public services, while the removal of the expiry date from the National ID is expected to change how citizens manage their identification documents going forward. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Digital Wallet, National ID, Peter Mukhito --- ### [Chipungu urges new PS Nkasala to prioritise service delivery, land reforms](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-urges-new-ps-nkasala-to-prioritise-service-delivery-land-reforms/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Chimwemwe Chipungu has urged the Ministry’s new Principal Secretary for Lands, Bennet Nkasala, and staff to prioritise serving Malawians and delivering tangible reforms in land administration and urban development. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789556681859-600x408.jpg)Chipungu urges PS Nkasal to deliver ‘tangible reforms’![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789556686929-1-600x570.jpg)Nkasala: new ministry of lands permanent secretaryChipungu made the remarks on Wednesday when he welcomed Nkasala to the Ministry, saying the appointment presents an opportunity to strengthen the Ministry’s work and improve service delivery to the public. He said serving Malawians should remain the central responsibility of the Ministry, urging management and staff to work together to improve the institution’s performance and public perception. “Serving Malawians is what we are here for. Let us work to motivate the team and work together to promote this Ministry and enhance the perception of Malawians about our Ministry,” Chipungu said. The Minister said the Ministry has a duty to deliver reforms that have a tangible impact on the lives of Malawians, stressing that its success depends on the collective efforts of its management and staff. “People are expecting us to deliver with tangible reforms. The success of the Ministry is in our hands. Let us work to achieve greatness,” he said. Chipungu also called for teamwork and commitment towards national development, reminding staff that Malawi is their only country and therefore deserves their dedication and service. In his remarks, Nkasala said he was deeply honoured to have been given the opportunity to serve in the Ministry, adding that his door would remain open to staff and emphasising the importance of openness, teamwork and collaboration in achieving results. “I am deeply honoured to be part of this ministry. My door is open, and with the notable faces I have worked with before, I believe we can deliver for the betterment of the ministry,” Nkasala said. He said he was ready to work with all departments and staff to ensure the Ministry effectively delivers on its mandate. The new Principal Secretary is a seasoned civil servant with over 25 years of experience in the private and public sectors, having served in senior management positions with expertise in administration, leadership and management. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789556676028-600x530.jpg)Malawi lands minister welcomes new permanent secretary Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Bennet Nkasala, Chimwemwe Chipungu, land --- ### [National Bank of Malawi unveils bumper K2.3billion football sponsorship](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-unveils-bumper-k2-3billion-football-sponsorship/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has unveiled a bumper K2.3 billion football sponsorship package for the 2026/27 season – a staggering 147 percent increase on last year’s investment, in a major boost for the country’s game. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789549482320-600x372.jpg)K1.3bn earmarked for the Scorchers, K600m for men’s NBM Under-23 Premiership, K400m for NBM Women’s PremiershipSpeaking at the unveiling ceremony in Blantyre, NBM Chief Operations Officer Masauko Katsala revealed that while the headline figure applies specifically to the 2026/27 season, the bank’s commitment to football runs considerably deeper, with the partnership set to be extended to three years, and sponsorship value subject to annual review. Under the new package, the Scorchers will receive K1.3 billion, the men’s NBM Under-23 Premiership will be allocated K600 million, and the NBM Women’s Premiership will receive K400 million. The figures represent an enormous leap from last season, when NBM channelled a combined K930 million into football – with K500 million going to the U-23 Championship, K280 million to the Women’s Premiership and K150 million to the Scorchers. Football Association of Malawi president Fleetwood Haiya hailed the renewed sponsorship as a major boost for Malawian football, welcoming the bank’s continued and expanded commitment to the domestic game. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Football Association of Malawi, National Bank of Malawi --- ### [Nyasa Times' report on British woman's abduction goes global: BBC, Daily Mail, Metro pick up story](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nyasa-times-report-on-british-womans-abduction-goes-global-bbc-daily-mail-metro-pick-up-story/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Nyasa Times’ report on the abduction of a British woman in Blantyre has gained major international attention, with leading UK media organisations including the BBC, Daily Mail and Metro subsequently reporting on the incident. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260912-WA0001.jpg)Auditor snatched in broad daylight: Blantyre husband’s desperate plea after wife’s kidnappingThe development has thrust the disappearance of 47-year-old British national Nusrat Osman into the international spotlight after she was allegedly abducted in broad daylight in Blantyre on Friday. Osman, a mother of two and reportedly an auditor with a local auditing firm, was allegedly seized at around 12:30pm by four men travelling in a grey Nissan Dualis. The vehicle was identified by police as registration number CA 6956. In its initial reporting, *Nyasa Times* spoke to Osman’s anguished husband, who said he had no idea where his wife was or what had happened to her. “I don’t know where she is or how she is. My wife is an auditor and I have no issues with anyone,” the husband was quoted as saying. The account has since featured prominently in reports by the BBC, Daily Mail and Metro as authorities continue efforts to locate Osman. Police have offered a reward of more than K30 million (US$17,000), equivalent to about £12,600, for credible information that could lead to her safe rescue and the prosecution of those responsible. Authorities have also reportedly been sending text messages to members of the public seeking information that could help investigators trace the abductors and establish Osman’s whereabouts. The motive for the abduction remains unknown, while police say the kidnappers have not contacted either Osman’s family or authorities. The case has also triggered concern among political and community leaders, with United Democratic Front president Atupele Muluzi condemning the incident and calling for intensified efforts to secure Osman’s safe return. “I am deeply disturbed by reports of the kidnapping of Auditor Nusrat Jiwa Osman in Blantyre,” Muluzi said as quoted in the British press, describing reports of kidnappings and abductions in Malawi as a matter of grave concern and urging anyone with information to report it to the police or the family. Osman’s disappearance has also prompted an emotional appeal from the Little Oaks Montessori School community, where her children are enrolled. A friend described her as “one of the kindest, warmest and most loving people” they had known, saying she was a devoted mother and loving wife whose family and friends were desperately hoping for her safe return. The international attention has also brought the case to the attention of the UK Government. A UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson told the BBC that it was aware of reports that a British national had been abducted in Malawi and was in touch with local authorities. The case remains under investigation, with police continuing to appeal for information that could help establish Osman’s whereabouts and bring those responsible to justice. The development marks a significant international reach for Nyasa Times’ reporting, with details first reported by the Malawian outlet subsequently forming part of coverage by some of Britain’s most widely recognised news organisations. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** abduction --- ### [MCP MP Ayuba alleges Duma was coached by DPP: 'Just had to find an idiot'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcp-mp-ayuba-alleges-duma-was-coached-by-dpp-just-had-to-find-an-idiot/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Congress Party (MCP) legislator Sylvestre Ayuba James has alleged that dramatic testimony given by Ephraim Duma before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating the death of former Vice-President Saulos Chilima was not a random intervention, but a politically calculated attempt by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to revive a narrative that MCP was responsible for the crash. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789429000756-600x399.jpg)Ayuba Alleges DPP Coached Duma to Keep ‘MCP Killed Chilima’ Narrative AliveIn a strongly worded social media post, Ayuba argued that those dismissing Duma’s testimony as bizarre were missing what he described as its political purpose and, crucially, its intended audience. “Your naivety would be to think that Duma was a random guy at the inquiry and that his evidence is just funny and of no political consequence,” Ayuba wrote. He alleged the inquiry had been politically motivated from the outset, claiming that some people had hoped it would produce evidence implicating MCP but that witnesses appearing before the committee had instead pointed towards an accident. Ayuba argued that the absence of an earlier witness directly claiming to have seen suspicious activity around the crash had allowed public opinion to move towards accepting the incident as an accident. He said this carried political weight because Chilima’s death was a major issue in the 2025 election. “Politically, people out there were starting to exonerate the MCP and accepting the accident was what it was. An accident,” he wrote. He then made his central allegation—that Duma’s testimony was intended to reverse that trend by reinforcing a narrative that MCP was somehow responsible for Chilima’s death. “They, hence, needed to fish for a witness who would peddle the *Bakili Muluzi TV* narrative so that a section of unenlightened Malawians, who are in the majority at the ballot, would still believe MCP killed Chilima and keep this permanently as a reason for not ever wishing MCP back,” he alleged. There is no evidence presented in the parliamentary testimony establishing that Duma was recruited, rehearsed or planted by the DPP, and Ayuba did not provide evidence for those claims in his post. Duma’s testimony itself was extraordinary. He told the committee that while travelling on a motorcycle in the Chikangawa area on June 10, 2024, he saw the aircraft carrying Chilima and others, allegedly saw a man he identified as Chilima calling for help from the aircraft, and later claimed he witnessed gunfire at the crash site. However, during cross-examination, Duma’s account came under significant scrutiny. Asked how he knew the man he saw was Chilima, Duma initially said, “We knew Chilima,” but later qualified his identification, saying: “Not that upon seeing him, it was definitely him.” He also acknowledged he did not actually see the aircraft catch fire, saying the belief that it was on fire was merely an assumption. The committee subsequently questioned other aspects of his account, including how an aircraft door could have been open while airborne. Duma said he could not answer aviation-related questions because he had never flown a plane. Ayuba nevertheless argues that the significance of the testimony should not be measured simply by whether people who followed the proceedings closely find it convincing. “The whole trick is in the target audience and the language used by the witness. There was nothing random about that,” he wrote, claiming the testimony was particularly designed to resonate with rural voters who may not follow the technical evidence being presented to the committee. “You and I are laughing at that guy because we are not the target audience,” Ayuba wrote. “But if you jump on a bus to Namadidi or Makanjira tomorrow, you will be shocked at how much people have believed that guy.” Ayuba further alleged that Duma’s testimony reflected a line that DPP members of the committee, including its chairperson, had been advancing since the inquiry began, pointing specifically to earlier questions surrounding whether an unidentified person or persons could have boarded the aircraft at Kamuzu International Airport without the knowledge of airport authorities or Chilima’s security personnel. For Ayuba, the political objective was therefore not necessarily to persuade people following the technical proceedings, but to embed a simple political message among voters. “Those that have believed Mr. Duma are not people to the DPP. They are votes,” he wrote. He went further, alleging without presenting evidence that Duma had never been at Chikangawa on the day of the crash and had been coached beforehand. “The DPP just had to find an idiot, rehearse him on the narrative in closed doors, and get the message delivered,” Ayuba alleged. Those claims remain Ayuba’s political interpretation and allegations, rather than findings established by the parliamentary inquiry. The committee is continuing to examine Duma’s account alongside technical evidence and other testimony. On Tuesday, committee members openly challenged aspects of his evidence, while chairperson Walter Nyamilandu defended his consistency and offered to take him to the crash site to demonstrate what he claimed to have witnessed. Ayuba ended his intervention with a warning to MCP supporters and others concerned about the political consequences of the crash inquiry. “You must be scared, if you are MCP like me. And more scared if the path of this country matters to you, even if you are not MCP,” he wrote. The claims have added a new political dimension to an already contentious inquiry, which is now being asked not only to establish what happened to Chilima and the eight others who died in the June 2024 crash, but also to sift competing interpretations of the evidence presented before Parliament. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789489752226-600x425.jpg)Bombshell witness claims he saw Chilima ‘begging for help’ before crash, then heard gunfire at wreckage Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima, Sylvester Ayuba --- ### [No beating about the bush': Experts say Ansah's exclusion from Cabinet is unconstitutional](https://www.nyasatimes.com/no-beating-about-the-bush-experts-say-ansahs-exclusion-from-cabinet-is-unconstitutional/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a certain grim comedy in watching Malawi’s constitutional lawyers rediscover, in real time, a problem their own profession helped bake into the founding document three decades ago. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Prof-Garton-Kamchedzera.jpg)University of Malawi law professor Garton Kamchedzera says the office is “of little, if any, use” if the President doesn’t want helpDr Jane Ansah says she has been frozen out of Cabinet. A parade of eminent jurists now confirms this is, indeed, a problem. What none of them quite says out loud is that the problem was engineered, more or less on purpose, in 1994 — and that everyone since has simply hoped it wouldn’t come up. University of Malawi law professor Garton Kamchedzera gets closest to admitting it. Section 79, he explains, was meant to be filled in later by Parliament, spelling out precisely what the vice-president is for. Parliament never got round to it. Three decades on, the office remains a kind of institutional IOU: a title with no fixed content, its actual power determined entirely by how much the man upstairs feels like sharing. “If the President does not want to be assisted,” as Kamchedzera puts it with admirable bluntness, “the deputy is sidelined and of little, if any, use to the country.” One wonders whether anyone in 1994 read that sentence back and thought: yes, that seems fine. Fahad Assani, a former justice minister and director of public prosecutions who was involved in drafting the 1994 Constitution, offers the useful service of ruling out the president’s most obvious escape route. No, Mutharika cannot plausibly claim ignorance of what is happening to his own deputy — “it would be naïve to think the President does not know,” Assani says. And any formal exclusion from Cabinet business, he insists, is not a grey area but straightforwardly unconstitutional. Which is a fine thing to establish, except that constitutions, as a rule, are rather better at being violated than at being enforced against the person who benefits from the violation. Private-practice lawyer Benedicto Kondowe supplies the sharpest line of the lot — that “the power to convene Cabinet is not the power to rewrite its constitutional composition” — which is exactly right and exactly the sort of principle that tends to mean very little once a secretary to the president simply stops sending the invitations. Administrative pettiness has always been the preferred weapon of the politically insecure, precisely because it is so difficult to litigate and so easy to deny. Political analyst Gift Sambo, of the University of Malawi, wants “unison” and “collective responsibility,” which is a nice aspiration and roughly as enforceable as asking a marriage to work through positive thinking. His proposal that the Public Affairs Committee mediate is sensible as far as it goes, though it rather assumes the president wants the dispute resolved rather than simply managed into irrelevance — and those are not the same ambition. Mzuzu University-based analyst Chrispin Mphande’s contribution is the most quietly damning, if you sit with it. He points out that Mutharika has now done this three times — Chilima in 2014, Muluzi in 2020, Ansah now — reaching outside his own circle for a running mate and then, it seems, struggling to actually govern alongside the person he chose. Once is an accident of chemistry. A third instance starts to look less like bad luck with deputies and more like a structural inability, on the part of whoever occupies State House, to share the room with someone he didn’t personally build. Former vice president Khumbo Kachali’s call for constitutional review is the correct answer and will, in the fine tradition of correct answers to Malawian institutional problems, be filed alongside the last several correct answers to this exact problem and left to gather dust until the next vice-president finds herself locked out of the Cabinet room. What nobody in this otherwise admirably candid chorus quite says is the plainest version of the truth: Malawi does not have a vice-presidency so much as a presidential courtesy title, redeemable only at the President’s discretion, non-transferable, and apparently void whenever the President in question decides he’d rather not be assisted after all. Ansah is not experiencing a malfunction in the system. She is experiencing the system working exactly as badly as it was always going to. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/629682359_1423610916444087_3154718849714158849_n-600x522.jpg)Vice president Ansah claims she’s been frozen out Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Constitution, Garton Kamchedzera, Jane Ansah, Malawi Cabinet, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Analysis: DPP marks one year in office - and the mood is... complicated](https://www.nyasatimes.com/analysis-dpp-marks-one-year-in-office-and-the-mood-is-complicate/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There’s a particular kind of political anniversary that tells you more about where a country’s politics is heading than the actual numbers do. And that’s what I think we’re looking at here. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789143017071-600x440.jpg)President Mutharika: DPP marks anniversary amid praise, criticism and Cabinet tensionA year ago, Peter Mutharika’s DPP swept back into power. This week, reporters from the *Daily Times* went out across Malawi’s three regions to ask people a fairly simple question: how’s it going? And what they came back with wasn’t a story of triumph, and it wasn’t a story of disaster either. It was something messier – and, if I’m honest, rather more believable. Talk to people in Dowa, and you get a version of politics that’s really about the basics. A farmer there told the paper, in effect: nobody’s gone hungry, maize has stayed roughly affordable, and in a country where food security is never a given, that counts as a genuine achievement rather than something to be taken for granted. It’s not a ringing endorsement. It’s relief. And in politics, relief can get you a surprisingly long way. Head south to Blantyre and you hear something similar about the economy more broadly – the currency’s held up, inflation’s manageable, and those fuel queues everyone’s been grumbling about get waved off as one-offs rather than a symptom of something deeper. Again: not glowing, but not damning either. Now, here’s where it gets interesting. In Mzuzu, alongside genuine praise for free secondary education, I’m told people are picking up on something else entirely – the increasingly public friction between President Mutharika and his deputy, Jane Ansah. She’s said, on the record, that she’s being frozen out of Cabinet. And what strikes me is that ordinary voters are noticing this too. That’s not a story confined to the corridors of State House anymore. When voters in Mzuzu are volunteering concerns about whether the President and Vice-President can work together, that tells you the story has escaped the political bubble – and it’s the kind of thing that tends to fester rather than resolve itself quietly. The opposition, unsurprisingly, sees none of the nuance the government would like. MCP’s Jessie Kabwila isn’t pulling punches – she’s calling it a year of hardship, pointing the finger at corruption, at neglected tobacco farmers, at university fees she says are locking poorer students out while the well-connected sail through. And crucially, she’s not just saying this – MCP’s putting it in writing, with their own report due next week. Government, meanwhile, isn’t going to let that land unanswered. I understand a rival progress report is already being drawn up on their side – so within days, you’re going to have two official documents landing on the same year, telling two rather different stories. Make of that what you will. If you want the view from someone with no obvious dog in the fight, it’s worth listening to the commentator George Chaima. His read is nuanced: real progress on fuel, forex, inflation – but corruption, especially the Amaryllis Hotel affair, remains a running sore that simply won’t heal. And yet – and this is the bit that I think matters most – he reckons if there were an election tomorrow, the DPP would probably still win. Not because people love what they’re seeing. But because memories of what came before are still raw enough to make “better than that” feel like a reasonably good pitch. So where does that leave things? Nowhere dramatic, really – which is rather the point. This isn’t a government basking in a honeymoon, nor one facing open revolt. It’s a government being judged, for now, on the basis of comparison rather than conviction. Whether that’s enough to sustain it through to the next election is, I suspect, the real question both Kabwila’s report and Namalomba’s rebuttal are actually trying to answer – even if neither will quite say so out loud. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** DPP, Peter Mutharika --- ### [MCP brands DPP's first year one of 'hardship' - as government prepares rebuttal report](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcp-brands-dpps-first-year-one-of-hardship-as-government-prepares-rebuttal-report/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Congress Party (MCP) publicity secretary Jessie Kabwila has launched a scathing attack on President Peter Mutharika’s government, branding the year since the DPP swept back to power one of hardship for ordinary Malawians. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789306670119-480x600.jpg)‘Not on the side of Malawians’ — Kabwila savages DPP“The DPP government is not on the side of Malawians,” Kabwila declared, accusing the administration of failing to get to grips with corruption and of leaving farmers – particularly those in the vital tobacco sector – without adequate support in an economy still heavily reliant on agriculture. Kabwila reserved some of her fiercest criticism for the government’s record on higher education, arguing that soaring university fees have placed tertiary education increasingly out of reach for poorer Malawians, while chiefly benefiting the wealthy and politically connected. She confirmed that MCP intends to publish a comprehensive assessment of the DPP’s first year in office next week, laying out what the party regards as the government’s key failures and the impact those failures have had on ordinary citizens. But government was quick to fire back, with spokesperson Shadreck Namalomba confirming that it too is preparing a report card of its own on the DPP’s maiden year in power – setting the stage for Malawians to be treated to two competing verdicts on the same twelve months, delivered in the space of days. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, Jessie Kabwila, MCP, Peter Mutharika --- ### [MPs offer to send Chilima crash witness for psychiatric tests - Duma agrees to be taken to reenact story at crash site](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mps-offer-to-send-chilima-crash-witness-for-psychiatric-tests-duma-agrees-to-be-taken-to-reenact-story-at-crash-site/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **One MP openly asked whether Duma should be sent for a brain scan to examine his mental state** - **MP questions how Chilima could have been standing at an open aircraft door mid-flight** - **One MP suggested soldiers should be asked to fire shots to test whether Duma had been treated by a traditional healer to withstand bullets** Dramatic and, at times, bizarre exchanges erupted at Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating the death of former Vice-President Saulos Chilima on Tuesday, as MPs openly questioned the mental state of key witness Ephraim Duma and clashed over how to test the credibility of his extraordinary testimony. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260727_162128_Google-1-600x593.jpg)Malango question reliability of Chilima crash witnessCommittee member Joshua Malango did not mince his words, directly asking whether Duma would be willing to undergo a brain scan so that MPs could examine his state of mind. “*Kodi ndinu okomzeka kuti mkayezedwe matenda a muubongo kuti akaunikire kaganizidwe kanu*?” Malango asked – roughly, “Are you willing to be tested for a brain condition so we can examine your thinking?” But fellow committee member and chairperson Walter Nyamilandu leapt to Duma’s defence, insisting the witness was of sound mind. “*Ayi munthuyu ali sober ndipo chilichonse chomwe akulankhula sakusintha ndipo akuyima njii pa mfundo yomwe wanena… akudziwa chomwe akukamba,*” Nyamilandu said, maintaining that Duma was sober, consistent, and fully aware of what he was saying. Nyamilandu then asked Duma directly whether he would be willing to be taken to the Chikangawa crash site to physically demonstrate how events unfolded. Duma agreed without hesitation. “*Ndipo olo mutati tinyamuke lero ine ndine okomzeka kutero ndithu*,” he said – insisting he was ready to go even that same day. The committee then turned to the technical plausibility of Duma’s account. MP James Mpunga pressed him on how Chilima could have been standing at an open aircraft door while the plane was airborne, given that such doors do not open mid-flight. Duma conceded he could not answer the question. “*Ine ndikulankhula zomwe ndinawona pa tsikuli. Sindinayambe ndayendesapo ndege ndiye sindingayikepo mulomo pa nkhaniyi*,” he said – stating he was simply recounting what he saw and could not comment on aviation matters, having never flown a plane himself. In one of the more startling interventions, MP Malango suggested that soldiers be asked to fire shots at Duma as a way of testing his earlier claims of surviving gunfire – apparently to establish whether he believed himself to have been treated by a traditional healer to resist bullets. “*Ndikadakonda kuti asilikali athu ayesele kuwaombera ndicholinga chakuti tionedi ngati adakomzedwa kuthupi ndi sing’anga*,” Malango said. Malango then asked Duma to respond to a specific paragraph from the Bureau’s report to establish whether his testimony matched its findings. Duma, however, said he was unable to read the document without his glasses. “*Mutandipasa magalasi okulisa zimalembo nditha kuwerenga koma pano magalasi sindinanyamula, munthune ndili ndi vuto la maso*,” he said, explaining he suffers from an eyesight problem and had not brought his reading glasses. Elsewhere in the session, MP Njawala called for a separate individual – who he said had spoken on Zodiak Online claiming to have seen the aircraft circling before the crash – to be summoned to give evidence to the committee as well. The extraordinary session adds a fresh layer of uncertainty to the already contentious inquiry into the June 2024 crash that killed Chilima and eight others, as MPs continue to grapple with conflicting and, in places, seemingly implausible witness accounts. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789489752226-600x425.jpg)Bombshell witness claims he saw Chilima ‘begging for help’ before crash, then heard gunfire at wreckage Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Joshua Malango, plane inquiry --- ### [Malawi govt releases K85.5bn for constituency development projects](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-govt-releases-k85-5bn-for-constituency-development-projects/) **Published:** September 16, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Government has released K85.5 billion to local councils under the reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF), enabling contractors to begin implementing community projects and pushing total CDF-related releases since April to nearly K145 billion. According to a statement issued by the ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788533469823-600x400.jpg)Malawi finance minister Mwanamvekha stresses accountability as CDF releases top K144 BillionMinistry of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation, K85,502,922,291 was released in September as advance payments to contractors awarded CDF projects. The funds cover 30 of the country’s 36 local councils that have completed procurement processes and identified contractors, with the ministry saying the contractors are now expected to mobilise and begin works. The September release is by far the largest single disbursement listed in the statement. In the same month, Treasury also released K5,487,075,758 for project management costs and K2,862,500,000 for sports development, creative arts and innovation. In August, government disbursed a further K17.175 billion for CDF school bursaries. This means September’s project, management and sports-related releases alone amounted to about K93.85 billion, while the August bursary allocation pushed the combined August-September figure to approximately K111.03 billion. These figures come on top of K15 billion released in April for youth and women loans, and K18.84 billion released between May and August for project management costs. Taken together, the listed CDF-related disbursements from April through September amount to approximately K144.87 billion. The latest release comes as Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha has repeatedly stressed that CDF resources must be subjected to proper procedures, transparency and accountability. In July, Mwanamvekha told Parliament that councils must complete the required processes before funds can be released, stressing that “the system is in place to ensure transparency and accountability.” He urged MPs to work with councils to ensure that project documentation is submitted on time. Earlier this year, the minister similarly warned that CDF money belongs to the people and emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in its management. The latest figures suggest Treasury is now moving substantial sums into the reformed CDF system, with government maintaining that funds will continue to be released in line with completed procurement and project requirements. The Ministry says the latest disbursement “is a testament that the implementation of the Reformed Constituency Development Fund is on track,” while Treasury has committed to timely releases to councils in accordance with CDF guidelines. The ministry has also cautioned that councils must maintain prudent financial management as the money moves from Treasury to actual projects on the ground. The scale of the latest release is significant: K85.5 billion works out to an average of about K2.85 billion for each of the 30 councils covered, although actual allocations will vary according to approved projects and constituencies. Government’s challenge now will be ensuring that the huge sums translate into completed schools, roads, bridges, markets, clinics and other projects, rather than stalled works or financial abuses—a concern that has followed the CDF for years. Research and public debate have previously highlighted concerns over accountability, value for money and management of the fund. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Constituency Development Fund, Joseph Mwanamvekha --- ### [Malawi to vaccinate children against measles and rubella](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-to-vaccinate-children-against-measles-and-rubella/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Ministry of Health and Sanitation will conduct a Measles-Rubella Supplementary Vaccination Campaign from September 21 to 25, 2026, across the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260915-WA0006-400x600.jpg)Malawi targets children aged 9 months to 9 years in vaccine campaignAccording to a statement from the Ministry, all children aged 9 months to 9 years are eligible for vaccination, regardless of their previous vaccination status. “Children 6 months to 5 years will also receive Vitamin A supplementation,” the statement said. Parents, caregivers, community and religious leaders, and all stakeholders are being encouraged to ensure that every eligible child is vaccinated at health facilities, outreach clinics, schools, trading centres, churches and Early Childhood Development Centres during the campaign period. The Ministry has urged all stakeholders to rally behind the initiative to protect children and communities from measles and rubella. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, Health, News **Tags:** health, Measles --- ### [ANALYSIS | President Mutharika, not Saidi, must answer for VP Ansah's humiliation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/analysis-president-mutharika-not-saidi-must-answer-for-vp-ansahs-humiliation/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Vice-President Jane Ansah has finally broken her silence on what appears to be a serious breakdown in the relationship between the country’s second-highest office and the administration she serves, revealing that she was excluded from two Cabinet meetings and stripped of her disaster-management responsibilities. But the most curious part of her explanation is that, while she insists her relationship with President Peter Mutharika remains cordial, she places the blame for her sidelining on Secretary to the President and Cabinet Justin Saidi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784074543483-600x386.jpg)President Mutharika shares a word with Chief Secretary Dr Justin Saidi That explanation does not survive the most basic test of presidential accountability. Mutharika—not Saidi—is the person who must answer for what is happening to Jane Ansah. Saidi is a civil servant. Mutharika is the President of Malawi. Saidi does not preside over Cabinet; Mutharika does. Saidi did not appoint Ansah as his running mate; Mutharika did. Saidi did not stand before Malawians and ask them to elect the Mutharika-Ansah ticket; Mutharika did. And Saidi did not take an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution; Mutharika did. So, with all due respect to Ansah, blaming Saidi for her political and institutional sidelining is not good enough. At best, it is an incomplete explanation. At worst, it is a convenient diversion from the person who ultimately controls Government. Let us entertain Ansah’s allegation for a moment. Suppose Saidi decided, on his own, that the Vice-President should not attend Cabinet. How does that happen? Who convened the meeting? Who chaired it? Who sat around the table? Who noticed the Vice-President’s absence—and who had the authority to ask where she was? The answer ultimately leads to State House. Cabinet is not an informal gathering where an administrator can simply forget to invite somebody; it is the central decision-making machinery of Government, presided over by the President. If the Vice-President is being excluded from that machinery, the public deserves to know whether Mutharika knew, whether he approved it, and, if he did not, what action he took against the person responsible. Indeed, the Saidi defence creates an even bigger problem for Mutharika. If Saidi acted without presidential authority, then Mutharika has failed to control his own administration. If Saidi acted on Mutharika’s instructions, then Mutharika is directly responsible. There is no comfortable middle ground. A President cannot take credit for Government when things go well and then hand responsibility to a civil servant when politically embarrassing questions arise. Leadership means owning both success and failure. If a civil servant is exceeding his authority, the President must stop him. If a minister is failing, the President must intervene. If a Vice-President is being sidelined, the President must explain why. The buck stops with Mutharika. Ansah’s insistence that her relationship with Mutharika remains cordial also deserves scrutiny. Perhaps it is cordial in a personal sense, but cordiality is not the same as political confidence, institutional inclusion or constitutional respect. Two politicians can smile at each other, shake hands and remain personally cordial while one is being systematically excluded from Government. What matters is not whether Mutharika and Ansah can still have a pleasant conversation, but whether Mutharika still treats Ansah as his constitutional Vice-President and political partner. A Vice-President excluded from Cabinet, stripped of a major responsibility and ultimately forced to speak publicly about her treatment is not a picture of a healthy presidential partnership, whatever private assurances may exist between the two. There is also a political history that cannot simply be wished away. Mutharika chose Jane Ansah as his running mate. He put her name next to his on the presidential ticket and asked Malawians to elect them as a team. After winning, he took the presidential oath and assumed responsibility for ensuring that Government operates within the Constitution. He cannot now behave as though the treatment of his Vice-President is merely an administrative disagreement between Ansah and Saidi. It is his problem. If Ansah is being deliberately excluded from Cabinet, Mutharika must explain why. If her disaster-management responsibilities have been removed, he must explain who made that decision and under what authority. If Saidi engineered either decision, the President must explain what action he has taken. This matters because the issue should not be reduced to Ansah’s personal feelings. This is not a soap opera involving Mutharika, Ansah and Saidi. It is a question about how Malawi’s Executive operates and whether constitutional offices are being respected. Personal cordiality cannot override constitutional responsibility, political convenience cannot replace institutional accountability, and a civil servant cannot become the convenient shield behind which an elected President hides. President Mutharika needs to stop hiding behind Saidi and answer the questions himself. Was he aware that Ansah was excluded from the two Cabinet meetings? Did he approve it? If not, what action did he take? Why were her disaster-management responsibilities removed? Does he still have confidence in her? And does he consider her treatment consistent with the Constitution? These are not unreasonable questions. They are precisely the questions a President should expect when the country’s Vice-President publicly says she is being sidelined. Something is profoundly wrong with a political system in which a Vice-President can publicly complain of exclusion from the business of Government while the President remains silent. Mutharika cannot outsource presidential accountability to Justin Saidi. If Saidi is responsible, discipline him. If Mutharika authorised the decisions, own them. If neither is true, explain what happened. But Malawians should not be distracted by a blame game in which everyone points everywhere except towards State House. Mutharika is the President. He is the man who chose Jane Ansah. He is the man who leads Cabinet. He is the man who heads the Executive. He is the man who swore to defend the Constitution. He is therefore the man who must explain why his Vice-President says she is being sidelined under his watch. Until he does, blaming Saidi looks less like accountability and more like a smokescreen. Malawians did not elect Justin Saidi to run the country. They elected Peter Mutharika. So, Mr President—explain yourself. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Columns, Featured, Politics **Tags:** Jane Ansah, Justine Saidi, Malawi Cabinet, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Ntata to Ansah: read the politics, not just the law](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ntata-to-ansah-read-the-politics-not-just-the-law/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Barrister Allan Ntata, a former legal adviser to the late President Bingu wa Mutharika, has warned that Vice-President Jane Ansah’s decision to pursue legal channels in response to her exclusion from government fails to grasp the true nature of the problem confronting her. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-07-at-15.32.16_35aa236e-473x600.jpg)Barrister warns VP Ansah that law alone cannot fix her political exclusion![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Lawyer-cum-politician-Ntata-e1428356695325.jpg)‘The law can keep you in office while politics removes you from power’ — lawyer Ntata’s warning to VP AnsahIn a Facebook post, Mr Ntata said Dr Ansah’s admission that she was being sidelined from participation in government “should concern every Malawian, whatever their politics.” He noted, however, that her stated intention to follow appropriate legal procedures, while understandable, addressed only part of what he described as a fundamentally political predicament. “She should. But she should also recognise that legal procedure cannot, by itself, solve a political problem deliberately created within political space,” he wrote. Mr Ntata argued that if figures within the Executive were actively working to exclude a constitutionally elected Vice-President from meaningful participation in government, the pertinent question was not simply whether a law or procedure had been breached, but what political objective her exclusion was designed to serve. He set out what he termed a “politicojuridical trap” facing the Vice-President: that while the Constitution establishes the office and the courts may rule on specific powers and procedures, none of these mechanisms can compel a president to extend trust, ensure her inclusion in consequential decision-making, or grant her access to information being withheld. “The law may preserve your office while politics empties it of power,” he wrote, cautioning that pursuing legal remedies while awaiting the “correct political space” to emerge risked misreading the situation entirely. Political space, he said, “is rarely awarded by procedure to someone whom political interests have decided to exclude,” and would instead need to be built through legitimacy, constituency, public positioning and institutional alliances. Mr Ntata stressed that his intervention was not an argument against legal procedure, but one about understanding its limits. He urged the Vice-President to pursue every legal and constitutional avenue available to her while simultaneously attending to the underlying politics. “Ask who benefits from your exclusion. Ask what your irrelevance would make possible. Ask why people supposedly belonging to the same Executive would prefer their own elected Vice-President outside the processes of government,” he wrote. He concluded with a stark distinction between formal office and genuine political standing. “Do not confuse remaining legally Vice President with remaining politically relevant,” he warned. “The law can keep you in office while politics removes you from power.” The intervention follows Dr Ansah’s recent public remarks in which she acknowledged being sidelined by figures within the governing administration, while maintaining that her relationship with President Peter Mutharika himself remained cordial. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Allan Ntata, DPP, Jane Ansah, Malawi Cabinet --- ### [Mwanamvekha hails EIB, Centenary Bank €7.5m financing deal for agriculture](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mwanamvekha-hails-eib-centenary-bank-e7-5m-financing-deal-for-agriculture/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation Joseph Mwanamvekha has hailed a new partnership between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Centenary Bank, saying it will strengthen access to capital and financial inclusion in Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789475345233-450x600.jpg)Mwanamvekha: New EIB Deal to Boost Farmers, Small BusinessesMwanamvekha made the remarks at the launch of the initiative in Lilongwe, where the two institutions signed a financing agreement worth up to €7.5 million (K15.6 billion), to be channelled through Centenary Bank in support of small agricultural businesses and farmers. According to Mwanamvekha, the partnership will help farmers invest in better inputs, enable small businesses to grow, and support job creation—all of which he described as critical to improving livelihoods and driving economic growth. In her remarks, Centenary Bank Acting Managing Director Beatrix Mosiwa described the development as a major milestone for the bank, which she said is committed to empowering small-scale agricultural enterprises. “We can see our mission of transforming lives through inclusive and sustainable financial solutions becoming a reality,” Mosiwa said. The operation, which is also backed by a European Union (EU)-financed guarantee, contributes to the EU’s “Global Gateway” investment commitments and reflects the EIB’s broader focus on visible, high-impact partnerships that benefit both the EU and Malawi. The funding will be directed to agri-food businesses with fewer than 10 employees, as well as small-scale farmers across Malawi. Of the total financing, 50 percent has been earmarked to promote sustainable agriculture, while the remaining 50 percent will support women- and youth-led businesses. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789475362888-600x450.jpg)EIB-Centenary Bank Deal a Boost for Financial Inclusion Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** agriculture, Centenary Bank, Joseph Mwanamvekha --- ### [Witness tells MPs he saw gunfire at Chilima crash site -](https://www.nyasatimes.com/witness-tells-mps-he-saw-gunfire-at-chilima-crash-site/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A bombshell witness account has thrown the investigation into the death of former Vice-President Saulos Chilima into fresh turmoil, after a community member told Parliament he saw Chilima apparently begging for help moments before the doomed aircraft crashed – and later witnessed gunfire at the wreckage. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789489752226-600x425.jpg)Bombshell witness claims he saw Chilima ‘begging for help’ before crash, then heard gunfire at wreckageEphraim Duma delivered the extraordinary testimony on Tuesday before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating the crash that killed Chilima and eight others in June 2024. Duma told the committee he was travelling from Mzuzu on a motorcycle along the M1 road in the Chikangawa area when he spotted the aircraft in the sky. What happened next, he claimed, was stranger still. According to Duma, the aircraft appeared to stop mid-air before moving again – and it was at that point, he said, that he saw Chilima calling out and beckoning for help. The aircraft then turned left, prompting Duma, another motorcyclist and a passenger to give chase. After losing sight of the plane, the group abandoned their motorcycles and continued on foot into the forest, where they came upon the horrifying scene of the aircraft crashing to the ground. Duma’s account then took a still darker turn. He claimed more than 10 people were already at the crash site when he arrived, with some allegedly wearing army regalia and others appearing to him to be white. Then, he said, came the gunshots. Duma alleged he saw two people emerge from the wreckage before shots rang out – killing one of his companions and targeting him directly. He said he survived only because, in his words, “my uncle protected me” from knives and bullets, before he collapsed and lost consciousness. When he woke the following day, Duma said he found a truck and used it to travel back to Mzuzu. His motorcycle, abandoned during the chase, was never recovered, he told the committee. The testimony ranks among the most startling accounts yet presented to the inquiry and, if independently substantiated, could raise profound questions over what happened in the moments before and after the aircraft went down. Duma’s allegations, however, remain unverified. The committee is expected to weigh his testimony against other witness accounts, technical evidence and the findings of investigators before drawing any conclusions about the circumstances surrounding the crash. The aircraft went down in June 2024 while travelling from Lilongwe to Mzuzu, killing Chilima and eight others. The wreckage was later discovered in the Chikangawa forest. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima --- ### [Civil servants BANNED from cozy hotel trips:  Crackdown on bonkers junkets to save taxpayers' cash](https://www.nyasatimes.com/civil-servants-banned-from-cozy-hotel-trips-crackdown-on-bonkers-junkets-to-save-taxpayers-cash/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Civil servants have been ordered to pack away their suitcases and cancel their posh hotel bookings as bosses launch a brutal crackdown on cozy government junkets. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789504051321-1-600x512.jpg)Chief Secretary Justin Saidi issues immediate ban on away-day workshops and seminars​Top brass at the Office of the President and Cabinet have put an IMMEDIATE stop to all taxpayer-funded workshops, seminars, and lavish away-days outside official work stations. ​The extraordinary ban aims to smash reckless public spending and haul bureaucrats back into reality. ​In a blistering directive, Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Adack Saidi warned department heads to stop splashing the cash on external venues and start using their own bloody offices instead. ​Under the tough new rules, officials must now use existing government facilities—such as basic boardrooms and backroom meeting spaces—for their daily chats. ​**STRICT NEW ORDERS - ​**NO MORE HOTEL JUNKETS:** All government-funded external venues are strictly off-limits. - ​**USE YOUR OWN ROOMS:** Meetings must take place in existing, no-frills government facilities. - ​**TOTAL COMPLIANCE:** Department bosses face strict orders to police every single penny spent. ​Controlling officers across all ministries have been told in no uncertain terms to enforce the ban or face the consequences, as the government scrambles to protect the public purse. ​Bosses insists the drastic lockdown on perks is essential to enforce real fiscal discipline and keep national development on track—starting by ending the gravy train for good. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Austerity measures, civil service, Justine Saidi --- ### ['No Comment': Saidi avoids Ansah cabinet-blocking claims](https://www.nyasatimes.com/no-comment-saidi-avoids-ansah-cabinet-blocking-claims/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Chief Secretary to Government Justin Saidi has remained tight-lipped over allegations that he is behind the blocking of Vice-President Jane Ansah from attending Cabinet meetings, instead opting to stick to scripted official remarks when he addressed the public on Tuesday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788968628160-600x476.jpg)Chief Secretary Saidi Stays Silent on Claims He’s Blocking VP Ansah From CabinetRather than responding to the mounting claims – which have followed VP Ansah’s own public comments about being sidelined within government – Saidi used the occasion to stress the need for government bodies and other stakeholders to always work together in implementing policies aimed at transforming the country. Speaking in Lilongwe during a high-level validation meeting on the review of the National Intellectual Property Policy, Saidi said such collaboration was crucial in addressing gaps in policy implementation. He expressed hope that the review of the National Intellectual Property Policy would help players at different levels fully benefit from innovation and various products emerging from it. Chairperson for the Companies Registration and Intellectual Property Centre (CRIPS), Professor MacPherson Mallewa, said contributions made during the process would be incorporated into the draft policy to complete the review. The review of the policy brought together various stakeholders in Lilongwe, ahead of Tuesday’s high-level validation meeting. Saidi’s silence on the Ansah allegations is likely to fuel further speculation, after the Vice-President revealed she had written to him three times over what she described as “some happenings” within her office, without receiving a response. When approached previously for comment on the matter, Saidi offered only a “no comment.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Intellectual Property, Jane Ansah, Justine Saidi, Malawi Cabinet --- ### [TNM launches pay-as-you-need mobile bundles: Mixit SuperFlex targets affordability gap in Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/tnm-launches-pay-as-you-need-mobile-bundles-mixit-superflex-targets-affordability-gap-in-malawi/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** TNM plc, one of two telecommunications operators listed on Malawi’s 17-counter stock exchange, has launched Mixit SuperFlex, a product allowing customers to construct their own mobile bundles rather than purchasing fixed packages of data, voice and SMS. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789498384996-1-600x450.jpg)TNM unveils flexible bundle pricing to capture price-sensitive usersSpeaking at the product’s launch in Blantyre, chief executive Michel Hébert positioned the offering as a response to long-standing customer frustration with bundled pricing structures that force consumers to pay for services they do not use. “Our Malawian customers have said they don’t want to waste money on bundles that include unnecessary SMS or minutes. Today, we have changed that,” he said. The product allows subscribers to select the precise quantity of data or minutes they require, down to relatively small denominations. “If you only have K600, you can get exactly what you need for that amount,” Hébert said, adding that the product had been developed by a Malawian youth. The launch reflects a broader trend among telecoms operators in frontier markets toward more granular, low-denomination pricing, aimed at capturing revenue from price-sensitive consumers who might otherwise ration or forgo mobile services altogether. For TNM, the move also comes as the company – alongside rival Airtel Malawi, the country’s other listed telecoms stock – continues to compete for market share in a sector where affordability remains a central determinant of customer acquisition and retention. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** TNM --- ### ['Not that upon seeing him, it was definitely him': witness wavers on Chilima ID](https://www.nyasatimes.com/not-that-upon-seeing-him-it-was-definitely-him-witness-wavers-on-chilima-id/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Extraordinary details have emerged from the cross-examination of witness Ephraim Duma, who claimed before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating former Vice-President Saulos Chilima’s death that he saw Chilima calling out for help from the doomed aircraft moments before it crashed. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789492988533-600x512.jpg)Witness grilled over claims he saw Chilima ‘begging for help’ from burning plane – as he admits he never actually saw the aircraft catch fireUnder sharp questioning from committee member **Dedza Mayani MP, Savel Kafwafwa**, Duma was pressed to explain how he could identify Chilima from a distance and what exactly he claimed to have witnessed. Asked how he knew the figure calling out at the aircraft’s door was Chilima, Duma insisted: “We knew Chilima.” Pressed further on what the man was wearing, Duma described a black suit with a red tie. When Mayani questioned whether simply seeing a light-skinned man in a black suit and tie was enough to identify him as the former Vice-President, Duma appeared to shift his position slightly, saying: “Not that upon seeing him, it was definitely him.” Asked to explain what exactly the man was shouting, Duma said the individual had opened his mouth as if calling out and beckoning, adding that the aircraft’s siren was also sounding at the time – meaning he could not actually hear what was being said, though he insisted the man was calling for help. The most striking admission came when Mayani pushed Duma to clarify how he connected Chilima’s alleged calls for help to the aircraft catching fire. Duma admitted the claim was based on assumption rather than direct observation. “In our minds, we thought the plane was on fire and that Chilima was holding onto something and struggling to get out because he appeared to be going in and out,” Duma said. “That is why we decided to follow the aircraft, believing it was because of Chilima’s shouting and beckoning to us. And it’s not that we actually saw it catch fire – these were just our assumptions.” The admission raises fresh questions over the reliability of Duma’s earlier testimony, in which he told the committee he witnessed the aircraft crash, encountered more than 10 people at the scene – some allegedly in army regalia and others appearing to be white – and claimed to have witnessed gunfire that killed one of his companions. The committee is continuing to test his account against other evidence as it works to establish the true circumstances surrounding the crash that killed Chilima and eight others in June 2024. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima --- ### [VP Ansah distributes aid, calls for self-reliance among disabled Malawians](https://www.nyasatimes.com/vp-ansah-distributes-aid-calls-for-self-reliance-among-disabled-malawians/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Vice-President Jane Ansah has delivered a rallying call to people with disabilities across Malawi, urging them to embrace self-reliance rather than depend indefinitely on aid and handouts. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789489999799-568x600.jpg)‘We’ll keep helping, but help yourselves too’ — VP Ansah’s message to disabled communityThe Second Citizen made the appeal at Phalombe Teachers Training College, where she personally distributed relief items to people with disabilities and elderly residents through her charity, the Dr Jane Ansah Foundation. While reassuring the crowd that government and her foundation would continue to support vulnerable communities, Ansah was firm in stressing that self-help initiatives remained essential to ensuring support could be sustained in the long run, rather than communities becoming permanently reliant on donations. The visit comes as Ansah – a former Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson turned Vice-President – has increasingly used her office to champion causes around vulnerable groups, even as she has faced her own well-documented struggles within government, having recently spoken publicly about being sidelined by officials within the administration. Her foundation has become a familiar presence at grassroots relief events since her appointment as running mate to President Peter Mutharika, often stepping in to distribute food, clothing and other essentials to disabled and elderly Malawians in hard-to-reach districts such as Phalombe. Speaking on behalf of people with disabilities at the event, representative MacDonald Makapu used the opportunity to press government on a long-standing grievance, calling for the removal of collateral requirements on loans – a barrier campaigners say locks disabled Malawians out of the financial system and prevents them from starting or growing small businesses. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** disability, Jane Ansah --- ### [DPP torn apart by factions, admits VP Ansah in bombshell interview](https://www.nyasatimes.com/dpp-torn-apart-by-factions-admits-vp-ansah-in-bombshell-interview/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Estranged Malawi Vice-President Jane Ansah has dropped a political bombshell, admitting for the first time that she is fully aware of bitter factions tearing through the governing Democratic Progressive Party — and claiming she has been deliberately shut out ever since taking office. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789414600116-528x600.jpg)‘I am really aware there are factions’: VP Ansah’s bombshell admission on DPP civil war“I am really aware that there are factions,” Ansah declared, when confronted with the question during an explosive exclusive interview with Zodiak Broadcasting Station. The retired Supreme Court of Appeal judge, who has spent the past year navigating her role as First Vice-President, didn’t hold back as she laid bare the humiliating treatment she says she has endured behind the scenes. “I can just speak for myself that I have been sidelined,” she said bluntly. In a stunning revelation, Ansah recalled the very moment her ordeal began — on the day President Peter Mutharika stunned the political establishment by naming her his running mate ahead of last September’s general election. “The day that the President announced that I am his running mate, how many people greeted me when I entered the hall? How many spoke to me?” she said. “But the President was happy and gave reasons why he chose me.” She claimed the snubs escalated dramatically from there — culminating in her being deliberately kept away from the President’s own victory address. “From the word go, I have seen that people have come to do things or say things they shouldn’t,” she said. “When the President made the first address after winning, I was not there because someone told me not to go, but everybody else was there.” But it was her jaw-dropping account of being barred from the airport that will raise the most eyebrows. Ansah revealed that when Mutharika jetted off on his first official private trip to South Africa, she was blocked from even seeing him off. “There are two people who said I shouldn’t go,” she said. “So I just sat in the lounge.” **Background: a surprise pick who was never welcomed** Mutharika picked Ansah — the former Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson who once presided over the annulment of his own disputed 2019 re-election — as his shock running mate on 25 July 2025, ahead of the DPP’s ticket for the 16 September general election. Her selection stunned many within the party, given she holds no position on the DPP’s national executive committee — and, as her latest claims suggest, appears to have never been fully embraced by the party faithful since. Her explosive remarks come amid mounting reports of a wider breakdown within the corridors of power, with Ansah having already gone public with separate accusations against Chief Secretary Dr Justin Saidi, whom she claims has blocked her from Cabinet meetings and withheld crucial documents — allegations she insists she will pursue “procedurally,” having so far declined to take her grievances directly to the President. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** DPP, Jane Ansah --- ### [Lands Minister Chipungu calls for more multi-storey developments in Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lands-minister-chipungu-calls-for-more-multi-storey-developments-in-lilongwe/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chimwemwe Chipungu, has inspected construction works on a new hotel at the Lilongwe Golf Club, praising the project as a significant boost to the country’s tourism and hospitality sector. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789473821609-600x400.jpg)Chipungu tours Lilongwe Ryllas Hotel Construction SiteChipungu visited the site of the Lilongwe Ryllas Hotel on Tuesday, a development being undertaken by NICO Group and managed by Eris Properties Consultants. Once complete, the hotel is expected to offer up to 180 rooms, adding to the Malawian capital’s capacity to accommodate visitors and business travellers. “I commended NICO Group for this significant investment, which will contribute to the growth of tourism and the hospitality sector in Lilongwe,” the minister said following the visit. During the inspection, discussions also focused on transport arrangements for guests arriving in the city and staying at the hotel, with officials looking at ways to make travel to and from the site more convenient and efficient. Chipungu used the visit to call for more multi-storey developments in Lilongwe, arguing that such projects made better use of limited urban land while supporting sustainable growth as demand for space in the city continues to rise. “As the demand for land continues to increase, we look forward to seeing more multi-storey developments that make efficient use of the limited land available while supporting sustainable urban growth,” he said. The minister reaffirmed government’s commitment, through his ministry, to backing investments that create economic opportunities and drive development. “As Government, and particularly through the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, we remain committed to supporting investments that create opportunities, promote development, and drive economic growth,” he added. The Lilongwe Ryllas Hotel adds to a growing pipeline of hospitality investments in the capital, as developers respond to rising demand from business travellers and tourists visiting the city. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789473833385-600x400.jpg)Chipungu Praises NICO Group’s New Lilongwe Hotel Investment![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789473838229-600x400.jpg)Malawi lands minister inspects new 180-room hotel development in Lilongwe Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, National **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, infrastructure, Lilongwe, Protea Hotel Ryalls --- ### [Chiefs, residents decry delays in completion of Blantyre–Zomba–Chingale Road project](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chiefs-residents-decry-delays-in-completion-of-blantyre-zomba-chingale-road-project/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Chiefs and residents under Traditional Authority Nkula in Machinga District have expressed frustration over delays in completing the Lirangwe–Zomba–Chingale Road Project, saying the hold-up is crippling education, health, agriculture and mining in the area. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260915-WA0005-600x312.jpg)A Decade of Delays: Lirangwe–Chingale Road Still IncompleteIn an interview with *NyasaTimes*, community members said the stalled project is making life harder for thousands of people who depend on the road to access basic services. “This development project, once completed, will unlock all development opportunities for us,” one resident said. **Health crisis: pregnant women delivering on the way** John Thondolo, a resident in the area, is urging government to fast-track the road works, highlighting how the poor road conditions are costing lives. “This area has no reliable hospital. People here rely on hospitals in Malosa and Liwonde. Because of this bad road, some of our pregnant women are delivering along the way before they even reach a health facility. We need this road urgently to save lives,” he said. **School learners missing classes, early marriages rising** School learners are also bearing the brunt of the delays. During the rainy season, bridges along the route collapse or become impassable, forcing many pupils to miss classes for days or weeks at a time. Others risk crossing flooded rivers or take long, dangerous detours just to reach school. Community leaders say the constant disruptions are contributing to school dropouts, which in turn is fuelling early marriages among girls in the area. **Agriculture and trade suffering** The delays are also affecting the marketing of farm produce, with farmers failing to transport maize, beans and other crops to markets on time. As a result, produce often spoils along the way or is sold cheaply to middlemen, cutting into farmers’ incomes. Traditional Authority Nkula has appealed to government for an immediate solution to ensure the project is completed on time. **Strong appeal: fund the project locally** Traditional Authority Nkapita made a strong appeal to government to prioritise funding for the road. “We deserve better. We are all Malawians and we also pay taxes. Right now, anyone going to Mwanza is forced to pass through Chingeni. It’s costly and time-wasting,” he said. He further urged government to consider securing funding from commercial banks to expedite completion of the project, rather than relying solely on donor support or the Roads Fund Administration, saying this could help end the suffering of people in Chingale. Although the road has taken longer than expected to complete, President Arthur Peter Mutharika, in his State of the Nation Address on February 13, 2026, expressed government’s commitment to completing the project. In March 2021, residents living along the Lirangwe–Chingale–Machinga Road held a peaceful protest outside the Malawi Parliament to demonstrate their displeasure over the delays in construction. The 61.2-kilometre road, designated S139 by the Roads Authority, starts at Lirangwe Trading Centre in Blantyre District and extends northwards through Chingale and Chinseu Trading Centres, passing through the gently undulating plains on the western side of Zomba Mountain and traversing swampy areas at Chingale. The project involves upgrading the existing earth-standard road to a Class II bitumen-standard road with a 6.7-metre carriageway and 1.5-metre sealed shoulders on either side. At least four bridges are expected to be constructed along the route. Former President Joyce Banda first launched the road construction project in 2014, when her government committed US$19.6 million for the work, which was expected to be completed by 2018. However, government failed to meet its initial pledge to begin construction within 90 days. Then-President Peter Mutharika relaunched construction of the Lirangwe–Chingale turnoff road in June 2018. Locals at the time suspected the promise was a campaign strategy aimed at garnering support from the Eastern Region ahead of the annulled 2019 presidential election. Since then, progress on the road has stalled, despite its potential to improve mobility and accessibility to areas of high agricultural activity—including irrigation farming—and to ease the transportation of agricultural produce to markets across the area and the wider Southern Region. Following the 2021 peaceful demonstration, concerned citizens delivered a petition to then Mzimba North legislator Yeremiah Chihana, who represented all Members of Parliament in the National Assembly. A representative of the residents, Francis Gondwa, said they continue to face numerous challenges as the road becomes impassable during the rainy season. Speaking after receiving the petition, Chihana lamented the delay, stressing that it was denying residents access to viable economic activities. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Roads --- ### ['Politics of the tummy': Musowa's viral 'time to eat' remarks spark fury](https://www.nyasatimes.com/politics-of-the-tummy-musowas-viral-time-to-eat-remarks-spark-fury/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) executive member and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Victor Musowa continues to dominate social media debate after telling a party rally it was “time for DPP to eat and enjoy” – remarks now branded by critics as a brazen admission that self-enrichment, not governance, is the true priority of those in power. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789310482640-600x450.jpg)Musowa’s ‘don’t disturb those eating’ comment goes viralVideo clips of Musowa’s speech at the weekend rally in Bvumbwe, Thyolo, have been circulating widely online, showing the MP telling supporters that “those eating should not disturb each other” and urging them instead to focus on protecting their own positions. Musowa, who is MP for Mulanje Bale and First Deputy Speaker, insists the backlash stems from people deliberately distorting what he said on Saturday. But critics have not held back, with many interpreting the remarks as a stunning admission that DPP officials view politics through the lens of personal gain rather than a genuine commitment to the voters who elected them – branding it “politics of the tummy.” Defending himself, Musowa said: “Take care of the people by feeding them. In politics we eat and when you are given something, do not start looking at what your friend is eating because that causes anger, especially among people who want all good things to be theirs.” During the same rally, Musowa also waded into the management of party members, claiming some leaders treat supporters “like rags” without offering them adequate support in return. He has now issued a fresh appeal, urging anyone he accuses of “deliberately distorting” his words to call him directly so he can set the record straight on what he insists he really meant by the phrase “in politics we eat.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, Victor Musowa --- ### [Malawians still crippled by forex shortages as banks refuse to budge](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawians-still-crippled-by-forex-shortages-as-banks-refuse-to-budge/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawians travelling and doing business across the country’s borders are continuing to complain of crippling forex shortages, with banks accused of being unwilling to exchange kwacha for dollars – despite fresh figures showing the country’s foreign exchange reserves have actually improved. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/forex-1024x576-1-600x338.jpeg)Banks accused of being reluctant to hand over foreign currency despite official improvementsAccording to the latest bulletin from the Economics Association of Malawi (ECAMA), the nation’s foreign exchange reserves climbed by $104.5 million (K182.9 billion) between September last year and June this year. The reserves stood at $511.80 million (K896.1 billion) as of September 2025, before rising to $616.30 million (K1 trillion) by June 2026, the report shows. Despite the improvement, the relief does not appear to have filtered through to ordinary Malawians and cross-border traders, many of whom say banks remain reluctant to release dollars for legitimate transactions – forcing many to turn to the parallel market at inflated rates. The recovery in reserves follows a torrid two years for Malawi’s foreign currency position. ECAMA’s bulletin shows reserves had plunged dramatically between 2023 and September 2025, falling from $675.59 million (K1.1 trillion) in 2023 to just $511.80 million (K896.1 billion) by September last year – a slump that fuelled the very forex shortages traders are still grappling with today. The persistent gap between official reserve figures and what is actually available to ordinary consumers at commercial banks has long been a source of frustration in Malawi, with critics accusing financial institutions of hoarding dollars or prioritising select clients over everyday forex demand. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, General, News **Tags:** economy, forex --- ### [Wiskesi: Malawi a 'serious and reliable partner' in global ozone effort](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wiskesi-malawi-a-serious-and-reliable-partner-in-global-ozone-effort/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Natural Resources Patricia Wiskesi says Malawi has registered significant progress in protecting the ozone layer through policy action and compliance with international environmental agreements. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260915-WA0003-600x270.jpg)Wiskesi Marks Ozone Day, Calls for Vigilance Against Illegal ImportsSpeaking during a press briefing in Lilongwe to commemorate the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, Wiskesi said Malawi has demonstrated its commitment by ratifying the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and acceding to the Montreal Protocol and its subsequent amendments. This year’s commemoration is being held under the global theme “Global Action for a Cooler Planet,” marking ten years since the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in 2016 and highlighting the link between ozone protection and climate stabilisation. “For close to four decades, the Montreal Protocol has stood as one of the most successful environmental treaties in human history. Because of this treaty, the ozone layer is healing and is expected to fully recover in the coming decades,” Wiskesi said. The Kigali Amendment extends the Protocol by mandating the global phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Although HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer, they are potent greenhouse gases, and their phase-down is projected to avoid up to 0.5°C of global warming by the end of the century. Malawi has acceded to the London, Copenhagen, Montreal, Beijing and Kigali Amendments, ratifying the Kigali Amendment in November 2017—ahead of many of its SADC neighbours. Through the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP), Malawi has trained refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians and customs officials, strengthened its regulatory framework, and put measures in place to prevent the importation of obsolete ozone-depleting equipment. Wiskesi said the country is now implementing Stage II of the HPMP, running up to 2030, which focuses on accelerating the transition to low global-warming-potential, non-ozone-depleting technologies in the refrigeration, air-conditioning and foam sectors. In collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), she said government has completed enabling activities for the implementation of the Kigali Amendment. “These include a national survey of ozone-depleting substance alternatives and progress on the Kigali HFC Implementation Plan. “Regulations on ozone-depleting substances are being revised to include HFCs under the existing quota and licensing system,” she said. Wiskesi acknowledged support from the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, UNEP, UNIDO and other implementing agencies. She called on refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians to adopt good servicing practices, urged importers and industry players to invest in climate-friendly and energy-efficient cooling technologies, and appealed to customs and law enforcement to remain vigilant against illegal imports of banned substances. “Malawi has shown, through the phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and the ongoing phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons, that a developing country can be a serious and reliable partner in this global effort,” she said. UNEP Regional Ozone Coordinator for Africa, Patrick Salifu, delivered a message on behalf of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, noting that the next Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, where countries will mark ten years since the adoption of the Kigali Amendment—the only amendment to the Protocol named after an African city. Quoting the Secretary-General, Salifu said that as climate change drives global temperatures toward breaching the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement, the world urgently needs solutions that deliver results. He added that the Montreal Protocol has put the ozone layer on a path to recovery, protecting millions of lives and ecosystems from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Salifu further quoted the Secretary-General as saying that full implementation of the Kigali Amendment could avoid up to 0.5°C of global warming by the end of the century—and twice that if paired with energy-efficient cooling. He noted that extreme heat is becoming increasingly deadly, even as billions of people still lack access to safe cooling. “We must close the cooling gap while keeping emissions down. This is why ‘Global Action for a Cooler Planet’ matters. Sustainable cooling is essential for health, development and climate stability. “I urge all countries that have not yet done so to ratify the Kigali Amendment without delay, and I call on governments and industry to accelerate its implementation. Every fraction of a degree avoided matters,” Salifu quoted Guterres as saying. In a video message played during the event, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen also called for urgent action on sustainable cooling and universal ratification of the Kigali Amendment. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** climate change, Patricia Wiskes --- ### [HRDC descends into chaos as leadership battle heads back to court](https://www.nyasatimes.com/hrdc-descends-into-chaos-as-leadership-battle-heads-back-to-court/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The once outspoken Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has gone conspicuously quiet as an ugly leadership battle threatens to tear the rights watchdog apart. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1785340688956-600x337.jpg)Dissenting faction says they are NOT questioning leaders’ competence – just demanding proper electionsMediation talks aimed at resolving the crisis between HRDC’s current leadership and its own Ad Hoc Committee collapsed on Monday, meaning the dispute now heads back to the High Court of Malawi for a full trial. The talks had originally been ordered by High Court Judge Howard Pemba, who gave both factions 30 days to thrash out their governance disputes, stressing that an annual general meeting (AGM) was essential for transparency and accountability within the organisation. Central Region Ad-hoc Committee chair Sammy Aaron and colleague Henderson Mhango insisted they were not attacking the competence of the current leadership, but were instead demanding proper procedures for choosing HRDC’s leaders. Aaron said the committee’s push was aimed at strengthening accountability by amending the constitution to hand members the power to elect their own leaders, pointing to what he described as glaring governance gaps in HRDC’s existing constitution. The committee is also demanding that HRDC be compelled to hold regular AGMs, and that regional committees be formally written into the constitution with full voting rights and the power to hold national leaders to account. “We have gone back to court because we failed to agree on some of the proposals we put forward to our colleagues,” Aaron said. “Our proposals were simple: to review and amend the constitution, conduct annual general meetings, and empower the regional chapters. But they declined.” “Since they are no longer interested, we have returned to court for a full trial. The date is yet to be set, and we will inform you of the status of this case,” he added. Members from HRDC’s Central and Southern regions have since given the Ad-hoc Committee the green light to press ahead with the court case, after two rounds of talks between the factions ended without agreement. HRDC was founded in 2018 under first chairperson Timothy Mtambo, who later stepped down to join frontline politics and was eventually appointed a Cabinet Minister by former President Lazarus Chakwera. Leadership then passed to Gift Trapence, who resigned and handed over to current chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa in 2025. The Ad Hoc Committee claims that handover bypassed constitutional requirements, as no AGM was ever held to sanction it – and HRDC has in fact not convened a single AGM since 2019, a gap critics say has severely undermined the organisation’s credibility as Malawi’s leading rights watchdog. There was no immediate reaction from Kaiyatsa. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Civil society, HRDC, Michael Kaiyatsa --- ### [Social media mocks Chief Justice over K22m court opening - but locals say it's life-changing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/social-media-mocks-chief-justice-over-k22m-court-opening-but-locals-say-its-life-changing/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Social media users have turned on Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda after he personally presided over the commissioning of a K22 million rehabilitated magistrate court at Jenda in Mzimba, with critics branding the event disproportionately high-profile for what they view as a relatively modest project. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789453023974-600x450.jpg)‘Guys let’s be serious’: Chief Justice mocked online for presiding over small court openingMzikamanda commissioned the rehabilitated Jenda Magistrate Court at Levi Jere area in a ceremony the Judiciary says will bring justice services closer to more than 18,000 people across Jenda and surrounding communities. But photographs of the country’s top judicial officer at the event have since triggered fierce debate online, with users questioning whether the project warranted the presence of such a senior figure. One commentator, Chiukepo Lungu, mocked the spectacle outright, writing: “*Guys tizikhala* serious. The whole chief justice presiding over this?” The backlash has sparked a wider debate over the visibility and priorities of senior public officials, with some arguing the Chief Justice should not personally preside over the opening of relatively modest infrastructure, while others insist bringing the head of the Judiciary to grassroots communities sends a powerful message about the institution’s commitment to access to justice. Mzikamanda, however, stood firm in defending the project’s significance at the commissioning itself. “It means that our plans as a judiciary will be fulfilled because people will be closer to justice,” he said. The court is expected to have a major impact on residents who previously had to make the long trek to Mzimba just to access court services. Chief Chibeneka Jere said the facility would prove especially vital in tackling child marriage cases, which had previously gone unaddressed or delayed due to the distance communities faced in reaching a functioning court. The development is also set to ease significant pressure on local policing. Officer-in-charge for Jenda Police, Alexander Kaonga, revealed that officers had previously been forced to travel to Mzimba Court roughly three times a week just to handle cases – an exhausting logistical burden the new court is expected to eliminate. Despite the online mockery focusing squarely on the mismatch between the size of the project and the seniority of the man who opened it, the Judiciary’s position is that a court’s value should never be measured by the size of its building, but by how many lives its presence transforms. For residents of Jenda, then, the K22 million facility may represent something far bigger than the modest structure seen in the viral photographs: a court on their doorstep, less travel for police and litigants alike, and swifter access to justice for thousands who previously had none nearby. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Judiciary, Justice Rezine Mzikamanda, Social media --- ### [Machete gang hacked accountant and wife in terrifying home invasion before stealing gun, laptops and valuables worth K6.7million - police arrest one suspect](https://www.nyasatimes.com/machete-gang-hacked-accountant-and-wife-in-terrifying-home-invasion-before-stealing-gun-laptops-and-valuables-worth-k6-7million-police-arrest-one-suspect/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Police in Lilongwe have arrested a man and recovered a gun and other valuables following a violent and terrifying robbery at Mbavi-Four Ways, near Airwing, in which a couple were hacked with machetes in their own home. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789453533277-600x450.jpg)Jimmy Banda, 33, arrested in connection with violent robbery at Mbavi-Four Ways near Airwing, LilongweJimmy Banda, 33, was arrested in connection with the attack, according to Central West Region Police spokesperson Foster Benjamin, who said Banda and his accomplices were armed with panga knives and an axe when they struck. The gang is suspected of hacking a 36-year-old accountant on the arm before turning on his wife, striking her on the cheek during the brutal home invasion. The attackers then made off with the couple’s gun, mobile phones, three laptops and a haul of other items worth more than K6.7 million. When arrested, Banda was found in possession of 35 rounds of ammunition, three Samsung phones, three laptops, a Bluetooth speaker, a hair straightener and clothing believed to have been stolen during the raid. Police also recovered six panga knives, an axe, a crowbar, a hacksaw and pliers from the suspects – the apparent tools used to carry out the attack. Officers say they are still hunting for the other suspects connected to the robbery. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Malawi Police, robbery --- ### [Wanderers board to review club after Simba SC thrashing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wanderers-board-to-review-club-after-simba-sc-thrashing/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers Football Club’s board has vowed to carry out a full review of the club’s affairs after a humiliating exit from the CAF Champions League that has left fans reeling. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789451348210-400x600.jpg)Mighty Wanderers board chair Chancy Gondwe vow review after heavy Champions League defeatThe Nomads were thrashed 6-1 away to Tanzania’s Simba Sporting Club on Sunday, compounding a 1-0 defeat suffered in the first leg at home – a devastating 7-1 aggregate scoreline that ended their continental dream almost before it began. Board secretary Chancy Gondwe admitted the result was “catastrophic” but insisted the numbers did not tell the full story, claiming the tie was far more competitive than the scoreline suggests and that inexperience proved costly at crucial moments. Gondwe said the outcome failed to reflect the sheer scale of investment – in time, money, emotion and preparation – that had gone into preparing the squad for continental football. He said the club takes full responsibility for falling short of the faith placed in the team by club president Thomson Mpinganjira, who has been a prominent backer of the Nomads. The board secretary confirmed that bold decisions lie ahead for the club, though he declined to elaborate further, saying the board would withhold additional comment until its review has been completed. The heavy defeat marks Wanderers’ worst continental result since they last featured in the CAF Champions League back in 2018, when they suffered an identical 6-1 aggregate loss to Democratic Republic of Congo side AS Vita Club. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** CAF champions league, Chancy Gondwe, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [Chilima 'tormented' by MCP, says UTM, as alliance apology backfires](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chilima-tormented-by-mcp-says-utm-as-alliance-apology-backfires/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** An apology from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to its former Tonse Alliance partners has instead laid bare the scale of ill-feeling that has built up among Malawi’s opposition parties since the coalition’s collapse, with two former partners dismissing the gesture as too late to matter. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/480572419_1074209138051668_5015676880807973453_n-600x373.jpg)Njawala – ‘He died a sad man’ — UTM rejects MCP’s apology over Chilima’s treatmentMCP publicity secretary Jessie Kabwila used an interview with Zodiak Broadcasting Station on Sunday to call for opposition unity ahead of the 2030 General Election, apologising for what she described as “any party’s wrongdoing” during the Tonse Alliance years and saying MCP had “learnt some lessons” from the experience. The response from former partners suggests those lessons have arrived too late to repair the relationships in question. UTM publicity secretary Felix Njawala said the apology only confirmed complaints his party had raised for years – that agreements reached within the alliance were never honoured – and argued UTM would have been satisfied only had MCP allowed the two parties to jointly run government and implement their shared manifesto. Most striking was Njawala’s invocation of the late Saulos Chilima, UTM’s founder and Malawi’s former vice-president, who died in a plane crash in 2024. Njawala said Chilima “died a sad person” because MCP’s leadership had failed to honour the alliance agreement, adding that the party had “tormented him left, right and centre.” The remark, whatever its accuracy, illustrates how personal and unresolved the grievances within Malawi’s fractured opposition remain, more than a year after Chilima’s death. Freedom Party president Khumbo Kachali, himself a former vice-president, was similarly dismissive, questioning why MCP had chosen to communicate its desire for cooperation through the media now, when it had not adopted the same approach during the alliance’s actual negotiations. “So to me there is nothing,” he said of the apology. Kabwila, when pressed to specify exactly what MCP had failed to deliver on, declined to elaborate, saying the party was still researching the matter and would share its findings in due course – a response that did little to satisfy critics already sceptical of the apology’s sincerity. The Political Science Association has also weighed in, arguing that the timing undermines the apology’s credibility, noting that significant damage has already been done to relationships among the former alliance partners, and that MCP’s current position is difficult to square with earlier statements from senior party figures, including former secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka, about whether firm agreements within the Tonse Alliance existed at all. Coming five years after the coalition first swept MCP and its partners to power, and roughly a year ahead of the next electoral cycle, the exchange highlights how far Malawi’s opposition remains from the unity Kabwila’s apology was ostensibly meant to encourage – and raises questions over what, if anything, might yet bring these parties back together before 2030. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, Felix Njawala, Jessie Kabwila, MCP, Saulos Chilima, Tonse Alliance, UTM --- ### [MCP MP Ayuba savages own party's apology to ex-allies, declaring no one will trust Chakwera again](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcp-mp-ayuba-savages-own-partys-apology-to-ex-allies-declaring-no-one-will-trust-chakwera-again/) **Published:** September 15, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Ayuba insists no party can risk an alliance with MCP while Dr Lazarus Chakwera remains at the helm** - **Accuses Chakwera of only caring for family, close allies and “handclappers” once in power** - **Says apology means nothing without removing Chakwera and his inner circle** - **Comes after MCP Vice President Jessie Kabwira issued rare public apology to former partners including UTM** A Malawi Congress Party (MCP) legislator has launched a blistering attack on his own party’s apology to former alliance partners, insisting no political party in its right mind would ever trust MCP again while Dr Lazarus Chakwera remains its leader. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789429000756-600x399.jpg)Nkhotakota Central MP Silvester Ayuba James has torn into MCP’s apology to former alliance partnersNkhotakota Central MP Silvester Ayuba James took to Facebook to tear apart the apology, arguing that Malawi’s political problems run far deeper than any single statement of regret. “In my view, much of what happened is down to the character of the man on top more than it is about an institutional philosophy,” he wrote. He went on to launch a scathing character attack on the party leader, claiming Chakwera “would only care about his family, his vestry members and few close friends and handclappers who form a ring around him” once in power. “Now, you issue an apology but you want to stick with the same \[leader\] for presidency; who will trust you again into an alliance?” James asked, insisting that in Malawi politics, it is the character of the man in charge – not the party’s stated policies – that ultimately determines how government behaves. He dismissed the apology as empty theatre unless MCP was prepared to replace both Chakwera and his inner circle. “I doubt if a wise person would take that seriously,” he said, adding pointedly that support from Chitipa, Rumphi and the Lower Shire “will also be counted” at the next election – a thinly veiled reference to regional voting patterns. The MP’s outburst comes a day after MCP spokeswoman Dr Jessie Kabwira made a rare and frank public appeal for forgiveness from the party’s former alliance partners, admitting MCP had failed to honour agreements struck during its time in power between 2020 and 2025. MCP contested the 2020 election with UTM as its main partner, alongside several other political parties. “There are somethings we were supposed to do well but we didn’t. We have learnt our mistakes. Wherever UTM is, they should accept our apology,” Kabwira said, adding that the party was ready to explore fresh alliances ahead of the 2030 election. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP, Sylvester Ayuba --- ### ['I'm not a cry baby': VP Ansah says cold reception began on day of nomination](https://www.nyasatimes.com/im-not-a-cry-baby-vp-ansah-says-cold-reception-began-on-day-of-nomination/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s First Vice-President, Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah, has broken her silence to reveal the extraordinary extent to which she claims to have been sidelined, marginalised and ostracised within government — but insisted she has no plans to run crying to the President who handpicked her for the role. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789414600116-528x600.jpg)Ansah says she was sidelined from the day she was picked as running mateSpeaking in an interview at her office on Monday, the country’s second-in-command made clear she was determined to handle the crisis her own way — by first demanding answers from Chief Secretary to Government Dr Justin Saidi, whom she has separately accused of blocking her from Cabinet meetings and withholding vital papers. “I am not a cry baby. I like to deal with issues,” she declared defiantly. Ansah — a former Attorney-General who went on to become a Supreme Court judge and chair of the Malawi Electoral Commission — had accused Dr Saidi of freezing her out of Cabinet business, allegedly withholding the customary “Cabinet bag” of papers and ignoring her calls and texts. She has so far refused to escalate the matter to President Peter Mutharika, insisting she must “follow procedure” and give the Chief Secretary a chance to explain himself first. Remarkably, despite the turmoil swirling around her, Ansah insisted her relationship with the President himself remains “fine” — even as she made the striking claim that the trouble began the very moment Mutharika chose her as his running mate ahead of the 2025 elections. She revealed she was given anything but a warm welcome by the rank and file of the governing Democratic Progressive Party when her nomination was announced — with not a single senior figure, including the First Lady, stepping forward to greet her. “First and foremost I was invited and I prayed for it and I believe God wanted me to come,” she said, reflecting on the moment she accepted the role. Despite the apparent hostility from within her own party, Ansah insisted she still sees the vice-presidency as a vital cog in the machinery of government — using a colourful car analogy to describe her plight. “You look at the vehicle, it has got four wheels. One wheel cannot run and achieve on its own,” she said. “Now if one wheel is not working properly, it affects the movement of the whole vehicle.” **Background: a fractured deputy role with a troubled history** Ansah’s claims are the latest chapter in what has become a deeply uneasy chapter for Malawi’s vice-presidency. She has already been stripped of key responsibilities, including disaster management and public service reform, with President Mutharika increasingly choosing to delegate authority directly to Cabinet ministers rather than through his deputies. It is also understood that, months before her public remarks, Dr Saidi led a delegation to Ansah in which she was reportedly asked to resign — a request with no stated constitutional or legal basis. Ansah is said to have demanded the request be put in writing so she could respond formally. No such letter has, to date, ever arrived. Malawi’s vice-presidency has a long and troubled history of friction with the presidency. Previous holders of the office — including Cassim Chilumpha, Khumbo Kachali and Saulos Chilima — have all spoken publicly of being reduced to bystanders in their own government, with real power concentrated firmly in the hands of the president alone. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** DPP, Jane Ansah, Justine Saidi, Malawi Cabinet, Peter Mutharika --- ### ['It's a lie' — Mpinganjira slams fake reports he's quit as Wanderers chief](https://www.nyasatimes.com/its-a-lie-mpinganjira-slams-fake-reports-hes-quit-as-wanderers-chief/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers leader Dr Thomson Mpinganjira has hit back at reports claiming he had resigned from his position and abandoned the club, following their disappointing campaign in the CAF Champions League. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789414469110-573x600.jpg)Dr Thomson Mpinganjira has denied rumours he resigned as Mighty Wanderers leaderMpinganjira dismissed the claims circulating on social media as disrespectful and pure fantasy, insisting there was no truth to the rumours whatsoever. He reaffirmed that Wanderers remain close to his heart, vowing to continue supporting the club just as he has always done. The false reports had sparked heartbreak among Wanderers’ large fanbase, many of whom had taken to social media in dismay before Mpinganjira’s swift denial put the rumours to rest. Mpinganjira, a prominent businessman, has long been associated with backing Mighty Wanderers, one of Malawi’s most popular football clubs. The Nomads have endured a difficult spell in continental competition this season, crashing out of the CAF Champions League – a result that appears to have fuelled the speculation over his future at the helm. This is not the first time false claims about club officials have spread rapidly on social media in Malawian football, with supporters often quick to react to unverified reports before clubs or individuals have had the chance to respond. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Mighty Wanderers, Thom Mpinganjira --- ### [Malawi's VP Ansah accuses chief secretary Saidi of blocking her from Cabinet meetings](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-vp-ansah-accuses-chief-secretary-saidi-of-blocking-her-from-cabinet-meetings/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Vice-President, Jane Ansah, has accused the country’s most senior civil servant of deliberately excluding her from Cabinet business, in an extraordinary public intervention that lays bare tensions at the top of government. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787936256438-e1788592389410-600x429.jpg)Chief Secretary Dr Justin Saidi: Accused of of blocking Ansahfrom cabinetSpeaking at her office in an interview on Monday, Dr Ansah said Dr Justin Saidi, the Chief Secretary, had withheld information relevant to Cabinet meetings — including the customary “Cabinet bag” of papers issued to ministers ahead of each sitting — and suggested he was doing so with the backing of figures within the governing Democratic Progressive Party keen to marginalise her. Ansah, a former Attorney-General who went on to serve as a Supreme Court judge and to chair the Malawi Electoral Commission, was at pains to stress that she continues to enjoy a cordial relationship with President Peter Mutharika, and that her grievance lay specifically with the Chief Secretary’s conduct. She disclosed that she had written to Dr Saidi but had received no reply, and that when she attempted to contact him by telephone after learning of a Cabinet meeting she had not been informed of, her calls went unanswered. Ansah said she subsequently sent a text message explaining that she had not received a Cabinet bag and apologising for her resulting absence. Despite the apparent breakdown in communication, Ansah said she had deliberately refrained from raising the matter with the President, citing both constitutional principle and personal conviction. “In my life I always follow procedures,” she said. “That time of going higher has not come — I need to give him \[Chief Secretary Saidi\] a chance. We have Section 43 of the constitution in this country; that law says no one should be condemned before that person has been given a chance to defend himself, to explain himself.” Ansah was emphatic that the onus for resolving the impasse lay with Dr Saidi. “He is the chief secretary for the presidency, and he serves the President and the First Vice-President and Second Vice-President,” she said. “If he is not serving me, I have to deal with it — because he is the one that I should deal with.” The dispute is understood to have a longer history. According to sources familiar with the matter, Saidi led a delegation to Ansah several months ago to request, informally, that she resign the vice-presidency — a request for which no constitutional or legal basis was cited. Ansah is said to have responded by asking Saidi to put the request in writing, undertaking to respond formally once he had done so. No such letter has, to date, materialised. The episode is the latest indication of strain between Ansah and elements of the administration since she was stripped of responsibility for disaster management and public service reform, with the President increasingly delegating portfolios directly to Cabinet ministers rather than to his deputies. Government officials have previously denied that Ansah’s position is under formal threat, insisting no written request for her resignation has ever been made. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789414440945-600x458.jpg)Ansah alleges she is being sidelined by chief secretaryAnsah alleges she is being sidelined by chief secretary Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** DPP, Jane Ansah, Justine Saidi, Malawi Cabinet --- ### [Mangochi horror: Two held after trying to sell kidnapped 11-year-old](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mangochi-horror-two-held-after-trying-to-sell-kidnapped-11-year-old/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Police in Monkey Bay, Mangochi, have arrested two men on suspicion of abducting an 11-year-old boy and attempting to sell him at Ntemwende Village under Senior Chief Nankumba. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789402252198-462x600.jpg)Two men held for trying to sell abducted 11-year-old boy in MangochiExin Nangwale, 21, and Patrick Saphika, 20, were arrested yesterday after a tip-off from a well-wisher, who alerted police that the pair had hidden the boy and were searching for a potential buyer. Monkey Bay Police public relations officer Kondwani James said the suspects had tricked the boy by promising him money before taking him to the location where he was later rescued. James said officers also recovered knives which the suspects were allegedly carrying at the time of their arrest. The two have since been charged with pledging a child as security, contrary to Section 82(a) of the Child Care, Protection and Justice Act, which states that no person shall sell a child or use a child as a pledge for credit. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** abduction, Mangochi --- ### [Forged letter claimed Chakwera would dodge inquiry - he's expected to appear](https://www.nyasatimes.com/forged-letter-claimed-chakwera-would-dodge-inquiry-hes-expected-to-appear/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A press statement purportedly issued by the Office of former President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, claiming he would not appear before the Ad-Hoc Committee investigating a plane crash, has been exposed as a fake. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789408320734-450x600.jpg)‘It’s fake’ — Nankhuni denies statement saying Chakwera won’t face plane crash committeeThe document, dated September 14, 2026, and carrying the official seal of the Office of Dr Lazarus M. Chakwera, was widely shared on social media. It claimed the former president had decided against appearing before the committee, insisting he had relied solely on briefings from authorities when commenting on the incident and had no involvement in the aircraft’s technical or operational aspects. The statement was signed off in the name of Gift Nankhuni, MP, described in the document as spokesperson for the 6th President of the Republic of Malawi. However, Nankhuni has since come out to deny issuing the statement, branding it fake and distancing himself and Chakwera’s office from its contents entirely. Contrary to the claims made in the fabricated letter, indications are that Chakwera is now likely to appear before the Ad-Hoc Committee to respond to questions relating to the plane crash, rather than declining to do so as the fake statement suggested. The episode raises fresh concerns over the circulation of doctored official documents in Malawi, with questions now likely to be asked over who was behind the forged letter and what they hoped to achieve by putting words in the former president’s office’s mouth. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, Gift Nankhuni, MCP, plane inquiry --- ### [Malawi VP Ansah speaks out over marginalisation within Mutharika administration](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-vp-ansah-speaks-out-over-marginalisation-within-mutharika-administration/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** State Vice-President Dr Jane Ansah has said she is being sidelined by figures within the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration, in a rare public intervention that exposes tensions at the heart of government. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/jane-ansah-1-600x400.jpg)Ansah; There are people surrounding the President that are confusing himSpeaking on Monday, Ansah said she was aware of those responsible for undermining her role, though she declined to name them. She was careful to distinguish between her relationship with President Peter Mutharika, which she described as cordial, and what she characterised as a separate effort by unnamed officials to marginalise her within the administration. “You know the office of the Veep was established to assist the running of the country,” said Ansah in an interview with Zodiak Radio. The intervention is striking chiefly for what it reveals about the internal dynamics of the DPP government, rather than for what it discloses. Vice-presidents in Malawi’s political system occupy a role that is constitutionally significant but often practically limited, dependent for influence on the willingness of the presidency to delegate genuine responsibility. “I am in this office because I am a Malawian and being female is a plus,” she said. “The challenges that I am facing now is not because I am a female. The position of vice president has faced problems before,” she said. Ansah’s remarks suggest that dependency has, in her case, not been honoured. Her appointment was seen at the time as an attempt to shore up the DPP’s legal and technocratic credentials, drawing on her background as a former chair of the Malawi Electoral Commission. That background made her a figure of some public standing independent of the party machinery – a status that may account for both her willingness to speak publicly now, and the friction she describes. Ansah stopped short of naming names or detailing specific instances of exclusion, and her office did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. Nor did she indicate what action, if any, she intends to take. The absence of detail leaves open the question of whether this is the opening move in a more sustained dispute, or a pointed but ultimately contained expression of frustration. The presidency has not yet responded to her comments. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** DPP, Jane Ansah, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Ailing Magalasi granted bail in hacking, Amaryllis cases](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ailing-magalasi-granted-bail-in-hacking-amaryllis-cases/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Democratic Progressive Party strategist Collins Magalasi cut a frail and pained figure as he arrived at the Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Lilongwe, struggling to walk as his health appeared to deteriorate – before magistrate Austin Banda granted him bail in both cases he is facing. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789401944430-600x338.jpg)Magalasi: Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda has now granted him bail in TWO separate cases![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789401172042-450x600.jpg)Magalasi granted bail in both hacking and Amaryllis Hotel cases after struggling into court in visible painAlthough on remand, Magalasi is currently receiving medical treatment at ZMK Medical Centre in Lilongwe, and it showed on his arrival at court. He struggled to alight from the police vehicle and had to be helped out by officers. Once out, he leaned against the vehicle for around five minutes, apparently too weak to move, before he could make his way to the shelter reserved for suspects on the court premises. He then had to be supported by a police officer to walk into the courtroom itself. Despite his condition, the day ended in relief for Magalasi, as Banda granted him bail in both matters before the court – the alleged phone-hacking plot and the Amaryllis Hotel financial crimes case. In the hacking case, the State alleges Magalasi was involved in a plot to illegally access mobile phone numbers belonging to President Arthur Peter Mutharika and other senior government officials. The court ruled that he should be accorded his constitutional right to bail and allowed to seek medical treatment. Banda ordered Magalasi to pay a K2.5 million bond, provide two non-cash sureties bonded at K5 million each, and report to Police Headquarters every fortnight. The State had opposed bail, arguing Magalasi was a flight risk and should remain in custody. But Banda ruled that the State had not provided sufficient reasons to justify his continued detention. In the separate case involving the Public Service Pension Trust Fund’s purchase of Amaryllis Hotel, Magalasi faces charges arising from alleged financial crimes connected to the transaction. The State again opposed bail, maintaining he was a flight risk – but his lawyer, Andy Kaonga, argued that the State had failed to present evidence to support the claim. Banda granted bail in the Amaryllis case on condition that Magalasi pays a K1 million bond, provides two non-cash sureties bonded at K5 million each, reports to Police Headquarters every fortnight, and does not interfere with State witnesses. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789400824089-600x450.jpg)Magalasi secures bail in both cases as court rejects State’s flight risk claims Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel, Collins Magalasi --- ### [Rumphi farmers praise NASFAM training for improved harvests and income](https://www.nyasatimes.com/rumphi-farmers-praise-nasfam-training-for-improved-harvests-and-income/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Smallholder farmers in Rumphi have hailed the National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM) for introducing crop diversification and modern farming technologies, which they say have improved food security and household livelihoods. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260914-WA0007-600x450.jpg)Malawi farmers say new techniques have doubled their food securityOne of the farmers who embraced the initiative, 54-year-old Albert Mfune of Yaparaka Village, Traditional Authority Chikulamayembe, said he followed training from the organisation’s extension workers on diversification and modern farming techniques such as crop rotation, constructing swales to retain water during dry spells, irrigation and winter cropping. “This was an eye opener for me because for a long time I have been struggling to get enough yield from one crop. Sometimes it happens that when the weather is bad, production for that crop is affected in that year,” he said, adding that relying on a single crop also exposes farmers to market price fluctuations, pests and diseases. According to Mfune, the knowledge he acquired has enabled him to grow maize, groundnuts, soya beans, other beans, tobacco, cassava, rice, sweet potatoes and bananas, alongside a fruit orchard and livestock including cattle, pigs, goats and chickens. “Since the time I started implementing what I acquired from the organisation, my life has changed because there is now enough food and income to sustain me at my house, compared to the life of poverty I was living in the past,” Mfune said. He has since constructed a modern house, bought a motorcycle and an ox-cart, and is planning to buy a pick-up truck to transport his produce from the farm and to start a transport business. Sharing a similar experience, Mtula Mhango, who joined NASFAM in 2002, said the training he received has transformed his life tremendously. Through farming, Mhango has put two children through university, with others still in secondary and primary school. He also owns a modern house, a car, motorcycles and an ox-cart, along with a woodlot of natural trees. Rumphi District Acting Association Business Manager Stephano Gabriel expressed satisfaction with farmers’ uptake of programmes the organisation is investing in, including conservation agriculture, crop diversification, irrigation, livestock production, winter cropping, village banking and manure production. “All these programmes are aiming to ensure farmers are food secure while at the same time being financially stable,” he said. Gabriel urged farmers to follow and implement the training provided in order to maximise production and income at both household and community level. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260914-WA0006-600x450.jpg)Crop diversification is transforming lives for Malawi’s smallholder farmers Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** agriculture, NASFAM, Rumphi --- ### [National Bank of Malawi expands scholarship scheme to health students](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-expands-scholarship-scheme-to-health-students/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has awarded five scholarships and six excellence awards to top-performing students at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) under its Mo Excellence programme. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260914-WA0002-600x400.jpg)NBM gives out scholarships and prizes under Mo Excellence schemeThe awards form part of NBM plc’s broader commitment to providing 59 scholarships and 41 Vice Chancellor’s List awards to students across universities in the country, including the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), University of Malawi (UNIMA), Mzuzu University (MZUNI), Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), and Catholic University (CU). Speaking during the presentation on Friday, NBM plc Chief Executive Officer Harold Jiya said the bank’s sponsorship of students reflects its belief in the crucial role education plays in developing the country’s human resources. “We believe that education is a foundation of economic development, as it helps to break cycles of poverty, uplift families, empower communities and help in nation building. “So, we believe helping these students will help them to finish their education while empowering the best and brightest,” Jiya said. He added that an educated nation would contribute meaningfully to the country’s development, noting that the number of beneficiaries is expected to double each year. In his remarks, Atusaimwe Kasola, a KUHeS student, thanked NBM plc for the timely support. “I warmly welcome this support, as financial support is hard here at the university. Hence, we thank National Bank of Malawi plc for this support,” Kasola said. Echoing Kasola’s sentiments, KUHeS Vice Chancellor MacPherson Mallewa described the support as a game changer for students. “We have received two types of support today; those that demonstrate excellence in their performance and another one which is the scholarship. These are the kind of support that students require. “So, to have National Bank of Malawi plc support us gives us gratitude, excitement and hope that this is the kind of help needed from the corporate world,” Mallewa said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Education, Featured, News **Tags:** KuHes, National Bank of Malawi Plc --- ### [Mary's Meals asks ex-beneficiaries to 'give back' as 3.4m children go without school meals](https://www.nyasatimes.com/marys-meals-asks-ex-beneficiaries-to-give-back-as-3-4m-children-go-without-school-meals/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mary’s Meals Malawi has launched a new initiative dubbed the Alumni Campaign, inviting former beneficiaries of its school feeding programme to reconnect with the movement and help feed the next child still waiting for a daily school meal. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260914-WA0003-600x457.jpg)Mary’s Meals Malawi launches alumni campaign to help feed next generation of childrenSpeaking at the official launch in Blantyre, Mary’s Meals Malawi Head of Growth Monalisa Bandawe said the programme seeks to reach out to individuals who once benefited from the organisation’s primary school feeding initiative, wherever they may be, and invite them to donate, partner with the movement, or help raise awareness in support of school-going children still grappling with food insecurity. She said the challenge has been worsened by repeated climate shocks—including droughts, floods and erratic rainfall—alongside the rising cost of living. Bandawe described food insecurity as a major driver of pressure on households, noting that for many children, hunger remains a barrier to attending school. “For over 22 years we have been serving a daily meal to children in schools, and by doing this we encourage children experiencing poverty and hunger to attend school, stay in class, and focus on learning,” she said. “Currently, we have more than 3.4 million school-age children in the country who do not have access to a daily school meal, demonstrating the scale of unmet need and the urgency behind the Alumni Campaign. “We take this campaign as an opportunity for alumni to respond to the need, as we are inviting those who once received Mary’s Meals to help ensure that children today can have the same support,” Bandawe said. Mary’s Meals Malawi currently reaches more than 1.4 million children every school day across 24 districts, with each child costing K43,708.92 per school year. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Mary's Meal --- ### [Malawi coach Pasuwa names six debutants in Flames squad for AFCON qualifiers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-coach-pasuwa-names-six-debutants-in-flames-squad-for-afcon-qualifiers/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Flames head coach Kalisto Pasuwa has handed maiden senior national team call-ups to six players as Malawi begins preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260914-WA0008-600x433.jpg)Pasuwa Blends Youth and Experience in 30-Man Flames SquadPasuwa announced the squad during a news conference held on Monday morning, September 14, 2026, at Mpira House in Chiwembe, Blantyre. The new faces include Japan-based midfielder Blessings Kanowa of Nankatsu SC, Mexico-based midfielder Jorden Kananga of Zacatepec FC, Wales-based forward Shaquille Gwengwe of Newport County, and Adiel Kaduya of Mustangs University. Locally based players Peter Ng’ambi of Mighty Wanderers and Ajussa Kalowa of Blue Eagles have also earned their first senior national team call-ups. The selection marks a significant opportunity for the six players, as Pasuwa looks to assemble a competitive squad for Malawi’s 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign. Kanowa’s inclusion will be of particular interest, having been named alongside fellow Nankatsu SC midfielder Washali Jaziya. The squad also blends experienced overseas-based players with established domestic performers. Other notable selections include Patrick Mwaungulu of TP Mazembe, Mayele Malango of Sacramento Republic FC, Charles Petro of Botosani, Mwisho Mhango of Hannover 96, and Lloyd Njaliwa of Caps United. Pasuwa has named a 30-player squad comprising three goalkeepers, eight defenders, 10 midfielders and nine forwards. Flames Squad Goalkeepers: William Thole — Simba Bhora George Chikooka — Silver Strikers Precious Masamba — Blue Eagles Defenders: Macdonald Rameck — Hard Rock FC Gomezgani Chirwa — Ngezi Platinum Dennis Chembezi — North Refineries Emmanuel Nyirenda — Mighty Wanderers Charles Petro — Botosani Blessings Mpokera — FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Peter Ng’ambi — Mighty Wanderers Ajussa Kalowa — Blue Eagles Midfielders: Blessings Kanowa — Nankatsu SC Yankho Singo — FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Oscar Petro — Civil Service United Washali Jaziya — Nankatsu SC Blessings Singini — Mighty Wanderers Lloyd Njaliwa — Caps United Mwisho Mhango — Hannover 96 Festus Duwe — Silver Strikers Fransisco Madinga — Kansanshi Dynamos FC Jorden Kananga — Zacatepec FC Forwards: Babatunde Adepoju — Costa Do Sol Ephraim Kondowe — FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Chifundo Mpasi — Power Dynamos Richard Mbulu — Costa Do Sol Patrick Mwaungulu — TP Mazembe Gaddie Chirwa — Mighty Wanderers Wisedinho Mpinganjira — Black Bulls Mayele Malango — Sacramento Republic FC Shaquille Gwengwe — Newport County Adiel Kaduya — Mustangs University Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** Callisto Pasuwa, Malawi Flames --- ### [Malawi Police step up desperate search for abducted British woman](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-police-step-up-desperate-search-for-abducted-british-woman/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - Nusrat Osman, 47, was reportedly abducted by four armed men at her Mount Pleasant home - Police are now blasting SMS messages to the public in a bid to track her down - Force is offering a MK30million reward for information leading to her rescue - Suspects believed to be travelling in a grey Nissan Dualis with registration CA 6956 - Police urge public to stay calm and avoid spreading unverified rumours Malawi Police have intensified their search for a British national who was abducted from her home in Mount Pleasant, Blantyre, last week – on top of the hefty K30 million bounty already on offer for information leading to her whereabouts. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260912-WA0001.jpg)Auditor snatched in broad daylight: Blantyre husband’s desperate plea after wife’s kidnappingInvestigators are now blitzing members of the public with SMS messages as they scramble for leads that could help locate Nusrat Osman. Officers are appealing to anyone with information on Osman’s whereabouts – or on the suspected getaway vehicle – to come forward immediately. Mrs Osman, 47, was reportedly snatched by four men at around 12:30pm on Friday, September 11, 2026, in a brazen daylight abduction at her Mount Pleasant home. In a statement issued on Friday, Malawi Police Service (MPS) Public Relations Officer Senior Superintendent Gladys Chiwaula said the suspects were believed to have fled in a grey Nissan Dualis, registration number CA 6956. “The MPS is offering a reward of MK30 million to any person who provides credible information that directly leads to the successful rescue of the victim and the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the perpetrators,” Chiwaula said. She stressed that all information received would be kept strictly confidential. Chiwaula urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could jeopardise the ongoing investigation. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** abduction, Malawi Police --- ### [Chilima's former star witness Kawaga quits UTM - vows to step back from politics](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chilimas-former-star-witness-kawaga-quits-utm-vows-to-step-back-from-politics/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** UTM’s director of elections Bright Kawaga has quit his role, revealing he is stepping back from active politics altogether. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789383036935-600x450.jpg)Bright Kawanga election guru who helped annul 2019 vote walks away from politicsIn a letter addressed to party secretary general Willet Kalonga – seen by *Nyasa Times*, Kawaga stopped short of spelling out his reasons, saying only that he had made the decision “in the best interests of the party.” The departure marks the end of a high-profile chapter for Kawaga, who was a key witness for the late Saulos Chilima’s UTM in the landmark Constitutional Court case that sensationally nullified the May 21, 2019 presidential election and forced fresh polls. He went on to serve as Malawi’s deputy ambassador to Mozambique. In a fresh twist, UTM’s director of strategic affairs, Emmanuel Mwanyongo, has also handed in his resignation – piling further pressure on the party as it faces the loss of two senior figures in quick succession. Party spokesperson Felix Njawala confirmed both exits, insisting the party was already moving to fill the vacancies. “I am aware of the two resignations. As for Mr Kawaga, the resignation is on personal issues which we cannot publicly discuss. “As for Mwanyongo, he has secured a job that requires him not to be affiliated with any political party. We wish them well, and we will work to fill their positions,” Njawala said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** UTM Party --- ### [Ex-OPC boss Chizaso Nyirongo faces arrest over Amaryllis Sale](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ex-opc-boss-chizaso-nyirongo-faces-arrest-over-amaryllis-sale/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former Director of Legal Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) under the previous Malawi Congress Party administration, Chizaso Nyirongo, risks arrest and prosecution over his role in the controversial sale of the Amaryllis Hotel. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1782205613277-600x476.jpg)Nyirongo Faces Prosecution as Amaryllis Hotel Report Names HimA newly released report on the Amaryllis Hotel inquiry has recommended that appropriate administrative and legal action be taken against Nyirongo, including his possible disqualification from holding positions of fiduciary responsibility in public institutions. The report further recommends that the current OPC investigate Nyirongo’s role in advancing the transaction and later presiding over its approval, his influence over the appointment of key officers and advisors, and his decision to push the deal forward despite existing regulatory directives. Nyirongo, who previously served as Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba’s close aide, also chaired the Board of Trustees for the Public Service Pension Trust Fund. The inquiry, conducted by the Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts, found that the transaction unfolded in distinct phases—beginning with an initial investment proposal in 2023, followed by a professional valuation and due diligence process, the withdrawal of the Fund’s investment manager, and a formal Board resolution in January 2024 against proceeding with the acquisition. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel --- ### [F4GL commended for empowering girls to tackle GBV through innovation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/f4gl-commended-for-empowering-girls-to-tackle-gbv-through-innovation/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Foundation for Girls Leadership (F4GL) has been commended for equipping girls with skills to develop innovative solutions to gender-based violence (GBV) in their communities. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Mwafulirwa-We-need-more-organisations-like-F4GL-to-work-hand-in-hand-with-the-government-to-empower-our-girls-600x400.jpg)Mwafulirwa-We need more organisations like F4GL to work hand in hand with the government to empower our girlsLilongwe District Assistant Youth Officer Jessica Mwafulirwa praised the organisation’s efforts on Thursday, on the sidelines of a two-day co-creation workshop for girls held at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda Campus. “We are aware that F4GL is spreading awareness on GBV. Currently, the organisation is running a programme on bringing innovation to develop new ideas in tackling GBV and inequality. We really want to encourage them to continue doing this because government alone cannot manage to tackle these issues,” Mwafulirwa said. She called for more organisations to partner with government in empowering girls. “We need more organisations like F4GL to work hand in hand with the government to empower our girls and ensure that such issues are tackled for the benefit of future generations.” Mwafulirwa noted that GBV remains a pressing concern in Lilongwe, urging other organisations to follow F4GL’s example. “The issues are serious. When you enter rural communities, you find that there are a lot of issues going on. For instance, two weeks ago, we conducted a survey in a rural community in Traditional Authority Njewa in Lilongwe, and many women and girls complained about GBV. They also said they did not know how to report such cases, among other challenges. GBV cases are still rampant,” she said. F4GL works to empower girls and young women through education, creativity and leadership, in partnership with the Freedom Fund. Project Coordinator Chifuniro Ndembo explained that the programme aims to give girls a platform to turn their ideas into tangible solutions against GBV. “The purpose of our programme is to support girls to bring their innovative ideas and turn them into actions to help deal with issues of GBV in their communities. We also want people to know that there are girls who can do things,” Ndembo said. The workshop brought together university students and recent graduates aged 18 to 24, who were mentored on using innovation and creativity to confront GBV and inequality. Participants worked across disciplines—including visual arts, performing arts, digital media and technology—under the guidance of mentors drawn from artistic, activist and tech backgrounds. Participant Chigomezgo Msumba said the workshop deepened her understanding of GBV and how girls can apply innovative solutions to challenges in their communities. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Ndembo-The-purpose-of-our-programme-is-to-support-girls-to-bring-their-innovative-ideas-and-turn-them-into-actions-600x400.jpg)Ndembo-The purpose of our programme is to support girls to bring their innovative ideas and turn them into actions![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/The-co-creation-workshop-in-progress-pic-by-Moses-Nyirenda-600x400.jpg)The co-creation workshop in progress-pic by Moses Nyirenda Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** domestic violence, Keeping Girls in School --- ### [NICO backs Malawi Queens for Africa Cup glory, World Cup ticket](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nico-backs-malawi-queens-for-africa-cup-glory-world-cup-ticket/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** NICO Group says it is banking on the Malawi Queens to clinch the 2026 Africa Netball Cup in Nairobi and punch their ticket to the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260914-WA0000-600x400.jpg)“We Are Confident” — NICO Group Rallies Behind Queens Ahead of Nairobi ShowdownAddressing journalists at a press briefing here on Sunday, the company’s Head of Marketing and Customer Experience, Taweni Gondwe Xaba, said NICO’s confidence was rooted in more than sentiment. “More than believing in the Queens, we are looking at the results as well as the technical input, and we are very confident that they will deliver,” she said. Gondwe Xaba urged the players to replicate the form they showed on the international stage, citing their Glasgow campaign as a benchmark, and reaffirmed the company’s continued backing of the team. “We remain committed to supporting our athletes because of the pride and joy their performances bring to the nation,” she added. The Queens left for Nairobi on Sunday ahead of the tournament, which runs September 19–26. Two of the continent’s remaining World Cup qualification slots are on the line, raising the stakes considerably. Malawi arrives with a seasoned squad, anchored by veteran shooter Mwawi Kumwenda, skipper Takondwa Lwazi and Tendai Masamba. The team’s recent climb to eighth in the world rankings cements its reputation as one of Africa’s netball powerhouses. The Queens have been placed in Pool 2, where they will face Uganda, Zambia, hosts Kenya and Nigeria in what promises to be a fiercely contested group stage. Captain Lwazi struck a determined tone ahead of the opening whistle. “We are expecting a tough competition, but we are ready to deliver and qualify for the World Cup,” she said. Head coach Deborah Fuller offered an upbeat report on the squad’s readiness, noting the players are injury-free and in strong physical condition heading into the competition. Fuller called the team’s participation at this level “a privilege,” adding that the Queens are eager to fly the Malawi flag with distinction. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Malawi Queens, Netball World Cup, NICO Group --- ### [CTS boss names Prophet Bushiri as her inspiration amid growing business empire](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cts-boss-names-prophet-bushiri-as-her-inspiration-amid-growing-business-empire/) **Published:** September 14, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian business boss has revealed the unlikely source of her drive to succeed — famous prophet Shepherd Bushiri. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789338900899-600x430.jpg)“Bushiri Inspires Me” — Malawian CEO Says Prophet Fuels Her Business EmpireJacqueline Bokosi Kilmer, chief executive of CTS Group of Companies, made the striking admission as she unveiled her firm’s third venture: CTS Auto Parts, a new spare parts outlet. Speaking candidly after the launch, Kilmer said it is Malawi’s boldest entrepreneurs — Bushiri chief among them — who keep her pushing forward, no matter how loud the critics get. She said she is inspired by how the well known preacher-turned-businessman has weathered relentless scrutiny without losing his stride. And in a pointed message to her own doubters, Kilmer fired back: “People also say many things about me, but I do not allow their words to discourage me. I will continue moving forward.” Far from slowing down, the CTS boss says she’s only getting started — teasing the group’s next big move, CTS Travel, set to launch in the coming months. With three subsidiaries now under her belt in quick succession, Kilmer appears determined to prove her critics wrong one launch at a time. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** CTS Group, Jacqueline Bokosi Kilmer, Prophet Bushiri --- ### [DPP tells critics to back off as Musowa hails Mutharika's 'lightning-fast' turnaround of Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/dpp-tells-critics-to-back-off-as-musowa-hails-mutharikas-lightning-fast-turnaround-of-malawi/) **Published:** September 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A senior DPP figure has hit out at opposition critics, insisting they should stop meddling in the party’s affairs and let President Peter Mutharika get on with fixing the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789310482640-600x450.jpg)Musowa hails Mutharika’s ‘lightning-fast’ turnaround of MalawiDeputy Speaker of Parliament Victor Musowa made the comments while praising Mutharika for slashing travel excesses and turning Malawi around in record time. Musowa was speaking at the Bvumbwe Research grounds in Thyolo, where the DPP held its Zikomo Adadi rally and launched a K10 million football trophy for the Bvumbwe-Masenjere area. “Let me warn our opponents in government – stop interfering in matters that don’t concern you, worry about your own problems,” he told the crowd. “Can we in the DPP fall out among ourselves? When someone makes a mistake, we pull them aside and sort it out. We won’t allow division here – our focus is on serving Malawians.” Backing him up, the party’s Southern Region governor Charles Mchacha claimed the country had been on the brink of economic collapse when Mutharika took office last year, blaming previous leaders for plundering vast sums of money. Mchacha insisted Mutharika now deserved time and space to continue rebuilding the economy without interference. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** DPP, Peter Mutharika, Victor Musowa --- ### [UTM youth activist Khamula attacked and left unconscious in Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/utm-youth-activist-khamula-attacked-and-left-unconscious-in-lilongwe/) **Published:** June 19, 2024 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A prominent youth member of the UTM party, Mervin Khamula, was on Monday attacked in Lilongwe’s Area 3 by men believed to be linked to the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP), in an assault that has renewed concerns over the safety of political activists in the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260913-WA0010-450x600.jpg)Khamula attacked incident he says is not the firstKhamula was on his way to work at the National Malaria Control Programme, under the Ministry of Health, when he was set upon by the attackers. MCP spokesperson Ezekiel Ching’oma has, however, distanced the party from those responsible. According to eyewitnesses, the assailants were travelling in a Toyota Fortuner with no registration plates. They are alleged to have beaten Khamula unconscious before making off with his phone and money. He was rushed to Kamuzu Central Hospital, where he remains under medical care. News of the attack has reverberated through UTM circles, coming at a time when Khamula has become one of the most vocal voices calling for the party’s withdrawal from its coalition government with MCP under the Tonse Alliance. Speaking from his hospital bed, Khamula said Monday’s incident was not isolated. He recounted an earlier episode on May 28, when he and fellow UTM youths were followed by unidentified men in an unregistered Honda Fit shortly after a meeting at the party’s Area 43 headquarters in Lilongwe. The pursuit, he said, culminated at a set of traffic lights in the city centre, where the vehicle pulled up alongside his own. “They pointed at us with a pistol, saying, ‘We are watching you,'” Khamula recalled. He and his colleagues, shaken by the encounter, drove directly to his home rather than report the matter, believing it to be, in his words, “just politics at play”. The alleged intimidation and now the assault come against a backdrop of a rebellion, four years in the making, within sections of the UTM youth wing over the party’s continued presence in the Tonse Alliance. Since 2022, youth members have pressed the party leadership to withdraw, arguing the alliance serves little purpose and has left UTM members marginalised from government appointments. Khamula has been among the most persistent advocates of this position, a fact that has inevitably raised questions over whether his activism was a factor in Monday’s attack. Who carried out the assault, and why, remains unclear, as does any connection to the MCP. National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya said he required more time before commenting on the matter, leaving the incident without an official account for now. Gift Trapence, chairperson of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition, condemned the attack, describing political violence as primitive, and urged police to investigate swiftly and bring those responsible to justice. The episode has cast fresh light on the deepening tensions over UTM’s place in the Tonse Alliance, and on the risks now facing those within the party who speak out against it. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** MCP, Tonse Alliance, UTM Party --- ### [CTS Group opens auto parts outlet in Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cts-group-opens-auto-parts-outlet-in-lilongwe/) **Published:** September 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** CTS Group of Companies has opened CTS Auto Parts in Lilongwe, in a move the firm says marks its latest step in broadening its contribution to Malawi’s economy. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789320403378-600x450.jpg)CTS Group expands footprint with new Lilongwe auto parts storeSpeaking at the opening ceremony on Sunday, guest of honour Kondwani Kachamba, Executive Director of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (SMEDI), said the venture supports economic recovery efforts and would help generate much-needed foreign currency. Kachamba praised CTS founder Jacqueline Bokosi for growing the business from a courier services provider into a diversified group, saying it showed the potential of local firms to expand and contribute to national development. CTS General Manager Joseph Manda said the new outlet would make vehicle spare parts more accessible and affordable to Malawians, adding that the company plans to expand beyond Lilongwe. “This is just the beginning. We have plans underway to expand operations to Mzuzu, Blantyre and Zomba in the near future,” Manda said. The opening adds to CTS Group’s expanding portfolio in Malawi and is expected to create further business and employment opportunities as the company continues to diversify. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789320407296-515x600.jpg)From courier firm to auto parts: CTS Group’s growth story continues![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789320411888-600x395.jpg)New CTS Auto Parts outlet to boost access to vehicle spares in Malawi Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** CTS Group --- ### [Apostle Kawinga urges shift to irrigation amid El Niño threats](https://www.nyasatimes.com/apostle-kawinga-urges-shift-to-irrigation-amid-el-nino-threats/) **Published:** September 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Apostle Clifford Kawinga of Salvation for All Ministries International has urged Malawian farmers to shift from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation farming to safeguard national food security against El Niño-induced threats.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789315071680-600x400.jpg) ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789315053852-600x393.jpg)El Niño threat looms: Apostle Kawinga pushes irrigation drive​Speaking during an engagement with traditional leaders from the Northern Region, Kawinga highlighted the ministry’s Hope Fields Initiative, which provides solar-powered irrigation equipment and farm inputs to help communities maximize crop yields. ​”The initiative aims to enhance collaboration between the church and traditional leaders, promote unity, and explore ways to foster both spiritual growth and community development,” Kawinga said. ​Echoing the call, Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V of Mzimba emphasized that erratic rainfall patterns make irrigation crucial, adding that communities must focus on sustainable farming rather than relying on handouts. ​The meeting, held under the theme United Vision: Strengthening Church and Communities Through Spiritual and Traditional Leadership, drew Paramount Chiefs, Senior Chiefs, Traditional Authorities, and Sub-Traditional Authorities from across the region. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789315071680-600x400.jpg)“Don’t wait for the rains”: Apostle Kawinga sounds alarm over El Niño Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** agriculture, Apostle Clifford Kawinga, El Nino, Irrigation --- ### [Lilongwe ladies land golf glory: Lift Inter-club crown](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lilongwe-ladies-land-golf-glory-lift-inter-club-crown/) **Published:** September 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Lilongwe Golf Club’s ladies team have been crowned champions of the 2026 Ladies Inter-club Golf Tournament, seeing off five rival clubs with a superb 362 gross at Kasasa Golf Course in Nkhotakota. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789314623572-600x337.jpg)Lilongwe ladies land golf glory: Club stuns rivals to lift Inter-club crown and pocket K2.7 million jackpotThe triumph earned the team a tidy K2.7 million prize purse, while runners-up Blantyre Sports Club had to settle for K2.1 million after carding 372 gross. Third-placed finishers, who shot 374 gross, walked away with K1.8 million. Cabinet minister Roza Mbilizi – who doubled up as guest of honour at today’s prize-giving ceremony and competed for Blantyre Sports Club – heaped praise on the winners, telling the crowd that sport offers a powerful way of overcoming life’s challenges. The tournament’s long-time backer, Ethanol Company Limited, also expressed delight at how the competition unfolded, with chief executive Lusubilo Chakaniza hailing another successful edition after seven straight years of sponsorship. Lilongwe Golf Club lady captain Mirriam Nankhuni admitted the win came as a surprise, revealing the field had been fiercely competitive and victory had been far from guaranteed. “It was tough and we did not expect to win,” she said, crediting a strong opening day for giving her side the belief to push on and clinch the title. Meanwhile, Golf Union of Malawi’s Mercy Kamanga insisted the sport was on the up, pointing to the rollout of new initiatives such as handicaps as a major factor – despite some golfers initially dragging their feet over the changes. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** Golf --- ### [Six-goal horror show: Wanderers crash out of Africa as Simba cruise to aggregate rout](https://www.nyasatimes.com/six-goal-horror-show-wanderers-crash-out-of-africa-as-simba-cruise-to-aggregate-rout/) **Published:** September 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers have been sent crashing out of the CAF Champions League in the most humiliating fashion, after Tanzanian powerhouse Simba SC tore them apart 6-1 at a raucous Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789314338764-1-600x600.jpg)Penalty proves mere consolation as Simba tear Wanderers apart in Dar es Salaam![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789311829689-600x600.jpg)Humiliation in Dar es Salaam: Wanderers demolished 6-1 as Simba seal brutal 7-1 aggregate routThe mauling completed a devastating 7-1 aggregate rout, ending Wanderers’ continental dream at the very first hurdle and leaving Malawian football fans to lick their wounds. The nightmare began almost immediately, with Wanderers’ midfield in tatters from the first whistle. Simba wasted no time capitalising, striking inside just seven minutes when Clatous Chama pounced on a horror mix-up in the Wanderers defence to slot home. The floodgates opened from there. Libasse Gueye doubled the hosts’ lead in the 27th minute, before Chama struck again seven minutes later to complete his brace and leave the Malawian side staring down the barrel of a footballing hiding. Wanderers boss threw on Sama Thierry, Clement Nyondo and Mphatso Kamanga in a desperate bid to stop the rot, hauling off Lameck Mithi, Promise Kamwendo and skipper Emmanuel Nyirenda – and for a moment it looked like it might work. Nyondo won a penalty in first-half stoppage time after being clattered inside the box, and up stepped Isaac Kaliati to calmly slot it away, offering the travelling faithful a brief flicker of hope heading into the break at 3-1. But any thoughts of a fightback were brutally extinguished after the restart. A calamitous error from Wanderers goalkeeper Dalitso Nkhungwa handed Gueye his second of the afternoon in the 68th minute, restoring Simba’s three-goal cushion at 4-1. Simba weren’t finished tormenting their opponents. Substitute Keletso Makgalwa piled on the misery with a fifth in the 87th minute, before Morice Abraham rubbed salt in the wound with a sixth deep into stoppage time, sealing a ruthless 6-1 rout on the night. The result leaves Wanderers’ European – or rather African – ambitions in tatters, crashing out at the first preliminary round after a chastening 7-1 aggregate defeat, having already gone down 1-0 in the first leg at Bingu National Stadium last weekend. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789311629066-600x600.jpg)Wanderers’ continental dream in ruins after 7-1 aggregate mauling by Simba SC Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** CAF champions league, Mighty Wanderers, Simba FC --- ### [FDH Bank's paradox: profits up, stock down](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fdh-banks-paradox-profits-up-stock-down/) **Published:** September 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A near-12% slide in FDH Bank’s share price has erased almost $100m from the paper wealth of Thom Mpinganjira, the bank’s founder and one of Malawi’s best-known financiers. His indirect stake, still worth some $760m, fell by MWK170.85bn ($98.41m) after the stock dropped 11.46% on the Malawi Stock Exchange. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260619_121524_Facebook-600x343.jpg)When good news isn’t good enough: FDH Bank’s earnings-share price disconnectWhat makes the fall notable is not that it happened, but when. FDH Bank’s half-year results, covering the six months to June 30th 2026, were hardly the sort that usually spook investors: post-tax profit rose by 43% to MWK86.42bn ($49.78m), while revenue climbed 55% to MWK221.43bn ($127.55m). By most conventional measures, this was a bank having a good year. Herein lies the puzzle. Share prices are supposed to track, however imperfectly, the earnings power of the firms behind them. When a company’s profits surge and its stock falls anyway, one of two things is usually true: either the market knows something the income statement does not, or the market is simply being a market—prone to profit-taking, thin trading and the sort of volatility that small, illiquid exchanges like Malawi’s are especially susceptible to. Both explanations deserve scrutiny. Investors may be pricing in risks not yet visible in the results themselves—asset quality, currency exposure or regulatory changes, for instance. Alternatively, a stock that had run up sharply beforehand may simply have been due a correction, with some shareholders cashing in gains regardless of the underlying fundamentals. Either way, the episode is a reminder that on frontier exchanges, a good set of numbers is no guarantee of a good day for the share price—nor, for that matter, for the fortunes of the men who own large chunks of the company. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, National **Tags:** FDH Bank, Malawi Stock Exchange, Thom Mpingangira --- ### [DPP Secretary General demands unity as Mukhito admits Malawi still battling crippling power cuts](https://www.nyasatimes.com/dpp-secretary-general-demands-unity-as-mukhito-admits-malawi-still-battling-crippling-power-cuts/) **Published:** September 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The DPP’s Secretary General has issued a rallying cry for unity within the party and across government, insisting Malawi’s development will stall unless officials start pulling in the same direction. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789311655445-600x450.jpg)Mukhito calls for party unityPeter Mukhitho made the plea while addressing senior party officials at a gathering in Mzuzu, where he admitted that persistent problems like power blackouts – which have plagued households and businesses across the country – simply cannot be solved unless everyone works together. Power cuts have become a familiar and unwelcome feature of daily life in Malawi in recent years, with the national grid struggling to keep pace with demand. Frequent outages have repeatedly hit businesses, hospitals and households, and have long been a source of public frustration and a headache for whichever party is in government. Despite the gloomy backdrop, Mukhitho insisted there was cause for optimism, revealing government had pumped K80 billion into local councils through the Constituency Development Fund – proof, he claimed, that development was very much on track. The high-powered meeting was attended by a host of senior figures, including the DPP’s deputy leader for the Northern Region, the party’s Northern Region governor, and the Minister of Justice. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, Peter Mukhito --- ### [Malawi Queens jet off to Nairobi for World Cup qualifier – with recall for star Galeta ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-queens-jet-off-to-nairobi-for-world-cup-qualifier-with-recall-for-star-galeta/) **Published:** September 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Queens netball team boarded a flight to Nairobi today for the African Netball Cup – with wing attacker Thandi Galeta handed a surprise recall after being controversially left out of the squad that travelled to the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789311082594-600x338.jpg)Malawj Quiens shock recall for star wing attacker who missed Commonwealth Games snub![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789311082594-600x338.jpg)Malawj Quiens shock recall for star wing attacker who missed Commonwealth Games snubGaleta isn’t the only fresh face in the squad, with Prisca Banda, Mphatso Kanyimbo and Chimwemwe Dzanja also drafted in for the crunch tournament, which doubles up as a qualifier for the Netball World Cup. The 15-player squad was unveiled by the Queens’ expatriate coach Debbie Fuller during a lavish send-off bash thrown by sponsors Nico Holdings plc at the Queens House in Blantyre’s Namiwawa Township. Nico Holdings’ head of marketing and customer experience, Taweni Gondwe Xaba, didn’t hold back on expectations, declaring bosses want nothing less than continental glory and a spot at the World Cup. The send-off comes on the back of a superb rise up the World Netball Rankings, with the Queens climbing to eighth in the world. Leading the charge in Nairobi will be Australia-based ace Mwawi Kumwenda-M’bwana, alongside skipper Takondwa Lwazi and fellow star Tendai Masamba. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Malawi Queens, Netball --- ### [MCP admits failing UTM and coalition allies](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcp-admits-failing-utm-and-coalition-allies/) **Published:** September 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The main opposition Malawi Congress Party has issued a stunning public apology to the coalition partners who helped sweep it into power back in 2020 – admitting it failed to live up to its side of the bargain once in office. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789306670119-480x600.jpg)Kabwila- “We got it wrong”: MCP finally apologises to coalition partners after years of silenceParty spokesperson Jessie Kabwira dropped the bombshell during an appearance on Zodiak’s Tiuzeni Zoona programme Sunday morning, telling listeners the party had let down the very allies who helped it topple its rivals. “There are things we should have handled better. We tell the Malawian nation we have learnt from the mistakes we made,” she admitted candidly on air. Singling out UTM – once MCP’s closest coalition partner – Kabwira said: “Where we didn’t do well, they should accept our apology.” She couldn’t resist a swipe at critics, however, adding pointedly: “And they shouldn’t listen to lies.” The extraordinary mea culpa didn’t stop there – Kabwira went on to apologise to all nine parties that formed part of the original coalition agreement, in a rare admission of failure from a sitting government. Despite the dramatic climbdown, it’s business as usual at the top, with Kabwira confirming party leader Lazarus Chakwera will remain President of MCP until 2029 at the earliest. And in a signal the party isn’t ruling out history repeating itself, Kabwira revealed MCP stands ready to strike up fresh coalition deals with other parties ahead of the 2030 election. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** MCP, UTM Party --- ### [Chihana demands Blue Alliance terms be respected: Chupa elected AFORD deputy leader](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chihana-demands-blue-alliance-terms-be-respected-chupa-elected-aford-deputy-leader/) **Published:** September 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Second Vice-President, Enock Chihana, has said the public will soon learn the details of an agreement struck between the DPP and the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) ahead of last year’s general election — a pact known as the “Blue Alliance Manifesto”. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789283942996-600x450.jpg)“Let the deal be honoured”: Chihana demands Blue Alliance terms be respectedSpeaking at a AFORD executive committee meeting held on Saturday night, Chihana, who also leads the party, said he wanted assurance that the terms agreed upon were being honoured and implemented as promised. Among his demands is that he be given a further deputy position within government. So far, however, no one outside the two parties’ leadership appears to know exactly what the agreement contains. Chihana also praised President Peter Mutharika for continuing to appoint him to various government roles. At the same gathering — AFORD’s first major meetinh since last year’s election — delegates elected new office-bearers to fill previously vacant positions, with Grace Chupa elected as the party’s deputy leader. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Aford, DPP, Enock Chihana --- ### [Speaker and President in crunch talks: Parliament's probes suspended](https://www.nyasatimes.com/speaker-and-president-in-crunch-talks-parliaments-probes-suspended/) **Published:** September 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Parliamentary investigations have been dramatically halted after a member of the public won a court injunction blocking them from going ahead. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260913-WA0002-600x400.jpg)Suleman arriving at the meeting yThe Office of the Speaker, Sameer Suleman, has confirmed that committees set up to probe a string of matters have been ordered to down tools with immediate effect. The bombshell move comes after Austin Mkoka, an ordinary citizen, took the extraordinary step of taking the matter to court – and won. A statement from the Speaker’s office said the committees have no choice but to stand down while the legal wrangle plays out, leaving their investigations in limbo indefinitely. It is not yet clear when – or if – the probes will be allowed to resume, with insiders suggesting the standoff could drag on for weeks. The suspension comes just hours after Suleman held high-stakes talks with President Peter Mutharika on Saturday, described as focusing on the delicate balancing act between the country’s three arms of government. Sources close to the meeting say the pair struck an agreement on the need to respect the constitutional boundaries separating the Executive, Parliament and the Judiciary. The timing has raised eyebrows, with the sit-down coming just as the courts step in to rein in Parliament’s investigative powers. Critics say the episode lays bare growing tensions over where the line falls between the three institutions – and who really holds the power to draw it. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Malawi Parliament, Sameer Suleman --- ### [VP Ansah tells Catholic women: hold on to hope, like Mary did](https://www.nyasatimes.com/vp-ansah-tells-catholic-women-hold-on-to-hope-like-mary-did/) **Published:** September 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Vice President Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah has urged Catholic women to hold on to hope during hard times, pointing to the life of the Virgin Mary as proof that faith can endure even when the future feels uncertain. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789216407256-600x501.jpg)Faith and fellowship: VP Ansah joins Catholic women’s celebration in MulanjeSpeaking at the annual Umai wa Amai Maria celebration at Chisitu Parish in Mulanje, Dr Ansah said the event should be about more than marking Mary’s birthday. Held under the theme “*Mzimai wa Katolika Mtumiki wa Chiyembekezo pa Banja Pake*,” the gathering offers women a chance to reflect on Mary’s perseverance through hardship, she said. Dr Ansah noted that Mary endured ridicule and adversity yet never wavered in her faith — a model, she said, for women in their roles as mothers, daughters, leaders and role models today. She urged the women present to draw on that same strength whenever they face difficulties of their own. Sister Njala, the group’s spiritual advisor, welcomed Dr Ansah on behalf of the chairlady and the wider Catholic women’s association, saying gatherings like this help deepen both faith and fellowship among members. The celebration drew Catholic women from across the Archdiocese of Blantyre. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Jane Ansah, Roman Catholic Church --- ### [Mystery kidnapping rocks Blantyre as auditor vanishes near Mount Pleasant](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mystery-kidnapping-rocks-blantyre-as-auditor-vanishes-near-mount-pleasant/) **Published:** September 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian auditor has been kidnapped in a chilling daylight abduction near Mount Pleasant in Blantyre — leaving her family and employers scrambling for information as police launch a search. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260912-WA0001.jpg)Auditor snatched in broad daylight: Blantyre husband’s desperate plea after wife’s kidnappingNusrat Osman Jiwa was bundled into a grey/silver Nissan Dualis, registration number 6956, according to her husband Nazil Osman, who broke the news in a phone call today. “I don’t know where she is”: Speaking of his anguish, Osman said he has no idea who has taken his wife — or why. “I don’t know where she is or how she is, my wife is an auditor and I have no issues with anyone,” he said. Nusrat works as an auditor at Audit Consult Limited, based at Keza Office Park in Chichiri, Blantyre. Her employers have confirmed the abduction and issued an urgent public appeal, calling on anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact police immediately. The motive behind the kidnapping remains a mystery, with no group or individual having come forward to claim responsibility. Police are said to be investigating. Malawi Police have confirmed the kidnapping of a British national in Blantyre, offering a K30 million reward for information leading to her rescue and the arrest of her captors. The reward: Police are offering MK30,000,000 (thirty million Malawi Kwacha) to anyone who provides credible information directly leading to Osman’s rescue and the arrest, prosecution and conviction of those responsible. Confirming the incident, Senior Superintendent Gladys Chiwaula, Service Public Relations Officer, said all information provided to police would be treated with strict confidentiality. She appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could compromise the ongoing investigation. Hotlines: Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 0999 938 794, 0999 277 832, 0994 000 189, 0999 492 762 or 0998 967 321. The development comes after Osman’s husband, Nazil Osman, earlier told this publication he had no idea who had taken his wife or why. “My wife is an auditor and I have no issues with anyone,” he said. Osman works with Audit Consult Limited, which operates from Keza Office Park in Chichiri, Blantyre. Police have not yet disclosed a motive for the abduction, and no group has come forward to claim responsibility. Investigations are ongoing. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Blantyre, kidnapping --- ### ["Someone chewed our money" — the Malawi school frozen mid-construction for years](https://www.nyasatimes.com/someone-chewed-our-money-the-malawi-school-frozen-mid-construction-for-years/) **Published:** September 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Fifteen kilometres east of Mitundu Trading Centre, in GVH Pundu under Senior Chief Chadza, stands a primary school that exists only on paper. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260911-WA0012-600x270.jpg)One toilet, no classrooms, no MP response: the scandal of Kadedwa Primary SchoolFour classroom blocks rise to window height and stop. A nursery school lies in ruins. Five toilets sit half-finished. The land is cleared, the woodlot intact — everything except the one thing the project was meant to provide: an education for local children. What was promised Kadedwa Full Primary School meets every specification required of a government primary school, according to official standards. In practice, it has never opened. Children in the area walk long distances to Nsabwe for lessons instead. What residents say Villagers interviewed by this publication were unanimous in their explanation for the school’s condition. “Someone chewed our money,” was a phrase repeated by multiple residents, who said funds allocated for construction were diverted years ago, leaving the buildings frozen mid-construction. Asked who might explain the school’s history, community members consistently pointed to Binton Kutsaira, the local Member of Parliament, citing his long tenure in office. A building for elections, not education Residents allege the unfinished structures are used by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) as a polling centre during elections — the only time, they say, the site serves any public function. This publication’s inspection of the toilet block appeared to support that account: of five toilets, only one had a functioning concrete slab. Community members said that toilet had been specifically rehabilitated ahead of the last election, to accommodate MEC officials on polling day. No response from MP This publication sent written questions to Binton Kutsaira regarding the state of the school and his knowledge of the funding shortfall. No response had been received by the time of publication. The unanswered questions Kadedwa’s half-built classrooms raise questions that remain unresolved: where the original construction funds went, who authorised their disbursement, and why years of apparent inaction have gone unchecked. Until those questions are answered, the school remains, in the words of residents, a structure that exists in brick but not in purpose. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260911-WA0018-600x270.jpg)Built for voters, not pupils: how a Malawi primary school became an election-day prop Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** corruption, Education --- ### [First Lady's blunt sex warning to Malawi students:'Use your head, not your bed'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/first-ladys-blunt-sex-warning-to-malawi-studentsuse-your-head-not-your-bed/) **Published:** September 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** First Lady Gertrude Mutharika has called on university students to avoid sexual activities that could expose them to early pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, urging them instead to prioritise their studies and long-term goals. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789187808216-600x400.jpg)First Lady Gertrude Mutharika urges university students to safeguard their future amid SRHR dialogueSpeaking yesterday at Sunbird Nkopola in Mangochi during the National Youth Dialogue Eastern Region Chapter, Mutharika said she felt compelled, as a mother, to address young people directly on the risks facing their generation. “I stand here as a mother with a core aim to encourage you all to work hard in your studies and refrain from sexual activities that may potentially harm your future,” she said. The dialogue, organised under the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), brought together students from seven institutions of higher learning — including the University of Malawi, DMI-St. John the Baptist University, Malawi College of Health Sciences and Domasi College of Education — under the theme “Engage, Empower, Invest in Youth SRHR: Shape Sustainable Future.” Mutharika said she wanted young people to set clear goals and work towards achieving them in ways that contribute to Malawi’s national development aspirations, including Malawi 2063. Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata commended the First Lady’s engagement with young people, describing them as the backbone of society and pledging his ministry’s support for the initiative. Students at the event welcomed the platform as a rare opportunity for direct dialogue. Bridget Gowen, a student from DMI-St. John the Baptist University, thanked the First Lady for the engagement, saying it would leave students better informed to make decisions around sexual and reproductive health. During the dialogue, participants raised concerns about the lack of platforms available to voice their concerns, as well as inadequate knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights among young people — challenges organisers say the initiative aims to address going forward. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Gertrude Maseko Mutharika, Sexual Reproductive Health --- ### [Football Legends Association passes financial health check with flying colours](https://www.nyasatimes.com/football-legends-association-passes-financial-health-check-with-flying-colours/) **Published:** September 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Football Legends Association boss Jim Kalua is celebrating after his organisation sailed through an audit with flying colours. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260912_061955_Instagram-600x333.jpg)Clean sweep for FLA as auditors sign off on K11.47 million surplusThe seal of approval came at the FLA’s Annual General Meeting, held at Lilongwe’s Crossroads Hotel, before officials toasted the occasion with a glitzy gala dinner at the Bingu International Conference Centre. The numbers: Auditors revealed the association banked a K11.47 million surplus on total revenue of K165 million for the year to June 30, 2026. **No red flags**: Inspectors gave an unqualified opinion — auditor-speak for a clean sweep — finding no scope limitations, no material errors, and nothing serious enough to threaten the FLA’s ability to keep operating. General Secretary and Legal Counsel Gomezgani Solomon Mchawi joined Kalua in presenting the reports to members. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Football Legends Association --- ### [Malawi's secret bailout: how a struggling water board got a K24 billion government rescue](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-secret-bailout-how-a-struggling-water-board-got-a-k24-billion-government-rescue/) **Published:** September 12, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Blantyre Water Board was quietly handed a K24 billion bailout last year, wiping out most of its debt to the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi and slashing annual losses by more than 70%. The rescue package converted K19.2 billion of government debt into equity and introduced a special energy tariff, cutting power costs by K5.8 billion. **The numbers** Losses narrowed from K33.6 billion to K10.2 billion in the year to March 2025 Losses had previously ballooned from K65.2 billion (2023) to K98.6 billion (2024) to K108 billion (2025) Government capital contributions rose from K80.4 billion to K108 billion between 2023 and 2025 The board’s liquidity ratio improved from 0.40:1 to 0.68:1 **Why it happened** BWB, like other water boards, has been squeezed by high energy costs — pumping and treating water eats most of its budget — while unpaid Escom bills threatened supply in Blantyre. Auditors Nexia Graham Carr signed off on the debt-to-equity conversions as consistent with financing terms for the Second National Water Development Project. **The pushback** Not everyone is celebrating. Critics say the deal sets a troubling precedent: Chris Mbukwa (Mzuzu University): warns repeated bailouts encourage parastatals to expect rescue, calling it “a bad precedent” — though he concedes the equity conversion may have been the more realistic option given BWB couldn’t repay the debt anyway. Agness Nyirongo (Centre for Social Concern): says converting debt to equity doesn’t erase the cost — it just shifts the burden onto the public balance sheet — and warns of a repeating cycle of debt, bailout, and unresolved structural problems. Velli Nyirongo (Scotland-based economist): argues the secrecy is the real issue, calling for full disclosure, parliamentary scrutiny and measurable conditions on any bailout — “otherwise we are simply socialising the cost of inefficiency.” **The bigger picture**: off-budget rescues of commercially viable parastatals, done without public disclosure, risk normalising a pattern where government quietly absorbs losses rather than fixing the underlying problems — crowding out spending on health, education and agriculture in the process. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board --- ### [Old Mutual Malawi delivers 'solid performance' amid economic and political headwinds, unveils sustainability report](https://www.nyasatimes.com/old-mutual-malawi-delivers-solid-performance-amid-economic-and-political-headwinds-unveils-sustainability-report/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Old Mutual Malawi has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, detailing how the insurer navigated a year of significant economic and political turbulence while maintaining its focus on responsible, sustainable growth. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789145827089-600x400.jpg)Group CEO Tavona Biza making his key note address during the unveiling of the reportThe report outlines a sustainability agenda centred on creating value for the organisation and its stakeholders, while reinforcing the company’s operational resilience in a shifting business environment. Speaking at the unveiling in Lilongwe, Old Mutual Malawi Group Chief Executive Officer Tavona Biza said the company’s sustainability investments during the year had translated into measurable business gains. “Our sustainability investments in 2025 delivered tangible returns through reduced operational risks, enhanced efficiency, and strengthened competitive positioning,” Biza said. He credited the company’s governance frameworks with helping it manage a complex operating landscape shaped by regulatory changes, political transition and broader economic volatility. Reflecting on the year, Biza characterised 2025 as one of the most difficult periods in Malawi’s recent history, but said the company had nonetheless delivered a solid set of results. “As I reflect on 2025, I am proud to share that Old Mutual Malawi delivered solid performance in what was undeniably one of the most challenging years in our nation’s recent history,” he said. **Key 2025 Investment Highlights** According to the report, Old Mutual Malawi remitted K50 billion to the Malawi Government through the Malawi Revenue Authority during the year. The company also supported technical and vocational training for more than 100 people across three institutions, with priority placed on trades including plumbing, electrical installation, tailoring and fashion design. On the humanitarian front, the company contributed to response efforts following Cyclones Ana, Freddy and Gombe, supported the national cholera response, and assisted with the recent repatriation of 140 Malawians from South Africa. **Stakeholder Reaction** Archibald Chikavanga, Chief of Party at CARE International in Malawi, who stood in for the organisation’s Country Director at the event, commended the report, describing it as both positive and significant given its alignment with CARE’s own strategic priorities in addressing the challenges facing many Malawians. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789145833353-600x540.jpg)Archibald Chikavanga:Sustainability report in alignment with CARE’ own strategic priorities in addressing the challenges facing many Malawians. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789145838336-600x538.jpg)From cyclone response to cholera relief: Old Mutual Malawi details year of community investment![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260911-WA0007-600x450.jpg)An audience during the launch Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Old Mutual --- ### ['You lose your liberty, not your dignity': Mukhito unveils Mutharika's bold vision to transform Malawi's prisons](https://www.nyasatimes.com/you-lose-your-liberty-not-your-dignity-mukhito-unveils-mutharikas-bold-vision-to-transform-malawis-prisons/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito has declared that President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is spearheading a drive to transform Malawi’s prisons into a stronger, safer and more humane system — one that protects society while giving offenders a genuine shot at redemption. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789145628615-600x400.jpg)Mukhito:imprisonment must never come at the cost of a person’s humanity.Mukhito delivered the passionate address Friday at Sunbird Hotel in Lilongwe during the official launch of the 2026–2031 Malawi Prisons Service Strategic Plan, unveiling sweeping ambitions for the sector’s future. He revealed that government’s vision centres on beefing up prison security, improving staff welfare, upgrading crumbling infrastructure and dramatically expanding rehabilitation, education and vocational training programmes for inmates. In a striking declaration, Mukhito insisted that lawful imprisonment must never come at the cost of a person’s humanity. “A person may lose their liberty through lawful imprisonment, but they do not lose their human dignity,” he told the gathering. The minister said government plans to bolster reintegration programmes designed to help offenders rebuild their lives as responsible, productive and law-abiding citizens once released back into society. “These are not abstract ambitions; they must translate into visible change,” Mukhito warned, signalling that the administration wants concrete results rather than empty promises. He added that the Mutharika administration remains firmly committed to progressively improving the working and living conditions of both prison officers and inmates alike, while transforming the Malawi Prisons Service into a more productive, innovative and sustainable institution. Under Mutharika’s vision, officials say, prisons must shed their image as mere places of custody and instead become powerful instruments of genuine change. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789145645912-600x400.jpg)Mukhito and officers official launch of the 2026–2031 Malawi Prisons Service Strategic Plan Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** prisons --- ### [Netball action heats up in Blantyre as Kukoma Diamonds thrash Young Eagles 47-24](https://www.nyasatimes.com/netball-stars-soar-kukoma-diamonds-put-on-stunning-display-to-thrash-young-eagles-47-24-in-u-21-cup-thriller-kukoma-diamonds-produced-a-dominant-display-to-hammer-young-eagles-47-24-in-a-high-flying/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Kukoma Diamonds produced a dominant display to hammer Young Eagles 47-24 in a high-flying clash at the Under-21 Netball Cup currently taking place in Blantyre — with one athletic mid-air interception summing up the team’s relentless energy on court. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789152540106-600x429.jpg)Diamonds shine bright: Kukoma cruise past Young Eagles 47-24 in Blantyre netball showdownDiamonds never let their rivals get a look-in, leading from the very first whistle and extending their grip on the game quarter by quarter in front of spectators at the tournament. The dominant scoreline tells the story: Diamonds raced into a 10-5 lead after the first quarter, before stretching it to 21-14 by half-time. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789152530674-400x600.jpg)Flying high: Stunning mid-air grab caps off Kukoma Diamonds’ emphatic U-21 Cup victoryThey continued to pull away in the third quarter, leading 34-20, before sealing a commanding 47-24 victory by the final whistle. Action throughout the match saw players leaping, stretching and diving to snatch possession — the kind of athletic intensity that has made this year’s tournament a must-watch spectacle for netball fans. The Under-21 Netball Cup is being staged across two venues in Blantyre — Blantyre Sports Arena and the KUHES Sports Complex — with more high-octane clashes expected as the competition continues. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Netball --- ### [President Mutharika breaks cover to praise business chiefs at Kamuzu Palace](https://www.nyasatimes.com/president-mutharika-breaks-cover-to-praise-business-chiefs-at-kamuzu-palace/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** In a rare sighting, President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika — who has largely vanished from public view in recent times — emerged on Friday to heap praise on the relationship between government and the private sector, declaring it holds the key to unlocking the nation’s development. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789143017071-600x440.jpg)Rare public appearance: President Mutharika![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789143017071-1-600x440.jpg) The President made the comments during a meeting with the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, marking one of his few public engagements of late. Mutharika told business leaders that government has maintained a close working relationship with the MCCCI, and called for that partnership to deepen further, particularly around critical initiatives including the response to El Niño, trade expansion and other pressing economic priorities. MCCCI President Ronald Ngwira thanked the President for the audience, and used the meeting to pledge the business community’s backing in tackling the fallout from El Niño and driving forward trade growth. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789143011793-600x400.jpg)Reclusive President Mutharika breaks cover to praise business chiefs at Kamuzu Palace Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** MCCCI, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Chipungu donates school essentials to Luchenza pupils heading to secondary school](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-donates-school-essentials-to-luchenza-pupils-heading-to-secondary-school/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chimwemwe Chipungu, who is also Member of Parliament for Luchenza, has donated a package of essential school items to pupils from Luchenza Primary School who have been selected to begin Form One at various secondary schools. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789141195655-1-600x400.jpg)‘Investing in the future’: Chipungu supports Luchenza learners as they begin Form One journeyDuring the handover event, the students received school bags, blankets, exercise books and other learning materials to help them prepare for the transition to secondary education. **Purpose** Organisers said the donation is intended to encourage the learners as they embark on their secondary school journey, ensuring they have both the resources and the confidence needed to succeed academically. Speaking at the event, Minister Chipungu urged the pupils to work hard, maintain good discipline and make the most of the educational opportunities before them in pursuit of their ambitions. He said supporting children in education amounts to investing in the future of the nation. **Community Reaction** Members of the Luchenza community have expressed gratitude to Minister Chipungu for the gesture, saying they appreciate him remembering the area’s children and supporting them at a pivotal stage in their lives. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789141188981-600x400.jpg)Bags, blankets and books: Chipungu’s gift to Luchenza’s newest secondary school pupils Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, News --- ### [Malawi Law Society breaks silence: To join court battle over Speaker's blocked 'super committees'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-law-society-breaks-silence-to-join-court-battle-over-speakers-blocked-super-committees/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi Law Society has finally weighed in on the constitutional storm engulfing Parliament, announcing it will join the judicial review case over a court injunction that has blocked Speaker Sameer Suleiman from forming twelve joint ad-hoc committees tasked with probing government operations. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260709_113812_Google-600x555.jpg)Njobvu:Body representing country’s lawyers says will join the explosive court battleMLS President Davis Njobvu revealed the society’s decision to step into the legal fray, insisting the case cuts to the heart of constitutional and administrative law — specifically the hot-button principle of separation of powers — making it a matter that demands the society’s involvement in the public interest. The injunction at the centre of the row was secured by Malawian citizen Austin Mkoka, effectively halting Suleiman’s plans to set up the sweeping committees before they could get off the ground. Njobvu confirmed the society is now racing to finalise the paperwork needed to formally notify the court of its intention to join the case, signalling that Malawi’s top legal body is preparing to throw its weight behind resolving the constitutional deadlock. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Malawi Law Society, Malawi Parliament --- ### [Retired judge's chilling warning: Malawi facing 'WAR' between Parliament and the Presidency over constitutional row](https://www.nyasatimes.com/retired-judges-chilling-warning-malawi-facing-war-between-parliament-and-the-presidency-over-constitutional-row-as-law-society-stays-silent/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A retired judge has issued a stark warning that Malawi could be heading for an explosive constitutional showdown between Parliament and the Presidency, as the Malawi Law Society remains conspicuously silent on the growing crisis. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/A-Nyasa-Times-photo-86-600x342.jpg)Mwaungulu: why the Chief Secretary issued the controversial statementJustice Dunstain Mwaungulu, a respected legal and political commentator, says the escalating dispute over the National Assembly’s power to set up ad hoc committees risks spiralling into a full-blown confrontation between the two arms of government. The retired judge branded the government’s latest statement — which questions the authority of the Speaker and National Assembly to establish such committees — as downright confusing, pointing out an apparent contradiction at its heart. According to Justice Mwaungulu, government appears to accept that Parliament holds an oversight mandate, yet is simultaneously challenging the very power of the National Assembly to create the committees needed to carry out that oversight. He took particular aim at government’s reading of Section 56(6) of the Constitution, branding its interpretation of the word “Parliament” as deeply problematic. The context of the provision, he insists, makes clear the power in question belongs to the National Assembly alone — not the broader definition of Parliament that includes the President and Senate, as government contends. The judge also demanded to know why the Chief Secretary issued the controversial statement without, in his view, first taking into account Parliament’s own official position on standing and ad hoc committees. Sounding the alarm, Justice Mwaungulu warned that statements from one arm of government should never be used as a weapon to undermine the constitutional authority of another, cautioning that the row threatens to inflame tensions between the Executive and the Legislature still further. In his most damning remarks, the judge said it was simply unacceptable for outsiders to watch the Secretary to the President make a unilateral pronouncement on an issue that concerns an entirely separate branch of government — chillingly warning the standoff could ultimately culminate in “a war between the two branches of government.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Dunstan Mwaungulu, Malawi Law Society, Malawi Parliament --- ### [Magalasi to spend another weekend at Maula as court session fails to proceed](https://www.nyasatimes.com/magalasi-to-spend-another-weekend-at-maula-as-court-session-fails-to-proceed/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority Chief Executive Officer Collins Magalasi will remain in custody at Maula Prison for another weekend after today’s scheduled court session failed to proceed, with the matter now pushed to Monday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788495243097-600x400.jpg)Bail ruling still pending: Magalasi remains in custody as case pushed to MondayMagalasi has been on remand at Maula since Senior Resident Magistrate Shukrani Kumbani reserved her ruling on his bail application last week. The remand stems from the first charge against him, which relates to alleged cyber spying targeting President Peter Mutharika and other senior government officials. The State has argued that the extended custody period is necessary to give investigators sufficient time to conclude their inquiries into the matter. Beyond the cyber spying charge, Magalasi is also facing a fresh set of counts, including money laundering, theft and facilitating fraud, in connection with an alleged K3 billion scheme involving the Public Service Pension Trust Fund. The State contends that these charges are tied to transactions linked to the Amaryllis Hotel. Speaking after the failed court session, Magalasi’s defence lawyer, Andy Kaonga, said his legal team would consult with their client on how to proceed with the case going forward. The matter is expected to resume in court on Monday. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel, Collins Magalasi --- ### [Kamangila presses High Court for hearing date in defamation row with Judge Manda](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kamangila-presses-high-court-for-hearing-date-in-defamation-row-with-judge-manda/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Trained lawyer Alexious Kamangila has written to the High Court demanding it fix a date for hearing his application, arguing that the court has sat on the matter for close to two months without action. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784662487704-600x376.jpg)Social media firebrand Kamangila: Corruption probe drags on for two yearsIn a letter dated 11 September 2026, Kamangila renewed his complaint that his case is being treated differently from an earlier application brought by his opponent in the matter, Judge Kenan Manda, whom he was found to have defamed. The court had previously explained the difference in treatment by noting that Kamangila’s application was filed inter partes — requiring both sides to be heard — while Manda’s earlier application had proceeded ex parte, without Kamangila’s participation. Kamangila maintains, however, that the resulting delay is unfair. The registry has also raised a separate issue with the lawyer, asking him to account for why he broadcast a scheduling conference live on Facebook without the court’s authorisation. Assistant Registrar Benjamin Chulu said the court has evidence that Kamangila was streaming during the virtual proceedings and wants an explanation before the application can next be heard. Responding to that query, Kamangila defended his decision to livestream the conference, arguing that the case — which involves allegations made against a sitting judge — has drawn significant public interest. He contended that court proceedings of this nature are public by design, and that broadcasting them serves the principle that justice must not only be done, but be seen to be done. The dispute between the two men has played out publicly since 2024. It reached a significant milestone in May 2026, when the High Court ruled against Kamangila, ordering him to pay damages to Manda for defamation. The current application appears to form part of continuing proceedings arising from that case, though the specific nature of Kamangila’s pending motion was not detailed in correspondence made available. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** defamation, Philip Kamangila --- ### [Malawi left reeling as Norway announces shock embassy closure ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-left-reeling-as-norway-announces-shock-embassy-closure/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Norway is set to pull the plug on its embassy in Malawi, shutting it down for good by the end of July 2027 as part of a dramatic overhaul of its foreign service. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789129164199-600x400.jpg)End of an era: Norway to shut Malawi embassy after 27 years, citing global turmoilThe bombshell decision was announced by Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Espen Barth Eide, who blamed mounting global instability and what he chillingly described as the most serious security policy situation the world has faced since the Second World War. The closure will bring the curtain down on 27 years of diplomatic presence in the country. The embassy, first established in 2000, has been a cornerstone of Norway’s development partnership with Malawi, pumping in roughly NOK500 million — around K93 billion — in assistance every year in recent times. That support has poured into critical sectors including health, education, agriculture and good governance, making Norway one of Malawi’s most significant development partners. But officials were quick to insist the move does not spell the end of the relationship entirely. International Development Minister Åsmund Aukrust moved to reassure Malawians that development cooperation will continue, despite the embassy’s closure. He said funding funnelled through multilateral organisations will keep flowing, while Norway will now weigh up the future of its cooperation with civil society groups, Norwegian institutions and other partners on the ground in Malawi. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Norway --- ### [Mutharika's digital dream becomes reality as Nzika ID Wallet prepares for nationwide launch](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharikas-digital-dream-becomes-reality-as-nzika-id-wallet-prepares-for-nationwide-launch/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi is on the brink of a digital identity revolution, with the government confirming it will launch the long-awaited Nzika Digital ID wallet next week — seven months after President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika ordered officials to bring the country’s identity system into the digital age. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787936204363-600x400.jpg)President Mutharika :Ditch the card! Malawi unveils digitalThe groundbreaking initiative will allow citizens to carry a verified digital copy of their identity on their smartphones, meaning they could soon prove who they are without ever needing to produce a physical card. Officials say the rollout, spearheaded by the National Registration Bureau (NRB) with backing from international development partners including the United Nations Development Programme, is a flagship demonstration of Mutharika’s push for secure, efficient and citizen-focused digital services. The wallet forms part of a wider drive to modernise Malawi’s Identity Management System, with officials saying it will boost convenience and tear down barriers that have long hampered citizens’ access to digital services. The directive to develop the technology was first issued by President Mutharika during his State of the Nation Address to Parliament on February 13, 2026, when he instructed the NRB to implement a digital identity wallet as part of sweeping reforms. The Nzika Wallet has been hailed as one of the president’s standout achievements in his broader digitalisation agenda, marking a major step toward a paperless future for identity verification in Malawi. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Digital Migration, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Life International Church to mark 10th anniversary with regional conference, announces plans for 2,000-seat building](https://www.nyasatimes.com/life-international-church-to-mark-10th-anniversary-with-regional-conference-announces-plans-for-2000-seat-building/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Life International Church says preparations are complete for a conference celebrating its 10th anniversary, an event that will also unveil a series of projects the church plans to undertake over the next decade, including construction of a 2,000-seat building. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260910-WA0012-600x450.jpg)Life International Church marks 10 years, unveils plans for 2,000-seat building and regional expansionFounder and Overseer Prophet Amos Kambale told journalists in Lilongwe on Wednesday that the conference, themed “A Season of Total Transformation,” is intended to deliver a message of hope, faith and practical change to people in Malawi and beyond. He said the gathering is expected to attract visitors from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa in addition to Malawi. Background Life International Church was founded in 2016 and has since grown from a small congregation to nearly 1,000 members, according to Kambale. He described the church’s decade-long history as one shaped by faith, sacrifice and commitment to its gospel mission. The anniversary theme reflects the church’s teaching that transformation extends beyond spiritual life to areas including family, health, career, business and mindset — a message Kambale said is aimed at professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, families and young people. To illustrate the church’s impact, Kambale cited testimonies gathered over the years, including a man who went from selling small goods on the streets of Lilongwe to owning property and businesses that now employ others, and a couple from Loa who conceived after 20 years of infertility, which they attribute to the church’s prayers. Kambale said the ministry continues to report weekly testimonies of physical healing. Expansion Plans Kambale outlined a series of initiatives set to launch as part of the church’s next decade. A School of Ministry aimed at developing church leaders is scheduled to begin this month. The church has also finalized plans for a new 2,000-seat building near its current site, with construction expected to begin once the anniversary conference concludes. Additional plans include establishing an orphanage and expanding outreach to underprivileged children, including assistance with school fees, through the church’s Compassion Life Church Welfare Department. Kambale said the church also intends to increase the number of crusades and conferences it holds across the region in coming years. “We envision Life International Church to be a ministry that will raise thousands of people who are spiritually grounded, economically empowered, and equipped to transform their families and communities and nations,” Kambale said, describing the next 10 years as “a season of expansion.” ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260910-WA0004-600x450.jpg)Prophet Kambale: Church to build 2,000-seat auditorium as it marks 10th anniversary Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Prophet Amos Kambale --- ### [Chipungu reveals: President Mutharika steps in to save 836 farmers from losing land in bitter estate sale row](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-reveals-president-mutharika-steps-in-to-save-836-farmers-from-losing-land-in-bitter-estate-sale-row/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Peter Mutharika has swooped to rescue hundreds of farmers who feared losing their livelihoods, ordering that part of a disputed estate be shared among locals rather than sold off for development. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789114399770-600x337.jpg)Mutharika bans sale of disputed Thyolo land after 836 farmers’ desperate plea![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789114391431-600x337.jpg)Minister Chipungu breaks news — President halts sale of disputed estate to protect 836 farming familiesMinister of Lands Chimwemwe Chipungu broke the news Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting with farmer representatives at Thyolo District Council, revealing the president’s decision on the fate of Nantipwiri Palm View Estate. The land — more than 1,300 plots in total — had been earmarked for sale just last week, with the council announcing plans to use it for commercial and residential development. But Chipungu said the president had taken pity on the farmers after considering their petitions, despite the fact they had already lost court battles fighting for the land. Mutharika has now slapped a strict ban on selling the portion set aside for the farmers, the minister confirmed, with a process to be launched to identify who among them qualifies as a rightful beneficiary. Of the plots up for grabs, 709 sit under Thyolo District Council while the rest remain with the Ministry of Lands. The news sparked jubilation among those affected. Group Village Headman William and farmers’ chairperson Hussein Dickson Chiwalo said the announcement had finally put to rest the fears of 836 farmers — and declared they believe it marks the end of the bruising battle. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, land, Nantipwiri Estate, Peter Mutharika --- ### ['Job well done': MP Mtumbuka's as entire primary school class earns secondary places](https://www.nyasatimes.com/job-well-done-mp-mtumbukas-as-entire-primary-school-class-earns-secondary-places/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Member of Parliament has told of his pride after a primary school in his constituency saw every single one of its candidates selected for secondary education — with 10 pupils earning coveted spots at National Schools. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789103859417-450x600.jpg)From classroom dreams to real ambitions: MP inspired after meeting Bumba Zone’s top PSLCE performersDr Matthews Mtumbuka, MP for Rumphi Central and running mate to UTM Party’s presidential candidate, made the comments after attending a Merit Awards Ceremony on Tuesday celebrating top performers in the recently released PSLCE exam results for Bumba Zone. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789103866252-450x600.jpg)Future doctors, lawyers and engineers: MP meets Malawi’s brightest young stars at PSLCE awards ceremonyPhalasito Primary School stole the show. All 38 of its pupils passed with places at secondary school — a clean sweep the MP hailed as a triumph for the school’s head and teaching staff. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789103872218-450x600.jpg)From classroom dreams to real ambitions: MP Mtumbuka inspired after meeting Bumba Zone’s top PSLCE performersThe politician said he was moved after chatting one-on-one with the young award winners about their hopes for the future. Budding doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers, bank managers, an accountant, a scientist and even a future farmer were among the big dreams shared by the pupils, he revealed. Dr Mtumbuka also heaped praise on Bumba Zone Manager and Primary Education Advisor Joyce Banda and her team, crediting their leadership for driving the zone’s impressive results — and for pulling off what he called an “inspiring” awards event. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, News **Tags:** Mathews Mtumbuka, PSLCE --- ### [Namiwa denies treason charges as prosecutors make surprise bid to revoke his bail](https://www.nyasatimes.com/namiwa-denies-treason-charges-as-prosecutors-make-surprise-bid-to-revoke-his-bail/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A prominent Malawian activist has pleaded not guilty to treason, as prosecutors launched a shock bid to have his bail revoked — sparking a furious clash with his defence team over the ambush tactics allegedly used. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260911_014526_Instagram-600x409.jpg)‘We were taken by surprise’: Namiwa’s lawyer slams State’s bail ambushSylvester Namiwa, executive director of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi), entered his plea before High Court judge Mzonde Mvula in Lilongwe, denying charges of treason and publishing false news. The activist appeared in court for plea taking and directions, represented in the dock by his defiant stance against the serious allegations levelled at him. But it was the State’s surprise move to seek revocation of Namiwa’s bail that sent shockwaves through the courtroom. Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs director of criminal litigation Dzikondianthu Malunda revealed prosecutors’ intention to apply for the revocation — but stunned the defence by failing to give any reasons for the bid. Namiwa’s lawyer, Gladwell Majekete, did not hold back in condemning the ambush, revealing the defence had objected to the bail bid because it had not been served on them in advance. ‘We were taken by surprise,’ Majekete said. ‘The minimum expectation was that the application to revoke bail would be filed with the court and served upon us. Good practice would demand that it should be filed with the court and served upon us for us even to respond, comment on the same, before the court can hear it.’ The judge has since ordered the State to file and serve the application on the defence by September 16, 2026, with the defence given until September 22 to respond. The court will then hear the application on September 23. The substantive trial is set to begin on October 14, 2026. Namiwa was first arrested on July 30, 2026, after responding to a police summons at the National Police Headquarters in Lilongwe, and was initially held on allegations of publishing fake news and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. He was later formally charged with treason under Section 36(1)(a) of the Penal Code, and publication of false news likely to cause public fear and alarm, before the case was escalated to the High Court. The explosive charges stem from comments Namiwa allegedly made during a July 2024 television interview on Lantha TV, in which he discussed sensitive political matters. The Ministry of Justice also confirmed the State will parade five witnesses in the case as it proceeds through the courts. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Dzikondianthu Malunda, Silvester Namiwa, treason --- ### [PAC report names Zamba, others over K128.7bn Amaryllis hotel purchase](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pac-report-names-zamba-others-over-k128-7bn-amaryllis-hotel-purchase/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended further investigation, legislative reform, recovery of losses and individual accountability over the K128.7 billion Public Service Pension Trust Fund purchase of Amaryllis Hotel. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/facebook_1655471750923_6943551786784849207-600x400.jpg)K128.7bn hotel deal: PAC names Zamba, recommends further probeThe committee’s report was adopted on March 31, under committee chairperson Steven Malondera. PAC said the transaction represented serious lapses in fiduciary discipline, governance and institutional oversight. PAC’s earlier version of the report was withdrawn on grounds that it was incomplete, because key witnesses, including former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba, were not interviewed. The updated version explicitly identifies specific governance failures, targeting institutions and individuals it holds responsible for the deal. PAC said: “The transaction represented a serious lapse of fiduciary discipline and a departure from the principle of transparency, accountability and prudence that must govern the management of public pension funds.” PAC has recommended deeper investigations into the conduct of Zamba, alongside former State Residences Chief of Staff Prince Kapondamgaga, who both attended a crucial March 6, 2024 meeting regarding the deal. Former pension fund officials and trustees also face similar scrutiny. Besides, the committee wants individual accountability assessments for all trustees who approved the transaction, including potential civil liability and asset recovery where negligence or misconduct is established. The report also raised questions over the commercial viability of the transaction. Initial assessments by NBM Bank valued the hotel business at between K26 billion and K35 billion, while property valuations placed its market value at roughly K34 billion. Yet the fund agreed to purchase the asset for K128.7 billion, despite managing pension savings of around 129,000 civil servants. PAC said the fund’s investment manager, Alco Asset Managers, withdrew from the deal due to concerns that the transaction lacked adequate technical scrutiny and exposed the fund to severe financial risks. The committee said the fund’s board received warnings in January 2024 not to proceed, but the transaction was revived. The committee described the final stage of the acquisition as raising critical steps rushed through an “implausibly compressed timeframe.” The sale agreement was signed on November 17, 2025, just one day after the Registrar of Financial Institutions issued a stop order. Pension fund spokesperson Yamikani Sekeni said the controversial decisions were made under the previous regime. He said: “The governance actions and decisions undertaken during the period of the transaction were conducted under the oversight of the former board of trustees.” Civil society leaders have welcomed the findings, but urged stiffer enforcement. Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency executive director Willy Kambwandira welcomed the call for criminal proceedings, although he noted the recommendations “fell short of what the public expected.” National Advocacy Platform chairperson Benedicto Kondowe praised the report for framing the scandal as a systemic breakdown of institutional safeguards, rather than a simple bad investment. The Secretary to the Treasury has been ordered to report back on the progress of implementing the recommendations within 21 days of the report’s adoption by the House. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel, Caroline Zamba, Malawi Parliament --- ### [Poverty, corruption and broken promises: Kapito's verdict on DPP's year one](https://www.nyasatimes.com/poverty-corruption-and-broken-promises-kapitos-verdict-on-dpps-year-one/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A year into the tenure of Malawi’s new administration, the gap between campaign rhetoric and lived reality has become impossible to ignore — at least according to veteran consumer rights activist John Kapito, who used a media briefing in Lilongwe to deliver an unsparing verdict on the government’s record so far. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789077386089-600x420.jpg)The Cost of Broken Promises: Kapito’s Year-One Assessmen for DPPPoverty, Kapito argued, has not merely persisted but deepened, while corruption shows little sign of retreating. The diagnosis, in his telling, is straightforward: a leadership that has simply failed to deliver on the commitments it made to voters. “It is the failure of the leadership of the country to deliver on key promises and issues that they had promised to move and deliver such as poverty reduction and ensuring that Malawians live in a dignified manner,” he said. Central to Kapito’s critique was the country’s persistent foreign exchange shortage — a problem that, in his account, has done more than simply inconvenience importers. It has, he suggested, fuelled a thriving black market in hard currency, one that ripples outward into the everyday cost of living for ordinary Malawians already stretched thin. It is a familiar refrain in Malawian political life: shortages breed informal markets, informal markets breed price distortion, and price distortion lands, eventually, at the household level — in the cost of a bag of maize, a litre of fuel, a bus fare. Yet amid the criticism, Kapito, who heads the Consumers Association of Malawi, found room for a measure of praise. He welcomed Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleiman’s stated interest in investigating matters of public concern — a rare note of encouragement in an otherwise bleak assessment, and perhaps a signal that Kapito sees institutional oversight, rather than executive goodwill alone, as the more reliable path toward accountability. Whether that oversight translates into meaningful change remains, for now, an open question — one that will likely shape how history judges this government’s first year, and those still to come. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** CAMA, DPP, John Kapito --- ### [Mukhito defends Chisale over threat to whip opposition supporters](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mukhito-defends-chisale-over-threat-to-whip-opposition-supporters/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Minister of Homeland Security, Peter Mukhito, has come to the defence of his deputy, Norman Chisale, after the latter was accused of threatening to “whip” members of the opposition UTM Party. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788597878066-600x569.jpg)Mukhito urges context as Chisale faces backlash over whipping remarksMukhito, who is also secretary general of the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), said Chisale’s remarks should be considered in their full context, rather than through isolated clips or political interpretation. He said while the DPP did not condone political violence, intimidation or threats against citizens because of their political affiliation, Chisale should be given the opportunity to clarify and justify his remarks. Mukhito said: “If any statement was capable of being understood as encouraging violence, then it should be clarified and, where necessary, withdrawn. “Political leaders carry a special responsibility to use language that promotes peace, restraint and mutual respect.” He added that any decision on the appointment or removal of a deputy minister rested with the President, and was not a matter for UTM or the DPP secretary general. The remarks followed a demand from UTM Party for Chisale to apologise and withdraw his threat. Chisale, who is also the DPP’s director of youth, made the comments at a rally in Ntcheu at the weekend, telling the gathering that he had sought permission from traditional leaders to whip UTM Party members in the district. The comments were captured in a video clip that subsequently circulated online. UTM Secretary general Willet Kalonga said the party condemned the remarks, describing them as part of a pattern of conduct by Chisale that he said fell short of the standards expected of a Cabinet minister. He said: “Such repeated conduct creates a troubling impression that falls far below the standards of restraint, responsibility and etiquette expected of a Cabinet minister and a holder of public office. No one is above the law.” Kalonga cited Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of movement and the right to participate in political activities, arguing that a public officer with a duty to protect those rights should not intimidate people on account of their political affiliation. Chisale also serves as MP for Ntcheu Central East. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, Norman Chisale, Peter Mukhito, UTM Party --- ### [Blantyre Water Board gets court relief on K2.5 billion claim](https://www.nyasatimes.com/blantyre-water-board-gets-court-relief-on-k2-5-billion-claim/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The High Court of Malawi’s Commercial Division has stopped enforcement of an earlier judgment ordering Blantyre Water Board (BWB) to pay K2.5 billion to a supplier who had pushed for payment. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788818686468-e1788819193862.jpg)lawyer Dumisani Mlauzi, BWB sought a stay of the judgment pending conclusion of an appealInformation and communications technology supplier Madalitso Chika wrote to the court seeking an order to intercept money belonging to BWB held by several financial institutions, and use it to satisfy the judgment. But through lawyer Dumisani Mlauzi, BWB sought a stay of the judgment pending conclusion of an appeal in the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal. Presiding Judge Trouble Kalua granted the board’s wish in Lilongwe, ordering that enforcement of the May 20, 2026 judgment be stayed. He said: “I order that the interim third party debt order dated 21st August 2026 be and is hereby set aside.” In the matter, BWB is facing a judgment debt of K2.576 billion, with collection costs of K386.5 million, making a total of about K2.963 billion. Chika’s lawyer, Khumbo Soko, was not available for comment. The Malawi Government Economic Report (2026) shows that between 2024 and March 2026, BWB made determined efforts to stabilise its financial performance following one of the deepest financial crises in the sector. The report said the board significantly reduced its losses and improved asset utilisation. However, its financial position remains fragile due to ageing infrastructure, liquidity pressures and escalating operating costs. BWB is currently embroiled in court battles between its board of directors and chief executive officer Yeremiah Chihana. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board --- ### [Fans chant 'Tiyipemelele Tiyipatse Moto' as Wanderers land in Tanzania for Champions League showdown](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fans-chant-tiyipemelele-tiyipatse-moto-as-wanderers-land-in-tanzania-for-champions-league-showdown/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789077032991-600x260.jpg)Nomads Touch Down To Chants Of ‘Tiyipemelele Tiyipatse Moto’ Before Simba Sports Club ClashMighty Wanderers were given a rapturous send-off by their travelling army of supporters as the Malawian giants touched down in Dar es Salaam, ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes CAF Champions League clash with Simba Sports Club. Fans, complete with drums, chants and colourful club regalia, descended on Julius Nyerere International Airport to greet the Nomads as they arrived for the second leg of their preliminary round tie — a fixture that could decide whether Wanderers advance in Africa’s premier club competition. Among the animated welcoming party was the club’s popular cheerleader Bwede, sponsored by club partner Kingboss, who whipped up the crowd with the team’s rousing anthem ‘*Tiyipemelele tiyipatse moto*‘ — drawing curious glances from onlookers unfamiliar with the spectacle. The Nomads’ charter touched down at 7.50pm local time, following a one hour and 45 minute flight from Blantyre. The travelling delegation includes a 21-man playing squad, and is being led by Football Association of Malawi executive committee member Daud Mtanthiko. The team is based at the Serenity Spa Hotel ahead of Sunday’s fixture. Wanderers face a daunting task against Tanzanian heavyweights Simba, who boast one of the most formidable home records in East African football and have long been fixtures in continental competition. The tie represents a significant test for the Malawian side as they push for progression in this year’s Champions League campaign, with qualification to the next round hanging in the balance. Sunday’s second leg will determine which side advances to the next stage of the preliminary rounds, as both clubs eye a spot deeper into Africa’s most prestigious club competition. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Bwede, CAF, Mighty Wanderers, Simba FC --- ### [Theresa Phondo to headline gospel concert with African stars](https://www.nyasatimes.com/theresa-phondo-to-headline-gospel-concert-with-african-stars/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawian gospel star Theresa Phondo is set to pull off one of the biggest cross-border line-ups the country’s gospel scene has seen in years — with Nigerian sensation Adah Ehi and Zambian hitmaker Pompi both confirmed to headline alongside her. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789077109750-600x454.jpg)Theresa Phondo: Nigerian and Zambian gospel stars to join Malawi concertThe star-studded show, dubbed Theresa Phondo Live in Concert, will take over the BICC Amphitheatre in Lilongwe on 31 October, with homegrown talent Praise Umali, Paul Kachaa, Beraca and Esther Chitheka also on the bill. Phondo said the concert was a deeply personal celebration, marking a milestone moment in her musical journey and her growing reach across the continent. ‘This is a very special one,’ she gushed. ‘It’s Malawian at heart, but connecting to the rest of Africa. We are having a Nigerian representative, Adah Ehi, a Zambian representative, and I think it’s just going to be a very special night, God willing.’ Nigerian star Adah Ehi will be making her second appearance in Malawi, while Zambian favourite Pompi is no stranger to Malawian stages either, having previously wowed local crowds. Excited fans are already snapping up tickets, which are on sale now via Kwenda.co. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Theresa Phondo --- ### [Minister Chipungu pledges support for Lucheza Town under national development plan](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-chipungu-pledges-support-for-lucheza-town-under-national-development-plan/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Minister of Lands and Urban Development, Chimwemwe Chipungu, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating development in line with the Malawi 2063 National Development Agenda. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789073808795-600x400.jpg)Chipungu reaffirms commitment to Lucheza Town developmentChipungu made the comments in Thyolo district, after discussing strategic initiatives for local and sustainable development with the Lucheza Municipal Council management team. Chipungu, who is also the Member of Parliament for the area, said the government would ensure Lucheza Town was adequately equipped and modernised as part of Malawi’s plans for developing secondary cities. “Our priority is to ensure that Lucheza Town is not left behind but equipped, modernised and strategically positioned to achieve sustainable growth,” he said. He said the government remained committed to implementing initiatives that would help transform Malawi into a developed and prosperous nation. “We will continue to drive progress and implement initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Malawi 2063 goals,” he said. Malawi 2063 is the country’s long-term development vision, which seeks to transform Malawi into a wealthy, self-reliant and industrialised nation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789073802157-600x400.jpg)Chipungu: Lucheza Town will not be left behind in development drive Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, Luchenza --- ### [Save the Children reaffirms support for child participation in Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/save-the-children-reaffirms-support-for-child-participation-in-malawi/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Save the Children has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting systems and initiatives aimed at promoting child participation and ensuring children’s voices are heard in national development processes. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260910-WA0000-600x504.jpg)Khanye: “We need to prioritize that no Child is left behind,”Save the Children Country Director for the Malawi-Zimbabwe Cluster Bhekimpilo Khanye said this during a children’s engagement meeting in Lilongwe. Khanye said the organisation was committed to supporting platforms that enable children to participate in decision-making processes. He said children had raised 20 key issues requiring attention, and urged stakeholders to ensure their concerns and recommendations were acted upon. Khanye said Save the Children would continue supporting initiatives that promote child participation, saying this would help amplify children’s voices across the country. He said: “We need to prioritize the importance of ensuring that there is no child left behind in everything that we are doing. We must also think and ensure that we are reaching those in areas that are difficult to reach, so that nobody is left behind.” Khanye also called for stronger support to the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare to implement child-focused initiatives sustainably. He said such initiatives should be strengthened in a way that ensures they do not depend solely on support from Save the Children. Meanwhile, National Children’s Alliance Chairperson Holiness Kalimbira said the Alliance was responsible for following up on issues raised by children with government and development partners, to ensure their programmes and demands were implemented. Kalimbira said the Alliance had engaged the Ministries of Gender, Education, Science and Technology, and Finance, among others, which had assured children their concerns would be addressed by December this year. She said the Alliance wanted children from all 12 districts to participate in presenting challenges affecting them. She said: “We need 12 districts to be involved and participating in ensuring that children are presenting their challenges.” ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260910-WA0001-600x291.jpg)Participating children from National Children’s Alliance at the meeting Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Save the Future Foundation --- ### [Accountability on hold: Malawi's High Court tests parliamentary oversight](https://www.nyasatimes.com/accountability-on-hold-malawis-high-court-tests-parliamentary-oversight/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Parliament has been forced to pause its planned investigations into several public institutions and sectors, after the High Court issued an interim order stopping the Speaker and Parliament from establishing or operationalising joint ad hoc committees for the probes. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788988652255-e1788989078489-600x460.jpg)Austin Mkoka – an ordinary citizen, an extraordinary court caseThe order, issued by High Court judge Allan Muhone on September 4, 2026, followed a judicial review application by Austin Mkoka in Judicial Review Cause No. 030 of 2026. The court granted leave for judicial review and ordered the matter to proceed to an inter partes hearing within 14 days. The order does not amount to a final finding that Parliament acted unlawfully. Rather, it temporarily preserves the status quo while the court considers the legal challenge — an important distinction, given that the investigations concern matters with direct consequences for public services, government finances and citizens. **Court order suspends probes** The planned parliamentary probes cover a wide range of issues, including fuel transportation, alleged irregularities at the National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma), the stalled Salima-Lilongwe Water Supply Project, pension administration, water procurement, electricity supply, passport services, delays in the justice system, prisons, mining, tobacco and fertiliser coupon distribution. The breadth of the proposed investigations shows why parliamentary oversight matters. These are not isolated administrative questions — they touch sectors that affect households, businesses, public finances and the delivery of essential services. Parliament, for instance, wanted to examine the use of local and foreign transporters in the movement of petroleum products. Figures presented by Speaker Sameer Suleman indicated that, between January and June 2026, Nocma used foreign transporters for 4,080 trips — 84 percent of the total — compared with 788 trips by local transporters. Those figures alone do not prove wrongdoing, but they raise legitimate questions about how public institutions make procurement and transportation decisions, particularly at a time when Malawi is struggling with foreign exchange shortages and high costs. **Why the investigations matter** The proposed Nocma investigation also includes allegations concerning changes to banking details linked to contracts — allegations that require evidence and verification, not conclusions that wrongdoing occurred. The same principle applies to the proposed investigation into the Salima-Lilongwe Water Supply Project, where Parliament said it wanted to examine concerns over funding, alleged obstruction and claims of possible kickbacks. Whether such allegations are true can only be established through proper investigation and evidence. The water and electricity investigations are equally significant. Reliable water and electricity are essential to households, hospitals, schools, farms and businesses, while failures in these sectors can increase operating costs and weaken economic activity. Parliament also planned to examine Malawi’s electricity reforms, including the unbundling of the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi into separate entities, persistent blackouts, equipment failures, maintenance and delays in obtaining replacement parts. In the mining sector, lawmakers wanted to examine agreements, regulation, government revenue and informal mining — particularly important as Malawi seeks to use its mineral resources to boost government revenue and attract investment. The proposed investigations into pensions, justice and prisons also go beyond institutional administration. Delays in pension payments can affect people who depend on their benefits, while delays in court cases and overcrowding in prisons raise questions about access to justice and the protection of citizens’ rights. Against this background, the court order creates an important constitutional question: where should the line be drawn between Parliament’s oversight responsibilities and the powers of other arms of government and public institutions? The Constitution gives the National Assembly power to establish committees and joint committees for scrutiny of legislation and the performance of its other functions. But the existence of that power does not automatically settle every question about how far parliamentary investigations can go, or whether particular procedures are lawful. That is why the judicial review process matters. It provides a legal forum for testing the limits of public power, without assuming in advance that either Parliament or the applicant is right. The court’s intervention should therefore not be interpreted as protecting any institution from accountability. Nor should the investigations be treated as proof that the targeted institutions committed wrongdoing. Both claims would go beyond the evidence currently available. **A separate inquiry, a different legal test** The development becomes more interesting when compared with Parliament’s separate inquiry into the Chikangawa plane crash that killed former vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight others on June 10, 2024. Parliament established a fresh ad hoc committee in March 2026 to conduct the inquiry, after President Peter Mutharika directed that previous investigations be reviewed following concerns about gaps in the available reports. The committee was given a 90-day mandate and tasked with reviewing previous findings and identifying gaps. Its hearings have continued, with witnesses from the Malawi Defence Force, airport security and aviation-related institutions appearing before it. The continuation of that inquiry does not mean Parliament has been given special permission to investigate while its other probes have been stopped. The two situations have different legal circumstances. There is no evidence that the court order issued in the Mkoka case was intended to stop every parliamentary investigation. The order specifically concerns the establishment and operation of the joint ad hoc committees targeted by the legal challenge. This distinction is critical. A court does not normally need to stop an inquiry simply because another parliamentary committee is continuing its work. What matters is the legal basis and circumstances of each proceeding. The Chikangawa inquiry also demonstrates why parliamentary investigations can matter when major public questions remain unanswered. During the hearings, witnesses have provided information that has prompted further questions about procedures surrounding the aircraft, its passengers and the events leading to the crash. But here too, Parliament must separate questions from conclusions. A parliamentary inquiry should establish facts through documents, testimony and expert evidence, rather than begin with a predetermined answer. The same standard should apply to the 12 investigations now on hold. **Economic stakes and the cost of delay** The bigger concern is what happens if the legal process becomes prolonged. If investigations into fuel, electricity, water, pensions, mining and other public services remain suspended for an extended period, questions about accountability may go unanswered while the underlying problems continue. This matters at a time when Malawi’s economy is already under significant pressure. The World Bank projected real economic growth of only 2.3 percent for 2026, and warned of continuing pressures from high inflation, foreign exchange shortages, debt and weak productive capacity. In such an environment, failures in public institutions can have consequences beyond government offices. Fuel shortages and high transport costs affect businesses, electricity problems disrupt production, water shortages affect communities, and weak management of public resources can reduce the money available for essential services. The World Bank has also highlighted weaknesses in public financial management and state-owned enterprise governance, while calling for stronger institutions and better oversight of public resources. This makes effective accountability more than a political issue. It is an economic necessity. **A test for Parliament and the courts** Parliamentary oversight, however, must itself operate within the law. A legislature cannot strengthen accountability by weakening the legal safeguards that govern the exercise of public power. The High Court’s intervention therefore presents Malawi with a test on both sides. Parliament must demonstrate that its oversight powers are exercised lawfully, fairly and on the basis of evidence, while the courts must ensure legal challenges are handled without unnecessarily preventing legitimate democratic scrutiny. The answer should not be to choose between accountability and legality. Malawi needs both. The current dispute provides an opportunity to clarify how Parliament can investigate public institutions without exceeding its constitutional mandate, and how courts should intervene when that mandate is challenged. If the investigations eventually proceed, their credibility will depend on the evidence they produce, the institutions and individuals given a fair opportunity to respond, and whether their recommendations lead to measurable improvements. If they do not proceed, important questions raised by Parliament may remain unresolved. For citizens, the issue is therefore bigger than the fate of the 12 planned investigations. It is about whether public institutions can be held accountable while remaining within the boundaries of the law. That balance is central to good governance. Malawi does not need accountability without legality, nor legality without accountability. It needs institutions strong enough to scrutinise public power, courts independent enough to test its limits, and public officials willing to answer evidence-based questions about how national resources and services are managed. The High Court case has temporarily put Parliament’s planned investigations on hold. What happens next will help define not only the fate of those probes, but also the practical boundaries of parliamentary oversight in Malawi. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Columns, News --- ### [Guard of honour! Kind-hearted shoppers rally round to shower devoted security guard ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/guard-of-honour-kind-hearted-shoppers-rally-round-to-shower-devoted-security-guard/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A devoted security guard has been left stunned after generous shoppers clubbed together to hand him a whopping K6 million cash windfall — complete with a shiny new motorbike. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789077954980-600x450.jpg)Public donations fund security guard’s motorbike in MalawiRedson Mtsilo, who guards Game Complex in Lilongwe for security firm G4S, was showered with the cash gift from 423 kind-hearted members of the public who wanted to say thanks for his years of dedicated service. And in a touch that’ll melt hearts, the surprise bash was thrown on the big-hearted guard’s 49th birthday! The heartwarming gesture was the brainchild of local photographer Lameck Luhanga, of Moving Minds Multimedia, who launched the Tabwera Appreciation Initiative to give Mtsilo the recognition he deserves. Big-name firms with shops at the complex — including G4S, Eris Properties MW Limited and Icon Properties Plc — chipped in to make the special day even bigger. And it’s not just cash in the bank for the beloved guard — Mtsilo is set to zoom off into the sunset on a brand spanking new motorbike, bought using some of the whip-round cash. Talk about a birthday to remember! ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260911_000651_Facebook-600x389.jpg)Lilongwe shoppers reward security guard with cash gift and motorbike![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789077970009-600x450.jpg)Malawi security guard receives public appreciation fund Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Game Stores --- ### [Chess deserves its moment too: Malawi's team heads to Olympiad](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chess-deserves-its-moment-too-malawis-team-heads-to-olympiad/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is something quietly poignant about watching a chess federation dress its players for an occasion more usually reserved for footballers and sprinters — the presentation of matching kit, the photographs, the sense of a nation, however modestly, sending its best out into the world. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789076875213-600x338.jpg)Chess Deserves Its Moment Too: Malawi’s Team Heads to the OlympiadThat was the scene in Blantyre, as Azam Media (Malawi), through its Azam TV brand, handed over more than K6.8 million worth of suits, tracksuits, golf shirts and t-shirts to the 14-member Malawi Chess Team, who depart on Monday for the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan — the 46th edition of a tournament that will run from September 15 to 28 and draw together players from across the globe. For a discipline that rarely commands the sponsorship attention lavished on Malawi’s more conventional sporting exports, the gesture carried a weight beyond its monetary value. Azam Media general manager Syed Kadarsha, present at the symbolic handover alongside company director Ally Sham, framed the support as part of a broader philosophy — one that treats the cultivation of talent, wherever it is found, as worth backing. “Mental sports such as chess deserve recognition and support because they contribute greatly to the development of young minds,” Kadarsha said, a sentiment that speaks as much to Malawi’s wider sporting culture as to chess itself — a reminder that competitive achievement need not always announce itself with a stopwatch or a scoreboard. Chess Association of Malawi general secretary Gift Howahowa was similarly appreciative, thanking Azam for support that, for a federation operating with modest resources, will likely prove more consequential than its price tag suggests. The travelling party is led by national champion, Fide Master Joseph Mwale, alongside Candidate Master Chiletso Chipanga, Josephy Nyambalo, George Mwale and Aaron Phiri, with Peter Jailoss serving as team captain. On the women’s side, Malawi will be represented by Tupokiwe Msukwa, Ellen Mpinganjira, Annie Simwawa, Rachel Jailoss and Shalom Kapende, with Linda Jambo-Chaononga leading the side as ladies’ captain. Quite what awaits them in Uzbekistan, against opposition drawn from chess’s traditional powerhouses, remains to be seen. But for a team that has spent this week being measured for suits rather than boots, the sense of occasion — and of a country, in its own understated way, backing its own — is unmistakable. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Chess --- ### [Malawi state house warns over misuse of official logo on private cars](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-state-house-warns-over-misuse-of-official-logo-on-private-cars/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s State House has issued a furious warning to motorists caught fraudulently displaying its official insignia on private vehicles — accusing offenders of trying to fake presidential authority to bully police officers and dodge the law. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260911_002805_Google-600x451.jpg)Maulidi: State House orders removal of illegally displayed presidential insigniaIn a strongly-worded statement released today, presidential press secretary Cathy Maulidi revealed officials had noted with ‘serious concern’ the growing trend of drivers slapping the State House logo onto their cars in a bid to intimidate traffic law enforcement officers or evade lawful checks altogether. The brazen practice has clearly rattled officials at Kamuzu Palace, who did not hold back in condemning what they branded a blatant abuse of one of the country’s most recognisable state symbols. ‘State House unequivocally condemns this practice,’ the statement read. ‘No private individual or unauthorized vehicle is permitted to display the State House insignia for personal benefit or to secure preferential treatment.’ Offenders have now been given a stark ultimatum — remove the fraudulent branding immediately or face the consequences. ‘All individuals unlawfully displaying State House insignia are ordered to remove it immediately and cease this practice,’ the statement continued. ‘State House will not tolerate the abuse of official symbols to intimidate law enforcement, evade the law, or undermine state authority.’ Police and other law enforcement agencies have now been handed a direct mandate from the presidency to hunt down the culprits, with the statement urging them to ‘take firm, immediate, and appropriate action against offenders’. The extraordinary intervention raises fresh questions over how widespread the practice has become — and how many motorists may have been using the presidential emblem to bulldoze their way past traffic stops unchallenged. The statement was signed by Maulidi and issued from Kamuzu Palace, State House’s official residence in Lilongwe. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** State House --- ### [British businessman jailed in Malawi for 45 years after brutally murdering wife](https://www.nyasatimes.com/british-businessman-jailed-in-malawi-for-45-years-after-brutally-murdering-wife/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A British national has been caged for 45 years after being convicted of murdering his wife in a case that has dragged through Malawi’s courts for nearly seven years. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1789073555925-496x600.jpg)Malinda successfully prosecuted the caseMohamed Shahid Iqbal Juma was on Thursday handed the lengthy sentence by the High Court’s Criminal Division in Lilongwe, after being found guilty of killing his wife, Zaheera Jabbar Akbanie. Akbanie, a 35-year-old mother-of-three, was discovered dead at the couple’s Area 9 home in December 2018 — a killing that shocked the local community and triggered Juma’s swift arrest. Throughout the marathon legal battle, prosecutors laid out damning evidence from a string of witnesses, with the case led by Dzikondianthu Malunda, Director of Criminal Litigation in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. Juma repeatedly attempted to secure his release on bail while awaiting trial — but his applications were knocked back time and again. One bid triggered particular alarm in court, after it emerged the accused had somehow managed to obtain a brand-new British passport while languishing on remand. After weighing evidence from both sides, presiding judge Bruno Kalemba delivered his guilty verdict, before handing down the 45-year sentence today — finally drawing a line under a case that has haunted the courts for years. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Dzikondianthu Malunda, murder --- ### [New pressure group emerges in MCP over Chakwera succession](https://www.nyasatimes.com/new-pressure-group-emerges-in-mcp-over-chakwera-succession/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A shadowy pressure group has emerged from within Malawi’s opposition Congress Party with a single, explosive mission: to stop former president Lazarus Chakwera rewriting the rulebook in a desperate bid to cling to power. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788971129279-600x582.jpg)Pressure group challenges Chakwera’s re-election bid within MCPThe group, which has adopted the codename ‘Mbembembe’, is understood to be plotting a fierce campaign against any attempt by Chakwera to alter the party’s constitution and clear his path to seek re-election as leader in the 2030 polls. Former Kasungu West legislator Alex Major has denied masterminding the rebel movement — but admitted he was firmly behind its cause, fuelling speculation over just how deep discontent with Chakwera’s leadership now runs within MCP’s ranks. Chakwera is said to be pushing for the party’s national convention to tear up its constitutional rules and anoint him as MCP’s torch-bearer once again in 2030 — a move rebels say would trample on one of the party’s most sacred principles. A spokesperson for Mbembembe did not mince words in a blistering broadside against the plan. ‘Constitution is a sacred document and the party should avoid watering down the value of its charter,’ the spokesperson said. ‘Changing constitution just to succumb to personal ambitions of Chakwera will be a dangerous precedent. No to third term. The clause of term limits was put to guard against such abuses.’ Major went further still, accusing the current leadership of trampling on the party’s own constitution by refusing to set a timetable for a leadership convention. Using a striking sporting analogy, he warned Chakwera that his time at the top must come to an end. ‘MCP needs an early convention to sort out leadership issue,’ he said. ‘Leadership is like a relay race, Chakwera has done his race, its time to handover the mantle to someone but don’t cling to it.’ The explosive infighting has raised fresh alarm among political observers, who warn the party risks tearing itself apart if it continues to duck the leadership question. Political scientist George Phiri cautioned that MCP was running out of time to sort out its top job. ‘The party needs to reposition itself ahead of yet another election,’ he said. ‘The political party itself needs to understand that the political environment has changed after the 2025 elections. The issue of leadership has to be resolved in good time, and that will help as they look ahead.’ Mavuto Bamusi, of the Political Science Association of Malawi, said the party’s reluctance to tackle the issue head-on exposed a troubling pattern. ‘There are factions in the party that are disgruntled with the current leadership,’ he said. ‘They have avoided that in their discussions, but it’s critical if the party is to rebuild. They need a serious conversation over it.’ Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP --- ### [Maize prices soar 20% in a month as cost of living crisis deepens for Malawian families](https://www.nyasatimes.com/maize-prices-soar-20-in-a-month-as-cost-of-living-crisis-deepens-for-malawian-families/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawian households are being hit by a fresh cost of living blow after maize prices rocketed by a staggering 20 per cent in just one month, sparking fresh fears over food affordability across the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/hunger_maize-600x389.jpg)Malawi’s maize crisis: prices surge 20% in a month, leaving families to foot the billNew figures reveal the average retail price of the nation’s staple crop surged to K960 per kilogramme in August — up sharply from K803 per kg just weeks earlier at the end of July. The alarming spike, revealed in the International Food Policy Research Institute (Ifpri) Malawi’s latest market report, shows prices climbing across every single market monitored nationwide, though some regions have been hit far harder than others. Families in the Southern Region are bearing the brunt of the surge, with prices there soaring to K1,021 per kg by the end of August — the highest in the country. The Central Region wasn’t far behind, with maize fetching K943 per kg, while the Northern Region recorded a comparatively lower, though still steep, average of K751 per kg. Worryingly, prices in both the Southern and Central regions have now blown past the government’s own recommended price cap of K900 per kg — raising fresh questions over whether authorities can keep the surging cost of the nation’s most important food staple under control. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** inflation, maize --- ### [Malawi's crisis Is not a failure of democracy — It is a failure of governance](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-crisis-is-not-a-failure-of-democracy-it-is-a-failure-of-governance/) **Published:** September 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Sixty-two years after independence, Malawi stands at one of its most dangerous crossroads. Daily life is collapsing under soaring prices, crippling foreign exchange shortages, decaying roads, and hospitals stripped of essential medicines. Public trust is broken. Worn down by decades of unmet promises, many Malawians now ask: has multi-party democracy failed us? ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260910-WA0002-600x441.jpg)Ahmed Dassu and late Chakufwa Chihana during the time of championing democracy in MalawiTo answer this, we must recall how our democracy was forged. The framers of the Constitution drafted the supreme law against the dark backdrop of Kamuzu Banda’s autocratic rule. On the military front, the pivotal moment was Operation Bwezani in December 1993, when the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) disarmed the Malawi Young Pioneers, a heavily armed paramilitary loyal to the single-party regime. Crucially, the MDF did not seize power; it returned to barracks and allowed civilian leaders to guide Malawi into the 1994 multi-party elections. Recognising this discipline, the framers enshrined in Section 160(1)(b) the MDF’s duty to “uphold and protect the constitutional order.” The framers also fortified judicial independence. Having witnessed how the Traditional Courts system was used to deny due process and silence dissent, they abolished parallel courts and embedded Section 103(1), guaranteeing that courts exercise their functions independently of any other person or authority, while Section 103(2) forbids the creation of courts outside the constitutional framework. These two institutions have repeatedly protected our democracy. In 2012, after President Bingu wa Mutharika’s death, the MDF defended constitutional order and ensured a lawful transfer of power to Vice-President Joyce Banda, cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s most disciplined militaries. In 2020, when the Judiciary annulled the compromised ‘Tippex’ presidential election, the MDF secured the Constitutional Court judges, enabling a historic ruling that earned global recognition, including the Chatham House Prize. Their resilience is remarkable given relentless political pressure. Under Kamuzu, the MDF had only three commanders in 30 years. Since 1994, Malawi has cycled through thirteen — a stark reflection of persistent manoeuvring to keep top military leadership politically convenient. Yet despite this pressure, Malawi has seen five presidents from four parties assume office peacefully. Our democratic foundations remain intact. So where is the failure? It lies in how successive administrations have sabotaged the constitutional architecture meant to protect the Republic. A further danger is the growing political interference in the security services. Successive administrations have increasingly manipulated the promotion and appointment of senior officers in both the MDF and the Malawi Police Service. This undermines the constitutional Defence Council and corrodes the professional integrity of the very institutions meant to anchor national stability. Equally troubling is how every administration since 1994 has converted the intelligence services — now the National Intelligence Bureau — into a partisan apparatus for monitoring political opponents rather than securing the nation. Instead of functioning as a professional intelligence body capable of detecting genuine threats to national cohesion and economic security, the NIB has repeatedly been weaponised for political advantage. These distortions of constitutional intent are not failures of democracy; they are failures of governance. Constitutional guardianship demands more than past heroism. The Judiciary must live up to the extraordinary trust the framers placed in it. That trust cannot survive if concerns about integrity within its own ranks are left unaddressed. A Judiciary that disciplines itself, and that handles corruption cases and matters of national importance with speed, clarity and courage, becomes the final refuge of justice in this long-suffering motherland of ours. Malawians have endured too much for too long; justice delayed or compromised is justice denied. Two deeper blind spots in our constitutional design compound this crisis. First, the 1994 Constitution was engineered to prevent dictatorship, not systemic looting. When donors pushed for an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the administration complied reluctantly — while leaving a fatal flaw: the President retained power to appoint and influence the ACB Director General. The watchdog was chained to the very executive it was meant to police. To make the ACB truly effective, its work must be overseen by a commission of eminent Malawians — constitutionally protected, insulated from political influence, and empowered to ensure that no president, minister or cartel can ever again interfere with its work. Imagine individuals of unimpeachable national stature serving as commissioners: people whose integrity is unquestioned, whose service to the Republic is proven, and whose loyalty is to Malawi alone. Such a commission would become the constitutional firewall our nation has lacked for 30 years. Second, the framers failed to confront regionalism and tribalism — forces that have torn African states apart. By omitting explicit prohibitions against regional and tribal patronage, the Constitution left the door open for ethnic favouritism to dictate appointments, resource allocation and political loyalty. Kenya’s 2010 Constitution and Rwanda’s post-1994 framework show that regional and tribal patronage are not merely unethical; they are structural threats that must be rendered illegal and punishable. Three instruments must now be non-negotiable: reciprocal extradition agreements, so that looters cannot hide themselves or their stolen wealth abroad; a constitutional requirement to trace, seize and recover all corruptly acquired assets; and statutory prohibitions criminalising regional and tribal discrimination across all public bodies, including the MDF, Police, Prisons and Civil Service. An unhackable ACB, backed by extradition, asset recovery and enforceable anti-tribalism laws, is not just a legal necessity — it is an economic imperative if Malawi is ever to shed the shameful title of “the sick man of the SADC region.” Democracy is not failing Malawi; our political class is failing democracy. To save this Republic, we must insulate the MDF from political interference, protect the Judiciary’s vital role, and plug our constitutional blind spots once and for all. - *Ahmed Dassu (AD) is a founding member of AFORD and former Chief Advisor to Chakufwa Chihana.* Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Ahmed Dassu, democrcay --- ### [Commentator questions civil society opposition to corruption probes](https://www.nyasatimes.com/commentator-questions-civil-society-opposition-to-corruption-probes/) **Published:** September 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Social media commentator Onjezani Kenani has challenged civil society organisations opposing Parliament’s planned public inquiries into public institutions, questioning what is wrong with investigating corruption. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/535441510_10162154191852153_2962516136833694818_n-e1758258780143-600x458.jpg)Kenani: challenges civil society over parliament probeKenani’s comments follow a press briefing by civil society organisations, led by Robert Mkwezalamba, calling on Parliament to respect the independence of other arms of government. The briefing came after Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman announced that Parliament would use its oversight mandate to institute public inquiries into public entities accused of failing to provide adequate and quality services. In a Facebook post, Kenani questioned why civil society groups would seek to frustrate Parliament from exercising its constitutional oversight responsibilities. He wrote: “What is wrong with investigating corruption? Let Parliament play its oversight role in peace.” Kenani said he had listened to arguments against Parliament’s oversight initiative but found none convincing. He wrote: “I have listened to every argument against Parliament’s oversight and none of the arguments makes sense. Not one.” Suleman’s announcement had earlier attracted criticism from DPP secretary general Peter Mukhito. Government spokesperson Shadreck Namalomba also weighed in with strongly worded remarks against Kenani. Civil society organisations have since joined the debate, warning Parliament against overstepping its oversight mandate. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Civil society, corruption, Onjezani Kenani --- ### [LUANAR project aims to boost Malawi's maize seed supply](https://www.nyasatimes.com/luanar-project-aims-to-boost-malawis-maize-seed-supply/) **Published:** September 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The government is backing a winter maize seed project at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), aimed at tackling shortages in the availability, affordability and accessibility of seed under this year’s Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP). ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260909-WA0005-600x338.jpg)Lameck Fiwa Project Coordinator Luanar Mega Teaching FarmThe scheme is being run through LUANAR’s Mega Farm Initiative at Dwangwa in Nkhotakota district, where the university is growing maize across 150 hectares within the Illovo Sugar estate. Lameck Fiwa, coordinator of the LUANAR Mega Teaching Farm Project, said the work was on track, with seed processing due to begin shortly. Speaking during a media visit to the farm on Wednesday, he said: “We have been on the ground since May this year and we are expecting to be through with this project by mid of October. The Government has been so generous to us, and we feel we are going to produce according to the expectations.” He said the project demonstrated the potential of winter irrigation for maize production beyond the usual growing season, and that LUANAR had partnered with Illovo to take advantage of the company’s existing machinery and irrigation infrastructure — allowing the project to move quickly. The partnership, he added, should help ensure seed is ready in time for farmers relying on FISP. Naomie Kolala, farm manager at LUANAR Holdings Company Limited, said the project was targeting a minimum yield of four tonnes of maize per hectare. “We anticipate that harvesting will be done mid-October, and that will be done by manual shelling. The seed is a medium maturity variety, it takes 90 days to mature,” she said. The project has also created jobs locally, with more than 150 general workers recruited to support irrigation and other farm activities, according to Kolala. The initiative is valued at more than K1 billion, and forms part of government efforts to ensure farmers have timely access to quality seed ahead of the FISP season. It also underscores the wider potential of irrigation-backed agriculture in Malawi — boosting production, generating employment, and strengthening the country’s ability to meet its own seed requirements. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260909-WA0004-600x400.jpg)Naomie Kolala Farm manager Luanar Holdings company Limited Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, News **Tags:** food security, Luanar, maize --- ### [An ordinary citizen, an extraordinary court case: Austin Mkoka story](https://www.nyasatimes.com/an-ordinary-citizen-an-extraordinary-court-case-austin-mkoka-story/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is something almost quaint about the idea that a single, unemployed man from Thyolo, acting entirely alone and on principle, might halt the machinery of a national parliament. And yet that, in essence, is the story of Austin Mkoka, who this month obtained a court injunction preventing Malawi’s Parliament from launching inquiries into several state institutions. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788988652255-450x600.jpg)Austin Mkoka – the mystery man who stopped Malawi’s parliament in its tracksNaturally, speculation has swirled. Who was funding him? Which political grandee had put him up to it? The truth, when Mkoka finally offered it, turns out to be rather more prosaic — and, for that reason, rather more interesting. He was born in 1967, he says, in Thyolo, and came of age during Malawi’s one-party era, serving in the 1980s as a Malawi Young Pioneer — the paramilitary youth movement that once formed the backbone of Kamuzu Banda’s regime. It is a detail that places him firmly of a generation now well into its sixties, for whom the disbandment of the Pioneers in the early 1990s marked not merely the end of an organisation but, it seems, something closer to the end of steady prospects altogether. His schooling, he admits, went no further than a Junior Certificate of Education, curtailed by financial hardship rather than any want of ambition. He is, by his own account, currently without formal employment or business of any kind — an unlikely biography, on paper, for a man who has just tied up the legislative agenda of an entire government. Perhaps the most striking element of Mkoka’s account, though, is his insistence on independence. He belongs to no political party, he says, and was despatched by nobody. His stated motive is almost old-fashioned in its simplicity: a belief that it falls to the courts, not to political actors, to settle whether a Speaker may direct Parliament to establish inquiries into the executive at will. Whether one finds that explanation entirely persuasive is, of course, a separate matter. Malawian politics has rarely wanted for surprising benefactors and inconvenient coincidences. But if Mkoka is telling the truth — and nothing yet contradicts him — his case offers an unusually democratic reminder: that in Malawi, at least for now, an ordinary citizen with a grievance and a lawyer can still bring the state up short. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Austin Mkoka, Malawi Parliament --- ### [Malawi's women's league returns with an eye on the World Cup](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-womens-league-returns-with-an-eye-on-the-world-cup/) **Published:** September 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** After nine months of uncertainty that threatened to stall the momentum of women’s football in Malawi, the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Women’s Premiership is finally set to return — and this time, with an eye firmly on the global stage. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787694512662-e1787696978647-600x361.jpg)“The progress is visible”: Adella Migogo praises Silver Strikers’ historic CAF runThe Football Association of Malawi (Fam) confirmed that the 2026/27 season will kick off on September 19, ending months of speculation over whether a second edition of the league would materialise at all. “The stage is set for the 2026/27 NBM Women’s Premiership. Ten teams, one title,” Fam said in a statement, though the full fixture list — expected to be released alongside the announcement — has yet to be published, and the financial package underpinning this year’s competition remains under wraps. Last year, NBM backed the inaugural edition to the tune of K280 million. For National Women’s Football Association president Adelaide Migogo, the league’s return carries significance well beyond domestic bragging rights. With the Scorchers preparing for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup, she believes the competition will prove decisive in sharpening the national team’s readiness. “We are excited. This really shows that NBM has confidence in women’s football and the girl child,” Migogo said. “The girls will be active in preparation for the World Cup.” That sense of relief was echoed by Silver Strikers chief executive Patrick Chimimba, whose club’s women’s side enters the new season as defending champions after an imperious campaign. “It is good development that the league is back after waiting for nine months,” he said. “We are looking forward to continue from where we left last season.” Silver Ladies’ triumph in the inaugural edition was emphatic by any measure: 48 points from 18 matches, 18 wins and just two defeats, without a single draw all season. The title brought with it K10 million and a trophy, while runners-up Ascent Soccer Academy and third-placed MDF Lionesses collected K5 million and K3 million respectively. With the World Cup now looming on the horizon, this season’s Premiership promises to be more than simply a title race — it may prove a crucial staging post for a national team looking to make its mark on the international game. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Adelladie Migogo, National Women Football Committee, women football --- ### [The elephant in the room: MCP ducks the leadership question — again](https://www.nyasatimes.com/the-elephant-in-the-room-mcp-ducks-the-leadership-question-again/) **Published:** September 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There was a conspicuous absence at the Malawi Congress Party’s national executive committee meeting in Lilongwe on Wednesday — not of any person, but of a single word: succession. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788971125773-600x351.jpg)inside MCP’s closed-door meeting: the succession debate that never wasFor all the closed doors and careful stage-management at the party’s City Centre headquarters, the one issue dominating whispered conversations among MCP members — the future of party president Lazarus Chakwera — was kept firmly off the official agenda. Instead, delegates busied themselves with grassroots rebuilding and preparations for the 2030 election, even as speculation swirled that some within the party were quietly agitating for an early convention to resolve exactly the question being avoided. The omission was no accident. Rival factions have been pushing, in parallel, for constitutional amendments that would clear the way for Chakwera to seek another term at the party’s helm — a manoeuvre that would require exactly the kind of debate the leadership seemed determined to sidestep. Secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda was unambiguous when pressed afterwards, insisting the committee was simply the wrong venue for such a conversation. “MCP does not do that,” he said. “Maybe another party, but MCP does not do that. So maybe we can be allowed to educate them a little bit that this is a national executive committee and it’s not a convention to discuss that.” It was, in its way, a revealing answer — less a rebuttal of the succession question than an assertion of the party’s right to decide when, and where, that question might eventually be asked. Chimwendo Banda framed the past twelve months as a period of introspection, following the party’s defeat in the September 2025 general election. “We lost the elections,” he acknowledged. “We have been learning throughout and organising ourselves. We are working hard to make sure the party remains strong.” For outside observers, the party’s reluctance to confront the succession question head-on looks less like prudence than delay. Political scientist George Phiri warned that MCP could ill afford to keep kicking the issue down the road, urging the party to resolve its leadership question and reposition itself well before voters return to the polls in 2030. Whether that reckoning comes sooner or later, one thing seems clear: the debate MCP avoided this week is unlikely to stay off the agenda for long. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP, Richard Chimwendo Banda --- ### [MCP fills vacant NEC positions, expands regions in restructuring Drive](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcp-fills-vacant-nec-positions-expands-regions-in-restructuring-drive/) **Published:** September 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s main opposition party has redrawn its internal political geography, in a restructuring exercise that signals its determination to rebuild from the ground up after last year’s bruising electoral defeat. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260909_230718_Facebook-600x382.jpg) Emmanuel Chambulanyina 1st Deputy secretary General. Dr. Owen Chomanika 2nd Deputy secretary GeneralThe Malawi Congress Party’s national executive committee, meeting in Lilongwe, pressed ahead with plans to split both the Southern and Central Regions into three zones apiece, while reorganising the Lakeshore Region — expanding the party’s political regions from six to nine. Secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda framed the move as an attempt to close the distance between the party’s leadership and its rank-and-file, arguing that a more granular structure would help strengthen MCP’s grassroots base ahead of the next electoral cycle. The reshuffle extended well beyond the map, however. The committee used the occasion to fill a clutch of senior vacancies left by a wave of recent departures. Mzimba South legislator Emmanuel Chambulanyina Jere was elevated to first deputy secretary general, taking over from Mangochi Monkey Bay MP Gerald Kazembe, who stepped down only recently. Former cabinet minister Dr Owen Chomanika, meanwhile, was elected second deputy secretary general — filling the vacancy left by Uchizi Mkandawire, one of several senior figures to have exited their posts in the aftermath of MCP’s defeat in 2025. Elsewhere in the reshuffle, Francis Phiri was appointed first deputy director of economic affairs, while Mchinji North-East MP Anthony Masamba takes on the role of first deputy director of public relations, supported by his deputy, Alumwira Mwenesongole. Former minister Madalitso Wirima becomes director of recruitment, and Sheikh Mtenje steps into the role of first deputy director of social welfare. The restructuring comes against the backdrop of a dramatic reversal in MCP’s political fortunes. Under Lazarus Chakwera, the party swept to power in the court-ordered Fresh Presidential Election of June 2020, unseating then-incumbent Peter Mutharika at the head of the Tonse Alliance. That triumph, though, proved short-lived. Five years on, the tables turned decisively: Mutharika reclaimed the presidency, defeating Chakwera in the election held on 16 September 2025 — a defeat that now appears to be the impetus behind the party’s latest bid to reorganise and rebuild. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP, Owen Chomanika, Richard Chimwendo Banda --- ### [Malawi parliament report on Amaryllis hotel deal 'ready' for tabling](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-parliament-report-on-amaryllis-hotel-deal-ready-for-tabling/) **Published:** September 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A hotly-anticipated parliamentary report into the controversial purchase of Amaryllis Hotel is finally ready to be tabled — bringing to a head months of wrangling over a star witness who never testified. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1782205613277-600x476.jpg)K5.4bn Amaryllis probe jolted as court rules ACB failed legal testParliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has wrapped up its probe into the Public Service Pension Trust Fund’s purchase of the hotel, Speaker of the National Assembly Sameer Suleman has confirmed. The bombshell report will be laid before MPs during Parliament’s Mid-Year Budget Review Meeting in November, Suleman revealed in an interview. PAC chairperson Steven Malondera confirmed all committee members had signed off on the report, which is now sitting in the Speaker’s hands. But the road to publication has been anything but smooth. The Executive had fiercely resisted the report being tabled without testimony from former Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba — branding her a key witness whose evidence could prove crucial. Zamba, however, never appeared before the committee, with her lawyers arguing she was facing a criminal case at the time. In a dramatic U-turn, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba yesterday revealed that government was now finally ready for the report to be tabled — despite the missing testimony. The saga has fuelled speculation over what the report might reveal about the hotel deal, with MPs and the public now bracing themselves for its contents when Parliament reconvenes. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel, Malawi Parliament --- ### [Phyzix receives YouTube silver creator award for hitting 100k subscribers milestone](https://www.nyasatimes.com/phyzix-receives-youtube-silver-creator-award-for-hitting-100k-subscribers-milestone/) **Published:** September 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawian musician Phyzix was left beaming with pride after receiving a surprise package in the post — his very own YouTube Silver Creator Award, handed out to mark his channel smashing the 100,000 subscriber milestone. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260909_233333_Facebook-600x526.jpg)Phyzix: Very good, very good …Malawian singer can’t contain his joy as YouTube honours him with prestigious award for hitting 100k subscribers milestoneThe singer couldn’t resist sharing the moment with fans, posting a photo on Facebook of himself proudly holding up the sleek black box emblazoned with the unmistakable YouTube logo. ‘Today, I received a package in the mail at lunch, only to find my YouTube Silver Creator Award for hitting 100K subscribers,’ he wrote, alongside an eagle emoji. The star was quick to heap praise on those who helped him reach the milestone, thanking his legion of subscribers, followers and supporters for their unwavering backing. The coveted Silver Creator Award is handed out exclusively by YouTube to channels that cross the 100,000 subscriber threshold — a mark of recognition reserved for only a select band of content creators who manage to build a substantial online following. For Phyzix, the achievement marks a major milestone in his growing online presence, cementing his status as one of the platform’s rising Malawian stars Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Phyzix, YouTube --- ### [Malawi hit by nationwide blackout, Escom confirms](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-hit-by-nationwide-blackout-escom-confirms/) **Published:** September 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) has confirmed a nationwide power outage, which began at 10:45pm on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/power-outage1-600x450.jpg)Blackouts persist as Malawi’s power generation lags behind demandThe blackout was confirmed in a statement more than two hours after it started. Escom said the outage followed a system shutdown, though the cause has not yet been established. The power utility said: “Our technical team is on the ground to establish the cause of the system shutdown. We will inform the nation once all facts have been established.” Escom apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused by the interruption. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** electricity, Escom --- ### [Escom gives Blantyre Water Board 14 days to pay K1.6bn or face blackout](https://www.nyasatimes.com/escom-gives-blantyre-water-board-14-days-to-pay-k1-6bn-or-face-blackout/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) has threatened to disconnect power to Blantyre Water Board (BWB) over an unpaid K1.6 billion commitment. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788969323623-600x450.jpg)Escom threatens to disconnect Blantyre Water Board over K1.6bn debtIn a letter dated 1 September 2026, ESCOM chief executive Eng. William Kaipa told BWB it had paid only K400 million of the K2 billion it had committed to settle for August, leaving a shortfall of K1.6 billion. ESCOM has given BWB 14 days to settle the outstanding amount. It warned that electricity to the water board’s head office would be disconnected on 14 September if payment was not made. ESCOM said it had continued meeting financial obligations on BWB’s behalf, including taxes, payments to independent power producers and various levies. Kaipa said such obligations constituted more than 60 percent of the electricity bill. ESCOM said the situation had deprived it of resources needed to carry out its mandate. The letter was addressed to the BWB chief executive officer and copied to the director of finance. The development comes as BWB faces a separate leadership dispute, with competing interests reported to be contesting control and influence within the institution. Political speculation has also emerged around the tensions, linking them to influence over World Bank-supported programmes at BWB ahead of the 2030 elections. No independent evidence has been presented to establish that World Bank funds are being diverted, or that the leadership dispute is being driven by access to such funds. ESCOM’s deadline for payment falls on 14 September. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, ESCOM Ltd --- ### [Sauti Sol set to headline Lilongwe's Kumbali Live Music Concert](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sauti-sol-set-to-headline-lilongwes-kumbali-live-music-concert/) **Published:** September 10, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Grammy Award-winning Kenyan musician Bien-Aimé Alusa Baraza, best known as a member of Afro-pop sensation Sauti Sol, is set to headline this year’s Kumbali Live Music Concert in Lilongwe. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788969451974-600x400.jpg)Grammy-winning Sauti Sol star to headline Malawi concert alongside home-grown talentThe star will take to the stage on 25 October, sharing the bill with Malawian artists Driemo, Praise Umali and Maggie Kadrum at the fourth edition of the popular event. The concert is being bankrolled by Standard Bank Plc as part of its Joy of the Arts initiative, aimed at championing Malawi’s creative industries. Standard Bank’s head of brand and marketing, Tamanda Ng’ombe, said the bank was proud to back the growing event. ‘The concert has earned its place on Malawi’s calendar and provides a bigger stage for local musicians to perform alongside international stars,’ she said. ‘Being the title sponsor reaffirms our commitment to supporting the creative industry and promoting music.’ Organisers have also promised a fresh twist for this year’s edition, with a second stage set to give lesser-known performers a rare shot at the spotlight. Co-producer George Kalukusha said the additional stage would showcase background artists Sangwani Kaunda, Isabel King and Nathaniel Chaluchalu — talent that rarely gets the chance to perform in front of big crowds. Event coordinator Ian D’heygere hailed the concert’s rise in stature, saying it had become a crucial platform for pairing Malawian musicians with international stars. He credited Standard Bank’s backing as central to the event’s success, saying the bank’s financial support had been ‘instrumental’ in growing the concert into what it is today. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788969458175-600x376.jpg)Standard Bank backs Lilongwe’s Kumbali Live Music Concert Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Kumbali Lodge, Standard Bank --- ### [K488.5bn needed for El Niño preparedness, Chief Secretary Says](https://www.nyasatimes.com/k488-5bn-needed-for-el-nino-preparedness-chief-secretary-says/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Chief Secretary to the Government Dr Justin Adack Saidi says Malawi needs K488.5 billion, about US$281.7 million, to respond to El Niño conditions projected for the 2026/27 season. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788968628160-600x476.jpg)Saidi Appeals to Private Sector Over K324.8bn El Niño Funding GapSaidi disclosed this during an El Niño Preparedness engagement meeting in Lilongwe, where he appealed to the private sector to support the initiative. He said government alone could not bridge the K324.8 billion funding gap, about US$187.3 million, remaining after K163.7 billion, about US$94.4 million, was mobilised by government, NGOs and development partners. Saidi said the El Niño Preparedness Plan was “more than a document; it is a call to preparedness.” He urged businesses to contribute expertise, resources and logistics. He said: “Government recognizes that the private sector is not merely a stakeholder in this effort, but a critical partner in building national resilience. “We therefore call upon you to join Government in this national preparedness effort by offering your expertise, resources and logistical capacity, and by making firm commitments.” Saidi said a meeting with development and humanitarian partners on 26 August had already yielded some pledges, but more was needed to fully implement priority interventions across agriculture, water, health, education, energy and social protection. He said: “Disaster risk reduction, preparedness and anticipatory action are not expenditures; they are investments. They save lives, protect livelihoods, and drastically reduce the ultimate financial burden of response and recovery.” He linked the plan to Malawi 2063, saying building a disaster-resilient Malawi was a shared responsibility. He said: “When we prepare together, we are better equipped to protect lives, livelihoods and communities.” Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Ron Ngwira pledged support for the initiative. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** El Nino, Justine Saidi --- ### [Anadkat donates K1.26 billion CT scanner to Blantyre Adventist Hospital](https://www.nyasatimes.com/anadkat-donates-k1-26-billion-ct-scanner-to-blantyre-adventist-hospital/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** In a country where access to advanced diagnostic equipment remains the preserve of the privileged few, a single donation this week has thrown into sharp relief both the scale of need and the power of private philanthropy to fill the gaps left by chronic underfunding. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788987508590-600x399.jpg)Blantyre Adventist Hospital receives K1.26bn CT scanner from Anadkat familyHitesh Anadkat, the businessman behind First Capital Bank, has handed over a $720,000 (£565,000) CT scanner to Blantyre Adventist Hospital, in what he described not as an act of generosity but of obligation. “This is my town, this is my city and this is my community, and the community needed this very badly,” Anadkat told those gathered for the unveiling. “So I thought: if not me, then who? If I can afford to do it, it is my obligation to do it.” It is a sentiment that speaks to a wider, uncomfortable truth about healthcare provision across much of sub-Saharan Africa, where public hospitals often operate without basic diagnostic technology that would be taken for granted in wealthier nations — and where the burden of filling that gap increasingly falls to wealthy individuals and their foundations, rather than the state. For Blantyre Adventist Hospital, the arrival of the machine marks a genuine turning point. Chief executive Kirby Kasinja did not disguise his relief, describing years of operating without the equipment as a significant handicap to patient care. “We missed this gadget,” he said, “and this donation takes us to another level.” The scanner — a device that uses X-rays and computer processing to produce detailed images of the body’s interior, crucial for detecting tumours and other cancers — will now allow the hospital to diagnose conditions that previously required patients to travel elsewhere, often at considerable cost and delay, or go undiagnosed altogether. Frank Sinyiza, director of curative and rehabilitative health services at Malawi’s health ministry, welcomed the donation as a boost to the wider system, noting that the equipment would ease pressures felt across the country’s hospital network, not just in Blantyre. The Anadkat family’s involvement in Malawi’s health sector is not new; this latest gift follows previous contributions, part of a pattern of philanthropic engagement that has, over the years, quietly supplemented state provision in a sector still recovering from decades of underinvestment. Whether such individual acts of generosity can ever substitute for sustained public investment remains an open question — one that will linger long after the scanner is switched on. But for the patients who will pass through Blantyre Adventist Hospital in the months ahead, the answer, for now, is simply one of gratitude. FCB is a subsidiary of Malawi Stock Exchange-listed FMB Capital Holdings Limited plc. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, National **Tags:** Blantyre Adventist Hospital, First Capital Bank, Hitesh Anadkat --- ### [MCP rocked by civil war as Chakwera makes brazen bid to cling to power](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcp-rocked-by-civil-war-as-chakwera-makes-brazen-bid-to-cling-to-power/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) descended into chaos today as a crunch leadership meeting exploded into a bitter row over former president Lazarus Chakwera’s audacious attempt to rewrite party rules and extend his grip on power. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788968382541-600x408.jpg)Behind closed doors: the row tearing MCP apart over Chakwera’s futureTempers reportedly flared behind closed doors at the party’s Lilongwe headquarters as senior figures clashed over Chakwera’s controversial push to amend the MCP constitution — a move that would tear up the party’s two-term limit and clear the way for him to seek re-election as leader. The explosive proposal has plunged the party into fresh turmoil, just as it battles to rebuild its shattered image following its bruising exit from government. Chakwera was said to be present throughout the fraught session, flanked by his most senior lieutenants — vice-president Catherine Gotani Hara, secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda, campaign director Moses Kunkuyu, Leader of Opposition Simplex Chithyola Banda and youth director Steve Baba Malondera. Adding fuel to the fire, delegates also clashed over a bombshell plan to carve the Central Region into four separate administrative regions — a proposal insiders say has deepened splits within the party’s ranks. Critics fear the twin proposals could plunge MCP into a fresh succession crisis, reigniting long-simmering questions over internal democracy and who truly controls the party’s future. But MCP bosses were tight-lipped in the aftermath, refusing to confirm the extent of the drama unfolding inside the meeting. Party spokeswoman Jessie Kabwila batted away questions, insisting it would be wrong to reveal details before the gathering had concluded. ‘It would be premature to reveal the issues under discussion at this point,’ she said, doing little to quell mounting speculation over what was really said behind closed doors. The high-stakes showdown could prove pivotal for the party’s future, with the outcome set to determine whether Chakwera succeeds in tightening his hold on the leadership — and whether MCP presses ahead with its explosive plan to redraw the Central Region’s political map. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP --- ### [Malawi presses AfDB and South Korea for fresh budget support in Seoul](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-presses-afdb-and-south-korea-for-fresh-budget-support-in-seoul/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s finance minister has stepped up efforts to secure additional grants and concessional financing through talks in Seoul, as the country seeks to ease persistent foreign exchange shortages without adding to its debt stock. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788969672305-600x450.jpg)Mwanamvekha in fruitful talks held in SeoulJoseph Mwanamvekha, the finance minister, held separate meetings with Sidi Ould Tah, president of the African Development Bank, and Jinsung Moon, South Korea’s deputy minister of finance and economy, on the sidelines of a ministerial gathering in the South Korean capital. The discussions centred on expanding budget support, unlocking concessional financing and securing technical assistance — all without exacerbating the debt burden facing one of the world’s poorest economies. Mwanamvekha described his talks with the AfDB as “fruitful”, suggesting the multilateral lender could extend additional funding beyond the $20.5mn, or roughly MK34bn, in budget support it approved recently. Separately, discussions with South Korean officials focused on grants, loans and investment opportunities across agriculture, mining, digital technology and artificial intelligence, with Seoul signalling continued backing for African partners including Malawi. The engagements took place at the eighth Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation ministerial conference, jointly organised by South Korea’s finance ministry and the AfDB. Malawi has faced acute dollar shortages in recent years, a strain that has complicated import financing and weighed on the kwacha, making concessional external support an increasingly important lever for the government’s fiscal management. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** AfDB, Joseph Mwanamvekha, South Korea --- ### [Maranatha blasts jealous rivals as school celebrates near-perfect pass rate](https://www.nyasatimes.com/maranatha-blasts-jealous-rivals-as-school-celebrates-near-perfect-pass-rate/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The head of one of Malawi’s top-performing schools has hit out at critics who he says are consumed by envy rather than curiosity, after his pupils once again dominated this year’s national exam results. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788970041164-600x450.jpg)Maranatha’s Kaonga hits back at ‘jealous’ rivals after stellar exam results — and urges them to seek advice insteadEnerst Kaonga, head of Maranatha Academy, said his school had delivered another outstanding performance in the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) exams — but instead of praise, some had responded with jealousy. Speaking at a press conference in Blantyre, Kaonga urged fellow Malawians to abandon the culture of envy and instead seek out the secrets behind the school’s success. He revealed that of 895 pupils who sat the exams across the school’s campuses, an impressive 848 had passed — a pass rate that will raise eyebrows across the country’s education sector. Kaonga added that six standout students — three girls and three boys — had scored a perfect 10 points, the highest possible grade. The results are likely to reignite debate over Malawi’s education gap, with elite private academies increasingly outperforming government-run schools, prompting questions over funding, resources and teaching standards nationwide. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, General **Tags:** Maranatha, MSCE --- ### [Apostle Kawinga marks 20 years of marriage with heartfelt tribute](https://www.nyasatimes.com/apostle-kawinga-marks-20-years-of-marriage-with-heartfelt-tribute/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Apostle Clifford Kawinga has marked two decades of marriage with an emotional tribute to his wife, describing their union as one of the ‘greatest gifts’ of his life. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788968720360-480x600.jpg)‘Here’s to many more years of love, purpose, friendship, and serving God together.’Taking to Facebook, the preacher reflected on his marriage journey, admitting their relationship did not have the fairy-tale beginnings often associated with romance. ‘Our love story may not have begun with flowers and fireworks, but through every season, thanksgiving has never been absent from our hearts,’ he wrote. The clergyman, known for his ministry work, said the milestone had left him reflecting on how far the couple had come since their early days together. ‘Today, as I reflect on the many gifts God has bestowed upon me, marriage stands among the greatest,’ he said. ‘It makes me look back, smile, and thank God for where we started, where we have been, and how far He has brought us.’ Kawinga went on to describe the anniversary as a testament to divine faithfulness, placing it alongside his calling to ministry as one of life’s most treasured blessings. ‘Twenty years and counting — one of the greatest gifts after the gift of life and the privilege of being called to serve in His Kingdom,’ he wrote. ‘We are a testimony of God’s grace, faithfulness, and love.’ He capped off the touching post with a celebratory message to his wife, along with well-wishes for the years ahead. ‘Happy Anniversary to us!’ he wrote, followed by a string of heart and champagne emojis. ‘Here’s to many more years of love, purpose, friendship, and serving God together.’ The post has since drawn a wave of warm responses from followers, many offering their own congratulations to the couple on reaching the milestone. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Apostle Clifford Kawinga, marriage --- ### ['Homeland Security is supposed to protect, not threaten': Ntata's attack on Chisale's whipping threat](https://www.nyasatimes.com/homeland-security-is-supposed-to-protect-not-threaten-ntatas-attack-on-chisales-whipping-threat/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian government deputy minister has been accused of threatening to unleash violence against opposition supporters — in astonishing remarks that legal experts say expose him as constitutionally unfit for office.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788901276857-600x388.jpg) Norman Chisale, who serves as Deputy Minister of Homeland Security with responsibility for Operations, is said to have warned members of the opposition UTM party that “we are about to start whipping people” if they continue “moving from place to place” campaigning. He reportedly went even further, seeking the blessing of traditional chiefs for the threatened crackdown. The extraordinary comments have triggered a blistering response from prominent lawyer and former presidential aide Allan Ntata, who says the minister appears to have confused his role as a party operative with his constitutional duties as a government official. Writing on Facebook, Ntata — who once served as legal aide to the late president Bingu wa Mutharika — said the situation exposed a ‘constitutional irony’ of staggering proportions. He pointed out that UTM members travelling to campaign are not breaking any laws — they are simply exercising rights enshrined in Malawi’s constitution. Section 39 guarantees freedom of movement, while Section 40 protects citizens’ right to join political parties and engage in peaceful political activity. ‘The ministry whose security machinery should protect opposition politicians while they exercise those freedoms now has a Deputy Minister publicly talking about whipping them for exercising them,’ Ntata wrote. The lawyer said the comments raised urgent questions over whether Chisale grasped the difference between his party role and his government office. He noted the constitution explicitly bars government and political parties from directing police to favour or undermine any party — and requires officers to protect all citizens ‘without fear or favour’. ‘A Homeland Security Minister therefore occupies the very governmental space constitutionally required to stand between political disagreement and political intimidation,’ Ntata said. ‘He cannot simultaneously become its source.’ The lawyer was unsparing in his conclusion, warning that when an ordinary party operative threatens violence it is ‘political thuggery’ — but when the same words come from a minister overseeing homeland security operations, it raises a far graver question over whether the very person meant to safeguard political freedom is instead threatening it. ‘Malawi has travelled this road before,’ Ntata warned. ‘We should recognise the signposts.’ He closed his post with a pointed message to the minister: ‘Hon. Chisale, Homeland Security is supposed to protect political freedom; not threaten to whip it.’ Neither Chisale nor the Ministry of Homeland Security had responded to the claims at the time of publication. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Allan Ntata, democracy, Norman Chisale --- ### [Pothole-plagued Blantyre to finally get major road revamp ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pothole-plagued-blantyre-to-finally-get-major-road-revamp/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Long-suffering drivers in Blantyre are finally set for relief after city bosses confirmed a massive road rehabilitation blitz will kick off at the end of this month — following the signing of a crucial financing deal with the Road Fund Administration (RFA). ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788871394703-337x600.jpg)Debora Luka revealed preparations are already at an advanced stage,Blantyre City Council’s Public Relations Officer Debora Luka revealed preparations are already at an advanced stage, with officials scrambling to fast-track the final approvals needed to get contractors and heavy machinery rolling. “The project is officially scheduled to commence at the end of September 2026,” Luka confirmed, though she cautioned the exact start date hinges on how quickly the paperwork clears. Luka revealed the council and RFA are working hand-in-glove to slash red tape, insisting mobilisation of equipment could begin the moment final sign-off is granted. City chiefs have zeroed in on two notoriously congested corridors for the opening phase of works — both selected after careful assessment of traffic chaos and daily disruption to residents. First up is Kenyatta Drive, a vital artery through Blantyre Urban that Luka says will ease brutal congestion and improve access to schools, markets and health facilities once upgraded. The second is the Makhetha to Makata Road via Nkolokoti — a critical lifeline connecting semi-urban communities to the city centre and industrial zones. The announcement comes as a huge relief to the city’s battered minibus industry, with Minibus Owners Association of Malawi Secretary Coxley Kamange revealing crumbling roads have been savaging their business for years. “Bad roads bring unnecessary congestion as drivers are forced to slow down or divert to avoid damaged sections, especially during peak hours. This leads to lost time and productivity for passengers and businesses,” Kamange fumed. Even more alarmingly, Kamange warned the city’s crater-strewn roads are actively putting lives at risk — with terrified drivers forced into dangerous last-second swerves to dodge potholes. “Damaged roads are prone to accidents. In an effort to avoid hitting potholes, drivers often swerve suddenly or use the wrong lane, putting passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists at risk,” he warned. With works now just weeks away, weary Blantyre commuters will be hoping the long-promised fix finally puts an end to the daily pothole nightmare. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788871401501-600x450.jpg)Blantyre City: Relief at last after years of misery for motorists Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Blantyre City --- ### [Coaching shake-up at Silver Strikers as interim panel named](https://www.nyasatimes.com/coaching-shake-up-at-silver-strikers-as-interim-panel-named/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Silver Strikers Football Club have announced a sweeping interim technical panel to take charge of first-team affairs ‘with immediate effect’ — a move that will fuel speculation over the future of the club’s senior coaching set-up. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Max-Bullets-coach-Patrick-Kulemeka-bad-day-in-office...Photo-Jeromy-Kadewere.jpe)Patrick Kulemeka: Named interim Silver coachIn a statement released on Wednesday, the Malawian Premiership side insisted the shake-up was designed to provide ‘continuity’ while bosses thrash out a long-term plan for the dugout. But the club stopped short of explaining what prompted the sudden reshuffle, fuelling talk among fans that a permanent departure may be on the cards. Patricio Kulemeka has been handed the reins as head coach on a caretaker basis, flanked by Mapopa Msukwa and Andrew Chikhosi as his assistants. Goalkeeping duties will fall to Phillip Nyasulu, while Emmanuel Chipatala takes charge as team manager. Cassim Wasili has been appointed welfare manager, with Chikondi Kaminga and Andrew Mtalimanja rounding out the eight-strong panel as team doctor and physiotherapist respectively. The club were at pains to stress the priority now is simply keeping the team ‘focused on its competitive commitments’ — a clear signal that results, not politics, must come first in the short term. A club statement read: ‘The immediate priority is to keep the team focused on its competitive commitments while maintaining professionalism and a positive environment for the players.’ Bosses have promised fans more clarity is coming, adding: ‘Further communication regarding the Club’s substantive technical arrangements will be made at the appropriate time.’ Silver Strikers, one of Malawi’s most decorated clubs, will be desperate to avoid the upheaval derailing their season — with supporters now waiting anxiously to see who lands the job on a permanent basis. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Patrick Kulemeka, Silver Strikers --- ### [Court halts Malawi speaker's inquiry into troubled state bodies](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-halts-malawi-speakers-inquiry-into-troubled-state-bodies/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The High Court has temporarily stopped Parliament from launching public inquiries into several troubled state institutions. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788871928945-1-600x400.jpg)Spealer Suleman: Malawi court blocks parliament probe into state firmsThe interim order, issued on 4 September 2026, bars Speaker Sameer Suleman and Parliament from establishing or operationalising joint ad hoc committees to probe the Immigration and Citizenship Services Department, ESCOM, EGENCO, Power Market Limited, Blantyre Water Board and NOCMA. It also covers any other government department or agency targeted by the Speaker. The order follows an urgent judicial review application by private citizen Austin Mkoka, represented by lawyer Noel Dunstan Supedi of Supedi and Company. Mkoka argues the proposed inquiries are unlawful and exceed Parliament’s constitutional powers under Section 49(1). The court has granted Mkoka permission to commence judicial review. It has ordered that the inter partes hearing be held within 14 days. In the meantime, all steps towards establishing or operationalising the committees have been stayed until further orders. The order carries a penal notice. Anyone who knowingly disobeys it risks contempt of court, with possible sanctions including fines, seizure of assets or imprisonment. Suleman has said the proposed inquiries were triggered by petitions from citizens over poor services and operational failures. He has said Parliament’s intention was to help citizens, not to usurp the powers of other arms of government, and has called for dialogue to resolve the dispute. The case raises questions over the limits of parliamentary oversight, and where it ends and institutional overreach begins. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Malawi Parliament, Sameer Suleman --- ### [World Bank appoints Muwonge as Malawi country manager](https://www.nyasatimes.com/world-bank-appoints-muwonge-as-malawi-country-manager/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The World Bank Group has appointed Ugandan economist Abdu Muwonge as its new Country Manager for Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260909-WA0002-549x600.jpg)Muwonge: Ugandan economist to lead World Bank’s Malawi operationsHe takes up office this month, leading a portfolio of 23 lending operations valued at about US$3 billion. Based in Lilongwe, Muwonge will also oversee the operations of the International Finance Corporation and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency in Malawi. He succeeds the outgoing Country Manager. In a statement, the World Bank said Muwonge’s mandate would focus on supporting inclusive economic growth and the creation of more and better jobs, as Malawi’s working-age population continues to expand. Muwonge has two decades of experience with the World Bank, having joined in 2006. He has worked on development programmes across Africa, South Asia, and Europe and Central Asia. Before his appointment to Malawi, he served as World Bank Group Country Manager in Sierra Leone. Muwonge holds a PhD and a master’s degree in economics, specialising in public finance, from Georgia State University in the United States. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, General **Tags:** World Bank --- ### [Thyolo council authorised to sell Nantipwiri plots](https://www.nyasatimes.com/thyolo-council-authorised-to-sell-nantipwiri-plots/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Government has authorised Thyolo District Council to sell 709 plots at Nantipwiri Estate for residential and commercial use, following years of court battles over the land. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788941421328-600x450.jpg)Dakamau: Disputed Nantipwiri estate plots to be sold for developmentThyolo District Commissioner Noel Dakamau disclosed this on Tuesday during a full council meeting. He said the plots form part of more than 1,300 created after the estate was subdivided. Dakamau said the plots are valued between K11 million and K800 million. He said the council expects to raise about K3 billion from the sale. He said 50 plots would be reserved for Thyolo people living in the diaspora. A further 200 would be set aside for future council projects, including housing for the DC and directors. Dakamau said the prices were set by the Ministry of Lands in line with the Lands Act, and could not be altered by the council. Senior Chief Boyd urged council members and stakeholders to focus on the development benefits from the proceeds rather than the prices, saying lowering them would deny the district resources for development projects. The Nantipwiri land was previously used for farming by local communities, after former President Dr Joyce Banda allowed them to occupy it. The High Court later ruled that the occupants had no legal ownership of the land beyond assurances made on a political podium. The council says proceeds from the sale will go towards development activities in the district. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** land, Nantipwiri Estate, Thyolo --- ### [Escom's prepaid meter rollout hits 99%](https://www.nyasatimes.com/escoms-prepaid-meter-rollout-hits-99/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) says its nationwide project to migrate postpaid electricity customers to prepaid metering has reached more than 99 percent. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788941548557-600x484.jpg)Phiri: Escom nears completion of prepaid meter migrationESCOM Public Relations Officer Pilirani Phiri said the Meter Migration Project had made significant progress, with completion rates nearing 100 percent in all regions. He said: “The Meter Migration Project has made significant progress, with the migration of postpaid customers to prepaid metering now more than 99 percent complete across all regions, leaving a small backlog of complex and high consumption connections.” Phiri said the Northern Region led the exercise at 99.9 percent, followed by the Central Region at 99.8 percent. The Southern and Eastern Regions stood at 99.7 percent. He said only 344 postpaid low voltage meters remained to be migrated nationwide, most of them three phase. The Central Region had the largest remaining share, with 101 meters. The Northern Region had 20 outstanding meters, comprising three single phase and 17 three phase. Phiri said most of the remaining three phase postpaid meters were concentrated in Blantyre and Limbe, due to the concentration of factories in the areas. He said: “The highest backlog of three phase postpaid meters is in Blantyre and Limbe, largely due to the concentration of factories in these areas.” He said some remaining postpaid connections belonged to government institutions, including the Malawi Defence Force and Malawi Police Service, which required additional coordination before migration. Migration of maximum demand meters, used mainly by large industrial and commercial consumers, remains at an early stage. Phiri said: “For maximum demand meters, there are 1,396 across the country, of which 109 have so far been migrated to prepaid metering.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, General **Tags:** electricity, Escom, Pilirani Phiri --- ### ['Vultures are circling': DPP rocked by power struggle, commentator warns](https://www.nyasatimes.com/vultures-are-circling-dpp-rocked-by-power-struggle-commentator-warns/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A social media commentator has warned that Malawi’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is being consumed by an internal power struggle, amid growing friction between senior figures. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/20260909_100031-600x600.jpg)Chisale, Namalomba feud exposes deeper DPP tensions, says NassahIdriss Ali Nassah made the claim in a social media post, saying tension between DPP politician Norman Chisale and Shadric Namalomba pointed to deeper problems within the party. He wrote: “The internecine wars happening right now in the DPP… the jostling and elbowing of each other, Norman Chisale’s undisciplined mouth and Shadric Namalomba’s uneasiness, should tell you that these people know something that we probably don’t.” He added: “Time should soon tell.” Nassah suggested the party was positioning itself for a future battle over power and succession. He questioned the authority of President Peter Mutharika, saying: “From the outside looking in, it would seem that the center of power—President Mutharika, at his advanced age—is weak and feeble and unable to fully impose authority on all of the competing parties and interests.” He predicted difficulties ahead for senior party figures, saying: “The vultures are circling and it’s going to be a long four years ahead for those in the inner and outer circles of the DPP.” The comments come amid increasing public exchanges between senior DPP figures. Nassah did not provide evidence that party officials were positioning themselves for a succession battle, nor did he say the leadership had lost control of the party. No DPP officials have publicly responded to the claims. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, Norman Chisale, Peter Mutharika, Shadreck Namalomba --- ### [Court asked to seize Blantyre Water Board funds over K3bn debt](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-asked-to-seize-blantyre-water-board-funds-over-k3bn-debt/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Blantyre Water Board, the utility responsible for keeping taps running across Malawi’s commercial city, finds itself embroiled in a High Court battle that could see its bank and mobile-money accounts raided to settle a debt approaching K3 billion. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787914817363-e1787915064792-600x456.jpg)Lawyer Khumbo Soko filed: Taps Running, Accounts at Risk -BWB’s K3 Billion Court BattleCourt papers lodged at the Commercial Division of the High Court in Lilongwe reveal that Madalitso Chika, trading as Mortech IT Solutions, has grown tired of waiting for BWB to make good on two separate court judgments — and is now asking judges to go straight to the source of the money. Six of the country’s best-known financial institutions have been drawn into the dispute as a result: National Bank of Malawi, FDH Bank, First Capital Bank, Ecobank Malawi, Airtel Mobile Commerce and TNM Mpamba. None of the six stands accused of wrongdoing. They have simply been named because they are thought to be sitting on BWB’s money. **A debt that has been mounting since May** The figures at the heart of the case are substantial. Two judgments — handed down on 20 May and 2 July this year — ordered BWB to pay Mortech IT Solutions a combined K2.576 billion. Add in K386.5 million in collection costs, and the bill now sits at roughly K2.96 billion. With the water board apparently unwilling or unable to pay up, Mortech’s lawyers have turned to a legal mechanism known as a third-party debt order — effectively asking the court to instruct the six institutions to hand over BWB’s funds directly, bypassing the water board altogether. **Not a foregone conclusion** It would be premature, however, to assume the money has already changed hands. The application is exactly that — an application.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260909-WA0000-276x600.jpg) Nothing in the court papers suggests the banks or mobile-money operators have moved a single kwacha, and the amount of money BWB actually holds with each institution remains undisclosed. The decision, ultimately, rests with the judge. **A test of the water board’s finances** For an organisation charged with supplying water to homes and businesses across Blantyre, a debt of this size is no small matter. Should the court side with Mortech IT Solutions, the water board could see a significant chunk of its liquid assets diverted to clear the judgment debt — a scenario that would inevitably raise questions about its financial resilience. That said, there is nothing in the filings to suggest BWB’s day-to-day operations have been disrupted, nor that residents have felt any impact on their water supply. **The parties** The application was brought by lawyer Khumbo Bonzo Soko of Soko & Co, acting for Mortech IT Solutions. The case pits the small IT firm against one of Malawi’s larger public utilities — a reminder that even modest creditors can bring considerable pressure to bear through the courts. **What comes next** The High Court must now weigh whether to grant the order. If it does, the six institutions will be compelled to release BWB funds to settle the debt. If it declines, Mortech IT Solutions will be left to explore other avenues of recovery. For now, the case remains a civil enforcement matter — a dispute over money owed, not an allegation of criminal conduct by anyone named. But with almost K3 billion on the table, it is one that Blantyre’s water utility can ill afford to lose. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, Khumbo Soko --- ### ['Our dreams are sold for goats': child marriage tops agenda at Mchinji Children's Parliament](https://www.nyasatimes.com/our-dreams-are-sold-for-goats-child-marriage-tops-agenda-at-mchinji-childrens-parliament/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** School-going children from Mchinji district have identified child marriage as one of the most pressing issues affecting girls in their communities, during the first session of the Mchinji District Children’s Parliament held at Mchinji Teachers’ Training College on 3 and 4 September. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260908-WA0006-600x400.jpg)Mchinji children call for end to child marriage at inaugural parliament sessionThe two-day forum brought together 165 learners representing Traditional Authorities Simphasi, Mkanda, Mavwere, Kapondo, Nyoka, Mduwa and Zulu, with each area designated a “constituency” for the purposes of the event. The child parliamentarians debated five motions covering education challenges, clean water, health challenges, poor roads, and increased cases of child marriage. Of these, the motion on child marriage drew particular attention, with several children linking early marriage directly to school dropout rates and wider health and poverty challenges in the district. “Girls are being forced to marry at 13, 14, 15 years old,” one child parliamentarian said. “Their future is being sold for goats, money, and food. They are becoming wives and mothers before they finish primary school.” The children said early marriage worsened existing education challenges in Mchinji, where classrooms are overcrowded and learning materials are scarce, and argued that every girl married off represented a lost opportunity for the district to develop future teachers, nurses or leaders. They also said teenage pregnancy placed additional strain on health facilities, with young mothers facing higher risks of complications and their children facing greater risk of malnutrition. While full resolutions from the parliament are yet to be published, the child parliamentarians called for strict enforcement of laws against those who marry off children, community sensitisation by chiefs and religious leaders, support to keep girls in school through provision of sanitary pads, school feeding programmes and scholarships, and safe reporting mechanisms for children in villages. Speaker of the Mchinji Children’s Parliament, Deborah Ezekiel, said: “Marriage is for adults, not for children. Let us finish school first.” A boy MP representing TA Mkanda said children needed to speak out on the issue rather than wait for adults to act. “We are the ones affected. If we don’t speak now, who will speak for the girls who are already in marriages?” he said. Save the Children International’s senior advocacy, campaigns, communications and media manager, John Chipeta, said his organisation and partners under the Joining Forces Alliance (JOFA) would analyse the resolutions and facilitate discussions to help government and other organisations take the issues forward. He said the resolutions would be presented to the District Council, traditional leaders and relevant ministries to help inform policy and programming. “Child parliament is the responsibility of every organisation, led by government, and NGOs have a role to support and complement,” Mr Chipeta said, adding that some of the issues raised by children were directed at organisations such as his own, not government alone. Principal Secretary for Administration in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Oliver Kumbambe, congratulated the 165 child parliamentarians, saying their participation demonstrated that children were citizens with rights, views and aspirations that needed to be heard. He said the Children’s Parliament provided a platform for children to learn about their rights and responsibilities, identify challenges and propose solutions. “When we listen to children, we gain a better understanding of the realities they face. When children are given an opportunity to speak, we strengthen democracy. And when we act on what children tell us, we demonstrate that their voices truly matter,” Mr Kumbambe said. He urged the child parliamentarians to act as ambassadors in their communities against child marriage, violence, abuse, child labour and exploitation, and called on parents, guardians and traditional leaders to create safe spaces for children to speak and to continue efforts to end harmful practices. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, General, News **Tags:** child marriage, Mchinji --- ### [Malawi's fuel storage gamble: doubling capacity while the tank stays empty](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-fuel-storage-gamble-doubling-capacity-while-the-tank-stays-empty/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s energy sector is grappling with an awkward contradiction. While motorists queue at petrol stations, the state-owned National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) is pressing ahead with plans to double its strategic fuel storage capacity, from 60 million to 120 million litres. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1783527134445-600x414.jpg)Mathanga: Tone deaf Existing reserves at Matindi in Blantyre, Kanengo in Lilongwe and Sonda in Mzuzu already exceed what the country can reliably keep full. A $9.7 million contract for the Mzuzu expansion has been awarded to Optech Engineering and Einstein Construction, with tenders for Blantyre and Lilongwe under way. Energy minister Jean Mathanga has defended the project as essential to national supply security, telling the podcast *No Excuses MW* that government was “working so hard to ensure that we have enough fuel for our consumption.” In theory, Malawi’s roughly two million litres of daily fuel consumption should leave a comfortable 30-day buffer. In practice, chronic foreign currency shortages routinely leave reserves depleted. That gap between theory and practice is precisely what troubles the scheme’s critics. Economist Velli Nyirongo, writing from Scotland, put it succinctly: Malawi is “considering doubling our fuel storage capacity at precisely the time when we struggle to secure enough foreign exchange to keep existing fuel supplies flowing.” His diagnosis is blunt — the problem is financial, not structural, and “infrastructure should follow the constraint, not distract from it.” Consumer rights advocate Wazamazama Katatu goes further, arguing that pouring money into long-term infrastructure while ordinary Malawians face daily fuel shortages risks looking tone-deaf. The concern is sharpened by Malawi’s precarious public finances: debt above 90% of GDP, persistent budget deficits, some K3.2 trillion in outstanding compensation liabilities, and statutory obligations consuming nearly all domestic revenue. The underlying question, then, is one of sequencing. Bigger tanks may well serve Malawi’s long-term energy security. But without the foreign exchange to keep them filled, critics warn the country risks investing heavily in capacity it cannot yet use — a solution addressing the wrong end of the problem. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Fuel, Jean Mathanga --- ### [FDH Bank Premiership takes four-week break](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fdh-bank-premiership-takes-four-week-break/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s FDH Bank Premiership is set for a dramatic FOUR-WEEK shutdown, with league bosses confirming the top flight will grind to a halt to give teams breathing space and clear the decks for international commitments. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788918159372-600x338.jpg)Big Bullets are leading the league: Season screeches to a halt as Malawi’s top flight takes shock month-long breakThe Super League of Malawi (Sulom) dropped the bombshell announcement, revealing the eagerly-anticipated second round won’t kick off until October 10 — leaving clubs and fans facing a lengthy wait for the action to resume. MOST CLUBS FACE FIVE-WEEK WAIT — BUT TWO GIANTS STILL HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS Sulom general secretary Williams Banda revealed that while the majority of the league will enjoy — or endure — at least a FIVE-week break, reigning champions Mighty Wanderers and rivals Blue Eagles still have unfinished business to settle first. The two heavyweights are set to lock horns in a mouth-watering delayed first-round clash on September 19 — a fixture originally postponed amid the schedule chaos. 14 CLUBS ALREADY DONE AND DUSTED FOR ROUND ONE The remaining 14 teams in the division have already wrapped up their first-round fixtures, completing their matches over the weekend — meaning it’s now simply a nervous waiting game before the title race resumes in full next month. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** FDH Premiership --- ### [Wanderers get secret battle plan as they bid to shock Simba](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wanderers-get-secret-battle-plan-as-they-bid-to-shock-simba/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers have been handed a lifeline ahead of their do-or-die Champions League showdown — after Malawi’s own coaches’ union stepped in with a top-secret tactical dossier designed to help the Nomads stun Tanzanian giants Simba SC. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788723190458-scaled-e1788917768599-600x548.jpg)Mtetemera fights to keep belief alive in his dressing room ahead of the daunting away legThe National Football Coaches Association (NFCA) extended an extraordinary hand of solidarity to the beleaguered club, compiling a detailed technical report crammed with tactical recommendations to help Wanderers claw back a 1-0 first-leg deficit in their CAF Champions League preliminary round tie. Wanderers were left crestfallen after crashing to defeat on home turf at Bingu National Stadium on Saturday — with Anicet Oura pouncing ruthlessly in the 64th minute after a costly defensive mix-up from a long ball. But crack analysts insisted the result flattered Simba, with the NFCA’s Technical Study Group — made up of Millias Pofera Jegwe, De Klerk Msakakuona, Audlow Thandie Makonyola and Lovemore Fazili — concluding Wanderers were NOT outplayed, but simply punished for one preventable howler. The panel praised the Nomads for holding a rock-solid defensive shape for 63 minutes and smothering Simba’s much-vaunted “total football” style into mostly harmless long-range pot-shots — but flagged jittery early passing and a fatal lapse in concentration as the moment it all unravelled. With Sunday’s explosive second leg in Dar es Salaam looming, the coaches’ union has drawn up a razor-sharp four-point battle plan for interim boss McDonald “Nginde” Mtetemera’s bench. Tactically, they want safer ball circulation at the back, a disciplined mid-block instead of an all-out press, and lightning-quick vertical transitions to exploit Simba’s exposed advancing full-backs. Technically, the message is brutally simple: start SCORING — with Wanderers urged to finally convert the glut of half-chances they squandered in Lilongwe, alongside a forensic video review of the conceded goal. Mentally, the panel is demanding ice-cool composure whatever the scoreline, plus fresh legs from the second-half substitutes who impressed in the first leg. The extraordinary gesture comes as under-pressure coach Mtetemera fights to keep belief alive in his dressing room ahead of the daunting away leg. But he refused to wave the white flag, declaring defiantly: “It is possible \[that\] we can go and win in Tanzania. They might play a physical game, but we know what we can do. It is not over yet until it is over.” Remarkably, Mtetemera even dared to dream of an emphatic turnaround, insisting his side could shock Simba on their own patch. ” We are the defending champions \[in Malawi\]; we are also a big team. We just have to correct our mistakes,” he declared. Wanderers face Simba in the explosive second leg on Sunday in Dar es Salaam — with the Nomads’ Champions League dreams hanging by a thread. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** CAF champions league, Mighty Wanderers, Simba FC --- ### [Malawi teenager scores 13 points in MSCE after battling paralysis](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-teenager-scores-13-points-in-msce-after-battling-paralysis/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A 15-year-old student in Malawi has scored 13 points in her Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations, after sitting the exams in a wheelchair following a series of serious health complications. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260908-WA00071-450x600.jpg)Angel Msyalie 13-point miracle: Paralysed, collapsed, stopped breathing—then conquered MSCEAngel Msyalie, a student at Kings Foundation Schools, Rose Academy, began experiencing health problems at the age of three, according to her school. Despite ongoing medical challenges, she consistently ranked among the top students in her class. In October last year, while in Form 4, Angel collapsed and became paralysed. After treatment, she returned to school in a wheelchair and later relearned to walk using a walker. Weeks before her MSCE examinations, she collapsed again and stopped breathing. She was taken to hospital and survived, but missed several weeks of lessons as a result. She went on to sit her examinations in a wheelchair, scoring 13 points, which placed her among the top three students at her school. Kings Foundation Schools awarded Angel MK1 million in recognition of her performance. The school recorded an overall pass rate of 92 percent in this year’s MSCE results, with four students scoring 12 points and 251 students achieving between 12 and 29 points. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Kings Foundation, MSCE --- ### [Row over 'king' titles as Ngoni heritage groups challenge Malawi  govt stance](https://www.nyasatimes.com/row-over-king-titles-as-ngoni-heritage-groups-challenge-malawi-govt-stance/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Mzimba Heritage Association and Maseko Ngoni Heritage Trust have challenged the government’s position that Malawi’s laws do not recognise or allow the establishment of kingdoms or the conferment of the title of king. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260908_213843_Facebook-600x454.jpg)Heritage groups defend use of ‘king’ titles for M’mbelwa V and Gomani VIn a joint statement, the organisations defended the use of the titles Inkosi ya Makhosi and King for M’mbelwa V and Gomani V respectively, arguing that the institutions are rooted in the history and customary laws of the Ngoni people. The statement follows an earlier statement by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, which said Malawi’s laws do not accommodate or permit the creation of kingdoms or the conferment of the title of king. The ministry’s statement, signed by Principal Secretary Moses Chimphepo, said traditional leaders are recognised under the Chiefs Act as custodians of culture and customary law, but are not rulers of independent territories or kingdoms. However, the two heritage organisations said the government’s position should be considered alongside the Constitution, customary law and the historical development of traditional institutions. They cited Section 200 of the Constitution, which recognises customary law provided it is not inconsistent with the Constitution or written law, as well as the Chiefs Act, arguing that entitlement to traditional offices derives from applicable customary law. “Understanding the stature and role of traditional leadership requires reference to the specific customary laws and historical records unique to each heritage,” they said. The Ngoni groups said their claim to kingship is rooted in political systems that existed before the creation of modern Malawi. The Ngoni migrated into present-day Malawi during the 19th century and established organised political and traditional leadership structures under powerful rulers. The Maseko Ngoni established a political system that became consolidated in parts of central and southern Malawi and extended into present-day Mozambique, while the Zwangendaba Jere Ngoni established a kingdom in Mzimba under the M’mbelwa dynasty. They added that the M’mbelwa institution remained largely independent of European control until 1904, when Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa I entered into an agreement with British authorities, paving the way for protectorate administration and indirect rule. They said that under Ngoni customary law, the senior traditional leader holds the rank of Inkosi ya Makhosi or Ngwenyama, traditionally regarded as senior to other chiefs within the royal hierarchy. The organisations argued that referring to the two institutions as kingdoms and their senior leaders as kings reflects their historical and customary status, and does not undermine government authority or national unity. They cited South Africa, Uganda and Ghana as examples where traditional monarchies operate alongside constitutional governments. Soko, a spokesperson for the organisations, confirmed the statement in an interview but said it was primarily a response to the ministry’s position. “Our statement is just clarifying what we read in the \[Ministry’s statement\],” he said. The organisations said, however, that claims to kingdoms and kingship should be supported by historical evidence and verifiable customary law. Mr Chimphepo did not respond to calls on what prompted the government’s statement. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Inkosi Gomani, Inkosi ya Makosi M'mbelwa, Ngoni --- ### [UTM's Mtumbuka condemns Chisale's 'whipping' threat as politics of a bygone era](https://www.nyasatimes.com/utms-mtumbuka-condemns-chisales-whipping-threat-as-politics-of-a-bygone-era/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Dr Matthews Mtumbuka, MP for Rumphi Central and UTM’s presidential running mate, has hit back at deputy security minister Norman Chisale over remarks threatening to have opposition members physically punished, dismissing the comments as a throwback to an era Malawi has long since moved past.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788910518811-578x600.jpg) In a post on Facebook, Dr Mtumbuka directly challenged Mr Chisale over his earlier warning that UTM members risked being “whipped” if they continued what he described as their political touring of the country. “*Muyamba kutitani a UTM*? This is not the 1980s — it’s 2026,” Dr Mtumbuka wrote, invoking the memory of Malawi’s one-party era under former president Hastings Kamuzu Banda, a period widely associated with political repression and intolerance of dissent. He went on to frame the exchange as a broader choice facing the country’s politics. “No to politics of destruction, damage, death! Yes to debate and development!” he said. The remarks come after Mr Chisale, who also serves as President Peter Mutharika’s personal bodyguard and is regarded as a key enforcer within the governing DPP, told a public gathering he was seeking the backing of traditional chiefs to discipline UTM members he accused of stirring unrest. Dr Mtumbuka’s intervention adds a further voice to mounting criticism of Mr Chisale’s comments, which have already drawn condemnation from rights groups and opposition figures concerned over the tone of political rhetoric. Neither Mr Chisale nor the ruling DPP has responded directly to Dr Mtumbuka’s remarks.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788901276857-600x388.jpg) Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, Mathews Mtumbuka, Norman Chisale, UTM Party --- ### [Mgangira out as Silver Strikers head coach](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mgangira-out-as-silver-strikers-head-coach/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Silver Strikers Football Club has announced that it has mutually agreed to part ways with head coach Peter Mgangira, with immediate effect. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788901212795-565x600.jpg)Time to go! Mgangira axed after shocking formIn a statement, the club said the decision followed the team’s performance to date, and was reached amicably between the club and Mgangira. “The decision was reached amicably and by mutual agreement between the Club and Mr Mgangira. The Club places on record its appreciation for his professionalism and service during his time with Silver Strikers Football Club,” the statement read. The club thanked Mgangira for his contribution and wished him success in his future professional endeavours. The club’s board and management said they remained committed to ensuring continuity in football operations, and would put in place appropriate technical arrangements to help the team regain its competitive momentum. No timeframe has been given for the appointment of a successor. Silver Strikers, one of Malawi’s most decorated clubs, will continue preparations for their next fixture under interim arrangements while the search for a new head coach gets under way. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Peter Mgangira, Silver Strikers --- ### [Malawi and Tanzania strengthen economic ties at investment and trade forum](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-and-tanzania-strengthen-economic-ties-at-investment-and-trade-forum/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The 3rd Malawi-Tanzania Investment and Trade Forum has opened in Dar es Salaam, bringing together businesses, investors and government institutions from both countries from 7 to 9 September to explore opportunities for trade, investment and economic cooperation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Itaye-600x400.jpg)Simon Itaye underscored the importance of translating the longstanding relationship between Malawi and Tanzania into greater commercial activityThe forum, facilitated by the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) in partnership with TanTrade, is providing a platform to strengthen bilateral trade and investment, build business linkages and unlock cross-border commerce. MITC said it had facilitated the participation of more than 30 Malawian small and medium enterprises (SMEs), who are showcasing a range of export-ready products including groundnuts, honey, coffee, hibiscus products, teas, wines, jams, dairy products, cassava flour, soya products, and arts and crafts. The forum is also providing a platform for business-to-business and government-to-business engagements, while showcasing Malawi’s priority investment sectors, investment incentives, export opportunities and investment facilitation services. Officially opening the forum, Minister of Industrialization, Business, Trade and Tourism Simon Itaye underscored the importance of translating the longstanding relationship between Malawi and Tanzania into greater commercial activity. Mr Itaye highlighted the need to increase bilateral trade, improve border infrastructure and strengthen economic partnerships that create opportunities for SMEs, women and youth. MITC’s acting director general, Bisa Namarika, delivered a presentation on investment opportunities between the two countries, highlighting strategic partnerships, investment facilitation, joint ventures and cross-border investment opportunities. Over the three days, discussions are expected to cover the business and investment environment in both countries, bilateral trade opportunities, priority sectors and pathways for deeper economic cooperation. MITC said it was proud to facilitate the platform and support stronger economic ties between Malawi and Tanzania. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/MITC-600x450.jpg)3rd Malawi–Tanzania Investment and Trade Forum![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/MalTaz-600x267.jpg)Malawi and Tanzania Strengthen Economic Ties at the 3rd Malawi–Tanzania Investment and Trade Forum Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Simon Itaye, Tanzania, Trade --- ### [Kalumpha urges Malawi's youth to take active role in nation-building](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kalumpha-urges-malawis-youth-to-take-active-role-in-nation-building/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** UK-based business strategist, youth empowerment campaigner and philanthropist Rhodrick Junaid Kalumpha has urged young Malawians to take an active role in nation-building rather than leaving the country’s future in the hands of others. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260820_123132_WhatsApp-1-500x600.jpg)UK based business strategist and philanthropist Rhoderick Junaid KalumphaSpeaking virtually from London to a group of young Malawians he mentors, along with community organisers and traditional leaders, Kalumpha framed civic participation as both a duty and a safeguard to ensure public resources serve the wider population. “If you stand on the sidelines, you hand the keys to the state to those who will not be accountable,” he said. He warned that the current generation of older politicians would not remain in power indefinitely, and that the consequences of inaction would fall on young people themselves. Kalumpha urged youth to move beyond passive observation and get involved in economic and social development, from cooperatives and small enterprises to school boards and community health initiatives. He said civic engagement extended beyond voting to include entrepreneurship, volunteerism, community organising and holding leaders accountable. **Education and wellness** Kalumpha said education and wellbeing were “non-negotiable,” encouraging young people to pursue both formal schooling and practical skills, while prioritising their physical and mental health. “A healthy mind and body are the tools of change. You cannot lead a community if you are not well enough to show up,” he said. He called for greater investment in youth mental health services, sports facilities and community centres, and appealed to traditional leaders to support young people’s wellbeing. “We need our young people to be active, to keep themselves healthy. They are the backbone of the country, as they are the ones that will take the country to a better place,” he said. **Fight against early marriage** Kalumpha placed particular emphasis on girls’ education, saying: “Educating women is educating a generation.” He highlighted lake districts where the fishing economy has left children, particularly girls, vulnerable to child labour and early marriage, and announced plans to engage traditional leaders in Karonga, Nkhata Bay, Chiweta in Rumphi, Nkhotakota, Salima and Mangochi. He said chiefs, elders and community influencers needed to be partners in protecting children, promoting schooling and creating alternatives to exploitative labour. Kalumpha outlined a series of planned interventions, including youth-led community dialogues with traditional leaders to map local challenges, skills hubs combining vocational training with civic education, girls’ scholarships and mentorship programmes, wellness programmes integrating sport, counselling and leadership training, and local accountability networks to monitor public spending and service delivery. He encouraged young people to start with small initiatives, such as neighbourhood clean-ups, savings groups or petitions for better services, and to build momentum from there. “Change is a thousand small acts,” he said. **Reaction** Traditional Authority Mphonde, a senior chief in Nkhotakota district, said he would support Kalumpha’s initiatives, describing them as important for the community and the country. Community organiser Dalileni Dambuleni welcomed the initiative, saying Malawi lacked a foundation for breeding good leaders among the young. Martha Goliati, 19, from Salima, a beneficiary of the mentorship programme, said young people wanted to be part of decisions affecting their future, while Mangochi entrepreneur Mustafa Ali said training and mentorship could help turn small business ideas into ventures that create employment. Lyton Mhone, an NGO coordinator in Nkhata Bay, said traditional leaders played a critical role as “gatekeepers” in communities, while Dorothy Gondwe, a headteacher in Chiweta, Rumphi, said scholarships and safe transport were needed to ensure girls could safely access education. Youth empowerment has been a growing focus for government agencies, NGOs and community groups in Malawi over the past two decades, with young people continuing to face high unemployment, limited access to education and health services, and social pressures including early marriage and exploitative labour, particularly in rural and lakeshore communities. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/The-youth-of-malawi.jpg)The youth of malawi![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Traditional-Authority-Mphonde-KK-600x449.jpg)Traditional Authority Mphonde of Nkotakota pledges support to Kalumpha initiatives Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Rhodrick Kalumpha, Youth --- ### [MCP's crunch NEC meeting as leadership battle over Chakwera intensifies](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcps-crunch-nec-meeting-as-leadership-battle-over-chakwera-intensifies/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Main opposition Malawi Congress Party is bracing for a dramatic showdown this Wednesday, with senior officials set to gather in Lilongwe for a crunch National Executive Committee meeting that could determine the party’s entire future direction. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788895750615-600x383.jpg)Crunch MCP NEC meeting set to decide party’s path to 2030 — with Chakwera locked outAt the heart of the explosive agenda: how to rebuild the battered party through regional elections, and crucially, how to prepare for a make-or-break national convention where MCP must choose a brand-new leader to spearhead its charge into the 2030 elections. The stakes couldn’t be higher — former president Dr Lazarus Chakwera is currently BARRED from contesting the 2030 presidential race under MCP’s own party constitution, sparking fierce debate over who should take the reins. Under the party’s rules, Chakwera simply cannot seek MCP’s presidential ticket again — a bombshell restriction that has plunged the party into fevered speculation over its next move. But defiant grassroots supporters aren’t going down without a fight. The MCP committee in eastern Kasungu has dramatically called on the party to tear up its own constitution and clear the way for Chakwera to make an explosive political comeback. Committee chairperson Chisomo Mbembeza insisted the passionate call reflects the genuine wishes of ordinary MCP supporters desperate to hand Chakwera another shot at leading the party. Mbembeza was quick to stress the push isn’t about blocking rivals from throwing their hat in the ring. “We are speaking on behalf of the people at grassroots level,” he declared, insisting the campaign is rooted in genuine gratitude for what Chakwera achieved for Malawians during his time in office. But not everyone is convinced. Political commentator Chimwemwe Tsitsi has urged the rebellious committee to respect proper democratic procedure — bluntly warning that any change to MCP’s constitution can ONLY be legally made at the party’s national convention, not through grassroots pressure campaigns. Astonishingly, while MCP’s own constitution locks Chakwera out, Malawi’s national Constitution actually allows him to run for president again in 2030 — meaning the real battle isn’t about his eligibility at all. The explosive question now facing MCP bosses: will the party bow to grassroots pressure and rewrite its own rulebook to give Chakwera a shot at reclaiming power — or will a new leader be chosen to carry the party forward instead? ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788895789037-600x394.jpg)MCP braces for explosive leadership showdown as Chakwera’s future hangs in balance Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP --- ### [New church launches with bold plan to arm youths with livestock skills — and the gospel](https://www.nyasatimes.com/new-church-launches-with-bold-plan-to-arm-youths-with-livestock-skills-and-the-gospel/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A dynamic new church has burst onto Malawi’s religious scene with an eye-catching twist — vowing to combine soul-saving sermons with hands-on animal husbandry training designed to lift young people out of poverty. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788883938334-600x450.jpg)Nathaniel : church is determined to economically empower its members while spreading the gospeCDN Global Church officially launched in Mzuzu with leader Chawanangwa Nathanael revealing the ambitious outfit runs mentorship programmes that teach youths practical livestock skills alongside their spiritual teachings. Speaking at the launch, Nathanael declared the ministry’s mission goes far beyond the pulpit — insisting the church is determined to economically empower its members while spreading the gospel. The church, which has quietly operated as a ministry since 2011, is now setting its sights on rapid national expansion — with bosses revealing bold plans to transform existing satellite centres into fully-fledged branches across the country. The church’s registrar, Ezekiel Nathanael, confirmed the fledgling congregation has already attracted 153 members from the outset — a solid foundation as leaders eye rapid growth in the months ahead. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, General, News, Religion, Religious News **Tags:** agriculture, CDN Global Church, Chawanangwa Nathaniel, Youth --- ### [NICO's Catherine Kaimila crowned Africa's top CX leader](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nicos-catherine-kaimila-crowned-africas-top-cx-leader/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian insurance executive has been crowned one of Africa’s leading customer experience champions — after being named 2026 Africa CX Leader and scooping the coveted Customer Service Personality of the Year gong at this year’s IMM Awards. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788883975931-315x600.jpg)Catherine Kaimila: The woman changing the face of customer serviceCatherine Kaimila, who heads up customer experience at NICO, opened up about the double honour — and revealed the simple philosophy driving her extraordinary rise: putting PEOPLE first, no matter what. Reflecting on being named among Africa’s top CX leaders, a humbled Kaimila insisted the recognition comes with serious responsibility attached. “It is a great honour and a reminder of the responsibility that comes with championing customer experience. CX is about more than processes; it is about how we make people feel at every interaction,” she said. She revealed her mission at NICO goes far beyond ticking boxes — insisting she’s on a crusade to build a culture where EVERY employee understands they play a role in shaping how customers feel. On landing Customer Service Personality of the Year, Kaimila said the award recognised something she’s passionately believed in throughout her career. “It is an honour to be recognised by IMM for something I genuinely believe in: putting people first. I want every customer to feel heard, valued, respected and understood,” she said — adding that even when customers can’t get the outcome they want, empathy should never be in short supply. Asked to recall a customer interaction that left a lasting mark, Kaimila described the powerful impact of simply LISTENING. “Seeing the relief and appreciation of a customer simply because someone took the time to listen and follow through reminded me that every interaction is about a person who wants to feel valued. Sometimes, a small action can make a lasting difference,” she revealed. And for anyone facing an irate customer? Kaimila shared her tried-and-tested formula for defusing even the trickiest confrontations. “I start by listening without becoming defensive. I acknowledge the concern, understand the issue and focus on finding a solution,” she explained. Crucially, she insisted winning arguments has never been the goal. “Even when we cannot give customers exactly what they want, we can respond with empathy, transparency and accountability. For me, it is not about winning an argument; it is about restoring trust,” she said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, News **Tags:** Catherine Kaimila, Nico, NICO General --- ### [Maranatha Academy offers Ireen Navicha Masters scholarship in India](https://www.nyasatimes.com/maranatha-academy-offers-ireen-navicha-masters-scholarship-in-india/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Maranatha Academy has offered a scholarship to study for a Master’s degree at Sharda University in India to Ireen Navicha, who represented Malawi at the Miss World pageant in Vietnam. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788884362583-600x277.jpg)Navicha to study in India after Maranatha Academy scholarship offerAnnouncing the scholarship, Maranatha Academy Director Dr Ernest Kawonga said the gesture was a way of honouring Navicha, a former student of the school, for representing Malawi well at the competition. Navicha finished in the top 40 at the Miss World 2026 pageant, and was also ranked among the top 20 contestants from Africa. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, Featured, News **Tags:** India, Ireen Navicha, Maranatha --- ### [Ireen Navicha touches down after historic Miss World top 40 finish](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ireen-navicha-touches-down-after-historic-miss-world-top-40-finish/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Miss World representative Ireen Navicha has landed back on home soil to a warm welcome — after making history as the first Malawian ever to crack the coveted top 40 at the prestigious global pageant. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788884202087-338x600.jpg)History-maker Ireen Navicha back homeNavicha united Malawians in pure joy last weekend as she watched the stunning milestone unfold live from Vietnam — a triumphant moment made even sweeter given the mountain of obstacles she battled to get there. Speaking to a wave of excited journalists after touching down at Kamuzu International Airport, an emotional Navicha vowed to turn her historic achievement — and every hardship she overcame along the way — into a powerful force for good. The beauty queen pledged to press ahead with her charity work supporting vulnerable young girls forced to abandon their education, promising to fight to give them a second chance at schooling. Her stunning top-40 finish has been hailed as a landmark moment for Malawi on the global stage — cementing Navicha’s status as a genuine trailblazer and inspiration to young women across the country. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Ireen Navicha, Miss Malawi --- ### [Mwanamvekha: Malawi among first nations to benefit from AfDB crisis fund](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mwanamvekha-malawi-among-first-nations-to-benefit-from-afdb-crisis-fund/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi is set to benefit from special funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support the importation of fuel and fertiliser, two of the country’s major consumers of scarce foreign exchange. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260821-WA0001-600x350.jpg)Mwanamvekha secures AfDB funding pledge for fuel and fertiliser importsAfDB director general and acting vice-president for Africa, Abdou Kamara, said Malawi was among the first countries selected to benefit from the Bank’s Global Energy and Fertiliser Crisis Response Framework, designed to mitigate the impact of the Iran conflict. Mr Kamara was speaking on the sidelines of the eighth Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (Koafec) Ministerial Conference in Seoul, South Korea, during a meeting with Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha. Mr Mwanamvekha said Malawi had, on the day, submitted its request for the funding. He is scheduled to meet AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah on Wednesday. The AfDB board has also approved $20.5 million, about K34 billion, for Malawi in direct budget support, following a request submitted in May this year. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** AfDB, Joseph Mwanamvekha --- ### [Malawi's Temwa Chawinga nominated for Ballon d'Or for second successive year](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-temwa-chawinga-nominated-for-ballon-dor-for-second-successive-year/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi international Temwa Chawinga has been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Women’s Footballer of the Year award, marking the second consecutive year she has featured on the shortlist. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260729-WA0001-e1787467023387-600x422.jpg)​Temwa Chawinga The US-based forward, who represents both club and the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, has been recognised following a strong run of form over the past season. Chawinga first announced herself on the global stage last year when she earned her maiden Ballon d’Or nomination, becoming one of the first Malawian footballers to be recognised at that level. Her continued inclusion this year reflects her growing standing in the women’s game internationally. The Ballon d’Or, organised annually by France Football magazine, is regarded as one of the most prestigious individual honours in world football, recognising the best-performing players across the men’s and women’s game each year. Chawinga’s nomination comes at a time when Malawian football has been drawing increased international attention, with the country’s women’s game in particular benefiting from her rise and the visibility it has brought both at home and abroad. The winner of the 2026 award is expected to be announced later this year, with Chawinga joining a shortlist of the world’s leading forwards vying for the honour. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Scorchers, Temwa Chawinga --- ### [Ekhaya FC part ways with coach Chatama amid favouritism row](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ekhaya-fc-part-ways-with-coach-chatama-amid-favouritism-row/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Ekhaya FC have announced the departure of first-team head coach Enos Chatama with immediate effect, just after his Under-20 squad selection sparked a bias controversy. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260801-WA0008-480x600.jpg)‘Chatama: Exit Ekhaya FCThe Malawian Premiership club confirmed the news in a statement, saying the decision followed a review by the club’s leadership and was made in the “best interests of the team and the club’s objectives for the season and beyond.” Chatama guided Ekhaya to a top-eight finish in the club’s debut season and led them to their maiden Airtel Top 8 trophy — success the club were quick to acknowledge despite the split. “Ekhaya Football Club would like to sincerely thank Mr. Enos Chatama for his commitment and contribution during his time with the Club,” the statement read, adding that the club “wish him every success in his future endeavours.” Fundi Akidu will take charge on an interim basis, assisted by Moses Chavula, while the club weighs up its next move on a permanent appointment. Chatama’s exit comes just days after he came under fire for naming 14 Ekhaya players in a 32-man Malawi Under-20 squad for the Afcon Cosafa qualifiers — a call that drew accusations of favouritism from football analysts, given his dual role at both club and national youth level. The club has not confirmed whether the incident played any part in their decision. Ekhaya chief executive Thando Mhango issued the statement, calling on players, staff, supporters and partners to “remain united behind the team during this transition” as the search for a new head coach gets under way. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Ekhaya FC, Enos Chatama --- ### [Rights body warns over Parliament-Executive tensions amid inquiry row](https://www.nyasatimes.com/rights-body-warns-over-parliament-executive-tensions-amid-inquiry-row/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has warned of growing tensions between Parliament and the Executive, urging both arms of government to prioritise dialogue and constitutional order amid concerns over a proposed parliamentary inquiry into 13 issues of national importance. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788865875371-600x337.jpg)HRCC issued a blistering warning against MPs stoking division between the two arms of government.Speaking at a press conference in Lilongwe on Tuesday, HRCC said that while the issues raised by the Speaker on 2 September deserved to be resolved, the procedure followed and public statements made risked deepening division between the two arms of government. The committee raised concerns over a letter sent by the Speaker to the Smallholder Farmers’ Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) on 24 August, eight days before the inquiry was publicly announced. HRCC said the timing raised questions over whether a substantive decision on the scope of the inquiry had been made before Parliament’s public announcement, and called on Parliament to clarify the purpose and authority behind the communication. The committee also referred to reports that Tahir Suleman, a close family member of the Speaker, had served as chief executive officer of East Bridge Tobacco Limited, a company reportedly connected to the transaction under investigation. HRCC said the allegations were unproven but warranted clarification to protect the credibility of the process. Citing Section 61 of the Constitution, the committee called for full disclosure of any direct or indirect interest and, where necessary, recusal from decisions relating to the inquiry. “Parliamentary investigations must not only be lawful, they must also be seen to be impartial,” HRCC said. The committee set out five questions it wants Parliament to address, including the precise mandate of each inquiry, the jurisdictional basis under Rule 154, the composition of the committees, the powers they will exercise under Section 60(3) of the Constitution, and where the official parliamentary record will be kept. HRCC also called for independent verification of any relevant bank accounts or financial ties before proceedings begin. In a statement titled “Call for Order, Mutual Respect and Constitutional Coexistence Between the Executive and Parliament”, the committee cautioned against actions that could create division between the two arms of government. It noted that under Section 49(1) of the Constitution, Parliament comprises the National Assembly and the President as Head of State, and said parliamentary business depended on a cordial working relationship with the Executive. “Parliament cannot survive and transact business without the Executive,” the committee said. “If Parliament expects other institutions to comply with the law, Parliament must equally demonstrate strict adherence to its own constitutional framework.” HRCC said its questions did not amount to an accusation of wrongdoing, but were intended to ensure the investigation was “demonstrably impartial and free from any reasonable perception of predetermination or personal interest”. The committee called on Parliament to publish clear terms of reference, timelines, reporting lines and legal authority before substantive proceedings begin, and urged both Parliament and the Executive to prioritise dialogue over confrontation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788871987912-600x450.jpg)HRCC : “Parliament cannot survive and transact business without the Executive, Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** HRCC, Malawi Parliament, Sameer Suleman --- ### [Miracle healing or medical mystery? Police officer's astonishing cancer claim sparks fierce faith-versus-science row](https://www.nyasatimes.com/miracle-healing-or-medical-mystery-police-officers-astonishing-cancer-claim-sparks-fierce-faith-versus-science-row/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian police officer has ignited a fierce clash between religion and medicine after standing before a packed congregation and declaring her cervical tumour had vanished — after nothing more than prayer. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260908-WA0000-600x449.jpg)Chatepa-Gama testifying whilst holding the hand of her father who encouraged to seek divine intervention at Life International ChurchTabu Chatepa-Gama stunned worshippers at Life International Church in Lilongwe on 6 September when she claimed an 8cm tumour had shrunk to 6cm before disappearing entirely, following prayers led by controversial preacher Prophet Amos Kambale. “I came here with pain. I’m leaving here with peace. God is real,” she declared to rapturous applause — the kind of dramatic testimony that has become a hallmark of Kambale’s church, founded earlier this year with the promise of instant solutions to Malawians’ most desperate problems. But doctors have urged extreme caution, warning that “not being seen” on a scan is a world away from being cured. A senior practitioner at Kamuzu Central Hospital insisted a genuine diagnosis can only come from biopsy results, tumour markers and imaging tracked carefully over time — not a single dramatic moment at an altar. “A reduction from 8cm to 6cm is encouraging, but it is not a cure until confirmed by further tests including histology,” the medic warned, pointing out several far more mundane explanations — misdiagnosis, reducing inflammation, inconsistent scanning equipment, or the natural fluctuation of fibroids. Chillingly, medical staff revealed they’ve seen this story before — with devastating consequences. “We have had cases where patients stop chemo or surgery after a church testimony, only to return months later with advanced disease. That’s what worries us,” one doctor admitted. The explosive row goes far beyond one woman’s testimony. Malawi has one of the highest cervical cancer burdens on Earth — yet remains one of the most deeply religious nations, leaving countless desperate patients caught between overstretched, under-resourced hospitals and the seductive promise of instant divine healing. For many, the church offers something medicine simply cannot: hope without a waiting list, answers without a crippling bill, and dignity without a frightening diagnosis. Critics counter that faith healing offers something far more dangerous — false hope that could cost lives. Even Prophet Kambale himself has stopped short of urging churchgoers to abandon medicine altogether. “We don’t deny medicine. But we believe God is still the ultimate healer,” he insisted, adding: “God can heal instantly, and God can also heal through doctors.” Tellingly, despite her jaw-dropping testimony, Chatepa-Gama has NOT abandoned conventional medicine — and is still set to undergo a CT scan to verify her claims once and for all. Until those results land, her extraordinary story remains suspended between two irreconcilable worlds — hailed as living proof of a miracle by believers, and dismissed as an unconfirmed case study by doctors demanding hard evidence before anyone dares celebrate. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260908-WA0001-600x492.jpg)Chatepa-Gama testifying whilst holding the hand of her father who encouraged to seek divine intervention at Life International Church Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National, Religion, Religious News **Tags:** Prophet Amos Kambale --- ### [Salvation For All Ministries launches Sunday services at Area 38 branch](https://www.nyasatimes.com/salvation-for-all-ministries-launches-sunday-services-at-area-38-branch/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Salvation For All Ministries International (SAMI) launched Sunday services at its Area 38 branch on Sunday, and officially introduced Apostle Gift Master as resident pastor. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260907-WA0004-600x338.jpg)Apostle Gift Master named resident pastor as church launches Sunday worshipMembers will now gather every Sunday in addition to the existing Saturday services, which the church said would create further opportunities for growth, fellowship and outreach in the community. Senior Pastor Steve Chikaonda addressed the congregation and commended Apostle Gift Master for his years of dedication to the ministry, describing him as a servant who has consistently carried the work of the church with excellence. Pastor Chikaonda pledged the church’s full support to Apostle Gift Master, telling the congregation that leadership would work with him to advance the vision of the church and ensure the new Sunday services were sustained. Responding, Apostle Gift Master thanked God and the church leadership for the trust placed in him. “I will continue the vision of our father, Apostle Clifford Kawinga,” he said. He said his role was to build on the foundation already laid, and that the mandate of the ministry remained unchanged. “\[Our mandate is\] salvation for all – to reach ministers, to reach the lost, and to strengthen the work started by Apostle Clifford Kawinga, founder, overseer and president of the ministry,” he said. Church members welcomed the announcement, which the ministry described as a sign of growth rather than change in direction, as the Area 38 branch begins holding services every Sunday. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News, Religion, Religious News **Tags:** Salvation for all Ministries --- ### [Consortium pushes for stronger action against neglected tropical diseases](https://www.nyasatimes.com/consortium-pushes-for-stronger-action-against-neglected-tropical-diseases/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A research consortium working to strengthen collaboration in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Sub-Saharan Africa has met at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), bringing together experts from Malawi, Zambia and Japan. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260908-WA0004-600x338.jpg)LUANAR vice-chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda said addressing NTDs should also be viewed as a human rights issue![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260908-WA0003-600x338.jpg)Elisha Chatanga: “there is need to strengthen diagnostic capacity.”The consortium is promoting a One Health approach, which recognises the links between human health, animal health and the environment in preventing and controlling disease. The meeting brought together specialists in human health, veterinary medicine and science education to discuss approaches to tackling NTDs including sleeping sickness, rabies and leishmaniasis. Elisha Chatanga, acting head of veterinary pathology and clinical studies at LUANAR, said Malawi was making progress in addressing NTDs, and that efforts were under way to ensure research findings could benefit communities directly. He said there was a need to strengthen diagnostic capacity, particularly for emerging diseases such as leishmaniasis. “In terms of diseases like leishmaniasis, which is one of them that is emerging, we suggest that we need to improve diagnostics. “There are some methods that have been developed, so we are promoting that these methods can be adopted by regulatory authorities so that they can be used in our hospitals to diagnose these diseases,” Mr Chatanga said. He said improving access to reliable diagnostic methods would help health facilities identify diseases more effectively and support timely treatment. The consortium also discussed rabies prevention, with particular attention on rural communities. University of Zambia lecturer Walter Muleya said greater efforts were needed to improve dog vaccination coverage in rural areas, where the risk of rabies transmission remained a concern. He said while many urban areas already had relatively high levels of dog vaccination, rural communities required increased attention to prevent transmission and protect both animals and people. Rabies is primarily transmitted to humans through infected animals, meaning effective animal disease control is considered central to protecting human health under the One Health approach. LUANAR vice-chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda said addressing NTDs should also be viewed as a human rights issue, given that poverty and limited access to essential services increase the vulnerability of disadvantaged communities. He called for greater resource mobilisation to address poverty and other underlying factors contributing to the persistence of NTDs in the region. “As a country we must ensure that as we are providing drugs to animals, we must also make sure that we are including those factors affecting human beings to help control the living of the whole ecosystem. “As we are dealing with an animal disease, we must also be thinking on the other effects on human beings, so it is a very important programme,” Professor Kaunda said. The consortium’s discussions went beyond treating individual diseases, with participants emphasising the need for coordinated interventions involving communities, health professionals, veterinarians, researchers, policymakers and educators. The NTDs Core-to-Core Project under the One Health approach is funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and is scheduled to run from 2025 to 2028. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260908-WA0004-600x338.jpg)Walter Muleya said greater efforts were needed to improve dog vaccination coverage in rural area Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, News **Tags:** Africa, Luanar --- ### [Advocacy platform backs plans for 13 separate parliamentary investigations](https://www.nyasatimes.com/advocacy-platform-backs-plans-for-13-separate-parliamentary-investigations/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A leading advocacy group has backed a proposal by the Speaker of Parliament to set up independent committees to investigate 13 separate issues of national concern. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260907-WA0008-600x237.jpg)NAP backs Parliament’s plan to investigate 13 issues of national concernThe National Advocacy Platform (NAP) said the issues raised by Speaker Sameer Suleman were not new and were supported by Malawi’s legal framework. NAP chairperson Benedicto Kondowe, a lawyer, said parliamentary committees needed to become more effective in holding public institutions to account. The 13 issues include fuel supply and procurement by the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA), the use of local and foreign transporters, performance in the electricity sector, and civil servants’ pensions. Also included are mining governance, fertiliser coupon distribution, prison conditions, passport services, and access to justice. The list further covers the stalled Lilongwe-Salima-Lilongwe Water Project, a dispute over the Blantyre Water Board chief executive’s position, an alleged loss of K700 million in public funds, and corruption concerns in the mining and tobacco sectors. In a statement issued on 2 September, NAP said it supported the Speaker’s move to strengthen parliamentary oversight of public service delivery and the management of public resources. Mr Kondowe said parliamentary committees “must act as engines of change rather than mere forums for debate”, but stressed that any inquiries needed to be conducted fairly. “Inquiries must be fair, transparent, and evidence-driven to avoid being perceived as witch hunts,” he said. NAP also raised concerns about the constitutional limits of Parliament’s role. It said that while the Speaker holds presiding and procedural authority under Section 53(5) of the Constitution, corrective powers rest with the National Assembly under Sections 53(5) and 56. “Institutional balance is key,” Mr Kondowe said. “Parliament should not substitute itself for bodies mandated to prosecute crimes or address maladministration.” The platform called for closer cooperation between state institutions, saying any evidence of corruption or criminality uncovered by the committees should be referred to the Malawi Police Service, the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and the Office of the Ombudsman. NAP described the initiative as “an affirmation of Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to hold public institutions accountable”. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Benedicto Kondowe, Malawi Parliament, National Advocacy Platform --- ### [Police officer accused of fabricating theft case to extort mechanic](https://www.nyasatimes.com/police-officer-accused-of-fabricating-theft-case-to-extort-mechanic/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A police officer has been reported to the country’s anti-corruption watchdog and human rights commission over allegations he fabricated a criminal case against a mechanic and demanded a bribe for his release, according to complaint documents seen by *Nyasa Times.* ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788819901204-544x600.jpg)Nkawihe was allegedly pressured during interrogation into accepting blame for offences he had nothing to do with — a claim that, combined with the alleged bribe demand and the media smear campaign, has raised deeply troubling questions about whether the entire case was manufactured to squeeze money out of him.Thomas Thomson, a criminal investigation officer at Kawale police station in the capital Lilongwe, is accused of detaining mechanic Dan Nkawihe for several days and demanding 500,000 kwacha in exchange for his freedom, the documents allege. Nkawihe was arrested on the night of September 2, 2025 in the Kaliyeka area by a community policing group as he walked home after repairing a client’s vehicle, carrying a bag of mechanic’s tools, according to the complaint filed with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC). He was held at Kawale police station beyond the 48-hour period within which Malawi’s constitution requires a suspect to be brought before a court, the documents state. Investigators who examined the case found no evidence to support police claims made to local media that Nkawihe was found with “breaking implements,” that officers had raided his home and recovered stolen tools, or that he had confessed to stealing vehicle parts from a named complainant. “No police officer raided or searched Nkawihe’s house,” according to the findings cited in the complaint, which also state that Nkawihe “does not know” the alleged victim and has “never visited his garage.” Nkawihe has no prior criminal record, the documents say, and is considering legal action against police over his treatment. Attempts to reach Thomson for comment were unsuccessful. The ACB has been asked to investigate the alleged extortion demand, while the MHRC has been asked to examine Nkawihe’s detention and treatment in custody, according to the complaint. Malawian police have previously faced accusations of prolonged and unlawful detentions, as well as extortion, particularly in cases involving low-income defendants unable to access legal representation. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, National, News **Tags:** Anti Corruption Bureau, Malawi Human Rights Commission, Malawi Police --- ### [National Bank of Malawi collects top marketing prizes amid push for brand differentiation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-collects-top-marketing-prizes-amid-push-for-brand-differentiation/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc picked up three awards at the Institute of Marketing in Malawi’s annual Marketing Excellence Awards in Mangochi at the weekend, in a further sign of the lender’s efforts to build brand equity through sports and digital marketing initiatives. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260908-WA0002-600x400.jpg)National Bank of Malawi wins marketing honours as lender doubles down on sports sponsorshipThe bank won Social Media Campaign of the Year for its coverage of the 3 Nations Tournament, while Akossa Mphepo-Hiwa, its marketing and corporate affairs manager, was named PR Personality of the Year. NBM also received a Presidential Lifetime Award for its long-running sponsorship of the Malawi National Women’s Football Team, known as the Scorchers, which separately picked up its own lifetime award in recognition of its sporting achievements. The awards underscore a broader trend among Malawian financial institutions of using sponsorship of women’s sport as a vehicle for brand positioning, particularly as banks compete for visibility in a market where differentiation on traditional product lines has narrowed. Ms Mphepo-Hiwa said the bank’s investment in the Scorchers extended beyond straightforward sponsorship. “The partnership goes beyond financial support, as it reflects the bank’s commitment to empowering women and promoting national pride through sport,” she said, framing the sponsorship as part of a wider corporate positioning strategy rather than a discrete marketing spend. She characterised the campaign wins as evidence of the effectiveness of the bank’s digital communications strategy, adding that engagement-driven content had proven capable of connecting the brand with its target audience during the tournament. Elias Imaan, chief judge for the awards, said entries were assessed on commercial impact rather than creative execution alone. “A beautifully designed campaign that changes nothing is not excellence. A clever idea that creates no value is not excellence. A campaign that wins a prize but loses the customer’s trust is not excellence,” he said, signalling a judging emphasis on measurable value creation and brand trust over aesthetic novelty. The broader Marketing Excellence Awards programme covered categories including Marketer of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year and various advertising and general awards, reflecting the scale of Malawi’s marketing and communications sector as companies increasingly compete for consumer attention across both traditional and digital channels. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788865940037-600x400.jpg)Akossah ; NBM plc’s women’s football sponsorship pays dividends at industry awards Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** Akossa Hiwa, National Bank of Malawi Plc, Scorchers --- ### [Chisale threatens to 'whip' opposition figures in extraordinary outburst](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chisale-threatens-to-whip-opposition-figures-in-extraordinary-outburst/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s deputy minister for security, who also serves as President Peter Mutharika’s personal bodyguard and is widely regarded as the governing DPP’s chief enforcer, has drawn condemnation after threatening to have opposition activists physically punished. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260908_132131_Chrome-600x433.jpg)‘I’ll start whipping you’ — Chisale explodes at UTM over ‘wandering’ opposition tourNorman Chisale, an MP who holds the unusual dual role of deputy security minister and the president’s close protection officer, told a public gathering that ordinary Malawians, not opposition parties, were the true beneficiaries of government. He then appealed to traditional chiefs for their blessing to discipline members of the opposition UTM party, whom he accused of touring the country to stir unrest. “UTM, please be careful… this behaviour of moving from place to place, we are about to start whipping people,” Mr Chisale said. “Chiefs, give me your blessing, I am about to start whipping them… do not say I am doing this because I am in government,” he added. The comments have alarmed critics, who say a threat of corporal punishment carries particular weight coming from a figure who combines a security portfolio with the president’s personal protection detail and enforcer status within the ruling party. Allies of Mr Chisale have dismissed the remarks as rhetorical bluster rather than a literal threat. The outburst came shortly after senior UTM figures Dalitso Kabambe and Matthews Mtumbuka held talks in Kasungu with President Lazarus Chakwera, leader of the opposition Malawi Congress Party — a meeting seen by observers as a striking gesture of political engagement ahead of the next general election, and one that appears to have unsettled figures within the governing camp. Neither the government nor Mr Chisale’s office has issued a formal clarification of the remarks. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, Norman Chisale, UTM Party --- ### [Questions grow over Malawi's social media monitoring system amid oversight concerns](https://www.nyasatimes.com/questions-grow-over-malawis-social-media-monitoring-system-amid-oversight-concerns/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Seven Ghanaian technicians arrived at a hilltop site overlooking Malawi’s commercial capital Blantyre in January 2025 to install a social media monitoring system commissioned by the country’s telecoms regulator, in a deal now under scrutiny more than a year later. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-7089-600x361.jpg)Legal chief Thokozani Chimbe claimed everything was above board, insisting the contract was properly published.The system was installed at a former state telecoms facility under a $1.5 million contract awarded to Ghana-based Hashcom Ghana Limited by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), according to procurement records. The platform was designed to monitor misinformation and disinformation on Facebook, X and LinkedIn. The contract was awarded just 15 days before installation began, and less than eight months before Malawi’s general election on September 16, 2025. Civil society groups challenged the legality of the procurement at the time and called for its suspension. Parliament reviewed the matter but issued no binding directive, while the Malawi Human Rights Commission opened an inquiry before later dropping it. A request for presidential intervention also went unanswered. The system was installed despite the objections. More than a year on, no publicly available document shows whether the platform was fully operational during the election, what data it collected, who had access to it, or whether any independent oversight was in place. Neither MACRA, the human rights commission nor parliament’s communications committee has published findings on the matter. MACRA said in a written response that it could not comment while an audit was under way. “MACRA is currently undergoing an audit, and the matter in question forms part of that audit process. It would therefore be appropriate to await the final audit report before providing a response,” MACRA communications manager Clara Ngwira said. **Independence questioned** MACRA was established in 1998 as an independent regulator following the break-up of the former state telecoms operator. But researcher Murendehle Juwayeyi said rules governing presidential appointments to its board gave the executive significant influence over the regulator. Concerns over MACRA’s monitoring powers predate the current contract. A separate system intended to enable lawful interception of communications was challenged in court in 2011 by a private citizen. The High Court initially blocked it, but the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned that ruling in 2017, allowing the system to proceed while barring the interception of private communications content. **Contract questioned from the start** The Hashcom deal attracted criticism as soon as it was announced in September 2024. Digital Governance Associates Malawi, a civil society group, questioned the company’s technical capacity and called for greater transparency in a letter sent to the ombudsman, the human rights commission and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA). Hashcom’s principal, Baba Halidu Musa, was seen among the technicians during installation. Media reports have linked him to another company, Bahamus, which reportedly supplies Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA). Ghana’s High Court ruled in 2022 that the NCA had unlawfully procured Pegasus spyware from Israel’s NSO Group, a case that led to criminal convictions of former officials. *Nyasa Times* found no evidence linking Hashcom to that procurement. MACRA’s former director general, Daud Suleman, said the system was intended only to monitor publicly available content. Legal affairs director Thokozani Chimbe said the procurement complied with public procurement laws. MACRA had projected the system would generate at least $7.8 million in revenue by the end of March 2025, though it has not said whether that target was met. **No independent review** The PPDA said it never reviewed or approved the contract, as the deal fell within a threshold allowing MACRA to procure goods worth up to $2.9 million on its own authority. “This procurement was not exempted. It was within the threshold of MACRA’s Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee to proceed with the contract award,” PPDA spokeswoman Mandy Pondani said, adding that no assessment was made of pricing, supplier suitability or compliance. **Contractor says its role is complete** Hashcom said it had fulfilled its obligations by supplying, installing and handing over the system, with responsibility for its operation now resting with MACRA. Office manager Susan Tay said confidentiality clauses prevented the company from disclosing further technical details without MACRA’s authorisation, but that it remained willing to provide clarification through formal channels. More than a year after the system’s installation, questions over its operation, oversight and safeguards remain unanswered. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Macra, spy machine --- ### [Malawi government censured over 'corrupt' contract breaches](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-government-censured-over-corrupt-contract-breaches/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s government has been slammed as “corrupt” after the High Court ordered it to fork out compensation to FOUR companies over a contract scandal that critics say exposes taxpayers to yet another crippling bill for official incompetence. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-News-2657.jpg)Bamusi: This is a corrupt practice which demonstrates impunity and disregard of public finance management lawThe damning ruling saw judge Simeon Mdeza rule that Mulli Brothers Limited, Web Commercials Limited, Rock Ba Rock and FF Trading must be compensated after their contracts under the Affordable Inputs Programme — now rebranded the Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme — were unlawfully withheld during the 2020/21 farming season. Public expenditure tracking expert Mabvuto Bamusi didn’t mince his words, branding the scandal a “corrupt practice” and a textbook case of grand corruption — with cartels inside and outside government allegedly conniving to siphon off public funds through bogus compensation claims. “This is a corrupt practice which demonstrates impunity and disregard of public finance management laws, because perpetrators of the malpractices know that their actions will go unpunished,” Bamusi raged. He wasn’t alone. Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency boss Willy Kambwandira warned the ruling exposes taxpayers to yet another “enormous and potentially open-ended” compensation bill — this time for fertiliser that was never even supplied. Lawyer Benedicto Kondowe piled on, warning repeated breaches are torching investor confidence, scaring off suppliers, and driving up the cost of doing business with a government that simply can’t be trusted to honour its contracts. Economist Dalisto Kubalasa said the pattern points to something far more sinister — a government developing a “concerning tendency” to break promises and trample contractual obligations underfoot, regardless of the consequences. It comes just weeks after Weekend Nation revealed successive administrations have landed taxpayers with a jaw-dropping K3.2 TRILLION in court-ordered compensation payouts — the toxic legacy of politically-driven decisions gone catastrophically wrong. Furious campaigners are now demanding immediate action, insisting ordinary Malawians must stop footing the bill for reckless decisions made by politicians who were never held to account. With public debt soaring past 90% of the economy and money that should be building clinics and fixing roads instead being torched on legal settlements, critics say citizens are being forced to pay TWICE — once for the original bad decision, and again to clean up the mess. They’re demanding three things, and demanding them NOW: FULL DISCLOSURE — government must reveal every illegal decision, name the officials responsible, and publish the total cost to the public purse. PERSONAL LIABILITY — officials who signed off on unlawful decisions must be surcharged and forced to help pay for the compensation themselves, rather than dumping the entire bill on taxpayers. PROSECUTIONS — the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the courts must be allowed to do their jobs without political interference. Campaigners warn that a nation “drowning in debt” simply cannot afford to keep bankrolling political recklessness — insisting every kwacha wasted on illegal decisions is a kwacha stolen from a child’s classroom, a patient’s medicine, or a farmer’s livelihood. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** corruption, governance, Mabvuto Bamusi --- ### [Pofera Boma, 52, arrested over savage robbery ,guns down pregnant mum-to-be](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pofera-boma-52-arrested-over-savage-robbery-guns-down-pregnant-mum-to-be/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Police have arrested a 52-year-old businessman on suspicion of taking part in a horrifying armed robbery that left a heavily pregnant woman shot dead and her husband fighting for his life. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788773129800-1-270x600.jpg)Pofera Boma, 52, held on suspicion of being one of FIVE armed robbersPofera Boma was picked up by Kanengo Police on September 6, 2026, as detectives closed in on the gang responsible for the harrowing attack at Area 25 Sector 5 New Lines in Lilongwe three days earlier. Police spokesperson Macfarlen Mseteka said a gang of five armed men stormed the home of William Nepiyala on September 3, shooting his wife Ezilina Masamba — who was nine months pregnant — in cold blood. Her devastated husband was left with serious injuries and remains in hospital receiving treatment. Boma, a trader at Nsungwi Market who hails from Ndovi Village under Traditional Authority Kabudula, is now in custody as officers scramble to track down his four accomplices — and the firearm allegedly used to carry out the killing. In a separate swoop, police also arrested kabaza motorbike rider Gift Fole, accused of ferrying criminals to and from robbery scenes across the Area 25 area. Mseteka revealed Fole confessed to transporting the suspects — and then led detectives straight to a stash of stolen loot hidden in Chinsapo 2. Officers recovered a haul including: - 43 coils - A welding machine - Nine car batteries - 24 vehicle mirrors — all believed to have been looted from homes in the area. Police have now issued an urgent warning to traders around Nsungwi Market and the wider Area 25 area, urging them to tighten security, avoid carrying large sums of cash late at night, and make use of police escort services when transporting money. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, General, News **Tags:** murder, robbery --- ### [UK celebrates 23 Malawian scholars ahead of postgraduate study: 'An investment in future leaders'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/uk-celebrates-23-malawian-scholars-ahead-of-postgraduate-study-an-investment-in-future-leaders/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Twenty-three Malawians preparing to begin postgraduate study in the UK were guests of honour at a reception hosted by the British High Commission in Lilongwe as diplomats and former scholars gathered to mark the latest cohort of Chevening and Commonwealth award-holders. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_4900-600x296.jpg)Malawi’s rising leaders toast scholarships that promise to reshape the country’s futureThe group – two Chevening Scholars and 21 Commonwealth Scholars – will disperse across British universities in the coming weeks to study subjects ranging from public health and climate science to diplomacy, finance and sustainable energy, disciplines the high commission says correspond closely with Malawi’s own development priorities. Addressing the gathering, the British high commissioner to Malawi, Leigh Stubblefield, framed the scholarships as something more than individual opportunity. “Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships are more than scholarships,” she said. “They are investments in future leaders, innovators and changemakers.” She encouraged the cohort to use their time in Britain to build networks that would outlast the courses themselves, urging them to remain engaged with the alumni community after returning home. For some recipients, the scholarships arrive at a moment when their professional expertise dovetails with pressing national challenges. Denis Mulebe, a senior budget analyst in Malawi’s parliament, will spend the next year at the University of Bradford studying economics and finance for development – training he hopes to bring back to bear on the country’s public finances. “I will use the skills I gain to strengthen my work in parliamentary budget scrutiny, debt analysis and fiscal governance,” he said, “helping to promote better use of public resources, stronger fiscal discipline and more effective development outcomes.” Others are headed towards research with direct public health stakes. Chifuniro Baluwa, a geospatial researcher with the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme, will undertake a PhD in geography examining how GIS and agent-based modelling can inform cholera prevention – a subject with particular resonance in a country that has weathered repeated outbreaks in recent years. “Receiving this award is both a great honour and an opportunity to contribute to a challenge with significant implications for communities in Malawi,” she said. The reception also drew together alumni of both schemes and scholarship partners, in what organisers described as a celebration of the “enduring educational links” between Malawi and the UK – ties the high commission is keen to present as a two-way investment rather than simple patronage, with graduates expected to return and apply what they have learned. Applications for future rounds of both scholarship programmes remain open to Malawians hoping to follow in this year’s cohort’s footsteps. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Chifuniro-450x600.jpeg)Baluwa starts PhD in Geography.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Denis-600x336.jpeg)Denis Mulebe will study Economics/Finance Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, Featured, News **Tags:** Britain, Chevening Scholarships, Commonwealth --- ### [Ex-soldier charged with child desertion in Malawi murder case](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ex-soldier-charged-with-child-desertion-in-malawi-murder-case/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The High Court sitting in Kasungu has granted the State’s request to amend the charge sheet against former Malawi Defence Force employee Medium Nyirongo, adding a charge of child desertion alongside the murder charge he already faced. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788641662549-449x600.jpg)Man denies intentionally abandoning son as murder trial opensNyirongo, who had previously pleaded not guilty to murder, admitted before the court that he had left his young son, Emanuel, in a forest – but insisted this had not been done intentionally. **Fresh pleas entered on both charges** Following the amendment to the charge sheet, Nyirongo entered fresh pleas of not guilty to both murder and child desertion, meaning the trial will now proceed on both counts. **Prosecution opens its case** The Directorate of Public Prosecutions has since opened its case against Nyirongo, calling witnesses in a bid to establish the charges before the court. The first witness called to testify was Jane Harawa, 49, the accused’s mother, who hails from Moyeye Village in Rumphi District. **Legal teams** The State is being represented by Counsel Hassan Ayami, Yekhai Sitima-Ndau and Collen Mwenechanya, while Nyirongo’s defence is being handled by Bridget Uledi and Lusekile Kisyombe of the Legal Aid Bureau. Justice Bruno Kalemba is presiding over the case, which continues. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, General, News **Tags:** Homicide, murder --- ### [Diamonds are forever? Kukoma sparkle at summit as rivals sweat title race](https://www.nyasatimes.com/diamonds-are-forever-kukoma-sparkle-at-summit-as-rivals-sweat-title-race/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Blantyre’s Kukoma Diamonds are sitting pretty at the top of the FDH Bank Premier Netball League — and they’re refusing to budge. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20190602-WA0016-600x360.jpg)Kukoma Diamonds are riding high after storming to the top of the FDH Bank Netball League following back-to-back wins over Giants and Pacers The unbeaten side smashed their way through round one with ruthless victories over Giants (59-43) and Pacers (51-41) at Blantyre Sports Arena on Sunday, racking up 21 points to lead the 12-team pack. Reigning champs Blue Eagles Sisters of Lilongwe trail in second on 18 points — but even a win in their final round-one clash won’t be enough to knock Diamonds off their perch. Diamonds coach Noel Mussa was unavailable for comment, but his Blue Eagles rival Madano Tepetheya struck a defiant tone, insisting she’s determined to defend the crown despite a rocky start that forced her to blood six reserve players. Elsewhere, Vanessa Sisters have slipped to third, with Civo Nets rounding out the top four. And the smart money’s on Diamonds going all the way — analyst Joseph Chalera has handed them a striking 70% chance of lifting the title, though he warns Blue Eagles remain the “biggest threat” if they can bed in their new signings. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Kukoma, Netball --- ### [Hope is not lost:Wanderers vow stunning fightback after Simba horror show](https://www.nyasatimes.com/hope-is-not-lostwanderers-vow-stunning-fightback-after-simba-horror-show/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Wounded Mighty Wanderers have declared they’ll rise from the ashes and stun Tanzanian giants Simba SC in a do-or-die second leg showdown in Dar es Salaam this Sunday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788784806936-565x600.jpg)Defiant Wanderers have refused to wave the white flag after being outclassed by Tanzanian giants Simba SC — declaring the tie is FAR from over.The Nomads were left crestfallen after crashing to a 0-1 defeat in the CAF Champions League opener at Bingu National Stadium — despite creating a glut of chances they simply couldn’t convert. Interim coach McDonald “Nginde” Mtetemera admitted the odds are stacked against his side but insisted the tie is very much alive. “Hope is not lost, we have the second leg coming up,” he declared defiantly, vowing his players will sharpen their killer instinct in front of goal. Mtetemera also revealed his squad will be mentally drilled to handle the cauldron of noise awaiting them on hostile turf — though he took heart from the fact Wanderers “never showed them \[Simba\] respect” and matched their illustrious opponents toe-to-toe tactically. Club development chief David Kanyenda struck an upbeat tone too, insisting a famous win in Dar es Salaam is far from impossible — but warned fans the Nomads “need to score more than once” to book their spot in the next round. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** CAF champions league, MacDonald Mtetemela, Mighty Wanderers, Simba FC --- ### [Netball chiefs forced to explain 'unsupported' cash after damning audit](https://www.nyasatimes.com/netball-chiefs-forced-to-explain-unsupported-cash-after-damning-audit/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Netball Association of Malawi has been rocked by a financial storm — forced to publicly explain how a staggering K65 MILLION in payments went out without the paperwork to back it up. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788784836311-600x400.jpg)Gubuduza vowed sweeping reforms to financial controls after NAM’s AGM, promising every kwacha handed to teams and districts will be tracked to the last tambala.Association boss Vitumbiko Gubuduza was left scrambling to reassure furious members after auditors flagged the “unsupported expenditure” at NAM’s tense AGM in Salima — insisting the cash didn’t vanish, but simply lacked the proper receipts. “The money did not go missing nor was it misused,” Gubuduza insisted, blaming sloppy paperwork rather than any funny business. But she admitted teams and committees must now sign for every kwacha or face the consequences. Grilled after the meeting, Gubuduza doubled down on her governance crusade, declaring: “It is not just about holding meetings” — vowing sweeping reforms to how the association handles funding, from grassroots programmes to the crunch preparations for the Malawi Queens. In a bid to silence critics, NAM revealed it has drafted in high-performance guru Debbie Fuller and embraced cutting-edge sports science to turbocharge the national team’s fortunes — as bosses scramble to shore up confidence before more sponsors and government watchdogs start asking hard questions. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Netball Association of Malawi, Vitumbiko Mwandemange Gubuduza --- ### [Favouritism row: Chatama accused of stacking Malawi U-20 squad with Ekhaya players](https://www.nyasatimes.com/favouritism-row-chatama-accused-of-stacking-malawi-u-20-squad-with-ekhaya-players/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A bias storm has engulfed Malawi’s Under-20 football setup after coach Enos Chatama named a staggering 14 players from his own club Ekhaya FC in a 32-man squad — sparking accusations he’s playing favourites ahead of a crucial Cup of Nations qualifier. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260908_072202_Google-600x430.jpg)Chatama refused to comment, saying he’s barred from speaking to media without FAM’s blessing.Chatama unveiled his squad for the Under-20 Afcon Cosafa qualifier, with the Mozambique-bound Wanderers preparing to face off against continental rivals from 18-27 September. But the eyebrow-raising club breakdown has plunged the appointment into controversy, with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets a distant second with just seven representatives. Football Association of Malawi bosses insisted the squad was picked fairly following a “countrywide scouting exercise” — but that did little to silence critics. Blistering analyst Twaha Chimuka tore into the selection, branding it barely more than “a one club squad” and demanding answers over whether players from rival clubs were properly assessed. “You have a 32-member squad and then the 14 are from a single club. That raises questions,” he fumed. Chimuka went further, suggesting Chatama’s day job — as head coach of an FDH Bank Premiership side — leaves him dangerously exposed to favouritism, given how much time he spends “watching his team and training his team.” He also questioned whether the coach even has the bandwidth to properly scout the country while juggling Airtel Top 8 and league commitments. Chatama has been gagged from responding, with FAM refusing to let him speak to media without permission — fuelling further suspicion the association is circling the wagons. Malawi’s young Flames now face a brutal group stage draw alongside Zambia, Comoros and Botswana as the row rumbles on. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Ekhaya FC, Enos Chatama, Football Association of Malawi, Malawi U-20 --- ### [Ntopwa crowned queens of the south in Mayor's Bonanza thriller](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ntopwa-crowned-queens-of-the-south-in-mayors-bonanza-thriller/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Kukoma Ntopwa FC have been crowned champions of the Southern Region Women’s Football Association Mayor’s Bonanza after edging out Ekhaya Women 1-0 in a tense final at Kamuzu Stadium. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260908_070422_Instagram-600x346.jpg)GIRL POWER! Ntopwa crowned queens of the southMighty Wanderers Queens rounded off the eight-team tournament in style too, thumping FCB Nyasa Bullets Women 2-1 to snatch third spot. Double-hatted Blantyre mayor and Ntopwa head coach Isaac Jomo Osman hailed the bonanza a resounding success, declaring it had unearthed a wealth of hidden talent — and vowed the tournament will become an annual fixture that “will come bigger” next year. Beaten finalists Ekhaya were gracious in defeat, with coach Patricia Makwakwa thanking sponsors for helping her side identify key strengths and weaknesses ahead of the league campaign — and vowing to sharpen their attacking edge to find “more goals.” The prize money flowed too, with champions Ntopwa banking a cool K3.2 million, runners-up Ekhaya pocketing K2.2 million, third-placed Wanderers Queens taking home K1.7 million, and Bullets Women collecting K1 million for their fourth-placed finish. Star turns on the day came from Ntopwa’s electric 20-year-old Olivia Phikani, crowned Player of the Tournament, while teammate Emmily Nkhwazi scooped the Goalkeeper award. Bullets hitwoman Mary Chavinda finished as the tournament’s most lethal marksman with nine goals in just three games, while Osman was crowned Coach of the Tournament for his double triumph on the touchline and in the boardroom. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Jomo Osman, Ntopwa Super Queens, women football --- ### [Mlauzi law firm denies wrongdoing over £62m water board payment](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mlauzi-law-firm-denies-wrongdoing-over-62m-water-board-payment/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian law firm has denied allegations of impropriety over a payment of more than MK62 million it received from Blantyre Water Board (BWB), insisting the money was for legitimate legal services. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788818686468.jpg)Mlauzi Legal Solutions insists MK62million payment was for genuine work — as it threatens legal action over ‘false and defamatory’ claimsMlauzi Legal Solutions said in a statement made available to *Nyasa Times* that it has acted as external legal counsel for BWB since around July 2021 and remains engaged by the water board, contrary to reports suggesting no formal arrangement existed between the two parties. The firm said it holds documentation, including 20 invoices, setting out the work carried out for BWB across various legal matters, and confirmed it is currently representing the water board in more than 100 court cases. It said some of those cases were “very contentious” and suggested opposing litigants or their representatives could be responsible for the allegations, in an attempt to disrupt ongoing legal proceedings. The firm said it would not release documents relating to its work for BWB, citing lawyer-client confidentiality obligations, but reserved the right to take legal action against those responsible for what it described as “false and defamatory” claims. “The Firm remains committed to serving its clients with integrity and professionalism, and will continue to do so without distraction,” the statement said. The controversy followed the emergence of a payment advice, dated September 1 and processed through the local bank which showed the transaction had been categorised as “salary” rather than a professional fee. The payment had previously prompted questions from BWB’s suspended chief executive, Yeremia Chihana, over the absence of supporting contractual documentation, according to earlier reports. The statement from Mlauzi Legal Solutions was dated September 7 and issued in response to what it called circulating publications alleging impropriety. BWB has not yet issued a public response to the firm’s statement. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, Mlauzi Legal --- ### [Maranatha Academy launches K15bn scholarship fund to put 500 students through secondary school](https://www.nyasatimes.com/maranatha-academy-launches-k15bn-scholarship-fund-to-put-500-students-through-secondary-school/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - Private academy opens applications for K12bn fund covering 500 students in 2026/27 academic year - Each student to receive K24 million over four years, covering tuition and learning support - Scheme open to Form 1–4 students from public, private and grant-aided schools Prisca Ndundu never had to worry about school fees. In 2024, her only concern was passing her exams. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788815294913-600x450.jpg)Maranatha’s Kaonga”: Fund Comes after academy’s partnership with BEAM Trust helped more than 100 vulnerable students reach universityHer parents — both pastors at Living Waters Church in Lilongwe — could only afford to cover her transport to Maranatha Private Academy’s Machinjiri campus. The school covered the rest: tuition, learning support, all of it, free of charge. Now in her second year at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar), Prisca’s story is being held up by Maranatha as a blueprint for what it hopes to scale up dramatically — a K12 billion Corporate Social Responsibility fund that will put 500 secondary school students through their education in the 2026/2027 academic year. Applications are now open to students across Malawi. “We have seen brilliant students fail to report to school” Each successful applicant will receive K24 million, according to Maranatha managing director Enerst Kaonga, with the money disbursed over four years to guarantee continuity. “There are many young people with potential, but the challenge is money and this is how we come in,” Kaonga said. “We have seen brilliant students fail to report to school, not because they did not pass, but because their parents could not manage.” The scholarships — full tuition awards — are open to Form 1 to Form 4 students from public, private and grant-aided schools, including pupils already enrolled at Maranatha. “These students will become the engineers, teachers and leaders who will contribute to the country’s development,” he said. **A track record with BEAM Trust** The new fund builds on Maranatha’s existing partnership with BEAM Trust, launched in 2019 to widen access to quality education for vulnerable students. The academy originally committed to supporting 55 students over five years — but ended up supporting 100, comfortably beating its own target. That partnership followed an independent assessment by BEAM Trust, which rated Maranatha among the better-performing private academies in the country based on its teaching staff, curriculum and learning resources. Many of those 100 students have since completed secondary school and gone on to public universities — part of a wider trend that has seen Maranatha’s university placement numbers climb from 172 to 431. “Maranatha is in the league of those that offer long-term” support Tendai Kabuluzi, a technician who benefited from a scholarship at another institution, says the ripple effects of this kind of investment are significant. “CSR in Malawi is often a balance for the nation, with some companies implementing short to medium-term programmes while others focus on long-term interventions,” he said. “Maranatha is in the league of those that offer long-term \[support\], and this is very commendable.” **Part of a bigger national picture** Kaonga argues the investment goes beyond individual students. From a national development perspective, he says, this kind of CSR feeds directly into Malawi’s long-term human capital agenda, including the goals set out in Malawi 2063. By channelling resources into education, he says, the academy is strengthening the pipeline of future teachers, health workers and engineers — helping close skills gaps and support inclusive economic growth. **Extending support into university** Maranatha’s CSR push isn’t stopping at secondary school. The academy has also signed a three-year agreement with Sharda University in India, offering top-performing Malawi School Certificate of Education graduates 100% scholarships. Maranatha and Sharda will split the cost, each contributing MK450 million. Students who qualify on merit but miss out on a full scholarship will still benefit from a reduced fee structure — roughly half the standard cost of tertiary study. With campuses in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mponela, and an expansion into Mzuzu now underway, Kaonga says education will remain a core pillar of the academy’s CSR strategy — and he’s hoping other private sector players follow suit. For many families, he says, the appeal lies in the model itself: sustained, multi-year support rather than a one-off gesture. Prisca’s story, Kaonga says, is exactly the outcome the programme was designed to produce.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788784227338-600x197.jpg) Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, Featured, News **Tags:** Beautify Malawi Trust, Maranatha --- ### [9 in 10 Malawians shut out of bank loans because they work in 'shadow economy' — economist](https://www.nyasatimes.com/9-in-10-malawians-shut-out-of-bank-loans-because-they-work-in-shadow-economy-economist/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Millions of hardworking Malawians and small business owners are being frozen out of formal bank loans simply because of HOW they earn their living, a leading economist has warned. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788806719422-600x400.jpg)Dr Bertha Chikadza:economist warns high interest rates are crushing small businessesDr Bertha Bangala Chikadza, President of the Economic Association of Malawi (ECAMA) and a senior macroeconomics lecturer at the University of Malawi, revealed that an eye-watering 92.6 percent of the country’s population works in the informal sector — making it virtually impossible for banks to verify their income or work out how risky they are to lend to. “Formal credit remains difficult for many Malawians to access largely because 92.6 percent of the population is employed in the informal sector,” she said, citing figures from the International Labour Organisation. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are suffering the same fate, Chikadza warned, as many operate without the financial paperwork or assets that lenders demand. She said sky-high interest rates were making things even worse — piling extra costs onto borrowing and scaring small businesses away from taking out loans to invest and grow. “Usually, loans taken for investment purposes take long to materialise, leaving borrowers exposed to repayment obligations before the investments start generating income,” she explained. And it doesn’t stop there — Chikadza said strict collateral rules are shutting out people and households who could easily afford to repay a loan, but simply don’t have enough assets to put up as security. On a brighter note, Chikadza said Malawi has made real strides in expanding access to financial services — particularly through the boom in mobile money and digital banking. But she issued a stark warning against complacency: true financial inclusion means far more than just owning a mobile wallet or bank account. “It is important that financial inclusion goes beyond simply holding a bank account or mobile wallet. It should also mean having access to financial products, including affordable credit,” she said. Chikadza is now calling for a major expansion of credit guarantee schemes and other risk-sharing tools, which would allow banks to lend to people who don’t have traditional collateral but can genuinely afford to pay the money back. She also urged banks to get smarter about how they assess borrowers — using transaction histories and digital financial records instead of relying purely on paperwork, especially for smaller loans. “These changes could widen the pool of creditworthy borrowers who are currently excluded,” she said. Her comments come as the Reserve Bank of Malawi continues to push hard for greater financial inclusion, in a bid to bring more ordinary Malawians into the formal financial system. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** banking, ECAMA, economy --- ### [Malawi signs $20mn deal with Chinese firm to modernise Lake Malawi shipping](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-signs-20mn-deal-with-chinese-firm-to-modernise-lake-malawi-shipping/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s government signed an agreement Monday with Chinese company Hongtai Investment Group to supply two marine vessels and upgrade a shipyard on Lake Malawi, in a project worth $20 million. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788807555904-600x450.jpg)Malawi signs $20mn deal with Chinese firm to modernise Lake Malawi shippingThe memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed in the capital Lilongwe, covers the delivery of a cargo vessel and a passenger vessel as well as the modernisation of the Monkey Bay Shipyard, officials said. It is the second such agreement Malawi has signed with a Chinese firm in six weeks, according to Bright Kumwembe, principal secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works. “We are also accepting this one so that we create a competitive market which will allow improved services on the lake,” Kumwembe told the signing ceremony. He described the deal as a “milestone” in efforts to modernise Malawi’s inland water transport sector and said it reflected “growing investor confidence” in the country. “Lake Malawi is an important national asset, and its full potential can be realised through investment, innovation, modernisation and partnerships,” he said. Hongtai Investment Group’s managing director, identified only as Jianping, said the project was expected to take one and a half years to complete. Company chief executive Shan Jianping said the firm wanted to support Malawi’s ambitions to turn the lake into “a competitive transport and tourism corridor,” adding he was confident the partnership would “yield fruitful results.” Under the agreement, the Chinese company is expected to build and rehabilitate vessels, upgrade port infrastructure, transfer skills and technology, and improve passenger and cargo services on the lake, according to the ministry. Government infrastructure on the lake is managed by state-run Malawi Lake Services Limited, which oversees port facilities as well as shipbuilding and repair operations at Monkey Bay. Kumwembe said any partnership with the company would be “subject to applicable laws and operational requirements,” adding that the government would “continue to promote a fair, transparent and competitive investment environment.” Lake Malawi, Africa’s third-largest lake, is a key transport route for the movement of goods and people in the landlocked southern African nation, as well as a major draw for tourism. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** China, Lake Malawi, MV Ilala --- ### [MSCE 2026: 111,510 students pass as MANEB releases results — boys outperform girls, but girls lead among special needs candidates](https://www.nyasatimes.com/msce-2026-111510-students-pass-as-maneb-releases-results-boys-outperform-girls-but-girls-lead-among-special-needs-candidates/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - Overall pass rate stands at 59.26%, with 111,510 of 188,169 candidates successful - Male candidates outperform females: 62.80% pass rate for boys vs 53.77% for girls - Internal candidates post best results of any category, at 64.08% - External candidates struggle most, with under half passing - Female special needs candidates buck the trend, outperforming males by nearly 8 points The Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) has released this year’s Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) results, with 111,510 of the 188,169 candidates who sat the exams declared successful. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260907-WA0000-600x600.jpg)Nampota ; Pass rate at 59 percentMANEB Executive Director Prof. Dorothy Nampota confirmed the overall pass rate stands at 59.26%. Boys outperform girls overall The results reveal a clear gender gap in performance. Of the 98,020 male candidates who sat the exam, 63,037 passed — a pass rate of 62.80%. Among the 90,149 female candidates, 48,473 passed, giving a lower pass rate of 53.77%. Internal candidates lead the pack Performance also varied significantly by candidate category, with internal candidates recording the strongest results of any group. Of 115,186 internal candidates, 73,807 passed — a 64.08% pass rate, the highest among all major categories. External candidates fared worst, with just 9,040 of 19,873 passing, a pass rate of 45.49%. Candidates studying through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) posted a pass rate of 53.97%, with 28,663 of 53,110 candidates successful. Special needs candidates: girls lead the way Among the 908 candidates registered under Special Needs Education (SNE), 562 passed, giving a 61.89% pass rate. Here, the gender trend reversed. Female SNE candidates outperformed their male counterparts by a significant margin: 278 of 420 female candidates passed, a 66.19% pass rate, compared with 284 of 488 male candidates passing, at 58.20%. What the numbers show Taken together, the figures paint a mixed picture: internal candidates performed best of any major category, while female candidates trailed male candidates overall. Among SNE candidates, however, the pattern flipped, with girls outperforming boys by almost eight percentage points. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, Featured, National **Tags:** Maneb, MSCE --- ### [Africa’s farming future: Malawi and Nigeria to share biotechnology lessons](https://www.nyasatimes.com/africas-farming-future-malawi-and-nigeria-to-share-biotechnology-lessons/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Excerpt:** Malawi and Nigeria will compare agricultural biotechnology experiences at an African Seed Trade Association webinar on 8 September 2026. The discussion will examine commercialisation, regulation, public awareness and the work of national biotechnology committees. Prof. Abel Sefasi and Olonilua F. Joshua will speak at the online session, which runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Malawi time. **Content:** #### **AfSTA webinar on 8 September brings together seed industry leaders to examine biotechnology commercialisation, regulation and public awareness across the continent.** Malawi and Nigeria’s experiences with agricultural biotechnology will come under discussion tomorrow, Tuesday, 8 September 2026, at a regional seed industry webinar examining commercialisation, regulation and public awareness. Organised by the [African Seed Trade Association (AfSTA)](https://www.afsta.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), the session is titled [“Biotechnology: Experience and Knowledge-Sharing from Malawi and Nigeria”](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/l48FsO-6SFi7AligKgoIJg?_x_zm_rtaid=UNjwpsH3Qe63a0OePlOREA.1787132817180.1b0365cba418fd3f10b720e49e83e595&_x_zm_rhtaid=517#/registration). It will run from **1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Malawi time**, equivalent to 2 p.m. to 4 p.m EAT. The programme names Prof. Abel Sefasi, chairman of Malawi’s National Biotechnology Committee, and Olonilua F. Joshua, chairman of Nigeria’s National Biotechnology Committee, as the speakers. AfSTA Technical Manager [Kennedy Mangwana](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennedy-mangwana-bb07061b4/) will moderate the discussion. According to the organisers’ invitation, the webinar is aimed at National Seed Trade Associations across Africa, particularly their chairpersons, chief executives and members. The speakers are expected to outline their countries’ experiences and the lessons emerging from their committees’ work. Four areas feature on the programme: technology promotion and commercialisation; policy dialogue and regulations; communication and awareness creation; and the establishment and functioning of National Biotechnology Committees. ![AfSTA webinar on biotechnology experiences from Malawi and Nigeria, scheduled for 8 September 2026.](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Biotech-Webinar-480x600.jpg)Prof. Abel Sefasi and Olonilua F. Joshua are scheduled to share biotechnology experiences from Malawi and Nigeria at the AfSTA webinar on 8 September 2026.The agenda therefore extends beyond scientific research to the institutions, policies and communication needed when technologies move towards commercial use. For Malawi’s seed sector, the country presentations will provide a comparison with Nigeria’s experience rather than a discussion confined to domestic developments. The organisers describe the session as a knowledge exchange intended to strengthen collaboration among national associations. Their announcement centres on sharing experience and practical lessons, rather than announcing a new technology or regulatory decision. Agricultural biotechnology encompasses more than genetically modified crops. [Published case studies from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)](https://www.fao.org/4/i3403e/i3403e00.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com) include tissue culture for producing planting materials and DNA-based methods for detecting pathogens. These illustrate the range of techniques used across crop, livestock and fisheries production. FAO also notes that [agricultural biotechnologies have not sufficiently benefited smallholder farmers](https://www.fao.org/biotechnology/en/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). It calls for more research and development focused on their needs. That distinction separates the availability of scientific tools from their practical use by farming communities. Seed distribution presents another dimension. A [study published in 2020 on informal seed traders](https://cgspace.cgiar.org/items/5469a7fb-fdd9-4457-b028-1bd4ae64e069?utm_source=chatgpt.com), drawing on research involving 287 traders in ten African countries, found that these traders played an important role in reaching smallholders, including those in remote and crisis-affected areas. The researchers argued that formal seed-sector interventions alone were not meeting the full range of farmers’ needs. Prof. Abel Sefasi is a biotechnology academic at [Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources](https://luanar.ac.mw/department_staff.php?department_code=HOT&utm_source=chatgpt.com) and chairs Malawi’s National Biotechnology Committee, according to the webinar programme. His [published research](https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=WYT7jskAAAAJ&utm_source=chatgpt.com) covers sweet potato biotechnology, crop genetic diversity and the performance of amaranth varieties under different growing conditions. His work also includes studies on tomato tolerance to salinity and factors affecting the adoption of agroforestry and evergreen agriculture practices across Southern African countries. Olonilua F. Joshua chairs Nigeria’s National Biotechnology Committee and Director of Quality Control at Nigeria’s National Agricultural Seeds Council. He has contributed extensively to training seed specialists on certification procedures, field inspections and laboratory testing. His presentation covers quality and purity standards, including checks on moisture content, germination and the absence of pests and diseases before seeds receive certification. AfSTA is an umbrella organisation founded in 2000 with more than 120 members, including national seed trade associations, private companies and agricultural research centres. Its activities include advocacy on seed policies, biotechnology awareness and plant breeding initiatives, with projects covering Malawi and Uganda. Registration for Tuesday’s webinar is available through the[ registration link circulated by AfSTA](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/l48FsO-6SFi7AligKgoIJg?_x_zm_rtaid=UNjwpsH3Qe63a0OePlOREA.1787132817180.1b0365cba418fd3f10b720e49e83e595&_x_zm_rhtaid=517#/registration). Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business **Tags:** AFSTA, Olonilua F. Joshua, Prof. Abel Sefasi --- ### [Mutharika shake-up begins: Chimango Chirwa promoted from Chief of Protocol to PS](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharika-shake-up-begins-chimango-chirwa-promoted-from-chief-of-protocol-to-ps/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Arthur Peter Mutharika has kicked off a government reshuffle ahead of his administration’s first anniversary, appointing veteran diplomat Ambassador Chimango Chirwa as Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with immediate effect. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-6307.jpg)From Chief of Protocol to Principal Secretary: Chimango Chirwa’s RiseThe move comes just days before Mutharika’s government marks one year in office, signalling the President’s determination to tighten his grip on key state institutions as he enters his second year at the helm. Until his elevation, Chirwa served as Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he became a familiar face at State House functions and high-profile diplomatic events, often orchestrating presidential engagements and ceremonial duties. He takes over from Chancy Simwaka, whose departure from the influential post has not been officially explained. The appointment is expected to trigger speculation over whether further changes are in the pipeline, as Mutharika assesses his administration’s performance following its first year in power. Political observers are likely to view the move as the opening salvo in a broader effort to reshape government structures and sharpen service delivery, ahead of the challenges facing the administration in the coming months. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Chauncy Simwaka, Chimango Chirwa, Peter Mutharika --- ### ['Constructively resigned': MEC rejects return of Potani after diplomatic posting to China](https://www.nyasatimes.com/constructively-resigned-mec-rejects-return-of-potani-after-diplomatic-posting-to-china/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has accused the Office of the President and Cabinet of unlawfully interfering in its staffing affairs, after its former deputy chief executive, Harris Potani, entered the Commission’s offices on Monday despite having left the institution more than a year ago. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Harris-Potani.jpg)Malawi’s electoral commission in standoff with OPC over reinstatement of Harris PotaniPotani, who joined MEC in 1999 and rose to the position of deputy CEO, resigned from the Commission in early 2025 after negotiating a move to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, subsequently, a diplomatic posting in China. His attempt to return to MEC has reopened questions about the extent to which the executive can influence the composition of a body whose independence is constitutionally guaranteed. Under the Malawi Electoral Commission Act, only the Commission itself has the authority to appoint its staff. The legislation does not permit MEC officers to be seconded to government agencies in any form; conversely, it allows the Commission to accept secondments from other government bodies, but only on terms it determines itself. MEC said it had considered Potani’s departure in 2024 and concluded that both his conduct and the purported secondment arrangement were unlawful, in breach of the employment status afforded to Commission staff. The Commission said it had engaged directly with Potani at the time, advising him against pursuing the move, but that he declined to reconsider. As a result, the Commission resolved that Potani had constructively resigned his position. Given his long service, it agreed to treat his departure as a retirement rather than a dismissal as he took up his role at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. MEC argues that this history precludes any return to the Commission. In a statement, it said Potani’s acceptance of what it described as a political appointment was incompatible with membership of an ostensibly independent institution, and that reinstating him would represent “a huge compromise” of that independence. The Commission expressed particular concern over what it characterised as direct involvement by the OPC in efforts to secure Potani’s return, describing this as “dangerously and highly controversial” and saying it remained “suspicious” of the government’s role in the matter. It reiterated that employment decisions affecting Commission staff rest solely with MEC, not with government. “Mr Potani is an adult who voluntarily took up a position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the Commission said, adding that this amounted to constructive resignation under the law and left no route back to his former role. The episode raises broader questions about the durability of institutional independence in Malawi, particularly ahead of forthcoming elections, and about the extent to which appointments to bodies such as MEC can be shielded from executive influence. The Commission has called on the public to press the ruling Democratic Progressive Party government for an explanation as to why it is seeking the return of an official who left the institution voluntarily. The OPC has not yet issued a public response to the allegations. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Harris Potani, Malawi Electoral Commission, OPC --- ### [Yeremiah loses court battle to keep his job —Attorney General warns BWB "like a headless organisation"](https://www.nyasatimes.com/yeremiah-loses-court-battle-to-keep-his-job-attorney-general-warns-bwb-like-a-headless-organisation/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The suspended chief executive of Blantyre Water Board has suffered a fresh legal blow after the High Court stripped him of the injunction that had been keeping him in his job. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788774070667-600x338.jpg)SUSPENDED BOSS SUFFERS FRESH BLOW: High Court strips away injunction — Chihana banished to wait it out at homeJudge Allan Muhome ruled against Yeremia Chihana this morning, granting an urgent application by Attorney General Frank Mbeta to discharge the stay and injunction the embattled boss had previously secured. Mbeta didn’t mince his words in court, warning that the water utility was teetering on the brink of collapse without clear leadership. “BWB is like a headless organisation. There are fears that Blantyre might run dry if the status quo remains,” he told the court — a pointed reference to reports that BWB employees have physically shut down Chihana’s office amid the ongoing power struggle. Chihana’s lawyer, Michael Goba Chipeta, was tight-lipped outside court, refusing to comment to waiting journalists and insisting he had “no instructions to talk to the press.” The ruling means Chihana will now be forced to remain at home, locked out of the role he has fought fiercely to hold onto, as he waits for his case to be heard at the Supreme Court of Appeal. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, Frank Mbeta, Yeremiah Chihana --- ### [Best Football Betting Sites in Malawi: Super League to Premier League](https://www.nyasatimes.com/best-football-betting-sites-in-malawi-super-league-to-premier-league/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times Reporter **Content:** Malawian bookmakers build their products around the split between local and European football, running Kwacha markets on the TNM Super League next to full Premier League coverage on one slip. Picking between the available Malawi sites comes down to three things: which platform knows the local league, which one handles Airtel Money or Mpamba without delay, and which one doesn’t bury new players under confusing bonus terms.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/best-football-betting-sites-malawi-tnm-super-league-epl.png) ## 1xBet 1xBet lists the widest markets on international and local football competitions: match results, both teams to score, handicaps, and total goals, though correct score and player props stay thin outside derby weekends. Moreover, 1xBet stands at the top of [Ratingbet Malawi sites](https://ratingbet.com/en-mw/bookmakers/) by running the deepest Bet Builder tools here, combining a card count, first goalscorer, and the final result into one price instead of three separate bets. 1xBet has developed a dedicated domain and app for Malawian bettors and is MAGLA-licensed. Speaking of payment systems, they range from Airtel Money and TNM Mpamba to Visa/Mastercard, Skrill/Neteller, and crypto. Malawian kwacha is fully supported. ## Betwinner Betwinner offers a deep lineup of football betting: 200-1,500+ markets on top matches, with an emphasis on live bets, cash-out options, and a wide range of events (from the EPL to African leagues). Each match typically has 1X2, DNB, totals (over/under), BTTS, handicaps, cards, player props, and special markets (own goals, penalties, etc.). Betwinner adds dynamic coefficients, updating odds in real time once the match kicks off, which matters given how fast scorelines shift after halftime here. Betwinner operates officially in Malawi and is MAGLA-licensed. Local payment options such as Airtel Money, TNM Mpamba, and NBS Bank are fully supported, as well as the Malawian kwacha. ## 22Bet 22Bet places an emphasis on 1,000+ matches on peak days, with up to 600 markets per top match (EPL, Champions League), a deep live section with cash out, and even live streaming. Football markets are similar to those on Betwinner and 1xBet, featuring 1×2, totals (Over/Under 1.5/2.5/3.5/4.5), BTTS, combined markets (like win + total, BTTS + total, etc.), and outrights. 22Bet provides live stats and match trackers with detailed information on match events and H2H. This bookmaker is Africa-oriented and operates in Malawi, supporting MWK and local payment methods such as Airtel Money and TNM Mpamba, offering rapid 5-30 minute withdrawals. ## Betting on the TNM Super League and International Football Coverage of the [TNM Super League](https://fam.mw/league/tnm-super-league/) varies more than expected for a 16-club competition featuring Mighty Wanderers, Civil Service United, and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets. 1xBet and 22Bet list the widest markets (match results, both teams to score, handicaps, and total goals) though correct score and player props remain thin outside derby weekends. Premier League fixtures pull in the same tools that make the biggest leagues in Europe worth following closely: - Bet Builder combos across cards, corners, and match outcomes - Live odds updating within seconds of shots - Match trackers for placing bets mid-game - Over 200 markets on marquee fixtures Live betting on Super League matches often runs on delayed feeds, so odds can lag a few seconds behind play, while EPL live markets update almost instantly through official league data deals. ## Choosing a Platform That Fits the Fixture List The right bookmaker for a Malawian bettor isn’t the one with the biggest ad budget. It’s the one that prices the TNM Super League properly, keeps Premier League markets deep, moves Mpamba or Airtel Money funds without delay, and operates under a [MAGLA license](https://magla.org.mw/) rather than around it. Checking those points before depositing saves more frustration than any bonus percentage ever will. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General --- ### [Standard Bank launches bold new drive to empower Malawi's youth](https://www.nyasatimes.com/standard-bank-launches-bold-new-drive-to-empower-malawis-youth/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Standard Bank Plc has thrown its weight behind Malawi’s young generation, launching a sweeping new corporate social investment drive dubbed “Project Youth” aimed at transforming opportunities for the country’s youth. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788775740481-600x400.jpg)CEO Philip Madinga says investing in theUnveiling the initiative in Blantyre on Monday, Standard Bank Chief Executive Officer Philip Madinga declared that investing in young Malawians was nothing short of essential — pointing out that a staggering 78 to 80 percent of the population is under the age of 30. He insisted the scheme was no quick fix, but a long-term commitment to building human capital and empowering young people to shape their own futures, in line with the country’s ambitious Vision 2063 blueprint. Project Youth will zero in on three key pillars: - Education and media advocacy - Skills development and youth participation - Collaboration and partnerships The bank says the initiative marks a major step in its efforts to harness the potential of Malawi’s overwhelmingly young population and drive lasting economic and social progress. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** Phillip Madinga, Standard Bank, Youth --- ### [Blantyre Water Board paid law firm K62 million 'for doing NOTHING' — payout disguised as  SALARY](https://www.nyasatimes.com/blantyre-water-board-paid-law-firm-k62-million-for-doing-nothing-payout-disguised-as-salary/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Blantyre Water Board paid Mlauzi Legal Solutions a staggering MK62,034,168.75** - **Firm was allegedly introduced to BWB by board chairman Stain Chirwa** A Malawian water utility handed over more than K62 million to a private law firm that appears to have done absolutely nothing to earn it — and the payment was mysteriously logged as a “salary,” it can be revealed today. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260829_033716_Instagram.jpg)Yeremiah Chihana: CEO who dared question the payment was SUSPENDEDBlantyre Water Board (BWB) transferred the eye-watering sum of MK62,034,168.75 to Mlauzi Legal Solutions on 31 August 2026, according to a payment advice dated the following day. The document, processed through the local commercial bank, lays bare the extraordinary details: - Beneficiary: Mlauzi Legal Solutions - Amount: MK62,034,168.75 - Payment details: “BWB TO MLAUZI LEGAL SOLUTIONS” - Batch item: 1501554-1 - Batch type: SALARY - Bank reference: FT26243727BT But here’s the kicker — insiders say the firm was never formally engaged by the water board, and can’t point to a single scrap of work it actually did to justify the payout. So how did it land such a colossal payday? Sources allege the answer lies with board chairman Stain Chirwa, who is said to have personally introduced the company to BWB. **CEO who blew the whistle got SUSPENDED** Trouble reportedly erupted when BWB’s chief executive, Yeremiah Chihana, began asking awkward questions — demanding to know how a private legal firm could be pocketing tens of millions of kwacha with no contract and no paperwork to show for it. That, sources say, is when things turned nasty. The row is understood to have snowballed into a full-blown showdown between management and the board — one that ended with Chihana himself suspended. Judges later stepped in and threw out the suspension. **Questions BWB cannot dodge** - Why on earth would MK62 million to a law firm be booked as a “SALARY”? - Was Mlauzi Legal Solutions ever actually contracted? And if so: - Where’s the contract? - What work was actually done? - Who signed off on the deal? - Was proper procurement followed — or bypassed entirely? - Who authorised the payment? - Why the “SALARY” label? - What documents backed up the transfer? - Did the full board even approve this? And if there was no contract and no work — on what earth was MK62 million handed over? These are the questions BWB’s management, its board, and Malawi’s oversight bodies now urgently owe the public answers to. Because this isn’t just about MK62 million. It’s about who’s really pulling the strings at Blantyre Water Board — and whether the safeguards meant to protect public money are being trampled on. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, governance, Stain Chirwa, Yeremiah Chihana --- ### [Chimwendo says he won't resign from MCP top post — "Olo kamba atadukula"](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chimwendo-says-he-wont-resign-from-mcp-top-post-olo-kamba-atadukula/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda has hit back at a bogus resignation letter circulating on social media, branding it a forgery and insisting he has absolutely no intention of walking away from his role. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/12F88A9A-8512-4C3F-A963-CFD40535D58E.png)Chimwendo Banda : MCP Secretary General brands viral resignation letter “fake” — and vows he’s going nowhere The senior party official took to Facebook on 6 September to shut down the swirling rumours, firing off a fiery post in both Chichewa and English that has since gone viral among Malawians. **“This is fake” — Chimwendo’s blunt takedown** “*Mukuzungulira kalata ya* resignation. This is fake,” he wrote bluntly. “I have never thought of resigning and I will never resign *olo kamba atadukula*” — a Chichewa idiom meaning “even if a tortoise crawls,” used to emphasise the sheer impossibility of the scenario. The colourful denial was clearly designed to put the rumours to bed once and for all — and it worked, at least in terms of getting people talking. **Social media erupts** The post sent Facebook into overdrive, with MCP supporters and critics alike piling into the comments. Reactions ranged from amusement and scepticism to declarations of party loyalty and pointed jabs at the state of internal MCP politics. Chimwendo’s now-famous turtle line quickly took on a life of its own, with users repeating the idiom back at him in droves — turning what began as a simple denial into the latest talking point dominating Malawian political chatter online. **Not the first fake letter to do the rounds** This is far from an isolated incident. The bogus resignation letter fits a troubling pattern that has plagued Malawian politics in recent months, with fabricated documents purporting to show senior figures quitting their posts repeatedly surfacing online. In every previous case, the named officials have swiftly and publicly rejected the letters as fake, while fact-checkers have exposed the forgeries — pointing to telltale inconsistencies in formatting, addressees and official titles as proof the documents were never genuine. **The bottom line** Chimwendo’s fiery denial leaves no room for doubt: no resignation letter has been submitted, and as far as the Secretary General is concerned, he isn’t going anywhere — turtle or no turtle. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** MCP, Richard Chimwendo Banda --- ### [Mathanga: Blackouts will end by December — Consumer watchdog isn't buying it](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mathanga-blackouts-will-end-by-december-consumer-watchdog-isnt-buying-it/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Minister of Energy has said she expects power blackouts to ease by December, as critical machine spares are due to arrive in the country this week and imported electricity from Mozambique is expected to begin flowing. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2025-11-10-at-16.49.30_790b29f9-600x452.jpg)Mathanga vows blackouts will end by December. Consumer group says: don’t count on itSpeaking in an interview monitored by *Nyasa Times* on Nation Online’s No Excuses programme on Friday, Jean Mathanga said the country had lacked adequate stocks of spare parts to repair its generating machinery, but that this was now being addressed. “Let me assure Malawians that we are working round the clock so that issues of blackouts should end,” she said. “We did not have adequate stocks of spares to fix our machines, and now we are stocking up.” The intervention comes as John Kapito, executive director of the Consumers Association of Malawi, urged consumers to prepare for a prolonged energy crisis, expressing doubt over the minister’s assurances. According to an Egenco press release dated 21 August 2026, the country’s main electricity producer is currently generating 370MW against demand of more than 450MW. More than 80 percent of national supply comes from hydro power generated along the Shire River, at stations including Nkula, Tedzani and Kapichira. While the grid has recently incorporated limited solar capacity and battery storage, the lack of diversification leaves supply vulnerable to both climate shocks and technical failures — a point Mathanga acknowledged. “We recognise that climate change means Malawi cannot continue relying overwhelmingly on hydropower without adequate diversification,” she said. The crisis worsened on 7 August 2026, when a 20MW unit at Nkula B developed a technical fault and went offline. Egenco said damaged generator bearing parts needed to be sent to the original manufacturer’s workshop in South Africa for specialised repairs, with the unit expected back in service in the first week of October. Nkula A’s Units 1–3 are also running well below capacity, generating a combined 24MW against an installed capacity of 35MW, which Egenco attributes to worn turbine shaft seals. Further downstream, Tedzani Units 5 and 6 have operated below capacity for years, tracing back to debris left by Cyclone Ana in 2022. The Reserve Bank of Malawi allocated foreign exchange in July 2026 to procure the necessary spares, which are being manufactured abroad and are due to arrive this month. Egenco projects full capacity will be restored by the end of September. Mathanga also pointed to progress on the Mozambique–Malawi power interconnection project, saying a significant milestone was reached following successful hot-commissioning on 8 August 2026. The link is expected to initially add 50MW to the grid, with potential to scale up. “On the Malawian side we finished construction by February, but our counterparts delayed following suspension of works due to a fatal accident that happened,” she said. “What remains now is a high-level discussion on commercial terms.” The government said the effects of the ongoing power deficit have been significant for households and businesses in urban centres including Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba and Mzuzu — from small refrigeration outlets to large manufacturers. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** EGENCO, electricity, Escom, Jean Mathanga, John Kapito, Mozambique --- ### [Judge blasts govt's fertiliser contracts decision as "irrational" and "unlawful" — now taxpayers must foot the bill](https://www.nyasatimes.com/judge-blasts-govts-fertiliser-contracts-decision-as-irrational-and-unlawful-now-taxpayers-must-foot-the-bill/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** High Court has delivered a scathing rebuke to the government after ruling it unlawfully froze out four local companies from multimillion-kwacha fertiliser supply contracts — and ordered ministers to pay up for the mess. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1782137573883-1-450x600.jpg)Leston Mulli of Mulli Brothers took the fight to High Court abd wins legal challenge Judge Simeon Mdeza did not mince his words when he delivered the damning verdict in Lilongwe on 27 August, branding the government’s conduct “ultra vires, irrational, procedurally unfair” — legal speak for a decision so flawed it should never have been allowed to stand. The four firms at the centre of the row — Mulli Brothers Limited, Web Commercials Limited, Rock Ba Rock, and FF Trading — took the fight to court after being frozen out of the 2020/21 Affordable Inputs Programme, the scheme now known as the Farm Inputs Subsidy Program (FISP), despite having been recommended for the contracts in the first place. **“They were the chosen ones — then they were dumped”** Court documents reveal the companies had already been through the wringer of the official bidding process and come out the other side as winners, evaluated and put forward by the very body tasked with awarding the contracts. But instead of being handed the deal to supply fertiliser to farmers across the country, the firms were controversially shut out — with the government instead attempting to funnel the contract to the State-owned Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM), branding it an “interested party.” The companies cried foul, dragging the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) Review Committee and the Attorney General to court to answer for the snub. **Judge sides firmly with the firms** Delivering his ruling, Judge Mdeza left no room for ambiguity, declaring that the firms had “discharged the burden of demonstrating that the defendant failed to act within its statutory powers.” “Accordingly, the application for judicial review is successful,” he ruled — a verdict that will make uncomfortable reading for officials across government. The judge ordered that the government compensate the companies for a string of losses stemming from the botched process — including loss of business, profit and revenue — with the exact payout to be determined by the Registrar if the two sides cannot agree on a figure themselves. **Damning claims over “outstanding loans”** In a twist that will raise eyebrows, court papers show the companies claimed the Secretary for Agriculture had told the Reserve Bank of Malawi that they carried outstanding loans with government — a claim used, they say, to justify shutting them out of contracts they had legitimately earned. The ruling piles fresh pressure on a government already under fire over its handling of the country’s agricultural input schemes, and raises fresh questions over just how contracts are awarded — and withdrawn — behind closed doors in Lilongwe. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Farm Input Subsidy, Fertiliser, Mulli Brothers --- ### [Columnist slams Malawi's 'deep denial' over DNA paternity scandal, saying nation missed chance for real conversation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/columnist-slams-malawis-deep-denial-over-dna-paternity-scandal-saying-nation-missed-chance-for-real-conversation/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Edith Gondwe says fury over ‘DNA Truth Bomb’ headline exposed a society obsessed with statistics rather than confronting uncomfortable truths about paternity fraud** A prominent Malawian columnist has accused the nation of burying its head in the sand over a controversial DNA paternity story, arguing that public fury over how the article was framed distracted from the far more uncomfortable questions it should have raised.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260823_090613_Google-457x600.jpg) Writing in her Candid Talk newspaper column, Edith Gondwe revisited the storm sparked by a *Nation on Sunday* report headlined “DNA Truth Bomb,” with the sub-headline claiming 80 per cent of tested Malawian men were not the biological fathers of the children they believed to be theirs. ‘**The context was obvious’** Gondwe defended the article, insisting its meaning had been clear all along – that it referred specifically to men who had voluntarily sought paternity tests, often because they already harboured suspicions about their children’s true parentage. “As a society, we should be discussing the real, difficult questions,” Gondwe wrote, listing a series of issues she felt had been sidelined – including why some women lie to men about paternity, whether DNA testing should be made mandatory at birth, and the psychological toll on both fathers and children when the truth eventually emerges. ‘**A society in deep denial’** Instead of engaging with those questions, Gondwe said, Malawians became consumed with pedantic arguments over statistics, with many directing anger at her colleague Andrew Vianno, the author of the original article, accusing him of misrepresenting the true picture. “From where I stand, what I saw was a society in deep denial,” she wrote, arguing that mothers deceiving men over paternity was a long-documented reality that the story had simply confirmed rather than invented. “We missed a crucial opportunity to have a constructive conversation to understand why this happens. Instead, we wasted energy on semantics, posturing about how educated we are, and getting outraged over how the story was framed.” **Three types of paternity deception** Gondwe went on to offer her own analysis of why some women conceal a child’s true paternity, identifying what she described as three distinct patterns. The first, she said, involves women under intense social pressure to conceive within a marriage, who in moments of panic seek out other partners and, if successful, pass the resulting child off as their husband’s – a circumstance she stressed was in no way an excuse, but rather an explanation of underlying pressure. The second group, she said, are women who are simply unfaithful and deliberately deceptive, targeting the most financially stable man available to secure a better future for the child, with no regard for the child’s right to know their biological origins. The third, Gondwe wrote, are women who become pregnant after multiple encounters and genuinely do not know who the father is, resorting to guesswork rather than deception. ‘**Lying to a man about fatherhood is diabolical’** Despite outlining the pressures that can lead to such situations, Gondwe was unequivocal in condemning the practice itself. “At the end of the day, there is zero justification for deception. Lying to a man about fatherhood is diabolical. As a society – and specifically as women – we can do better,” she wrote. She closed her column with a hope that Malawians might eventually be ready to discuss the issue without anger, describing it as a conversation the country still needs to have. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** DNA --- ### [Chisale reaffirms government's commitment to Ngoni traditional leadership](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chisale-reaffirms-governments-commitment-to-ngoni-traditional-leadership/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Deputy Minister of Homeland Security Norman Chisale has paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty Ngwenyama Inkosi ya Makosi Gomani V, the paramount chief of the Maseko Ngoni, in a gesture of respect from a senior government official who is himself a son of the Ngoni Maseko. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788684765031-600x400.jpg)Deputy minister and ‘son of Ngoni Maseko’ Chisale honours Gomani V with royal visitUpon arrival, Chisale was warmly welcomed by senior chiefs, or Amakhosi, before proceeding to meet His Royal Majesty directly. During the meeting, Chisale reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting Ngoni traditional leadership structures, describing the Ngoni community as an important partner in local governance and development. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788684770318-400x600.jpg)Chisale pays respects to Ngwenyama Gomani VThe Ngwenyama, or paramount chief, occupies the highest traditional authority among the Maseko Ngoni people, one of Malawi’s most prominent ethnic groups, with strongholds particularly in Ntcheu and the surrounding central region. Traditional leaders such as Gomani V continue to play an influential role in local governance, community mobilisation and the preservation of cultural heritage, often working alongside government structures on matters ranging from development projects to dispute resolution. The visit comes amid a broader pattern of government officials publicly engaging with traditional leadership across the country, with senior figures increasingly making courtesy visits to paramount chiefs and Ngoni royalty – engagements widely seen as efforts to strengthen ties between the state and traditional authorities ahead of key national initiatives and events, including recent cultural celebrations such as the Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni gathering in Ntcheu. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Inkosi Gomani, Norman Chisale --- ### [M'mbelwa V unveils K50 million football sponsorship for new Northern Region cup](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mmbelwa-v-unveils-k50-million-football-sponsorship-for-new-northern-region-cup/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa V has unveiled a K50 million sponsorship deal for the Northern Region Football Association (NRFA), backing a newly introduced football cup for the region. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788687544395-600x450.jpg)Paramount chief’s cash injection hailed as boost for grassroots football development in the northThe paramount chief made the announcement during an unveiling ceremony held at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday, saying the sponsorship was aimed squarely at developing football across the Northern Region. Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya praised M’mbelwa for the gesture, describing it as being in line with the football transformation agenda currently being pursued at national level. NRFA chairperson Masiya Nyasulu also thanked M’mbelwa for the partnership, welcoming the significant financial backing as a timely boost for football development in the region. The sponsorship marks the latest high-profile intervention by traditional leadership in Malawian football, coming amid a broader push to strengthen grassroots structures and improve football’s reach beyond the country’s established football hubs. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Inkosi ya Makosi M'mbelwa, northern region --- ### [MUST students left without water for three days as power failure cripples campus pumping system](https://www.nyasatimes.com/must-students-left-without-water-for-three-days-as-power-failure-cripples-campus-pumping-system/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Students at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) Ndata Campus have been left without water since Friday, sparking growing frustration over living conditions on campus. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788723434844-452x600.jpg)Struggling to cook, wash and bathe: students describe desperate conditions as officials scramble for answers over water crisisMUST Students Representative Council President Patience Zamar Phiri said on Sunday that the crisis stemmed from a power failure caused by low voltage at the Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) pumping system, leaving the campus without a functioning water supply for three consecutive days. ‘Struggling to cook, wash and bathe’ Phiri painted a bleak picture of life on campus in the absence of running water, saying students were struggling with even the most basic daily tasks. “Students are struggling to cook, wash their clothes and bathe,” she said. Confusion over who is responsible Efforts to get answers from the relevant authorities proved difficult over the weekend. MUST Communications Manager James Mphande said he needed time to cross-check the matter before commenting further, while SRWB spokesperson Lita Makwangwala said she was unaware of the situation, explaining she was currently out of the office. ESCOM confirms fault, promises fix ‘this evening’ The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) offered the clearest update on the crisis. Chief Public Relations and Communications Officer Pilirani Phiri confirmed the utility was aware of the fault affecting the water board’s pumping system. “All things being equal, we expect to have the problem rectified this evening,” he said – offering students a glimmer of hope that the taps could soon be flowing again. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Malawi University of Science and Technology, water --- ### [Mukhito vindicated: High Court's intervention lends weight to constitutional overreach warning](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mukhito-vindicated-high-courts-intervention-lends-weight-to-constitutional-overreach-warning/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** When Democratic Progressive Party Secretary General Peter Mukhito warned that proposed parliamentary inquiries risked crossing the constitutional line between oversight and investigation, his position was quickly attacked in some quarters as political interference. Now, the High Court has temporarily hal ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784727241853-600x384.jpg)‘Oversight yes, overreach no’: Mukhito’s warning echoed as court halts Suleman’s inquiriested the proposed inquiries pending judicial review. That development does not mean the court has already ruled that the Speaker acted unlawfully. It has not. But it does confirm one important point: the constitutional questions raised by Mukhito were serious enough to require judicial determination. The DPP’s position has never been that Parliament should not provide oversight. Parliament must scrutinise government. Public institutions must account for public resources. Ministers and public officers must answer legitimate questions. That is democracy. But democracy also requires boundaries. Parliament is not the executive. Parliament is not the police. Parliament is not the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Parliament is not the judiciary. Each institution has powers given to it by the constitution and the law, and each must exercise those powers without usurping the functions of another. That, the party argues, is precisely the principle Mukhito was defending. The High Court’s intervention should not, therefore, be read as a political victory over Speaker Sameer Suleman. The substantive matter remains before the courts, and the judiciary must be allowed to determine it independently and without political pressure. Government has also made clear that it did not institute or direct the proceedings, insisting the case was brought by a private citizen exercising his right to seek judicial review. The DPP maintains it has nothing to fear from lawful scrutiny. What it rejects is the suggestion that accountability can only be achieved by ignoring constitutional limits. Accountability without legality, the party argues, is not accountability – it is institutional overreach. Malawi’s democracy, on this view, is strongest when Parliament provides robust oversight, the executive governs within the law, investigative agencies perform their statutory functions, and the courts independently interpret the constitution. That balance, the DPP insists, must be protected regardless of who occupies public office. So was Mukhito right to raise the alarm? By this argument, yes – he was right to insist that the constitutional boundaries be examined. But the final word on the legality of the proposed inquiries belongs to the courts, not politicians. Until that determination is made, one principle should unite everyone: oversight, yes; accountability, yes; constitutional overreach, no; rule of law, always. Nobody is above scrutiny, and nobody is above the constitution. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** DPP, Malawi Parliament, Peter Mukhito --- ### [Wanderers made to rue defensive error as Simba take 1-0 lead to Tanzania](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wanderers-made-to-rue-defensive-error-as-simba-take-1-0-lead-to-tanzania/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Simba Sports Club have taken a crucial advantage in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Mighty Wanderers FC at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260906-WA0003-600x600.jpg)Wanderers made to rue defensive error as Simba take 1-0 lead to TanzaniaThe highly contested encounter attracted a large crowd, with Simba supporters travelling in significant numbers from Tanzania to rally behind their team. Both sides created opportunities throughout the match, producing an entertaining contest for the fans in attendance. After a goalless first half, Simba finally broke the deadlock through Anicet Oura. The forward capitalised on a defensive error, pouncing after a Wanderers defender failed to clear the ball, allowing Simba to take the lead. The goal gave the visitors greater confidence as they settled into their tactical approach and looked to protect their advantage. Mighty Wanderers responded by increasing the pressure in search of an equaliser. The Malawian side made attacking changes, bringing on Sama Thierry and Promise Kamwendo for Muhammad Sulumba and Mphatso Kamanga in an attempt to strengthen the attack. Despite the changes and sustained pressure from Wanderers, Simba’s defence remained well organised and managed to withstand the late challenge, preserving the scoreline until the final whistle. The result gives Simba an important advantage heading into the second leg, but the tie remains open, with Wanderers needing to overturn the deficit. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in the return leg in Tanzania on 11 September, with the winner of the two-legged tie advancing to the next stage of the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260906-WA0004-600x600.jpg)Tie finely poised as Simba edge first leg against Wanderers in Lilongwe![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260906-WA0002-600x600.jpg)Wanderers made to rue defensive error as Simba take 1-0 lead to Tanzania Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** CAF champions league, Mighty Wanderers, Simba FC --- ### [Simba supporters drown out Wanderers fans in Lilongwe as Tanzanian presence swells Bingu Stadium](https://www.nyasatimes.com/simba-supporters-drown-out-wanderers-fans-in-lilongwe-as-tanzanian-presence-swells-bingu-stadium/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The first preliminary round clash between Mighty Wanderers and Tanzanian giants Simba SC at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe has taken on an unusual dimension, with the sizeable Tanzanian community in Malawi adding a strong wave of support for the visiting side. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260906-WA0001-600x263.jpg)Simba supporters at Bingu StadiumAlthough Mighty Wanderers are the home team, Simba’s red colours have been highly visible around Lilongwe as Tanzanian nationals and travelling supporters turned out in large numbers for Sunday’s CAF Champions League encounter. Simba supporters began making their presence felt well before kick-off, with fans travelling from Tanzania joining others based in Malawi to rally behind the team. Simba had also organised transport for supporters travelling from Tanzania, reflecting the club’s determination not to leave its team without significant backing on foreign soil. The situation created what felt like a home-away-from-home atmosphere for Simba. The large Tanzanian population in Lilongwe provided the visitors with a natural support base, while the travelling contingent added even more colour and noise to the occasion. For Wanderers, however, the challenge was not only on the pitch. The Nomads will be looking to ensure that their home advantage is not lost in the stands as the tie unfolds. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Bingu national stadium, CAF champions league, Mighty Wanderers, Simba FC --- ### [MP Nyamilandu shares stunning anniversary photo with wife as he marks 11 years of marriage](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mp-nyamilandu-shares-stunning-anniversary-photo-with-wife-as-he-marks-11-years-of-marriage/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** MP Walter Nyamilandu has melted hearts online after sharing a glamorous photo with his wife to celebrate a huge relationship milestone – their 11th wedding anniversary. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788640793473-450x600.jpg)Nyamilandu pays gushing tribute to spouse in touching Facebook post, saying ‘God has been faithful’The politician, dapper in a navy blue suit with a red patterned tie and matching pocket square, posed alongside his elegant wife, who stunned in a chic white pleated dress topped off with an elaborate wide-brimmed hat, for the snap shared on social media. **‘Tachokera kutali’** Nyamilandu penned a short but heartfelt caption to accompany the photo, reflecting on the couple’s journey together over more than a decade of marriage. “Tachokera kutali. 11 beautiful years. Happy Anniversary My Wife. God has been faithful,” he wrote – the Chichewa phrase translating to “we have come from far,” a nod to the distance the pair have travelled together since tying the knot. **Fans flood comments with well wishes** The heartwarming post is likely to strike a chord with followers, many of whom regularly see the MP in a political capacity rather than in candid family moments – making the personal tribute to his wife all the more well received. Nyamilandu currently chairs the parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating the fatal Chikangawa plane crash that claimed the life of former vice-president Saulos Chilima, meaning the loved-up snap offers a rare, lighter glimpse into his life away from the demands of high-profile parliamentary work. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** marriage, Walter Nyamilandu Manda --- ### [UTM's Mtumbuka makes series of donations to Catholic groups during tour of northern Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/utms-mtumbuka-makes-series-of-donations-to-catholic-groups-during-tour-of-northern-malawi/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Dr Matthews Mtumbuka, MP for Rumphi Central and UTM’s presidential running mate, has made a string of donations to Catholic lay organisations during a tour through Kasungu, Mzuzu and Rumphi, as he travelled to attend a major church conference in the north of the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260905-WA0022-450x600.jpg)From Legion of Mary to Wamama Wa-Chitemwano: Mtumbuka’s donation tour of the northThe MP’s first stop came at Nkhamenya Parish in Kasungu, where he donated K500,000 to a regional conference of the Legion of Mary attended by nearly 2,000 members. Mtumbuka said he had chosen to stop and greet the gathering because lay groupings formed the backbone of the Catholic Church’s activities. Brenda Dakishoni, president of the Legion of Mary council at St Peter’s Cathedral, said the donation had caught attendees off guard. “We have been left speechless by what Hon. Dr Matthews Mtumbuka has done, and we pray that God should reward him abundantly for his good deeds,” she said. Mtumbuka’s journey north continued to Mzuzu, where he donated a further K1 million to Wamama Wa-Chitemwano, a Catholic women’s group, coinciding with their annual general meeting and the launch of the Society of Women of Charity for the dioceses of Karonga and Mzuzu. The donation was made through Bridget Nkhoma, a member of the group and a senior figure within the UTM party. “I decided to give something to Wamama Wa-Chitemwano as they meet and pray for the church,” Mtumbuka said. More than 10,000 women from the two dioceses gathered for the event at Marymount Ground in Mzuzu, with bishops Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga and Suzgo Nyirenda of Mzuzu due to attend on Sunday to mark the conference’s climax and the formal launch of the society. The MP’s tour also took him to St Denis Parish in Rumphi, where the Catholic Women Association of Mzuzu Diocese was holding its own annual general meeting. Mtumbuka was pictured dancing with members of the association, having again arrived with gifts to support the gathering. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260905-WA0016-600x450.jpg)Mtumbuka showers Catholic gatherings with donations across the north![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260905-WA0008-600x450.jpg)Mtumbuka’s northern tour: MP donates to Catholic groups in Kasungu, Mzuzu and Rumphi Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Mathews Mtumbuka, UTM Party --- ### [Mayor Jomo wows MUBAS crowd with slick, unscripted English - sparking chants of 'waposa Gangata"](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mayor-jomo-wows-mubas-crowd-with-slick-unscripted-english-sparking-chants-of-waposa-gangata/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Blantyre Mayor Jomo Osman left students buzzing after delivering a confident, grammatically sharp speech in English at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) – triggering chants of “waposa Gangata” from an impressed crowd, leaving Osman himself laughing. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260906_102355_Facebook-600x387.jpg)Jomo: Self-taught city boss, who admits he never completed formal education, draws comparisons with senior government figures over command of EnglishThe chant – roughly translating to “better than Chisale” – was a cheeky reference to Minister of Sports Alfred Gangata, suggesting the crowd felt Osman’s command of English outshone that of the deputy minister. What made the performance all the more impressive, by most accounts, was that Osman’s remarks – centred on the importance of preserving water resources – were delivered entirely without prepared notes, a feat that appeared to catch attendees off guard given the polish of his delivery. The comparison to Gangata may not be the only one worth drawing. Gangata has frequently been noted for stumbling over the English language in his own public addresses – even when working from prepared scripts. The chant could easily extend to several other figures currently occupying the corridors of power. Osman’s eloquence carries added weight given his personal backstory. The mayor has previously spoken openly about being unable to complete formal education as a young man due to financial hardship, relying instead on self-teaching to build his knowledge and skills. By most accounts, that self-directed education appears to be paying off handsomely – with Saturday’s performance at MUBAS offering fresh evidence that Osman continues to grow in confidence and capability on the public stage. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Alfred Gangata, Jomo Osman, Norman Chisale --- ### [Netball body fails to account for K65 million as AGM exposes shocking financial gaps](https://www.nyasatimes.com/netball-body-fails-to-account-for-k65-million-as-agm-exposes-shocking-financial-gaps/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Auditors issue qualified opinion after Netball Association of Malawi cannot explain how millions were spent, despite president insisting money was ‘not misappropriated or stolen’** The Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has come under fire after its annual general meeting revealed the association failed to account for a staggering K65 million, with auditors issuing a qualified opinion over the discrepancy. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788682356368-600x400.jpg)Gubuduza arrives at Sunbird Livingstonia for the AGMThe AGM, held at Sunbird Livingstonia in Salima, heard that NAM’s total expenditure stood at K1.6 billion – but the association was unable to explain how K67 million of that sum had actually been used. **‘Not misappropriated or stolen**‘ NAM president Vitumbiko Gubuduza insisted the missing funds had not been stolen, instead blaming a lack of proper financial reporting from regional communities and teams who received money from the association. “As an association, we send money to regional committees and district committees directly to their account to run their affairs,” Gubuduza said. “The expectation is that they are supposed to give us signed sheets on how many was spent and also receipt of expenditure. They are supposed to account for every penny.” Gubuduza said the lack of proper documentation had made it extremely difficult to reconcile the association’s accounts, revealing that some cash had also been given to clubs in the FDH Bank Premiership – but that these teams failed to even confirm receipt of the money. A further shortfall, she said, stemmed from Salima Sugar sponsorship funding that ended prematurely. **Disciplinary action threatened** NAM has now warned it will discipline clubs and committees that failed to account for funds they received, revealing that a report on the matter had already been submitted to the association’s disciplinary committee, given what officials described as a repeating problem. **Governance concerns extend across sport** Malawi Schools Association (Massa) president Blackson Malamula, who attended the AGM, said NAM’s decision to engage external auditors demonstrated a genuine commitment to accountability and transparency, despite the damning findings. “The most thorny issue at any AGM is financial issues. But we have seen how well they articulated. They have even engaged external auditors,” Malamula said, adding that many sports associations lacked external auditors capable of providing proper balancing checks. “On the issue of governance, they are on course and we have to emulate them.” NAM’s leadership also used the AGM to thank sponsors including FDH Bank, One Nico, Mukuru and Vitumbiko Mumba for their continued financial support. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788682280065-600x450.jpg)Netball Association of Malawi AGM Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Netball Association of Malawi --- ### [Bullets coach Nyirenda hails 'five-star' display](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bullets-coach-nyirenda-hails-five-star-display/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Bullets head coach Wedson Nyirenda praised his players for what he described as a five-star performance, one that saw his side finish the first round emphatically and ascend to the summit of the table. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788649834184-600x381.jpg)Kondowe hat-trick fires Bullets to biggest win in a decade as Silver Strikers humiliated 5-0FCB Nyasa Big Bullets produced their most emphatic performance in years, thrashing Silver Strikers 5-0 to move top of the FDH Bank Premiership table with 30 points. It took just two minutes for the rout to begin, with hat-trick hero and Player of the Match Ephraim Kondowe opening the scoring to set the tone for a one-sided afternoon. Silver Strikers tried to hit back through Chinsisi Maonga, who wasted a golden chance that could have brought the Bankers level. Instead, Kondowe struck again in the 34th minute to double Bullets’ lead, before Wongani Lungu made it 3-0 before half-time, leaving Silver head coach Peter Mgangira shaking his head in disbelief as he trudged to the dressing room. The second half offered little relief for the visitors. Kondowe completed his hat-trick in the 62nd minute, assisted by Lungu, before Misheck Billiat added a fifth in the 70th minute to complete the misery. Silver Strikers coach Peter Mgangira admitted his side had been left reeling by the scoreline. “Not a scoreline that we expected. We conceded, I think, silly goals. Individual errors and also departmental errors,” Mgangira said. “It’s something that we need to work on. On the performance, I think we played well. But then football is decided by goals. So, yes, a bad result.” ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260712_013045_Facebook-600x534.jpg)Bullets coach Nyirenda Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Big Bullets, FDH Premiership --- ### [Nomads brace for toughest test of the season in Champions League opener](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nomads-brace-for-toughest-test-of-the-season-in-champions-league-opener/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers face arguably their biggest test of the season Sunday afternoon as they host Tanzanian giants Simba Sporting Club in the first leg of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League first preliminary round at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. The Nomads go into the tie as underdogs against a Simba side that has already demonstrated its continental pedigree, though they will be hoping home advantage, a point to prove, and the tactical input of Patrick Mabedi can tilt the contest in their favour. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Nyerere-fans-dancing-Wolire-wolire-Manoma-600x357.jpg)Nyerere fans dancing Wolire, wolire, ManomaThe fixture comes at a turbulent time for Wanderers, with the Blantyre-based giants suspending head coach Bob Mpinganjira immediately following their 2-1 defeat to Ekhaya FC in last Sunday’s Airtel Top 8 final at the same venue. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** CAF champions league, Mighty Wanderers, Simba FC --- ### [Bangula University, new hospital, key roads: Shire Valley's dated demands in Nchalo Declaration](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bangula-university-new-hospital-key-roads-shire-valleys-dated-demands-in-nchalo-declaration/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** More than 200 delegates – including MPs, traditional authorities, civil society leaders and community representatives from Chikwawa and Nsanje – gathered at Arrows Hotel in Nchalo, Chikwawa, on 5 September for the second Nsanje-Chikwawa People’s Conference, producing a declaration demanding government commit to specific, dated development targets across the flood-prone Shire Valley. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788640974163-600x445.jpg)Trapence: Shire Valley leaders demand binding development compact with dated targets in Nchalo DeclarationThe two-day event, organised by the Nsanje and Chikwawa Socio-Economic Development Trust (NECK) under the theme “Unity of Purpose and Action,” followed a Leaders Consultations Forum with traditional leaders the previous day. It produced the Nchalo Declaration and Communiqué 2026, which conference chairperson Gift Trapence described as a call for a social contract based on full reciprocity between the people of the Shire Valley and elected duty-bearers. Trapence said NECK, established in 2020 to promote sustainable development in the historically under-resourced districts, had framed the conference around reviewing the region’s socio-economic status, forging a unified advocacy strategy, and setting clear roadmaps for engagement with national authorities on services and infrastructure. Discussions repeatedly underscored the Shire Valley’s strategic importance to Malawi’s economy, alongside constitutional rights to development and equality, set against a backdrop of persistent poverty, climate shocks, weak infrastructure and inadequate public services. Several expert presentations grounded the discussions in evidence. Dr Felix Lombe delivered the State of the Shire Valley Report focusing on agriculture, while Dr Medson Matchaya examined health funding challenges facing the valley. Dr Charles Mazinga and Counsel Sydney Mpotalinga addressed infrastructure shortfalls – including specific concerns over the ongoing Shire Valley Transformation Project (SVTP) – alongside the state of education. These inputs informed the resolutions ultimately adopted. The Nchalo Declaration and Communiqué 2026 sets out a series of dated resolutions across four key sectors. On agriculture, it calls for the SVTP to be fully operationalised by May 2027, with government commitment ensuring an initial group of farmers can begin benefiting, alongside immediate rehabilitation of small irrigation schemes including Kasinthura, Nkhate and Muona. On education, it demands budgeting for and commencement of construction on Bangula University by December 2027, at least 150 flood-resilient classrooms by June 2028, and 33 science laboratories and 30 libraries in public secondary schools across the Shire Valley by the same date. On health, it calls for construction of a new Chikwawa District Hospital – to also serve as the Shire Valley’s referral hospital – to begin by December 2028, alongside use of Constituency Development Fund resources to build health centres in every constituency in the valley by June 2028. On infrastructure, the declaration demands the Thabwa-East Bank road re-commence by March 2027, the Marka-Bangula railway and associated Ntayamoyo bridge be completed by December 2028, the Chapananga road be completed by the same date, and rehabilitation of the M1 section through the Shire Valley begin immediately. The declaration closes with a commitment to engage constructively with government and its offices to realise these aspirations. By converting long-standing grievances into specific, dated demands and insisting on reciprocity, organisers say the Nchalo gathering seeks to translate the Shire Valley’s economic potential and constitutional claims into measurable progress, moving beyond cyclical promises toward accountable delivery. Conference co-chair Dr Leo Masamba, who led the formal reading and adoption of the communiqué, helped steer proceedings toward coordinated advocacy, warning that without a binding social compact, unfulfilled promises would continue indefinitely if left unaddressed. NECK President Counsel King Rudi, a signatory to the communiqué, joined other leaders in endorsing the shift toward reciprocal engagement, while NECK Trustee Chairperson Dr Charles Guta participated in the broader leadership framework supporting the trust’s work. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788676188945-600x450.jpg)NECK conference demands reciprocal social contract as Shire Valley sets 2027-28 development deadlines![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788676183668-600x450.jpg)‘Unity of Purpose and Action’: Nchalo Declaration sets dated deadlines for Shire Valley development Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Gift Trapence, NECK, Shire Valley --- ### [VP Ansah joins Ngoni royalty at colourful Umhlangano](https://www.nyasatimes.com/vp-ansah-joins-ngoni-royalty-at-colourful-umhlangano/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Vice President Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah graced the 2026 Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni cultural celebration at the Gomani Chikuse Memorial Grounds in Nkolimbo Village, Ntcheu District, as thousands gathered for one of Malawi’s most vibrant traditional festivals. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788649875203-400x600.jpg)Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah greeted by Ngwenyama Gomani V and Inkosi M’mbelwa V as thousands gather for annual festival under ‘Unity is Strength’ themeUpon her arrival, the Vice President made her way to the main platform, where she greeted Ngwenyama Gomani V and Inkosi M’mbelwa V – a moment that sparked excitement among the crowd as the annual celebrations reached their climax. **Celebrating ‘Unity is Strength’** This year’s ceremony was held under the theme “Ubunye Bunamandla,” meaning “Unity is Strength,” placing particular emphasis on the importance of unity and togetherness among the Ngoni people and the wider Malawian community. **About the Umhlangano** The Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni is an annual cultural gathering that brings together traditional leaders, communities and visitors from across Malawi and beyond to celebrate and preserve the rich traditions, customs and identity of the Maseko Ngoni people. Held at the historic Gomani Chikuse Memorial Grounds, the event has grown into one of the country’s most prominent cultural showcases, featuring traditional dress, dance and ceremony rooted in Ngoni heritage. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788649884951-400x600.jpg)Ansah at cultural celebration in NtcheuBeyond its cultural significance, the celebration also plays a role in promoting Malawi’s broader cultural heritage and tourism appeal, drawing attention to the country’s diverse ethnic traditions. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Jane Ansah, Ngoni, Umhlangano --- ### [Chakwera doesn't want to testify, warns crash probe risks becoming 'political theatre'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-doesnt-want-to-testify-warns-crash-probe-risks-becoming-political-theatre/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s opposition has launched a stinging attack on the parliamentary inquiry investigating the fatal Chikangawa plane crash, accusing organisers of politicising the process after reports emerged that former President Lazarus Chakwera and former Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu could be summoned to testify. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/chakwera1-1536x1024-2-600x400.jpg)Opposition memo suggests Chakwera doesn’t want to testify, as opposition slams ‘politicised’ crash probeThe attack came in a memorandum dated 31 August 2026, addressed to the Right Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition Simplex Chithyola Banda, expressing “serious concern” over the direction the inquiry appeared to be taking. The memorandum notes that on 26 August 2026, Nation Publications Limited reported under the headline “Chakwera May Testify in Plane Crash Inquiry,” before *Capital FM* followed on 28 August with a report suggesting Kunkuyu could also be called – particularly in connection with the aircraft’s black box. Crucially, the opposition points out, both reports attributed the information to the chairperson of the inquiry, Walter Nyamilandu Manda. The Leader of the Opposition did not hold back in outlining concerns over the reported plans, warning that such moves risk transforming an important national inquiry into a platform for political score-settling. “We find these developments deeply troubling because they risk turning an important national inquiry into a platform for political witch-hunting,” the memorandum states. “The people of Malawi expect the inquiry to establish the truth about the tragic plane crash not to become a political theatre where former political leaders are dragged before an inquiry without a clearly demonstrated connection to the circumstances of the accident.” The opposition argues that the proposed involvement of a former president and former Cabinet minister raises serious questions about where the inquiry is heading, insisting that if the genuine objective is to establish what happened to the aircraft, focus should instead remain on aviation experts, flight records, technical evidence, communication records and eyewitnesses. The inquiry is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash of the Malawi Defence Force Dornier aircraft, which went down in Nthungwa Forest near Chikangawa on 10 June 2024, killing former Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others. Neither the Office of the Speaker nor inquiry chairperson Walter Nyamilandu Manda had issued a public response to the memorandum at the time of publication. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP, plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima --- ### [Prophet Bushiri pays tribute to Ngoni roots at Umhlangano: 'Proud to be Malawian'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-bushiri-pays-tribute-to-ngoni-roots-at-umhlangaproud-to-be-malawian-no/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - ‘**Major 1′ pays tribute to his roots, urging Malawians to preserve culture ‘guided by righteousness, wisdom and the fear of God’** Famous preacher Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary put on a striking display of traditional Ngoni attire this week as they attended Umhlangano, a cultural gathering held in his home district of Ntcheu, celebrating Ngoni heritage, culture and identity. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788633435242-535x600.jpg)Prophet Bushiri and wife turn heads in traditional regalia at Ngoni cultural gatheringPhotographs from the event show the couple dressed in elaborate traditional regalia – Bushiri sporting a leopard-print and cowhide outfit alongside a distinctive headpiece, while his wife wore an ornate beaded and feathered ensemble complete with layered necklaces and a leather skirt, as they mingled with fellow attendees dressed in similar ceremonial dress. **‘Inspired’ by traditional leader’s message** In a statement shared following the event, Bushiri said he and his wife had been honoured to attend the gathering, describing it as a celebration of heritage, culture and identity in his home area. He said he was particularly moved by remarks from Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V, the paramount Ngoni chief, who spoke about God and urged his kingdom to uphold strong moral values. “As a prophet of God, I believe our heritage is most powerful when it is guided by righteousness, wisdom, and the fear of God,” Bushiri said. **Calls to preserve culture ‘with dignity and purpose**‘ The prophet used his statement to call for the preservation of positive cultural values, urging Malawians to honour those who came before them and raise a new generation capable of carrying the Ngoni heritage forward. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788633441275-400x600.jpg)‘Wawa Angoni, Wawa’: Prophet Bushiri’s tribute to his roots at traditional gathering“We must preserve what is good in our culture, honour those who came before us, and raise a generation that will carry our heritage with dignity and purpose,” he said. **‘Proud to be Malawian’** Bushiri, who has built a vast following and business empire across southern Africa, struck a patriotic tone in his remarks, declaring his pride in his roots and his nationality. “I am proud of my roots, proud of my people, and proud to be Malawian,” he said, adding a prayer for the country’s traditional leaders and communities. “May God continue to give wisdom to our traditional leaders and bless our communities and our beautiful nation of Malawi.” He closed his statement with a nod to Ngoni tradition and language, invoking a well-known Ngoni phrase. “Let me end it with our language… *Siyahamba, siyahamba… kodwa asikhohlwa ukuthi singobani! Wawa Angoni, Wawa!*” he wrote – roughly translating to a declaration that though the Ngoni people continue to journey forward, they never forget who they are. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788633431632-534x600.jpg)Bushiri and wife join chiefs for colourful Ngoni cultural gathering in Ntcheu Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Mary Bushiri, Ngoni, Prophet Bushiri, Umhlangano --- ### [Kondowe fires hat-trick inside a minute-quick opener to fire Bullets top of Premiership scoring charts](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kondowe-fires-hat-trick-inside-a-minute-quick-opener-to-fire-bullets-top-of-premiership-scoring-charts/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FCB Nyasa Big Bullets star Ephraim Kondowe produced a scintillating hat-trick on Saturday in the club’s 5-0 demolition of Silver Strikers, propelling his season tally to nine goals and firing him to the top of the FDH Bank Premiership’s goalscoring charts. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788646614162-450x600.jpg)Kondowe:Man of the match award caps stunning display as striker’s tally hits nine goals in emphatic 5-0 win over Silver StrikersA lightning start Kondowe wasted no time announcing his intentions, netting a stunning opener barely a minute into the match to put Bullets ahead inside the opening exchanges – a strike described as a genuine cracker by those watching on. He went on to add two further goals as Bullets ran riot against a hapless Silver Strikers side, rounding off a man-of-the-match performance that underlined his growing reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous forwards this season. **Building a reputation at the top level** Kondowe has established himself as a key figure for the People’s Team since establishing himself in Bullets’ first team, and his current form has seen him emerge as the club’s chief attacking threat this campaign. With nine league goals to his name, he now sits clear at the top of the FDH Bank Premiership’s individual scoring charts, ahead of a chasing pack of the division’s more established marksmen. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Big Bullets, Ephraim Kondowe, FDH Premiership --- ### [Kapito accuses Malawi govt of running 'corrupt genset diesel gravy train'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kapito-accuses-malawi-govt-of-running-corrupt-genset-diesel-gravy-train/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Consumer watchdog blasts government’s diesel generator plan as ‘money generation for greedy officials’ amid fresh corruption fears** - **CAMA accuses ministers of profiting from rented gensets as Malawians face soaring tariffs, fuel shortages and endless blackouts** The Consumers Association of Malawi has launched a scathing attack on government plans to rent diesel generators through EGENCO and Power Market Limited, branding the scheme a vehicle for siphoning public money rather than a genuine solution to the country’s electricity crisis. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260904-WA0016-600x450.jpg)‘Money generation for greedy people’: Kapito’s blistering attack on diesel generator plan‘**Money generation for a few greedy people’** In a press statement signed by CAMA Executive Director John Kapito on 3 September 2026, the consumer body did not mince its words, declaring that the use of gensets amounts not to real power generation but “money generation for a few greedy people in Government who own the genset companies and those who have signed these contracts.” CAMA warned that ordinary Malawians would be left footing the bill for expensive generators, scarce diesel, and hefty foreign exchange costs tied to fuel imports – all while blackouts continue unabated. **Fuel crisis makes plan ‘reckless’** Kapito reminded the government that Malawi is already grappling with serious fuel shortages and a chronic shortage of foreign exchange, questioning why authorities would push ahead with a system that has previously failed to ease blackouts and instead spawned one of the country’s most notorious corruption scandals. The association pointed directly to past troubles involving both ESCOM and Aggreko, citing unaccounted metered output and allegations of inflated litres, hours and fuel prices – issues it says remain unresolved to this day. **‘Better spent on transformers and cables’** According to CAMA, the money earmarked for rented generators would be far better invested in transformers, cables and other infrastructure capable of genuinely improving electricity connections and supply for consumers. The association went further, alleging that the very gensets being rented are owned by the same government officials who signed off on the contracts – and claimed the ultimate effect of the scheme is to economically harm the poor. **Consumers warned to brace for higher tariffs** CAMA cautioned that Malawians should expect ESCOM and EGENCO to blame fuel shortages and forex problems for ongoing outages, all while consumers are forced to pay higher tariffs to cover costs it described as unfair and exaggerated. “Government through ESCOM and EGENCO cannot rent their way out of a structural problem and enter into long-term debt that will make Consumers pay the debt for the rest of their lives,” the statement warned. The two utilities, CAMA added, were essentially “renting debt with no way out.” **Watchdog demands full transparency** CAMA is now demanding the immediate publication of all generator contracts, an immediate halt to any new rentals until clear value for money can be demonstrated, and full public disclosure of rates per megawatt, contract duration, and company ownership. The association is further insisting that no new generator rentals should proceed until Parliament has had the opportunity to review the arrangements in full. **‘Refuse to fund corruption’** CAMA concluded its statement with a direct call to action, urging consumers to refuse to fund what it called corruption through higher tariffs. It called on both EGENCO and ESCOM to instead focus on fixing the national grid, investing in proper infrastructure, and pursuing clean energy solutions – rather than continuing what it branded the “corrupt genset diesel gravy train.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** CAMA, corruption, EGENCO, John Kapito --- ### [Wife tells court of affair before husband allegedly killed daughter and abandoned son](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wife-tells-court-of-affair-before-husband-allegedly-killed-daughter-and-abandoned-son/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A grandmother has given harrowing testimony at the High Court in Kasungu, describing the chain of events that led to the discovery of her granddaughter’s body in a bush – and her grandson being found abandoned nearby, but alive. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788641557358-588x600.jpg)Justice Bruno Kalemba presiding the case: Grandmother, wife give harrowing evidence as Kasungu child murder trial opensJane Harawa, 49, the mother of murder suspect Medium Nyirongo, was the first State witness called to give evidence in the trial, telling the court how her son had asked her in December 2022 to send his two children – Jane and Emmanuel – from Rumphi District to stay with him in Kasungu for what was meant to be a short holiday. Children sent back to their father just weeks before tragedy Harawa told the court that on 23 January 2023, after the children had returned home to Rumphi, she contacted Nyirongo to say she wished to send them back to him, explaining she could no longer afford to care for them herself. The following day, she duly sent the children to Kasungu. Less than three weeks later, on 12 February 2023, Harawa received a call from Kasungu Police asking about the children’s whereabouts. She was subsequently informed that her granddaughter, Jane, had been found dead in a bush. Grandmother identifies granddaughter’s clothing Harawa told the court she travelled from Rumphi to Kasungu, where police showed her clothing recovered from the scene. She identified the items as belonging to her granddaughter, whose remains were later laid to rest at Chimkoka Village. Wife tells court of affair and separation before tragedy The court also heard from a second State witness, Alinafe Mwale, 24, Nyirongo’s wife, who told the court she shared two children with the accused and that the family had lived together at Chinkhoma Trading Centre in Kasungu. Mwale testified that she discovered her husband was having an affair in 2022, a revelation that led to serious disagreements between the couple. She eventually left the family home, leaving the two children in Nyirongo’s care. Toddler found alive after being abandoned Mwale told the court that on 12 February 2023 – the same day her mother-in-law learned of Jane’s death – police informed her that her two-year-old son, Emmanuel, had been found alive in a bush, where he had apparently been abandoned by his own father. The toddler was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment and examination, accompanied by caregiver Annie Abraham Mazangwira. Case adjourned as more witnesses expected Following the testimony of both State witnesses, the court, presided over by Justice Bruno Kalemba, adjourned the matter to a later date, with further witnesses expected to be called when proceedings resume. Nyirongo remains in custody. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Homicide, Kasungu, murder --- ### [Malawi's Chihana attends Botswana launch of school-building initiative bankrolled by controversial tycoon Zunaid Moti](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-chihana-attends-botswana-launch-of-school-building-initiative-bankrolled-by-controversial-tycoon-zunaid-moti/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Second Vice-President hails scheme funded by businessman who has faced money laundering and corruption allegations across the region** Malawi has been named among African countries set to benefit from a new continental initiative aimed at constructing schools, clinics and technical colleges – a scheme financed by South African businessman Zunaid Moti, a figure who has repeatedly found himself at the centre of corruption and money laundering controversies across the region. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788641188662-600x400.jpg)Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko, with Malawi’s Second Vice-President Enock ChihanaThe AGA ISAGO Foundation’s initiative was launched in Gaborone, Botswana, by its founder, Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko, with Malawi’s Second Vice-President Enock Chihana in attendance. **Who is bankrolling the scheme?** According to Boko, the initiative is designed to address gaps in healthcare, education and infrastructure development across the continent. But the source of its funding is likely to raise eyebrows: Moti, the South African tycoon behind the Moti Group, has long been a controversial figure in regional business circles, having faced a string of allegations over the years relating to fraud, corruption and questionable dealings across multiple African jurisdictions – claims he has consistently denied. His decision to bankroll a high-profile continental development initiative, launched alongside a sitting head of state, is likely to draw scrutiny from observers wary of controversial financiers using philanthropic ventures to burnish their public image. **Chihana’s presence raises questions** Chihana’s attendance at the launch – and his enthusiastic endorsement of the initiative – is itself likely to attract attention back home, given the Second Vice-President’s own chequered relationship with public scrutiny since taking office. Speaking at the event, Chihana hailed the scheme, saying it would complement government efforts to improve the social welfare of Malawi’s rural masses. His warm reception of a project financed by a businessman dogged by controversy is likely to prompt questions over due diligence, with critics likely to ask what checks, if any, were carried out on the source of funding before Malawi agreed to be named among the initiative’s beneficiary countries. Neither Chihana’s office nor the AGA ISAGO Foundation had responded to requests for further detail on the funding arrangements or vetting process at the time of publication. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Botswana, Enock Chihana, Zunaid Moti --- ### [Nsanje and Chikwawa unite behind roadmap to unlock region's economic potential](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nsanje-and-chikwawa-unite-behind-roadmap-to-unlock-regions-economic-potential/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Co-chairperson of the Nsanje and Chikwawa Socio-economic Development Trust, Gift Trapence, has insisted that the completion of key infrastructure projects is essential if the Shire Valley districts are to maximise their contribution to Malawi’s national economy. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788640423561-600x600.jpg)Trapence lists Chapananga Road, Bangula University among priority projects for Shire ValleySpeaking during the Trust’s People’s Conference in Chikwawa, Trapence singled out a handful of flagship projects he described as critical to the region’s development: the Chapananga Road, the Thabwa-Fatima Road, the Shire Valley Transformation Project, and the long-proposed university at Bangula. **Conference aims to unite the region behind a shared roadmap** The conference was organised to discuss and formally adopt the Shire Valley people’s roadmap on service delivery and infrastructure development – an initiative aimed at giving residents of Nsanje and Chikwawa a unified plan to present to government and development partners. **Chief calls for unity in push for development** Speaking at the same event, Senior Chief Mulilima of Chikwawa stressed the importance of residents from both Nsanje and Chikwawa speaking with one voice when advocating for development initiatives, arguing that a fragmented approach would only weaken the region’s bargaining power. **About the Trust** The Nsanje and Chikwawa Socio-economic Development Trust was established in 2020, with its core objective being to contribute to meaningful and sustainable development for the people of the two Shire Valley districts. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Gift Trapence, Nest, Shire Valley --- ### [Malawi's Ireen Navicha bows out of Miss World after making history with Top 40 finish](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-ireen-navicha-bows-out-of-miss-world-after-making-history-with-top-40-finish/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s representative at Miss World, Ireen Navicha, bowed out of the competition after failing to progress from the Top 40 to the Top 20 – but not before etching her name into the history books. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788640047283-600x462.jpg)Ireen Navicha : Beauty queen becomes first Malawian representative ever to reach that stage of the global pageant,Navicha has become the first Malawian representative to ever reach the Top 40 stage of the prestigious global pageant, which was taking place in Vietnam, marking the country’s best-ever performance at the contest. **A journey built on more than one strength** Her progression to the Top 40 came via the judges’ choice – a slightly unexpected route, given that many had anticipated her advancement would instead come through the Beauty With a Purpose challenge, a humanitarian-focused segment of the competition in which contestants are judged on charitable initiatives in their home countries. Navicha had earlier impressed judges in that category, reaching the Top Six continental group representing Africa – a strong showing that had raised hopes she might progress further through that particular route. **Miss World background** Miss World is one of the longest-running and most prestigious international beauty pageants, first held in London in 1951. Alongside the traditional beauty and evening wear segments, the competition places heavy emphasis on humanitarian work through its Beauty With a Purpose initiative, which rewards contestants for charitable projects undertaken in their communities. The pageant draws representatives from well over 100 countries each year, with the Top 40 stage representing a significant milestone for smaller pageant nations seeking to establish themselves on the global stage. **Best showing yet for Malawi** While her Miss World campaign has now come to an end, Navicha’s achievement represents a landmark moment for Malawi on the international pageant circuit, surpassing all previous efforts by Malawian representatives at the competition and setting a new benchmark for future contestants to chase. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment, Featured **Tags:** Ireen Navicha, Miss Malawi --- ### [Bravehearts crowned International Basketball Challenge champions for second year running](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bravehearts-crowned-international-basketball-challenge-champions-for-second-year-running/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Bravehearts Ladies Basketball Club has retained the International Basketball Challenge title, thrashing Zambia’s Green Buffaloes 93-55 in Saturday’s final. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788643552856-600x400.jpg)Bravehearts see off Zambia’s Green Buffaloes to defend Basketball Challenge crownThe final was played at the African Bible College Gym in Lilongwe, the same venue that hosted last year’s edition of the competition – a tournament Bravehearts also went on to win, meaning the Malawian side has now claimed back-to-back titles on home soil. The International Basketball Challenge brings together regional club sides from across southern Africa for a short, high-intensity tournament format, offering teams a competitive platform outside their domestic leagues and an opportunity to test themselves against opposition from neighbouring countries. Bravehearts have established themselves as one of Malawi’s most successful women’s basketball outfits in recent years, regularly featuring among the country’s top sides in domestic competition. Their comprehensive 38-point victory over Green Buffaloes underlines the gulf that has opened up between the two sides, with Zambia’s representatives unable to find an answer to the hosts’ attacking threat throughout the final. The result will further cement Bravehearts’ reputation as the team to beat on the regional club circuit, as they look to build on successive International Basketball Challenge triumphs. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Basketball --- ### [Lingadzi Police Station appoints Apostle Hulda as matron in bid for community support](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lingadzi-police-station-appoints-apostle-hulda-as-matron-in-bid-for-community-support/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Apostle Hulda Kamanga has been appointed matron of Lingadzi Police Station for the next three years, in a new partnership between the station and her charity, Hulda’s Global Foundation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788309930637-600x400.jpg)Apostle Hulda Kamanga appointed matron of Lingadzi Police Station in landmark partnershipThe appointment was officially confirmed at a special event held to mark the partnership between the two parties. **Officer-in-charge reveals struggle to find partners** Speaking at the event, the station’s officer-in-charge, Charles Mpezeni, revealed that since taking up his position at Lingadzi, he had reached out to numerous potential partners in search of support – but had been met with disappointing results, with only a handful showing any real interest. Hulda’s Global Foundation, he said, was among the few organisations that responded positively to his appeals – a gesture that ultimately led to Kamanga’s appointment. “It is therefore with great pleasure that I appoint Apostle Hulda Kamanga as the matron of Lingadzi Police Station for the next three years,” Mpezeni declared. ‘**A sign of God’s grace’** For her part, Kamanga described the appointment as a tremendous honour, calling it a sign of God’s grace upon her and her foundation. She pledged her full commitment to working alongside police at the station, vowing to help bring positive change to Lingadzi Police Station in the years ahead. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788309935563-600x400.jpg)‘A sign of God’s grace’: Apostle named matron of Lingadzi Police Station for next three years![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788309944328-600x400.jpg)Officer-in-charge reveals only a few answered his call – then Apostle Hulda Kamanga stepped up Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Apostle Hulda Kamanga, Malawi Police --- ### [Africa must scrap trade barriers to unlock food markets: AU agency chief](https://www.nyasatimes.com/africa-must-scrap-trade-barriers-to-unlock-food-markets-au-agency-chief/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Africa must urgently dismantle trade and logistical barriers preventing food from moving across its borders if the continent is to turn its agricultural potential into stronger regional markets, jobs and food security, the head of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (A ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260905-WA0021-600x449.jpg)Nardos Bekele Thomas: Africa faces a paradoxUDA-NEPAD) said Friday. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, AUDA-NEPAD’s director-general, told the Africa Food Systems Forum summit in Kigali that Africa faces a paradox: despite significant agricultural production and opportunities to compete in global markets, its food markets remain fragmented, leaving farmers struggling to find buyers while consumers face high and volatile prices. “Surplus production in one part of the continent too often fails to reach the deficit markets elsewhere,” she said. “Even as significant volumes of food continue to be imported from outside the continent, farmers struggle to access markets. Processors operate below capacity and consumers are confronted with high and volatile food prices.” Bekele-Thomas said implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers an opportunity to address these structural weaknesses by integrating African food markets and removing barriers to intra-African agricultural trade. But she said the pact’s success should ultimately be judged by whether this integration leads to increased trade in intra-African agricultural products across our borders. She called for the development of food corridors linking production zones with processing centres and high-demand markets, saying they could reduce post-harvest losses and transport costs while strengthening regional supply chains and resilience to climate shocks. “In so doing, food corridors have the potential to transform agriculture from a largely subsistence activity into a competitive source of enterprise, job creation and, of course, exports,” she said. However, she warned physical infrastructure alone would not be sufficient, calling for interoperable customs systems, greater transport and logistics investment, and a bigger role for development finance institutions. She said the challenge could not be solved by individual countries acting alone, since agricultural value chains increasingly span national borders, with production potentially competitive in one country, processing capacity located in another and the strongest market opportunity found elsewhere. Bekele-Thomas praised Rwanda’s leadership in advancing the AfCFTA’s agricultural trade agenda, but said the focus must now shift from policy commitments to implementation, urging stronger collaboration between governments, the private sector, financiers and farmers. “Our collective effort therefore must focus on removing the constraints that prevent African agricultural products from moving competitively across borders,” she said, calling for increased value addition and the elimination of both tariff and non-tariff barriers to intra-African trade. Her remarks come as African governments and development partners increasingly focus on transforming the continent’s food systems from fragmented national markets into integrated regional and continental value chains. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** food security, Nepad --- ### [Malawi looks to neighbours to turn agriculture into regional trade engine](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-looks-to-neighbours-to-turn-agriculture-into-regional-trade-engine/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** For decades, Malawi’s agricultural story has been dominated by a familiar paradox: a country where farming employs most people, yet one that struggles to turn what it grows into sustained economic growth. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260905-WA0020-600x400.jpg)Delegates network on the sidelines of the Africa Food Systems Forum in KigaliNow, as African governments search for ways to feed a growing population while creating jobs and foreign exchange, Malawi is being urged to stop thinking of its agriculture in isolation and instead build regional value chains with its neighbours. The idea, outlined at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali this week, is deceptively simple: Malawi does not have to produce everything. It needs to identify what it can produce competitively, find neighbouring countries that can process or complement those products, and build markets that work in both directions. Malawi’s industry, business, trade and tourism minister, Simon Itaye, offered one example involving Tanzania, saying Malawi could supply agricultural raw materials to Tanzania for processing into animal feed. That feed could then return to Malawi to support poultry production, with Malawi ultimately exporting poultry back to Tanzania. “We do believe that it is complementary,” Itaye told a panel at the forum. “It’s not a competition. It’s not one or the other. There’s no contradiction.” The proposition comes as Malawi and Tanzania move to ease small-scale cross-border commerce through a Simplified Trade Regime covering an agreed list of goods and reduced customs barriers, with regional authorities working with both countries to operationalise the arrangement at the Kasumulu-Songwe border, according to the Southern African Development Community (SADC). But panellists said infrastructure and trade agreements alone would not transform Malawi’s agriculture. “The farmer is not the problem,” said Chris Isaac, chief investment officer at agricultural investment firm AgDevCo. “The missing link is the surrounding ecosystem of the farmer.” Isaac said food corridors should begin with a farmer who can produce profitably and end with a dependable market, requiring more than roads — including improved seed, fertiliser, mechanisation, agronomic advice, finance, storage and aggregation. “Before asking how we move the food, we must ask, first, are we producing enough? Competitive and profitability,” he said. Agriculture accounts for more than a quarter of Malawi’s gross domestic product and remains central to employment, food security and export earnings, according to the US government’s trade promotion agency Trade.gov, with investment opportunities increasingly seen in agro-processing, irrigation, horticulture, livestock and fisheries alongside primary production. Isaac said Africa was already seeing capital flow into major agricultural companies, with some medium-sized businesses beginning to attract commercial finance, but said there were not yet enough of them. Building an agricultural company, he said, takes longer than the typical five- or six-year private equity cycle and “needs patient capital” — a gap AgDevCo has sought to address by raising more than $49 million for an initiative backing earlier-stage agricultural businesses. Nigerian entrepreneur Oluyemi Iranloye, whose company Psaltry International grew from 17 farmers in rural Nigeria into a supplier of cassava products to multinational manufacturers, said African countries should replicate that model across borders, with each specialising in what it produces most efficiently. “I have capability for, what I have advantage for. You are also giving me what you have capability for, what you have advantage for,” he said. Itaye said governments needed to harmonise policies, match exporters with markets and streamline border procedures, adding that current development programmes were already targeting agricultural commercialisation, value chains and regional connectivity, according to the UN Development Programme (UNDP). “If we were to look at … our neighbours, Tanzania,” Itaye said, “our feeling is it is possible” to build complementary agricultural industries across the border. Isaac said that if governments, regional institutions, banks and businesses got the fundamentals right, investment would not need to be chased. “Investment will follow the opportunity,” he said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** agriculture, food security --- ### [Kondowe hat-trick fires Big Bullets to emphatic 5-0 rout of Silver Strikers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kondowe-hat-trick-fires-big-bullets-to-emphatic-5-0-rout-of-silver-strikers/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FCB Nyasa Big Bullets produced a commanding performance on Saturday, dismantling Silver Strikers 5-0 in the FDH Bank Premiership. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260905-WA0017-600x583.jpg)Kondowe hat-trick fires Big Bullets to emphatic 5-0 rout of Silver StrikersThe People’s Team wasted no time taking control of the contest, with Ephraim Kondowe opening the scoring just one minute into the match. Kondowe struck again in the 34th minute to double Bullets’ advantage and put Silver Strikers under immense pressure. With only two minutes remaining before the break, Wongani Lungu added a third goal for Bullets, leaving the Bankers frustrated and facing a mountain to climb in the second half. The second half followed a similar pattern, with Bullets continuing to press relentlessly and exposing Silver Strikers’ defensive weaknesses. The Bankers struggled to impose themselves on the match and appeared increasingly disorganised as the game progressed. Kondowe completed his hat-trick in the 62nd minute, making it 4-0 and further underlining Bullets’ dominance. Ten minutes later, Misheck Biliati joined the scoring party, firing home in the 72nd minute to make it 5-0. Silver Strikers were unable to find a response in the closing stages, as frustration grew among the players. Bullets comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to secure a comprehensive victory. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260905-WA0018-450x600.jpg)Ephraim Kondowe for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets is the Player of the MatchSilver Strikers head coach Peter Mgangira admitted his side had failed to execute their game plan. “This is a very frustrating result, but we have to accept the defeat. We did not manage to hold Bullets as we failed to manage our game plan. We can’t blame the same players we have been relying on throughout the first round. This is a very wasteful result, but we have to learn from here and come strong in the second round of the game,” he said. Bullets coach Wedson Nyirenda was pleased with his team’s performance, saying their preparations had focused on exploiting Silver Strikers’ strengths and weaknesses. “The game was so easy to plan as we were playing a very good organised team, and our preparations were just to look at their strengths and weaknesses. We have been struggling to score from the chances we have been getting in other games, and this is the biggest motivation. We are not at our peak, but we will be there soon,” he said. The emphatic victory will provide Bullets with significant confidence as they look to build momentum, while Silver Strikers will have to regroup and learn from a difficult outing. Saturday’s other matches produced the following results: MAFCO 1-2 Moyale at Chitowe Stadium, Dwangwa Red Lions 0-0 Masters FC at Zomba Stadium Kamuzu Barracks 0-1 Civil Service United at Nankhaka Stadium, Lilongwe. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260905-WA0019-600x539.jpg)Big Bullets in ruthless form as Kondowe hat-trick sinks Silver Strikers Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Big Bullets, FDH Premiership, Silver Strikers --- ### [Namalomba: Citizen's legal challenge against Speaker 'should not be attributed' to government](https://www.nyasatimes.com/namalomba-citizens-legal-challenge-against-speaker-should-not-be-attributed-to-government/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** !['Not sponsored, funded or facilitated by us': Government denies role in Suleman court case](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/namalomba-3-600x329.jpg)‘Not sponsored, funded or facilitated by us’: Namalomba denies government role in Suleman court caseGovernment has moved swiftly to distance itself from legal proceedings involving Speaker of the National Assembly Sameer Suleman and Malawian citizen Austin Mkoka, insisting it neither initiated nor supported the court action in any way. In a press statement dated 5 August 2026, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadrick Namalomba said the man behind the legal challenge had acted entirely on his own, in his personal capacity, with no backing whatsoever from the state. ‘Not initiated, directed, sponsored, facilitated or funded’ Government was emphatic in its denial of any role in the case, issuing an unusually forceful disclaimer. “Government wishes to unequivocally assure Malawians that it has not initiated, directed, sponsored, facilitated or funded these proceedings in any manner whatsoever,” the statement read. It went further, insisting that Mkoka’s decision to seek the court’s intervention should not be pinned on the Executive in any way. “The individual who approached the courts has done so independently and in his own capacity, and his actions should therefore not be attributed to the Government or the Executive,” the statement said. Government reaffirms respect for Parliament and judiciary As part of its clarification, government reaffirmed its respect for the constitutional mandate and independence of Parliament, the office of the Speaker, and the Judiciary – a move widely seen as an attempt to head off any suggestion that the Executive was quietly working to undermine the legislature through the courts. The legal challenge at the centre of the row The government’s statement comes amid a live legal battle launched by Mkoka over Parliament’s decision to establish investigations into several government institutions. Mkoka moved the High Court on Friday to challenge the planned investigations, arguing that Parliament may be exceeding the powers and mandate granted to it under the Constitution. The case has placed the delicate relationship between Parliament’s oversight responsibilities and the constitutional limits of its authority squarely under judicial scrutiny. A pointed message amid separation of powers tensions Government’s decision to go public with its distancing statement appears calculated to send a clear message: that the legal challenge is not an Executive-orchestrated effort to rein in Parliament or the Speaker, at a time when questions over institutional overreach are already dominating political debate. The High Court will now be tasked with weighing arguments over Parliament’s authority to carry out the investigations, and whether the legislature has remained within the boundaries of its constitutional mandate. The development adds yet another layer to an intensifying national debate over the separation of powers between Malawi’s three arms of government, and the constitutional limits that govern each of their roles. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Malawi Parliament, Shadreck Namalomba --- ### [DPP defends Mukhito's rebuke of Speaker, warns against Parliament 'behaving like police'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/dpp-defends-mukhitos-rebuke-of-speaker-warns-against-parliament-behaving-like-police/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has moved to defend its Secretary General, Peter Mukhito, following a public disagreement with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Sameer Suleman, insisting that Mukhito’s intervention amounted to a defence of constitutional order rather than an attack on Parliament. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788597878066-600x569.jpg)DPP stands by secretary general Mukhito, says Speaker crossed ‘important institutional line’The row stems from remarks made by Suleman during a press briefing on 2 September, in which he suggested Parliament should “behave like police especially on following up public resources” – a comment the DPP says crossed an important institutional line. **‘Oversight is not the same as criminal investigation’** The party’s position rests on a clear institutional distinction. Parliament, it acknowledges, holds substantial powers to scrutinise government, summon officials, demand documents, question expenditure and hold the executive to account – powers it says must be exercised firmly and without hesitation. But the DPP maintains that such oversight is fundamentally different from criminal investigation, a function it says belongs elsewhere: with the Malawi Police Service, which investigates crime; the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which investigates corruption; the Auditor General, who audits public finances; and the Director of Public Prosecutions, who holds prosecutorial authority. “Parliament must hold these institutions accountable, but it should not appear to replace them,” the party said, describing this as the principle Mukhito had sought to defend. **Wide-ranging committee inquiries acknowledged as legitimate** The DPP did not dispute the legitimacy of the issues Suleman flagged for parliamentary scrutiny, which include NOCMA fuel transactions, electricity, passports, pensions, prisons, mining, agriculture and tobacco – all matters it accepts are of genuine public concern and ones Parliament has every right to interrogate. However, the party insisted such scrutiny must be grounded in proper parliamentary procedure, clearly defined committee mandates, fairness, and respect for the institutions already entrusted with investigative responsibility – warning against any impression that state institutions are competing for authority, or that oversight is being driven by personalities or private interests. **Reference to Eastbridge controversy** The statement made specific reference to the sensitivity surrounding tobacco-related matters, noting the public debate that has already surrounded Eastbridge Estate and individuals previously associated with it. Regardless of whether such allegations are ultimately proved or disproved, the party argued, their existence placed a heightened duty on public office holders to ensure every process was visibly impartial, with transparency and procedure “beyond doubt” and “beyond reproach.” **A call for Suleman to clarify his position** The DPP said Mukhito’s intervention was necessary precisely to prevent any blurring of institutional responsibilities, stressing that no institution becomes stronger by assuming another’s mandate, and that no democracy benefits from Parliament appearing to act simultaneously as investigator, prosecutor and overseer. The party said it continued to support a strong and assertive Parliament, but not one that blurs constitutional boundaries – a discipline it said applied equally to ministers, MPs, law enforcement agencies and the Speaker himself. It called on Suleman to use the opportunity available to him to clarify his position, reaffirming that Parliament’s role is to scrutinise, inquire and recommend, while referring allegations of criminality or corruption to the institutions legally mandated to investigate and prosecute them – a move it said would strengthen, rather than weaken, the Speakership. ‘**Institutions respecting the law, not fighting over power’** The DPP concluded by framing its intervention as a matter of principle rather than personal dispute, stating that its concern was to protect Parliament by protecting the Constitution, and to ensure public institutions cooperate rather than compete. “Malawi does not need institutions fighting over power. It needs institutions respecting the law, performing their mandates and working together for the people,” the party said, describing this as the position Mukhito had defended – and one on which the DPP said it remained firm. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, Malawi Parliament, Peter Mukhito, Sameer Suleman --- ### [Election chief power grab row: MCP commissioners accused of trying to install 'in-law' at top of electoral body](https://www.nyasatimes.com/election-chief-power-grab-row-mcp-commissioners-accused-of-trying-to-install-in-law-at-top-of-electoral-body/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Battle over who runs Malawi Electoral Commission secretariat threatens to plunge poll body into crisis just months before crucial vote** A bitter power struggle has erupted at the heart of the Malawi Electoral Commission, after commissioners aligned with the ruling Malawi Congress Party pushed to install a senior officer – reportedly related by marriage to a top presidential aide – as acting Chief Elections Officer, sparking fears the body charged with running the country’s elections is being politically captured. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788589835637-600x502.jpg)MCP commissioners are pushing for Bota to be installed in the role of Deputy Chief Elections Officer**Who is at the centre of the row?** At the centre of the dispute is Hastings Bota, substantively the Commission’s Director of Electoral Services. MCP commissioners are pushing for Bota to be installed in the role of Deputy Chief Elections Officer – Operations, and from there to act as Chief Elections Officer – a position that does not substantively belong to him. That role is in fact held by Harris Potani, who was seconded to the Malawi Embassy in China ahead of the 2025 elections. Sources claim the secondment was designed to sideline Potani and keep him out of the electoral process altogether. In his absence, Bota – said by sources to be an in-law to Chief of Staff Colleen Zamba – stepped into the Deputy CEO Operations role. Potani has since been recalled to Malawi, but sources inside MEC allege that MCP commissioners are now actively blocking his return to office, insisting Bota should remain in the acting position instead. **Why the row matters** The dispute is more than an internal personnel squabble. MEC’s own Conditions of Service set out clear rules governing acting appointments, and bypassing the substantive deputy in favour of another senior officer would set a troubling precedent – one that undermines established HR policy and could expose the Commission to legal challenge. There is also the thornier issue of perception. MEC’s authority depends heavily on being seen as independent and impartial. Commissioners from a single party pushing for a specific individual to head operations feeds directly into fears that the Commission is being quietly captured by political interests – a perception that, true or not, risks eroding public confidence in the entire electoral process. **Timing raises the stakes** The row could scarcely have come at a more sensitive moment, with MEC deep in preparations for the 2025 general elections. Any instability at the top of the Secretariat threatens delays, confusion, and disputes over decisions taken by an acting CEO whose very appointment is contested. There is also the question of experience. Potani carries institutional memory built from years of running elections – memory that would be lost if he is sidelined at such a critical juncture. Installing Bota in his place, whatever his individual competence, is almost certain to be read through a political lens given his reported family ties to the MCP. **A test for MEC’s independence** Elections, ultimately, are won and lost on two things: the vote itself, and public trust in the process that delivers it. A seemingly administrative decision over who acts as Chief Elections Officer has, in an election year, become unmistakably political. MEC is yet to issue any public statement on the matter, leaving the Commission facing a stark choice: follow its own established procedures, or bow to political pressure from within. Efforts to obtain comment from both Bota and Potani were unsuccessful at the time of publication. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Malawi Electoral Commission --- ### [Council chairpersons handed September deadline to submit development visions or face government pressure](https://www.nyasatimes.com/council-chairpersons-handed-september-deadline-to-submit-development-visions-or-face-government-pressure/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** District council chairpersons, who are winding up their current one-year term in December, have been given until the end of September to submit their own visions setting out development plans for their respective councils. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-932.jpg)Chimphepo: We want a vision from each council chairpersonThe ultimatum was issued by Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development, Moses Chimphepo, at the opening of a two-day council chairpersons and district commissioners symposium, held alongside the 6th Malawi Local Government Association Managers Network (MAGNET) annual conference in Salima. The same deadline applies to municipal and city mayors, who have just completed one year of their two-and-a-half-year term. Chimphepo revealed that the ministry has already received and reviewed visions from the mayors of Mzuzu and Blantyre City councils – putting pressure on the remaining 26 councils, including other city and municipal mayors, to fall in line. “We want a vision from each council chairperson, clearly articulating development plans for their councils. Please, write and submit,” Chimphepo said – a directive that signals a demanding task ahead for chairpersons often seen as largely ceremonial political figureheads. Chimphepo used the platform to challenge perceptions of the role, insisting a council chairperson’s duty should extend well beyond seeking personal satisfaction or negotiating councillor benefits such as improved honoraria, allowances, loans and mobility. The secretary also directed chairpersons to ensure their visions align with national development blueprints, particularly the Malawi 2063 Vision, describing local leaders as key players in translating the country’s long-term agenda into tangible, localised plans. “I urge the chairpersons to read the MW 2063 and blend in their own visions and how they want their districts to look like in terms of infrastructure, roads, water, health, education and transport, among other crucial areas,” he said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** local government --- ### [Leaked letter reveals Speaker Suleman ordering probe into tobacco deal - amid questions over his own role in the matter](https://www.nyasatimes.com/leaked-letter-reveals-speaker-suleman-ordering-probe-into-tobacco-deal-amid-questions-over-his-own-role-in-the-matter/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Sameer Suleman wrote to fertiliser fund boss demanding answers over £multimillion Nyasa Tobacco contract, as document surfaces raising fresh conflict of interest concerns** A leaked letter written by Speaker of the National Assembly Sameer Suleman has thrust him into the centre of a growing controversy, after the confidential document revealed he ordered the constitution of a parliamentary committee to investigate a contentious tobacco deal – a move now facing scrutiny over his own potential conflict of interest in the matter.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260905_095921_Drive-391x600.jpg) ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260905_095928_Drive-600x390.jpg) **The letter** The letter, dated 24 August 2026 and marked confidential, was addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) and centres on the awarding of a contract to Nyasa Tobacco Limited to purchase 10 million kilogrammes of tobacco from Eastbridge Estate. In the letter, Suleman states that he had received complaints against the SFFRFM boss’s office over the award of the contract, with allegations that the deal “borders on corruption and manipulation.” **Serious allegations laid out** According to the letter, the complaints raise four specific concerns: That the identification and award of the contract to Nyasa Tobacco was not transparent, despite the presence of several buyers on the market; That there was alleged influence from Cabinet ministers, senior government officials and their relatives in the decision to award the contract; Unanswered questions over who determined the price of the deal, with claims that the identification of Nyasa Tobacco did not follow expected procedures; and Why SFFRFM proceeded with the sale while the matter remained before the Supreme Court of Appeal. **Speaker invokes Parliament’s oversight role** In the letter, Suleman defends his decision to establish a Joint Committee of Parliament to investigate the allegations, framing it as central to Parliament’s constitutional mandate. “As you may be aware, Sir, one of the mandates of Parliament is to exercise oversight. In order to satisfy the demands of the people we are called to serve and ultimately make the institution more relevant, reliable and responsive to matters affecting Malawians, I am compelled and convinced to constitute a Joint Committee of Parliament,” he wrote. He further stated that Parliament’s role “resonates with the agenda” of President Arthur Peter Mutharika, adding that the institution “remains committed to the development of this country.” The letter warns that the SFFRFM boss may in due course be subpoenaed to testify before the committee, and requests cooperation with the process “until then.” **Questions over conflict of interest** The leaking of the letter has sparked pointed questions over Suleman’s own position in ordering the probe, with critics suggesting his direct personal involvement in commissioning the investigation – rather than leaving the matter to the relevant parliamentary committee structures – raises conflict of interest concerns of its own. The development comes at a sensitive moment for the Speaker, who has recently found himself embroiled in a separate, high-profile clash with governing Democratic Progressive Party officials over his conduct and the limits of parliamentary oversight – a row that has already prompted warnings from DPP grandees that Suleman risks overstepping his mandate. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788386084231-600x450.jpg)Leaked letter reveals Speaker Suleman ordering probe into tobacco deal Neither Suleman’s office nor SFFRFM had issued a public response to the leaked letter at the time of publication. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Nyasa Manufacturing Company, Sameer Suleman, SFFRM --- ### [A Speaker's revolt, and the DPP's none-too-subtle reminder of who's boss](https://www.nyasatimes.com/a-speakers-revolt-and-the-dpps-none-too-subtle-reminder-of-whos-boss/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a particular breed of political theatre that Malawi does rather well: the public servant who, having been elevated to high office by the very people he now chooses to needle, appears genuinely startled when those people needle back. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788386084231-600x450.jpg)The Speaker’s gambit: can committees actually fix anything in Malawi?Enter Sameer Suleman, Speaker of the National Assembly, who this week found himself the toast of the political chattering classes after a press briefing that amounted to a fairly comprehensive charge sheet against the government of President Arthur Peter Mutharika. Electricity, NOCMA, passports, delayed court judgments, prison conditions, mining, agriculture, tobacco — the Speaker worked through the grievances of a nation with the thoroughness of a man auditioning for a role rather larger than the one he currently occupies. The trouble, as any student of Malawian politics might have predicted, is that the Speaker’s chair was not bestowed upon Mr Suleman by popular acclaim but by the good offices of the Democratic Progressive Party, whose grandees are now murmuring — with the particular menace of people who gave you the job and can just as easily take it away — that the Speaker may find his wings somewhat shorter than he imagines. The DPP’s response, delivered via Secretary General Peter Mukhitho, is a masterclass in the genre of statement that says “yes, but” while sounding as though it is saying “how dare you.” The party is at pains to note that it does not oppose oversight in principle. Parliament, we are told, must indeed exercise its oversight role. The Judiciary must remain independent. Party leaders — and here one senses the sentence was written with a particular Speaker in mind — must respect party discipline. It is the sort of formulation beloved of governing parties everywhere: accountability is a wonderful thing, provided it is exercised quietly, through the correct channels, by people who have first cleared their remarks with head office. “Accountability should strengthen government, not paralyze it,” the statement intones, in that peculiar register where a warning is dressed up as a civics lesson. What the DPP really objects to, of course, is not the substance of Mr Suleman’s complaints but the venue. Grievances aired at a lectern, before cameras, carry a whiff of “competing centres of authority” — the sort of phrase that tends to appear in statements from parties who suspect an ambitious man is measuring the curtains for a bigger office. Whether Mr Suleman is chastened or emboldened by the rebuke remains to be seen. But he might reflect that in Malawian politics, as in most others, those who owe their position to the machine rarely find the machine amused when they start speaking as though they owe it nothing at all. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Malawi Parliament, Sameer Suleman --- ### [UDF hit by double blow as publicity secretary and former MP both quit party 'with immediate effect'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/udf-hit-by-double-blow-as-publicity-secretary-and-former-mp-both-quit-party-with-immediate-effect/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Dyson Jangiya steps down just under two years after being unanimously elected, declaring ‘UDF is going in the wrong direction’ – as ex-Zomba MP Kennedy Kuntenga also walks away** The United Democratic Front (UDF) has been rocked by a fresh wave of departures, after its National Publicity Secretary Dyson Jangiya tendered his resignation from the party with immediate effect – swiftly followed by news that ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260905_093119_Google-554x600.jpg)Jangiya: Quits UDFformer parliamentarian Kennedy Kuntenga has also walked away. ‘**I would have no time to attend to party affairs’** In a resignation letter seen by *Nyasa Times*, Jangiya said he was stepping down from both his role as National Publicity Secretary and his membership of the UDF, citing a need to focus on his personal businesses. “The reason for my resignation is that I intend to concentrate on my personal businesses and as such would have no time to attend to party affairs,” he wrote. **‘UDF is going in the wrong direction’** But Jangiya’s resignation letter was not the end of the matter. Speaking separately, he went further, declaring on record that the UDF had failed to regain the trust of Malawians – pointing to the party’s dismal showing in the September 16 2025 General Election, where it secured just four parliamentary seats, down from ten in the 2019 election. “UDF is going in the wrong direction,” Jangiya said bluntly. **A party in steady decline** His comments lay bare just how far the UDF has fallen since its heyday. The party, under founding leader Bakili Muluzi, swept to power in Malawi’s first multiparty general election in 1994, securing an emphatic 85 parliamentary seats. That number climbed even higher to 91 seats in the 1999 general election – but it has been a story of steady decline ever since. The UDF’s seat count collapsed to 49 in the 2004 general election, before falling further to just 17 seats in 2009. By the 2014 tripartite elections, the party had been reduced to 14 seats – and now, more than a decade on, just four. **Thanks for ‘noble position’** Despite his stinging assessment of the party’s trajectory, Jangiya used his resignation letter to pay tribute to the UDF, thanking members for the time they had spent together and singling out the electoral college delegates – from Chitipa to Nsanje, and Nkhotakota to Mchinji – who he said unanimously elected him to the position at the party’s Convention on 3 October 2024, despite him being viewed by some as a novice within the party. He also thanked the media for what he described as overwhelming support throughout his tenure, saying it was an honour he would “live to cherish.” **Second resignation lands on secretary general’s desk** In a separate development, UDF Secretary General Genarino Lemani has also received a resignation letter from former parliamentarian Kennedy Kuntenga, who represented a Zomba-Malosa constituency in the Eastern Region. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260905_093201_Google-600x526.jpg)Kuntenga: Quits UDFKuntenga reportedly told the party he wished to focus on other, unspecified issues, though he stopped short of indicating whether he intends to step away from politics altogether. The double resignation – accompanied by a damning public verdict on the party’s direction – is likely to pile further pressure on UDF leadership, as the once-dominant party continues its long slide into political irrelevance. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** UDF --- ### [Malawian citizen mounts legal challenge against Parliament's power to investigate state bodies](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawian-citizen-mounts-legal-challenge-against-parliaments-power-to-investigate-state-bodies/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Urgent judicial review names Speaker Sameer Suleman as respondent, seeking to block ad-hoc committees probing NOCMA, ESCOM and other public institutions** A Malawian citizen has launched an urgent legal challenge against Parliament’s authority to investigate a string of government entities, in a case that could have significant implications for the scope of legislative oversight in the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/575121971_1185948990385024_8722901197684661231_n-450x600.jpg)Speaker of Parliament: Suleiman named as respondent in the matterAustin Mkoka filed the application for judicial review on 4 September, acting through his lawyer, Noel Dunstan Supedi. The case names both the Speaker of Parliament, Sameer Suleman, and Parliament itself as respondents. **Bid to halt investigations pending court ruling** As part of the application, Mkoka is seeking an interim order that would restrain Parliament from proceeding with its planned investigations until the High Court has reached a determination on the matter. At the heart of the dispute is the Speaker’s proposal to establish ad-hoc committees tasked with probing a number of prominent public institutions, including the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA), the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM), the Electricity Generation Company (EGENCO), Petroleum Importers Limited (PML), the Blantyre Water Board and the Immigration Department, among others. **Constitutional powers in question** Mkoka and his legal team contend that the establishment of such committees would be unlawful, arguing that it falls outside the powers granted to Parliament under Section 49(1) of the Constitution. The applicants further allege that the move has been undertaken in bad faith, insisting that public institutions must be permitted to operate strictly within the confines of their legal mandates. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** governance, Malawi Parliament --- ### [One man, three boardrooms: the conflict of interest paralysing Malawi's power sector](https://www.nyasatimes.com/one-man-three-boardrooms-the-conflict-of-interest-paralysing-malawis-power-sector/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a peculiar arithmetic at work in Malawi’s energy sector, and it goes something like this: take three state-owned companies that must, by the nature of their business, negotiate with one another – settling debts, striking power purchase agreements, haggling over tariffs – and then place a single individual at the head of all three boards. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787936256438-445x600.jpg)Chief Secretary Dr Justin Saidi: ‘Obvious conflict’The result is not merely awkward. It is, as Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee has now formally noted, a governance structure almost perfectly designed to raise the question everyone would rather not ask: on whose behalf, exactly, is anyone negotiating? The individual in question is the Secretary to the President and Cabinet, who as head of the civil service also chairs the boards of the Electricity Generation Company (Egenco), the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom), and the Power Market Limited (PML) – the last of these unbundled from Escom and, in a plot twist Malawian readers will recognise, reinstated as the country’s Single Buyer only in April this year after the High Court cleared it to resume operations following an earlier dissolution. To describe the resulting arrangement as merely untidy would be generous. PAC chairperson Steven Malondera put it more bluntly: the setup creates an obvious conflict whenever these state utilities must negotiate power purchase agreements, tariffs and debt settlements among themselves – agreements, tariffs and settlements now effectively negotiated with oneself, chaired by oneself, on behalf of three separate entities that are supposed to hold each other to account. “Good corporate governance is not about who is legally allowed to sit on a board,” Malondera observed, in a formulation that deserves to be pinned above the desk of every parastatal appointments committee in the country. “It is about whether the arrangement inspires confidence that decisions are independent, transparent and in the public interest.” It does not, of course. And the danger here is not confined to abstract questions of process. Where interconnected state companies operate under a single overlapping leadership, the conditions are ripe for precisely the kind of cosy arrangements, preferential dealings and quiet accommodations that ultimately leave consumers – and the wider economy – paying the price. Malawi has, after all, seen enough public money vanish through weak controls and incurious procurement to know how these things tend to end. Nor is this the first time the alarm has been sounded. Former Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority board chairperson Leonnard Chikadya warned as far back as 2022 that the SPC’s presence across utility boards made independent regulation all but impossible – a regulator, he noted, can hardly discipline a body chaired by the very head of the civil service overseeing it. The overlap, in other words, is not some recent oversight. It is an inherited habit, one that survived successive SPCs including Zanga-Zanga Chikhosi and Colleen Zamba, who chaired boards at Egenco, PML and the National Oil Company of Malawi in turn. Malondera says Parliament has already flagged concerns over these dual chairmanships to the Executive, without any evident response, and may yet push for legislative changes should the Executive continue to sit on the matter. That may prove necessary. Governments rarely surrender convenient arrangements voluntarily, however indefensible they look on paper. The fix, in truth, is not complicated. The state can remain the shareholder in Egenco, Escom and PML without insisting on installing its own chief bureaucrat as chairman of all three. Independent, commercially minded people exist who could do the job without the built-in conflict – and if Malawi is serious about attracting the investor confidence its energy sector badly needs, it will need to make that separation sooner rather than later. Investors, as a rule, prefer their power purchase agreements negotiated by people who aren’t quietly negotiating with themselves. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/635212855_1272864505026805_2070309933599310679_n-1-600x338.jpg)Steven Malondera: Setup ‘undermines’ investor confidence Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** EGENCO, Escom, Power Market Limited --- ### ['My theory is incapacitation': new twists in the hunt for answers over Chilima's death](https://www.nyasatimes.com/my-theory-is-incapacitation-new-twists-in-the-hunt-for-answers-over-chilimas-death/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The parliamentary inquiry into the June 2024 plane crash that killed Malawi’s vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight others took two intriguing turns this week, as investigators heard competing theories about what brought down the Malawi Defence Force Dornier aircraft in Chikangawa Forest. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260905_081356_Instagram.jpg)Chilima crash probe: retired commander’s incapacitation theory, and questions over a mystery aircraft**The incapacitation theory** Retired Major General Robray Ishmael, a former air force commander with 40 years’ flying experience, told the ad hoc committee that changes in altitude, deviations from the expected route and erratic manoeuvres during the flight point towards possible crew incapacitation or disorientation. Flight data shows the aircraft climbed to 7,000 feet, rose further to 8,600 feet, then dropped sharply to 5,500 feet – a descent Ishmael likened to a dive. He questioned why the Dornier was flying so low at all, given the aircraft was capable of cruising considerably higher, and suggested reduced altitude may have hampered communication and radar detection. Ishmael was careful to stress his theory remains just that – unconfirmed and based purely on his own reading of the available flight data. He also flagged concerns about the adequacy of routine aviation medical checks, noting that standard tests for hearing, eyesight, blood pressure and blood sugar may not catch conditions capable of triggering sudden incapacitation. **Security lapses at the airport** The same hearing exposed troubling gaps in VVIP security on the day of the crash. Assistant Commissioner of Police Alex Simenti admitted that members of Chilima’s entourage were never screened before boarding, having gone straight to the apron through the VVIP gate rather than the VVIP lounge. “The entourage of the Vice-President was not searched,” Simenti told the committee, explaining that Chilima had already begun boarding by the time his team arrived, leaving no opportunity to run them through metal detectors or X-ray machines. CCTV footage submitted by Simenti only compounded the unease – committee members noted the coverage failed to capture the airport’s approach roads or terminal interior, leaving crucial gaps in the security picture. Simenti also used the session to highlight chronic underfunding, a porous perimeter and inadequate VVIP facilities at Kamuzu International Airport, calling for greater government investment. **A mystery aircraft in the sky** Meanwhile, a separate session heard a new theory altogether: that another aircraft may have been flying near the MDF Dornier at the time of the crash. Senior air traffic controller Henry Magombo confirmed an American-registered aircraft had flown from and returned to Kamuzu International Airport on the day of the crash, though he stressed the two planes were operating at different altitudes. The claim follows an observation by Mwanza Central MP Felix Njawala, who says FlightRadar24 data shows the mystery aircraft’s path running almost parallel to the Dornier’s – a plane that, he noted, had not featured in any previous account of the tragedy. Magombo said records show the unidentified aircraft was in Malawi between May and August 2024, reportedly carrying out consultancy work linked to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma), including natural disaster research. Committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu said the panel would now approach Dodma directly to establish the aircraft’s precise mission and movements on the day Chilima died. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** plane inquiry --- ### [Revealed: Why Miss Malawi Thandie Chisi walked away from Miss Universe dream](https://www.nyasatimes.com/miss-malawi-pulls-out-of-miss-universe-bid-after-months-of-unresolved-issues-with-pageant-bosses-thandie-chisi-says-she-lost-confidence-in-organisers-ability-to-send-her-to-the-global-pageant-a/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Thandie Chisi says she lost confidence in organisers’ ability to send her to the global pageant, amid money troubles and conflicting information** Miss Malawi 2025 Thandie Chisi has broken her silence on her shock withdrawal from the Miss Universe competition, revealing the decision came after months of turmoil behind the scenes with the Miss Malawi Organisation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784939610948-525x600.jpg)Thandie Chisi says a leaked private email exposed her decision to withdraw, after being asked to borrow money and fielding calls from the pageant’s creditorsThe beauty queen said she quietly informed organisers of her decision in a private email on July 10 – and was stunned when the message later leaked into the public domain. **Pageant hopes dashed again and again** Chisi’s frustrations reportedly began long before the Miss Universe saga. Plans to send her to the Miss Supranational pageant fell through, she says, before bosses shifted their focus first to Miss World, and then finally to Miss Universe. But behind the scenes, Chisi claims, money problems were plaguing the organisation at every turn. She says she was even asked to personally borrow cash to help secure the Miss Supranational licence – and was later contacted by creditors who were owed money by pageant organisers and wrongly believed she would foot the bill. ‘**I lost confidence**‘ Explaining her decision to walk away, Chisi did not hold back. “I eventually lost confidence in the organisation’s capacity to send me to Miss Universe,” she said. “I received conflicting information which only increased my frustrations and raised concerns about the potential impact of these unresolved issues on my professional reputation.” **Organisation responds** Miss Malawi Organisation public relations officer Stephen Mdala has since confirmed that bosses did receive Chisi’s message setting out her decision not to compete in Miss Universe. The controversy erupted after Chisi’s original email – sent to Miss Malawi chief operations officer Godfrey Kambewa – resurfaced publicly. Chisi says the message was also copied to her legal representative, as well as the organisation’s chief executive officer, seemingly as a safeguard amid the unfolding dispute. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Miss Malawi, Thandi Chisi --- ### [Minister Namalomba issues stark warning to parastatals: shape up or face the consequences](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-namalomba-issues-stark-warning-to-parastatals-shape-up-or-face-the-consequences/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Shadric Namalomba tells communications sector bosses that ‘culture of routine’ must end, as he demands efficiency, innovation and measurable results** Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba has issued a stark warning to parastatals, demanding improved performance and greater accountability – and cautioning that institutions failing to deliver results will face corrective action. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788589662201-600x416.jpg)Namalomba: We must demand efficiency, innovation, responsiveness and measurable resultsNamalomba insisted that heads of institutions must take personal responsibility for meeting targets, monitoring progress, and correcting weaknesses within their organisations. ‘**We cannot afford a culture of routine’** The minister delivered his warning in Blantyre while opening a meeting between the ministry and parastatals operating in the communications sector. “We cannot afford a culture where institutions continue to operate on the basis of routine simply because that is how things have always been done,” Namalomba declared. “We must demand efficiency, innovation, responsiveness and measurable results. Where performance is below expectation, corrective measures must be taken,” he added. **Calls for unity among parastatals** Deputy Chief Secretary to the Government and Comptroller of Statutory Corporations Stuart Ligomeka echoed the minister’s sentiments, urging parastatals to work together and support one another in order to achieve effective service delivery. **Macra chief: ‘We have an obligation to Malawians’** Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) board chairperson Chancy Gondwe also weighed in, reminding fellow parastatals that their role extended far beyond simply existing as institutions or ticking off individual programmes. “We have an obligation to fully discharge the mandates for which these institutions were established and to demonstrate measurable value to Malawians,” Gondwe said. The meeting brought together key players in Malawi’s communications sector, including Macra, the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, Malawi Posts Corporation, and Malawi Digital Broadcasting Network Limited. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** parastatals, Shadreck Namalomba --- ### [Bail ruling delayed for Chinese national accused of bribing Malawi judicial officer](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bail-ruling-delayed-for-chinese-national-accused-of-bribing-malawi-judicial-officer/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Lin Yunhua, previously jailed for wildlife trafficking before receiving presidential pardon, now faces corruption charges as judge raises concerns over proposed house arrest-style conditions** A ruling on bail for a Chinese national accused of attempting to bribe a judicial officer and prison officials in Malawi has been adjourned by the High Court in Lilongwe, after the presiding judge raised concerns that the proposed conditions of release amounted, in effect, to house arrest. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Lin-600x567.jpg)Yunhua Lin waiting for bail rulingLin Yunhua is facing corruption charges over the alleged bribery attempt, in a case that follows a previous, and rather more serious, brush with Malawi’s justice system. In September 2021, Lin was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for wildlife crimes, before being released four years into that term under a presidential pardon. The corruption case against him was initially brought before a magistrate’s court, but was later referred to the High Court at the request of the state. In an unusual turn, the state subsequently sought to have the case discontinued entirely, a move that was met with resistance. Appearing before the court on Friday, Lin’s lawyer, Powell Mkutabasa, told the judge that revised bail conditions had been proposed in light of concerns that his client posed a flight risk. Under the proposal, Lin would reside with his daughter in the Area 49 neighbourhood of Lilongwe, where he could be closely monitored – an arrangement to which the state did not object. The state did, however, seek an additional restriction: that Lin be permitted to receive visitors only on Saturdays and Sundays, between 9am and 4pm. It was this condition that gave Judge Redson Kapindu pause. He told the court that the proposed restrictions bore a strong resemblance to house arrest, and questioned whether an accused person released under such terms could reasonably be considered free. The judge has adjourned his ruling on the bail application to a later date, without specifying when a decision will be handed down. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Chinese traders, corruption, Wildlife --- ### [Chakwera launches 'open door' charm offensive as MCP eyes 2030 comeback](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-launches-open-door-charm-offensive-as-mcp-eyes-2030-comeback/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Congress Party leader Lazarus Chakwera has embarked on an open-door initiative aimed at engaging with party members, political veterans and other key figures, in what the party describes as a deliberate strategy to reclaim power in 2030. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788301420547-600x396.jpg)MCP President Dr Lazarus Chakwera (left) and party secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda pictured during their two-hour meeting at party headquarters in Lilongwe.The MCP’s Publicity Secretary, Jessie Kabwira, confirmed the initiative in an interview on Friday, shortly after Chakwera held talks with political veteran Grezelder Jeffrey – a meeting that came just days after he met with MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda. According to Kabwira, the string of engagements being undertaken by the MCP president form part of a broader effort to strengthen the party’s internal affairs as it looks ahead to the 2030 general election. Fixed days set aside for consultations Chakwera has reportedly set aside Tuesdays and Thursdays each week specifically for the engagements, which are being held with grassroots party structures, senior officials and political veterans at the party’s headquarters in Lilongwe. **Expert calls initiative ‘timely’** Political analyst Dr Augustine Magolowondo has welcomed the development, describing the engagements as both key and timely for a party seeking to rebuild its fortunes. However, he cautioned MCP leadership to ensure that all the views and inputs gathered through the process were genuinely taken into consideration, rather than treated as a symbolic exercise. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP --- ### [Speaker Suleman faces conflict of interest questions over Eastbridge fertiliser deal as opposition demands answers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/speaker-suleman-faces-conflict-of-interest-questions-over-eastbridge-fertiliser-deal-as-opposition-demands-answers/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Parliament is facing renewed controversy after allegations emerged that Speaker Sameer Suleman may have had a conflict of interest in matters linked to a failed fertiliser-for-tobacco deal involving Eastbridge, a company formerly headed in Malawi by his son. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784568180943-600x400.jpg)Speaker in eye of stork as Eastbridge links trigger conflict of interest claimsThe claims have intensified scrutiny of the Speaker amid reports that he allegedly encouraged tobacco buyers to stay away from Government-owned tobacco stocks while at the same time declaring a commercial interest in the matter. The dispute stems from a collapsed agreement between Eastbridge and the previous administration under which the company was expected to supply fertiliser in exchange for tobacco and other agricultural commodities. After Eastbridge failed to fulfil its obligations, the current Government terminated the arrangement, triggering a legal battle. Eastbridge subsequently laid claim to tobacco purchased through the Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund. However, the courts ruled in favour of the Government, rejecting the company’s claim to the crop. The matter has attracted further attention because the Speaker’s son, Tahir Suleman, was serving as Chief Executive Officer of Eastbridge Malawi during the dispute. He resigned from the company on 20 July 2026, shortly after the court ruling. Questions have also been raised about the Speaker’s involvement in discussions relating to the disposal of the tobacco stockpile. According to Government sources, officials approached alternative tobacco buyers after the court decision, but concerns emerged when communications reportedly suggested that Mr Suleman had urged some firms not to participate while indicating that he had a personal commercial interest. The allegations have prompted sharp reaction from opposition lawmakers, who say the matter warrants full public scrutiny. “The Speaker occupies one of the highest offices in the country and must be held to the highest standards of transparency and accountability,” said one opposition MP. Another opposition legislator said the allegations had raised “serious questions that cannot simply be brushed aside”. “Where there is even a perception of a conflict of interest, Parliament has a duty to establish the facts. Public confidence in the institution is at stake,” the MP said. A third opposition lawmaker called for an independent review of the matter. “This is not about personalities. It is about protecting public institutions and ensuring that official powers are exercised in the public interest,” the MP said. Critics have also questioned recent calls for ad hoc parliamentary committees, arguing that any parliamentary process linked to the dispute must be demonstrably free from personal or commercial interests. “These are serious questions of conflict of interest,” another opposition figure said. “There are concerns about whether parliamentary processes are being used in connection with a private business dispute.” The controversy comes at a time when Parliament is already facing wider governance debates, adding further pressure on the Speaker to respond to the allegations. Mr Suleman’s office had not commented on the claims at the time of publication. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Eastbridge, Fertiliser, Malawi Parliament, Sameer Suleman --- ### [Get Rid of the Assholes: Stop Rewarding Toxic High Performers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/get-rid-of-the-assholes-stop-rewarding-toxic-high-performers/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times Reporter **Excerpt:** Some of your highest performers may also be your biggest leadership risk. Edgar Chibaka explores why CEOs must stop rewarding toxic high performers, measure trust alongside results, and build cultures where performance strengthens people rather than destroys them. **Content:** # **Why CEOs must stop promoting, rewarding and bonusing toxic high performers** *A high performer who destroys trust can be a negative-value employee. Sustainable leadership requires CEOs to measure not only what people deliver (results), but also what their behaviour makes possible—or impossible (conditions) —for everyone around them to perform well.* > **[FRUITFUL CEO](http://Subscribe%20on%20LinkedIn%20https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7476281164316585984) PRINCIPLE: Never confuse impressive individual output with positive organisational contribution. The true leadership question is not only “What did you achieve?” but “What became stronger because you were here?”** ### **The most dangerous person may be your best performer** An uncomfortable truth sits inside many organisations: the person doing the most damage can also be highly rewarded. They hit the numbers, win clients and look decisive, so the company pays a bigger bonus, expands their authority and gives them more people to manage. From below, the picture is different. Colleagues are humiliated, managers stop challenging bad ideas, strong employees leave, and future leaders learn that stated values matter less than the numbers. Simon Sinek (one of my favourite leadership guru) uses a deliberately provocative word for this kind of low-trust high performer: **the “asshole”**. The language is blunt and provacative, but the problem is serious. When a company repeatedly promotes people who deliver results while destroying trust, it institutionalises toxicity.![Why CEOs Must Stop Rewarding Toxic High Performers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Fruitful-CEO-Asssholes.png) ### **The performance-and-trust test** Sinek popularises a useful performance-and-trust framework drawn from conversations about elite Navy SEAL teams. Performance asks whether someone can execute the mission. Trust asks whether colleagues can rely on that person’s character, judgement and behaviour when the pressure is high and nobody important is watching. Sinek’s own leadership principles emphasise that trust, teamwork and leadership are central to exceptional team performance. Every organisation wants people high in both performance and trust. The difficult choice is between a solid, high-trust performer and a brilliant individual performer whom nobody trusts. Many businesses choose the second because revenue, margin, output and deadlines appear on dashboards. Trust rarely does. That creates a dangerous distortion. We know what the executive delivered, but not the resignations, withheld ideas, damaged confidence, customer risk or weakened succession capability left behind. ### **Why toxic high performers keep rising** Toxic leaders often rise because organisations reward traits that look powerful. *Confidence is mistaken for competence, visibility for contribution and aggression for decisiveness.* [Research on narcissism and leadership](https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12072) has found that narcissistic traits can help people emerge as leaders without reliably making them more effective. Toxic high performers can also excel at managing upwards. The CEO sees confidence; direct reports experience intimidation, blame shifting or information control. Short reporting cycles then encourage tolerance because the person is considered commercially necessary “for now”. Then comes the hostage problem: **“She owns the client”** or **“We cannot lose him this year.”** When one person becomes too important to challenge, the organisation already has a succession and concentration-risk problem. Indispensability must never become a licence to damage culture. ### **Put toxicity on the P&L** The biggest mistake is treating toxic leadership as a soft HR issue instead of an economic one. The numbers will vary, but the principle stands: a high-output employee can still be a negative-value employee. [Google’s Project Aristotle](https://rework.withgoogle.com/en/guides/understanding-team-effectiveness) identified psychological safety as its most important team dynamic. When people can ask questions, admit mistakes and challenge assumptions without humiliation, teams are better positioned to learn and perform. People can tolerate demanding work. What they struggle to tolerate indefinitely is disrespect, unethical conduct, cutthroat behaviour and environments in which they cannot trust how power will be used. [The Fruitful CEOs ](http://Subscribe%20on%20LinkedIn%20https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7476281164316585984)should therefore stop calculating only gross performance and start calculating net contribution. Ask what remains after the hidden costs are considered: revenue generated minus people lost, projects completed minus capability weakened, customers won minus risk created, and problems solved minus problems caused. ### **High standards are not toxic leadership** None of this means building a soft organisation. Fruitful companies need demanding leaders, ambitious targets, accountability and consequences. The distinction is whether discomfort serves the mission or the leader’s ego. Healthy leaders challenge the work while preserving dignity. They accept responsibility, share credit and develop successors. Toxic leaders attack the person, take credit, distribute blame and create dependency. High standards and high trust should reinforce each other. ### **What the [Fruitful CEOs](http://Subscribe%20on%20LinkedIn%20https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7476281164316585984) must do** CEOs cannot solve this problem with another poster about corporate values. We need management systems that make trust, behaviour and multiplication visible. - **Create a performance-and-trust promotion gate.** Nobody should enter significant leadership merely because they produce exceptional individual results. Promotion should assess **what the person delivers** and **what conditions they create** for others to perform. - **Measure net contribution.** Put behaviour into the scorecard. Track retention, regretted departures, succession readiness, employee feedback, cross-functional cooperation, ethical conduct and customer outcomes. These measures are less tidy than revenue, but ignoring them does not remove the cost. - **Get evidence from below, not only above.** Gather evidence from below as well as above through confidential 360-degree feedback, skip-level conversations, exit data and cross-functional input. Judging an executive only by their behaviour with the CEO measures managing-up skill, not leadership character. - **Audit your highest performers for collateral damage**. Audit collateral damage around your highest performers. Exceptional numbers should trigger curiosity, not immunity. Look for turnover, grievances, information hoarding, customer escalation, fear and weakening teams. - **Reward multipliers.** Some valuable leaders do not top the individual performance table because their contribution appears in other people’s results. They coach, share knowledge, remove obstacles and create successors. Their presence expands organisational capacity. - **Coach quickly—but do not coach indefinitely**. Confront destructive behaviour early and fairly. Name the behaviour, explain its impact, define the required standard and allow a reasonable opportunity to improve through coaching and accountability. But coaching must not become permanent protection for someone who repeatedly rejects the same message. - **Remove the hostage problem.** Build succession plans, shared customer ownership, documented knowledge and capable deputies around strategically important roles. The harder somebody is to replace, the greater the temptation to tolerate behaviour that would never be accepted from anyone else. Where behaviour involves bullying, harassment, discrimination, dishonesty or serious misconduct, proper HR and legal processes matter. Finally, make cultural exceptions visible at board level. Directors should ask which senior leaders are being retained despite repeated behaviour concerns, what commercial argument is being used to justify the exception, what succession plan would remove the dependency, and what evidence shows genuine improvement. Culture becomes fragile when the most powerful people are exempted from standards that everyone else is expected to follow. ### **The CEO sets the real standard** Culture is not what is printed on the wall. Culture is what happens when a successful person violates the values and leadership decides what to do next. Every time you bonus a leader who delivers through fear, you teach people that fear works. Every time you promote someone who damages colleagues but beats the target, you teach employees that the target outranks the values. Every time you protect a commercially valuable bully, you make dignity negotiable. Trust is not a soft alternative to performance. It is infrastructure for sustainable performance today. It affects whether bad news reaches you early, whether employees challenge flawed decisions, whether talented people stay and whether future leaders learn collaboration rather than intimidation. So look around your leadership table. Who produces extraordinary numbers but leaves weaker people and damaged relationships behind? Who appears indispensable because everyone else has been made dependent? Who would your employees identify immediately as the “Assshole” if they could answer without consequences? Then ask the opposite question: who makes everyone around them better? ***The ultimate test of fruitful leadership is not simply, What did you achieve? It is, What became stronger because you were here?*** If toxic people repeatedly rise, the problem is not only the individuals. The system is doing what leadership has taught it to do. Change the measures. Change the incentives. Change who gets promoted. Coach people who can change. Apply fair consequences when they will not. And when a high performer has been properly confronted, fairly supported and clearly held accountable but still chooses toxicity over trust, stop confusing output with leadership. Protect the culture that everyone else has been quietly trying to survive. Share your perspective in the comments, and if you believe business needs leaders who can deliver exceptional results **without destroying the people and culture that make those results possible**, subscribe to [**The Fruitful CEO**](http://Subscribe%20on%20LinkedIn%20https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7476281164316585984). \#[TheFruitfulCEO](http://Subscribe%20on%20LinkedIn%20https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7476281164316585984) #Leadership #CEOLeadership #ToxicLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #PsychologicalSafety #HighPerformanceTeams Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Columns --- ### [Former editor challenges MP Ayuba to spend a night in prison to expose "horror" conditions](https://www.nyasatimes.com/former-editor-challenges-mp-ayuba-to-spend-a-night-in-prison-to-expose-horror-conditions/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former editor-in-chief of The Democrat and Times Media, Charles Simango, has issued a striking public challenge to Member of Parliament Sylvester Ayuba James, urging him to spend a full day and night inside one of Malawi’s most congested prisons as part of Parliament’s ongoing investigation into prison conditions. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788512864994.jpg)MP Ayuba James urged to take the social experiment of life behind barsIn a Facebook post, Simango said the challenge was prompted by the Speaker of Parliament’s decision to identify prison conditions as one of the key issues to be investigated by Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, of which Ayuba James is a member. Simango argued that spending time inside a facility such as Zomba, Maula or Chichiri prison would allow the MP to witness firsthand the realities facing inmates, rather than relying solely on committee hearings and testimony from prison wardens. He described some of the conditions reportedly faced by prisoners in stark terms, referencing the practice known as “shamba,” where inmates sleep on their sides, unable to turn due to lack of space, as well as sleeping on rough concrete floors said to wear through clothing within days, and inmates sometimes receiving only one meal a day. “It’s a horror movie,” Simango wrote, arguing that regardless of guilt or innocence, prisoners remain people first and that a country’s character is ultimately judged by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens, including those behind bars. Simango said he specifically challenged Ayuba James because he believes the MP’s pragmatic approach and willingness to take direct action make him uniquely suited to accept such a challenge, suggesting the lawmaker would likely agree that experiencing prison conditions firsthand is far more valuable than examining the issue solely through committee proceedings. To sweeten the challenge, Simango pledged to make a donation to a cause of Ayuba James’s choosing should the MP take up the offer, noting the lawmaker’s existing community work supporting youth farmers and running a bursary scheme in his constituency. He went on to invite members of the public to join him in pledging support, asking whether others would be willing to contribute funds for each hour the MP spends inside a prison facility, should he accept the challenge. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Charles Simango, Malawi Parliament, prisons, Sylvester Ayuba --- ### [Baghaya fills late Brian Banda's shoes in surprise Times TV move](https://www.nyasatimes.com/baghaya-fills-late-brian-bandas-shoes-in-surprise-times-tv-move/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The appointment of Dr Bright Mhango — better known by his social media persona, Morton Baghaya — to a broadcasting role at Times Television and Radio might, on its surface, read as a curious piece of casting. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260904_130833_Google-600x467.jpg)“We call it code switching”: Baghaya explains new professional persona for TVBaghaya has built his public profile on precisely the register that mainstream current affairs journalism traditionally avoids: loose, informal, often provocative commentary designed for maximum traction online. That he is now stepping into programmes vacated by the death of respected journalist Brian Banda — Times Exclusive, Hot Current and Kwagwanji — invites an obvious question: can the two modes coexist in the same person? Mhango’s own answer is more considered than his online persona might suggest. He describes the shift not as a departure from who he is, but as a deliberate act of code-switching. “On social media, you have to be loose with language. Otherwise, you cannot have traction. But in corporate affairs, you need proper language,” he explained — a framing that treats his social media voice not as an authentic default but as one register among several, each suited to a different kind of audience and a different kind of institutional trust. That distinction matters, because it reveals something about how public commentary functions in Malawi’s current media environment. Social media has become, for figures like Mhango, a space where reach depends on provocation; broadcast journalism, by contrast, still trades on a different currency — credibility, institutional backing, and the expectation of measured analysis. Mhango’s insistence that his television work will be “issue-based,” rather than aimed at generating laughs or singling out individuals for ridicule, suggests an awareness of exactly what separates the two spaces, and a conscious effort not to import one into the other. There is, too, an implicit continuity worth noting. Mhango’s journalistic roots run back to *Nyasa Times* and *The Nation*, institutions of conventional reporting long before his social media following took shape. His current pivot might be read less as reinvention than as a return — albeit one now amplified by a public profile his earlier newspaper career never afforded him. Perhaps the most substantive part of his stated approach lies in his appeal to the public for tips and information, and his framing of journalism’s dependence on ordinary citizens willing to surface what he calls “hidden issues.” It is a reminder that whatever tone current affairs broadcasting adopts, its actual substance still rests on the same foundation it always has: a public willing to talk, and journalists willing to follow where that leads without, as Mhango puts it, turning the result into an exercise in pointing fingers. Whether Baghaya’s transition succeeds will likely depend less on his rhetorical dexterity than on whether Malawian audiences accustomed to his social media voice extend the same trust to his more restrained broadcast persona — and whether that restraint, in turn, proves durable once the cameras are rolling and the temptation to entertain reasserts itself. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Bright Mhango, Times TV --- ### [Treason-charged Namiwa breaks silence again to defend Speaker Suleman against 'DPP intimidation'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/treason-charged-namiwa-breaks-silence-again-to-defend-speaker-suleman-against-dpp-intimidation/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Despite being subject to a court gagging order over his earlier “President in two months” claim, Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) leader Sylvester Namiwa has stepped forward to defend Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman, amid what he describes as attempts by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to intimidate him. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1785314932982-480x600.jpg)Namiwa hails Speaker SulemanSpeaking to journalists in Blantyre, CDEDI executive director Namiwa insisted Suleman had acted entirely within Parliament’s oversight mandate by establishing joint committees to scrutinise matters of national importance. Namiwa argued that the Speaker’s position as head of the Legislature grants him a non-partisan mandate to serve all Malawians, insisting his election through the DPP does not give the party any right to control his decisions in office. He went on to warn against alleged threats reportedly targeting Suleman and several committee chairpersons following the Speaker’s recent press briefing, urging that such intimidation must not be tolerated. Namiwa also called on ordinary Malawians to actively support Parliament’s planned inquiries by coming forward with information that could help expose cartels and corruption within the system. “We fully support what Hon Suleman has done. He wants to transform things and there will be no better time to change Malawi than now,” Namiwa said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, Malawi Parliament, Sameer Suleman, Sylvester Namiwa --- ### [Court orders sick Magalasi to stay locked up over Amaryllis hotel money laundering probe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-orders-sick-magalasi-to-stay-locked-up-over-amaryllis-hotel-money-laundering-probe/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) strategist Collins Magalasi has been REFUSED bail and thrown back into Maula Prison on remand following his arrest over a explosive multi-billion kwacha money laundering scandal. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788534922798-600x448.jpg)SICK IN A CELL! Court orders Magalasi to stay locked up​The Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court slammed the door on Magalasi’s bid for freedom, ordering the economist and top politician to remain behind bars until at least September 11. He is set to face the Chief Resident Magistrate, who is overseeing the mounting legal case against him. ​However, the court granted a plea from his lawyer, Andy Kaonga, allowing the sick DPP chief to receive urgent medical treatment after falling ill in custody earlier this week. ​The drama centers around jaw dropping investigation into the controversial purchase of the plush Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre by the Civil Servants Pension Trust Fund. ​Magalasi—a former chief executive of the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) and former economic adviser to ex-President Peter Mutharika—was scooped up by law enforcement following allegations of massive cash withdrawals totaling over K5 billion. ​Investigators claim the cash was hauled out of bank accounts by proxies and handed directly to Magalasi, with dramatic reports emerging of armed escorts and millions being moved under the guise of official business. ​This is not Magalasi’s first brush with the law. The embattled politician has previously faced separate charges over the alleged diversion of MERA funds for political activities, as well as a sensational cybercrime case involving the alleged hacking of government phone numbers. ​Now, with the court taking a hardline stance on his detention, the disgraced ex-chief faces an anxious wait in his cell as prosecutors tighten the grip on the escalating hotel fraud probe. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel, Collins Magalasi --- ### [Mwanamvekha seeks domestic buffer for Malawi welfare ahead of 2030 donor retreat](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mwanamvekha-seeks-domestic-buffer-for-malawi-welfare-ahead-of-2030-donor-retreat/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi has unveiled a domestic financing strategy designed to safeguard its social safety nets, as the southern African nation prepares for a sharp drop in foreign aid. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788533469823-600x400.jpg)Malawi finance minister Mwanamvekha moves to shield social safety nets from donor decline​Joseph Mwanamvekha, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation, launched the Social Protection Financing Strategy to mobilise local revenue and reduce Lilongwe’s dependence on international donors. The intervention comes amid mounting concern over the long-term viability of state welfare, with key foreign partners expected to scale back funding significantly beyond 2030. ​Under the new framework, the government aims to shore up domestic resources by restructuring fuel levies, capturing revenues from the mining sector more effectively, and enforcing stricter pension compliance. ​Speaking at the launch, Mr Mwanamvekha framed the initiative as a crucial driver of long-term economic stability rather than a burden on public coffers. ​”Social protection is not just a cost, it is an investment in human capital,” Mr Mwanamvekha said. “Programmes such as social cash transfers, public works, and school meals directly reduce poverty, improve nutrition, and keep children in school. In the long term, these interventions enhance productivity, reduce inequality, and contribute to a more stable and prosperous economy.” ​The strategy arrives at a precarious moment for Malawi, where state-led welfare systems—including direct cash disbursements and public works projects—support millions of vulnerable citizens. Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare Mary Navicha emphasised that securing a self-sustaining funding mechanism is critical to preventing a humanitarian shortfall once foreign assistance wanes. ​Beyond revenue generation, the framework promises tighter coordination between government ministries and private stakeholders to streamline distribution and curb inefficiencies in program execution. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** donors, Joseph Mwanamvekha --- ### [Malawi court orders Press Corporation to pay millions to creditors of collapsed retailer PTC](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-court-orders-press-corporation-to-pay-millions-to-creditors-of-collapsed-retailer-ptc/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** **High court finds conglomerate “directly culpable” for insolvency of Peoples Trading Centre after years of trading while insolvent** Malawi’s high court has ordered Press Corporation Plc (PCL), one of the country’s largest conglomerates, to pay more than MK7bn (about £3m) to the creditors of Peoples Trading Centre (PTC), the retail chain it once wholly owned, after ruling that the group bore direct responsibility for the company’s collapse into insolvency. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/ptc-headquarters-390x220-1.jpg)PTCIn a judgment delivered on Friday at the commercial division of the high court in Blantyre, Justice Masauko Msungama found that PCL had allowed PTC to keep trading for nearly seven years despite knowing the retailer’s liabilities far outstripped its assets, and that the parent company was “directly culpable” for the resulting insolvency. PTC was placed into liquidation in October 2022, months after PCL sold its entire stake in the retailer to Tafika Holdings. The court’s provisional liquidator subsequently applied under Malawi’s Insolvency Act to have PCL held liable for creditors’ claims, arguing that the two companies were so closely entangled that PCL should be treated as responsible for PTC’s debts. The judge rejected claims that the two firms had been run as a single business, finding no evidence that their day-to-day operations had been improperly merged. But he found PCL had gone well beyond the role of a passive shareholder: senior PCL executives sat on and chaired PTC’s board, PCL supplied PTC’s management under a formal agreement, and the company had repeatedly assured PTC’s creditors and auditors – including through annual “letters of comfort” – that it would stand behind the retailer’s debts. Court documents showed PTC’s liabilities exceeded its assets in every year from 2015 onwards, worsening from a shortfall of about MK2.3bn in 2015 to nearly MK15.5bn by the end of 2021. Board minutes cited in the ruling recorded repeated internal warnings about the legal risks of “trading with negative equity”, but PCL representatives on the board were said to have reassured colleagues that, because PCL itself remained solvent, there was “no consequence” to continuing. The judge said PCL’s failure to properly vet Tafika before selling its stake compounded the problem, leaving PTC’s remaining creditors exposed when the new owner failed to honour commitments to settle outstanding debts. PCL had argued that its involvement amounted to legitimate shareholder support and that PTC’s board, not PCL, was legally responsible for the company’s affairs. The company said it had committed more than MK12bn towards settling creditors’ claims before the sale to Tafika and denied acting fraudulently or with the intent to deceive creditors. The court ultimately ordered PCL to pay MK7,071,493,241, covering unpaid trade debts and staff severance claims outstanding at the time PTC was sold to Tafika, after deducting sums already recovered through the liquidation. It dismissed the liquidator’s additional claims for interest, currency devaluation losses, exemplary damages and liquidator’s fees, saying these were not justified on the facts. PCL was also ordered to pay 70% of the liquidator’s legal costs. PTC, once a household name on Malawi’s high streets, entered liquidation after years of financial distress that saw its retail network shrink and staff go unpaid. The ruling is likely to be closely watched by other Malawian conglomerates with subsidiaries in financial difficulty, given its emphasis on the point at which shareholder support can tip into legal liability for a subsidiary’s debts. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Press Corporation Limited, PTC --- ### [Silver head to Bullets as Malawi’s Premiership nears end of round one](https://www.nyasatimes.com/silver-head-to-bullets-as-malawis-premiership-nears-end-of-round-one/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/72b44210-2cd7-4f31-921f-b623b09c37f7-400x600.jpeg)Silver and Bullets in a previous meetingLeague leaders Silver Strikers travel to Blantyre to take on FCB Nyasa Big Bullets on Saturday, in a clash that headlines the final round of first-half fixtures in Malawi’s FDH Bank Premiership. Peter Mgangira’s side sit top of the table with 29 points from 14 games, having scored 23 and conceded just five. Three points at Mpira Stadium would move them to 32 and cement their advantage before the season’s second half begins. “We are facing a good opposition, but we are ready for it so that we can get a positive result,” Mgangira said. Bullets, in contrast, have found consistency hard to come by. Wedson Nyirenda’s side have drawn frequently in the first round and sit fourth on 27 points from 14 matches, with 15 goals scored and seven conceded. Nyirenda conceded that Saturday’s opponents are well drilled, but said his own side’s preparations have been thorough enough to make it a genuine contest. Elsewhere in round one A full programme completes the first round this weekend: •Red Lions v Masters •MAFCO FC v Moyale Barracks •Kamuzu Barracks v Civo Services United •Goshen City Dedza Dynamos v LUANAR Mitundu •Ekhaya FC v Karonga United •Chitipa United v Creck Sporting Club Mighty Wanderers are the exception, with their first-round finale pushed back a week. The Nomads face Blue Eagles at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe on 19 September. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Big Bullets, FDH Premiership, Silver Strikers --- ### [Court issues arrest warrant for Chaudhry's wife over alleged false citizenship declaration in K330m land deal](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-issues-warrant-for-chaudhrys-wife-vver-alleged-false-citizenship-declaration-in-k330m-land-deal/) **Published:** July 22, 2026 **Author:** NyasaAuthor1 **Content:** The Limbe Resident Magistrate’s Court has issued a warrant of arrest for Neelam Azhar Mahmood, wife of Blantyre businessman Mahmood Azhar Chaudhry, over allegations that she falsely represented herself as a Malawian citizen in a property transaction, a development that could have significant implications for the enforcement of Malawi’s land ownership laws. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-22-at-8.05.59-AM.jpeg)Facing arrest: Neelam Azhar Mahmood, wife of Blantyre businessman Mahmood Azhar ChaudhryCourt documents seen by *Nyasa Times* show that Mrs. Mahmood is facing a criminal charge of giving false information to a public officer, contrary to Section 122 of the Penal Code, after allegedly declaring herself a Malawian citizen in an application submitted to the Blantyre Land Registry seeking consent to transfer Title Number Blantyre East 15 (Plot BE1) into Malhi Trust, a trust linked to the Chaudhry family. The warrant of arrest, issued by the Limbe Resident Magistrate’s Court on 14 July 2026, directs all police officers to arrest Mrs. Mahmood and bring her before the court to answer the charge. According to an affidavit sworn by Blantyre businessman Austin Lajabu, whose complaint triggered the criminal proceedings, the matter came to light after he learnt through an estate agent late last year that the property was being sold. Curious about the transaction, Lajabu conducted an official search at the Blantyre Land Registry in June this year, where records allegedly revealed that the property, registered in the names of Nirmala Kantilal Rajani and Manjula Guladbas Devraj, was in the process of being transferred to Malhi Trust for K330 million. The affidavit states that an application submitted by Brandon Law Firm, acting for the trustees of Malhi Trust, identified the trustees as Mahmood Azhar Chaudhry and Neelam Azhar Mahmood, allegedly describing both as Malawian citizens in support of the application for the Land Registrar’s consent to the transfer. Lajabu, however, told the court that he questioned that declaration because he had long understood Mrs. Mahmood to be a British citizen residing in Malawi on a Permanent Residence Permit. He further alleges that despite the application indicating that both trustees were Malawian citizens, no copy of Mrs. Mahmood’s Malawi National Identity Card was attached to support the claim, prompting him to suspect that false information had been supplied to facilitate the transaction. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-22-at-8.08.02-AM.jpeg) ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-22-at-8.08.01-AM.jpeg) The affidavit argues that if Mrs. Mahmood is indeed a foreign national, she would be prohibited under Malawi’s land laws from acquiring land in her own right, except under limited circumstances provided for by law. It is this alleged misrepresentation of citizenship that forms the basis of the criminal charge now before the court. The documents further show that the property at the centre of the dispute is Title Number Blantyre East 15 (Plot BE1), measuring approximately 0.4674 hectares, and that the proposed transfer was supported by a Certificate of Compliance issued by the Ministry responsible for lands before the transaction proceeded to the consent stage. The case is likely to attract considerable public interest because it touches on two sensitive issues: the integrity of declarations made to public authorities and the enforcement of Malawi’s restrictions on land ownership by non-citizens. If the prosecution proves that false information was knowingly supplied to obtain consent for the transfer, the matter could raise broader questions about the level of scrutiny applied by public institutions when processing high-value land transactions. The warrant of arrest marks the beginning of criminal proceedings and does not amount to a finding of guilt. Mrs. Mahmood is entitled to the presumption of innocence, and it will ultimately be for the court to determine whether the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that she knowingly made or caused to be made a false declaration regarding her citizenship. Police have since been directed to execute the warrant and bring Mrs. Mahmood before the Limbe Resident Magistrate’s Court, where the case is expected to test the application of Malawi’s land ownership laws and the criminal consequences of alleged false declarations made to public officers. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National --- ### [UTM's Mtumbuka hails Speaker Suleman as "dolo" amid escalating clash with DPP](https://www.nyasatimes.com/utms-mtumbuka-hails-speaker-suleman-as-dolo-amid-escalating-clash-with-dpp/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** UTM presidential running mate and Rumphi Central MP, Dr Matthews Mtumbuka, has publicly praised National Assembly Speaker Sameer Suleman, urging Malawians to celebrate his patriotism regardless of political affiliation, amid an escalating public clash between the Speaker and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784939507088-600x400.jpg)MP Mtumbuka: *Chi Speaker ichi ndi dolo*In a Facebook post, Mtumbuka described Suleman in glowing terms, calling on Malawians to appreciate him while he is still alive and serving. “*A Malawi anzanga, pena tiziyamikira munthu ali moyo! Chi Speaker ichi ndi dolo*! For those not yet patriotic about Malawi, regardless of party afiliation, please learn from Rt Hon Sameer Suleman! “A new Malawi needs people who think and act like him. Today, let us recognise and celebrate patriotism, regardless of our politics! Bravo Rt Hon,” Mtumbuka wrote. The tribute comes at a tense moment for Suleman, who has found himself locked in an increasingly public standoff with the DPP, following remarks he made during a press briefing on Wednesday in which he outlined Parliament’s decision to establish a series of joint committees to investigate pressing national issues, including power blackouts, corruption and public procurement concerns. DPP Secretary General Peter Mukhito responded sharply, warning against what the party described as conduct that could create “competing centres of authority” or undermine President Peter Mutharika’s government, while insisting Parliament’s oversight role must not spill into interference with the Executive. Suleman has since hit back at the DPP, insisting he communicates directly with President Mutharika and does not take instructions from the party, while vowing that Parliament’s investigations will continue regardless of political pressure. Mtumbuka’s public endorsement of the Speaker adds to a chorus of support Suleman has received from opposition figures and civil society groups in recent days, with several commentators framing the DPP’s criticism as an attempt to undermine the independence of the Speaker’s office. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788386084231-600x450.jpg)The Speaker’ Suleman branded ‘DOlo’ by UTM ‘s Mtumbuka Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Mathews Mtumbuka, Sameer Suleman --- ### [HRDC backs Parliament's sweeping investigations — but warns 12 committees could stretch capacity too thin](https://www.nyasatimes.com/hrdc-backs-parliaments-sweeping-investigations-but-warns-12-committees-could-stretch-capacity-too-thin/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has thrown its support behind Parliament’s decision to investigate a string of pressing national issues, while cautioning that the planned 12 joint committees could run into serious challenges due to limited capacity, expertise and the risk of overlapping investigations. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784633702649-475x600.jpg)Kaiyatsa:Parliament carries a constitutional responsibility to hold the Executive and public institutions accountable for how public resources and power are used.In a statement, HRDC chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa and national coordinator Kelvin Chirwa insisted Parliament carries a constitutional responsibility to hold the Executive and public institutions accountable for how public resources and power are used. The coalition said issues including rising corruption, persistent power blackouts, delays in passport issuance, public procurement concerns, pension challenges and alleged payment fraud at the National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) all rightly deserve parliamentary scrutiny. Meanwhile, political analysts George Phiri and Chimwemwe Tsitsi have urged the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to stop interfering with the Office of the Speaker, insisting the office functions as an independent arm of government that should remain free from political pressure. Their comments follow a statement released by the DPP yesterday, sharply criticising National Assembly Speaker Sameer Suleman over remarks he made during his Wednesday address. Tsitsi argued that the Speaker was simply carrying out his legitimate oversight role over the Executive, and urged the party to stop attacking him publicly. Phiri echoed those concerns, warning that the DPP’s apparent attempt to intimidate the Office of the Speaker risks seriously damaging the party’s public image. He suggested the DPP should have raised its concerns with Suleman privately, rather than launching a public broadside against him. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** accountability, governance, HRDC, Malawi Parliament --- ### [Simba SC land in Lilongwe ahead of Wanderers showdown](https://www.nyasatimes.com/simba-sc-land-in-lilongwe-ahead-of-wanderers-showdown/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Tanzanian giants Simba SC have arrived in Malawi ahead of their first-leg CAF Champions League encounter against Malawi’s 2025 elite league champions, Mighty Wanderers FC. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260904-WA0014-480x600.jpg)Simba SC arrive in Malawi for Champions League clash with WanderersThe Dar es Salaam-based side touched down at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe this morning, Friday September 4, 2026, as they begin preparations for what promises to be a highly anticipated continental encounter. Simba SC have travelled with a strong squad featuring several notable players, including Zambian professional Clatous Chama. The Tanzanian giants have also brought Ibrahim Doumbia, Morice Abraham, Keletso Makgalwa Mpanzu and Libasse Gueye, among others. The visitors will face Mighty Wanderers FC, popularly known as the Nomads, at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday, September 6, the match scheduled to kick off at 15:00 hours. For the Nomads, the home fixture presents an important opportunity to make a strong start against one of Tanzania’s most established football clubs. Mighty Wanderers will be hoping to use home advantage and the support of their fans to secure a positive result before the return leg. Simba SC, meanwhile, will be aiming to put themselves in a commanding position from the first leg. Nicknamed “The Red Lions,” the Tanzanian side will look to their experienced players as they seek an advantage in the tie. With both teams chasing progress in Africa’s premier club competition, Sunday’s encounter is set to attract significant attention from football fans in Malawi and beyond. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260904-WA0013-480x600.jpg)Champions League: Simba SC arrive for first leg against Wanderers Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** CAF champions league, Mighty Wanderers, Simba FC --- ### [Speaker Suleman rebuffs DPP criticism, asserting direct line to President Mutharika](https://www.nyasatimes.com/speaker-suleman-rebuffs-dpp-criticism-asserting-direct-line-to-president-mutharika/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman has pushed back against criticism from Democratic Progressive Party Secretary General Peter Mukhito, stating that he communicates directly with President Arthur Peter Mutharika and does not defer to party-level decisions without first consulting the Head of State. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784753281357-1-600x400.jpg)Suleman fights back: “I’m just doing the job Malawians sent me to do”Suleman’s response came after Mukhito issued a statement on behalf of the DPP raising concerns over the tone and scope of Parliament’s recent oversight activities, including a series of joint committee inquiries into issues ranging from electricity blackouts to alleged financial impropriety. In his rebuttal, the Speaker appeared unmoved by the party’s criticism, indicating that Parliament would continue to investigate matters of public interest for as long as he remains in his current role representing Malawians in the National Assembly. Suleman further suggested that Mukhito should refrain from presenting himself as speaking on the President’s behalf, or from seeking political advantage from issues that fall within Parliament’s constitutional remit to scrutinise the Executive. The Speaker maintained that his conduct reflects the responsibilities entrusted to him by the electorate, rather than any obligation to the party that facilitated his nomination to the role. He further indicated that Parliament’s oversight functions would continue unimpeded, regardless of political pressure exerted from within the governing party. The exchange marks a significant escalation in what had, until this week, remained a largely private tension between the Speaker’s office and DPP leadership over the appropriate boundaries of parliamentary scrutiny. It now appears increasingly likely to play out in public, with both sides staking out competing claims over where legislative oversight ends and political loyalty begins. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, Malawi Parliament, Peter Mukhito, Peter Mutharika, Sameer Suleman --- ### [Kamudoni's case dismissed as court sides with AG Mbeta on DPP Maele's appointment](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kamudonis-case-dismissed-as-court-sides-with-ag-mbeta-on-dpp-maeles-appointment/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The High Court of Malawi in Lilongwe has dismissed a case in which Senior Counsel Kamudoni Nyasulu and a group of senior lawyers challenged the termination of their consultancy agreement with government, as well as the constitutionality of Fostino Maele’s appointment as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Kamudoni-Nyasulu-600x337.jpe)Kamudoni Nyasulu loses legal battle over DPP appointment and axed contractJustice Anneline Kanthambi’s ruling means the applicants’ request to have the matter certified as a constitutional issue by the Chief Justice, and subsequently heard by a panel of no fewer than three judges, now falls away entirely. The ruling also means the applicants’ bid to secure a stay on government’s decision to terminate their consultancy agreement has failed, while their separate attempt to challenge Maele’s decisions to discontinue various criminal cases since his appointment in November 2025 was similarly dismissed by the court. Nyasulu served as the applicant in Judicial Review Case No. 1 of 2026, suing the Solicitor General and Secretary for Justice, the DPP, and Attorney General Frank Mbeta as first, second, third and fourth defendants respectively. Represented by Counsel George Liwimbi, Nyasulu argued that when President Peter Mutharika appointed Maele as DPP on November 26, 2025, the office was not actually vacant, since Masauko Chamkakala, appointed on January 30, 2023, still held a running term in the role. Nyasulu had asked the court to determine whether the President had acted ultra vires Section 101(1) of the Constitution, and whether Parliament’s Public Appointments Committee (PAC) had similarly overstepped its authority by confirming a second DPP while the first remained lawfully in office. The case also touched on the alleged unfair termination of contracts held by Nyasulu, Liwimbi and Enock Chibwana, who had separate agreements with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to prosecute criminal matters, before those contracts were abruptly terminated. However, AG Mbeta, assisted by two lawyers from his Chambers, countered that the dispute was fundamentally contractual in nature and properly fell within the jurisdiction of the Industrial Relations Court, rather than being suitable for judicial review, among several other legal grounds raised in defence. The court ultimately agreed with Mbeta’s position, leading to the dismissal of the case in its entirety. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788514447145-600x450.jpg)Mbeta: court sides with Attorney General Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Fostino Yankho Maele, Frank Mbeta, Kamudoni Nyasulu --- ### [Chinese wildlife kingpin offered K30 million to fix his sentence — as bizarre bail chaos erupts](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chinese-wildlife-kingpin-offered-k30-million-to-fix-his-sentence-as-bizarre-bail-chaos-erupts/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s most notorious wildlife trafficking prosecution has descended into farce, after prosecutors told the High Court they can’t decide whether to keep pursuing convicted kingpin Lin Yunhua, drop the case entirely, or simply let him go. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260904_112114_Facebook-600x407.jpg)CAUGHT ON CAMERA — Convicted wildlife trafficker Lin Yunhua (left) is pictured on a business errand in Biwi, Lilongwe, while escorted by a prison guard — despite serving a 14-year sentence for rhino horn trafficking and money laundering.The allegations against Lin are serious enough on their own: he is accused of offering K30 million in cash and a completed house to the then-head of Lilongwe Prison, in an alleged bid to influence the magistrate handling his original trial into a lighter sentence. Separately, he’s charged with bribing prison officials to sneak him out of custody entirely — investigative journalists documented him visiting his farm, home and businesses while supposedly serving 14 years for rhino horn trafficking and money laundering. What’s turned the case into a genuine spectacle, though, is the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s inability to get its own story straight. The court was shown two sworn affidavits, both issued under instruction from the same Acting Director General, just two days apart — one demanding Lin be held accountable, the other suddenly siding with the defence. Justice Redson Kapindu was unimpressed, pointedly asking why nobody had bothered to explain or formally withdraw the first sworn statement before contradicting it. Amid all this institutional confusion, the State has quietly declined to oppose Lin’s bail application, provided conditions are imposed to stop him fleeing. Kapindu wasn’t having it: the court, he reminded prosecutors, doesn’t grant bail automatically just because nobody objects — both the High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal have already found Lin a serious flight risk, given his money and international connections. The bail question has now been kicked to 4 September, leaving Lin behind bars while campaigners who once celebrated his conviction as a rare win against wildlife trafficking watch nervously to see whether Malawi’s anti-corruption agency can get its act together — or whether the whole case simply dissolves. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Chinese traders, corruption, Wildlife --- ### [Malawi receives UK funding ahead of forecast El Niño season](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-receives-uk-funding-ahead-of-forecast-el-nino-season/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The UK has committed approximately $3 million (about K5.3 billion) to support Malawi’s response and preparedness for a forecast severe El Niño event during the 2026/27 rainfall season. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784304042776-600x336.jpg)Nicholson: Malawi receives UK funding ahead of forecast El Niño seasonBritish Deputy High Commissioner Ben Nicholson said the funding would support efforts to translate climate forecasts into early action, helping communities and the agricultural sector prepare for anticipated dry conditions. “So the UK is working this year with approximately over three million US dollars so far in preparedness and anticipatory action, working with communities to mitigate and prepare for some of the impacts that we expect to see in El Niño,” he said. Nicholson made the announcement in Lilongwe on Wednesday at the fifth National Climate Outlook Forum (Nacof-5) and an Impact-Based Forecasting workshop held under the WISER ActionFirst programme. He said the UK was working closely with the Malawi government, the UK Met Office and the Wiser climate programme to strengthen forecasting capacity and ensure climate information is translated into practical, actionable interventions on the ground. The support includes bringing climate information directly to communities, working with government and agribusinesses, promoting drought-resistant crop varieties, and monitoring market prices to anticipate possible changes in maize availability. In her opening remarks, Minister of Natural Resources Patricia Wiskes said government is treating the El Niño forecast as an opportunity to prepare, rather than as a prediction of disaster. “A forecast such as this one is not a prophecy of hardship; it is an invitation to act early, act together and act smart,” she said. The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has forecast a drier and more erratic 2026/27 rainfall season, particularly across southern and central Malawi, where communities are likely to experience below-normal rainfall, delayed onset and prolonged dry spells. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News **Tags:** Britain, El Nino --- ### [Beauty queens meet VP Ansah to build Malawi-Zimbabwe creative ties](https://www.nyasatimes.com/beauty-queens-meet-vp-ansah-to-build-malawi-zimbabwe-creative-ties/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Vice President Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah held an audience with Miss International Africa Yollanda Chimbarami and Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025 Lyshanda Moyas in Blantyre on Wednesday, as the beauty queens looked to forge fresh ties between Malawi and Zimbabwe. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788495339874-600x547.jpg)Miss International Africa, Miss Universe Zimbabwe pay courtesy call on VP AnsahSpeaking during the meeting, Chimbarami described herself and Moyas as ambassadors with a strong African network, expressing a shared desire to build meaningful partnerships between the two nations. Discussions during the meeting centred on the importance of the creative industry, with the Zimbabwean delegation sharing details of the work they have been doing within that space. The beauty queens revealed they work closely with the Zimbabwean government, dedicating much of their platform to supporting young girls and boys living with disabilities across the African continent. In her remarks, Vice President Ansah welcomed the visit, commending the beauty queens for what she described as their enviable and impactful work. She said the pair were true icons and strong leaders, serving as role models for young people in their respective countries. Before departing, the beauty queens presented Vice President Ansah with a gift of Zimbabwean national fabric, an initiative facilitated by Zimbabwe’s First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa. Some engagements the beauty queens have done in the country has been attending the Airtel Top 8 cup finals at Bingu National Stadium. They have armed police uniform security moving with them. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788495349531-600x513.jpg)“Icons and good leaders”: Ansah praises visiting beauty queens in Blantyre meeting Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment, Featured **Tags:** Jane Ansah, Zimbabwe --- ### [The slow grinding of Magalasi's case, and what it reveals about Malawi's justice system](https://www.nyasatimes.com/the-slow-grinding-of-magalasis-case-and-what-it-reveals-about-malawis-justice-system/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a particular kind of theatre to Malawi’s high-profile corruption cases, and Collins Magalasi’s has, over the course of a single dramatic week, supplied nearly all of it: fresh charges sprung mid-hearing, magistrates swapping roles, sympathisers queuing to shake a defendant’s hand, and a defence lawyer left, by his own admission, simply “surprised.” ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788495243097-600x400.jpg)Magalasi faces fresh Amaryllis Hotel charges as remand extended in escalating caseThe economist and political consultant now faces the prospect of remaining in custody for at least seven more days, after a court ruled yesterday that his continued detention serves the interest of justice. What makes the ruling notable is less the outcome than the timing — it arrived on the very day the State opened an entirely second case against Magalasi, this one alleging fraud, money laundering and theft over the contested purchase of Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre by the Public Service Pension Trust Fund. The new charge sheet names Magalasi alongside six others, including former State Residences Chief of Staff Prince Kapondamgaga, accused collectively of obtaining K3.5 billion in the transaction. Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate Shukuran Kumbani has reserved his ruling on bail in that matter until 10am today, after the State argued Magalasi’s release could enable witness interference — a concern that has become something of a refrain in this case. It featured, too, in the separate phone-hacking matter, where Magalasi stands accused of aiding another person to hack phone numbers belonging to senior officials, including President Peter Mutharika. Police director of prosecutions Prescot Mwayiulipo told the court on Wednesday that Magalasi’s financial resources could make interference easier to accomplish, should he be freed. What followed was a small piece of judicial choreography worth noting. Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda had been expected to deliver his ruling on that bail application at 10am Wednesday. Instead, it was Kumbani who appeared first, dealing with the newly filed Amaryllis charges before Banda eventually delivered his own ruling on the hacking case. Banda’s ruling itself offered a study in careful qualification. He acknowledged Magalasi’s right to bail — a principle, not a formality — while still finding grounds to remand him regardless. “It is in the interest of justice to remand Magalasi for a further seven days, as requested by the State,” he ruled. Yet in the same breath, Kumbani observed that the alleged hacking offence was not, in fact, as serious as the State had portrayed it, broadly siding with defence lawyer Andy Kawonga’s argument that the offence carries a K5 million fine, with attempted hacking attracting K2.5 million — a detail the State contested, insisting custodial sentences also remain on the table. The result is a defendant now navigating two separate bail proceedings simultaneously: held on the hacking charge while awaiting today’s decision on the Amaryllis matter. Kawonga, for his part, made little effort to disguise his frustration with how the State had sequenced its case, saying simply that he was surprised by the manner of proceeding. Beyond the legal manoeuvring, there was the human texture of the day itself. Wednesday’s hearing drew a noticeably larger crowd than the previous session, the courtroom packed with sympathisers and journalists. Magalasi is said to have spent more than three hours in handcuffs inside a holding shelter before being brought to court, with well-wishers taking turns to speak with him — some offering a handshake, others an embrace. He was held, notably, in a section of the shelter nominally reserved for VVIPs, though the distinction proved largely theoretical: both sections, by all accounts, are dusty wooden rooms without chairs, leaving those awaiting their turn in court with little choice but to stand, or sit on the floor. It is this last detail, perhaps, that lingers longest — a reminder that behind the charge sheets and courtroom scheduling lies the more ordinary reality of Malawi’s justice system, dusty rooms and all, regardless of who is waiting inside them. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel, Collins Magalasi, Fraud, justice --- ### [Opposition unites to demand Mutharika address Malawians over mounting crises](https://www.nyasatimes.com/opposition-unites-to-demand-mutharika-address-malawians-over-mounting-crises/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s opposition political parties have thrown their weight behind Parliament’s decision to launch a series of high-profile inquiries into pressing national issues, using the moment to unleash a fresh wave of criticism against President Peter Mutharika’s administration. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/MCP-Jessie-Kabwila-1.jpeg)Kabwila on President Mutharika: “Address the nation”United Democratic Front president Atupele Muluzi said the inquiries were vital to ensuring concerns affecting ordinary Malawians are never ignored, using the announcement to take aim at what he described as a deeply entrenched “rentier system” within Malawi’s political economy. “They reflect a deeper problem with the rentier system we have allowed to develop, where a small, well-connected elite has too often benefited from the State while ordinary Malawians struggle to access basic services and opportunities,” Muluzi said. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20200626-WA0045-e1595881037390-600x428.jpg)Atupele Muluzi blasts “rentier system” as Parliament probes blackouts and K700m scandalUTM leader Dalitso Kabambe went further, directly calling on President Mutharika to address the nation in order to restore public confidence, insisting the scale of the country’s challenges demanded nothing less than decisive leadership. “Such leadership is essential to unite our people and accelerate our recovery,” Kabambe said. Malawi Congress Party spokesperson Jessie Kabwira was equally scathing, arguing the development exposed what she branded clear failures by the DPP administration, particularly over the country’s persistent electricity blackouts and ongoing corruption scandals. Kabwira similarly challenged Mutharika to address the nation directly on the issues. People’s Party spokesperson Ackson Kalaile Banda also weighed in, joining the chorus of opposition voices piling pressure on government over the mounting list of concerns now under parliamentary investigation. The wave of political reaction comes as Parliament pushes ahead with a series of joint committee inquiries covering issues including power blackouts, allegations surrounding a suspicious K700 million transaction, and irregularities within the Farm Input Subsidy Programme, among other pressing national concerns. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1699525749244-600x600.jpg)Dr Dalitso Kabambe: “Such leadership is essential”: Opposition demands Mutharika address nation directly Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** corruption, MCP, Peter Mutharika, UDF, UTM --- ### [DPP warns Speaker Suleiman over conduct](https://www.nyasatimes.com/dpp-warns-speaker-suleiman-over-conduct/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Ruling Democratic Progressive Party warns Speaker Sammer Suleiman against blurring constitutional lines between Parliament and Executive. Party says actions risk weakening government and fuelling political tension. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Sameer-Suleman-2-e1750700690901-750x400-1-600x320.jpg)Speaker Suleiman accused of giving opposition arsenal’s to fight DPP​In press release, DPP Secretary General Peter Mukhito notes opposition applause for Suleiman’s public challenges to President Peter Mutharika administration. **Warning issued: opposition celebrates developments that weaken government, not strengthen it.** ​Mukhito emphasizes Suleiman’s dual roles as Speaker and DPP National Governing Council member require restraint, institutional discipline, constitutional respect. Party asserts legislative oversight must not cross into executive authority. ​**Key concerns raised by DPP:** - ​Public confrontation creates impression of instability. - ​Internal conflict distracts from national priorities: power, water, passports, mining, judicial delays. - ​Executive governs; Parliament scrutinizes; neither subordinate to other. - ​DPP denies attempting to silence Parliament, insisting accountability differs from institutional overreach. - Urges party leaders to refrain from supplying political ammunition to opposition. Reaffirms unity behind President Mutharika mandate. Mukhito emphasised that Parliament has an unquestionable responsibility to scrutinise government, demand accountability, debate national policy and exercise oversight over public institutions. However, he said oversight should never be allowed to evolve into an attempt to exercise executive authority. “The Legislature must legislate and provide oversight. The Executive must govern and implement policy. The Judiciary must interpret and apply the law. None of these institutions is subordinate to another, but neither should one attempt to perform the constitutional responsibilities of another,” he said. Mukhito said the DPP would defend the independence of Parliament just as firmly as it would defend the constitutional mandate of the President and the Executive. “Respecting Parliament does not mean weakening the Executive. Respecting the President does not mean undermining Parliament. Constitutional democracy works when every institution is strong within its own mandate,” he said. The DPP further cautioned that public confrontation among senior leaders could create an impression of instability at a time when Malawians expect government institutions to concentrate on service delivery. The party cited electricity challenges, water infrastructure, passport services, public-sector reforms, mining governance, prison conditions and delays within the justice system as matters requiring urgent national attention. Mukhito said Parliament was fully entitled to interrogate these issues, but maintained that scrutiny should be conducted through established parliamentary procedures, relevant committees and constitutional mechanisms. “These are serious national matters. They deserve serious oversight. But Malawi will not solve them through institutional rivalry, political grandstanding or competition for authority,” he said. The Secretary General also reminded senior DPP officials that public office carries responsibilities not only to institutions but also to the political mandate upon which the governing party was elected. He said senior members of the DPP should never act in ways that unnecessarily create the impression that the party is divided against itself or that its own leadership is being undermined from within. “Our members in public office must remember that millions of Malawians entrusted the DPP with the responsibility to govern. That mandate must be respected and protected,” Mukhito said. He rejected any suggestion that the party was seeking to silence Parliament or prevent scrutiny of government. “The DPP is not afraid of accountability. We are not afraid of debate. We are not afraid of parliamentary scrutiny. A strong government should be accountable,” he said. “But accountability must not be confused with institutional overreach, and oversight must not become a substitute for executive authority.” Mukhito said opposition parties were entitled to pursue their own political interests but warned DPP leaders against inadvertently advancing those interests through unnecessary public conflict. “The opposition will naturally exploit every disagreement within the governing party. That is politics. Our responsibility as DPP leaders is not to provide them with the ammunition,” he said. He urged all senior leaders to exercise political maturity and put national interest above individual positioning. “Malawians did not give us a mandate to fight over power. They gave us a mandate to govern, to provide security, to restore services, to create opportunities and to improve their lives.” The Secretary General concluded by calling for constitutional discipline, unity of purpose and mutual respect among the country’s institutions. “The Speaker must protect Parliament. The President must lead the Executive. The Judiciary must administer justice. Let every institution perform its constitutional duty with dignity and restraint.” “Malawi does not need a contest of personalities or institutions. Malawi needs leadership, stability and delivery.” “And the DPP will remain united in defending the mandate entrusted to President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and his Government by the people of Malawi.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** DPP, Sameer Suleman --- ### [Mama Kadzamira loses fresh bid in Tichitenji Estate dispute](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mama-kadzamira-loses-fresh-bid-in-tichitenji-estate-dispute/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed former official hostess Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira’s application to suspend enforcement of a High Court judgment in the long-running Tichitenji Estate dispute, ruling it lacks the jurisdiction to hear the request at this stage of proceedings. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20200514-WA0089-600x399.jpg)Mama Cecelia Tamanda Kadzamira, Kamuzu Banda’s hostessIn an order dated September 2, 2026, the court said Kadzamira must first file an application for a stay of the varied order in the lower court before seeking relief at appellate level. The court also ordered “Mama” Kadzamira to cover the respondents’ costs for the dismissed application. The long-running saga stems from a December 2025 High Court ruling, which found the Kaphwiti Banda family to be the lawful owner of the estate and declared Kadzamira’s title deed defective and invalid. Following that judgment, the High Court granted a stay of enforcement pending determination of Kadzamira’s appeal. In July 2026, the court modified its earlier order, allowing both parties to use separate portions of the estate while the appeal remained pending. The latest Supreme Court of Appeal order does not determine the outcome of the main appeal itself, which remains pending before the courts. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Kamuzu Banda, land, Mama Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira --- ### [Non-communicable diseases now killing 4 in 10 Malawians, shocking WHO report reveals](https://www.nyasatimes.com/non-communicable-diseases-now-killing-4-in-10-malawians-shocking-who-report-reveals/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A shocking new report has revealed that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now account for approximately 40 percent of all deaths in Malawi, prompting urgent calls for stronger political leadership, funding and community action. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_8980-448x600.jpeg) Maud Mwakasungula: issued a blunt warningThe 2025 World Health Organization (WHO) Malawi Report has laid bare the devastating scale of the crisis, with NCD Alliance Malawi (NCDAMW) demanding immediate action ahead of the Global Week for Action on NCDs 2026. On Monday, NCDAMW announced it had joined this year’s Global Week for Action, running from 31 August to 4 September 2026 under the theme “Leadership in Focus: From Commitments to Delivery.” Alliance National Chairperson Maud Mwakasungula issued a blunt warning that government, development partners and civil society organisations must move beyond mere speeches and deliver real results for patients. According to Mwakasungula, NCDs — including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases — are placing a devastating burden on individuals, families, the health system and the wider national economy. She explained the alarming rise is being driven by key risk factors including tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and other social and environmental determinants of health. “While we commend progress, the reality is that too many Malawians are still dying early from conditions that are largely preventable and treatable,” Mwakasungula said in a statement released Monday. Despite the grim statistics, NCD Alliance Malawi praised the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and partners, including Partners In Health (PIH Malawi), for expanding vital services in recent years. The alliance highlighted PEN services, now integrated into 300 primary healthcare centres nationwide, providing screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care for common NCDs, describing the rollout as a genuine milestone in the fight against the diseases. PEN stands for Package of Essential Non-communicable Disease Interventions, with PEN-Plus targeting more complex cases. The approach has helped decentralise care, bringing vital services closer to communities across the country. “15 PEN-Plus clinics now provide care for people living with severe and complex NCDs at district and first-level referral hospitals. Malawi is now among the leading performers in PEN-Plus implementation in the WHO African Region,” Mwakasungula revealed. However, she issued a stark warning that these hard-won gains could easily be eroded if services aren’t properly resourced and made accessible, particularly in rural and underserved communities across the country. “People living with NCDs must also be meaningfully involved in shaping, implementing and monitoring policies and programmes that affect their lives,” she added. As part of the Global Week for Action, the alliance will host an Open-Ground Event at Kabudula Primary School in Lilongwe on 2 September 2026, offering free NCD screening and referrals, community health education, football activities incorporating NCD awareness messages, and the signing of the Malawi GW4A NCD Charter 2026. The Charter will capture priority actions and commitments from stakeholders, and will later be presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Health in a bid to push for stronger political leadership and accountability on the issue. The event is being organised by NCD Alliance Malawi in partnership with PIH, with financial backing from the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. “Global Week for Action provides an important platform for governments, civil society, people living with NCDs, health professionals, communities and development partners to renew commitments and accelerate action,” the Alliance said. NCD Alliance Malawi is a national civil society network working to reduce preventable morbidity, disability and avoidable deaths caused by NCDs and injuries across Malawi. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, General, Health, News **Tags:** non-communicable diseases --- ### [Portable water testing labs rolled out across Malawi to catch deadly cholera contamination BEFORE outbreaks strike](https://www.nyasatimes.com/portable-water-testing-labs-rolled-out-across-malawi-to-catch-deadly-cholera-contamination-before-outbreaks-strike/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** For millions of Malawians living in rural areas, the nearest water source is often little more than a borehole or shallow well — but simply having access isn’t enough. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260904-WA0000-600x450.jpg)new generation of portable water quality testing labsWithout knowing what’s actually in that water, entire communities remain dangerously exposed to cholera, diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases that claim lives every single year. Now a new generation of portable water quality testing labs aims to close that deadly gap. With financial backing from Charity Water, Self Help Africa (SHA) has been procuring the compact labs and distributing them to district councils as part of a wider push to strengthen water, sanitation and hygiene services across the country. Speaking at the handover of equipment to Dowa District Council, District Commissioner James Jones Kanyangalazi said the donation arrives at a critical time, with waterborne diseases continuing to devastate rural communities. “Most of our communities suffer from waterborne diseases because they don’t have tested water sources. Now, for us to verify or to know that, for example, a cholera outbreak has come from this area, we need to go to the area, test water bodies, and find out the quality,” Kanyangalazi said. He explained that with the new portable lab, the council can now confirm within just hours whether water from a newly drilled borehole is safe to drink. “No water source will be provided to the community without testing. Anything that will be provided to the community is of good quality, safe for drinking and good for purpose,” he added. Dowa has already made significant strides in water provision, with coverage now sitting at roughly 78 to 80 percent for clean, safe drinking water district-wide — though the DC admitted coverage plunges to as low as 50 percent in some harder-to-reach areas. At national level, government insists Malawi remains on track to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6, which targets universal access to safe, clean water by 2030, according to Peter Chipeta, Deputy Director responsible for Water Supply in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development. Chipeta explained that urban areas typically rely on water boards, while rural communities depend heavily on boreholes and piped water supply schemes. “We have several programs which are looking at trading centres. We want to make sure that the trading centre in a district must look as urban as possible. They must have at least safe drinking water from the tap,” he said. He revealed a policy shift is now underway to install dedicated solar-powered piped systems directly onto boreholes, sparing residents the burden of walking long distances simply to fetch water. However, Chipeta acknowledged a troubling gap in the system. “Another concern has been lack of capacity by the ministry and councils to test water that people, especially those living in rural communities, are drinking,” he admitted, explaining that the portable lab donated to Dowa will allow the district to identify contamination quickly, without waiting for samples to be sent all the way to the Central Water Quality Lab in Lilongwe. “For example, if there are any cases of diarrhea, the district will be able to check what are the sources of the contaminants in water or in advance, and make necessary remedial measures even before headquarters comes into play,” he said. The ministry will work closely with the council to train and support dedicated staff to manage the new lab, with results also shared with the national laboratory for verification. “This will help to identify possible sources of contaminations within the council and identify possible solutions to these contaminants,” Chipeta said. SHA Deputy Country Director Smorden Tomoka revealed the organisation has been working with Dowa and Thyolo District Councils since 2011 to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene. “Through our ongoing interactions with the district council, we did observe that there was a gap in terms of the water testing kit, and we thought we need to come in and support to address the gap,” Tomoka said. The donation forms part of SHA’s broader system-strengthening approach, which goes well beyond simply drilling boreholes to include rehabilitation, sanitation support, behaviour change initiatives, and now, crucially, water quality monitoring. In Dowa alone, SHA is currently operating across seven Traditional Authorities, reaching over 300,000 people through water points it has either constructed or rehabilitated, out of a total district population estimated at 900,000. Tomoka confirmed the organisation has a multi-year plan to eventually reach everyone, everywhere, and hopes to scale the water quality testing model to other districts across Malawi with further donor support. Health experts warn that contaminated water remains a leading cause of child mortality in Malawi, with cholera outbreaks in recent years repeatedly traced back to unsafe water sources, particularly during the rainy season. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, General, Health, News **Tags:** cholera, water --- ### [Govt convenes high-level summit to fast-track construction of Mombera University](https://www.nyasatimes.com/govt-convenes-high-level-summit-to-fast-track-construction-of-mombera-university/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Senior government figures gathered in Lilongwe for a high-level meeting aimed at accelerating preparations for the long-awaited Mombera University project. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788447876017-600x452.jpg)Second Vice President Enock Kanzingeni Chihana takes the reins of crucial Cabinet Committee meeting in Lilongwe.The meeting was chaired by Second Vice President Enock Kanzingeni Chihana, who convened the summit at his office as part of efforts to push forward the multi-billion-kwacha infrastructure initiative. Among those present was Lands Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu, who joined senior colleagues in reviewing status reports submitted by the project’s Steering Committee. Speaking after the meeting, Chipungu described the university as a transformative national priority with the potential to reshape Malawi’s educational landscape. “Mombera University is an important national project that will contribute to expanding access to higher education, developing human capital, and advancing Malawi’s broader development agenda,” he said. The taskforce, led by the Second Vice President, reviewed ground-level preparations for the project, with officials seeking to resolve outstanding technical, spatial and administrative issues before construction work can proceed. With Chihana overseeing the initiative and Chipungu addressing matters relating to land, the government has signalled that the flagship university remains a central pillar of its development agenda, even as the project continues to face delays following a separate procurement dispute over the awarding of a major construction contract. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788447865385-600x400.jpg)Lands Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu hails high-level talks as steering committee lays out masterplan for Mombera University. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Chimwemwe Chipungu, Enock Chihana, Mombera University --- ### [Malawi unveils mega-farm plan to attract foreign investment](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-unveils-mega-farm-plan-to-attract-foreign-investment/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi is seeking a staggering $2.4 billion — roughly K4 trillion — from private investors and development partners to fund the development of 470,000 hectares of irrigable land earmarked for ambitious mega-farm projects across the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788263839306-600x450.jpg)Minister Mbilizi speaks with prospective investors following her presentation in Kigali, as Malawi pushes to secure billions in funding for its mega-farm ambitions.The eye-watering investment appeal was made today in Kigali, Rwanda, on the sidelines of the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026, as Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Fatch Mbilizi unveiled the Malawi Mega Farm Legacy Investment Programme to a room of potential investors. Mbilizi said the government is pursuing an aggressive, investment-driven transformation of the country’s agricultural sector, aimed at boosting productivity, food security, commercialisation, climate resilience and export growth all at once. She revealed the ambitious scheme would convert vast tracts of underutilised arable and irrigable land into commercially viable farming enterprises. “We are transforming our underutilised arable and irrigable land for commercial competitive agricultural activities. There are about 15 value chains available, but we are concentrating first on maize, groundnuts, rice and soybean. Malawi is peaceful and has vibrant business oriented population, enabling investors to thrive,” she told the forum. The initiative has already won praise from within Malawi’s agricultural sector. Civil Society Agriculture Network director Elizabeth Namaona commended the programme, saying it had the potential to transform and commercialise agriculture nationwide by putting idle land to productive use while creating much-needed jobs. Among the investors present was Reinke head of strategic partnerships and government affairs Fanie du Toit, who pledged efforts to help mobilise resources aimed at boosting Malawi’s agricultural export earnings. Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Malawi director Eluphy Nyirenda said the organisation remained committed to supporting Malawi in developing the programme and positioning the country as a prime destination for agricultural investment. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** agriculture, Roza Mbilizi --- ### [No bail for Magalasi: 'Flight risk'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/no-bail-for-magalasi-flight-risk/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) strategist and former energy baron Collins Magalasi will spend more sleepless nights behind bars after a court slammed the door shut on his bid for freedom. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788437328915-568x600.jpg)Collins Magalasi looking downcast as he is escorted by heavily armed police officers out of the Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court complex into a waiting prison vehicle.Theformer Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) boss looked visibly shaken as Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda ruled he must remain locked up in a police cell pending trial. Magalasi is at the center of a jaw-dropping national security scandal—alleged to have bought a laptop and hired an IT specialist to illegally hack the personal cell phones of President Peter Mutharika and top cabinet ministers. > ​”**The State is bringing charges piecemeal purely to keep my client locked up.”— Andy Kawonga, Defense Counsel** ​Delivering the high-stakes ruling, the magistrate sided with state prosecutors, who argued that Magalasi’s vast wealth and high-level political connections made him a major risk of flight and witness tampering if set free. Cybercrime officers warned the court they need more time to analyze seized electronic gadgets, cautioning that Magalasi was capable of hiring further tech experts to tamper with digital evidence if granted bail. The decision comes despite a fiery defense from lawyer Andy Kawonga, who slammed a heavily armed 35-officer police raid on Magalasi’s residence as a high-handed dragnet designed to keep him in custody. ​Magalasi’s legal woes expanded dramatically when Senior Resident Magistrate Shukran Kumbani read out five fresh counts against him—detailing a staggering trail of financial crime. He is accused of acting dishonestly with co- conspirators between March 2024 and October 2025 to defraud the Public Service Pension Trust Fund in connection with the controversial Amaryllis Hotel acquisition. Prosecutors further allege he directly stole cash belonging to the public pension fund and laundered billions under the Financial Crimes Act. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788447909089-600x450.jpg)Magalasi surrounded by police officers at court Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Collins Magalasi --- ### [DPP issues blistering rebuke to Speaker over 'competing center of power'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/dpp-issues-blistering-rebuke-to-speaker-over-competing-center-of-power/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - ​**Party chief Peter Mukhito issues scathing rebuke to National Assembly Speaker over ‘out of line’ press briefing.** - **​Tensions boil over within Malawi’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as senior figures turn on each other.** - ​**Mukhito insists ‘no individual is bigger than the party’ as he demands Speaker respect President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s mandate.** ​Malawi’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been rocked by a explosive internal civil war after its Secretary General launched a blistering public attack on the Speaker of the National Assembly. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1786473367778-600x400.jpg)Mukhito tells Speaker SUleman stop undermining President Mutharika​In an uncompromising statement issued today, DPP Secretary General Peter Mukhito lashed out at the Speaker—who double-hats as a member of the party’s elite Central Executive Committee—demanding he fall in line, respect President His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, and stop creating “competing centers of authority.” ​The explosive intervention follows a high-profile press conference held by the Speaker, where he fired shots at the administration over a laundry list of national crises—including the controversial Salima water project, passport delays, state power blackouts involving ESCOM and EGENCO, NOCMA contracts, and systemic failings in agriculture and mining. ​’NO INDIVIDUAL IS GREATER’ ​Firing back in true sensational style, party boss Mukhito warned that senior figures occupy public office through party backing and must show “restraint, discipline, and respect” rather than engaging in cheap public confrontation. ​While insisting the party respects parliamentary oversight, Mukhito delivered a sharp ultimatum to the Speaker: stop undermining the President. ​”Accountability should strengthen Government, not paralyze it,” Mukhito declared. “Political maturity demands consultation before confrontation. The Party will not accept conduct that unnecessarily weakens the authority of the President or brings the Party and Government into avoidable public confrontation.” ​WASHING DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC ​The Secretary General made clear that party chiefs are deeply alarmed by senior members airing the administration’s dirty laundry on public platforms, warning it creates the impression of a government at war with itself. ​Addressing the Speaker directly, Mukhito reminded him of the very party whose confidence put him in the high-ranking role in the first place. ​”Malawians elected the DPP to govern,” Mukhito added. “No individual office is greater than the mandate given to us by the people.” ​The dramatic public fall-out exposes deep rifts at the highest level of Malawian politics, with party insiders left reeling as the leadership battles to contain the fallout. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784753281357-1-600x400.jpg)Speaker Suleman: DPP orders him to fall in line after blistering public attack Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** DPP, Peter Mukhito, Peter Mutharika, Sameer Suleman --- ### [Finance Minister Mwanamvekha: Dedza border is a "strategic revenue point" — but smuggling and porous borders remain a headache](https://www.nyasatimes.com/finance-minister-mwanamvekha-dedza-border-is-a-strategic-revenue-point-but-smuggling-and-porous-borders-remain-a-headache/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation Joseph Mwanamvekha has described the Dedza One Stop Border Post as one of Malawi’s most strategic revenue-generating points, following a hands-on inspection visit to the facility. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788383705093-600x495.jpg)Mwanamvekha described the visit as a success, saying it allowed government to assess performance, understand challenges firsthandSpeaking during his tour, Mwanamvekha said the vast majority of goods passing through Dedza are destined for Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Zambia and other neighbouring countries, underlining the border’s crucial role in Malawi’s trade network. He noted that government has made significant investment in the border’s infrastructure and used the visit to assess both customs and domestic revenue performance, while gaining first-hand insight into the operational challenges facing staff on the ground. According to the minister, Dedza has already met its revenue target for the period April to August 2026 — but he insisted there remains significant room for growth, given the sheer volume of trade flowing through the post. “We expect more from Dedza border compared to other border posts,” he said. Mwanamvekha highlighted that Malawi’s Central Region serves as the country’s production hub for major cash crops including soya, groundnuts and tobacco, all of which are exported via Dedza, making the border post critical to national revenue collection. However, he identified smuggling as one of the biggest challenges undermining revenue collection at the facility, noting that the porous nature of Malawi’s borders makes it dangerously easy for goods to evade official channels entirely. “Other challenges raised include inadequate staffing and lack of equipment needed to facilitate smooth and effective operations at the facility,” he explained. The minister stressed the need for greater integrity among both Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) officers and traders, urging customs officials to ensure all goods passing through the border are properly assessed so that owners pay the taxes required of them. “We want to make sure that taxpayers should be able to pay what is required, we should avoid under-declarations, everyone has to pay,” he said, clarifying that government’s aim is not to punish taxpayers, but rather to ensure fairness and full compliance across the board. Mwanamvekha described the visit as a success, saying it allowed government to assess performance, understand challenges firsthand, and agree on strategies to grow revenue collection at the border going forward. He said tackling smuggling, boosting staffing levels and properly equipping officers would be key to unlocking Dedza’s full potential as a revenue driver for the country. Dedza Domestic Taxes Station Manager Joseph Mkandawire assured government that the station remains on track to meet its revenue targets for September 2026 and for the remainder of the financial year ending March 2027. Mkandawire said performance so far had been broadly positive, with the station meeting its target in the first quarter and recording only a small deficit in the second quarter, which is expected to be absorbed by the earlier surplus. He did, however, flag several challenges affecting tax collection, including inadequate computers, persistent network problems and low compliance levels among taxpayers, noting that most businesses in Dedza are small and medium enterprises with limited understanding of their tax obligations. “To address this, the station is rolling out outreach programs to trading centres such as Kasiya, Golomoti, Mayani and Mua to educate people on tax obligations. “Through these outreach programs we are seeing a big change in compliance among our taxpayers,” he explained. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260903-WA0008-600x503.jpg)Mwanamvekha on line of duty Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Dedza, Joseph Mwanamvekha, tax --- ### [BOMBSHELL: No written passenger list existed for Chilima's fatal final flight, security chief admits to MPs](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bombshell-no-written-passenger-list-existed-for-chilimas-fatal-final-flight-security-chief-admits-to-mps/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A stunning documentation gap has emerged in the investigation into the June 2024 Chikangawa plane crash, after a former Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) security chief admitted to MPs that no written passenger manifest ever existed confirming who actually boarded the aircraft carrying Vice-President Saulos Chilima on his final, fatal flight. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Plane-Crash-Investigation-720x400-1-600x333.webp)Plane clash probeAssistant Commissioner of Police Alex Simenti, who served as KIA Officer-in-Charge of security operations at the time, told the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee investigating the crash that airport police received only a VERBAL passenger list from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the aircraft departed for Mzuzu on June 10, 2024. When MPs pressed him on whether that verbal list was ever backed up by an official written manifest, Simenti’s answer left the committee stunned: no such document was ever produced. Astonishingly, he further revealed he still had not seen a written manifest even by the time he appeared before the inquiry, more than two years after the tragedy. The bombshell revelation could prove absolutely critical as MPs attempt to reconstruct, minute by minute, exactly what happened before the Malawi Defence Force Dornier 228 took off from KIA at approximately 9:17am — and crucially, establish precisely who was on board when it crashed. Chilima and eight others died when the aircraft went down in the Chikangawa forest during what should have been a routine flight from Lilongwe to Mzuzu. The committee also examined CCTV footage capturing the movements of Chilima and those accompanying him at KIA in the moments before departure, footage that has now raised fresh and troubling questions over the identities and exact number of people who boarded the aircraft, and whether everyone who boarded the flight went through the required security procedures. Simenti insisted security arrangements were properly in place at the time. But the committee is now expected to weigh his testimony directly against the CCTV footage and evidence from other witnesses, in a bid to determine whether the airport’s own procedures were genuinely followed on the day. The absence of a written manifest leaves a glaring hole in the documentary trail surrounding a flight involving the country’s own Vice-President — a gap that raises uncomfortable questions about basic passenger accountability at one of Malawi’s most important airports. Two questions now sit at the very heart of the inquiry: who exactly boarded Chilima’s final flight — and where, if anywhere, is the official written record proving it? As the committee continues cross-referencing witness accounts against CCTV evidence, the missing manifest could yet prove to be a crucial piece of the puzzle in determining precisely what happened between the Vice-President’s arrival at KIA and the aircraft’s final, fatal departure. The inquiry has not established that the missing document caused or contributed to the crash itself. But its absence raises deeply serious questions about passenger accountability, airport security procedures, and the completeness of official records surrounding one of Malawi’s most consequential aviation tragedies. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima --- ### [NICO Group donates K20 million to Institute of Internal Auditors ahead of annual conference](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nico-group-donates-k20-million-to-institute-of-internal-auditors-ahead-of-annual-conference/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** NICO Group Plc has donated K20 million to the Institute of Internal Auditors (Malawi) in support of its upcoming Annual Conference and Governance Forum, scheduled for September 7 to 13, 2026 at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge and Sun n Sand in Mangochi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260903-WA0006-600x497.jpg)Nico boosts auditors lakeshore conferenceSpeaking in Blantyre following the donation, NICO Holdings Head of Risk, Thokozani Phokoso, said the support reflects how highly the company values the crucial role played by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), adding that NICO Group, as a major player in the sector, felt it was important to assist an institution whose objectives align closely with its own values of promoting transparency, risk management, good governance and ethical practices. “As NICO Group we consider the conference as a great platform where members taking part benefit a lot which in the end helps to add value to the nation in terms governance, risk and transparency hence believe that this year’s event will bring another remarkable outcome,” Phokoso said. Reacting to the donation, Institute of Internal Auditors Chief Executive Officer Albert Dambula applauded NICO Group for its generous support, saying it would go a long way in cushioning the budget for the upcoming conference and help make it one of the institute’s most successful events to date. Dambula added that this year’s conference, held under the theme “The Currency of Trust: Governance as a Strategy, Assurance as a Proof,” would focus largely on discussions aimed at helping stakeholders build confidence in companies through visibly functioning governance institutions. “The internal auditors are already doing a commendable job, so our main key objectives for these conferences is to make sure that governance processes, risk management and internal control processes are working effectively towards the achievement of the organization goal,” Dambula said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** Internal Auditors Malawi, Nico --- ### [World Bank turns heat on Malawi’s digital transformation project](https://www.nyasatimes.com/world-bank-turns-heat-on-malawis-digital-transformation-project/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The World Bank has stepped up scrutiny of Malawi’s digital transformation agenda, holding high-level talks with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) to assess progress, expose implementation gaps and determine where further support is needed under the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP). ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260903-WA0007-600x400.jpg)Macra boss Dr Nkoloma speakingThe mission, led by World Bank Team Task Lead Paul Ndungutse, met MACRA officials as the multi-million-dollar digital project moves to expand connectivity, strengthen data protection and improve Malawi’s digital infrastructure. At the centre of the discussions is a major plan to deploy 100 mobile phone towers in underserved areas, with the project now entering the procurement preparation stage. DMAP project manager Chimwemwe Matemba said the tower rollout is being implemented in collaboration with the Universal Service Fund (USF) and is intended to extend digital connectivity to communities that remain underserved. But connectivity is only one of the areas under the World Bank-backed intervention. Matemba said DMAP is also supporting the Data Protection Authority (DPA) through a consultancy that is expected to develop a comprehensive implementation framework covering the authority’s institutional structure, policies, operational guidelines, legal instruments and a five-year business and cost model. “Discussions are underway to incorporate a strategic plan for the DPA into the consultancy,” Matemba said. He said the project is also supporting capacity-building under the Spectrum Administration and Trading (SAT) programme, alongside other interventions targeting public digital infrastructure. The World Bank mission, however, placed particular emphasis on the quality and availability of data underpinning the project. Ndungutse stressed the importance of statistics generated by MACRA in collaboration with the National Statistical Office (NSO), saying the information is critical for measuring and reporting progress against DMAP’s key indicators. The mission indicated that, subject to funding becoming available under the project’s next tranche, additional support for data collection could be considered on an ongoing basis from the next implementation cycle. The emphasis on data comes as DMAP seeks to demonstrate measurable results from investments aimed at accelerating Malawi’s digital transformation. MACRA Director General Dr Mayamiko Nkoloma welcomed the progress made under the project, saying DMAP remains critical to expanding digital access, strengthening regulatory capacity and ensuring that communities currently left behind benefit from Malawi’s digital transformation. The engagement signals a renewed focus on turning Malawi’s digital ambitions into measurable results, particularly in underserved communities where access to reliable telecommunications infrastructure remains a major challenge. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, National **Tags:** Macra, World Bank --- ### [Apostle Kawinga and wife make historic appearance at UMhlangano cultural festival in Ntcheu](https://www.nyasatimes.com/apostle-kawinga-and-wife-make-historic-appearance-at-umhlangano-cultural-festival-in-ntcheu/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Apostle Clifford Kawinga, Founder, Overseer and current President of Salvation for All Ministries International, made a significant and historic appearance at this year’s UMhlangano festival in Ntcheu. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260903-WA00002-600x400.jpg)Apostle Kawinga at this year’s UMhlangano2026 festival in Ntcheu.He was joined by Pastor Ruth Kawinga as the pair met with Inkosi Yamakhosi Gomani V and Inkosikazi Rishaladza Khanyisa Gomani during the ongoing cultural celebrations. This year’s festival marked a departure from previous editions, with the Maseko Ngoni Heritage Trust extending the celebrations from the traditional three days to a full six days, featuring an expanded programme of side events. On Day 3, Inkosikazi Gomani V hosted a day-long Women’s Conference at Lizulu, with Pastor Ruth Kawinga attending as a special guest. The event drew a significant turnout, including spouses of amaKhosi, women village heads, government duty bearers, and women from communities across the district. Discussions at the conference centred on women’s empowerment, community engagement, the preservation of cultural heritage, and support for vulnerable members of the community. The participation of Apostle Clifford Kawinga and Pastor Ruth Kawinga reflects their continued commitment to community development, empowering women and girls, preserving cultural heritage, and supporting initiatives aimed at positively impacting lives and strengthening communities. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Apostle Clifford Kawinga, Umhlangano --- ### [Lilongwe City Council unveils K300 million road rehabilitation blitz across all 12 constituencies](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lilongwe-city-council-unveils-k300-million-road-rehabilitation-blitz-across-all-12-constituencies/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Lilongwe City Council (LCC) has set aside K300 million to rehabilitate roads across all 12 constituencies under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), with K10 million allocated to each constituency as part of an ambitious citywide programme. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260903-WA0005-455x600.jpg)Stambuli: Work will be carried out in phasesLCC Chief Executive Officer Clement Stambuli confirmed the works will be carried out in phases, describing the initiative as central to the council delivering its core mandate to residents. Stambuli made the announcement during an interface meeting at the council chamber in Lilongwe, held with ward councillors and Members of Parliament for Lilongwe City to discuss how the ambitious works will be executed. “We want to rehabilitate roads across the city mostly those are not tarmac to ensure that we also have better drainage systems as we hope to upgrade all roads into tarmac in the near future,” Stambuli said. The K300 million project is expected to be completed within 30 days. Providing further details on implementation, Director of Engineering Services Julius Tsogolani revealed the 12 constituencies have been divided into four blocks of three, with four graders assigned to carry out the works — one belonging to the council and three hired from the Malawi Defence Force. Tsogolani said the graders will begin work in Lumbadzi, Mtandire-Msiliza, before moving on to Bwaila and Kamphuno; then M’buka, before proceeding to Ngwenya and Mloza; and finally Nankhaka, before moving to City Centre and Masintha. Outlining the logistical support behind the exercise, Tsogolani said the council would deploy water bowsers to suppress dust during the works, rollers and compactors for gravel roads, staff to track kilometres covered, front-end loaders and tippers where required, and security personnel to safeguard equipment on site. He added that graders would be redeployed to areas where shortfalls are identified following the scheduled works, with the programme running in three distinct phases: the first from September 3 to 14, the second from September 15 to 25, and the final phase from September 26 to October 6. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Clement Stambuli, Lilongwe City Council --- ### [National Bank of Malawi announces 59% H1 profit increase  ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nbm-plc-announces-59-h1-profit-increase/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** NyasaAuthor1 **Content:** National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has announced a half-year profit after tax of K133.97 billion for the period January to June 2026, representing a 59% increase from the 2025 financials. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Jiya-NBM-Chief-2-scaled-e1756996002908.jpg)Jiya-NBM ChiefIn a statement signed by Board Chairman Grant Kabango, Chief Executive Officer Harold Jiya, Chief Financial Officer Daniel Jere and Director Madalo Mwenelupembe, the bank indicates that the profits were largely driven by an increase in customer deposits, which in return resulted in the expansion of the loan portfolio. “Customer deposits increased by 32%, while the Bank’s loan book registered growth of 21%. Investment in fixed income securities grew by 24% (2025: 67%), resulting in growth in net revenue by 37%,” reads the statement. The statement further announces that due to the improved loan portfolio and recoveries, net credit impairment charges have decreased. “Net credit impairment charges fell by 102%, from a charge of K12.7 billion in the prior year to a net recovery of K0.3 billion, mainly due to improved performance of the loan portfolio and recoveries on some significant non-performing facilities despite the challenging macroeconomic conditions,” reads the statement. In terms of the operating environment, the bank said the economy has shown signs of stabilization, although there was a rise in non-food inflation. “After the launch of the National Economic Recovery Plan, inflation fell to 21.1% in the second quarter of 2026, from 23.8% in the first quarter, mainly due to improved food supplies after the harvest. “Food inflation eased to 14.7%, while non-food inflation rose to 32.1%, driven by higher fuel, utility and transport costs, as well as rising prices of imported goods linked to informal market exchange rates,” reads the statement in part. Looking forward, the bank has projected a slow economic recovery, with a cut in the growth forecast. “Malawi’s economic recovery is expected to slow in the second half of 2026, with the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) cutting its growth forecast to 2.8% from 3.8%. “International institutions are forecasting growth of between 2.3% and 2.8%. For the rest of 2026, inflation is expected to continue easing gradually, while the policy rate is likely to remain at 24% through at least October,” the statement reads further. Meanwhile, with a dividend expected in October, an interim dividend of K30 billion has been declared, representing K64.25 per share, compared to K35.64 per share in 2025. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business **Tags:** National Bank of Malawi Plc --- ### [Govt delegation tours BURN's clean cooking operations as Malawi pushes climate goals](https://www.nyasatimes.com/govt-delegation-tours-burns-clean-cooking-operations-as-malawi-pushes-climate-goals/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51 percent by 2040, against a business-as-usual baseline. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260902-WA0012-600x450.jpg)Government inspects clean cooking initiative as Malawi eyes 2040 climate goalAchieving this target will require significant investment in practical climate solutions, as well as access to international climate finance. As part of these efforts, BURN, a leading African clean cooking company and the continent’s largest distributor of clean cooking appliances, hosted a delegation from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change in Njuli area, Blantyre, to tour some of its ongoing work. The visit, led by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Chipiliro Mpinganjira alongside Principal Secretary Dr Misheck Muthali, revealed that the company covers several clean cooking technologies, with more than 160,000 biomass stoves distributed across Lilongwe, Mwanza and Blantyre. Some of these stoves are fitted with digital sensors to help monitor usage and support carbon-credit activities. From the factory to the household, the government delegation travelled to Ndirande Ward in Blantyre to meet two BURN customers and see firsthand how clean cooking technologies are affecting households directly. One customer, Margaret Chirwa, shared her experience after switching to BURN’s ECOA Char stove. “ECOA Char is very good, and it has helped me save a lot of money on fuel,” she said. Chirwa explained that her daily fuel expenditure had fallen from approximately K4,000 to K2,000, while she continued to prepare three meals a day. She also described noticeable improvements in her children’s health, saying they had experienced fewer unnecessary coughs since switching from a traditional biomass stove to the ECOA Char, which produces significantly less smoke. Her experience illustrates the connection between climate finance and everyday household benefits. Beyond the potential for carbon credits, investment in clean cooking can translate into reduced household fuel costs, lower exposure to smoke and improved access to more efficient cooking technologies. The visit also highlighted the broader economic and environmental opportunities presented by Malawi’s emerging carbon market. Company officials said investment in BURN’s operations is supporting not only the distribution of cleaner cooking technologies, but also local manufacturing, job creation, technology deployment and wider climate action. At the same time, carbon finance can help mobilise international capital for projects that contribute to Malawi’s national climate priorities. Continued collaboration between the Government of Malawi and private-sector partners will therefore be important in strengthening the country’s carbon market, attracting international climate finance, and ensuring carbon projects deliver meaningful environmental and social benefits. As Malawi continues to implement its climate agenda, BURN says it remains committed to expanding access to clean cooking across the country. The company has set a target of distributing 2 million stoves in Malawi by 2030, while continuing to expand locally manufactured solutions, grow its national distribution footprint, and work closely with government and other partners. The Njuli visit demonstrated how these efforts can connect national climate commitments with tangible outcomes on the ground — from manufacturing facilities and local jobs to cleaner kitchens and reduced household fuel costs. For Malawi, scaling such solutions could play an important role in turning climate ambitions into practical action, while demonstrating how local industry and international climate finance can work together to support a cleaner, more resilient future. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, General, News **Tags:** Burn, climate change --- ### [Speaker Suleman's new committees draw fresh warnings from critics](https://www.nyasatimes.com/speaker-sulemans-new-committees-draw-fresh-warnings-from-critics/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a particular genre of political theatre that Malawi’s Parliament performs rather well: the announcement of an inquiry. A crisis erupts — blackouts, a suspicious K700 million transaction, holes in the fertiliser subsidy scheme — and, on cue, a committee is convened to investigate it. The country nods along, half-hopeful, half-weary, aware from long experience that the announcement itself is usually the most consequential part of the process. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788386084231-600x450.jpg)The Speaker’s gambit: can committees actually fix anything in Malawi?Speaker Sameer Suleman’s latest offering follows the form precisely, with one modification: rather than deploying Parliament’s existing Standing Committees, he has opted for joint committees, drawing MPs with relevant expertise across portfolios. “Parliament should have committees that are not ceremonial, but effective,” he insists — a formulation that rather gives the game away, since nobody feels compelled to specify that something is not ceremonial unless the suspicion that it might be is already in the room. The response from Malawi’s small community of governance-watchers has been instructive, largely because it has split along a familiar fault line: those inclined to credit institutions with good faith, and those who have simply watched this particular film before. Augustine Magolowondo, a political scientist, falls somewhere in the middle, offering the kind of qualified endorsement that carries its own quiet warning. Joint committees, he suggests, could genuinely pool expertise usefully — but he adds, almost as an aside, that everything depends on whether recommendations get implemented. “I would hope that, from the effectiveness of oversight point of view, this is really something that one can wish succeeds.” One notices the conditional mood doing a great deal of work in that sentence. Willy Kambwandira, of the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency, dispenses with the diplomacy entirely. His assessment of Malawi’s inquiry culture is unambiguous: “Parliamentary investigations have failed to trigger real consequences. Too many of them have become politicised public-relations exercises whose reports gather dust while taxpayers finance hearings that deliver neither accountability nor justice.” It is worth sitting with that sentence, because it describes not a hypothetical risk but a lived pattern — one Kambwandira, evidently, has watched repeat itself often enough to stop expecting otherwise. Others take a rosier view. Mavuto Bamusi of the Political Science Association of Malawi calls the initiative a “great awakening,” which is either an accurate diagnosis of a genuine institutional shift or simply the kind of phrase that sounds better in a press statement than it will in six months’ time. Benedicto Kondowe of the National Anti-Corruption Platform strikes a similar chord, framing the committees as a meaningful exercise of Parliament’s constitutional oversight role, even while conceding that “Malawi needs more than investigations; it needs effective oversight that results in accountability, corrective action and lasting reforms” — which is to say, he too is hedging, just more politely. There is also a structural anxiety lurking beneath the political one: that these ad-hoc joint committees, however sensible in theory, risk quietly undermining the Standing Committees that actually hold Parliament’s permanent institutional memory and constitutional mandate. Novelty, in other words, may come at the cost of continuity — an old problem in new committee-room clothing. What nobody disputes, whichever side of the optimism divide they sit on, is the diagnosis: Malawi’s Parliament has a long and well-documented habit of investigating vigorously and enforcing feebly. The reports exist. The recommendations exist. What has tended not to exist, with any reliability, is the follow-through — the unglamorous, unphotogenic work of actually making someone answer for what the committees find. Suleman’s committees may yet break that pattern. But given the weight of precedent stacked against them, the burden of proof sits rather more heavily on Parliament than on its critics. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Malawi Parliament, Sameer Suleman --- ### [Gate charges raised 50% for Bullets-Silver Strikers showdown](https://www.nyasatimes.com/gate-charges-raised-50-for-bullets-silver-strikers-showdown/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Super League of Malawi (SULOM) has hiked gate charges by a staggering 50 percent for the highly anticipated FDH Bank Premiership showdown between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers, as organisers scramble to control crowd numbers at a stadium with limited capacity. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FCB-Nyasa-Big-Bullets-supporters-celebbrating-the-launch-of-Maule-debit-card-002-600x400.jpg)SULOM hikes ticket prices by 50% for blockbuster Bullets vs Silver Strikers clash — as officials scramble to control crowds at tiny stadiumThe blockbuster clash is scheduled for Mpira Stadium this coming Saturday, with the dramatic price hike aimed squarely at managing patronage at a venue that can accommodate no more than 3,000 spectators. Fans wanting to watch the match from the open stand will now be forced to pay K15,000, a sharp jump from the previous K10,000. SULOM Vice-General Secretary Donnex Chilonga confirmed the increase in gate charges was among several measures being implemented to keep crowds under control at the relatively small facility. “Mpira Stadium is a small facility for this type of match. That is why we have increased the gate charges to control the crowd,” Chilonga said. He added that security has also been significantly beefed up ahead of the high-profile encounter, with tickets being sold exclusively on match day in a bid to minimise the risk of counterfeit tickets flooding the venue. “We have increased the number of security personnel, including stewards and police. There will be more selling points and gates will be opened early to avoid long queues,” he said. Bullets Chief Executive Officer Albert Chigoga insisted the club was fully prepared for the high-stakes clash. “We have increased the number of security agencies. There is additional security \[personnel\],” Chigoga said. The match carries huge significance in the title race, with Silver Strikers currently leading the log table on 29 points, while Bullets sit fourth with 27 points. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Big Bullets, Silver Strikers, Sulom --- ### [Jane Ansah's foundation keeps working the ground — a quiet signal amid speculation over her standing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/jane-ansahs-foundation-keeps-working-the-ground-a-quiet-signal-amid-speculation-over-her-standing/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Vice President Dr Jane Ansah’s charitable foundation has been busy distributing relief items to elderly residents, people of short stature and people living with albinism in Chikwawa district, in a move that arrives against a backdrop of persistent speculation over her political standing within the Mutharika administration. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788385335860-1-600x542.jpg)Vice President Dr Jane Ansah’s charitable workWhatever the truth of that speculation, the optics of continued grassroots visibility are unlikely to be lost on observers of Malawian politics, where public engagement often serves as its own form of political messaging — deliberate or otherwise. Speaking at the distribution event, Ansah framed the initiative not as a personal project but as an extension of government policy, stating that her foundation was fulfilling President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s vision of ensuring every citizen has the right to adequate food. The framing is notable: rather than positioning the foundation as independent charitable work, Ansah tied it explicitly to presidential vision — a move that could be read either as loyal alignment or as a deft way of maintaining relevance within the administration’s broader narrative, depending on one’s interpretation of the current political undercurrents. Traditional Authority Mulilima, for his part, offered unambiguous praise, thanking both the Vice President and her foundation for supporting vulnerable groups in his area — flour, soya pieces and blankets among the items distributed. For a political figure whose public role has been the subject of periodic scrutiny, this kind of visible, community-level engagement carries weight beyond the immediate humanitarian value of the donation itself. Whether it signals continued relevance, a deliberate strategy to maintain public profile, or simply routine charitable work, remains — as with much of Malawi’s current political landscape — a matter open to interpretation. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Jane Ansah --- ### [Council meeting descends into chaos as councillor brands MPs "strangers"](https://www.nyasatimes.com/council-meeting-descends-into-chaos-as-councillor-brands-mps-strangers/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A planning meeting held by Lilongwe City Council (LCC) on its road grading programme came to an abrupt and dramatic halt, after a ward councillor angrily questioned the presence of Members of Parliament and other stakeholders, branding them “strangers” in what he insisted was supposed to be a council-only meeting. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788386362052-1-600x400.jpg)Lilongwe City CEO Clement Stambuli(l) K60bn road meeting suspended after councillor’s explosive “strangers” outburstThe chaos erupted shortly after LCC chief executive officer Clement Stambuli opened proceedings by outlining plans for the implementation of Constituency Development Fund (CDF)-supported projects worth a staggering K60 billion, following government’s decision to allocate K5 billion to each constituency. The meeting had brought together councillors, MPs, constituency development committee chairpersons, assistant accountants, procurement officers and work supervisors, in what was intended to be a display of inclusiveness aimed at ensuring proper management of the huge sums involved. But the gathering was thrown into disarray when Chipasula Ward councillor Kefas Chilera rose on a point of order, arguing furiously that the matter under discussion had come as a complete surprise to councillors, who he claimed were hearing about the programme for the very first time. Chilera insisted councillors needed the chance to properly deliberate on the issue at council level before external stakeholders were brought into the conversation at all, sharply questioning the procedure of inviting outside parties before councillors had even been fully briefed. Following the heated objection, the meeting was immediately suspended, with all councillors now locked in a closed-door session with Stambuli in a bid to map out the way forward. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788386368638-600x337.jpg)Council meeting descends into chaos as councillor brands MPs “strangers” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Lilongwe City Council --- ### ["Nothing to hold us back": Mtetemera rallies Wanderers ahead of crucial Simba clash](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nothing-to-hold-us-back-mtetemera-rallies-wanderers-ahead-of-crucial-simba-clash/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers Football Club interim coach MacDonald Nginde Mtetemera has declared himself ready to lead the club into a crucial Caf Champions League clash against Tanzanian side Simba Sports Club at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe this coming Sunday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788301207904-e1788307080135-600x409.jpg)Nginde Mtetemera”I want to appeal to the Wanderers family to remain united”Mtetemera was appointed interim coach following the suspension of Bob Mpinganjira, after Wanderers suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Ekhaya Football Club in the Airtel Top 8 final at Bingu National Stadium. Speaking ahead of the high-stakes continental clash, Mtetemera said he was fully prepared to deliver for the club during this turbulent period. “I want to appeal to the Wanderers family to remain united. There is nothing to hold us back if there is unity,” he said. The interim boss also struck a note of optimism, insisting Wanderers can progress to the next round despite the challenge posed by Simba. “It is a difficult game on paper but, on the pitch, it can be a different story. We will try everything to progress \[to the next round\],” he said. In a statement released on Tuesday, Wanderers appealed directly to fans to rally behind Mtetemera during this period of upheaval. “We kindly appeal to everyone to rally behind our newly appointed coach and offer him full support during this period,” the statement read. Wanderers National Supporters’ Chairperson Mark Chimwenje also threw his weight behind Mtetemera, expressing confidence the club could rise to the occasion. “We have the best squad in the country. We need to be united for us to achieve our target this season,” he said. Meanwhile, Wanderers have confirmed ticket prices for the crucial first-leg tie against Simba, with standard tickets priced at K5,000 and VIP tickets set at K25,000. Tickets will be sold on match day. Wanderers will travel to Tanzania for the second leg, scheduled for next week, with the winner of the tie set to face either De Augsto or Fomboni in the second round. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Mighty Wanderers --- ### ["Piecemeal" charges: Magalasi's lawyer accuses State of dragging out case to keep him locked up](https://www.nyasatimes.com/piecemeal-charges-magalasis-lawyer-accuses-state-of-dragging-out-case-to-keep-him-locked-up/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe is set to deliver its ruling on Thursday on whether former Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) chief executive officer Collins Magalasi should be granted bail, following a contentious hearing marked by conflicting accounts of the police search conducted at his home. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260831_144107_Google-600x468.jpg)35 officers or 16? Lawyers clash over police raid as Magalasi fights for bailMagalasi appeared in court accused of aiding a man identified as Lovemore to hack the phones of President Peter Mutharika and several senior government officials. Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda said the alleged offence was committed between June and August this year, with victims said to include Lands Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu, Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito and his deputy Norman Chisale, Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga, and his deputies Noel Kayira and Everista Chisale. Magalasi, arrested on Monday, is accused of violating the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act. A notable dispute emerged during proceedings between Magalasi’s lawyer, Andy Kawonga, and Superintendent Isaac Ndala over the size of the police operation at Magalasi’s residence. Kawonga said he witnessed at least 35 officers arriving in five vehicles, while Ndala placed the figure closer to 16 officers in three vehicles. Kawonga argued there was little remaining justification for continuing to hold his client in custody over concerns of witness tampering, given that police had already seized everything of relevance from the property, including laptops. Ndala, however, maintained that Magalasi’s financial resources could allow him to interfere with witnesses if released, and raised the possibility that he could recruit further IT experts to advance his alleged scheme — an assertion Kawonga dismissed as speculative. Kawonga further accused the State of pursuing a strategy of bringing charges in stages purely to keep his client detained, noting that Magalasi had been charged the previous day in connection with the Amaryllis Hotel deal, only for a separate set of charges to be brought today. “The purpose is to bring charges piecemeal to keep him in custody,” Kawonga told the court, arguing his client retains a clear right to bail. The State called Superintendent Ndala as a witness to support its objection to bail, with Ndala telling the court that Magalasi’s connections present a genuine risk of witness interference or flight. “He has connections; if he could hire IT experts, he is capable of tampering with evidence. He is not staying at his house… may flee,” he said, adding that the cyber team requires further time to analyse gadgets seized from Magalasi and others linked to him. The defence maintained that Magalasi has remained under heavy police guard since his arrest, and that despite the search and seizure of property, the State has yet to present strong evidence justifying his continued detention. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Collins Magalasi --- ### [Malawi govt launches 2026-2027 climate outlook forum, calls for early preparedness amid El Niño risk](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-govt-launches-2026-2027-climate-outlook-forum-calls-for-early-preparedness-amid-el-nino-risk/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The government has launched the 2026-2027 National Climate Outlook Forum (Nacof) with a call for early preparedness and action, as Malawi braces for strong El Niño conditions in the coming season. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260902-WA0027-1-600x450.jpg)Minister of Natural Resources Patricia Wiskes: Bridging the gapMinister of Natural Resources Patricia Wiskes made the call in Lilongwe during the launch of the 5th National Climate Outlook, describing the forum as a vital space for the co-generation and dissemination of the seasonal climate outlook. “This is where we bridge the gap between scientific insight and practical application, fostering climate-informed decision making across key socio-economic sectors,” she said. Wiskes recalled Malawi’s past experiences with cyclones, which caused extensive destruction to property and loss of life, as well as prolonged dry spells that have similarly devastated communities. “These experiences have taught us that the forecast left unheeded is an opportunity lost and that cost on inaction exceeds the cost of early preparedness,” she said. She therefore urged stakeholders to collaborate in strengthening the country’s national capacity to forecast, plan and respond effectively to seasonal climate outlooks. In his remarks, Deputy British High Commissioner Ben Nicholson said acting early on weather forecasts remains far more effective than reacting once impacts are already being felt on the ground. “We are increasingly focusing our support on preparedness and resilience,” he said. Nicholson said the British government, through its WISER Action First Programme, is working to strengthen the link between forecasts and action, ensuring early warning systems are shaped not only by technical expertise, but also by the lived experiences and needs of communities on the ground. Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorological Services has released the 2026-2027 Rainfall Outlook, indicating a high chance of below-normal rainfall over most areas of the Southern and Central regions, while normal to above-normal rainfall is expected across much of the Northern region. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, General, News **Tags:** climate change, Wiskes --- ### [Man jailed 15 years for stabbing woman to death with arrow after she tried to stop him confronting her friend](https://www.nyasatimes.com/man-jailed-15-years-for-stabbing-woman-to-death-with-arrow-after-she-tried-to-stop-him-confronting-her-friend/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for manslaughter, after fatally stabbing a woman with a sharp arrow when she stepped in to defend her friend during a violent confrontation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788388479377-333x600.jpg)Mtchona Gonjo Macheso: jailedThe High Court, sitting in Chiradzulu District, handed down the sentence to Mtchona Gonjo Macheso following a plea agreement that saw his original murder charge reduced to manslaughter. The case stems from a horrifying incident on March 20, 2015, at Mwamadi Village, Traditional Authority Likoswe, where 38-year-old Chrissie Kaliati was fatally stabbed in the chest and back. She later died from severe blood loss while awaiting medical assistance. According to the State, represented by lawyer Layna Kulesi from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Macheso had confronted Kaliati’s friend, Ruth Malumero, demanding she accompany him somewhere. When Malumero refused, an altercation broke out — and Kaliati was fatally stabbed after stepping in to intervene. A post-mortem examination carried out at Thyolo District Hospital confirmed she died from excessive external bleeding caused by the chest wound. Macheso later admitted to the stabbing in a caution statement given to police, which he signed voluntarily. During trial proceedings, defence lawyer Luntha Chibwete of the Legal Aid Bureau proposed a plea bargain, which was subsequently accepted by the State. Macheso pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was convicted accordingly by Justice Ruth Chinangwa. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Legal Aid, manslaughter --- ### [Silver Strikers land midfielder Rashid Dah Jnr in first signing of transfer window](https://www.nyasatimes.com/silver-strikers-land-midfielder-rashid-dah-jnr-in-first-signing-of-transfer-window/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Silver Strikers have signed midfielder Rashid Dah Jnr from Luanar Mitundu on a two-and-a-half-year deal, marking the club’s first signing of the ongoing transfer window. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788378627760.jpg)Dah Jnr is expected to make his debutDah Jnr is expected to make his debut for Silver Strikers in the second half of the FDH Bank Premiership season, as the club looks to strengthen its squad heading into the crucial run-in. The midfielder netted twice during his spell at Luanar Mitundu, catching the eye before completing his switch to the Central Bankers. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Masters Security --- ### [National Bank of Malawi donates K40 million towards Mother's Fun Run to boost maternal healthcare in Mzimba North](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-donates-k40-million-towards-mothers-fun-run-to-boost-maternal-healthcare-in-mzimba-north/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has donated K40 million towards the 2026 Mother’s Fun Run (MFR), strengthening efforts to improve maternal and newborn healthcare in Mzimba North. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788385174590-600x400.jpg)NBM injects funds into Mother’s Fun Run a safe motherhood initiative championed by NPLThe Mother’s Fun Run is a safe motherhood initiative championed by Nation Publications Limited (NPL), which mobilises support from strategic partners to procure life-saving medical equipment and supplies for public health facilities. This year’s edition of the initiative is targeting a total of K500 million to support health facilities operating under the Mzimba North District Health Office. Speaking during the handover ceremony in Blantyre, acting managing director of Akiba Commercial Bank, a subsidiary of NBM plc, Wezi Olivia Mwazani said the bank’s support for MFR stems from its potential to create lasting social impact within communities. NPL deputy chief executive officer Alfred Ntonga thanked NBM for its generous donation, revealing the funds will go towards procuring sterilisers, patient monitors and suction units for the new theatre at Mzuzu Health Centre, popularly known as Mapale. The donation comes as Mzimba North continues to grapple with severe shortages of ambulances, infrastructure, medical equipment and supplies, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. The district also lacks a dedicated district hospital, placing significant added pressure on both Mzuzu Urban Community Hospital and Mzuzu Central Hospital to meet local healthcare demand. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, Health, News **Tags:** Nation Publications Limited, National Bank of Malawi Plc, Safemotherhood --- ### [Passport crippled, Prisons struggling: Mukhito steps in during North tour,  hails "unwavering dedication" of security agencies](https://www.nyasatimes.com/passport-crippled-prisons-struggling-mukhito-steps-in-during-north-tour-hails-unwavering-dedication-of-security-agencies/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito has commended security personnel across the Northern Region for their unwavering dedication under demanding working conditions, while acknowledging severe systemic bottlenecks—including halted passport issuance and overcrowding in prisons—that continue to cripple public service delivery. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788383725129-1-600x507.jpg)While hailing officers’ commitment, Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito faced tough realities regarding stalled passport issuance and inadequate prison infrastructure in the North.​Speaking during an extensive inspection tour across northern districts including Karonga, Nkhata Bay, and Mzuzu, Mukhito lauded officers from the Malawi Police Service, Malawi Prison Service, and the Department of Immigration for maintaining law, order, and national security despite severe resource constraints. ​However, the tour brought key operational crises sharp into focus. At immigration offices, the Minister confronted widespread public frustration over delayed passport issuance and stalled digital enrollment systems. Mukhito assured citizens that government intervention is underway to restore seamless passport printing, eliminate artificial backlogs, and root out corrupt elements exploiting desperate applicants. ​Visiting regional prison facilities, Mukhito addressed pressing concerns regarding congested cells, outdated infrastructure, and logistical shortages. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to expediting stalled construction projects, improving inmate welfare, and enhancing operational support for prison wardens. ​While urging security personnel to maintain integrity and resist corrupt practices, Mukhito pledged that the government would prioritize urgent budgetary support to address the infrastructural and operational hurdles holding back the region’s security sector. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788383731333-600x450.jpg)Minister Peter Mukhito’s Northern Region tour shines a light on operational hurdles, from frozen immigration services to severe resource constraints in prisons. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Malawi Police, northern region, Passport, Peter Mukhito, prisons --- ### ["Where do I start from?": Designer H Clothings reacts as Ireen Navicha wows Miss World stage](https://www.nyasatimes.com/where-do-i-start-from-designer-h-clothings-reacts-as-ireen-navicha-wows-miss-world-stage/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawian beauty pageant Ireen Navicha has taken the internet by storm after stepping out in a jaw-dropping national costume at the Miss World Festival, with the striking design sending social media into meltdown and sparking a wave of pride back home in Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788389698277-445x600.jpg)Ireen Navicha’s Miss World dress sends Malawian social media into meltdownThe elaborate creation, designed by H Clothings, saw Navicha command the stage in a dramatic gown featuring a flowing, textured train evoking a cascading river winding down a mountainside, paired with a bold red and gold crown and a striking black and red bodice. Fans couldn’t get enough of the design, flooding social media with gushing comments — and H Clothings itself was quick to respond to the adoring feedback. Replying to one fan on TikTok, the brand wrote: “Where do I start from? It’s the simplicity of…” — with the response cut off mid-sentence online, leaving followers eager for more detail on the thinking behind the striking piece. The outfit, part of the pageant’s national costume segment, appeared to draw heavily on natural and cultural imagery, with its sweeping train evoking rivers, landscape and heritage — themes commonly used by pageant designers to represent their home countries on the world stage. The look quickly went viral, with excitable reactions pouring in online, and Malawians rallying behind the design as a proud moment for the country’s representation at the prestigious international pageant. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment, Featured **Tags:** Ireen Navicha, Miss Malawi --- ### [Mukhito praises 'resilience' of security officers battling tough conditions during Nkhata Bay tour](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mukhito-praises-resilience-of-security-officers-battling-tough-conditions-during-nkhata-bay-tour/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito has hailed the professionalism, commitment and resilience of Malawi’s uniformed officers, praising them for continuing to serve the nation despite working in genuinely tough conditions. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788383516823-1-600x277.jpg)Mukhito: Prison Service had genuine potential to become more self-reliantMukhito made the remarks on Wednesday during a tour of security institutions in Nkhata Bay, where he interacted with officers from the Malawi Prison Service and Immigration Department. While there, he also inspected marine operations following the recent acquisition of a speedboat donated by the Government of Japan, through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to the newly established Immigration Marine Unit in Nkhata Bay. The minister acknowledged the significant challenges facing security agencies, including inadequate accommodation, transport and uniforms, and assured officers that government was working to address these long-standing problems, praising their dedication in the meantime. “I must say I am encouraged by the commitment, professionalism and resilience of our officers in uniform, starting from the Malawi Prison Service, Immigration and Malawi Police Service. “These people are working in very tough situations but despite that they are always on the ground to serve the nation,” Mukhito said. He revealed that government would engage relevant ministries, including Agriculture and Local Government and Rural Development, to explore ways of supporting Malawi Prison Service initiatives, particularly farming and other commercial activities aimed at boosting self-sufficiency. Mukhito said government believed the Prison Service had genuine potential to become more self-reliant by commercialising its products, though he stressed such initiatives would require proper support to reach their full potential. The minister also issued a stern warning to officers against engaging in partisan politics or corrupt practices, cautioning that anyone found guilty would face serious disciplinary action, including dismissal from the service. Nkhata Bay District Commissioner David Kayiwonanga Gondwe described the minister’s visit as a major boost for the council and security officers working in the district. Gondwe revealed the council is in the process of establishing a new town centre at Mkomdezi, in the area of Senior Chief Mkumbira, which will provide dedicated space for security institutions including Immigration, Police and Prison Service, complete with new offices and staff housing. In the meantime, he confirmed the council had already provided land to the Malawi Prison Service free of charge for farming and other income-generating activities, as part of efforts to ease some of the institution’s current challenges. “Once we finalise all the processes for acquiring land for the new area, we believe these challenges of inadequate offices and staff houses will become a thing of the past,” Gondwe said. Mukhito was accompanied on the tour by Deputy Minister Norman Chisale, Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Martha Mzomera Ngwira, and Secretary for Homeland Security Linda Moyo. Also present were Democratic Progressive Party Northern Region Governor and Presidential Advisor on Parliamentary Affairs, Reverend Christopher Mzomera Ngwira, Nkhata Bay Central MP Symon Vuwa Kaunda, Senior Chief Nayaliwanga, Traditional Authorities Timbiri and Thula, along with senior officials from the Malawi Prison Service, Immigration Department and Malawi Police Service. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** prisons --- ### [Chinese national arrested after police raid "mystery" overnight online business run from remote Malawi lodge](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chinese-national-arrested-after-police-raid-mystery-overnight-online-business-run-from-remote-malawi-lodge/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Police in Karonga have arrested Yekai Liao, a 36-year-old Chinese national, on suspicion of running an unlicensed online business — after officers raided a lodge and discovered a room packed with computer equipment and staff working strange overnight hours. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260902-WA00161-450x600.jpg)Chinese trader arrestedLiao was arrested on August 29 during a police operation at Nechos Lodge in Mwanganda Village, with the premises subsequently shut down to the public. Karonga Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Rose Chipyola, told Nyasa Times the raid followed a tip-off that foreign nationals were operating an international online business from the lodge. A search of the premises uncovered a startling setup: 20 desktop computers, 20 keyboards and 20 Airtel MiFi devices, all neatly arranged on tables, with Liao present at the scene when officers arrived. “During questioning, Liao admitted he was running the business adding that he has 11 employees comprising 9 Malawian nationals and 2 Nigerian nationals who worked from 18:00 hrs to 06:00 hrs (night work). He however failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the nature of the online business he was involved in,” Chipyola explained. The electronic equipment has been confiscated and will now be examined by Cyber Crime officers from Malawi Police Service National Headquarters, as investigators work to establish exactly what the mysterious operation was actually doing. Police say investigations remain ongoing to establish the full nature of the business and to trace any other individuals connected to the operation. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Chinese traders --- ### [Magalasi charged with hacking Malawi President's phone and senior officials' numbers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/magalasi-charged-with-hacking-malawi-presidents-phone-and-senior-officials-numbers/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former MERA boss Collins Magalasi has been formally charged with aiding another person to commit a crime, contrary to Section 83, Subsection 1 as read with Section 89 of the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act of 2016. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260831_144107_Google-600x468.jpg) Magalasi saccused of aiding another person to hack President Mutharika’s phoneThe court heard that between June and August 2026, Magalasi allegedly engaged IT expert Lovemore Kachikopa to hack cell phone numbers belonging to the President of Malawi and several senior government officials. It is alleged that Magalasi supplied Kachikopa with an HP laptop and the phone numbers of the officials specifically for the purpose of hacking their devices. Reading the charge, Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda said the alleged offence was committed between June and August this year. According to the charge, other officials targeted in the hacking include Lands Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu; Homeland Security Ministers Peter Mukhito and his deputy Norman Chisale. Others mentioned in court are Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga and his deputies, Noel Kayira and Everista Chisale. Magalasi is said to have offended the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Collins Magalasi, espionage --- ### [Not guilty: Sulaimana pleads innocence to all 21 charges over weapons cache](https://www.nyasatimes.com/not-guilty-sulaimana-pleads-innocence-to-all-21-charges-over-weapons-cache/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A suspected criminal accused of hoarding a chilling arsenal of illegal weapons, military uniforms and forged government stamps has pleaded not guilty to all 21 charges against him — in a case that comes with a striking historical backstory. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788359980450-600x270.jpg)Sulaimana pictured wearing a mask faces 21 charges over guns, uniforms and forged government stampsSudi Adak Sulaimana appeared before Chief Resident Magistrate (South) Paul Chiotcha, where the State outlined the extraordinary cache of items he is alleged to have been keeping at Danga Lodge in Machinjiri, Blantyre. South West Police Region prosecution officer Charles Panyani told the court the haul included 46 Malawi Defence Force uniforms, four police uniforms, two pistols and teargas hand grenades — a stockpile that raised serious questions over what Sulaimana intended to do with the items. Panyani further revealed that Sulaimana, who was arrested on July 16, 2026, was also found in possession of forged official stamps purportedly belonging to a string of major institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Justice, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, the High Court of Malawi, various magistrates courts, and National Bank of Malawi, among others. Sulaimana, who is representing himself in court, pleaded not guilty to each of the 21 counts he faces. The latest case is far from Sulaimana’s first brush with the law. He was previously arrested during the one-party state era under President Hastings Kamuzu Banda, facing charges of plotting to overthrow the government of the day. He was arrested again on similar charges during the tenure of former President Bakili Muluzi. Sulaimana was later awarded a lump sum in compensation by government over what was found to be his wrongful imprisonment during those earlier cases. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Sudi Sulaimana, treason --- ### [FDH Money Bureau’s ‘Double Double promotion’ gains momentum](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fdh-money-bureaus-double-double-promotion-gains-momentum/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** NyasaAuthor1 **Content:** FDH Money Bureau says its ‘Double Double Promotion’ is gaining momentum, with growing customer participation and an increase in mobile transactions as the campaign enters its second draw. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Anthony-Chimuna-FDH-Money-Bureau-Managing-Director-.jpg)Anthony Chimuna-FDH Money Bureau Managing DirectorThe first draw saw 20 customers emerge as winners, with 10 senders and 10 receivers each winning K500,000, bringing the total amount awarded so far to K10 million. Speaking in an interview, FDH Money Bureau Managing Director Anthony Chimuna expressed satisfaction with the progress of the promotion, noting that the campaign is attracting large numbers of customers. “We are satisfied with the progress of the promotion so far. We are seeing large numbers of customers participating, and we have also noted an increase in mobile transactions,” said Chimuna. He encouraged customers to continue transacting through FDH Money Bureau to increase their chances of winning in the upcoming draws. “We encourage our customers to keep transacting because there are still many opportunities to win. The second draw will be conducted next week, with customers continuing to participate for a chance to win K500,000,” said Chimuna Chimuna said that the ‘Double Double promotion’ offers monthly rewards to customers who send or receive money through Western Union, MoneyGram or Ria at any FDH Bank Service Centre, Kiosk or FDH Money Bureau branch across the country. “Under the promotion, both the sender and receiver in each winning transaction receive K500,000, giving customers a double opportunity to benefit from the campaign,” said Chimuna. One of the first-draw winners, Swabila Beaton, says the promotion is a good initiative by FDH that urges customers to continue transacting through Western Union and other participating money transfer services at FDH Bank. “I am very happy that FDH has started this promotion. It is progressing well, and I am happy to be one of the people who have won K500,000. I would like to encourage other customers to keep transacting and participating in the promotion, as more people can benefit from the initiative,” said Beaton. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, News **Tags:** FDH Bank --- ### [Speaker sets 7-day ultimatum for Amaryllis Hotel probe report, announces joint committees on key public voncerns](https://www.nyasatimes.com/speaker-sets-7-day-ultimatum-for-amaryllis-hotel-probe-report-announces-joint-committees-on-key-public-voncerns/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Parliament is set to establish a number of joint committees to investigate and address concerns raised by members of the public over issues ranging from the Amaryllis Hotel probe and pension fund administration to persistent power outages, passport processing, mining and conditions in Malawi’s prisons. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260902-WA0019-600x258.jpg)Speaker Suleman holding a press conference![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260902-WA0019-600x258.jpg)Speaker Suleman holding a press conferenceThe announcement was made by Speaker of Parliament Sammier Sulemani in a press briefing at Parliament building in Lilongwe on Wednesday who said Parliament has directed the Public Accounts Committee to release its report on the Amaryllis Hotel probe within a seven-day ultimatum. Sulemani said the seven-day period starts today, despite the fact that some individuals who were expected to appear before the committee have not yet presented their testimonies. “The ultimatum period starts today despite that others are yet to appear before the committee to deliver their testimonies, but what Malawians need is to see and hear the report out,” Sulemani said. He added that Parliament would consider its next course of action if the report fails to satisfy Malawians. “If Malawians will feel like the report is not satisfactory, Parliament will see how best we can do going forward,” he said. According to the Speaker, Parliament will use joint committees made up of relevant parliamentary committees to investigate several matters that have generated public concern. A joint committee involving the Natural Resources committee and the relevant commission will look into the NOCMA saga. The committee is expected to begin addressing the matter as soon as possible, with Parliament seeking to establish facts surrounding the concerns that have been raised. The stalled Salima-Lilongwe Waterway Project will also come under parliamentary scrutiny amid allegations of corruption and concerns over delays in implementing the project. The Budget, Transport and Government Assurance committees will form a joint team that will go on the ground to investigate the situation and establish what is contributing to the project’s delays. Parliament will also establish a joint committee to examine the administration of pension funds. The Budget, Public Accounts, and Social and Public Affairs committees will work together to investigate concerns surrounding the management and administration of pension funds. Persistent electricity blackouts will be another major issue before Parliament. The Natural Resources and Budget committees will form a joint committee to investigate the challenges affecting the electricity sector and determine possible solutions to the continued power disruptions affecting the country. Concerns over delays and alleged corruption in the processing of passports will also be investigated. The Defence, Social and Media committees will work together to examine reports of alleged corrupt practices involving workers at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services in the processing of passports. The investigation is expected to establish whether the allegations have substance and identify measures that could improve the passport application and processing system. Parliament will also investigate concerns over the time taken by Malawi’s courts to finalise cases and deliver judgements. The Public Appointments and Legal Affairs committees will handle the matter, with Parliament seeking to understand how court processes are being managed and why some cases take lengthy periods before judgements are delivered. The working conditions and health situation of prisoners will also receive parliamentary attention. Parliament is expected to examine concerns over the health conditions of inmates and the general conditions in Malawi’s prisons, following allegations that many prisoners are facing serious difficulties. Mining sector The mining sector will be another area of investigation. Parliament will examine how the mining industry is operating, including the processes being followed across various mining departments. The aim will be to establish whether existing systems are working effectively and whether there are gaps requiring government intervention. Parliament promises to follow up on recommendations Sulemani assured Malawians that Parliament would not simply conduct investigations and leave the recommendations unattended. He said the House would ensure that recommendations arising from the various investigations and parliamentary committees are followed up and acted upon. The move signals a broader parliamentary effort to respond to concerns being raised by the public and to strengthen oversight of government institutions and public projects. For many Malawians, the immediate focus will remain on the Amaryllis Hotel probe report, with Parliament’s seven-day deadline now putting pressure on the Public Accounts Committee to make the findings available despite some outstanding testimonies. The Speaker’s position suggests that the release of the report will not necessarily mark the end of the matter. Instead, its contents—and the public’s assessment of whether it adequately addresses the concerns surrounding the probe—could determine what action Parliament takes next. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel, Malawi Parliament, Sameer Suleman --- ### [Pemphero Mphande: The man who refused to stay in the laboratory](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pemphero-mphande-the-man-who-refused-to-stay-in-the-laboratory/) **Published:** January 8, 2024 **Author:** NyasaAuthor1 **Content:** **From medical laboratory science to activism, politics, philanthropy, business and social media, Pemphero Mphande has spent much of his adult life moving from one public arena to another. At 33, he has already built a career that is difficult to fit into a single description. Writes Ephraim Nyondo.** --- Pemphero Mphande was trained to work in a laboratory. But the laboratory could never contain him. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Official-Portrait.png)Pemphero MphandeThe son of a Malawian family with two sisters, Mphande has spent the past decade moving restlessly between worlds—medicine and activism, politics and philanthropy, business and writing, social media and public advocacy. In each, he has sought not merely to participate, but to build a platform from which he can influence people and provoke conversation. Born on September 18 1992 at Mlambe Hospital in Blantyre, Mphande’s journey began far from the public spotlight. He attended Luwerezi and Thoza primary schools in Mzimba before completing his primary education at St Peter’s Primary School in Mzuzu. From 2006 to 2009, he was at Phwezi Boys Secondary School. In 2010, he entered the University of Malawi’s College of Medicine, now part of Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), to study Medical Laboratory Sciences. He graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences (Honours). But even before collecting his degree, there were signs that Mphande’s ambitions extended beyond his chosen profession. University became his first laboratory for leadership. In 2011, he was elected Director of Non-Residential Students in the College of Medicine Students Union. In 2012, he became the first elected president of the College of Medicine Student Association of Medical Laboratory Sciences. Between 2013 and 2016, he headed the College of Medicine AIDS Counselling and Training Society. It was in those student years that the contours of his later career began to emerge: leadership, advocacy, public speaking, health and an appetite for issues that affected young people. In 2016, he turned that experience into an institution, founding the Forum for AIDS Counselling and Training, FACT Malawi. A year later, he became its executive director. FACT gave Mphande a professional platform from which to work on HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health and rights, youth development and community advocacy. It also placed him squarely in the civil-society space, where he would develop a reputation for combining advocacy with an ability to mobilise young people. Then came Gandhi. In 2018, Mphande emerged as one of the prominent faces of the Gandhi Must Fall campaign in Blantyre. What began as a public dispute over the proposed erection of a Mahatma Gandhi statue escalated into a legal battle. Mphande and fellow claimant Mkotama Katenga Kaunda took Blantyre City Council to court, challenging the decision to proceed with the statue. In April 2021, the High Court ruled in their favour, finding the council’s decision unlawful and unreasonable and granting the reliefs sought by the claimants, including a permanent injunction. The court victory was significant not simply because of the statue itself. It demonstrated something that would become characteristic of Mphande’s public life: an unwillingness to remain a spectator when he believed an issue demanded action. Politics soon followed. Mphande joined Umodzi Party and rose through its youth structures, eventually becoming its Director of Youth after the party’s 2018 convention in Blantyre. In the 2019 general election, he contested Blantyre City South on the party’s ticket. His message was familiar: jobs, entrepreneurship, economic empowerment and opportunities for young people. He lost the election. But electoral defeat did not end his public career. Instead, Mphande walked away from party politics and increasingly invested himself in activism, philanthropy, business and public communication. If politics gave him a taste of electoral power, social media gave him something arguably more valuable—a direct audience. Mphande became increasingly visible online, building a substantial following and turning his social-media platforms into a mixture of commentary, counselling, advocacy, personal storytelling and fundraising. He could move from serious national issues to intimate conversations about relationships, sexuality, youth, money or everyday life, often in the same digital space. And then there was philanthropy. In 2019, Mphande established the Pemphero Mphande and Friends Foundation. What followed demonstrated the power of his growing online audience. One of his most memorable fundraising campaigns came after an oxygen-cylinder gauge at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital’s paediatric emergency unit broke. He appealed to his followers for K300,000 to replace the equipment. More than K415,000 was raised in roughly 10 hours. It was a revealing moment. Mphande had discovered that influence could be converted into action. The foundation subsequently expanded its humanitarian interventions, raising money for medical treatment and supporting people facing serious health and financial challenges. Later reports put the foundation’s medical fundraising at more than K300 million, including support for patients seeking treatment locally and abroad. But Mphande has never been comfortable with a single lane. While running a civil-society organisation and philanthropic platform, he was also building businesses. He became involved in technology through 265 Dates, an online dating platform, serving as managing director. He also established Mtukule Mnzako, an initiative designed to support young Malawians with innovative business ideas. The pattern is unmistakable: whenever Mphande identifies a problem, he appears inclined to create a platform around it. Health? FACT. Humanitarian emergencies? The foundation. Youth entrepreneurship? Mtukule Mnzako. Digital relationships? 265 Dates. Public debate? Social media. Writing? Books and stories. Institutional leadership? KUHeS alumni. It is this multiplicity that makes Mphande difficult to categorise. He is a medical laboratory scientist who became an activist; an activist who entered politics; a politician who became a philanthropist; a philanthropist who became an entrepreneur; an entrepreneur who became a writer and public commentator. And the transitions have not always been smooth. His public career has attracted controversy, including the 2023 dispute over an honorary doctorate he announced he had received from the University of South Africa. UNISA subsequently said it had not awarded him an honorary doctorate and that he had never been nominated, considered or approved for such an honour. Mphande said he believed he and others had been victims of a scam involving people who claimed to be organising the awards. The episode became one of the more uncomfortable chapters of his public life, illustrating the other side of building a highly visible personality in the age of social media: influence brings reach, but it also brings scrutiny. Still, Mphande kept moving. He became board chairperson of Youth for Change in 2020. He continued his writing, publishing *What You See at Sunrise* in 2021 and contributing stories to AfricanWriter.com. He developed a profile as a motivational and public speaker, addressing students at universities and other institutions. His influence also attracted institutional recognition. The National Planning Commission named him among its Malawi 2063 Mindset Change Champions, recognising his advocacy around youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and employment. In 2024, the Malawi Council for the Handicapped appointed him a brand ambassador for its Bangwe Factory. Then came a particularly symbolic appointment. In 2025, Mphande was elected the first president of the KUHeS Alumni Association, returning to the institution where his leadership journey had begun more than a decade earlier. The circle had, in some ways, closed. The young student who once led medical laboratory students and the AIDS Counselling and Training Society was now leading an association representing alumni of the institution that trained him. And in 2026, his professional journey expanded again when he became managing director of Mr P Pharmacy Limited. At 33, Mphande’s CV already reads like several careers stitched together. Yet beneath the titles is a consistent thread. He has repeatedly gravitated towards young people, health, entrepreneurship, social justice, public debate and practical intervention. Whether standing before a crowd, appearing on television, writing a book, posting on Facebook, raising money for a hospital or challenging a council in court, Mphande has built his public identity around engagement. That may ultimately be his most defining characteristic. He does not appear particularly interested in watching Malawi from the sidelines. He wants to enter the argument. Sometimes that has taken him into politics. Sometimes into court. Sometimes into business. Sometimes into philanthropy. And increasingly, into the vast and unpredictable arena of social media, where his audience can be both his greatest asset and his greatest source of scrutiny. Mphande’s story, therefore, is not simply about a medical laboratory scientist who became many other things. It is about a young Malawian who discovered early that influence is built by stepping into public problems—and who has spent much of his adult life testing just how far that influence can take him. The laboratory gave him a profession. Leadership gave him a platform. Activism gave him a voice. Philanthropy gave him a cause. Business gave him another vehicle. And social media gave him an audience. What he does with all of them next may be the most interesting chapter yet. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National --- ### [Maranatha Academy unveils K50 million sponsorship boost for MBC's popular Zokonda Amai programme](https://www.nyasatimes.com/maranatha-academy-unveils-k50-million-sponsorship-boost-for-mbcs-popular-zokonda-amai-programme/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Maranatha Academy has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Malawi Broadcasting Corporation’s (MBC) popular Zokonda Amai programme, unveiling a fresh K50 million partnership for this year’s edition. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788346620836-600x450.jpg)Maranatha Academy: “We keep coming back” as K50m Zokonda Amai deal unveiledThe announcement was made by the school’s director, Ernest Kaonga, during a ceremony held at MBC’s Broadcasting House in Chichiri, Blantyre. Kaonga revealed that Maranatha Academy’s four-year partnership with the programme had delivered significant benefits for both institutions, crediting the collaboration for the school’s continued growth. “As an institution, we have grown a lot and that can be attributed to such types of partnerships. That is why we keep coming back to support this programme because we share the values it stands for, and the objectives it aims to achieve,” Kaonga said. MBC acting director general Moses Chiwoni welcomed the sponsorship, insisting it represented far more than simple financial backing for a radio and television programme, describing it instead as a genuine investment in women and families across Malawi. Chiwoni praised Maranatha Academy for its continued support of a platform that gives women space to share their experiences, learn from one another and find inspiration to pursue their ambitions. “As a national broadcaster, we recognise that it is our responsibility to use platforms such as Zokonda Amai to promote development, provide credible information, entertain and create opportunities for meaningful public engagement,” Chiwoni said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Ernest Kaonga, Maranatha, MBC, Zokonda Amai --- ### [Coalition secures deal for employers to foot nurses' licence fees after hike sparks alarm](https://www.nyasatimes.com/coalition-secures-deal-for-employers-to-foot-nurses-licence-fees-after-hike-sparks-alarm/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Coalition for Health Workers (HRH PLUS) has engaged the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi (NMCM) to challenge a steep hike in annual practice licence fees introduced last month, securing an agreement that employers should now cover the cost for nurses and midwives. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260902-WA0000-399x600.jpg)HRH PLUS Technical Advisor Benson Phiri: Nurses and midwives across the country had been alarmed by the increased feesSpeaking after the high-level interface, HRH PLUS Technical Advisor Benson Phiri said nurses and midwives across the country had been alarmed by the increased fees, which come amid a rising cost of living and mounting operational expenses. “Nurses and midwives across the country were alarmed by these increased licence fees, which is why we engaged the Council directly to map out tangible lasting solutions,” Phiri said. “Take-home pay can barely survive when practitioners are forced to absorb these hiked professional rates alongside escalating operational costs, including exorbitant transportation to and from health facilities,” he added. The revised fees were promulgated under Government Notice No. 74 of the Nurses and Midwives (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, published in the Malawi Gazette Supplement on 14 August 2026. Under Schedule Item 9 of the amended regulations, annual renewal costs across all qualification tiers have increased by between 30 and 33 percent, affecting registered nurses, midwives, technicians and nurse-midwife technicians. Phiri said following engagement with NMCM, the Council has agreed that, going forward, employers should be responsible for paying licence fees on behalf of nurses and midwives in Malawi. “Nurses and midwives should now be happy to note that we have agreed with Council that going forward employers should be the ones paying for licence fees for nurses and midwives in Malawi,” said Phiri, who is also an aspirant for the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives (NONM) presidency. HRH PLUS Executive Director Tiyamike Goliati said the engagement marked just the beginning of the coalition’s advocacy efforts. “This engagement is only our first step — we are also taking this fight to the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives regarding their recently hiked membership fees,” Goliati said. The coalition maintains that protecting the welfare and professional dignity of healthcare personnel remains critical to sustaining quality healthcare delivery in Malawi. HRH PLUS says it will continue pushing health regulatory and union bodies to shield frontline workers from what it terms “unsustainable financial levies” that risk driving nurses and midwives out of the profession. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** nurses, plus --- ### [Treason-charged Namiwa urges Mutharika to boost prison workers' pay to stop "corruption"](https://www.nyasatimes.com/treason-charged-namiwa-urges-mutharika-to-boost-prison-workers-pay-to-stop-corruption/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Sylvester Namiwa, leader of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), has broken his silence after being gagged by the High Court from commenting further on his earlier controversial claim of “President in two months” — revealing his organisation has written to President Peter Mutharika, urging him to use his authority to grant special allowances to prison staff. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788343664497-600x450.jpg)“President in two months”: Gagged CDEDI leader breaks silence with prison corruption claimsSpeaking to journalists in Lilongwe, the treason-charged CDEDI leader said better pay for prison officers could help eliminate a troubling practice in which staff allegedly demand money from inmates in exchange for basic services, warning the current situation is putting prisoners at risk. “*Apolisi ogwira ntchito mzipinda zosungirako akaidi amapempha ndalama kwa akaidi akafuna kuimbira abale awo lamya. Tidakakonda anthu amenewa atamapatsidwa ndalama zapadera monga achitira ku nyumba ija yachifumu,*” Namiwa said, alleging that prison officers demand payment from inmates simply to allow them to make phone calls to relatives, and calling for staff to be given special allowances similar to those provided at State House. Namiwa further called on institutions such as the Ombudsman and Parliament to launch a thorough investigation into conditions across Malawi’s prisons, warning that severe overcrowding was being driven partly by the detention of individuals who, in his view, should not be behind bars at all. During the press briefing, Namiwa produced a letter he said had been sent by inmates at Maula Prison, where he himself was previously held. The letter reportedly thanked the President for reducing their sentences by one year, while also raising concerns over ongoing hardships faced by prisoners at the facility. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** corruption, Peter Mutharika, prisons, Sylvester Namiwa, treason --- ### [Judge finds Mutharika's nurses' boss appointee wasn't even qualified for the job](https://www.nyasatimes.com/judge-finds-mutharikas-nurses-boss-appointee-wasnt-even-qualified-for-the-job/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The courts have once again dealt a blow to President Peter Mutharika’s administration, with the High Court in Blantyre nullifying his appointment of Chrissy Kamwachale as Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260902_121348_Google-600x356.jpg)“Unlawful, unreasonable”: Justice Bodole nullifies Mutharika’s health appointment in fresh blow as she rules it “void ab initio”In a judgment, Judge Edna Bodole ruled that Mutharika’s April 30, 2026 decision to appoint Kamwachale was unlawful, procedurally unfair, unreasonable and made without legal authority — dealing yet another judicial setback to the President’s string of controversial appointments. The court declared the appointment “void ab initio,” meaning it was invalid from the very moment it was made. Bodole delivered her ruling in Judicial Review Case Number 22 of 2026, after both Mutharika, named as first defendant, and Comptroller of Statutory Corporations Stuart Ligomeka, the second defendant, failed to file any defence — meaning the case proceeded entirely without a hearing. The judge further found that Kamwachale did not even possess the qualifications required for the role, and issued a permanent order restraining the defendants, along with anyone acting under their authority, from implementing the appointment in any capacity. “The defendants’ decision of April 30 2026 to appoint Chrissy Kamwachale as Registrar and chief executive officer of Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi is quashed, the same being ultra vires, unlawful, procedurally unfair, and unreasonable,” the judgment states. The case was brought by the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives, alongside the Association of Malawian Midwives, who jointly challenged the appointment and raised serious concerns over the legality of the entire process. Efforts to resolve the dispute outside of court also collapsed. Talks scheduled for July between the applicants and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation never took place, with the applicants accusing government of failing to take the matter seriously. The ruling not only strips Kamwachale of the position but casts renewed scrutiny over how key public appointments are being handled under the Mutharika administration. Crucially, the judgment means the appointment cannot be quietly salvaged or reinstated through any administrative workaround — the court has ruled it unlawful from the outset and expressly barred government from acting on it in any way. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Chrissy Kamwachale, National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi --- ### [NGO regulator bypasses current HRDC leader to summon ex-chairperson who already quit](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ngo-regulator-bypasses-current-hrdc-leader-to-summon-ex-chairperson-who-already-quit/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The NGO Regulatory Authority (NGORA) has launched an aggressive push against the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), demanding the coalition account for its alleged failure to comply with the NGO Law — but bizarrely, has directed the demand at former chairperson Gift Trapence, despite the coalition now being led by Michael Kaiyatsa. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-10-at-08.23.05_9ac91339-600x400.jpg)Gift Trapence: NGORA accused of targeting government critics HRDC in bizarre leadership mix-upNGORA, the state-owned body responsible for registering and regulating NGOs and civil society organisations across Malawi, insists Trapence remains legally responsible for accountability over the coalition’s actions — a claim critics say ignores the reality that Trapence resigned from the role back in November last year, after six years at the helm. The regulator accuses HRDC of breaching several requirements under the NGO Law, including a failure to submit annual reports, casting doubt over the coalition’s compliance and moral standing. Rather than inviting current chairperson Kaiyatsa, NGORA has instead summoned Trapence to a meeting scheduled for Thursday, 3 September 2026, to explain the alleged breaches. The invitation letter, dated 31 August 2026 and signed by NGORA Chief Executive Officer Voice Mhone, reads in part: “Pursuant to the principles of natural justice, you as Chairperson of HRDC, accompanied by your National Coordinator Kelvin Chirwa, are hereby invited to a meeting to discuss matters regarding your non-compliance with the NGO (Amendment) Act 2022.” The bizarre invitation comes amid an already messy and unresolved leadership dispute within HRDC. Trapence stepped down in November last year, handing the chairmanship to Kaiyatsa, who also serves as Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation. Trouble flared again in February 2026, when members from different regions challenged the coalition’s failure to hold an Annual General Meeting since 2019, questioning the legitimacy of Kaiyatsa’s provisional leadership altogether. The internal dispute escalated further into the courts, with an HRDC ad hoc committee led by Henderson Mhango taking the coalition’s leadership to court on 27 April 2026, seeking judicial intervention. Confusion deepened following High Court proceedings on 23 July 2026, with rival factions offering starkly different interpretations of the ruling — disagreeing publicly over whether the court had rejected the challenge to Kaiyatsa’s leadership outright, or simply identified governance gaps requiring mediation. Defending its decision to bypass Kaiyatsa entirely, NGORA insisted its approach was intended purely to bring clarity to an already murky situation. “Our position does not contradict the court but it brings administrative clarity on who is responsible to implement the Law,” the regulator said in a statement. Trapence, for his part, is understood to no longer be involved in HRDC’s activities in any capacity. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Gift Trapence, HRDC, Ngora, Voice Mhone --- ### [Malawi govt launches new telecoms tower in bid to close digital divide](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-govt-launches-new-telecoms-tower-in-bid-to-close-digital-divide/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Information and Digitalization, Shadric Namalomba, has officially launched the Kalira Telecommunications Tower in Lilongwe Nyanja, as part of government efforts to expand connectivity to underserved communities. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260902-WA0011-600x270.jpg)Minister Namalomba launches telecoms tower to boost digital access in rural areasSpeaking at the launch, Namalomba said the tower represented more than just infrastructure, describing it as a symbol of opportunity, inclusion and connection. “Today we are taking another important step toward building a Malawi where distance and geography no longer determine who can access information, communicate, learn, trade or participate in the modern economy,” he said. The minister thanked Senior Chief Kalumbu and the local community for hosting the tower, saying successful development depended on cooperation between government and communities. Namalomba said digital transformation remained central to Malawi’s national development agenda under President Peter Mutharika, and was closely aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 blueprint for inclusive growth. He said the government’s Last Mile Rural Connectivity Project was designed to ensure no Malawian is denied opportunity because of where they live, giving examples of how expanded connectivity could benefit rural communities. “A child in Chitipa should access learning resources like a child in Lilongwe. A farmer in Mwanza should receive weather and market information. A young entrepreneur should use online platforms to grow a business. A mother in Chikwawa should be able to make an emergency call,” he said. According to Namalomba, 35 telecommunications towers are already operational across the country, with five more, including Kalira, recently completed. A further five towers are currently under construction, with the government targeting 136 towers in total, 16 of which are planned for completion this financial year. He acknowledged a number of challenges facing the rollout, including land disputes, power supply issues, and maintenance concerns, but said the Ministry, through the Department of eGovernment, was working with mobile operators, the telecoms regulator and technical partners to resolve them. Namalomba called on traditional leaders to support land access and the protection of tower sites, and urged mobile network operators to make full use of the new infrastructure. Member of Parliament for the area, Baba Steve Malondera, welcomed the tower’s launch, saying it would bring long-term benefits to the community, including improved mobile network access, better coordination for health facilities, and stronger communication for local security services. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260902-WA0010-600x270.jpg)Malawi govt launches new telecoms tower in bid to close digital divide Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** Shadreck Namalomba, telecommunications --- ### [Malawi's 2026 tobacco season fetches K494 billion — sharply down from last year](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-2026-tobacco-season-fetches-k494-billion-sharply-down-from-last-year/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s 2026 Tobacco Marketing Season has fetched US$282.5 million from 142.4 million kilogrammes sold over the first 19 weeks of trading, according to the Tobacco Commission (TC). ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Tobacco3-1-600x400.jpg)Tobacco auction in LilongweMalawi’s 2026 Tobacco Marketing Season has fetched approximately K494 billion (US$282.5 million) from 142.4 million kilogrammes sold over the first 19 weeks of trading, according to the Tobacco Commission (TC). The figures, contained in a statement signed by TC Publicist Telephorus Chigwenembe and released under the theme “Our Tobacco Our Economy,” show a significant decline from the US$500.4 million realised from 197.2 million kg sold during the same period in 2025. The national average price also fell, dropping from $2.54 per kilogramme last year to $1.98 per kilogramme this season. Contract farming continued to dominate tobacco sales, accounting for more than 93 percent of total volume sold, the statement noted. Burley remained the leading tobacco type, making up 88.8 percent of total sales and fetching an average price of $1.90 per kilogramme — around 4 percent below the national average. Flue-Cured Virginia accounted for 10.4 percent of total volume and commanded a significantly higher average price of $2.64 per kilogramme, some 39 percent above Burley. NDDF and SDF together made up less than 1 percent of volume, but both traded above the national average, fetching $2.18 and $2.27 per kilogramme respectively. On rejections, the statement indicated the overall rejection rate for the 19-week period stood at 9.32 percent. Rejection rates were notably higher for auction tobacco, where 50.95 percent of all bales offered were turned away. Commenting on the figures, economic commentator Dr Ben Dzolowere described the season’s low turnover as a wake-up call for the country to diversify its economic base rather than continuing to over-rely on tobacco. He said government needed to support the growth of other industries to boost broader economic development, while also calling for greater government support for value addition within the tobacco sector itself. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** Malawi tobacco, Tobacco Control Commission --- ### [Wanderers scrap ticket pre-sale for crunch Champions League clash over counterfeit fears](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wanderers-scrap-ticket-pre-sale-for-crunch-champions-league-clash-over-counterfeit-fears/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers have made a last-minute U-turn on their plans to pre-sell tickets for Sunday’s crucial CAF Champions League first preliminary round, first-leg clash against Tanzania’s Simba Sports Club at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788340483365-600x306.jpg)Wanderers’ director of finance, administration and audit, Mervis Mangulenje: Tickets will be sold on match dayThe Nomads had originally planned to launch ticket pre-sales today through a number of outlets across the country, but the club has now scrapped those plans entirely. Speaking in an interview, Wanderers’ director of finance, administration and audit, Mervis Mangulenje, revealed the club made the decision specifically to protect fans from counterfeit tickets. “To avoid sale of counterfeits, the tickets will be sold on the match day,” she said. Fans wanting to attend the high-stakes continental clash will need to pay K5,000 for a standard ticket, while VIP tickets have been set at K25,000. Corporate boxes will cost K30,000, with a car pass priced at K10,000. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Bingu national stadium, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [Malawi Kings in camp for Africa Netball Cup](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-kings-in-camp-for-africa-netball-cup/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Kings Netball Team’s provisional squad is now in camp in Blantyre, as preparations get under way for the 2026 Africa Netball Cup in Nairobi, Kenya, running from 16 to 26 September. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788340042635-600x543.jpg)26-player squad in camp as Malawi Kings prepare for Africa CupCoach Garvey Nyondo has named a 26-player squad, who will remain in camp until the team’s departure for Nairobi, when the final squad will be confirmed. The Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) said it expects to see a disciplined, committed and highly competitive Malawi Kings team heading into the tournament. NAM General Secretary Yamikani Kauma said the preparation phase was an important opportunity for players and the technical team to build cohesion, improve fitness, and work on the technical and tactical aspects of the game. “We expect every player selected into the provisional squad to give their best and compete for a place in the final squad. Above all, we want the Malawi Kings to go to Kenya well prepared and ready to represent the country with pride,” Kauma said. Asked about the significance of the tournament for Malawi, Kauma said it represented an important platform for the growth of men’s netball in the country. “It provides an opportunity to our players to compete against some of the best teams on the continent and gain valuable international exposure. “For NAM, it is also a platform to assess the progress we are making in developing men’s netball and to inspire more young men to take up the sport,” she said. International competitions of this kind remain crucial in raising both the standard and profile of netball in Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260902-WA0008-480x600.jpg)Malawi Kings netball squad reports for camp in Blantyre Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Malawi Kings, Netball --- ### [Blantyre's water board turns to Mutharika as staff-management war deepens](https://www.nyasatimes.com/blantyres-water-board-turns-to-mutharika-as-staff-management-war-deepens/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Employees at Blantyre Water Board have asked President Peter Mutharika to sack both the utility’s chief executive, Yeremiah Chihana, and its board chairman, Stanley Chirwa, in a bid to end a leadership standoff that staff say is crippling operations. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788309865445-600x450.jpg)Employees of BWB have resolved to formally ask President Mutharika to remove CEO Yeremiah Chihana and board chairperson Stanley Chirwa, in a bid to restore stability at the water utility.Under the banner of the BWB Employees Trade Union, workers passed the resolution at a meeting at the utility’s Blantyre head office, where union secretary general Davie Maluwa said the goal was simply to “save the institution.” The union had already tried, and failed, to get the government’s Comptroller of Statutory Corporations to step in back in May; officials there said their hands were tied while the matter remained before the courts. The dispute has an unmistakably farcical edge: staff spent more than three hours at head office praying for the utility’s future and playing music over loudspeakers. Behind the theatre lies a genuinely tangled legal fight. Chihana was suspended for a second time in five months last week, this time over allegations of misrepresentation, unauthorised appointments and a K500 million overdraft allegedly secured without board approval. As with his first suspension, the High Court promptly ordered his reinstatement, with the judge also granting him leave to challenge the board’s decision through judicial review. Governance analysts Benedicto Kondowe and Willy Kambwandira have warned that the merry-go-round of suspension and reinstatement is doing real damage, cautioning that prolonged leadership uncertainty risks undermining the water board’s basic job: keeping the taps running. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, Yeremiah Chihana --- ### [50 LGBTIQ Malawians trained in plumbing, electrical work to boost self-reliance](https://www.nyasatimes.com/50-lgbtiq-malawians-trained-in-plumbing-electrical-work-to-boost-self-reliance/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Nyasa Rainbow Alliance (NRA) has trained 50 members of Malawi’s LGBTIQ community in plumbing and electrical installation, in a fresh push to boost economic empowerment and self-reliance within the community. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788212789459-600x450.jpg)New skills, new opportunities: LGBTIQ Malawians trained in plumbing and electrical workThe one-day training session, held today, was supported by Outright International as part of the LGBTIQ Economic Justice Project. NRA said the initiative is designed to equip LGBTIQ people with practical, marketable skills that can open doors to employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship — areas where the community has often faced significant barriers. Participants were introduced to foundational skills in plumbing and electrical installation, which the organisation says will serve as a springboard for further training and future income-generating opportunities. NRA reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to building economically empowered, resilient and self-reliant LGBTIQ communities across Malawi, describing economic inclusion as a vital part of the broader push for equality and dignity. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News **Tags:** homosexuals, LGBTIQ --- ### [The K100 billion standoff holding up Mombera University](https://www.nyasatimes.com/the-k100-billion-standoff-holding-up-mombera-university/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Eleven years after its foundation stone was laid, Mombera University remains unbuilt — the latest casualty of a procurement dispute between Malawi’s spending watchdog and the Ministry of Education over how a K100 billion contract should be awarded. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/mombera-600x402.jpg)A K100 billion delay: how procurement bureaucracy has stalled Mombera University eleven years after its foundation stone was laidThe Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) took 95 days to reject the ministry’s bid to fast-track construction through a single-source deal with Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company, rather than the standard 21 days such decisions are meant to take. The ministry says the delay has now forced it into a lengthy competitive bidding process unlikely to conclude before April 2027. PPDA insists it was simply awaiting “additional information and clarifications” from the ministry, and argues the proposed contractor could not legally be treated as the sole capable supplier, given that comparable projects have been built by other firms in Malawi and the region. The ministry counters that the contractor in question already built the Malawi University of Science and Technology and Parliament’s Lilongwe building — and that it already has a separate, unresolved contract with the same firm, making a switch potentially costly. A civil society observer struck a middle note: PPDA’s underlying caution may be reasonable, but a request made in May had no business waiting until August for an answer on something so fundamental to whether building work could begin. Second Vice-President Enock Chihana, who oversees the project, told a Mzimba gathering on August 8 that contractors would move onto the site as soon as PPDA responded. The K100 billion phase in question covers a School of Animal Sciences, an administration block, two hostels, 30 staff houses, a cafeteria, sports facilities, a clinic and waste management works — pieces of a university first launched back in 2015 under the Peter Mutharika government, and still, more than a decade on, waiting to be built. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Mombera University --- ### [Chilima plane crash inquiry lays bare Malawi's aviation safety crisis](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chilima-plane-crash-inquiry-lays-bare-malawis-aviation-safety-crisis/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The parliamentary inquiry into the June 10, 2024 plane crash that killed Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others has heard troubling testimony suggesting Malawi’s aviation infrastructure suffers from long-standing structural deficiencies — raising uncomfortable questions about institutional readiness that extend well beyond the immediate circumstances of the crash itself. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788268249262-600x452.jpg)Testimony exposes systemic failures in Malawi’s aviation safety infrastructure ahead of fatal Chikangawa crashFredrick Chisepeya, director of Aerodromes and Air Navigation Standards at the Civil Aviation Authority of Malawi (CAAM), told Parliament’s Ad-hoc Committee investigating the disaster that the country risks failing next year’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit unless significant investment is urgently directed towards safety and security infrastructure. His testimony painted a picture of a system operating with minimal redundancy: Malawi possesses just one secondary flight surveillance radar, situated at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, whose effective coverage diminishes substantially for aircraft flying at lower altitudes. It was this gap, Chisepeya confirmed, that meant the Malawi Defence Force aircraft was outside radar coverage entirely when it crashed in Viphya Plantation. “The limitation is the radar coverage. When you are up, the range is wider and when you are down the range is narrower. So that makes the aircraft sometimes not to be seen,” he told the committee — an admission that speaks to a broader question of how a nation manages the tension between resource constraints and the non-negotiable demands of aviation safety. The inquiry also heard that Mzuzu Airport, the aircraft’s intended destination, fell well short of the protection standards required for medium-sized aircraft such as the Malawi Airlines Bombardier involved in the crash. Using CAAM’s own ten-point protection scale, Chisepeya estimated the airport’s actual safety level at around three, against a required standard of six. He further noted deficiencies in fire response capacity and runway conditions, describing the surface as bumpy and substandard. Perhaps most striking was the revelation that Mzuzu Airport was operating without a valid licence at the time of the crash, having only been licensed the following year, in 2025 — and even then, with conditions attached. Questions from committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu drew a candid admission from Chisepeya that enforcement of aviation standards across Malawi’s airports remains inconsistent. The committee’s scrutiny extended into the operational detail of the flight itself. Lilongwe Mude MP Mphatso Boti (Malawi Congress Party) probed whether formal aviation codes exist for reporting interference incidents, prompting Chisepeya to acknowledge that communication with aircraft becomes markedly more difficult once outside radar range. Mwanza Central MP Felix Njawala (UTM Party) went further still, raising the possibility of frequency interference between the aircraft and ground officials — noting that the pilot is understood to have made contact with Mzuzu Airport officer-in-charge Joseph Moyo only once throughout the flight. Taken together, the testimony suggests the Chikangawa crash may prove less an isolated tragedy than a symptom of deeper, systemic underinvestment in the infrastructure meant to keep Malawi’s skies safe. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** aviation, plane inquiry --- ### [Bingu Stadium security lapses exposed as ministry awaits funding for fence repairs](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bingu-stadium-security-lapses-exposed-as-ministry-awaits-funding-for-fence-repairs/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has admitted it is still waiting for funding to address glaring security lapses at Bingu National Stadium, as concerns mount over gaping loopholes in the venue’s perimeter fence that have allowed fans to sneak in undetected. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/96833333_outside.jpg-600x330.jpg)Wanderers to boost security for Caf Champions League match after stadium breach concernsThe ministry says it has been proposing to build a brick fence in vulnerable sections of the stadium, amid growing worries that the facility’s numerous security gaps are contributing to chaotic and porous gate management. The issue was thrown into sharp focus last Sunday, when Bingu National Stadium hosted the high-profile Airtel Top 8 final between Mighty Wanderers and Ekhaya, a match that saw Ekhaya claim a dramatic 2-1 victory and generated a staggering K87 million in gate revenue. Despite the presence of security personnel, some fans still managed to sneak into the stadium without paying, exploiting weak spots in the venue’s fence to gain entry. Sources say there were long queues at the stadium as tickets were sold, with the sheer number of people attempting to gain entry vastly outnumbering the available security staff on duty — a mismatch that appears to have made it far easier for gatecrashers to slip through unnoticed. The security concerns take on added urgency with the stadium set to host a Caf Champions League first-leg preliminary round match between Mighty Wanderers and Tanzanian giants Simba SC this Sunday, prompting Wanderers to pledge enhanced security measures for the high-stakes continental clash. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Bingu national stadium, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [Umodzi Holdings posts K1.2bn quarterly profit as conference and events business drives growth](https://www.nyasatimes.com/umodzi-holdings-posts-k1-2bn-quarterly-profit-as-conference-and-events-business-drives-growth/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Umodzi Holdings Limited, the state-owned operator of Umodzi Park Resorts in Lilongwe, reported a profit after tax of K1.2 billion for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, up 14.5 per cent from K1.0 billion in the same period a year earlier. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260902_000537_Google-1-600x401.jpg)CEO Kamlepo Kalua- consolidating Umodzi Park’s position as the country’s largest hotel and conference venue, and the only facility with the scale to host state functions and international conferenceUnaudited results for the three months to 30 June 2026 showed total revenue rose 50 per cent to K8.1 billion from K5.4 billion, marginally ahead of budget, driven by strong contributions from meetings and conferences, room bookings and increased food and beverage activity. Gross profit climbed roughly 40 per cent to K4.9 billion, while EBITDA rose 19 per cent to K2.2 billion. Revenue across rooms, food and beverage, conferences and event hosting all posted year-on-year gains, which management attributed to a renewed push to expand engagement with corporate and government clients, alongside a series of high-profile events hosted at the venue during the quarter. Operating costs rose 53 per cent, from K1.9 billion to K2.9 billion, largely reflecting the higher volume of business, while overheads increased 61 per cent, from K1.4 billion to K2.3 billion, driven by higher utility bills and maintenance expenditure aimed at improving the guest experience. Under new chief executive Kamlepo Kalua, management said the results reflect the early impact of a broader repositioning strategy centred on operational discipline, staff development and consolidating Umodzi Park’s position as the country’s largest hotel and conference venue, and the only facility with the scale to host state functions and international conferences. The strategy places particular emphasis on staff motivation, with Kalua’s leadership approach built around inclusion and an open-door policy that management says has strengthened engagement across the workforce. “Our focus remains on consolidating these gains through continued investment in service quality, digital transformation and strengthening partnerships with both government and private sector clients,” Kalua said. The quarter’s performance follows recognition on the continental stage, with the President Hotel named Best Leading Hotel in Malawi at the World Travel Awards in Zanzibar on 28 August 2026. Looking ahead, management said it expects the operating environment to remain challenging, but expressed confidence that its diversified business model would support sustainable growth through the remainder of the 2026/27 financial year. Umodzi Holdings owns the Umodzi Park Resort complex, comprising the Presidential Villas, the President Hotel — Malawi’s first five-star hotel — the Bingu wa Mutharika International Convention Centre, the largest facility of its kind in the country, and associated hospitality operations including the Bush Bar and outside catering services for meetings and events. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Umodzi-park-600x351.png)Umodzi Park in Lilongwe Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Kamlepo Kalua, Presidential Hotel, Umodzi Park --- ### [Mtumbuka hails Bolero United for "fearless" 0-0 draw against Blue olero](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mtumbuka-hails-bolero-united-for-fearless-0-0-draw-against-blue-olero/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** UTM presidential running mate and Rumphi Central MP, Dr Matthews Mtumbuka, has praised Bolero United Football Club and its owner Jimmy Butao for what he described as a fearless performance against Blue Eagles Football Club, after the local side held the respected national team to a goalless draw. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788307468031-600x450.jpg)Bolero UnitedThe result came before a large crowd at Bolero Community Ground, with the Inspector General of Police and Deputy Minister of Homeland Security, Norman Chisale, among those in attendance. In a statement, Mtumbuka congratulated Bolero United for their performance, describing the draw as a decent result against a much bigger and more established opponent. “I want to take time out to congratulate Bolero United Football Club and the owner Mr Jimmy Butao for fearlessly playing good football against the respected Blue Eagles Football Club. They have managed a decent 0-0 draw against the otherwise big national team,” Mtumbuka said. He noted that Bolero United is an active participant in the Mtumbuka League, which runs annually in Nkhamanga from May to December and has been running since 2010, marking 16 years of continuous operation. Mtumbuka said this year’s league carries a total prize pool of K20 million, made up of K10 million for the Nkhamanga zone and a further K10 million for the Boma/Urban zone, covering both football and netball competitions. “This way, we keep our youth continuously active with good things as we cover both football and netball,” he said. He added that the standard of football had improved significantly over the years since the league’s inception, with participation growing to more than 50 teams in Nkhamanga alone, alongside a further 20 or so teams around the Boma area. “We are so happy to see how the level of football has improved over the years we have run the league that has now grown to more than 50 teams in Nkhamanga alone and another circa 20 around the Boma,” Mtumbuka said. He closed his remarks by once again congratulating Bolero United and Butao for their performance against Blue Eagles. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Bolero United, Mathews Mtumbuka --- ### [Wanderers appoints Nginde as interim coach ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wanderers-appoints-nginde-as-interim-coach/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers have appointed MacDonald Nginde Mtetemera as interim head coach, just a day after suspending head coach Bob Mpinganjira from his role. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788301207904-499x600.jpg)Nginde Mtetemera: Stand in coachAccording to a letter signed by club board secretary Chancy Gondwe, the decision followed a meeting of the club’s board of directors, who moved swiftly to appoint a replacement in the wake of Mpinganjira’s suspension. Mpinganjira was suspended after the club’s disappointing form in the FDH Bank Premiership, as well as their failure to win the Airtel Top 8 title, having lost 2-1 to Ekhaya FC in the final. The defeat to Ekhaya was seen as a particularly bitter blow, given that Ekhaya were competing in the tournament for the first time and were widely regarded as underdogs against a Wanderers side with far greater experience and resources at the top level of Malawian football. Wanderers’ hierarchy is understood to have grown increasingly frustrated with the team’s inconsistent performances this season, with results in the league also falling below expectations set at the start of the campaign. The club previously confirmed that former Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Patrick Mabedi had been brought in as a technical consultant to support the coaching setup, with Mtetemera now working alongside him as Wanderers look to arrest their slide in form and steady the ship both domestically and in their upcoming Caf Champions League commitments against Tanzanian side Simba SC. No timeline has been given for when a substantive head coach appointment might be made, with the club yet to confirm whether Mtetemera’s role is intended to be short-term or could be extended depending on results in the coming weeks. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Bob Mpinganjira, MacDonald Mtetemela, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [Bravehearts eye historic double glory as international basketball tournament returns to Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bravehearts-eye-historic-double-glory-as-international-basketball-tournament-returns-to-lilongwe/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Bravehearts Basketball Club is targeting a stunning double triumph at this year’s Bravehearts International Basketball Challenge (BIBC), set to take place from 3 to 5 September 2026 at ABC Blue and Malcon Gym in Lilongwe. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788275951386-600x414.jpg)Brave HeartsTeams from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa will battle it out over the two-day tournament, with the winning side walking away with a hefty US$5,000 prize. Bravehearts’ women’s team will enter the competition as defending champions, hungry to retain their crown, while the men’s side will be aiming to go one better after finishing as runners-up last year. Bravehearts President Daud Hussein said preparations have been encouraging, with both squads playing a string of friendly matches both at home and abroad in the build-up to the tournament. He said the club is confident the women’s team can successfully defend their title, while the men’s side is fully targeting outright championship glory this time around. Hussein also predicted this year’s edition would showcase an even higher standard of basketball, thanks to a growing number of participating nations and the presence of international FIBA-qualified officials, brought in to ensure professionalism and high-quality officiating throughout the competition. He added that welcoming international teams to Malawi would play a crucial role in developing the sport domestically, giving local players and teams a rare chance to learn from different playing styles on show. Hussein said even teams not competing in this year’s tournament stood to benefit, encouraging them to attend and watch the international matches as a way of learning how other countries approach the game. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788275955975-600x400.jpg)Brave Hearts ladies team Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Basketball, Brave Hearts --- ### [Five Malawian referees named for CAF Interclub competition preliminary rounds](https://www.nyasatimes.com/five-malawian-referees-named-for-caf-interclub-competition-preliminary-rounds/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi will have five referees officiating in the preliminary rounds of the 2026/27 CAF Interclub competitions, running from 4 to 13 September, after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed a series of appointments. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788266866313-600x600.jpg)Malawi referee to officiate CAF matchAccording to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), Easter Bright Kalikokha Zimba has been named centre referee for the CAF Confederation Cup match between Namibia’s Una FC and Angola’s Kabuscorp de Palanca, set for 5 September at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda. Zimba will be assisted by Samuel Fudzulani as Assistant Referee One and Lameck Mbuluma Phiri as Assistant Referee Two, with David Chinoko taking on the role of Fourth Official. Chinoko will also take charge of a fixture himself, appointed as centre referee for the CAF Champions League tie between Seychelles’ Foresters FC and Angola’s Wiliete de Benguela on 10 September, at the Estádio Nacional da Tundavala in Lubango. He will be supported by Fudzulani, again as Assistant Referee One, alongside Sibusiso Sibongire Sibande as Assistant Referee Two, with Zimba serving as Fourth Official for that match. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** refrees --- ### [Chakwera holds talks with Chimwendo on party strategy amid growing leadership rifts](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-holds-talks-with-chimwendo-on-party-strategy-amid-growing-leadership-rifts/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president and the country’s sixth president, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, held a two-hour meeting with party secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda at MCP headquarters in Lilongwe, according to a statement issued by the party. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788301424769-1-600x411.jpg)Chimwendo Banda (left) and Chakwera in discussion at MCP headquarters, as the party works to consolidate its structures ahead of the next electoral cycle.The engagement, described by MCP as being in the spirit of strengthening and building the party, focused on advancing the party’s strategic direction as it works to consolidate its internal structures. The party said the discussions formed part of ongoing efforts to prepare MCP for the future, though no further details were given as to specific outcomes or decisions reached during the meeting. The talks come at a sensitive time for the party, with cracks reportedly emerging over Chakwera’s leadership ahead of the 2030 general election. Some factions within MCP are said to be firmly behind Chakwera contesting again as the party’s torchbearer, while another camp is understood to be pushing for a fresh leadership contest to select a new candidate to lead the party into the next election. The growing divide has fuelled speculation over the party’s direction going into the next electoral cycle, with the latest talks between Chakwera and Chimwendo Banda seen by some observers as an attempt to steady the ship and present a united front amid the simmering internal tensions. Neither Chakwera nor Chimwendo Banda addressed the reported factional divisions directly in the statement issued following their meeting, with the party instead emphasising its focus on consolidation and long-term strategic planning. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788301420547-600x396.jpg)MCP President Dr Lazarus Chakwera (left) and party secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda pictured during their two-hour meeting at party headquarters in Lilongwe. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP, Richard Chimwendo Banda --- ### [Woman jailed 11 years for defiling teenage boy in Neno](https://www.nyasatimes.com/woman-jailed-11-years-for-defiling-teenage-boy-in-neno/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Neno Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Teleza Steven, 24, to 11 years’ imprisonment after she was convicted of defiling a 17-year-old boy. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788304436673-479x600.jpg)Woman, 24, jailed 11 years for defiling boy, 17, who came to collect his phoneThe court heard that Steven had taken the teenager’s phone on August 25 this year and carried it back to her home. When the boy went to retrieve his phone, Steven allegedly told him it was on the table and that he could go in and collect it himself. But once the boy entered the house, Steven is said to have locked the door behind him before assaulting him. The teenager subsequently suffered pain in his genital area as a result of the assault, prompting him to report what had happened to his mother. His mother reported the matter to police upon learning of the incident, leading to Steven’s arrest and eventual conviction. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** defilement, Neno, sexual- offence --- ### [Malawi's DNA shock leaves kids devastated, warn experts](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-dna-shock-leaves-kids-devastated-warn-experts/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Heartbroken kids are being left “guilty” and confused as Malawi is rocked by a paternity bombshell — with a staggering 80 PER CENT of dads discovering they’re not the real father after taking DNA tests. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788301855186-e1788301930248-600x375.jpg)Memory Chisenga: watching a “dad” walk away overnight can leave kids utterly shattered.Mental health boffins and child rights campaigners are sounding the alarm over the gut-wrenching fallout hitting families as more men rush to get tested amid cheating fears. Dr Precious Makiyi, a mental health expert, said the effect on children depended heavily on their age, their grasp of what DNA testing means, and the strength of their existing relationship with the man they have regarded as their father. “Children might even feel guilt, as if they are the ones who may have contributed, and they might also lose respect towards the parents, especially the mother,” Dr Makiyi said, adding that families should seek professional counselling to help shield children from the emotional fallout of such discoveries. Child rights campaigner Memory Chisenga said watching a “dad” walk away overnight can leave kids utterly shattered. “All of a sudden that father changes to say, I can no longer be responsible for this child… That disconnection affects the child because that child has so many questions — because already the connection has already been built that this is my parent, this is my father,” she said. And it’s not just heartbreak — it’s hitting kids in the pocket too, with Chisenga revealing some men cut off cash for school fees and doctors’ bills the SECOND the DNA result drops. “You find that most of them will actually stop at that very moment. They will not pay school fees anymore, they will not provide any support anymore because of the DNA result that proves otherwise. And that affects children,” she fumed. She’s now begging mums and dads to keep their DNA drama AWAY from the kids — reminding them Malawi’s laws are crystal clear that children’s welfare must come first, no matter what the test says. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** DNA --- ### [Businessman accuses Airtel Malawi of abandoning kiosk in his office for a year while refusing to refund money after axing his dealership](https://www.nyasatimes.com/businessman-accuses-airtel-malawi-of-abandoning-kiosk-in-his-office-for-a-year-while-refusing-to-refund-money-after-axing-his-dealership/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawi businessman has publicly accused Airtel Malawi of leaving an unused agent booth abandoned inside his office for almost a year, while refusing to refund fees he paid after the company deactivated his dealership over a staffing dispute. In a Facebook post, Chucks Lungu, who ru ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788212571337-450x600.jpg)Airtel Malawi abandoned kioskns Chucks Finance Ltd, said he registered as an Airtel Money dealer three years ago and paid all required fees, including for an additional agent booth, which Airtel Money duly installed at his business premises. According to Lungu, trouble began towards the end of 2025 when an Airtel officer visited the office and warned that the dealer number would be deactivated because no one was permanently seated inside the booth itself. Lungu said staff tried to argue the requirement was impractical, given that Airtel Money services were already being offered from the counter within the same premises, and that customers were well aware the service was available there — making it unnecessary for someone to sit physically inside the booth. Despite the explanation, Lungu alleges the dealer number was deactivated anyway, rendering the Airtel Money service at his premises non-operational. He said repeated attempts to resolve the issue with Airtel Money management in Mzuzu proved fruitless, with staff reportedly insisting the number would only be reactivated if someone was stationed inside the booth at all times. Lungu says he eventually gave up the fight and accepted the decision. He then formally requested a refund of the deposit and fees paid under the original agreement, and asked Airtel to remove its booth and equipment from his premises. Nearly a year later, Lungu claims the booth remains in his office and no refund has been issued. Lungu said he was told Airtel could not process the refund because it was unable to trace the original transaction without a reference number — an explanation he finds baffling, given that the Airtel officer who originally enrolled his company and processed the transaction remains employed by Airtel and, he believes, ought to be able to trace the payment through company records. He said he had personally reached out to the same officer for help but had received no meaningful assistance or resolution. In his post, an evidently frustrated Lungu appealed directly to Airtel Malawi to either collect its equipment or refund his money, saying he could not continue storing the company’s property indefinitely while his own money remained unpaid. Airtel Malawi has not yet publicly responded to the allegations. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, General **Tags:** Airtel Malawi --- ### [Malawi to roll out electric car charging points at petrol stations — Not every filling station will get one](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-to-roll-out-electric-car-charging-points-at-petrol-stations-not-every-filling-station-will-get-one/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s energy regulator has unveiled plans to strategically roll out electric vehicle (EV) charging points at selected fuel stations across the country, as the nation gears up for a shift towards cleaner, more diversified transport energy. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788261918446.jpg)electric car charging pointThe Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) confirmed that its revised Fuel Retail Outlet Guidelines will NOT force every single filling station in the country to install charging infrastructure immediately. MERA Public Relations Officer Fitina Khonje said the authority will instead handpick strategic retail outlets for the rollout, weighing up factors such as location, traffic volumes, strategic importance and wider national energy policy goals. The Guidelines will require at least one EV fast-charging station at designated outlets in major cities and towns, reflecting what officials describe as a “phased approach” to supporting the growth of electric mobility in Malawi. “The intention is therefore to take a strategic and phased approach, rather than impose the same requirement on every retail outlet regardless of its location or the current level of EV demand,” Khonje said. She added that the approach acknowledges electric mobility remains an emerging sector in Malawi, allowing infrastructure to be built where it’s needed most while still laying the groundwork for future growth. The ambitious plans place added pressure on ESCOM, Malawi’s electricity provider, whose transmission and distribution network will be crucial to the success of the EV rollout, given that charging infrastructure demands reliable power supply and sufficient network capacity at each chosen site. ESCOM recently commissioned a 20MW/40MWh battery energy storage system at Kanengo, aimed at strengthening grid stability and helping manage electricity demand during peak periods. Khonje revealed Malawi has already made strides in developing both infrastructure and regulation for electric mobility, including drawing up technical requirements for EV charging stations. MERA approved three electric-motorcycle charging points in Lilongwe back in 2024, following safety inspections, with the points installed at TotalEnergies facilities at Gateway, Capital Hill and Kanengo. According to the 2026 Annual Economic Report, Malawi has now registered approximately 280 electric motorcycles and more than 30 electric vehicles, with four motorcycle charging stations already built through a partnership between SVG and TotalEnergies. Safety remains a top priority under the new Guidelines, with EV charging facilities at fuel stations required to be electrically segregated from hazardous areas, comply with electrical safety standards, be protected against vehicle impact, and display clear safety signage. Retail outlets will also be required to maintain robust fire and emergency systems, including fire extinguishers, emergency shutdown systems, warning signage and emergency contact details. “An Emergency Shutdown System or Emergency Stop Button is mandatory,” Khonje explained, noting that activating it would cut power to the forecourt, halt fuel dispensing and isolate electrical equipment to prevent emergencies from escalating. On pricing, Khonje moved to dampen speculation that a specific EV charging tariff has already been set, insisting it would be premature to suggest a pricing framework is in place. She said MERA and other relevant bodies will consider licensing, metering, consumer protection and pricing arrangements as Malawi’s EV market continues to develop. No firm national deadline has been set for the rollout, giving MERA flexibility to expand charging infrastructure according to demand and strategic priorities — with major cities and towns earmarked as the first areas to benefit as Malawi edges closer to wider EV adoption. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, General, News **Tags:** Mera --- ### [Smear campaign fails to tie Mwanamveka, Mbeta to Amaryllis saga](https://www.nyasatimes.com/smear-campaign-fails-to-tie-mwanamveka-mbeta-to-amaryllis-saga/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A wave of disinformation and what appears to be a coordinated smear campaign has swept across social media, falsely implicating Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha and Attorney General Frank Mbeta in the ongoing Amaryllis Hotel scandal — despite investigators repeatedly confirming that neither man had any hand in the tainted money at the centre of the affair. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784749154409-600x400.jpg)‘Not a Shred of Evidence’ in Attempt to Tie Mwanamveka, to Hotel Controversy”The wild claims began circulating rapidly across several online news outlets and social media platforms in the immediate aftermath of the arrest of former MERA boss Collins Magalasi, with unverified posts attempting to drag both senior officials into the unfolding controversy. However, officials from Parliament who conducted an inquiry into the Amaryllis saga have flatly rejected any suggestion that Mwanamvekha is connected to the scandal, insisting there is not a shred of truth to the claims and branding the online allegations nothing more than a smear campaign designed to damage his reputation. Mwanamvekha himself has so far declined to directly address the spreading claims, telling reporters he did not wish to “dignify” what he described as fake news with a response. Commentators have challenged anyone with evidence linking Mwanamvekha to the hotel saga to report him to police. Sources close to the matter suggest the Finance Minister may be facing a targeted political smear campaign, with detractors allegedly seeking to undermine his credibility after he oversaw a period of relative economic stability — though this remains an allegation rather than a confirmed motive, and no individual or group has been formally identified as being behind the disinformation drive. The episode has reignited debate around the dangers of unchecked, sensationalist reporting on social media, with Malawian media experts warning that such practices can seriously mislead the public and erode trust in journalism when crucial context is stripped away. Media Council of Malawi (MCM) Executive Director Moses Kaufa said journalism ethics do not require every headline or social media post to contain every single detail, but stressed that the information presented must never create a false or misleading impression of events. “MCM Code of Ethics requires journalistic material to be credible, balanced, fair and verifiable. Therefore, the headlines should reflect the story and avoid misleading the audience. Journalists are also required to avoid speculation,” Kaufa said. He acknowledged that some media houses and journalists may be tempted to resort to sensational reporting purely to attract attention online, but warned there are serious real-world consequences that follow — including public outrage, reputational damage, personal humiliation, or even the fuelling of violence. “Once the audience perceives that media houses are more interested in clicks than truth and human dignity, credibility of the entire profession suffers,” he added. Kaufa urged newsroom editors to actively safeguard the integrity of digital journalism by strictly adhering to ethical standards, stressing it was essential for newsrooms to regularly assess whether their reporting genuinely informs the public, provides meaningful context, respects human dignity, and serves the wider public interest. “A story can generate more clicks but still be poor journalism if those views were achieved by stripping away context, invading someone’s privacy or provoking outrage,” he said. Media expert Anthony Gunde echoed those concerns, warning that the explosive rise of social media reporting has intensified competition for audience attention, often at the expense of accuracy. He said some editors may now prioritise attention-grabbing framing over conveying the true meaning of a story. “This is worse within the context of science communication, such as issues of health and climate change, which many news reporters lack knowledge of,” Gunde said. He urged Malawi’s more established, conventional media houses to resist falling into the same trap, warning that doing so risks steadily eroding public trust over time — a lesson the current Amaryllis-linked disinformation episode appears to underline in real time. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Amaryllis, Frank Mbeta, Joseph Mwanamvekha --- ### [Chaponda, Atupele celebrate Zambia ties as Hichilema begins second term](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chaponda-atupele-celebrate-zambia-ties-as-hichilema-begins-second-term/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation George Chaponda says Malawi and Zambia need to preserve and build on their long-standing bilateral relations, as he represented President Peter Mutharika at the inauguration of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. Speaking at the ceremony, Chaponda point ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788294503629-600x400.jpg)Hichilema sworn in for second termed to the deep historical roots of the relationship between the two countries, insisting there was a clear need for continued cooperation moving forward. “It is important that both countries continue to enjoy and strengthen the current status of our relations,” he said. He went on to stress that Malawi attaches great importance to its relationship with Zambia, noting that the two nations share historical, cultural and people-to-people ties that provide a strong foundation for deeper cooperation in the years ahead. Also marking the occasion was opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) leader Atupele Muluzi, who took to Facebook to share his delight at witnessing the historic event alongside his wife, Angela, describing Zambia not merely as a neighbour but as family. “It was a pleasure to witness, together with my wife Angela, the inauguration of President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia for his second term of office,” he wrote. “Zambia is not only our neighbour, friend and partner, but our brother and sister. Zambia’s success is Malawi’s success, and vice versa. “Together, as SADC, we must harness investment and trade to grow our economies, create jobs and opportunities, and improve the lives of our people,” Muluzi added, closing his message with a prayer for both nations. “May Almighty God continue to bless our beloved Motherland and Zambia.” Hichilema was sworn in for his second five-year term after clinching victory in Zambia’s August 13 General Election, securing 60 percent of the vote. His main rival, Brian Mundubile, who has since been arrested and charged with treason, took 38 percent of the vote and continues to dispute the outcome of the election. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788294500154-600x450.jpg)Chaponda represents Mutharika:as Hichilema sworn in![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788295150398-471x600.jpg)Atupele hails Zambia bond at Hichilema swearing-in Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Atupele Muluzi, George Chaponda, Hakainde Hichilema, Zambia --- ### [Police and Magalasi clash over Amaryllis charges](https://www.nyasatimes.com/police-and-magalasi-clash-over-amaryllis-charges/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A bizarre contradiction has emerged between police and former MERA boss Collins Magalasi, just a day after his arrest, over whether he has actually been formally charged in connection with the Amaryllis Hotel scandal. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260831_144107_Google-600x468.jpg)Confusion deepens as Magalasi says he’s charged — but police insist he’s notNational Police spokesperson Gladys Chiwawula told Nyasatimes that Magalasi has NOT yet been charged, insisting officers are still in the process of investigating the matter. Chiwawula also refused to reveal where Magalasi is currently being held, arguing that disclosing the location could “jeopardise investigations.” But when a group of media officials managed to track down and meet Magalasi at Area 3 Police Station shortly afterwards, he gave a starkly different version of events. “I have been formally charged this morning. You can get details of the charges from the police themselves,” Magalasi told reporters. He added that police had informed him he would appear in court the following day. Magalasi also revealed that Area 3 Police Station marks the third facility he has been held at since his arrest, having previously been moved through Lumbadzi and Kanengo. The conflicting accounts leave a fundamental question over the case unanswered — has Magalasi genuinely been formally charged, as he insists, or does he remain under investigation, as police continue to maintain? Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel, Collins Magalasi, Malawi Police --- ### [Mukhito orders resumption of stalled police houses after audit exposes payment chaos](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mukhito-orders-resumption-of-stalled-police-houses-after-audit-exposes-payment-chaos/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito has revealed that stalled construction projects to build homes for security officers will finally resume, after a government audit uncovered troubling payment discrepancies with contractors. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788266682417-1-600x450.jpg)Minister Mukhito warns against corruption as stalled police housing set to resumeMukhito made the announcement in Karonga on Monday, as he launched a four-day inspection tour of the Northern Region alongside Deputy Minister Norman Chisale, Deputy Minister for Gender Martha Mzomera Ngwira, and DPP Northern Region Governor Christopher Mzomera Ngwira. Speaking after inspecting the construction of 15 police officers’ houses at Ipyana Police Mobile Service, Mukhito revealed that government had been forced to suspend the projects after receiving alarming information that some contractors had been paid in full, while others had received nothing at all. “Most of the houses, I must apologetically say, have stalled for good reasons. Government wants a full audit of the project. There was information that other contractors were paid in full while others weren’t,” Mukhito admitted. He confirmed the audit process has now been completed, paving the way for government to disburse the outstanding funds and finally get construction moving again. The minister took the opportunity to issue a stern warning to officials and contractors alike, cautioning against corruption and the misuse of public resources. He insisted every single kwacha allocated to government projects must be properly accounted for and used strictly for its intended purpose, adding that development projects must deliver tangible benefits for ordinary Malawians and improve public service delivery. Karonga District Commissioner Willard Mwambo revealed the district would use Constituency Development Fund (CDF) resources to complement government’s efforts to strengthen community security, confirming the council was working closely with communities and security agencies to identify priority interventions. “The council is committed to completing construction of Wiliro Police Station to improve access to police services and strengthen security in surrounding communities using CDF funds,” Mwambo said. According to the Ministry of Homeland Security, the ongoing inspection tour is designed to assess progress on development projects, strengthen oversight, and evaluate service delivery across departments falling under the ministry’s mandate. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Malawi Police, Peter Mukhito --- ### [National Bank of Malawi backs internal auditors' conference, stresses governance as 'currency of trust'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-backs-internal-auditors-conference-stresses-governance-as-currency-of-trust/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** National Bank of Malawi Plc has reaffirmed the central importance of good governance to the banking sector, arguing that robust internal controls remain essential to sustaining public confidence in financial institutions. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788264073153-600x525.jpg)NBM Plc donates K5 million to the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), which is due to hold its annual general meeting and conference in Mangochi from 7 to 13 September.The bank’s Head of Internal Audit, Noel Tomoka, made the remarks in Blantyre as NBM Plc donated K5 million to the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), which is due to hold its annual general meeting and conference in Mangochi from 7 to 13 September. The conference, themed “The Currency of Trust: Governance as Strategy, Assurance as Proof,” reflects growing emphasis across Malawi’s financial sector on strengthening oversight functions amid heightened scrutiny of corporate accountability. Tomoka said the theme aligned closely with NBM Plc’s own institutional priorities. “This theme resonates well with our belief in the importance of good governance and strong internal controls,” Tomoka said, noting that internal audit functions play a critical role in detecting weaknesses before they escalate into reputational or financial risk for institutions operating in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. The donation comes as Malawian banks face continued pressure to demonstrate transparency, particularly following a string of high-profile financial scandals involving major institutions in recent years, underscoring why governance has become a central talking point across the industry. Institute of Internal Auditors Chief Executive Officer Albert Dambula welcomed the contribution, expressing appreciation to NBM Plc for its continued financial support of the profession’s development in Malawi. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Institute of Internal Auditors Malawi, National Bank of Malawi Plc --- ### [Centenary Bank posts K5.6bn half-year profit as deposits and assets surge](https://www.nyasatimes.com/centenary-bank-posts-k5-6bn-half-year-profit-as-deposits-and-assets-surge/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Centenary Bank has reported a profit after tax of K5.6 billion for the half-year ended 30 June 2026, up from K3.6 billion recorded during the same period last year. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788262473119-600x400.jpg)Mosiwa: Rising customer confidenceThe result also represents a three percent gain over the bank’s full-year 2025 profit of K7 billion. The bank attributed the improved performance to rising customer confidence, which lifted deposits and strengthened liquidity, alongside strong revenue growth and contained operating expenses despite ongoing inflationary pressures. However, the bank noted that higher impairment charges linked to weakened loan quality had weighed on profitability, reflecting a challenging economic environment. “The bank remains well positioned to sustain its positive performance,” the results state, jointly signed by acting managing director Beatrix Mosiwa, chairperson Francis Pelekamoyo, director John Biziwick and chief finance officer Hilarious Nampota. Total assets rose to K274.9 billion, up 11.9 percent from December 2025 and 25.2 percent from June 2025, driven by increased investment in government Treasury bills and notes, along with a 24.1 percent rise in customer deposits, according to the results. Total income climbed 56.6 percent to K32.7 billion, compared with K20.9 billion a year earlier, while interest income grew 39.7 percent to K23 billion. Net interest income advanced 53.2 percent to K16.3 billion. Centenary Bank Malawi, established in 2022, is 51 percent owned by the Centenary Rural Development Group of Uganda and 49 percent by the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Centenary Bank --- ### [Blantyre Water Board workers move to oust CEO and board chair in extraordinary power grab](https://www.nyasatimes.com/blantyre-water-board-workers-move-to-oust-ceo-and-board-chair-in-extraordinary-power-grab/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Blantyre Water Board (BWB) has been plunged into extraordinary chaos after workers reportedly declared that both the Chief Executive Officer, Yeremia Chihana, and Board Chairperson, Stanley Chirwa, should be removed from office — a dramatic escalation that could trigger a major legal and governance battle. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260829_033716_Instagram.jpg)CEO CHihana: Governance crisis deepens at Blantyre Water Board over leadership disputeIn what would mark an unprecedented development in Malawi’s parastatal sector, sources say the BWB workers’ union convened a meeting and resolved to “relieve” both the CEO and Board Chairperson of their duties. The astonishing claim immediately raises a fundamental legal question: can a workers’ union actually remove the chief executive or chairperson of a statutory body? Under normal circumstances, the appointment and removal of a parastatal CEO and board members falls squarely under the institution’s enabling legislation and corporate governance framework — not a decision for employees to make unilaterally. Yet at BWB, workers appear to have dramatically thrust themselves into the centre of an already bitter and long-running leadership dispute. BWB spokesperson Evelyn Khonje confirmed that employees had gathered outside the organisation’s premises, though she said she had no further information regarding the reasons behind the gathering. The extraordinary drama adds yet another explosive twist to the long-running Chihana saga, which has already seen the BWB Board repeatedly suspend the embattled CEO, only for the courts to reinstate him time and again — effectively turning his tenure into an ongoing tug-of-war between the boardroom and the courtroom. Now, it appears workers have entered the battlefield too. If the union’s resolution to remove the CEO and Board Chairperson stands, the question facing BWB is no longer simply who runs the organisation — but who actually holds the legal authority to decide that in the first place. The chaos threatens to plunge the water utility into its deepest governance crisis yet, with yet another legal confrontation now looming on the horizon. For now, employees remain gathered at BWB premises as the extraordinary leadership standoff continues to unfold — with one thing abundantly clear: Blantyre Water Board has entered truly uncharted territory. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, Yeremiah Chihana --- ### ['Knowledge is power': Minister Phiri heads to China for governance masterclass](https://www.nyasatimes.com/knowledge-is-power-minister-phiri-heads-to-china-for-governance-masterclass/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr Ben Phiri has revealed he will spend the entire month of September in China, undergoing intensive training in governance and public administration at Peking University, alongside fellow leaders from 48 countries around the world. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788263131933-452x600.jpg)Minister Ben Phiri jets off to China for month-long governance training at Peking UniversityIn a Facebook post, Phiri said he had made the decision to dedicate his time to the programme in order to draw lessons from the Chinese government’s approach to governance, describing the opportunity as a valuable investment in knowledge. “I have sacrificed my time to gain knowledge in governance and public administration, drawing lessons from the Chinese government and fellow leaders representing 48 countries around the world here at Peking University in China,” Phiri wrote. He said the month-long programme would cover key areas including policy, leadership, local governance and development, describing the experience as an opportunity to gain “immense knowledge” in those fields. Phiri closed his post with a reflection on the value of continuous learning. “Knowledge is power. I value it, and I have dedicated my time to it. Because the greatest investment you can make is in knowledge and it is never a waste,” he said. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788263125867-450x600.jpg)Phiri’s China trip: Minister to spend a month studying governance at top Beijing university Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Ben Phiri, China, governance --- ### [Malawi withdraws ambassador-designate to Kuwait just months after nomination — Abdul Karim remains in post](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-withdraws-ambassador-designate-to-kuwait-just-months-after-nomination-abdul-karim-remains-in-post/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi government has abruptly withdrawn its nomination of Allison Liwanda as Ambassador-designate to the State of Kuwait, in a move confirmed through an official diplomatic note. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0601-600x408.jpeg)Foreogn Affairs Minister Dr George Chaponda : Diplomatic posts shopping scandalAccording to a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Malawi, dated 31 August 2026 and addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, the Malawi government has formally withdrawn Liwanda’s appointment. The note references an earlier communication, dated Note No. 02/26, in which Malawi had originally requested agrément — formal diplomatic approval — for Liwanda’s appointment as Ambassador-designate to Kuwait, with residence in Kuwait City. No reason for the withdrawal was given in the note. The document confirms that His Excellency Mr Abdul Karim remains the substantive Ambassador of the Republic of Malawi to the State of Kuwait, continuing to serve from his residence in Kuwait City. The note, numbered 05/2026, was signed off in Lilongwe and formally communicated to Kuwaiti authorities, with the Ministry renewing “the assurances of its highest consideration” to its Kuwaiti counterparts as part of standard diplomatic protocol. The development comes amid a broader wave of changes within Malawi’s diplomatic corps, with the country having recently reshuffled a number of its foreign envoys. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Diplomats, Kuwait --- ### [Kukoma maintain perfect weekend with victory over Tigresses in FDH Premier Netball League](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kukoma-maintain-perfect-weekend-with-victory-over-tigresses-in-fdh-premier-netball-league/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Kukoma Diamonds continued their impressive form in the FDH Premier Netball League with a 61-49 victory over fellow heavyweights Tigresses in a Week Five first-round clash at Blantyre Sports Arena on Sunday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788262294260-600x400.jpg)Kukoma Diamonds see off Tigresses to seal flawless weekend in netball leagueIt was a second win of the weekend for Kukoma Diamonds, who had earlier beaten FLC Netball Team 57-25 on Saturday, strengthening their position as the first round of the season progresses. Head coach Noel Musa praised his side’s performance against a strong Tigresses outfit, insisting the victory was fully deserved. “It was a very good game considering that both teams are big. We deserved the win because of the way we played,” he said. Musa said the squad would keep working hard in training as they look to build on their current momentum and push further up the table. “We will continue encouraging and training our players so that they can perform at their best and help us move further towards the top position,” he added. For Tigresses, head coach Peace Kalua struck a positive tone despite the defeat, pointing to clear signs of progress in her side’s performance since the start of the campaign. “I am inspired by the improvement we have made compared to our initial performance. We have improved by about 40 percent and we are striving to reach at least 60 percent in the coming games,” she said. However, Kalua admitted that a lack of squad depth had proved costly during Sunday’s contest. “We do not have enough players and substitutes, so when a player gets tired or injured, it becomes difficult to make changes. This affects our performance,” she explained. Tigresses had gone into the fixture full of confidence, having beaten Prison Queens 63-44 the day before. Elsewhere at Blantyre Sports Arena on Sunday, Pacers edged past FLC Netball Team 42-40, while Prison Queens bounced back from their earlier defeat to beat Giants NC 48-43. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Kukoma, Netball, Tigresses --- ### [CDH Investment Bank posts K41bn profit after tax, up 124% for first half of 2026](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cdh-investment-bank-posts-k41bn-profit-after-tax-up-124-for-first-half-of-2026/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** CDH Investment Bank has reported a Profit After Tax of K41 billion for the six months ended 30 June 2026, marking a 124 percent increase on the K18.3 billion recorded over the same period in 2025. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260831-WA0009-400x600.jpg)Mkavea: CDH Investment Bank remains focused on sustainable growth within its target marketThe bank’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Thoko Mkavea, said the results reflect the strength of the bank’s focused strategy, effective execution and operational efficiency. “These outstanding results are a direct result of the hard work and commitment of our people, the unwavering support we receive from our board, our loyal customers, valued partners, regulators and all our stakeholders,” he said. Mkavea added that CDH Investment Bank remains focused on sustainable growth within its target market and will continue partnering with stakeholders to contribute positively to Malawi’s economic development. He extended his appreciation to every member of the CDH Investment Bank family and its stakeholders for their continued trust, hard work and support. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** CDH Investment Bank --- ### [Soldier jailed 20 years for abusing girl, 15, he impregnated](https://www.nyasatimes.com/soldier-jailed-20-years-for-abusing-girl-15-he-impregnated/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A 36-year-old soldier has been jailed for 20 years with hard labour after being convicted of repeatedly abusing a 15-year-old girl and getting her pregnant in the process. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260901-WA0010-1-538x600.jpg)20 years for soldier who abused girl, 15, four timesDiof Simaone was sentenced by the Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, September 1, following his conviction last Friday, according to Central West Region Police Public Relations Officer Sub Inspector Foster Benjamin. Prosecutor Sub Inspector Thandizo Chingaru told the court that Simaone had sexually abused the child on four separate occasions between April and August 2025, resulting in her pregnancy. Simaone had pleaded not guilty at trial, forcing the State to parade four witnesses in order to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. In court, prosecutor Chingaru pushed for a harsh sentence, arguing that as a military officer, Simaone should have been protecting the vulnerable child rather than exploiting her. Pleading for leniency in mitigation, Simaone asked the court — and the nation as a whole — to forgive him for his actions. But Senior Resident Magistrate Bracious Kondowe sided firmly with the State, handing Simaone the full 20-year sentence with hard labour. Simaone hails from Nakoka Village, Traditional Authority Mwambo, in Zomba District. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** defilement, Malawi Defence Force, sexual- offence --- ### [K19bn CDF bursaries disbursed as Minister Phiri urges transparency in distribution](https://www.nyasatimes.com/k19bn-cdf-bursaries-disbursed-as-minister-phiri-urges-transparency-in-distribution/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Government has disbursed K19 billion in Constituency Development Fund (CDF) education bursaries to councils across the country ahead of the reopening of schools this September, in a move authorities say is designed to ensure needy students don’t miss classes because of financial constraints. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260731-WA0007-1-600x270.jpg)Minister Ben Phiri: Transparency driveMinister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr Ben Malunga Phiri confirmed the disbursement, saying he was hopeful the funds would enable eligible learners to access bursaries in their respective districts and return to school on time and without delay. The minister said the bursary programme forms part of government’s wider commitment to promoting equitable access to education while easing the financial burden on vulnerable households. “Government is committed to ensuring that needy students are supported so that they can access education,” Phiri said. He urged council officials to ensure the funds are distributed transparently, fairly and promptly to identified beneficiaries, calling for close coordination between schools, local authorities and MPs. “Let us make sure these resources reach the intended students. Headteachers, council officials and MPs must work together to verify the list of needy learners so that no one is left behind,” he said. Phiri added that education remained a key pillar in building a skilled and productive population, contributing directly to the country’s long-term development goals under the Malawi Agenda 2063. He also called on parents and guardians to complement government support by covering other essential school requirements once tuition and related fees had been settled. An August funding schedule seen by this publication shows substantial allocations for CDF education bursaries across councils, with Lilongwe District Council receiving the largest share at K1.425 billion. It is followed by M’mbelwa District Council with K975 million, while Lilongwe City Council and Mangochi District Council each receive K900 million. Blantyre City, Dedza, Dowa and Kasungu have each been allocated K750 million, while Mulanje and Zomba districts receive K675 million apiece. Other notable allocations include K600 million each for Machinga, Ntcheu and Thyolo, K525 million for Chikwawa and Mchinji, and K450 million each for Blantyre District and Nkhata Bay. At the lower end, Kasungu, Luchenza and Mangochi municipalities, Karonga Town and Likoma District have each been allocated K75 million. The detailed schedule accounts for K17.175 billion under the specific “CDF: Education Bursaries” line, though government has confirmed the broader national disbursement at K19 billion. The discrepancy suggests the detailed schedule may not capture the full disbursement, or may reflect only a particular stage or component of the wider funding process. The timing of the release is significant, with schools set to reopen in September as families across the country face mounting education-related costs. For vulnerable households, bursary support can often make the difference between a student remaining in school and dropping out altogether. The CDF Bursary Programme continues to provide educational support to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds at secondary and tertiary level, across all 229 constituencies nationwide. Ultimately, the impact of this latest disbursement will depend on how quickly councils identify genuine beneficiaries and transfer support to deserving students and institutions. Government has placed councils at the centre of ensuring the money reaches its intended recipients before the new school term begins — with renewed scrutiny expected around transparency in beneficiary selection, fund distribution and accountability for the billions being channelled through local authorities. For thousands of needy learners, however, the immediate concern remains far simpler: whether the money will reach them in time to get back into the classroom this September. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Ben Phiri, Constituency Development Fund --- ### ['Family, friendship and respect go beyond the result': Will's heartfelt words for father Thom Mpinganjira](https://www.nyasatimes.com/family-friendship-and-respect-go-beyond-the-result-wills-heartfelt-words-for-father-thom-mpinganjira/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Ekhaya FC president William Mpinganjira has spoken movingly about facing his own father, Mighty Wanderers president Thomson Mpinganjira, in Sunday’s dramatic Airtel Top 8 final — insisting the historic clash was about far more than just football. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788224374238-600x400.jpg)William Mpinganjira hails dad Thomson after historic father-son cup final showdownSpeaking after Ekhaya’s stunning 2-1 victory over the Nomads, William paid tribute to his father, describing the occasion as one that carried special personal significance despite the two men sitting on opposing sides of the technical divide. “I want to sincerely applaud my father, Dr Thomson Mpinganjira, and his team for a very competitive and entertaining match. They said sportsmanship. It is never easy playing against a team of that quality, and we have tremendous respect for them,” William said. He went on to reflect on the unique nature of going head-to-head with his own father on the football pitch, insisting the family bond remained intact regardless of the result. “For me, personally, playing against my father’s team makes the occasion even more special. “I have the utmost respect for him — not just as my father, but as someone who has contributed so much to football and continues to support and inspire us. “On the pitch, we were competitors but, at the final sportsmanship, football has winners and losers, but family, friendship and respect go beyond the result,” he said. William also turned his attention to the wider significance of the victory, congratulating his players for their fighting spirit throughout the tournament. “First and foremost, congratulations to the boys for a fantastic performance and for winning the cup. They worked hard, stayed focused and deserved this momentum to move up in the premiership,” he said. Currently sitting 10th in the Premiership with 17 points from 14 matches — having won four, drawn two and lost five — Ekhaya’s president said the club had already identified key areas for improvement as they look to kick on, singling out the striker and midfield departments as priority areas. “So, these are the focus areas for now. In the immediate term, we want to develop our own training centre to help the team prepare well for the future,” William added. He closed his remarks with a message of gratitude to everyone involved in the historic final. “Congratulations to our team, respect to my father and his team, and thank you to everyone who made this a great cup final. Today we celebrate the victory, but we also celebrate the beautiful game,” he said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Ekhaya FC, Mighty Wanderers, Thom Mpingangira, William Mpinganjira --- ### [Malawi's power lifeline to Mozambique finally switched on — but consumers warned tariffs must be "cost-reflective"](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-power-lifeline-to-mozambique-finally-switched-on-but-consumers-warned-tariffs-must-be-cost-reflective/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Construction of the long-awaited Mozambique-Malawi (MOMA) 400kV Electricity Interconnector has finally been completed, with tariff negotiations now underway before commercial power trading can begin between the two nations. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260901_022028_Instagram.jpg)Thodi: Major stepThe Ministry of Energy confirmed the milestone in a statement issued Monday and signed by Secretary for Energy Elvis Thodi, hailing the interconnector’s completion as a major step forward in Malawi’s efforts to access additional power sources and plug into the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) via Mozambique. “The line was successfully hot-commissioned and energized on August 8, 2026, marking a key step toward operationalising the MOMA interconnector. Then, 5 megawatts (MW) of electricity were imported from Mozambique to test and commission commercial metering equipment at the Matambo Substation,” Thodi said. He revealed that construction on the Malawian side of the project had actually been completed on schedule back in February 2025, but full commissioning was held up by delays on the Mozambican side, after work there was suspended following a fatal workplace accident. “The suspension allowed safety and safeguard measures to be thoroughly reviewed and strengthened before construction resumed,” Thodi explained. He said the Ministry, working alongside the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM), Power Market Limited (PML) and Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM), is now racing to finalise tariff arrangements and other commercial details needed to get power flowing. “These tariff discussions and agreements are necessary to ensure that electricity imports through the interconnector are safe, reliable, sustainable, and commercially viable,” he said. But consumer watchdogs are already sounding a note of caution. Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA) Executive Director John Kapito insisted that any tariff set for electricity imported from Mozambique must be grounded in genuine cost, not plucked out of thin air. “Tariffs are based on several inputs and determined by reflective costs. One cannot set a tariff arbitrarily without considering the fundamental factors that constitute a fair price,” Kapito warned. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured **Tags:** electricity --- ### ["We can be Malawi's Man City": Ekhaya boss Mpinganjira eyes fanbase boom after Top 8 glory](https://www.nyasatimes.com/we-can-be-malawis-man-city-ekhaya-boss-mpinganjira-eyes-fanbase-boom-after-top-8-glory/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Ekhaya Football Club president William Mpinganjira believes his side’s stunning Airtel Top 8 triumph could be the catalyst for a rapidly growing fan base, comparing the Cowboys’ rise to that of English Premier League giants Manchester City. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788223593821-600x450.jpg)From promotion to champions: Mpinganjira dreams of Man City-style following for EkhayaMpinganjira made the bold claim in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s dramatic final, in which Ekhaya stunned Malawian football by beating giants Mighty Wanderers 2-1 to lift the trophy in only their maiden top-flight campaign. Speaking in an interview monitored on Mibawa Television straight after the final whistle, an emotional Mpinganjira admitted he never anticipated silverware so soon, given the club had only been promoted to the top division last season. He said that if Ekhaya can sustain their impressive form over the next decade, the club stands to build a massive and fiercely loyal following — pointing to Manchester City as the perfect blueprint. Mpinganjira noted that City, once a modest club by comparison, have gone on to attract legions of Malawian supporters who previously had no connection to the club, purely off the back of years of sustained success on the pitch. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788223610117-1-600x600.jpg)Ekhaya can build a Man City-style fanbase after historic Top 8 triumph![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788196850689-600x400.jpg)From promotion to champions: Mpinganjira dreams of Man City-style following for Ekhaya Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Ekhaya FC, William Mpinganjira --- ### [Police officer denied secondment to Botswana loses High Court battle](https://www.nyasatimes.com/police-officer-denied-secondment-to-botswana-loses-high-court-battle/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian police officer has been dealt a legal blow after the High Court’s Civil Division refused to allow her to pursue judicial review proceedings against the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General, over the shock withdrawal of her secondment to the SADC Secretariat in Gaborone, Botswana. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788197473930-450x600.jpg)Kalusa — represented the IG and AGNolliettie Chihana Chimala had successfully applied for secondment from the Malawi Police Service and accepted the prestigious posting, only for the arrangement to be pulled after police cited a lack of dedicated budget to support it. Represented in court by private practice lawyer Wesley Namasala, Chimala challenged the decision, arguing it was procedurally unfair, irrational, and breached her legitimate expectation of taking up the role. But the Inspector General, named as first defendant, and the Attorney General, represented by lawyer Chrispin Kalusa from the AG’s Chambers, pushed back, insisting the dispute was fundamentally contractual and employment-related, making judicial review the wrong legal avenue entirely. The court sided with the defendants on Friday, ruling that the matter stemmed from an employment-related secondment arrangement and was predominantly private and contractual in nature, rather than a matter for judicial review. “Permission to apply for judicial review is hereby refused. The Applicant is at liberty to pursue her grievances through the appropriate ordinary civil channels,” Justice Howard Pemba said, presiding over the case. The court went on to clarify that while police officers are excluded from the protections of the Labour Relations Act, this does not strip them of their right to seek justice through the ordinary courts. “The exclusion of police officers from the specialised framework established under the Labour Relations Act means that only the Industrial Relations Court lacks jurisdiction over their employment disputes. It does not extinguish their civil rights or prevent them from seeking redress before the ordinary courts,” the ruling states. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Malawi Police --- ### [Private school teachers urged to work harder as Prisam boss links effort to better pay and pupil results](https://www.nyasatimes.com/private-school-teachers-urged-to-work-harder-as-prisam-boss-links-effort-to-better-pay-and-pupil-results/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The President of the Private Schools Association of Malawi (Prisam), Ernest Kaonga, has challenged teachers across the country’s private education sector to raise their game, insisting that hard work is the key to boosting both learner performance and staff welfare. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788199981762-364x600.jpg)Kaonga: Raise your gameKaonga argued that strong academic results directly attract more pupils to private schools, which in turn helps improve teachers’ overall welfare — and crucially, their salaries. He made the comments in Blantyre on the sidelines of a series of stakeholder meetings tied to Prisam’s 500-student scholarship programme. The Prisam president also turned his attention to school owners, urging them to uphold high standards and ensure they are properly remitting pension contributions and Pay As You Earn (Paye) tax on behalf of their employees. Kaonga acknowledged the financial pressures many schools face, admitting that remitting pension and Paye payments isn’t always straightforward given that fee collection remains schools’ primary — and often unreliable — source of income. “This is a requirement of the law as such school owners should make proper adjustments,” he said, stressing that compliance was non-negotiable regardless of financial difficulties. He added that engagements like the current round of stakeholder meetings offer a valuable opportunity for improvement across the board — for school owners, employees and students alike. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Education, General, News **Tags:** Ernest Kaonga --- ### [VP Ansah calls for national unity and spiritual renewal after attending Zambezi Evangelical Church mega conference](https://www.nyasatimes.com/vp-ansah-calls-for-national-unity-and-spiritual-renewal-after-attending-zambezi-evangelical-church-mega-conference/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Vice President Jane Ansah has called on Malawians to embrace spiritual renewal and greater national unity, after attending the closing ceremony of the Upper and Lower Shire Joint Mega Conference of the Zambezi Evangelical Church in Blantyre. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788174741322-1-475x600.jpg)Ansah :instil values of hard work, discipline, honesty, respect for the law and integrity in the next generationThe Vice President attended the event on Sunday at Mitsidi Synod Ground in Sigelege, describing it as a powerful time of worship, reflection and spiritual fellowship. Speaking after the conference, Ansah urged citizens to let their faith shape how they treat one another and contribute to the country’s development, stressing that spiritual renewal should translate into tangible action in everyday life. She also used the occasion to renew calls for greater cooperation across Malawian society, insisting that religious leaders, traditional authorities, politicians, civil society, the business community and government must work hand in hand to promote peace, unity and national development. The Vice President placed particular emphasis on the role of families and the Church in shaping the country’s young people, urging both institutions to instil values of hard work, discipline, honesty, respect for the law and integrity in the next generation. “The future of our nation depends greatly on the values we instil in the next generation,” Ansah said. She encouraged Malawians to carry the spirit of the conference beyond the event itself, urging citizens to bring the message of renewal into their churches, homes, workplaces and communities as the new week begins. Ansah closed her remarks with a prayer for the nation, wishing Malawians a blessed, peaceful and productive week ahead. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Jane Ansah, Zambezi Evangelical Church --- ### [Met chief reveals no weather forecaster was deployed for fatal Chikangawa VVIP flight](https://www.nyasatimes.com/met-chief-reveals-no-weather-forecaster-was-deployed-for-fatal-chikangawa-vvip-flight/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Director of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, Lucy Mtilatila, has told the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee investigating the Chikangawa plane crash that her department had no advance knowledge of the fateful June 10, 2024 VVIP flight to Mzuzu — meaning no forecaster was ever sent to support ground operations there. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788206802523-600x450.jpg)“If we knew, we would have deployed”: Met chief Lucy Mtilatila’s stunning Chikangawa crash testimonyGiving evidence before the committee, Mtilatila revealed that the forecaster stationed at Kamuzu International Airport also failed to provide crucial weather information to the flight crew, explaining that this was simply because the crew never requested it. She told MPs that standard procedure dictates a dedicated aviation weather forecaster be deployed ahead of time to both the origin and destination airports whenever a VVIP flight takes place, in order to brief the crew and support operations on the ground. “If we knew about this flight in advance we would have deployed an aviation meteorological forecaster from KIA to Mzuzu to support the operations on the ground,” Mtilatila told the committee. Committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu Manda pressed Mtilatila on why her department had not provided en route weather information for the flight, prompting her to repeat that the department simply had no knowledge the VVIP operation was taking place — making it impossible to prepare any briefing or report in advance. “So in short we were not aware and that is why we did not provide but otherwise, on that day all the flights that were leaving KIA on that day received the documentation,” Mtilatila said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** plane inquiry --- ### [Corruption in police, prisons and immigration a "threat to national security" — Mukhito](https://www.nyasatimes.com/corruption-in-police-prisons-and-immigration-a-threat-to-national-security-mukhito/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788196885922-600x400.jpg)Minister Mukhito issues blunt integrity warning to security officers in KarongaHomeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito has issued a stark warning that corruption within Malawi’s security institutions goes far beyond simple misconduct, branding it a genuine threat to the country’s national security. Mukhito delivered the blunt message in Karonga District on Monday, during a familiarisation tour and meeting with officers from the Malawi Police Service, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, and the Malawi Prison Service. The minister urged frontline officers to adopt a zero-tolerance stance on corruption, while calling for a renewed focus on discipline, accountability and performance across all three institutions. Mukhito insisted security officers must take full responsibility for their conduct and uphold the highest standards of integrity while carrying out their duties. “Adopt zero tolerance to corruption. Uphold integrity in the discharge of your duties,” he told officers. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788196903387-600x450.jpg)Mukhito demands zero tolerance on corruption within Malawi’s security services Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** corruption, Immigration Department, Malawi Police, Peter Mukhito, prisons --- ### [Money laundering swoop: Two men held with K46 million cash after tip-off at Amaryllis Hotel](https://www.nyasatimes.com/money-laundering-swoop-two-men-held-with-k46-million-cash-after-tip-off-at-amaryllis-hotel/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Two men have been arrested in Blantyre on suspicion of money laundering, after police caught them allegedly exchanging suspicious sums of foreign currency at the Amaryllis Hotel. Blantyre Police Spokesperson ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788199207749-486x600.jpg)Suspects try to flee police in car chase after being caught with millions in cash at hotelMary Chiponda disclosed that the pair were found in possession of US$9,200 — roughly K15.9 million — along with a further K30 million in local currency. The suspects, named as Havilla Beighton, 32, and Nickson Nelson Babu, 45, are suspected of having either stolen the money or obtained it unlawfully, according to police. Chiponda said officers swooped after receiving a tip-off about two suspicious individuals exchanging foreign currency at the hotel. “Police got a tip that two suspicious people were exchanging foreign currency at Amaryllis hotel. When officers arrived at the scene, the suspects started driving away but were blocked by a police vehicle,” she said. The dramatic arrest brings the total amount recovered to nearly K46 million in cash, with investigations now underway to establish the origin of the money and whether it is linked to any wider criminal activity. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel, money laundering --- ### [Chihana reinstated as CEO days after shock suspension — following High Court ruling](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chihana-reinstated-as-ceo-days-after-shock-suspension-following-high-court-ruling/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Blantyre Water Board Chief Executive Officer Yeremia Chihana has been reinstated to his post, just days after being suspended on Friday, following a High Court of Malawi ruling delivered on August 30, 2026. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788197067847-1-600x450.jpg)Chihana outside court with wifeThe reinstatement was confirmed in an internal memorandum dated August 31, 2026, issued by BWB Acting Director of Human Resource and Administration Lawrence Kadzitche and sent to all members of staff. The memo, titled “Position of Chief Executive Officer,” stated that following the court’s ruling, Chihana’s suspension had been “completely lifted together with all the conditions and restrictions communicated earlier.” “Let us all continue to extend our usual full support to our Chief Executive Officer as he continues to discharge his duties,” the memo read, signed by Kadzitche. Chihana himself confirmed the development in an interview, welcoming his return to the role. Supporters of Chihana were seen celebrating outside the court following the ruling, cheering the decision that paved the way for his swift return to office. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, Yeremiah Chihana --- ### [Mukhito launches four-day Northern Region security blitz](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mukhito-launches-four-day-northern-region-security-blitz/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito has kicked off a gruelling four-day inspection tour of Malawi’s Northern Region, on a mission to scrutinise security operations, infrastructure projects and service delivery across the area. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788180311308-600x400.jpg)Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito is greeted by police officers during his four-day inspection tour of the Northern Region, as part of efforts to assess security operations and strengthen cooperation between security institutions and communities.Mukhito, joined by Deputy Minister Norman Chisale, launched the tour in Karonga on Monday, beginning with a visit to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services before heading to inspect ongoing projects at Karonga Prison. While at the prison, the minister dug into government coffers to donate K2 million towards the purchase of additional manual brick-making machines, aimed at boosting production and supporting income-generating activities for inmates. Mukhito praised prison authorities for their efforts in promoting self-reliance behind bars, hailing the initiative as a positive step towards rehabilitation. The minister is also set to engage directly with the Karonga community over the disturbing rise of mob justice, urging residents to respect the rule of law and work hand in hand with police rather than take matters into their own hands. Mukhito will now press on to other districts across the region as part of the tour, assessing operational challenges on the ground and looking to strengthen cooperation between security institutions and the communities they serve. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788180304117-2-600x400.jpg)LINE OF DUTY — Deputy Minister Norman Chisale greets police officers in Karonga as he accompanies Minister Peter Mukhito on the four-day Northern Region security inspection tour. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** Malawi Police, Norman Chisale, Peter Mukhito --- ### [Police confirm Magalasi arrested over Amaryllis Hotel cash withdrawals](https://www.nyasatimes.com/police-confirm-magalasi-arrested-over-amaryllis-hotel-cash-withdrawals/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former MERA boss Collins Magalasi has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in connection with the controversial Amaryllis Hotel deal. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260831_144107_Google-600x468.jpg)Magalasi : ArrestedNational Police spokesperson Gladys Chiwawula confirmed the arrest, saying further details would be provided later. Magalasi was picked around 5am today in Area 49, Lilongwe and is being kept at Lumbadzi police station. The arrest comes amid ongoing investigations into the movement of billions of kwacha following the sale of the hotel, with scrutiny previously centred on K5.497 billion withdrawn in cash from the Yusuf Investments account at National Bank between January and March 2026. According to information emerging from the investigation, Magalasi is alleged to have been involved in a K5 billion cash withdrawal operation, in which proxies reportedly withdrew the money from National Bank before handing it over to him. The proxies are said to have been told the money was being taken to State House. The allegations are serious, and questions over who authorised the withdrawals, who ultimately received the cash, and where the money went are now expected to form a central part of the ACB’s investigation. The wider Amaryllis saga has already raised significant concerns over the handling of billions of kwacha from the hotel transaction, with parliamentary investigations also examining the suspicious cash withdrawals separately. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Amaryllis Hotel, Collins Magalasi --- ### [Standard Bank launches Khaa-Your247 promotion to drive digital payments](https://www.nyasatimes.com/standard-bank-launches-khaa-your247-promotion-to-drive-digital-payments/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Standard Bank Malawi has launched a new biller transaction promotion dubbed ‘Khaa! Your247’ to encourage its customers to embrace digital banking and use the bank’s 247 platforms to pay their everyday bills. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260831-WA0003-600x348.jpg)Nyirenda – initiative is part of the Bank’s commitment to making banking more convenient, secure and accessible for its customersSpeaking during the launch of the promotion at Chichiri Shopping Mall in Blantyre, Standard Bank’s Head of Transaction Banking Pherandawa Nyirenda said that the initiative is part of the Bank’s commitment to making banking more convenient, secure and accessible for its customers. “At Standard Bank we recognize that in this digital era, it is our duty to give our customers the freedom to access financial services whenever and wherever they are through convenient, secure and efficient channels. “And that is why we continue to invest in digital solutions such as the 247 App, 247 Online and 247 Mobile to make banking easier and more accessible”, he said. He added that through the new promotion, the Bank also intends to contribute towards the growth of a cashless culture while at the same time giving back to its customers. “Under this promotion, we will be giving back to our customers through numerous exciting prizes they will win just by paying bills through our 247 platform, taking our customers to great heights but beyond the prizes lies an even bigger purpose, which is to contribute towards a culture where digital and cashless transactions become the preferred way of paying for everyday services’, Nyirenda said. Under this promotion, customers stand a chance to win a share of MK46 million over the four-month campaign period running from September to December. Monthly prizes include MK200,000 worth of electricity and water tokens and MK100,000 cash prizes awarded to 30 winners each month. At the end of the promotion, three lucky customers will walk away with the grand prizes of MK15 million, MK10 million and MK5 million respectively. The 247 platforms enable customers to make bill payments such as ESCOM, Water Board, Malawi Revenue Authority, DSTV/GOtv, and Medical Aid Society of Malawi, giving customers a wide range of everyday services for which they can transact digitally. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Standard Bank --- ### [UNDP urges Malawi to strengthen focus on climate change and human rights as vulnerable communities bear the brunt](https://www.nyasatimes.com/undp-urges-malawi-to-strengthen-focus-on-climate-change-and-human-rights-as-vulnerable-communities-bear-the-brunt/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi needs to sharpen its focus on the connections between climate change, human rights and environmental protection, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has said, warning that vulnerable communities continue to shoulder the worst effects of the climate crisis. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788178364036-600x450.jpg)Osman: Malawi’s existing environmental laws fail to adequately incorporate human rights considerationsSpeaking at a joint UNDP and Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) media engagement on environmental and climate justice in Lilongwe, UNDP Malawi’s chief technical adviser on rule of law, Rowland Cole, said climate change was fuelling displacement and deepening inequalities across the country. Cole called for closer examination of how the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment intersects with the impacts of climate change and broader human rights obligations. MHRC executive secretary Habiba Osman echoed those concerns, arguing that Malawi’s existing environmental laws fail to adequately incorporate human rights considerations, as well as the technical dimensions of climate and environmental justice. Osman also raised concerns over chronic underfunding of climate-related work in the country, saying significantly more resources would be needed if Malawi is to meaningfully address the mounting challenges posed by the crisis. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** climate change, Habiba Osman, human rights, UNDP --- ### [Cases dropped by DPP Maele in limbo as court delays constitutional verdict](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cases-dropped-by-dpp-maele-in-limbo-as-court-delays-constitutional-verdict/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A potentially explosive High Court ruling that could throw the legitimacy of Malawi’s Director of Public Prosecutions into chaos has been delayed, leaving the country waiting on a decision with sweeping constitutional consequences. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260717_014948_Instagram.jpg)Legal cloud over Maele deepens as court postpones explosive constitutional rulingJudge Anneline Kanthambi had been expected to deliver her much-anticipated verdict today in Lilongwe, in a case brought by Senior Counsel Kamudoni Nyasulu challenging the legality of DPP Fostino Maele’s appointment — and, crucially, his decisions to discontinue a string of criminal cases since taking office. But the ruling failed to materialise, with the court informing both parties that the judgment was not yet finalised and that a new date would be set once it is ready. Nyasulu confirmed the frustrating delay. “The court communicated that the ruling is not ready today. When it is ready, a new date will be set and communicated to us,” he said. The postponement means the cloud of legal uncertainty hanging over Maele’s appointment — and every decision made by his office since — remains firmly unresolved. At the centre of the case is Nyasulu’s bid to have the matter referred to Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda for certification as a constitutional issue. If granted, the dispute would be escalated to a panel of at least three judges, transforming it into a major constitutional showdown over how Malawi appoints and holds its chief prosecutor to account. Kanthambi had also been due to rule on Nyasulu’s application for a stay of proceedings in the wider judicial review, which places Maele’s November 2025 appointment under direct constitutional scrutiny while simultaneously challenging the legality of his subsequent decisions to drop several prosecutions. The stakes stretch far beyond Maele himself. Should his appointment ultimately be ruled unconstitutional, serious questions would arise over the fate of every prosecutorial decision made under his watch — including cases dropped, prosecutions greenlit, and other rulings issued under his authority. For now, though, the High Court has left the nation waiting, with the legal shadow hanging over the DPP’s office firmly intact until the ruling is finally delivered. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Fostino Yankho Maele --- ### [UTM's Mtumbuka crosses political divide to bless choir album — and splashes K1.5m on CD](https://www.nyasatimes.com/utms-mtumbuka-crosses-political-divide-to-bless-choir-album-and-splashes-k1-5m-on-cd/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** UTM Party presidential running mate Dr Matthews Mtumbuka set aside party politics on Sunday to serve as guest of honour at a Catholic choir album launch in Zomba, using the moment to urge worshippers to put their talents to work for God. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788162286767-450x600.jpg)Mtumbuka bless choir album — and splashes K1.5m on CDThe Rumphi Central MP was the star attraction at Holy Trinity Parish in Matawale, Zomba Diocese, as St Gregory Catholic Choir Mzimu Woyera unveiled its new album, with Mtumbuka telling the congregation that music was a powerful gift capable of spreading God’s word. “Every person in the church has a talent that can be used to serve God well. One of these talents is music, and we should use it to glorify God,” he told worshippers. He also thanked the choir for the invitation, saying it left the people of Rumphi Central deeply honoured. “I would like to thank St. Gregory Choir for inviting me to be the guest of honour. The people of Rumphi Central are very honoured by this invitation,” he said. The event carried a notable cross-party flavour, with Zomba City North MP Bester Awali — whose invitation brought Mtumbuka to the parish — publicly thanking him for showing up despite their political differences. Speaking through his personal assistant Joe Pamamera, Awali praised Mtumbuka’s willingness to set aside rivalry for the sake of community. “We would like to thank Dr. Matthews Mtumbuka for gracing this occasion and putting party colours aside to attend this function, especially because the invitation came through Honourable Bester Awali,” Pamamera said. Mtumbuka didn’t leave empty-handed either — before the day was out, he dug into his pocket to buy the choir’s newly launched album CD for a striking K1.5 million. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Mathews Mtumbuka, Roman Catholic Church, UTM --- ### [Ben Phiri promises sports ground for Nchilamwera youth](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ben-phiri-promises-sports-ground-for-nchilamwera-youth/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, and Thyolo Central MP, Dr Ben Phiri, has pledged to construct a community sports ground at Nchilamwera, near the unfinished technical college in his constituency. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787065534451-557x600.jpg)Ben Phiri pledges new community sports ground for Thyolo constituencyThe announcement was made by his constituency aide, Stewart Kunje, during the finals of the Dr Ben Phiri Sports Trophy held on Sunday at Adolorata Ground. Kunje said the proposed facility would give young people in Nchilamwera a proper space to develop and showcase their sporting talent. “Dr Ben Phiri is committed to ensuring that young people in Nchilamwera have a proper place where they can develop and showcase their sporting talent. That is why he has pledged to construct a community sports ground near the unfinished technical college,” he said. He added that the new ground would complement the Thyolo Stadium, currently under construction, by bringing sporting activities closer to local communities. Thyolo District Sports Officer Olga Mlambe welcomed the pledge, describing it as “an answered prayer” following long-standing calls for more sporting infrastructure in the district. “We have been asking for this for a long time. We have been asking government to consider us, just as we appreciate the Thyolo Stadium that is currently under construction,” she said. Mlambe said the Dr Ben Phiri Sports Trophy had brought together football and netball teams from across the constituency, offering a valuable opportunity to identify and nurture emerging talent. “We believe that through this competition we can build a strong team to represent Thyolo Constituency,” she said, adding that she hoped future editions of the tournament could be staged at the proposed Nchilamwera ground once construction is complete. Organising committee chairperson Iweni Mbwana thanked Dr Phiri for his continued support of the tournament and expressed optimism about future finals being held at the new facility. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788169262782-600x338.jpg)Kunje (l) announced Minister Ben Phiri vows to build sports facility near Thyolo technical college![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788169266551-600x338.jpg)Ben Phiri’s sports trophy final brings pledge of new community ground Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News **Tags:** Ben Phiri, Thyolo --- ### [Husband found guilty of strangling wife and dumping her body in maize field —  funeral alibi collapses in court](https://www.nyasatimes.com/husband-found-guilty-of-strangling-wife-and-dumping-her-body-in-maize-field-funeral-alibi-collapses-in-court/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian man has been found guilty of murdering his wife after the High Court’s Criminal Division in Blantyre ruled that his alibi failed to account for the critical hours during which she is believed to have been killed. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788168964844-480x600.jpg)Kulesi: successful prosecutionLucius Wilson was convicted on Friday of the murder of his wife, Cecelia Yakob, whose body was discovered in a maize field in May 2021. A post-mortem examination later confirmed she had been strangled to death. During the trial, the court heard chilling evidence about the couple’s troubled relationship, including testimony detailing Wilson’s treatment of his wife and threats he is alleged to have made against her in the period leading up to her death. Judges also scrutinised the circumstances of her disappearance alongside Wilson’s own movements at the time. In his defence, Wilson claimed he had been in Lirangwe attending his brother’s funeral when the killing is believed to have taken place. But prosecutors dismantled the alibi, arguing it failed to cover the crucial window during which Yakob was killed — leaving his whereabouts during that critical period unexplained. After weighing the evidence and submissions from both sides, the court found Wilson guilty of murder. The case has now been adjourned for sentencing, with both the prosecution and defence ordered to file their submissions within 21 days. The prosecution was led by Principal State Advocate Layna Kulesi from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, while Wilson was represented by the Legal Aid Bureau. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Homicide, murder --- ### [Wanderers turn to Mabedi in shock crisis move after axing Bob](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wanderers-turn-to-mabedi-in-shock-crisis-move-after-axing-bob/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers have moved swiftly to bring in former Malawi national team head coach Patrick Mabedi as Technical Consultant, as the club scrambles to rebuild in the wake of their Airtel Top 8 final heartbreak. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-496.jpg)Mabedi: Technical Consultant The dramatic appointment comes just hours after Wanderers suspended head coach Bob Mpinganjira with immediate effect, following Sunday’s shock 2-1 defeat to tournament debutants Ekhaya FC. The stinging loss appears to have triggered a swift response from the club’s hierarchy, with Mabedi drafted in to provide crucial technical guidance as Wanderers prepare for their high-stakes Caf Champions League fixtures against Tanzanian giants Simba SC. Assistant coach MacDonald Nginde Mtetemera has been handed interim charge of the first team and will work closely alongside Mabedi as the Nomads look to steady the ship. Mabedi brings with him a wealth of top-level experience, having previously served as assistant coach at Tanzanian powerhouse Yanga SC and South African giants Kaizer Chiefs, as well as a stint in charge of the Malawi national team — expertise Wanderers will be hoping can help the club rediscover its winning touch at the worst possible moment. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Bob Mpinganjira, Mighty Wanderers, Patrick Mabedi --- ### [Miss Malawi organisation accused of "snub" after deleting photo of reigning queen Thandie Chisi from Facebook](https://www.nyasatimes.com/miss-malawi-organisation-accused-of-snub-after-deleting-photo-of-reigning-queen-thandie-chisi-from-facebook/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Miss Malawi organisation has found itself at the centre of a social media storm after posting — then swiftly deleting — a photograph of reigning titleholder Thandie Chisi carrying out official duties at the Airtel Top 8 Cup final. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788161702136-559x600.jpg)Miss Malawi Thandi Chisi carrying Airtel CupThe image was removed from the organisation’s Facebook page shortly after being uploaded, sparking a wave of criticism from followers who accused the pageant body of trying to sideline its own crown holder. Social media user Chigomezgo Nyasulu was among those to publicly question the decision, branding the move “silly” and warning it reflected poorly on the organisation. “Very silly of the Miss Malawi page to post a picture of Thandie Chisi and then later delete it! It doesn’t look good at all,” Nyasulu wrote in a post that quickly gained traction. According to reports circulating online, many commenters used the moment to praise Chisi as Malawi’s legitimate and deserving titleholder, while others took the opportunity to question why she had been overlooked in favour of Ireen Navicha to represent the country at Miss World. Neither the Miss Malawi organisation nor Chisi have publicly commented on the deleted post or the backlash at the time of writing. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Miss Malawi, Thandi Chisi --- ### [Gun rampage at Lilongwe bar leaves man shot in buttocks over unpaid tab](https://www.nyasatimes.com/gun-rampage-at-lilongwe-bar-leaves-man-shot-in-buttocks-over-unpaid-tab/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A 31-year-old man has been arrested in Lilongwe after allegedly opening fire in a crowded bar and shooting another man in the buttocks during a furious row over an unpaid bill. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/20260831_110559-1-600x600.jpg)Bar row turns to bloodshed: Man shot in buttocks after brother tries to grab gunman’s pistolRomario Lolenzo was taken into custody by police on charges of unlawful use of a firearm and acts intended to cause grievous harm, following the terrifying incident at Leyland Bar in Bwandilo. According to police, Lolenzo and victim Zakir Mussa Hamdan had been drinking together at the bar when things took a violent turn after bar owner Fauzia Issa asked Lolenzo to settle a previous bill totalling K116,000. The demand is said to have sent Lolenzo into a rage, with the suspect allegedly pulling out a pistol and firing shots into the air, before turning the weapon on the ground. Chaos then erupted when Yazeed Mussa Hamdan, the victim’s brother, attempted to intervene and grab the firearm, pushing Lolenzo to the ground in the struggle. It was at this point that Lolenzo allegedly opened fire twice, shooting Zakir Mussa Hamdan in the buttocks. The wounded man was rushed to Lingadzi Police Station before being referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital for treatment, where his condition is said to be “a bit fair.” Police say investigations are now underway to determine whether the pistol, which was found to contain 11 live rounds of ammunition, was legally registered to Lolenzo. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** violence --- ### [School chess programme gets K37 million boost as Alliance One expands rural initiative](https://www.nyasatimes.com/school-chess-programme-gets-k37-million-boost-as-alliance-one-expands-rural-initiative/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Alliance One Tobacco Malawi (AOTM), in collaboration with Pyxus Agriculture Malawi (PAM), has renewed its sustainability partnership with the Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) through a new K37 million sponsorship agreement. ![Chikungwa (right) signing the MOU withMizere](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Chikungwa-right-signing-the-MOU-with-Mizere-1-600x400.jpg)Chikungwa (right) signing the MOU with MizereThe renewed deal will fund the expansion of after-school chess programmes to a further 10 schools in rural tobacco-growing communities across the country. Launched in 2021, the initiative has already introduced chess to 34 rural schools, mostly in the central and northern regions, directly benefiting more than 2,000 students to date. The newly signed 2026 agreement will extend that reach to more than 600 additional pupils across the supplementary schools. Under the terms of the renewed memorandum of understanding, Chessam will continue monitoring and evaluating previously supported schools to ensure the programme’s long-term sustainability, while also forming official chess clubs, delivering structured training, coordinating an inter-school tournament, and hosting the National Youth Chess Championship. Febbie Chikungwa, corporate affairs director for Alliance One Tobacco Malawi, said the company’s commitment went beyond supporting farming communities. “Our commitment as a company extends beyond partnering with and supporting farming communities; it is also about creating opportunities for the next generation to thrive,” she said. “Chess strengthens critical thinking, concentration, discipline, and decision-making, all of which contribute to improved academic performance and personal growth. We are proud to support initiatives that unlock the potential of children in the farming communities,” she added. Chessam president Mpilo Mizere, speaking after signing the MOU on Thursday, expressed gratitude for the renewed funding, saying the partnership would help uncover hidden talent in rural communities while raising the standard of youth chess nationally. The programme has already produced notable success stories. In 2024, 11-year-old Clara Robert of Millala Primary School in Lilongwe Rural West became the first pupil from the initiative to represent Malawi at the African Youth Chess Championship in Gauteng, South Africa. Earlier this year, she represented the country again at the same championship, held in Entebbe, Uganda, competing in the Under-16 girls’ category. The 10 new beneficiary schools are Machecheta (Rumphi), Chilowa and Nthulu (Lilongwe Rural West), Kakuyu (Kasungu), Mphanga and Longwe (Mchinji), and Thunduwike (Mzimba). ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Officials-from-Alliance-One-Pyxus-and-Chessam-during-the-sposorships-signing-agreement--600x400.jpg)Officials from Alliance One, Pyxus and Chessam during the sposorship’s signing agreement Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Alliance One, Chess, Chess Association of Malawi --- ### ["Stop sleeping and seize the moment": DPP's Mainja urges youth to grab MEDF loans](https://www.nyasatimes.com/stop-sleeping-and-seize-the-moment-dpps-mainja-urges-youth-to-grab-medf-loans/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Democratic Progressive Party’s southern region women’s leader, Maria Mainja, has praised President Professor Peter Mutharika for what she described as commendable work in ensuring Malawians have enough food in the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788160233150-1-600x452.jpg)Mainja praises Mutharika for food and road progress as DPP rally draws chiefs, MPsSpeaking at a political rally at Mbayani Primary School ground in Blantyre on Saturday, Mainja said food security remained one of the most critical issues facing the nation. “Professor Peter Mutharika *wabweretsa chakudya muno, misewu ikukonzedwa koma anthu asiya kugona m’malo omwetseramo mafuta a galimoto*,” Mainja said — hailing the president for bringing food into the country and improving roads, while urging citizens to stop “sleeping” and take advantage of the progress being made. She also used the platform to encourage women and young people to prepare to benefit from the upcoming Malawi Enterprise Development Fund (MEDF) loans, which are set to roll out soon to support various small business ventures across the country. The rally drew a strong turnout, with traditional chiefs, Members of Parliament and senior leaders from both the DPP and AFORD parties in attendance. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP --- ### [RBM governor challenges Malawi banks on inclusion as Old Mutual unveils new finance arm](https://www.nyasatimes.com/rbm-governor-challenges-malawi-banks-on-inclusion-as-old-mutual-unveils-new-finance-arm/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Reserve Bank of Malawi governor George Partridge has called on the country’s financial services industry to accelerate efforts on financial inclusion, warning that large segments of the population remain excluded from formal credit and banking services. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/patridge-1024x693-1-600x406.jpg)RBM Boss: Patridge urges lenders to accelerate financial inclusion as Old Mutual enters credit marketSpeaking in Lilongwe on Friday at the launch of Old Mutual Finance Limited (OMFIN), a newly established non-deposit microfinance institution, Partridge said inclusion remained central to Malawi’s development agenda even as digital technologies reshape the sector. He argued that while mobile lending and digital onboarding were expanding access, the durability of that access would ultimately depend on governance standards. “Technology can make financial services faster and more accessible but it is responsible conduct, transparency, customer protection and sound governance that will ultimately determine whether customers trust and continue to use those services,” he said. OMFIN, a new subsidiary of Old Mutual’s Malawi operations, will launch with two products, according to general manager Kisa Mwelefu Kalolokesya: an annuities offering linked to Old Mutual’s pensions business, branded The Golden Reserve, and a payroll-based lending product aimed at private-sector employers. Kalolokesya said the lending model would depart from conventional collateral-based underwriting, instead assessing borrowers on character and repayment capacity. She described the approach as central to the group’s strategy in the market. “If you fail in character, you cannot access a loan from us. Capacity is your ability to repay,” she said, adding that the institution aimed to extend “credit that is commensurate with your income.” The launch extends Old Mutual’s long-standing presence in Malawi, where the group has operated across insurance, pensions and investment services for decades. OMFIN represents its first dedicated push into digital lending and inclusion-focused finance in the market, as competition intensifies among providers seeking to reach previously underserved borrowers. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, National **Tags:** George Partridge, Old Mutual, Reserve Bank of Malawi --- ### [Bombshell as Wanderers suspend head coach Bob Mpinganjira just days before CAF clash](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bombshell-as-wanderers-suspend-head-coach-bob-mpinganjira-just-days-before-caf-clash/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers have suspended head coach Bob Mpinganjira with immediate effect, the club announced in a bombshell statement — throwing the Nomads’ technical setup into turmoil just days before their crucial Caf Champions League opener against Tanzanian giants Simba Sporting Club. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260712_171942_Facebook-600x359.jpg)Bob Mpinganjira : Head coach axed with immediate effect ahead of Simba showdownThe Malawian giants confirmed the shock decision in a press statement signed by board secretary Chancy Gondwe, though no reason was given for the sudden axing. The suspension came after Wanderers lost the Airtel Top 8 cup final to Ekhaya FC. “The club announces the immediate suspension of Head Coach Mr. Bob Mpinganjira,” the statement read, offering no further explanation as to what prompted the dramatic move. Wanderers moved swiftly to reassure fans that clarity is on the way, promising that an interim head coach will be named within 48 hours, along with confirmation of any wider changes to the club’s technical panel. The timing could hardly be more sensitive, with Wanderers preparing to make their long-awaited return to Africa’s premier club competition after a nine-year absence, facing Simba at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe this Sunday, before a return leg in Tanzania the following week. Club officials had only days earlier struck a confident tone over the squad’s prospects in the continental showpiece, with the sudden coaching upheaval now casting fresh uncertainty over their preparations at the worst possible moment. Wanderers are yet to confirm who will take interim charge of the side as they bid to progress beyond the group stages for the first time in years. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** Bob Mpinganjira, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [CCAP's brutal pastoral letter warns 'hunger kills even those who pray'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ccaps-brutal-pastoral-letter-warns-hunger-kills-even-those-who-pray/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The CCAP Nkhoma Synod has issued a stark warning to Malawians, urging them to combine prayer with urgent practical preparations as the country braces for possible food shortages amid the growing threat of El Niño conditions later this year. The call was made in a pastoral letter signed by the Synod’s Moderator, Reverend Absalom Joseph Nyasulu, and Senior Clerk, Reverend Armstrong Kuthyola Mwale, who cautioned that climate change and worsening environmental degradation mean prayer alone will not be enough to stave off hunger. In the letter, the Synod urged members to embrace irrigation and plant early-maturing crops such as sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes and cassava to safeguard food supplies, while also cautioning families against selling off existing food stocks unnecessarily. “Considering that you may have sweet potatoes and cassava now, you may keep maize, soya beans and groundnuts so that you may eat them in future,” the letter states. The Synod went further, delivering a blunt warning about the dangers of hunger and its wider consequences. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260831_030135_Facebook-600x417.jpg)Rev Nyasulu: Nkhoma Synod calls for food preparations as El Niño risk grows“A hungry person cannot go to church; a hungry person is someone whose anger cannot lead him to salvation. Hunger kills people — even those who pray,” the letter says. Crucially, the church also cautioned members against becoming reliant on government relief food, warning that self-sufficiency must come first. The warning comes as an El Niño Preparedness Brief released in June by the Ministry of Natural Resources projects that Malawi faces an above 80 percent probability of below-normal rainfall in December in parts of the country, with up to a 60 percent chance of below-normal rainfall between January and March next year, alongside fewer rainy days overall. The brief notes that previous strong El Niño episodes left as many as 2.8 million and 4.2 million people food insecure in past years. However, a recent Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee report estimates that 2.6 million people will be unable to meet their annual food requirements during the 2026-27 lean period — representing 14 percent of the projected national population, and a figure 35 percent lower than the four million people estimated to be food insecure in 2025. The report attributes the projected improvement to increased maize production, which is expected to reach 3.3 million tonnes this year, up from 2.85 million tonnes last year. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** El Nino, food security, Nkhoma Synod --- ### [AG Mbeta launches appeal in MEC relocation battle, accusing court of denying State a fair hearing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ag-mbeta-launches-appeal-in-mec-relocation-battle-accusing-court-of-denying-state-a-fair-hearing/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Attorney General Frank Mbeta has launched an appeal against a High Court ruling in the Malawi Electoral Commission relocation saga, arguing that the court determined a key government application without giving the State a chance to be heard. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260721_123549_Facebook-600x405.jpg)Legal storm deepens as AG Mbeta takes MEC relocation fight to appeal courtThe appeal, filed by the AG’s Chambers on behalf of the Chief Secretary to Government and the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, challenges a judgment delivered by High Court Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda on August 20, 2026, which threw out the government’s bid to lift a stay of proceedings in the case. Mbeta confirmed the appeal, taking aim at the judge’s handling of the matter. “In paragraph 3, the judge determined our application to discharge permission for judicial review without a hearing on that application,” he said. According to the Notice of Appeal, the AG’s team argues the judge erred by ruling on the application to vacate leave without hearing the applicants, and by finding that the respondents had locus standi based on an earlier decision dated June 5, 2026. The government is also challenging how the court dealt with its bid to discharge permission for judicial review and to halt a referral of the case to the Chief Justice for certification, insisting the matter raises fundamental jurisdictional issues that ought to have been resolved before the case could proceed any further. “The Learned Judge erred in law and in fact by failing to consider that the appellants’ pending application to discharge leave for judicial review and to halt the referral raises fundamental jurisdictional issues that are preliminary in nature and ought to have been heard before the matter could proceed to the Chief Justice for certification,” the Notice of Appeal states. The AG’s team have raised further objections, faulting the court for allegedly failing to invoke its inherent jurisdiction despite there being no specific rule governing the applicants’ case, and disputing the court’s finding that government relied on incorrect legal provisions in making its application. The appellants further argue that the court failed to identify which legal provision it considered appropriate, a failure they claim denied them an effective remedy under Section 41 of the Constitution — and accuse the court of failing to properly apply the overriding objective under the Civil Procedure Rules, which requires cases to be handled justly and efficiently. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Frank Mbeta, Malawi Electoral Commission --- ### [Ekhaya's Chihana confirmed as Airtel Top 8 top scorer](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ekhayas-chihana-confirmed-as-airtel-top-8-top-scorer/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Ekhaya FC forward Allen Chihana has been confirmed as the top goal scorer of the 2026 Airtel Top 8 Cup, capping off a remarkable individual campaign after finding the net in all four matches the Cowboys played en route to lifting the trophy. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788136222713-1-600x600.jpg)Chihana’s goals helped fire Ekhaya to a historic title win, with the club becoming the first debutants to lift the Airtel Top 8 trophy after beating Mighty Wanderers 2-1 in Sunday’s final at Bingu National Stadium – a match in which Chihana himself was on the scoresheeChihana’s stunning scoring run saw him score in every single fixture Ekhaya contested throughout the tournament, playing a starring role as the debutants stormed to a historic title triumph. His golden touch in front of goal now looks set to be rewarded handsomely, with Chihana in line to pocket K1.35 million as his prize for finishing as the competition’s leading marksman. The achievement caps a sensational few days for Ekhaya, who stunned Malawian football by becoming the first-ever debutants to win the Airtel Top 8 title, defeating giants Mighty Wanderers 2-1 in Sunday’s final at Bingu National Stadium — with Chihana himself among the scorers on the day. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Airtel Top 8, Allen Chihana, Ekhaya FC --- ### [Hamstring injury rules Chimzimu out for three weeks](https://www.nyasatimes.com/hamstring-injury-rules-chimzimu-out-for-three-weeks/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Sweden-based Malawian midfielder Faith Chimzimu has been ruled out for three weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury, dealing a potentially major blow to both her club side and the Malawi Women’s National Football Team ahead of a crucial 2028 Los Angeles Olympic qualifier against Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors in October. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Scorchers-Chimzimu-facing-a-Zimbabwe-colleague-002-600x499.jpg)Scorchers’ Chimzimu facing a Zimbabwe colleagueThe 19-year-old confirmed the injury setback on her Facebook page, revealing she has already begun rehabilitation work in the gym in a bid to be fit in time. “\[I will\] be off for some weeks after sustaining \[a\] hamstring injury. We are still working in the gym,” Chimzimu said, with the BK Hacken midfielder also set to miss a string of Swedish league fixtures during her recovery. Speaking separately, Chimzimu described the timing of the injury as a cruel blow. “I will be out for three weeks. I will be working in the gym. Let us see what will happen after three weeks,” she said. Should she fail to recover in time, Chimzimu risks missing the all-important Olympic qualifier, with the first leg set for Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on October 5, followed by the return leg in Zimbabwe a week later. The youngster has established herself as one of the Scorchers’ most reliable performers, having enjoyed a stellar campaign at the recently concluded Caf Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where Malawi finished runners-up after a 3-0 defeat to eventual champions Cameroon. Chimzimu netted against Egypt in the group stage and featured in every match for the Scorchers during their run to the final, having previously struck twice as Malawi thumped Angola 2-0 on aggregate in the qualifiers. She also fired a brace for the Malawi Under-20 Women’s side in a 2-1 win over Nigeria at Bingu National Stadium during 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying — though the result ultimately wasn’t enough to see the Young Scorchers through, after they had lost the first leg 2-0 in Nigeria. On the club front, Chimzimu played a starring role in helping BK Hacken win last season’s inaugural Europa Women’s League, becoming the first Malawian player ever to lift a European title. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Faith Chimzimu, Scorchers --- ### [Wanderers set ticket prices for Champions League return — with corporate boxes going for K300,000](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wanderers-set-ticket-prices-for-champions-league-return-with-corporate-boxes-going-for-k300000/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers have released ticket prices for their eagerly anticipated Caf Champions League first-leg tie against Tanzanian giants Simba Sporting Club, with fans able to secure a standard ticket for K10,000. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788134099372-600x450.jpg)The corporate boxes have been priced at K300,000 for the clash at Bingu National Stadium in LilongweThose after a more premium experience will need to part with K30,000 for a VIP ticket, while corporate boxes have been priced at K300,000 for the clash at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. The fixture, scheduled for Sunday, 6 September, marks Wanderers’ return to Africa’s premier club competition after a nine-year absence, having last featured in 2018 when they lost 6-1 to DR Congo’s AS Vita. A return leg in Tanzania will follow on 13 September. Wanderers director of football David Kanyenda said the club had assembled a squad capable of competing with the best on the continent, naming national team players Emmanuel Nyirenda, Blessings Singini and Stanley Sanudi among those expected to feature. “We have a very good squad and no team has a better squad than us in Malawi… Our aim is to progress to the group stages. Simba are not the champions in Tanzania; we are the champions here. We are not afraid of them,” Kanyenda said. He added that last season’s Caf Confederation Cup exit at the hands of Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy, on penalties at the preliminary stage, had given the squad valuable experience heading into this campaign. “We are thankful to our president, Dr Thomson Mpinganjira, for allowing us to return to the Champions League and playing in Caf competitions in two successive years,” he said. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** CAF champions league, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [Chakwera's account of the day Chilima died no longer adds up](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakweras-account-of-the-day-chilima-died-no-longer-adds-up/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is a version of events from 10 June 2024 that Malawians have been asked to accept for over a year: that a plane went missing, that confusion reigned, that a government did its best amid the chaos of an unfolding tragedy. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-6341-600x438.jpg)Chakwera to testify, as inconsistencies emerge in his account of the disasterTestimony now emerging before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating the Chikangawa crash suggests that version deserves rather more scrutiny than it has so far received — and increasingly, so does the man who delivered it. Colleen Zamba, who served as Secretary to the President and Cabinet at the time, told the committee she went to State House at 2pm that day, accompanied by the Army Commander and the Inspector General of Police, to brief then-President Lazarus Chakwera on the fate of the aircraft carrying his own Vice-President, Saulos Chilima. Chakwera, she said, listened intently. Pressed on whether he appeared shocked, or whether he seemed to already know, Zamba said she could not say either way. That studied uncertainty sits awkwardly alongside the emerging timeline. Earlier testimony to the same committee established that Chakwera had received a call at 10:35am informing him that Chilima’s aircraft was missing — some three and a half hours before Zamba’s briefing. According to the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation’s report, formal rescue operations were already underway by 11:30am. By 2pm, then, Zamba was apparently delivering news to a president who, on the government’s own account, had known for hours. A demeanour of calm, attentive listening under those circumstances invites the obvious question the committee now appears unwilling to let go unasked. Committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu has confirmed that Chakwera himself could be summoned when the inquiry enters its third phase in October. This is not a small development. Parliamentary committees do not lightly contemplate calling former heads of state, and the fact that this one is doing so reflects the scale of the discrepancies that have accumulated around Chakwera’s public account of the crash. Those discrepancies are, on their own, substantial. In his first national address after the aircraft’s disappearance, Chakwera told Malawians that ten people were on board; nine were later confirmed to have died. He said the plane had failed to land in Mzuzu because of bad weather; subsequent evidence established that it never reached Mzuzu at all. He publicly disputed reports that the search operation had been suspended overnight; witnesses have since testified that it was suspended and resumed only the next morning. None of this, taken in isolation, proves concealment. Crises produce confusion, and early government statements in the immediate aftermath of a disaster are rarely perfectly accurate. But taken together — the delayed and inconsistent public statements, the apparent gap between what Chakwera knew and when he was seen to react, the repeated corrections to the official narrative — the pattern is no longer easily explained by the ordinary fog of crisis management. It demands, at minimum, that the person at the centre of it be asked to account for it directly, under the kind of scrutiny a parliamentary committee is designed to provide. Nyamilandu has signalled the committee does not intend to let the Speaker’s 90-day timeframe force a premature conclusion, citing “emerging issues that are beyond the committee.” That is a notable admission from an inquiry chair, and it suggests the committee itself recognises it may be approaching questions of accountability that extend well beyond weather radar and cockpit communications — into the conduct of the presidency itself in the hours a nation’s Vice-President was missing, and then confirmed dead. Malawians were owed a thorough accounting of how Saulos Chilima died. They may now also be owed an accounting of what their president knew, when he knew it, and why the story he told them at the time has proven, in so many particulars, not to hold up. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Colleen Zamba, Dr Lazarus Chakwera, plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima --- ### [Kunkuyu could be grilled over Chilima black box claims](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kunkuyu-could-be-grilled-over-chilima-black-box-claims/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu could be subpoenaed to appear before the parliamentary committee investigating the June 10, 2024 plane crash that killed former Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others, as pressure mounts for him to explain explosive remarks he made claiming the aircraft’s black box was found and preserved. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/616358922_4048678735393759_3867158467056514351_n-600x600.jpg)Kunkuyu’s black box claim looms large as ex-minister could be summoned to crash inquiryCommittee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu Manda confirmed the possibility remains firmly on the table, though the final decision will depend on the committee’s assessment of key witnesses to be invited during the inquiry’s crucial final phase. In a striking twist, it has emerged that Kunkuyu, who served as Information Minister under the previous Malawi Congress Party administration, actually requested back in May this year to be among the first witnesses called before the committee. The former minister, who also serves as MP for Dedza Mulunduni, argued that the mystery surrounding the aircraft’s black box kept resurfacing throughout the inquiry, and insisted it would serve the public interest for the committee to hear directly from everyone who has been mentioned in connection with the device. Despite his own request, Kunkuyu has been conspicuously overlooked, failing to receive an invitation during either the first or second phase of the inquiry. Nyamilandu confirmed Kunkuyu could yet be summoned, but only once the committee reaches its third and final phase, during which lawmakers plan to specifically engage with politicians linked to the tragedy. “At the right time, the committee will sit down and assess whether to invite Honourable Moses Kunkuyu to testify in the appropriate phase, which is the third phase,” Nyamilandu said. He confirmed the committee remains focused on working through witnesses in the ongoing second phase, but was careful not to shut the door entirely on Kunkuyu’s eventual appearance. “We are still calling the witnesses, and I cannot rule out the possibility of Honourable Kunkuyu coming. We will engage politicians in the final, third phase,” Manda said. Kunkuyu’s controversial black box claim has continued to hang over the inquiry, with the device’s true status still shrouded in uncertainty months after the tragedy that claimed the lives of Chilima and eight others — a mystery that many now believe only Kunkuyu himself can help clear up, once he finally takes his seat before the committee. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Moses Kunkuyu, plane inquiry --- ### [Cowboys create history! Debutants Ekhaya stun giants Wanderers to lift Airtel Top 8 crown](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cowboys-create-history-debutants-ekhaya-stun-giantswanderers-to-lift-airtel-top-8-crown/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Ekhaya Football Club wrote themselves into the history books on Sunday, stunning Malawian football giants Mighty Wanderers with a thrilling 2-1 victory in the Airtel Top 8 final at Bingu National Stadium, Lilongwe — becoming the first debutants ever to win the prestigious trophy. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260830-WA0005-600x600.jpg)Ekhaya deservedly beat WanderersThe final delivered every bit of the drama fans had hoped for, with Wanderers starting brightly and piling on early pressure as they searched for a foothold in the contest. But it was Ekhaya who struck first, handed a golden opportunity when Wanderers defender Stanley Sanudi committed a costly error inside his own penalty area. The referee pointed straight to the spot, and Blessings Malinda made no mistake from twelve yards, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to fire the Cowboys into a 1-0 lead. Wanderers hunted for an equaliser for the remainder of the first half but found Ekhaya’s resistance too strong, with the Cowboys heading into the break still ahead. The Nomads finally got their reward just after the hour mark, as Mphatso Kamanga slotted home to level the score at 1-1 and swing momentum firmly back in Wanderers’ favour. But rather than wilt, Ekhaya hit back in style. Star man Allen Chihana restored their advantage with a crucial strike to make it 2-1, leaving Wanderers with a mountain to climb in the closing stages. With the clock ticking down, Ekhaya switched into game-management mode, slowing the tempo and doing everything in their power to see out the win. Wanderers threw everything forward in search of a leveller, but the Cowboys’ defence refused to budge. When referee blew the final whistle, it was Ekhaya’s players and fans who erupted in wild celebration — crowned Airtel Top 8 champions in their maiden campaign, a feat no side had ever managed before. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788112366207-600x501.jpg)Airtel Top 8 champions Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Sports **Tags:** Airtel Top 8, Ekhaya FC, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [MP Kaweche's K2 million cash injection fuels Mzuzu City Pool Cup](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mp-kaweches-k2-million-cash-injection-fuels-mzuzu-city-pool-cup/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Northern Region Pool Association (NRPA) says it is hugely grateful for a K2 million sponsorship boost powering the Mzuzu City Pool Cup, with the tournament now into its third week of action since getting underway on August 8. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260830-WA0000-450x600.jpg)Yazenga: we are so grateful![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260830-WA0001-561x600.jpg)KawecheBehind the funding is Mzuzu City South East MP William Chikweta Kaweche, who has backed the competition as a way of keeping the city’s pool community active and engaged. NRPA vice chairperson John Yazenga Mkandawire confirmed twelve clubs from across Mzuzu are currently competing in the cup, and revealed this isn’t the first time Kaweche has come to the association’s aid — he also sponsored a region-wide league last year. “We are so grateful for this sponsorship from Honourable Kaweche. This is not the first time for us to get sponsorship from him… As NRPA, we don’t take this for granted because many people shun pool sponsorship,” Mkandawire said. Njonjo Pool Club general secretary Charles Malisau echoed that gratitude, revealing clubs across the city had gone without meaningful competitive action for months before Kaweche’s intervention. “We have been idle since last year. We have started well as Njonjo Pool Club and we hope to do well in this competition. Our players are hungry for wins in every game that we will be involved in,” Malisau said. The dozen clubs battling it out include Club Decee (Luwinga), Njonjo Pool Club (Chibavi), Mandevu Pool Club (Chiputula), Ekwendeni Pool Club (Ekwendeni), Thomas Pool Club (Mchengautuba), Kasyololo Pool Club (Chibavi) and Wazilala Pool Club (Mzuzu Old Town), among others. The three-month tournament will see the eventual champions walk away with K1 million, with K600,000 going to the runners-up. Third and fourth place finishers will collect K300,000 and K100,000 respectively. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260830-WA0002.jpg)Njonjo Pool Club in training Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Pool --- ### [Mlaka's "Maloto" strikes a nerve again as Malawians reel from shocking paternity DNA revelations](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mlakas-maloto-strikes-a-nerve-again-as-malawians-reel-from-shocking-paternity-dna-revelations/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawian musician Mlaka Maliro is seeing his song “Maloto” resurface in a big way, with the track being widely shared and discussed again after recent revelations that a large proportion of Malawian men tested for paternity have discovered they are not the biological fathers of the children they raised. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260830_112718_Google-600x467.jpg)Mlaka: Maloto singerThe song, which unfolds like a dream sequence, sees the narrator recount a vivid and unsettling vision in which he is summoned before a almighty creator to answer for a family dispute. In the dream, he is questioned by the King of Kings \[God\] about how many children he has, and answers with pride — only for the situation to take a devastating turn as a painful truth about his family is revealed. Fans say the emotional weight of that narrative feels eerily close to the real-life anguish now playing out across the country, as families confront the fallout from DNA test results exposing infidelity and mistaken paternity on a mass scale. Social media users have been resharing clips and referencing the song’s storyline directly in connection with the DNA testing controversy, with many saying its themes of betrayal, shock and quiet heartbreak mirror the experiences now being discussed openly by Malawian men. Neither Mlaka Maliro nor his representatives have issued a statement on the song’s renewed popularity at the time of writing. The resurgence comes as mental health professionals and child rights advocates continue to urge caution and compassion in how paternity revelations are handled, warning of the lasting emotional toll such discoveries can take on both parents and children. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** DNA, Mlaka Maliro --- ### [Mpinganjira splashes out K15 million on match ball and tracksuit at glittering charity gala](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mpinganjira-splashes-out-k15-million-on-match-ball-and-tracksuit-at-glittering-charity-gala/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers FC president Thom Mpinganjira dug deep into his pockets on Saturday night, forking out K15 million for a single match ball and a further K7 million for a newly released tracksuit, as he threw his weight behind a glitzy fundraising gala for retired footballers. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788079540256-600x338.jpg)Football tycoon Thom Mpinganjira![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788079540256-600x338.jpg)Football tycoon Thom MpinganjiraThe eye-watering purchases were made at the Football Legends Association (FLA) Fundraising Gala Night, held at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe, where football’s great and good gathered for a red carpet evening in aid of the organisation’s welfare fund. Among those rubbing shoulders at the star-studded event was Sports Minister Alfred Gangata, who joined Mpinganjira and other high-profile figures from Malawi’s football fraternity for a night described by organisers as one of glamour, generosity and giving back. The FLA is hoping the gala will help push its fundraising total beyond K250 million, with the cash earmarked for player welfare schemes, skills and business development programmes, and medical support for former footballers who once graced the game. The evening also saw organisers pay tribute to the Scorchers, Malawi’s Women’s National Football Team, honouring their stellar run to the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco — a campaign that ended in heartbreak as runners-up but cemented their status as national heroes. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Football Legends Association, Thom Mpinganjira --- ### [Five killed, 12 injured after speeding lorry ploughs into crowd dancing on road during initiation ceremony ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/five-killed-12-injured-after-speeding-lorry-ploughs-into-crowd-dancing-on-road-during-initiation-ceremony/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Five people have died and a further 12 have been injured, some severely, after a speeding lorry ploughed into a crowd of revellers who were dancing in the road during an initiation ceremony in southern Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788079767817-600x600.jpg)Horror at Lundu Village: Five dead, dozens hurt as out-of-control lorry ploughs into celebrating crowdThe horror smash happened in the early hours of Sunday morning at Lundu Village, along the Mangochi-Boma-Liwonde Turn-Off Road, when a two-tonne Toyota Dyna lorry ploughed straight into the group, who were occupying both sides of the road as part of the festivities. Mangochi Police Station spokesperson Inspector Amina Daudi confirmed the tragedy, revealing that three of the five victims have so far been identified as Zainab Mmadi, 16, Pilirani Henry, 36, and Fatima Wotchi, just 13 years old. According to police, the lorry — registration number MH 5071 — was being driven by 47-year-old Nsami Mwale, who was transporting a delivery of soft drinks from Liwonde towards Mangochi Boma at the time. Inspector Daudi said the driver is alleged to have lost control of the vehicle due to excessive speed as he approached the village, ploughing into the crowd with devastating consequences. Five of those struck suffered severe head injuries and were pronounced dead on arrival at Mangochi District Hospital, while a further 12 people were left with injuries of varying severity. Mwale has been taken into police custody and is expected to appear in court in connection with the crash. Police in Mangochi have renewed their appeal to motorists to slow down and remain vigilant, particularly when driving at night through populated areas. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** accident --- ### [Silver Ladies finish 4th in CAF Women's Champions](https://www.nyasatimes.com/silver-ladies-finish-4th-in-caf-womens-champions/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Silver Strikers Ladies saw their historic Caf Women’s Champions League/Cosafa Qualifier debut end in heartbreak after a bruising 4–0 defeat to hosts Gaborone United Ladies in Botswana. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787216167808-600x338.jpg)Five Scorchers stars join Silver Strikers Ladies for COSAFA qualifying pushThe Malawian side, who stunned the region by reaching the semi‑finals in their first appearance, were outgunned in the third‑place playoff as Gaborone struck early and never let go. Jessica Maponga opened the scoring before Modise added more damage, with the Video Assistant Referee confirming one of the goals after a tense review. Despite the heavy scoreline, Silver Ladies fought to stay in the contest, but Gaborone’s pace and precision proved too much. Head coach Patricio Kulemeka praised his squad for making history, insisting the team’s run showed Malawi women’s football is ready to compete on the continental stage. Silver Strikers Ladies now return home with a fourth‑place finish — and the distinction of being the first Malawian women’s team ever to reach the tournament’s semi‑finals, a milestone that has electrified supporters and raised expectations for future campaigns. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Silver Strikers Ladies --- ### [Airtel Top 8 Final: Wanderers Meet Ekhaya at Bingu National Stadium](https://www.nyasatimes.com/airtel-top-8-final-wanderers-meet-ekhaya-at-bingu-national-stadium/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi football fans are bracing for an explosive showdown as Mighty Wanderers and rising sensations Ekhaya FC clash in what promises to be an epic Airtel Top 8 final at Bingu National Stadium. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1786231381477-600x344.jpg)Wanderers geared for the finalsThe Blantyre giants, dripping with history and swagger, face a fearless newcomer determined to tear up the script. For Wanderers, this is about restoring dominance. For Ekhaya, it’s about proving their fairy‑tale run is no accident. Both sides bulldozed their way to the final. Wanderers swept aside Creck Sporting Club before overpowering Blue Eagles, with star men Allen Chihana, Lameck Mithi and Isaac Kaliati driving the charge. But Ekhaya’s path has been even more dramatic — stunning FCB Nyasa Bullets and then outclassing Karonga United, powered by the electric form of Chimwemwe Chunga, whose fearless dribbling has become the club’s signature. The final is being billed as a collision of football identities: Wanderers’ old‑school power versus Ekhaya’s youthful swagger. Analysts say the newcomers have nothing to lose — and that makes them dangerous. Fans are already flooding social media with predictions, hype and heated banter, with many calling it the most unpredictable Airtel Top 8 final in years. One thing is certain: when Wanderers and Ekhaya walk out onto the pitch, Malawi football will witness a battle worthy of the spotlight. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Airtel Top 8, Ekhaya FC, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [Political will tested as Malawi’s health sector confronts a slow‑burn collapse](https://www.nyasatimes.com/political-will-tested-as-malawis-health-sector-confronts-a-slow-burn-collapse/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s health system is confronting a slow‑burn crisis that has now become impossible to ignore. What was once described as “pressure” on referral hospitals has hardened into systemic failure, visible in broken infrastructure, chronic staff shortages and a financing model that no longer matches the country’s needs. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/80D6E5A0-E157-463E-AB11-135DDB1EB2E6-600x400.jpeg)Malawi’s Referral Hospitals Show Signs of Systemic CollapseThe deterioration of the four central hospitals — Kamuzu Central, Queen Elizabeth, Mzuzu and Zomba — is not an isolated collapse but a symptom of a deeper structural malaise. Cracked floors, idle machines, failing lifts and power outages are not merely operational problems; they are the physical expression of a system that has been underfunded for years. Health workers describe improvising in conditions that compromise safety, while patients wait months for procedures that should be routine. The roots of the crisis lie in a long‑standing dependency on donor funding. For decades, external partners filled critical gaps in Malawi’s health budget, supporting everything from essential drugs to specialised equipment. But as donor priorities shifted and contributions declined, the country’s own financing mechanisms failed to rise to the challenge. Malawi continues to fall short of the Abuja Declaration target of allocating 15 percent of its national budget to health — a benchmark designed precisely to prevent the kind of collapse now unfolding. The consequences are stark. The ambition of achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030 feels increasingly aspirational. Operating theatres remain underutilised because there are too few surgeons, anaesthetists and theatre nurses. CT scanners sit unrepaired. Ambulances break down. In some wards, patients sleep on floors for lack of beds. These are not isolated failures but indicators of a system stretched beyond its limits. Experts argue that Malawi must confront uncomfortable truths. The current financing model is unsustainable. Reliance on donors leaves the system vulnerable to external shocks, while domestic allocations remain too low to maintain even basic infrastructure. Without a shift toward stronger domestic resource mobilisation, predictable funding and long‑term investment, the health system risks entrenching inequality — where only those who can afford private care receive timely treatment. The political challenge is equally significant. Rebuilding the health system will require more than emergency repairs or short‑term injections of funds. It demands political will, accountability and a recognition that health is not merely a social service but a foundation of national stability. The collapse of referral hospitals is not just a medical crisis; it is a governance crisis. For now, Malawi’s central hospitals stand as symbols of a system under strain — institutions expected to anchor national healthcare but increasingly unable to meet the needs of the people they serve. Whether the country can reverse this trajectory will depend on decisions made in the coming years: decisions about funding, leadership and the political value placed on public health. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** health --- ### [Chisale donates two ambulances and two trucks to boost healthcare and development in Ntcheu](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chisale-donates-two-ambulances-and-two-trucks-to-boost-healthcare-and-development-in-ntcheu/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Deputy Minister of Homeland Security and MP for Ntcheu Central East, Norman Chisale, has donated two ambulances and two trucks to serve health and development needs in his constituency, in a move local leaders have hailed as a historic first for the area. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788043789423-600x277.jpg)No more transport struggles! Chisale’s ambulance donation transforms healthcare access in NtcheuThe handover took place at Champiti Primary School Ground in Ntcheu on Saturday, with Senior Chief Champiti telling residents that people in his area will no longer face challenges accessing transport when referred for medical treatment. The chief said it was the first time in the area’s history that ambulances have been provided, adding that the development would help reduce delays in accessing medical care and prevent avoidable deaths. Chisale confirmed the ambulances will operate within his constituency, assisting patients requiring emergency referrals to Ntcheu District Hospital and other health facilities. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Chisale said he was determined to ensure a visible improvement in the health and wellbeing of residents in the area. He appealed to residents to take good care of the development projects they have received, as well as future ones expected to come to the constituency. At the same event, Chisale also donated bags of flour, cloth, and money for relish to elderly residents in the area. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788043794939-600x277.jpg)Deputy Minister Chisale donates first-ever ambulances to Ntcheu as chief hails historic milestone![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788044636770-600x400.jpg)Chisale hands over ambulances and trucks to Ntcheu — vows to reduce avoidable deaths Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Norman Chisale, Ntcheu --- ### [Court Convicts Soldier for defiling 15‑Year‑Old — Sentencing set for Tuesday](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-convicts-soldier-for-defiling-15-year-old-sentencing-set-for-tuesday/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A soldier based at Kamuzu Barracks has been convicted of having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl, leaving her pregnant, after a court heard he abused the child on four separate occasions. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788000514039-600x600.jpg)‘Protect, Not Prey’: Prosecutor Slams Soldier Who Abused Minor Four TimesDiof Simaone, 36, was found guilty by the Senior Resident Magistrate Court after prosecutors presented testimony from four witnesses detailing the abuse, which took place between April and August 2026. Central West Region Prosecutor Thandizo Chingaro told the court Simaone had sexual intercourse with the minor on four occasions during that period, before urging the court to impose the harshest possible sentence, arguing that Simaone had been in a position of responsibility to protect the child rather than abuse her. In mitigation, Simaone asked the court for forgiveness, telling the magistrate he wanted the opportunity to support the victim and the child born as a result of the abuse. Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate Bracious Kondowe has reserved sentencing until next Tuesday, when Simaone will learn his fate. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** defilement --- ### [K20,000 bribe video forces Police to clean house — Traffic aides sent packing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/k20000-bribe-video-forces-police-to-clean-house-traffic-aides-sent-packing/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Malawi Police Service has launched a dramatic shake‑up of its traffic operations, ordering the immediate withdrawal of all officers serving as traffic aides or attached to the traffic branch — a move triggered by a viral video showing a traffic cop allegedly demanding a K20,000 bribe from a minibus driver in Blantyre. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260829_032230_Facebook-470x600.jpg)Police Pull Traffic Officers After Bribe Video Sparks National OutrageThe directive, issued on 27 August 2026, has sent shockwaves through police formations nationwide. Officers have been told to report back to their original stations without delay, with commanders warned that any failure to comply will be treated as misconduct. The order follows public outrage after the video spread across social media, reigniting long‑standing complaints about corruption on Malawi’s roads. The police top brass, clearly stung by the backlash, moved swiftly to clean house and restore public confidence. The Minibus Owners Association of Malawi has welcomed the crackdown. Its secretary general, Coxley Kamange, said the decision was “long overdue” and would help curb the harassment of drivers and passengers. Governance commentator Undule Mwakasungula also praised the move, saying it showed the police were finally taking discipline and accountability seriously. The withdrawal marks one of the most sweeping actions taken against traffic officers in recent years — and signals a force scrambling to repair its reputation after yet another corruption scandal caught on camera. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** corruption, Malawi Police --- ### [Onesimus marries Merhu in ceremony at Assemblies of God church](https://www.nyasatimes.com/onesimus-marries-merhu-in-ceremony-at-assemblies-of-god-church/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawian musician Armstrong Sopani Kalua, popularly known as Onesimus, tied the knot today with his bride, Merhuniciah James, in a ceremony held at Assemblies of God, Eagles Cathedral in Area 47, Lilongwe. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788000568582-594x600.jpg)Onesimus and Merhu exchange vows at Assemblies of GodAmong those present at the wedding was Onesimus’s former manager, Tonderai Banda, who was seated alongside his father, well-known ‘Mr Entertainer’Jai Banda. The singer, known for his chart‑topping hits and high‑energy performances, arrived in crisp formal wear, while Merhu stunned in an elegant bridal gown that lit up the church aisle. The ceremony blended celebrity sparkle with deep religious tradition, turning the service into one of the most talked‑about weddings of the season. Guests described the atmosphere as electric, with the couple exchanging vows in a service filled with music, prayer and emotional tributes. For Onesimus, whose rise in Malawi’s music scene has been meteoric, the wedding marks a new chapter both personally and professionally. Outside the church, family and friends gathered to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds, with social media erupting in congratulatory messages and photos from the ceremony. Fans praised the union as a celebration of love, faith and artistry — and many said the wedding felt like a national event. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788000568582-e1788002404397-600x403.jpg)Onesimus and Merhu exchange vows at Assemblies of GodOnesimus and Merhu now begin married life under the spotlight — and if the wedding is anything to go by, the couple is ready for every moment of it. The couple’s wedding reception is taking place this afternoon at Peak Gardens. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788000485029-450x600.jpg)Assemblies of God hosts wedding of musician Onesimus and Merhu![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787991203153-450x600.jpg)Tonderai Banda and Jai Banda at the church ceremony as Onesimus weds![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1788000558481-540x600.jpg)Onesimus weds Merhu in Lilongwe church service Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Onesimus --- ### [Miss Malawi mocked online over "Rooted in Purpose" outfit at Miss World designer award — as furious fans blast organisers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/miss-malawi-mocked-online-over-rooted-in-purpose-outfit-at-miss-world-designer-award-as-furious-fans-blast-organisers/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s representative at Miss World, Ireen Navicha, has become the target of fierce online mockery after stepping out in an outfit dubbed “Rooted in Purpose” for the World Designer Award, sparking a wave of criticism from Malawians on social media. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787994174541-399x600.jpg)Ireen Navicha: Fans left unimpressedThe outfit, created by Testimony Designer, was intended to carry deep symbolic meaning, with green said to represent Malawi’s rich land, growth and renewal, while gold was meant to reflect the strength and limitless potential of a woman rising from it. **Fans left unimpressed by symbolism claims** But many Malawians online were left thoroughly unconvinced by the outfit’s supposed meaning, with the design quickly becoming the subject of ridicule rather than admiration. Ahkepasao Masangwi didn’t hold back, writing: “Representative of Miss Malawi Miss Malawi organisers *mwamuonongera mbiri mwanayu ndi ma blunders an*u” — accusing pageant organisers of damaging Navicha’s reputation through repeated missteps. Chigomezo Nyasulu poked fun at the outfit’s colour scheme, writing: “I am still searching for the gold in that outfit but can only see green.” “**No effort, no originality” — designer accused of lacking creativity** Xena Nyamsuku went further still, dismissing the entire concept behind the design. “Nothing about this design screamed symbolism. We’re just out here forcing meaning into everything. No effort, no originality, designer *watinamiza apa* when people point it out, suddenly everyone says *nsanje*, cyberbullying, *ayi*, reality is just very uncomfortable,” she wrote. Grace White questioned the outfit’s styling more bluntly, asking: “So a green pijama stands for Malawi’s rich land?” **Critics suggest national flag colours would have worked better** Elizabeth Mgabe argued the design missed an obvious opportunity, suggesting Navicha would have been better served wearing an outfit reflecting Malawi’s national flag colours of black, red and green. “This is not the green that represents rich land and growth, it could be better if she could’ve wore the national outfit in black red and green like our national flag,” she wrote. Other commenters were equally unconvinced by the botanical symbolism, with one questioning why the shade of green used bore little resemblance to the colour of chlorophyll it was apparently meant to evoke. **Countdown to Miss World crowning continues** Despite the wave of criticism, Navicha remains in Vietnam preparing for the Miss World final, with the winner set to be crowned on 5 September 2026 during a live global broadcast. The backlash over her outfit adds to what has already been a challenging period for Navicha’s Miss World campaign, following earlier reports of cyberbullying directed at the young pageant queen during her time representing Malawi on the international stage. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment, Featured **Tags:** Ireen Navicha, Miss Malawi --- ### [The MHRC matters. Mutharika says so. Now he must prove it](https://www.nyasatimes.com/the-mhrc-matters-mutharika-says-so-now-he-must-prove-it/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s warm words for the outgoing commissioners of the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) were, on the surface, a routine gesture of appreciation. But in Malawi’s current political climate, even praise carries weight — and contradiction. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787936204363-600x400.jpg)‘We’ll Fund It Properly’: Mutharika Pledges Lifeline for Struggling Rights CommissionMeeting the commissioners at Kamuzu Palace, Mutharika described the MHRC as “central” to safeguarding freedoms and pledged that his administration would ensure the body is properly resourced. It was a familiar refrain: the language of constitutional guardianship, spoken at a moment when public trust in institutions is thin and the demands on oversight bodies are rising. Yet the Commission’s recent history tells a more complicated story. For years, MHRC has operated on the margins of government priority, its investigations slowed by budget shortfalls, its monitoring work constrained by staff shortages, and its independence tested by political pressure. It has been one of the few institutions willing to scrutinise state conduct — from policing to prison conditions — often without the financial backing required to sustain that role. Mutharika’s remarks therefore land in a space between aspiration and reality. They acknowledge the Commission’s importance, but they also highlight the gap between rhetorical support and the structural investment needed to make that support meaningful. In a country where democratic institutions frequently struggle for autonomy, the MHRC’s ability to act decisively depends less on presidential praise and more on whether funding arrives on time, in full, and without strings attached. The outgoing commissioners leave office at a moment of heightened scrutiny. Civil society organisations argue that the Commission’s mandate has outgrown its resources, and that without predictable financing, its authority risks becoming symbolic rather than substantive. The next cohort of commissioners will inherit both the Commission’s legacy and its constraints.Mutharika’s pledge may signal a shift — or simply echo past assurances that never materialised. The test will be whether the government moves beyond commendation to concrete support: budgets that match the Commission’s workload, legal protections that reinforce its independence, and political space that allows it to challenge power without fear. In Malawi’s evolving democratic landscape, the MHRC remains one of the few institutions capable of holding the state to account. Whether it can continue to do so will depend on whether the President’s words become policy — and whether policy becomes practice. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** MHRC, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Chihana explodes: ‘My suspension is about World Bank projects — Not misconduct!’](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chihana-explodes-my-suspension-is-about-world-bank-projects-not-misconduct/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Suspended Blantyre Water Board boss Yeremia Chihana has blasted the Board’s decision to send him home for the second time in five months, claiming he is being targeted for refusing to “dance to the tune” of powerful interests and for insisting on proper procedures in a multimillion‑dollar World Bank project. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260829_033716_Instagram.jpg)‘Set‑Up!’ Chihana Claims Suspension Is Plot to Derail World Bank WorkChihana says the latest suspension, issued on 28 August 2026, is nothing more than retaliation after he declined to travel to Lilongwe for a meeting on a $13 million World Bank‑funded programme, arguing that the Board had not followed the correct process. He insists he is being punished for protecting the institution, not undermining it. But the Board has accused him of a string of serious offences, including misrepresenting the Board to government and international partners, making an unauthorised appointment, and securing a K500 million overdraft facility from First Capital Bank without approval. It says the allegations are grave enough to justify immediate suspension and a formal inquiry. Chihana rejects the accusations outright, describing them as “manufactured” and part of a wider effort to block reforms and frustrate donor‑funded projects. He claims some Board members are resisting change because it threatens entrenched interests, and argues that his attempts to modernise BWB have been met with hostility rather than support. The suspension letter alleges that Chihana wrote to the Secretary to the Treasury, copying the World Bank and European Union, claiming the Board had endorsed an institutional modernisation programme at a meeting on 15 March 2026 — a meeting the Board insists never happened. It also accuses him of appointing Lon Zizwe as Acting Director of Finance without approval, insisting that Msusa remains the legitimate acting director. Emails from First Capital Bank dated 23 July 2026 are cited as evidence that Chihana obtained a K500 million temporary overdraft without the Board’s knowledge. This latest clash exposes a deepening governance crisis at BWB, where tensions between the CEO and the Board have simmered for months over procurement, project management and authority. The BWB Employees Trade Union has previously warned that instability at the top is affecting operations and morale. Chihana says he will challenge the suspension, arguing that Malawi’s employment laws and disciplinary procedures have been ignored. He insists he is being targeted for refusing to “play politics” and for standing firm on accountability in the World Bank project, which includes new reservoirs and solar stations. For now, he remains suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry — and BWB finds itself once again in the middle of a leadership storm, with a CEO who says he is fighting for integrity and a Board that says it is fighting for control. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, World Bank, Yeremiah Chihana --- ### [Chihana barred from contacting staff amid suspension: misconduct allegations at Blantyre Water Board](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chihana-barred-from-contacting-staff-amid-suspension-misconduct-allegations-at-blantyre-water-board/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Blantyre Water Board (BWB) Chief Executive Officer Yeremia Chihana has been suspended with immediate effect, pending an inquiry into allegations of misconduct, in a dramatic shake-up at the top of the utility. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787956962921-600x600.jpg)BWB’s Chihana banned from premises as misconduct inquiry launchedThe suspension follows a resolution passed by the BWB Board on Thursday, 28 August 2026, according to a memorandum issued to all staff by the Acting Director of Human Resource and Administration. The memo confirms Chihana has been suspended in line with clause 3(d) of his contract of employment — a provision typically invoked in cases involving serious allegations requiring formal investigation. Under the terms of his suspension, Chihana has been barred from accessing any BWB premises, sites or offices, unless expressly invited in writing by the Board Chairperson or a designated representative. He has further been prohibited from directly or indirectly contacting BWB clients, suppliers or staff members regarding the institution’s business, effectively cutting him off entirely from the organisation’s operations while the inquiry proceeds. The suspension marks a significant development for the water utility, with the nature of the alleged misconduct yet to be publicly disclosed as the Board’s inquiry gets underway. It remains to be seen how long the investigation will take, and what its findings will mean for Chihana’s future at the helm of the organisation. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Blantyre Water Board, Yeremiah Chihana --- ### [Prof Dzanja: Malawi's agriculture is broken — sets out five-point fix](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prof-dzanja-malawis-agriculture-is-broken-sets-out-five-point-fix/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Newly crowned Professor Joseph Dzanja of the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) has called for serious investment in agricultural marketing systems if Malawi is to realise its full agricultural potential. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260828-WA0001-600x338.jpg)Prof Dzanja urges rethink of agricultural marketing in inaugural lectureProfessor Dzanja made the remarks on Thursday during his inaugural lecture as Professor at LUANAR, where he challenged policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders to rethink how agricultural markets are organised and supported in Malawi. At the centre of his lecture was the argument that Malawi’s agricultural challenges are not only about production, but also about the systems that connect farmers to markets, consumers, processors and other actors along the agricultural value chain. According to Professor Dzanja, the country’s market system is fragmented along five major dimensions: information, coordination, space, time and power. On information, he said farmers and other market actors often lack timely and reliable data on prices, demand and market opportunities. “This limits their ability to make informed production and marketing decisions,” he said. On coordination, he said the absence of collective action among producers and other actors often leaves them with limited bargaining power and unable to take advantage of economies of scale when purchasing inputs or selling produce. The third dimension, space, is characterised by a rural-urban disconnect, with many farmers operating far from major markets, processors and consumers. He also discussed time, pointing to the seasonality of agricultural production and slow market adjustment, which can leave farmers facing periods of surplus immediately after harvest followed by shortages later in the year, contributing to price volatility and post-harvest losses. The final dimension, power, reflects an asymmetry among actors in the market. “Differences in access to information, finance, infrastructure and bargaining power can leave smallholder farmers in a weaker position when negotiating with other participants in the value chain,” he said. Professor Dzanja argued that addressing these challenges requires Malawi to move towards what he described as a “coordinated systems market perspective.” Under this approach, he said agricultural development should not focus on farmers or production in isolation, but should instead give attention to the entire market system and the relationships connecting producers, traders, processors, financial institutions, consumers, government and other stakeholders. To activate this perspective, Professor Dzanja outlined five key areas Malawi needs to prioritise: investing in agro-processing and storage, strengthening farmer organisations, expanding affordable finance and insurance, improving rural infrastructure and logistics, and harnessing digital platforms. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260828-WA0002-600x450.jpg)Participants seated during the ceremony Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** agriculture, Luanar, Professor Joseph Dzanja --- ### [Chilima crash inquiry: Officer with NO meteorology qualification admits altering weather data for pilots](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chilima-crash-inquiry-officer-with-no-meteorology-qualification-admits-altering-weather-data-for-pilots/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Members of Parliament investigating the June 10 military aircraft crash that killed former Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others turned their fire on Mzuzu Airport officer-in-charge Joseph Moyo on Friday, accusing him of relaying unverified weather information directly to pilots while bypassing the facility’s certified meteorological experts entirely. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787953137934-397x600.jpg)“A very dangerous situation”: MP Lindani slams unqualified officer’s weather call before fatal Chilima flightZomba Thondwe MP Dumisani Lindani led a fierce line of questioning, pressing Moyo hard over his lack of formal meteorology qualifications and his decision to alter official weather data being transmitted to the crew of the ill-fated Dornier 228. “**Why did you not alert the experts?”** Lindani demanded to know why Moyo had unilaterally informed the pilots that visibility had dropped to five kilometres, without first alerting the airport’s own resident aviation meteorological officers or formally updating official records. “You are not an expert and you have changed information of the experts, relaying it to pilots… Why did you not alert the experts after conveying this information, which was different from what the experts had given you?” Lindani demanded. **Moyo admits he holds NO formal meteorology certification** In a striking admission, Moyo confirmed under questioning that he holds no formal certification in meteorology whatsoever. Defending his actions, he told the committee that weather experts had insisted conditions were clear at 8am, leaving him to make his own visual assessment as visibility appeared to deteriorate later in the morning. “**A very dangerous situation” — MP warns of conflicting testimony** Unconvinced by the explanation, Lindani pressed further, warning that Moyo’s unauthorised intervention had introduced what he described as a “very dangerous situation,” directly conflicting with earlier testimony from meteorological officers who maintained that weather conditions that morning had, in fact, remained acceptable. Lindani then posed a pointed and uncomfortable question to Moyo, challenging him to consider the potential consequences of his actions. “Don’t you think that you could be blamed by the experts to say that you gave the pilots wrong information, when the experts are insisting that the information was not in line with what you’re saying?” he asked. The tense exchange has thrust fresh scrutiny onto the chain of command and decision-making at Mzuzu Airport in the critical moments before the crash, raising troubling questions over whether an unqualified officer’s unilateral weather assessment may have contributed to confusion in the cockpit during the aircraft’s final, fatal approach. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Dumisani Lindani, plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima --- ### [Crackdown on dirty money: New rules force banks to verify every customer's identity](https://www.nyasatimes.com/crackdown-on-dirty-money-new-rules-force-banks-to-verify-every-customers-identity/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Government has gazetted sweeping new measures aimed at strengthening customer identification and due diligence across Malawi’s banking sector, in a fresh crackdown designed to choke off money laundering and other financial crimes plaguing the country’s financial system. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/0F4766C7-F768-4796-9BD9-EECE03A3504A-600x320.jpeg)Government tightens the net on money launderingThe new measures, contained in two notices issued under the Financial Crimes Act, formally revoke the previous 2018 notice on identification documentation and set out precisely which identification documents will be accepted for both Malawian and non-Malawian customers going forward. Under the tightened rules, Malawian citizens will be required to provide valid identification documents — including a national identity card, passport or driver’s licence — before accessing banking services, while non-Malawian customers will need to produce documents such as a passport bearing a valid permit, a refugee identity document, or an asylum seeker identity document. Crucially, the new measures also establish thresholds under which reporting institutions may apply simplified due diligence procedures, offering banks and financial institutions clearer guidance on how rigorously different transactions must be scrutinised. Perhaps most significantly, the gazetted rules require reporting institutions to verify customer identification through approved databases, biometric systems and other robust verification mechanisms, moving Malawi’s financial sector toward far tighter and more technologically driven identity checks than previously required. National Anti-Corruption Alliance Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa welcomed the new measures, insisting they will make a significant contribution to the ongoing fight against corruption, money laundering and fraud across the country. Kaiyatsa urged banks and other financial institutions to fully embrace and implement the new requirements, signalling that campaigners will be watching closely to ensure the tightened rules translate into genuine improvements in how Malawi’s financial system guards against illicit activity. The move marks a significant tightening of Malawi’s financial crime prevention framework, with authorities hopeful the enhanced identification and verification requirements will help close longstanding loopholes that have historically made the country’s banking system vulnerable to exploitation by money launderers and fraudsters. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, General, News **Tags:** banking, money laundering --- ### [Prophet Kambale graduates with Master’s in Project Management as MSG qualification renews debate on church–business boundaries](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-kambale-graduates-with-masters-in-project-management-as-msg-qualification-renews-debate-on-church-business-boundaries/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Prophet Amos Kambale, founder of Life International Church (LIC), has graduated with a Master’s Degree in Project Management from the Malawi School of Government in Kanengo, where he was the highest‑scoring student in his class.Kambale, who trained as an architect before entering full‑time ministry, established LIC in 2016. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260828-WA0004-399x600.jpg)Life International Church leader completes postgraduate studies at MSGThe church, which began at Lilongwe LEA Primary School, now holds services at Mbinzi Community Day Secondary School Hall and is working towards constructing its own facilities. Alongside his pastoral work, Kambale runs businesses in real estate, farming, transport, construction and supply. He has previously said these ventures support the church’s operations and promote financial literacy among congregants. His graduation has prompted discussion about the intersection of religious leadership, business interests and public influence. Questions raised Church and businessLIC promotes both spiritual and practical teaching, encouraging members to pray and plan. Critics say a prophet who leads commercial enterprises may face conflicts of interest. Supporters argue that financial education is part of the church’s mission. Studying at a government institution The Malawi School of Government trains civil servants and public‑sector leaders. Some observers view Kambale’s enrolment as an effort to strengthen organisational skills. Others question whether it may enhance his influence beyond the church. Balancing rolesKambale is known for prophetic ministry and testimonies. His new qualification in project management has led to debate about whether LIC is evolving into a hybrid spiritual and development‑focused organisation .LIC’s position LIC states that its mission includes wealth creation and social transformation. Sources close to Kambale say the degree will help improve systems within the church, including infrastructure development and financial management.Context The graduation comes as LIC marks its tenth anniversary. It also coincides with wider public scrutiny of accountability in religious, business and state institutions. Supporters say Kambale is demonstrating professionalism and planning. Critics say his growing portfolio reflects a broader trend of religious leaders expanding into commercial and administrative spheres. Summary Kambale’s graduation highlights ongoing debate in Malawi about the role of religious leaders in public life. As he received his degree in Kanengo, attention focused less on the qualification itself and more on how it may shape his future work — in the church, in business, and in wider society. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Malawi School of Government, Prophet Amos Kambale --- ### [MHRC chiefs exit after turbulent term — Mutharika promises ‘new era’](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mhrc-chiefs-exit-after-turbulent-term-mutharika-promises-new-era/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Arthur Peter Mutharika has vowed to ramp up Malawi’s human rights protections — issuing the pledge during a high‑profile meeting at Kamuzu Palace with the outgoing Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) team. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787936204363-600x400.jpg)‘We’ll Fund It Properly’: Mutharika Pledges Lifeline for Struggling Rights CommissionThe Commissioners, whose three‑year term officially ended on August 26, 2026, were hosted for what insiders described as a “frank and forward‑looking” engagement. Mutharika, striking a confident tone, praised the Commissioners for their work safeguarding women, children and the elderly, and for pushing forward access to information — achievements he said had strengthened Malawi’s democratic fabric. But the President did not shy away from the Commission’s long‑running struggles. He admitted the MHRC has been operating under crippling financial constraints, and pledged that his administration would “step up support” to ensure the watchdog is properly funded and able to carry out its mandate. Outgoing Commissioner Chikondi Chijozi Jere said the meeting offered a rare chance to brief the President directly on the Commission’s achievements, its challenges, and what lies ahead for Malawi’s human rights landscape. The departure of the Commissioners marks the end of a turbulent but impactful three‑year term — and sets the stage for what State House insists will be a “new era” of strengthened rights protection. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787936225475-600x400.jpg)MHRC Term Ends![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787936225475-600x400.jpg)MHRC Term Ends![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787936247440-600x400.jpg)Kamuzu Palace Power Play: Mutharika Praises Outgoing Rights Commissioners Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** human rights, MHRC, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Villagers erect fence around Lucius Banda's memorial house — after locals accused of drinking and posing for photos on the grave](https://www.nyasatimes.com/villagers-erect-fence-around-lucius-bandas-memorial-house-after-locals-accused-of-drinking-and-posing-for-photos-on-the-grave/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Villagers in Sosola, Balaka district, have taken matters into their own hands and erected a wooden fence around the memorial house built by the family and friends of late musician Lucius Banda, insisting the barrier is necessary to protect the site from disrespectful behaviour. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787926686721-600x450.jpg)Lucious Banda memorialReporters, together with village chiefs, visited the memorial house, built on the boundary of Sosola’s village graveyard, to investigate the growing tension surrounding the site. “People come and disrespect the site” — chief defends decision Speaking at the scene, one of the traditional leaders explained why the community felt compelled to act. “People arrive at this house recklessly, taking photos while drinking beer, and some even step on graves nearby, which disrespects our culture, and that is why I have built this fence,” the chief said. Family and committee kept in the dark, chiefs say The traditional leaders confirmed that neither the family nor the committee that oversaw construction of the memorial house had been consulted or informed about how the fence would be built. However, they insisted this had not caused any friction or upset, noting that family members were in attendance when the memorial house was officially opened. Family remains silent as police confirm no complaint filed Lucius Banda’s family has so far declined to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, Balaka Police Publicist Gladson M’bumpha confirmed that police have not received any formal complaint in connection with the dispute. The move highlights growing concern within the Sosola community over how the beloved musician’s memorial site has been treated by visitors since his passing, with local leaders now taking direct action to preserve the dignity of both the memorial house and the neighbouring graveyard. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Lucius Banda --- ### [Bullets fined K3.35 million over Ekhaya match misconduct](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bullets-fined-k3-35-million-over-ekhaya-match-misconduct/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Super League of Malawi (SULOM) Disciplinary Committee has found FCB Nyasa Big Bullets guilty of misconduct during their FDH Bank Premiership match against Ekhaya FC, played at Mpira Stadium on 19 July 2026. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260828-WA0003-600x504.jpg)An FCB Nyasa Big Bullets fan during one of the super league matchesFollowing disciplinary proceedings, the reigning champions have been fined a total of MK3,350,000 for the misconduct. SULOM has also issued a stern warning to the club, stating that Bullets risk losing maximum points in future matches should they be found guilty of similar disorderly conduct. The disciplinary action comes as the league’s governing body continues to strengthen measures aimed at maintaining discipline, order and integrity during Super League matches. In a statement, SULOM reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all clubs and their supporters adhere to the rules and regulations governing the competition. “SULOM remains committed to upholding discipline and integrity in the league,” the statement said. The body has further urged clubs to take greater responsibility in educating and sensitising their supporters, players and fans on the importance of maintaining peace and law and order during matches. “Clubs are urged to sensitize their supporters, players and fans on the importance of preserving law and order,” SULOM said. The fine and warning serve as a reminder to clubs that misconduct at matches can carry serious sporting and financial consequences, with the threat of lost points representing a significant risk for teams competing for honours in the FDH Bank Premiership. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Big Bullets, Sulom --- ### [Mzuzu Airport's safety gaps exposed after Chilima's fatal crash](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mzuzu-airports-safety-gaps-exposed-after-chilimas-fatal-crash/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mzuzu Airport has been operating for more than ten years without functional air navigation equipment and lacks even basic systems to record radio communications, a parliamentary inquiry into aviation safety has been told, in a startling revelation that raises fresh questions over the airfield’s role in the fatal crash that killed former Vice-President Saulos Chilima. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Airtels-Edith-Tsilizani-congratulates-ladies-champ-Evelyn-Bailey-37.jpg)Mzuzu Airport: No equipment to even record radio communicationsAirport officer-in-charge Joseph Moyo appeared before the parliamentary committee investigating the June 10, 2024 military aircraft crash that claimed the lives of Chilima and eight others, delivering damning testimony about the state of infrastructure at the airport where the doomed flight was due to land. Moyo confirmed that Mzuzu Airport operates strictly under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), a manual navigation approach relying on pilots’ own visual judgment, purely because essential ground-based navigation instruments at the airfield are broken and non-functional. “Mzuzu is a VFR approach airport because we don’t have the navigation instruments. In the past, we had the VOR \[Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range\], which was operational,” Moyo told the committee. When pressed by lawmakers on exactly how long the vital navigation equipment had been out of action, Moyo’s answer left the committee stunned: the airport has been without functional tools for “more than 10 years” — an extraordinary gap that has persisted through years of domestic and VIP flights in and out of the facility. Compounding the infrastructure crisis, Moyo further admitted the airport has no equipment whatsoever to log or record radio transmissions between air traffic controllers and aircraft — a basic safety and accountability tool considered standard at most modern airports, and one that could have proven crucial in reconstructing the final communications with the ill-fated flight. The revelations paint a deeply troubling picture of chronic underinvestment at one of Malawi’s key regional airports, raising urgent questions over how such critical safety gaps were allowed to persist for over a decade — and whether they may have played any role in the tragedy that claimed the life of the country’s Vice-President and eight others. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Mzuzu Airport, plane inquiry --- ### ['Malawi's exports have fallen off a cliff': Minister Mbilizi  sounds alarm as agriculture sector plunges into crisis ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-exports-have-fallen-off-a-cliff-minister-mbilizi-sounds-alarm-as-agriculture-sector-plunges-into-crisis/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s agriculture sector is facing a mounting crisis, with damning new figures revealing the country’s export base has collapsed by 31 percent in less than a decade, as Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Mbilizi issued a stark call for urgent transformation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787875191561-600x400.jpg)Minister Mbilizi- “Our goal is to translate production into higher incomes” —Speaking at the official opening of the three-day 22nd National Agriculture Fair in Blantyre, Mbilizi declared it was “high time” Malawi fundamentally changed how it approaches agricultural production, insisting the country must shift focus from simply producing more to producing smarter. **Only 20% of new exporters survive past their first year** The scale of the crisis was laid bare in shocking World Bank data presented at the event, showing Malawi’s exports plummeted by 31 percent between 2014 and 2023, while the number of exporting firms collapsed from an average of 1,069 between 2009 and 2012 down to just 684 in 2024 — compared to an average of 2,996 in other African countries. Even more alarming, survival rates among Malawian exporters have proven dismal, with only 20 percent of new exporters between 2006 and 2024 surviving into their second year of operation, and a mere 5.8 percent making it as far as a third year. **Tobacco dependency leaves economy dangerously exposed** Malawi’s export basket remains dangerously concentrated in a single crop, with tobacco accounting for a staggering 61 percent of all goods exported in 2024 — a level of dependency the World Bank has directly linked to the country’s weak export performance, alongside low production capacity, inadequate skills, limited foreign exchange and non-tariff barriers driving up trade and transport costs. **Major export deals fell through amid quality and volume failures** The country’s struggles were further exposed by revelations that Malawi failed to meet a 50,000-metric tonne annual export agreement with India, while a lucrative $295 million annual food export deal with South Sudan — covering maize flour among other products — also fell severely short of its target, after products went bad or suffered from low quality and inadequate volumes. Sesame producers face a similarly frustrating story, with a guaranteed 200,000-metric tonne export market secured in Japan going largely untapped due to chronically low production levels, according to the World Food Programme. **Maize yields lag far behind national targets** The production gap is particularly stark in maize, Malawi’s staple crop, where average yields of just 2.1 metric tonnes per hectare remain far below the 2024 National Adaptation Plan’s target of four metric tonnes — and dramatically short of the crop’s estimated potential yield of 10 metric tonnes per hectare. Despite agriculture absorbing more than 10 percent of the national budget, the World Bank warns that low productivity, weak value chains and limited private-sector investment continue to choke the sector’s contribution to exports and incomes. Mbilizi insisted government’s ambitions must shift decisively toward value creation rather than sheer output. “Our goal is to translate increased production into higher incomes, stronger businesses and a more prosperous Malawi,” she said, framing the challenge as central to fulfilling the agricultural commercialisation pillar of Malawi 2063 (MW2063), the country’s long-term development strategy. Launched in January 2021, MW2063 is built around three pillars — agricultural productivity and commercialisation, industrialisation and urbanisation — with ambitions to transform Malawi into a wealthy, self-reliant, industrialised lower middle-income nation by 2030, and an upper middle-income country by 2063. Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc Managing Director Ronald Ngwira, who also serves as President of the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI), struck a more hopeful tone, pointing to signs of progress in government’s engagement with the private sector, including efforts to dismantle barriers that have long constrained industry growth. “Winds of change are coming. Being willing to become climate resilient and sustainably producing for the export market is critical to ensure that Malawi remains on the map,” Ngwira said, stressing that the private sector must move beyond simply increasing production and instead focus on efficiency, value addition and profitable market access. “Our challenge is therefore not simply to produce more, but to produce efficiently, add value and connect production to profitable markets,” he added. Speaking separately, Limeset Industry Managing Director Eunice Kafwamba warned that soaring electricity tariffs and transport costs were significantly limiting her company’s growth, despite the critical role agricultural lime plays in improving soil health and strengthening crop yields. She revealed that access to agricultural lime remains alarmingly low among farming households, largely due to limited awareness rather than availability, making it difficult for farmers to maximise yields and accelerate commercialisation. **Government points to support programmes amid mounting pressure** Export Development Fund marketing and communication specialist Deliby Chimbalu said the fund had ramped up debt financing, including export packaging credit, to help exporters meet production and supply requirements, alongside risk-sharing guarantees designed to ease the financial burden on struggling businesses. Government pointed to several ongoing interventions aimed at reversing the sector’s decline, including the World Bank-funded Agriculture Commercialisation Project 2, which has already provided grants to 425 producer organisations and 41 small businesses, alongside the Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II, which is currently supporting more than 700 farmer groups through irrigation, mechanisation, processing, storage and improved access to market information. **77 exhibitors gather under banner of “transformation”** This year’s National Agriculture Fair, hosted by MCCCI under the theme “Transforming agriculture through innovation, value addition and market linkages,” has drawn 77 exhibitors occupying 139 booths, bringing together agricultural input suppliers, agro-processors, farmer organisations, service providers, research institutions and livestock stakeholders in what organisers hope will spark renewed momentum behind Malawi’s struggling agricultural export ambitions. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, General, News **Tags:** agriculture, Malawi tobacco, Roza Mbilizi --- ### [Immigration officers among suspects as applicants fleeced of up to K600,000 by 'dobadobas'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/immigration-officers-among-suspects-as-applicants-fleeced-of-up-to-k600000-by-dobadobas/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has confirmed that investigations into a widespread passport fraud scheme involving middlemen and, disturbingly, officers within its own ranks are now at an advanced stage, with several suspects already in police custody. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260828_101217_Facebook-600x489.jpg)Passport fraud crackdownDepartment spokesperson Pasqually Zulu revealed the immigration service is deeply concerned by mounting reports of passport applicants being defrauded of staggering sums of money, with some victims reportedly paying as much as K300,000, while others have handed over more than K600,000 in the scam. Corrupt officers allegedly working hand-in-hand with fraudsters In a damning admission, Zulu confirmed the department is convinced that some of those involved in the malpractice are working directly with officers embedded within the immigration system itself — a revelation likely to intensify public concern over corruption within the very institution responsible for issuing travel documents. Suspects linked to “doba-dobas” and social media already arrested Zulu confirmed that a number of suspects, including so-called “doba-dobas” and individuals linked to various social media platforms allegedly used to facilitate the scheme, have already been taken into custody, with investigations continuing as authorities work to identify and prosecute everyone involved in the racket. Public warned: pay ONLY at official processing centres In a stark warning to the public, Zulu reminded applicants that all legitimate passport payments must be made exclusively within Immigration Department premises at official passport processing centres, cautioning that anyone found participating in the fraudulent scheme — whether as a middleman, applicant, or complicit officer — will face the full force of the law. The crackdown marks a significant escalation in efforts to root out corruption within Malawi’s passport application system, with authorities now racing to bring those responsible to justice as the scale of the fraud, and the potential involvement of insiders, continues to come into sharper focus. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** corruption, Immigration Department, Passport --- ### [Facebook post sparks debate over duty to struggling ex-celebrities](https://www.nyasatimes.com/facebook-post-sparks-debate-over-duty-to-struggling-ex-celebrities/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A blunt Facebook post declaring that the public owes former celebrities nothing has ignited a fierce online debate, after Don Dada argued that footballers, musicians and actors who fall on hard times in later life should not expect financial help simply because of their past fame. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787914817363-597x600.jpg)Sense of entitlement? Lawyer Khumbo Soko back post slamming duty to help broke ex-starsIn a strongly worded post that has since drawn a wave of reaction, Don Dada insisted there is no obligation whatsoever to support former stars, arguing that fans already paid their dues during the performers’ heyday. “We do not owe a duty to any former celebrities to help them in their old age or times of need. None at all. Be it footballers, musicians, actors and what not. When they were famous and entertaining us, they didn’t do it for free. They got paid for it. They got rich out of their craft. They enjoyed the fine things in life whilst at it. We paid to see, watch or listen to them. “We didn’t enjoy their talent gratuitously. We paid for it. Let no one make you feel guilty for not helping. Help because you want to. Not out of some false sense of obligation,” he wrote, signing off simply as “Kumpando.” “**Let them suffer the consequences” — commenters pile in** The post quickly attracted a flood of agreement from fellow social media users, many of whom argued that former celebrities bear personal responsibility for failing to plan financially during their peak earning years. Chancy Mtambo was among those backing the sentiment, writing bluntly: “Why should we pay for their failure to plan the future? Let them suffer the consequences of their grandiose behaviour just like all of us!” Chipiliro Khonje echoed the frustration, revealing the post had captured feelings he’d struggled to articulate himself. “I’ve been wanting to say this for a long time. Just couldn’t find the right vocab. Zikomo. Maybe you should expand and write a column in the Daily’s Kumpando,” he wrote, suggesting the commentary deserved a wider platform. **Pointed jabs at lifestyle choices** Some commenters went further, taking direct aim at the lifestyle choices often associated with celebrity excess. Herbert Mtalika quipped pointedly about “managing 5 concubines at the peak of their career,” while Kondwani Paul Nkhonjera framed the debate as a valuable lesson for the current generation of stars. “With your statement those on pick now will learn and invest more so that in their old ages should not face the same problems,” he wrote. **Lawyer weighs in on “entitlement”** Adding a legal perspective to the discussion, lawyer Khumbo Bongo Soko offered a pointed one-liner: “Ndipo…the sense of entitlement here,” suggesting agreement with the broader argument that expectations of public support amount to unwarranted entitlement. Even prominent figures within Malawi’s sporting community weighed in on the debate. Netball legend Peace Chawinga Kalua responded with a simple but telling reaction: “*Yooo kachilungamo*” — an expression roughly translating to astonishment at the bluntness, though not necessarily disagreement, with the sentiment being expressed. **A debate that cuts deep** The exchange touches on a sensitive and recurring theme in Malawian public life, where former sporting stars, musicians and entertainers have periodically found themselves the subject of public fundraising appeals or charitable interventions after falling into financial hardship following the end of their careers. While Don Dada’s post has clearly resonated with a significant number of social media users who share his view that fame carries no lifelong entitlement to public support, the debate is likely to continue dividing opinion, particularly among those who argue that society retains some moral responsibility toward individuals who once brought joy, pride and entertainment to the nation. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Facebook, Khumbo Soko --- ### [Inquiry hears of gaps in tracking Chilima fatal plane's final movements](https://www.nyasatimes.com/inquiry-hears-of-gaps-in-tracking-chilima-fatal-planes-final-movements/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A discrepancy has emerged between the final position reported by the pilot of the military aircraft that crashed near Chikangawa in June last year, killing former vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight others, and the flight-tracking data contained in the German Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation’s interim report, a parliamentary inquiry has heard. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787913012000-1-600x450.jpg)Joseph Moyo, senior air traffic information officer and officer-in-charge at Mzuzu Airport, testified before the Ad-Hoc CommitteeJoseph Moyo, senior air traffic information officer and officer-in-charge at Mzuzu Airport, told the Ad-Hoc Committee that during brief contact with the aircraft at 10.12am, the pilot reported being “20 nautical miles north of Mzuzu” — approximately 38 kilometres out, near the Ekwendeni/Bwemba area — and inbound to the airfield. However, the BFU’s interim report indicates that the aircraft’s actual flight path shows it never reached that reported position before the crash, a discrepancy lawmakers pressed Moyo to explain. Asked whether the crew might have transmitted inaccurate location data, Moyo told the committee that controllers in unradar-controlled airspace rely entirely on visual and voice communication from pilots, with no independent means of verification. “I cannot, on their behalf, say they were telling me the truth or lies,” Moyo said. “According to our rules, we rely on conventional communication and believe the information given by the pilot. If they were within radar coverage around Kamuzu International Airport, we could easily verify, but at this point in time, I cannot tell.” Moyo also gave the committee a detailed account of the deteriorating weather conditions and communication breakdown that preceded the crash. He said official meteorological reports at 10am had recorded manageable, if difficult, conditions — heavy cloud cover, light winds, drizzle and fog in the vicinity, with visual range of eight kilometres. Conditions around the airfield changed abruptly shortly afterwards, he said, with visual clearance dropping to around five kilometres by the time the aircraft was due to arrive. The flight had been scheduled to land at 10.02am. Air traffic personnel began attempting to reach the crew from 9.50am without success, before the brief contact at 10.12am. Subsequent attempts to re-establish communication failed. Following the breakdown in contact, Mzuzu Airport activated emergency communication protocols across regional control towers. Moyo said that after roughly half an hour had passed without further transmission from the crew, he contacted the control tower at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, which reported no contact with the flight. He said he then checked with officers at Karonga Airport, who confirmed the aircraft had not been redirected to their airstrip and remained unreachable. Controllers subsequently asked Lilongwe to continue efforts to trace the aircraft’s signal. The testimony adds further detail to the committee’s inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash, which killed Chilima and eight others near Chikangawa on 10 June 2024. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima, Shanil Dzimbiri --- ### [Bandabets Everyday Cashback Brings Daily Rewards to Malawi’s Betting Market](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bandabets-everyday-cashback-brings-daily-rewards-to-malawis-betting-market/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Excerpt:** Bandabets has introduced Everyday Cashback in Malawi, automatically rewarding eligible customers based on qualifying gaming activity. **Content:** **New reward system gives eligible players automatic cashback based on their gaming activity—with no registration or separate claim required** Malawi’s online betting market is becoming increasingly competitive, with operators looking for better ways to attract customers, reward loyalty and deliver meaningful value. [Bandabets Malawi](https://ml.bandabets.com/nt), one of the country’s newest online betting platforms, believes it has a compelling answer: rewarding eligible customers for their everyday gaming activity—whether they win or lose. Bandabets recently entered Malawi as part of its wider African expansion, which includes markets such as Kenya, Uganda and Zambia. The company has now introduced **Everyday Cashback**, a promotion that allows eligible players to unlock cashback based on their overall gaming activity.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Daily-cash-BAck-1770x334-1-600x113.jpg) ## A different approach to cashback Many traditional cashback promotions are primarily designed to compensate players after losses. Bandabets has adopted a different model by recognising qualifying gameplay more broadly. Under the Everyday Cashback promotion, eligible gaming activity contributes towards a player’s cashback calculation, regardless of whether the player wins or loses. Customers who make qualifying deposits may also unlock higher cashback percentages, subject to the promotion’s terms and conditions. The message is simple: **Play today. Get cashback tomorrow.** There is no separate registration, opt-in form or complicated claims process. Cashback is calculated automatically and credited to eligible customer accounts the following day. That simplicity could appeal to customers in Malawi, where users increasingly expect digital services to be quick, transparent and easy to navigate. ## How Everyday Cashback works Cashback is credited as non-withdrawable bonus funds and remains valid for 48 hours. To turn the reward into a potential cash return, a customer must use the cashback to play once on an eligible game of their choice. Any winnings generated from that qualifying play can then become withdrawable, subject to Bandabets’ promotion rules, account-verification requirements and general terms and conditions. The experience is built around a straightforward cycle: **Play. Get rewarded. Play again. Win.** This means cashback is not presented only as compensation for an unsuccessful day. Both winning and losing activity may contribute towards cashback eligibility, giving qualifying customers another opportunity to enjoy the platform. ## Why everyday rewards matter In the modern betting industry, attracting new customers is only half the challenge. Operators must also give players convincing reasons to return. Customers increasingly value promotions that are clear, automatic and easy to understand. Complicated bonus conditions, lengthy registration procedures and difficult claims processes can discourage participation.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Daily-Cashback-1080-x1080-1-600x600.jpeg) [Bandabets Everyday Cashback](https://ml.bandabets.com/nt) aims to remove those barriers by placing rewards directly into eligible accounts without requiring customers to submit a separate claim. For a betting company operating across several African markets, the strategy also makes commercial sense. Customer preferences may differ between Malawi, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia, but the desire for immediate and understandable value remains consistent. Bandabets is counting on its simple daily reward proposition to help it stand out in Malawi’s growing online gaming market. ## A new opportunity every day Although Bandabets is still relatively new in Malawi, Everyday Cashback demonstrates the company’s intention to compete through customer-focused promotions and a more engaging online experience. For eligible customers, the proposition is straightforward: qualifying gameplay can unlock cashback, while every new day presents another opportunity to play and potentially win. ## Ready to discover Everyday Cashback? [Visit Bandabets Malawi today](https://ml.bandabets.com/nt), create an account or sign in, make a qualifying deposit, play eligible games and check the cashback credited to your account the following day. **The more qualifying activity you complete, the more cashback you may unlock.** ### [JOIN BANDABETS AND DISCOVER EVERYDAY CASHBACK](https://ml.bandabets.com/nt) Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business **Tags:** Bandabets, Bandabets Malawi, Everyday Cashback, Online Betting --- ### [4 killed in horror road crash after truck tyre bursts — as three-year-old baby miraculously survives](https://www.nyasatimes.com/4-killed-in-horror-road-crash-after-truck-tyre-bursts-as-three-year-old-baby-miraculously-survives/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Four people have died in a devastating road accident at Kankhande Village along the M12 Road in Mchinji District, after a burst tyre sent a truck careering into an oncoming motorcycle. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787901622087-600x600.jpg)The Four killed in horror road crash after truck tyre bursts — as three-year-old baby miraculously survivesMchinji Police Publicist Limbani Mpinganjira confirmed the crash happened yesterday, involving a Volvo articulated truck, registration number NE 7828, driven by 47-year-old Peter Kadozo, and an unregistered Lifan motorcycle carrying 29-year-old Zambian national Charles Petro. According to police, the truck driver lost control after one of the vehicle’s front tyres burst, causing the truck to collide head-on with the motorcycle before overturning. Motorcycle rider Petro and his passenger, Judith Derick — who had her three-year-old child strapped to her back at the time of the crash — sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced dead upon arrival at Mchinji District Hospital. A third victim, 42-year-old Francis Mwafongo, who was travelling in the truck, also died from his injuries after being rushed to hospital. In a small mercy amid the tragedy, the three-year-old child survived the crash. Police say investigations into the accident are continuing. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** accident --- ### [Ben Phiri unveils K520 million Iceland-backed education boost for council staff — targeting cholera-hit Balaka and beyond](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ben-phiri-unveils-k520-million-iceland-backed-education-boost-for-council-staff-targeting-cholera-hit-balaka-and-beyond/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s government has teamed up with the Embassy of Iceland to launch a groundbreaking performance-based education grant scheme worth roughly K520 million, aimed at supercharging the skills of district council staff across the country and improving public services at grassroots level. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787758283261-600x338.jpg)Minister Dr Ben Phiri framed the programme as a direct response to public concerns over whether councils have the capacity to manage the huge sums of money now flowing into local government.The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development officially unveiled the initiative — dubbed the Iceland-Malawi Basic Service Programme (IMBSP) — in Lilongwe on Tuesday, with 70 council officers selected from an eye-watering 183 shortlisted applicants across five district councils to benefit from the scheme. **Minister links scheme to K5billion CDF concerns** Speaking at the launch, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr Ben Phiri framed the programme as a direct response to public concerns over whether councils have the capacity to manage the huge sums of money now flowing into local government. “When the State President announced that K5 billion would be allocated to every council through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), many people asked whether we had the capacity to manage such resources,” Phiri said. “This programme responds to that concern because the beneficiaries will upgrade their skills and knowledge, which will help us implement projects, manage resources and reach people with quality and excellent services.” Phiri urged the scheme’s beneficiaries to take their studies seriously, insisting the ripple effects of their newly acquired expertise must extend far beyond themselves to benefit their councils, communities and the country as a whole. **Iceland envoy: “We expect to see strong performance”** Head of Mission at the Embassy of Iceland, David Bjarnason, confirmed that beneficiaries had been carefully selected from devolved sectors including health, agriculture, education, forestry, finance, planning and development, nutrition, environment, gender and social welfare — a deliberate strategy designed to plug specific skills gaps within district councils. Bjarnason was clear the funding comes with strings attached. “The education grant programme is here to enhance public services, especially in district councils. It is a performance-based grant, which means that when the beneficiaries return from their studies, we expect to see strong performance and improved service delivery on the ground,” he said. **Fighting cholera through education** Among those benefiting is Emmanuel Nkhonjera, an Assistant Water Resources Development Officer at Balaka District Council, who will pursue a Master’s degree in Sanitation at Mzuzu University — training he hopes will directly help tackle the recurring cholera outbreaks that have repeatedly plagued his district. “Balaka is one of the districts that is frequently affected by cholera. With this scholarship opportunity, I believe I will acquire the right knowledge and learn better innovations that can help us fight this problem in the district,” Nkhonjera said, thanking both President Peter Mutharika and the Embassy of Iceland for an opportunity many beneficiaries say they could never have afforded on their own. **Salima leads the pack with 19 beneficiaries** Salima District Council secured the highest number of beneficiaries with 19 officers selected, followed by Mangochi and Nkhotakota with 14 each, Machinga with 12, and Balaka with 11 — a distribution officials say reflects the specific capacity needs identified across the participating districts. With the scheme now officially underway, officials are hopeful the substantial investment will translate into tangible improvements in service delivery at community level, as newly skilled officers return to their councils armed with the expertise needed to tackle some of Malawi’s most persistent development challenges. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787758278251-600x338.jpg)Patrons at the launch Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Ben Phiri --- ### [New Bullets coaches in limbo over work permit delay](https://www.nyasatimes.com/new-bullets-coaches-in-limbo-over-work-permit-delay/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are being made to play a frustrating waiting game, after newly signed coaches Lemekani Mwanza and Donewell Yobe were left twiddling their thumbs pending government clearance for their work permits. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1420-486x600.jpg)Chigoga insists delay is just a formalityThe two arrived in Malawi last week ready to join Wedson Nyirenda’s technical panel, but have so far been unable to begin official duties with the club, with Mwanza set to serve as a data analyst and Yobe brought in as an assistant coach. Despite the hold-up, Bullets remain confident the pair will be cleared to start work as early as next week, with the club stressing the delay is simply part of the standard bureaucratic process rather than any cause for genuine concern. Bullets Chief Executive Officer Albert Chigoga confirmed the club is still waiting on the necessary documentation from government authorities before Mwanza and Yobe can officially begin their roles. “Every country has rules,” Chigoga said, underlining that the process, while frustrating, reflects standard immigration procedure rather than any issue specific to the two new arrivals. With Bullets keen to integrate their new signings into the coaching set-up as swiftly as possible, all eyes will now be on whether government clearance comes through in time for Mwanza and Yobe to make an immediate impact on the club’s ongoing campaign. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Albert Chigoga, Big Bullets --- ### [Water bills set to jump 70% — as erratic supply "undermines public confidence](https://www.nyasatimes.com/water-bills-set-to-jump-70-as-erratic-supply-undermines-public-confidence/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s water boards have been handed strict conditions attached to their newly approved tariff hikes, after Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Mbilizi revealed that President Peter Mutharika himself initially rejected the proposal, citing concerns over inefficiencies within the boards. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787875564612-600x400.jpg)Mbilizi – President demanded monitoring before allowing water boards to hike tariffs by up to 70%Speaking in an interview after touring the Blantyre Water Board (BWB) water intake at Walker’s Ferry in Nkula, Mbilizi confirmed that the country’s five water boards have now been given the green light to raise tariffs — but only on condition that service delivery improves and consumers are guaranteed safe water. **President demanded monitoring before approving hikes** Mbilizi revealed the President was equally troubled by the inefficiencies plaguing water boards, and had initially blocked the tariff hike proposal outright before ultimately relenting. “That adjustment came with a lot of monitoring, key performance indicators for management, including the CEOs \[chief executive officers\] to make sure that they reduce non-revenue water because non-revenue water is very high,” Mbilizi said. **Tariffs to rise by up to nearly 70%** Earlier this month, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development approved upward tariff adjustments ranging from 11 percent to a staggering 69.99 percent across the country’s water boards. Central Region Water Board increased its domestic tariff by 36 percent, with commercial and industrial tariffs jumping by 60 percent, while Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) raised its tariff by 20 percent. Mbilizi said the boards had committed to using the additional revenue to address longstanding operational challenges facing the institutions. **Erratic supply “undermines public confidence” — minister** The minister did not shy away from acknowledging ongoing frustrations among consumers, expressing concern that water supply to Blantyre City and surrounding areas remained erratic — a situation she warned undermines public confidence in government. “We \[the government\] can do…” Mbilizi said, addressing the challenges facing the institution, though stressing that improvements were now firmly on the agenda under the new conditions attached to the tariff hikes. **Decade-old solar project never materialised, reveals technician** Adding further context to the water boards’ struggles, BWB mechanical technician at Walker’s Ferry, Aubrey Kayange, revealed the board had planned to establish a solar power plant and develop new water intake projects roughly a decade ago, specifically to boost its revenue base — plans that were never implemented. “If these projects were implemented, we would have boosted our revenue base and we couldn’t have been experiencing such challenges,” Kayange said, pointing to years of missed opportunity that have left the board struggling financially. **Pipelines 20 years past their lifespan, admits zone manager** BWB Limbe Zone manager Owen Malhon added further weight to the picture of an institution under severe strain, revealing that some of BWB’s main pipelines had exceeded their intended lifespan by around 20 years, making major maintenance work an urgent necessity. Malhon confirmed that while a World Bank-funded water and sanitation project is expected to improve water supply in Blantyre, it will not benefit all residents, as implementation is currently focused solely on the Kabula and Soche zones — leaving other parts of the city waiting for relief. The revelations paint a troubling picture of ageing infrastructure and years of missed investment opportunities across Malawi’s water boards, even as consumers now brace for significantly higher bills under the newly approved tariff hikes. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787875586938-600x400.jpg)Mbilizi touring the Blantyre Water Board (BWB) water intake at Walker’s Ferry in Nkula Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Roza Mbilizi, water --- ### [Chikangawa plane crash inquiry hears conflicting visibility reports](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chikangawa-plane-crash-inquiry-hears-conflicting-visibility-reports/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A former weather station chief has delivered explosive testimony to the parliamentary inquiry investigating the Chikangawa plane crash that killed Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others, telling the committee the doomed military aircraft could in fact have landed safely at Mzuzu Airport on the morning of the tragedy. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787825378386-600x434.jpg)Chavunguma tells Chikangawa inquiry German investigators did not consult her stationOlive Chavunguma, who served as officer-in-charge at the former Mzuzu Climate Change and Meteorological Station, told the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee that her station recorded visibility of eight kilometres at Mzuzu Airport on the morning of 10 June 2024 — visibility that, she insisted, would have been sufficient for the aircraft to land. “**I have worked in aviation for 35 years”** Drawing on decades of expertise, Chavunguma was unequivocal in her assessment. “The plane could have landed at Mzuzu airport. If there were limiting factors, then the challenges were enroute because the accident happened in Chikangawa,” she told the committee. She went further still, revealing that the same aircraft had previously operated and landed under similarly challenging conditions. “I have worked in aviation for 35 years and from my experience it was possible to land the plane on the day,” she said. **Weather “generally overcast with drizzles and fog” — but visibility deemed adequate** Chavunguma acknowledged that weather at Mzuzu Airport that morning was generally overcast, with drizzle and fog in the vicinity, and confirmed visibility had actually improved further by the afternoon. However, she stressed the recorded eight-kilometre visibility remained adequate for a pilot to see and land. Crucially, she told the committee her station would only have issued a special weather report to air traffic control had visibility improved beyond 10 kilometres — or deteriorated to five kilometres or less. **Chavunguma refuses to confirm bad weather caused crash** Despite her striking testimony, Chavunguma was careful not to overstate her certainty, telling the committee she could not confirm the crash was caused by bad weather, nor could she confirm whether the pilots encountered very low visibility once the aircraft reached Chikangawa — the site of the fatal crash at Nthungwa Hill, within the Viphya Plantation forest area. She cautioned the committee against relying solely on Mzuzu Airport’s weather records as an indication of conditions at the crash site itself, explaining that terrain, elevation and atmospheric conditions can vary dramatically between locations, even within the same general region. **MPs grill witness over visibility discrepancy with German report** Committee members pressed Chavunguma on a notable discrepancy between her station’s recorded readings and findings from Germany’s Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU), whose report indicated visibility of less than eight kilometres. Chavunguma maintained her station’s readings of eight kilometres, suggesting the difference may reflect the BFU’s own separate assessment, while insisting any reduction in visibility around 10am had been insignificant. MPs including Blantyre Ndirande Malabada’s Ismail Mkumba, Dedza Kasina’s Joshua Malango and Nkhata Bay North’s Mackenzie Nkhwazi all pressed Chavunguma on whether the aircraft could realistically have landed safely under the conditions recorded that day, with Chavunguma maintaining throughout that it could have. Nkhwazi also questioned whether BFU investigators had consulted the Mzuzu station’s weather records directly. Chavunguma responded that she had not personally seen BFU experts visit the station, though she confirmed a commission of inquiry established by former President Lazarus Chakwera had visited Mzuzu Airport and inspected equipment used to detect weather conditions. **BFU report blamed “collision with terrain following adverse weather”** The final investigative report compiled by the BFU concluded the crash was caused by collision with terrain following adverse weather, stating that the flight crew had operated in adverse weather conditions that ultimately led to the tragedy. The BFU report further alleged that Malawi’s Department of Meteorological Services failed to provide any meteorological information for the planned flight route — a failure the report says breached International Civil Aviation Organisation standards. **Mutharika orders fresh inquiry after “gaps” identified in previous reports** In January this year, President Peter Mutharika ordered a fresh inquiry into the crash, acting on a recommendation from Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango, after gaps were identified in both the BFU’s report and the earlier commission of inquiry established under former President Chakwera. Chavunguma’s testimony marks one of the most significant contributions yet to the ongoing inquiry, directly challenging the narrative that poor weather alone made the fatal flight unsafe — and raising fresh questions over exactly what went wrong once the aircraft left Mzuzu Airport en route to its final, catastrophic destination. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima --- ### [Minister Mhango accuses Malawian engineers of failing to lead on national infrastructure challenges](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-mhango-accuses-malawian-engineers-of-failing-to-lead-on-national-infrastructure-challenges/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Transport and Public Works Jappie Mhango has accused Malawian engineers of failing to take a leading role in addressing the country’s infrastructure and economic challenges, arguing that the profession should be doing more to reduce reliance on foreign expertise. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787849652382-600x450.jpg)Minister Jappue Mhango urges Malawi engineers to prioritise innovation and local manufacturingSpeaking at the opening of the Malawi Engineering Institution’s (MEI) 2026 Engineering Conference in Salima, Mhango said Malawi should move away from its heavy dependence on foreign companies and engineers for major projects, given that the country has trained professionals capable of delivering local solutions. The minister called on engineers to prioritise innovation and local manufacturing, arguing that reducing dependence on imported equipment and technical services would strengthen the country’s capacity to undertake major development projects independently. MEI Board chairperson Engineer Ronard Gundamtengo said government support, policy reform and a shift in mindset were needed to strengthen the country’s engineering sector and create greater opportunities for young engineers entering the profession. Gundamtengo also called for greater value addition to Malawi’s raw materials, arguing that local processing could help reduce imports, boost exports and strengthen the resilience of the country’s economy. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Jappie Mhango, Malawi Institution of Engineers --- ### [Mpesi, 3 MEC officials charged over K9million school fees scandal — as separate K33million Dubai trip allowance claim also emerges](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mpesi-3-mec-officials-charged-over-k9million-school-fees-scandal-as-separate-k33million-dubai-trip-allowance-claim-also-emerges/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Four senior Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) officials, including immediate-past Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi, have been formally charged with misuse of public funds, after appearing before the Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court amid a widening scandal over how public money was spent within the electoral body. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787851953256-1-600x336.jpg)Ex-MEC boss and three officials released on bail, ordered to surrender travel documentsMpesi, who resigned from MEC in May and completed his three-month notice period on 21 August, was arrested on Tuesday and charged alongside MEC Director of Human Resources and Administration Yacinto Chikapa, Director of Finance Khumbo Alfred Phiri, and Deputy Chief Elections Officer responsible for Finance and Administration, Andrew Kamkwalala. **K9million school fees scandal at heart of Mpesi’s charges** The court heard that in July 2026, Mpesi, together with two other MEC officials, allegedly misused K9 million in MEC funds to pay school fees for his children ahead of the September 2026 academic year — payments made, prosecutors say, despite officials being fully aware that Mpesi had already resigned and was serving out his notice period at the time. **Separate K33million allowance claim over Dubai trip** In a second, unrelated count, the State also charged Kamkwalala with alleged misuse of K33 million in MEC funds, used to pay allowances for two officers who travelled to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates last year. According to the State, the expenditure fell outside the laws governing the electoral body. **All four released on bail, ordered to surrender travel documents** Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda ordered the release of all four accused on bail after the State formally presented the charges, with each required to surrender their travel documents as a condition of release. Chikapa, Phiri and Kamkwalala were also ordered to pay K800,000 each in cash bonds. **Mpesi already on bail in separate abuse of office case** Mpesi’s lawyer, Chrispine Ndalama, told the court his client is already out on bail in a separate case, in which he stands accused of abuse of office over the alleged misuse of an official vehicle. Ndalama indicated he would make a written application asking the court to direct that Mpesi should not be arrested again in connection with related allegations while he remains on bail. **Lawyers clarify charges facing co-accused** Lawyer for Chikapa, Jefferson Luwa, confirmed his client’s charges relate specifically to the payment of school fees for Mpesi’s children, while lawyer for Phiri, Innocent Zimba, said his client is answering two counts in connection with the same matter. The case marks a significant escalation in the fallout from allegations of financial mismanagement at MEC, with all four accused now facing prosecution as the court continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the disputed payments. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Andrew Mpesi, Malawi Electoral Commission --- ### [First Lady crowned patron of MEH as she demands "storm-proof" systems to protect Malawi from climate chaos](https://www.nyasatimes.com/first-lady-crowned-patron-of-meh-as-she-demands-storm-proof-systems-to-protect-malawi-from-climate-chaos/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** First Lady Gertrude Mutharika has issued a rallying call for stronger national systems capable of withstanding the escalating impact of climate change, insisting the country can no longer afford to simply react to disasters after they strike. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787873519601-600x400.jpg)First Lady challenges academics: “Don’t let research gather dust”The First Lady made the remarks on Thursday at the Malawi Environmental Health Association (MEHA) Conference and Annual General Meeting in Salima, during which she was officially crowned patron of the association. Delivering a stark warning about the accelerating pace of climate-related disasters, the First Lady said cyclones, storms, droughts and floods can no longer be treated as isolated, once-off events, but must instead be understood as recurring threats facing the entire world. “They destroy homes, leaving people desolate, contaminate water sources and create ideal breeding grounds for diseases like cholera and malaria,” she said. She was equally clear about where the real solution lies. “True climate resilience is not merely about managing a crisis after it strikes. Resilience is about prevention. It’s time to build systems that stand the storm, protecting our natural resources and ensure access to basic life serving services for every citizen,” she said. The First Lady also turned her attention to researchers and academics present at the conference, urging them to ensure their findings translate into real-world results rather than languishing unused on bookshelves. Malawi Environmental Health Association President Bertha Sato heaped praise on the First Lady’s dedication to environmental health issues, pointing to both her attendance at the conference and her founding of the Beautify Malawi (BEAM) Trust as clear evidence of her commitment. Sato said the conference offered participants a vital opportunity to explore the connection between climate change and environmental health, while identifying practical ways to strengthen community resilience against climate-related disasters. Sato didn’t mince her words when describing the stakes involved. “When disasters strike, we often see systems breaking down, thereby affecting the health and wellbeing of people,” she said. “What we need are strong environmental health systems as the first line of healthcare on the ground to build and sustain resilient communities.” She warned that the mounting burden of climate-related diseases and injuries continues to place immense pressure on government resources, carrying significant economic consequences for ordinary Malawians. Sato added that the gathering would serve as an important platform for participants to exchange best practices, research findings and knowledge on climate change, environmental health and community resilience — critical tools, she said, as Malawi continues grappling with the growing frequency of extreme weather events. This year’s conference was held under the theme “Environmental Health, Key to Attainment of Climate Change Resilience,” reflecting growing national urgency around building systems capable of protecting Malawians from the accelerating impacts of climate change. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787873505650-1-490x600.jpg)First Lady crowned patron of Environmental Health body Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Beautify Malawi Trust, Gertrude Maseko Mutharika, Malawi Environmental Health Association --- ### ['Sorry Ireen Navicha, but this isn't on you': Miss Malawi organisers accused of setting beauty queen up to fail on world stage](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sorry-ireen-navicha-but-this-isnt-on-you-miss-malawi-organisers-accused-of-setting-beauty-queen-up-to-fail-on-world-stage/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s beauty pageant organisers have come under fierce attack after a scathing social media post accused them of sabotaging representative Ireen Navicha’s chances at the Miss World competition, with critics insisting the young woman herself is not to blame for what has been branded a chaotic and embarrassing performance. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787872577498-450x600.jpg)“This isn’t on Ireen” — organisers accused of failing to prepare herMaggie Alibewawo Phiri didn’t hold back in a blistering Facebook post, arguing that while most Malawians genuinely like and want to support Navicha, the public can no longer be expected to “applaud an execution that is clearly not up to standard.” “The Miss Malawi Organisation has placed this girl in a position where her representation is simply not a reflection of our national pride,” Phiri wrote, laying the blame squarely at the feet of pageant organisers rather than Navicha herself. Phiri’s post reignited long-simmering controversy over how Navicha came to represent Malawi in the first place, pointing to the organisation’s decision to bypass reigning national queen Thandie Chisi in favour of what she described as a “rushed, questionable appointment.” “When a management team starts with backdoor choices instead of transparency, a chaotic and embarrassing result on the global stage is exactly what follows,” she wrote. Rather than criticising Navicha’s performance in individual competition categories, Phiri argued the young woman had been failed by an organisation more concerned with internal politics than proper talent development, strategy and training. “Every category feels like a deliberate setup for failure. This isn’t on Ireen to be honest, it is the inevitable outcome of an organization that prioritized internal politics over actual talent development, strategy, and training. They completely failed to prepare her to carry the flag of Malawi and the hearts of its people,” she wrote. “Heartbreaking to watch” — calls grow for accountability Phiri said it was painful to see what should have been a life-changing milestone instead subject an “innocent girl” to public ridicule, expressing deep sympathy for Navicha while demanding immediate accountability from the pageant’s leadership. “I feel deeply sorry for Ireen, but we must demand immediate accountability from the leadership. Our country deserves better, and our models deserve an organization that actually knows how to respect rules and prepare ambassadors to win,” she wrote, closing her post with the pointed hashtag #OlakwandiaMissMalawiorganization. The post has since sparked widespread debate online, with the controversy adding to a difficult period for Navicha, who has separately been the subject of reported cyberbullying during her time representing Malawi at the competition, according to comments previously made by Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Mary Navicha. Neither the Miss Malawi Organisation nor Ireen Navicha has yet issued a public response to the mounting criticism. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Ireen Navicha, Miss Malawi, Thandi Chisi --- ### [Kawinga's Creck gesture worth celebrating, not second-guessing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kawingas-creck-gesture-worth-celebrating-not-second-guessing/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** So, here’s a good news story. Genuinely. A private company in Malawi has just handed over two fire engines – worth K300 million – to two councils that needed them. Lilongwe City Council gets one. So does Mangochi Municipality. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787824473583-600x400.jpg)Kawinga’s Creck Hardware and General Supplies has just done something genuinely commendable, and it deserves to be treated as such.And it matters, because of what it exposes. Turns out more than 25 councils across the country don’t have a single fire engine. Not one. Think about that for a second. If a market catches fire, if a school goes up in flames, if a fuel depot ignites – in more than two dozen districts, there is currently no dedicated vehicle to respond. That’s the backdrop against which this donation lands. The man behind it, Apostle Clifford Kawinga of Creck Hardware and General Supplies, put it simply. Businesses, he said, have a responsibility to help keep the places they operate in safe. Not exactly a revolutionary idea. But it’s one thing to say it, another to write the cheque. And here’s the bit I think is actually the most interesting part of this story – not the donation itself, but how government responded to it. The Minister of Local Government, Ben Phiri, could have just said thank you and left it there. Instead, he used the moment to be blunt about the scale of the problem. Twenty-five-plus councils with no fire trucks. Several without even basic rubbish collection vehicles. That’s not the kind of admission ministers usually volunteer at a photo opportunity. So what do we take from all this? First – the obvious point. This is a good thing that happened, and it’s fine to just say so. Malawian public life can be quick to search for the catch. Sometimes there isn’t one. Second – and this is the more uncomfortable bit – one company’s generosity has just shone a fairly unflattering light on decades of underinvestment in basic council infrastructure. Fire engines aren’t a luxury. They’re the sort of thing most people assume their local council simply has. Third – will this prompt others to follow? That’s really the question hanging over today’s story. One donation doesn’t fix a 25-council gap. It takes more than one generous businessman with a soft spot for public safety to solve a structural problem like this. But every big shift starts with someone going first. Creck Hardware just did that. Whether others follow – well, that’s the story to watch next. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787824460060-600x400.jpg)Minister Phiri hands over keys as Creck donates fire engines![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787824455634-600x400.jpg)K300million boost: Kawinga’s Creck donates fire engines as Ben Phiri exposes council crisis Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Apostle Clifford Kawinga, Creck Hardware --- ### [Ekhaya's Chihana eyes Golden Boot glory in final against Wanderers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ekhayas-chihana-eyes-golden-boot-glory-in-final-against-wanderers/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Ekhaya FC’s red-hot forward Allen Chihana has emerged as the man to watch in the race for the Airtel Top 8 Golden Boot, arriving at Sunday’s blockbuster final against Mighty Wanderers as the tournament’s top scorer with three goals to his name. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260828_021212_Instagram-325x600.jpg)Chihana chasing Airtel Top 8 Golden BootChihana’s impressive form throughout the competition has fired Ekhaya into their first-ever major cup final, and now the young striker finds himself in the perfect position to cap off a remarkable individual campaign with both silverware and the tournament’s top scoring honour in the same afternoon. Standing between Chihana and Golden Boot glory, however, is a Mighty Wanderers side desperate to deny their opponents on every front — not just on the scoreboard, but in the individual accolades too, as the Nomads look to protect their reputation as Malawi’s dominant footballing force. Sunday’s final at Bingu National Stadium already carries extraordinary significance as the “Mpinganjira Derby,” with both club owners — father and son Thomson and William Mpinganjira — set to watch on from the stands. But for Chihana personally, the occasion represents a golden opportunity to announce himself as one of Malawian football’s most exciting emerging talents, with a big performance against Wanderers’ defence potentially proving decisive in both the title race and the individual scoring charge. With the Golden Boot race finely poised and a first major trophy on the line for Ekhaya, all eyes will be on whether Chihana can deliver the knockout blow that secures both personal glory and a historic first piece of silverware for his club. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Airtel Top 8, Ekhaya FC, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [Wanderers chief fires warning shot at Tanzanian giants Simba ahead of CAF Champions League clash](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wanderers-chief-fires-warning-shot-at-tanzanian-giants-simba-ahead-of-caf-champions-league-clash/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mighty Wanderers Football Club have issued a confident rallying cry ahead of a huge fortnight of football, declaring they possess the squad depth and quality to overpower Tanzanian side Simba when the two clubs meet in the CAF Champions League first leg at Bingu Stadium on Sunday, 6 September. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787837174511-600x277.jpg)“We are the champions” — Kanyenda talks up Wanderers’ credentialsThe club’s Director of Football Development, David Kanyenda, didn’t hold back when addressing journalists in Blantyre on Thursday, insisting Wanderers’ status as reigning Malawian champions gives them the edge heading into the continental tie. Kanyenda began by paying tribute to club president Dr Thomson Mpinganjira for securing the side’s return to continental football for a second consecutive year, before turning his attention firmly to the task at hand. “First of all, we should thank the club president Dr Thomson Mpinganjira for making it possible for us to play again in CAF for two consecutive years, otherwise, we are prepared, our squad is deep and we believe it is one of the best squads in Malawi,” Kanyenda said. He then delivered a pointed dig at Simba’s domestic credentials, noting that the Tanzanian side arrive in Lilongwe having finished runners-up rather than champions back home. “On the other hand Simba are not champions of Tanzania, they finished second, the champions of Tanzania are Yanga, so, we are the champions, we think we are the superior team in this tie,” he declared. Advance team to be dispatched ahead of return leg in Tanzania Looking beyond Sunday’s crucial first leg, Kanyenda revealed the club is already preparing meticulously for the away fixture, confirming that an advance team will be sent to Tanzania immediately after the home game to arrange accommodation, food and logistics for the players ahead of the return leg on 13 September. The bold statement of intent sets the stage for a mouth-watering continental double-header, with Wanderers determined to make home advantage count against a Simba side that, despite missing out on the Tanzanian title, remain one of East Africa’s most formidable footballing institutions. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** David Kanyenda, Mighty Wanderers --- ### [Mpinganjira derby: Thom and Wills confirm attendance at Airtel cup final](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mpinganjira-derby-thom-and-wills-confirm-attendance-at-airtel-cup-final/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Thom Mpinganjira, President and sponsor of Mighty Wanderers, has confirmed he will personally attend Sunday’s blockbuster Airtel Top 8 final against Ekhaya FC at Bingu National Stadium — a club owned and sponsored by none other than his own son, William Mpinganjira. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787849698986.jpg)Thomson Mpinganjira confirms he WILL attend Sunday’s final against son William’s Ekhaya FCThe confirmation sets the stage for an extraordinary family showdown, with the business tycoon set to watch from the stands as his beloved Nomads take on the very team bankrolled entirely by his own flesh and blood. Rare appearance for Wanderers chairman The Mighty Wanderers board chairperson’s decision to attend is notable in itself, given his relatively infrequent presence at matches in recent times. Mpinganjira Senior last watched his side in action in person back in June last year, when the two clubs previously met in a league fixture — a contest that now pales in significance compared to Sunday’s winner-takes-all cup final. Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated clash, the Wanderers chief said he expects nothing short of an entertaining spectacle when the two sides collide on the biggest domestic stage outside the league title itself. William confirms attendance for Ekhaya’s historic first final Not to be outdone, William Mpinganjira has also confirmed he will be present at Bingu National Stadium to witness his Ekhaya FC side make history, as the club prepares for its maiden appearance in a major cup final. For the younger Mpinganjira, Sunday represents far more than just a football match — it is the culmination of years of personal investment and ambition, with Ekhaya having defied expectations to reach this stage of the competition in what remains a relatively short journey since the club’s establishment. A father-son rivalry unlike any other in Malawian football The confirmation from both men that they will be present in person adds further intrigue to what has already been dubbed the “Mpinganjira Derby” — a clash that transcends ordinary footballing rivalry given the unique family dynamic at its heart. With a substantial K40 million prize purse, silverware, and unmistakable family bragging rights all on the line, Sunday’s final promises to be one of the most talked-about occasions in recent Malawian football history, as father and son prepare to sit in the same stadium, cheering on opposing sides, in a moment neither is likely to forget regardless of the outcome. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787849693131-600x400.jpg)William confirms attendance for Ekhaya’s historic first final Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Airtel Top 8, Ekhaya FC, Mighty Wanderers, Thom Mpinganjira, William Mpinganjira --- ### [​Silver Strikers Ladies suffer defeat in CAF Semi-Final](https://www.nyasatimes.com/silver-strikers-ladies-suffer-defeat-in-caf-semi-final/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Silver Strikers Ladies’ hopes of reaching the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier were dashed in Gaborone, Botswana, following a 2–1 semi-final loss to Zesco Ndola Girls on Thursday afternoon. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260827-WA0004-600x527.jpg)End of the road for Silver Ladies in CAF​The Malawian side struggled with defensive communication during the opening stages, allowing Zesco Ndola Girls’ dangerous midfield duo, Penelope Mulubwa and Ilness Phiri, to exploit open space. ​The Zambian outfit capitalized on these defensive lapses to score twice within the first 18 minutes. Penelope Mulubwa broke the deadlock in the 11th minute before Charity Mubanga doubled Zesco’s advantage just seven minutes later. ​Silver Strikers Ladies returned from the break with renewed determination and pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute through Carolyn Mathyola. Mathyola reacted quickest to a rebound after Zesco failed to clear Ireen Khumalo’s initial effort, breathing fresh life into the Malawian side’s comeback bid. ​However, Zesco Ndola Girls maintained their composure, frustrating Silver Strikers’ late push for an equalizer until the final whistle. ​The result sends Silver Strikers Ladies to the third-place playoff, where they will face the loser of the second semi-final between Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and Gaborone United in pursuit of the tournament’s bronze medal. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Silver Strikers Ladies --- ### [Nkhoma pledges reforms as he bids for NONM presidency](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nkhoma-pledges-reforms-as-he-bids-for-nonm-presidency/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** As the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives (NONM) prepares to go to the polls this November, veteran nurse George Nkhoma has confirmed he will stand for the position of President, pledging to restore integrity to the organisation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260827-WA0001-600x450.jpg)Nkhoma presenting his nomination papersSpeaking in an interview after submitting his nomination papers, Nkhoma said nurses and midwives across Malawi have long carried the weight of the nation’s health on their shoulders while their voices remained fragmented, welfare demands delayed and professional dignity tested. He said this must change. He pledged to restore full autonomy to district and zonal chapters, bringing decision-making closer to the wards where the work happens, arguing that collective lobbying and advocacy should start from the grassroots rather than being confined to the boardroom. Nkhoma said welfare would become an annual national agenda under his leadership, with NONM launching a nationwide Nurses and Midwives Welfare Campaign every May, championed by chapters in all district councils. The campaign would lobby government on key issues including salary adjustments reflecting the cost of living, provision of uniforms, review of locum and risk allowances, and provision of hot meals for staff on duty. On migration, Nkhoma acknowledged that nurses and midwives have a right to move abroad and pledged his leadership would defend that right. He said he would lobby government to formalise bilateral labour agreements with partner countries and establish a vibrant Diaspora NONM network to protect and support the welfare of Malawian health workers abroad. To protect members from administrative injustices, Nkhoma also promised to establish a Members’ Legal Defence Fund, providing timely legal representation to nurses and midwives facing disciplinary or inquiry proceedings arising from system or administrative failures. For long-term sustainability, he outlined plans to construct a NONM Clinic and Care Centre, establish a NONM Savings and Credit facility, and deepen partnerships with sister unions across the region. “A strong union must also care for its own,” he said. Concluding his pitch to members, Nkhoma said: “I promise to restore your voice, protect your welfare, defend your rights, and build a NONM that delivers results — not excuses.” Together, he said, the profession would reclaim agency, unity and respect. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi --- ### [Activists demand answers from businessman Chaudhry over vanished K1.4 billion rural electricity funds](https://www.nyasatimes.com/activists-demand-answers-from-businessman-chaudhry-over-vanished-k1-4-billion-rural-electricity-funds/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Human rights campaigners are demanding controversial businessman Mahmood Azhar Chaudhry be made to account for his role in a staggering K1.4 billion scandal involving materials meant to bring electricity to Malawi’s remotest communities, after explosive court documents revealed his links to one of the companies at the centre of the fraud. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260827_160258_Samsung-Browser-600x522.jpg)Chaudhry: “He must be taken to book!”Three companies contracted to supply materials under the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP) Phase 9 received hefty upfront payments back in 2022 — only to spectacularly fail to deliver, leaving taxpayers billions of kwacha out of pocket and rural communities still waiting on promised electrification. Chaudhry’s own sworn statement links him to the scandal Attorney General Frank Mbeta, who is pursuing recovery of the funds through civil litigation while simultaneously reporting the firms to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), has zeroed in on Kumakoka Trading Limited, one of the three implicated companies, which pocketed over K523 million upfront despite failing to deliver. While the firm’s owner is officially listed as Grant Kaseko, sources suspect he is merely a front for Chaudhry — suspicions given significant weight after Chaudhry himself confessed in a sworn statement before the High Court Commercial Division in Blantyre that he had dealings with Kumakoka Trading regarding financing of the MAREP contract. “This was pure fraud” — activist demands ACB probe Human rights activist Joel Chiwere didn’t mince his words, insisting the sworn court confession leaves little room for doubt. “This was pure fraud. Everyone who played a role must be taken to book. If there is that confession on record in court that he had dealings with one of the companies in relation to this contract, he is aware of what he was doing and what went on,” Chiwere said. Governance expert Brighton Njala echoed the call for accountability, stressing that authorities have a duty to protect taxpayers’ money by prosecuting anyone who misuses public funds meant to uplift lives in Malawi’s most remote areas. K800 MILLION property dispute exposes deeper web In a dramatic twist, separate court papers filed on 1 July 2026 reveal Chaudhry was simultaneously fighting to stop individuals from seizing his Blantyre home, after claiming he had entered into a 2022 oral agreement to pre-finance electrical cables for the very same Kumakoka Trading MAREP contract — an arrangement he says involved an K800 million loan secured against his property, which he claims was never actually advanced to him. MRA tariff scheme allegedly exploited, goods “sold on private market” Investigations have also uncovered how the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) granted Kumakoka Trading special tariffs to clear the MAREP materials, on the understanding they were destined for government use. Instead, sources allege the materials were diverted and sold on the open market by Kaseko, allegedly with Chaudhry’s support — raising fresh questions over whether MRA is now owed unpaid duty on the diverted goods. Chaudhry accused of misleading police over ownership of cables Adding another disturbing layer to the scandal, investigations reveal Chaudhry and Kaseko later clashed over the diverted cables, resulting in Kaseko’s arrest by Fiscal Police in Lilongwe — he remains out on bail. Chaudhry, meanwhile, is reported to have given police a false statement claiming the cables belonged to him personally, despite knowing full well they were MAREP property, and despite being aware Kaseko had already received an advance payment from the Ministry of Energy. Kaseko is further alleged to have produced a fake document for police, complete with a forged police stamp, purporting to arrange repayment or return of the cables. Government pursuing recovery of full K1.4 BILLION The Ministry of Energy, through the Attorney General’s Chambers, has since launched legal action against all three implicated firms — Africa Green Economy, Kumakoka Trading Company, and Loui Holdings Group — seeking to recover the full sums paid out, together with interest, damages and costs. Court documents show Africa Green Economy received K698,050,991, Kumakoka Trading pocketed K523,538,243.57, while Loui Holdings Group is yet to supply cables worth K144,674,756.91. “So we will recover all the money. Where necessary we will also prosecute the perpetrators for abusing public funds,” the Attorney General said. Fiscal Police are understood to have been investigating the matters surrounding Kumakoka Trading and Chaudhry since February, as pressure mounts on authorities to bring those responsible for the diverted rural electrification funds to justice. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Azhar Chaudhry --- ### [Defiant NOCMA CEO faces ACB grilling over K700million payment to scammers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/defiant-nocma-ceo-faces-acb-grilling-over-k700million-payment-to-scammers/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has summoned National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Matapa to explain the circumstances surrounding a staggering K700 million payment made to alleged scammers, in a dramatic escalation of the fraud scandal engulfing the state fuel importer. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787835992883-600x423.jpg)“I won’t step down”: NOCMA CEO Matapa summoned by ACB over K700million fraudThe summons, signed by ACB acting director Gabriel Chembezi, orders Matapa to appear before bureau officers at its Lilongwe office today, placing the company’s most senior figure firmly in the spotlight over the disputed transaction. ACB confirms internal complaint triggered probe ACB spokesperson Jacqueline Ngongonda confirmed the development, revealing that the bureau had internally generated a complaint to investigate potential abuse of office, based directly on NOCMA’s own public statement regarding the fraudulent payment. “We have summoned the CEO to explain the circumstances surrounding the reported payment to scammers. “The ACB internally generated a complaint, which has since been authorised for investigation into suspected abuse of office by those involved in making the payment,” Ngongonda said. The summons lands just a day after police arrested NOCMA Deputy CEO Miklas Reuben and Senior Operations Manager Thokozani Jacob Sesani in connection with the very same payment — arrests that have already sent shockwaves through the company’s leadership structure. NOCMA has previously said fraudsters impersonating Mozambican port handling firm Mozhandling Limited intercepted email correspondence and duped the state-owned company into wiring the funds to a fraudulent account. **“I won’t step down” — Matapa defiant despite scandal** Despite mounting scrutiny, Matapa has remained defiant, insisting in an earlier interview that he has no intention of stepping down over the matter. He maintains that the disputed transaction took place on 29 April 2026 — two days before he officially assumed office on 1 May 2026. Whether that timeline will be enough to shield him from further scrutiny remains to be seen, as the ACB now turns its attention directly to the man now leading the company at the centre of one of Malawi’s most closely watched fraud investigations in recent months. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Emmanuel Matapa, Nocma --- ### [Mangochi man, 55, held over sex assault claims involving own daughter, 5](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mangochi-man-55-held-over-sex-assault-claims-involving-own-daughter-5/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A 55-year-old man from Namwera in Mangochi district has been arrested and is in police custody following allegations that he sexually abused his own five-year-old daughter. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787832313121-600x475.jpg)Amina Tepani Daudi:Father, 55, charged after alleged abuse of five-year-old daughterMangochi Police Publicist Amina Tepani Daudi confirmed the arrest, saying the alleged offence took place on the evening of 25 August 2026, while the child’s mother was attending a traditional ceremony. According to police, the mother became concerned about the child’s condition upon returning home late that night and reported the matter to police after speaking with the child. The man has been charged with defiling a child, contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code. Police say a medical report from a local health facility in Namwera has corroborated the allegations. The suspect is expected to appear in court. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** defilement, sexual- offence --- ### [Chilima fatal flight: Ex-weather chief tells inquiry Mzuzu conditions were "dangerous"](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chilima-fatal-flight-ex-weather-chief-tells-inquiry-mzuzu-conditions-were-dangerous/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A former officer in charge at Mzuzu Climate Change and Meteorological Station has delivered stark testimony to the Parliamentary Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the Chikangawa plane crash, confirming that weather conditions on the morning of the fatal flight were dangerous for aircraft movements. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787825439978-1-600x450.jpg)“Overcast with drizzle and fog”: Weather chief’s chilling testimony on Chilima fatal flightOlive Chavunguma told the committee that visibility at Mzuzu Airport stood at just 8 kilometres on the morning of 10 June 2024 — the day the aircraft carrying former Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others crashed near Chikangawa. “**Overcast with drizzle and fog” — chilling weather details revealed** Painting a grim picture of conditions on the ground that morning, Chavunguma told the committee: “Generally the weather at Mzuzu airport on that morning was overcast with drizzle and fog in the vicinity.” Chavunguma went further, revealing that had visibility improved beyond 10 kilometres, her station would have issued the air traffic controller with a special notification indicating improved conditions — a threshold that, by her own account, was never reached that morning. Her testimony adds further weight to mounting questions over why the flight was permitted to proceed despite what now appears to have been clearly hazardous weather conditions at the airport, as the parliamentary inquiry continues working to establish the full sequence of events that led to the tragedy which claimed the lives of Malawi’s Vice-President and eight others. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima --- ### [Ben Phiri hails Kawinga's Creck as K300million fire engines donated to two councils](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ben-phiri-hails-kawingas-creck-as-k300million-fire-engines-donated-to-two-councils/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Creck Hardware and General Supplies has stepped up in a major way, donating two fire engines worth a combined K300 million to Lilongwe City Council and Mangochi Municipality, in a move set to significantly boost emergency response capacity in both areas. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787824455634-600x400.jpg)K300million boost: Kawinga’s Creck donates fire engines as Ben Phiri exposes council crisisThe generous handover took place this morning, with the company’s director general, Apostle Clifford Kawinga, revealing the donation was a direct response to a call from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development urging the private sector to step up and support Malawi’s development. “As a corporate responsible private sector, we feel that it is very important that we should be able to contribute to safety issues as far as the business environment is concerned,” Kawinga said. **Shocking scale of the problem revealed** Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ben Phiri, praised Creck Hardware for heeding his call, but used the occasion to expose the true scale of the crisis facing Malawi’s councils, revealing that more than 25 councils across the country currently have no fire engines whatsoever — leaving vast swathes of the country dangerously exposed in the event of major fires. Phiri added that several councils were also struggling without basic garbage trucks, further highlighting the chronic equipment shortages plaguing local government structures nationwide. The dramatic donation is likely to reignite pressure on other private sector players to follow Creck Hardware’s lead, as government continues pushing for greater corporate involvement in plugging critical infrastructure and safety gaps across Malawi’s under-resourced councils, many of which remain years behind in modernising their emergency response capabilities. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787824449856-600x400.jpg)Kawinga’s Creck steps up with K300million gift as Ben Phiri reveals 25 councils have NO fire trucks Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Apostle Clifford Kawinga, Ben Phiri, Creck Hardware --- ### [LUANAR reaffirms role as hub for Malawi's agribusiness transformation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/luanar-reaffirms-role-as-hub-for-malawis-agribusiness-transformation/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) has reaffirmed its ambition to position itself as a global and national hub for agribusiness transformation, as Malawi looks to unlock greater value from its agricultural economy. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260827-WA0000-600x452.jpg)Malawi’s LUANAR sets out vision for agribusiness and rural developmentThe university says strengthening research, investing in young people and building strategic partnerships will be central to developing solutions that can improve agricultural markets, rural development and the commercialisation of farming. Speaking at the opening of an inaugural lecture by Professor Joseph Dzanja, LUANAR Council Chairperson Professor James Seyani said the institution remained committed to investing in the younger generation and equipping them with the research skills needed to address challenges facing Malawi’s agricultural sector. “We are ready to play a key role in shaping Malawi’s agricultural sector. With the impact of partnerships through programmes supported by IFAD, we think we are taking the right direction,” Seyani said. He said empowering young researchers could help create practical solutions capable of transforming Malawi’s agricultural earnings, and stressed the importance of research and partnerships in ensuring knowledge generated within the university contributes directly to the country’s agricultural economy. LUANAR Vice Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda said the university’s core mandate was to generate knowledge capable of transforming society. “Our core mandate is generating knowledge that changes our society. Today, we shared brilliant academic life with Professor Dzanja. His professional impact in agricultural markets and rural development has been a cornerstone for our students to gain knowledge on how they can commercialise farming,” Kaunda said. He said academic work on agricultural markets and rural development was particularly important as Malawi looks for ways to move farmers beyond subsistence production and build stronger links between producers, markets and consumers. Professor Dzanja’s inaugural lecture is titled “Pathways for Inclusive and Sustainable Agribusiness Transformation: A Value Chain Diagnostic for Malawi’s Agricultural Economy.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Education, Featured, News **Tags:** agriculture, Luanar --- ### [Wills Mpinganjira reveals K2bn Ekhaya FC investment ahead of Airtel cup final](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wills-mpinganjira-reveals-k2bn-ekhaya-fc-investment-ahead-of-airtel-cup-final/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Football-mad tycoon William Mpinganjira has revealed he’s ploughed a jaw-dropping K2 BILLION into his beloved Ekhaya FC in just three years — as the club gears up to take on his own father’s team in a blockbuster cup final showdown. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260825-WA0002-414x600.jpg)Ekhaya president William Mpinganjira details K2bn spending on players and facilitiesThe Ekhaya president dropped the eye-watering figure at a press briefing in Blantyre on Monday, revealing his big-money mission to turn the club into one of Malawi’s slickest professional football operations. “We, at Ekhaya, have created what I believe is one of the best football environments for a player in Malawi as we want to ensure that players are happy,” Mpinganjira boasted. The cash splash hasn’t just gone on flashy kit — Mpinganjira revealed the mega-bucks investment covers everything from coaching staff, transport and office gear to medical equipment, replica jerseys and even health insurance for his players. And in a dig that’ll ring true with fans of clubs where wages go walkabout, Mpinganjira insisted keeping it simple was key. “There are simple things like paying players on time \[and\] paying everyone on time,” he said. The big-spending boss’s investment comes just days before Ekhaya face Mighty Wanderers — the club owned by his OWN FATHER, tycoon Thom Mpinganjira — in the Airtel Top 8 final at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe this Sunday, in what’s already being dubbed the “Mpinganjira Derby.” Currently sitting 10th in the FDH Bank Premiership with 17 points from 14 matches, Ekhaya will be looking to cause a major upset against Wanderers and hand dear old dad a footballing headache to remember. Sports analyst James Majawa reckons the mega-investment could be a game-changer for Malawian football, showing other clubs and would-be investors that the beautiful game can be a smart long-term bet — not just a short-term money pit. “As Malawi continues to search for sustainable models of football development, Ekhaya’s approach should provide an example of how a club can combine sporting ambitions with professional administration,” Majawa said. Whether Ekhaya can turn big spending into silverware on Sunday remains to be seen — but one thing’s for sure, this father-son football feud has got the whole country talking! ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2025-03-24-at-2.18.25-PM-600x350.jpeg)Ekhaya FC Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Ekhaya FC, William Mpinganjira --- ### [Lilongwe gin maker shut over shocking hygiene failures: Novus Factory filthy](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lilongwe-gin-maker-shut-over-shocking-hygiene-failures-novus-factory-filthy/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Lilongwe City Council has shut down Novus Factory in Kanengo with immediate effect, after shocking findings from a routine health inspection exposed filthy conditions and glaring safety failures at the bottled gin manufacturer. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787783836498-600x450.jpg)80 workers, no protection: Gin factory closed after damning health inspectionHealth inspectors descended on the factory this morning, uncovering a catalogue of violations that left officials with no choice but to close the premises on the spot. Among the most alarming discoveries, inspectors found wastewater flowing freely through drains behind the factory, giving off a strong and offensive smell — waste that was confirmed to be coming directly from the plant itself. The inspection also uncovered serious occupational safety failures, with more than 80 workers found operating without proper Personal Protective Equipment, in clear breach of occupational health and safety requirements designed to protect staff from workplace hazards. Adding to the growing list of concerns, inspectors reported that general hygiene conditions throughout the factory were poor, raising fears the unsanitary environment could contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases, including cholera — a particularly alarming prospect given a facility producing beverages for human consumption. As a result of the damning findings, the Council confirmed the factory has been closed with immediate effect, and will only be permitted to reopen once all sanitation, hygiene and occupational health and safety concerns have been fully addressed. Lilongwe City Council used the closure to issue a firm warning to all business operators across the city, urging strict compliance with public health, food safety, sanitation and occupational health and safety standards — particularly for businesses producing food and beverages, which the Council stressed must guarantee their products are safe for human consumption. Officials confirmed routine inspections will continue across the city, with enforcement action to follow against any business found falling short of required health and safety standards. “Let us work together to build a cleaner and safer Lilongwe,” the Council said, signalling that Tuesday’s dramatic closure may be just the beginning of a wider crackdown on substandard business practices across the capital. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787783832371-600x450.jpg)Novus Factory shut down as council uncovers “offensive” wastewater and safety breaches Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Hygiene, Lilongwe City Council, Novus Factory --- ### [Chiefs call for patrols to protect power infrastructure: ESCOM vandalism costs it K3bn a year](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chiefs-call-for-patrols-to-protect-power-infrastructure-escom-vandalism-costs-it-k3bn-a-year/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Traditional leaders in Kasungu have called for community-led security patrols to protect electricity infrastructure, following a wave of transformer vandalism that has left several local communities without power in recent weeks. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260826-WA0009-600x450.jpg)Kasungu chiefs call for community patrols as power infrastructure vandalism escalatesFour transformers have been vandalised in the district within weeks, according to the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM), prompting the utility to launch a community sensitisation campaign targeting traditional and business leaders across Kasungu, Lilongwe and Salima. Senior Chief Kaomba, addressing one of the sensitisation sessions at his headquarters, urged chiefs under his jurisdiction to take a more direct role in protecting utility infrastructure. “I am appealing to all the chiefs under me to help safeguard ESCOM infrastructure. Electricity is development. We must safeguard it. Let’s form patrols in our areas,” he said. Senior Chief Mwase echoed the call at a separate session, welcoming ESCOM’s decision to step up community engagement in response to what he described as an escalating problem. Officers from Kasungu Police Station also addressed the gatherings, urging residents to remain vigilant and to work with law enforcement to curb infrastructure theft in the area. ESCOM’s Chief Public Relations and Communications Officer, Pilirani Phiri, said the campaign was built around two objectives: encouraging communities to take greater ownership of infrastructure in their areas, and shifting public perception of what utility assets represent. “As communities, take ownership of the infrastructure in your area — this is the only way we can defeat vandalism,” Phiri said. “We must also start seeing a transformer differently. Let’s see a transformer as the hub for business in your community, as a health centre in your area, as the future for your child. They need electricity to study at night.” Beyond direct engagement with communities, ESCOM has also enlisted civil society organisations to help broaden awareness of the campaign against vandalism. The utility estimates it loses approximately K3 billion a year to deliberate infrastructure vandalism, a figure that diverts resources away from planned grid expansion projects and adds to the operational costs of maintaining reliable power supply across the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260826-WA0007-1-600x338.jpg)Pilirani Phiri: ESCOM launches campaign against transformer vandalism in Kasungu![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260826-WA0006-600x450.jpg)ESCOM launches community campaign as infrastructure vandalism drains K3bn a year Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Escom, Kasungu, Pilirani Phiri, Vandalism --- ### [Second People's Conference to address Shire Valley development roadmap](https://www.nyasatimes.com/second-peoples-conference-to-address-shire-valley-development-roadmap/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Nsanje and Chikwawa Socio-Economic Development Trust (NECK) will hold its second People’s Conference on 4 and 5 September, bringing together leaders and residents from across the Shire Valley to discuss the region’s development priorities. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787775826223-600x472.jpg)Trapence:NECK sets out development priorities ahead of September People’s ConferenceThe conference, to be held at Arrows Hotel under the theme “Unity of Purpose & Action,” will open with a Leaders Consultations Forum on the Friday afternoon, followed by the main People’s Conference on Saturday. NECK was established in 2020 with the aim of contributing to meaningful and sustainable development in Nsanje and Chikwawa districts, two of Malawi’s most flood-prone and historically under-resourced areas. According to the organisation, this year’s conference will focus on four main areas: reviewing and adopting a status report on the socio-economic development of Shire Valley citizens; agreeing a unified voice strategy and roadmap for the valley; developing a roadmap for engagement and advocacy with national duty-bearers; and adopting a roadmap for improving social service delivery and infrastructure development in the region. The organisers say participation in both the Leaders Consultations Forum and the People’s Conference is strictly by prior registration, with further details available from the conference co-chairs, Gift Trapence and Dr Leo Masamba, and secretary Dr Felix Lombe. The gathering forms part of ongoing efforts by civil society and community leaders in the Shire Valley to strengthen coordinated advocacy on development issues affecting the region, ahead of further engagement with national policymakers. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Felix Lombe, Gift Trapence, Leo Masamba, NECK --- ### ["Not guilty": Five deny murdering Chileka shopkeeper as evidence gaps delay trial](https://www.nyasatimes.com/not-guilty-five-deny-murdering-chileka-shopkeeper-as-evidence-gaps-delay-trial/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Five people accused of murdering and robbing Chileka businessman Omar Mbeta have all pleaded not guilty, as the High Court in Blantyre ordered the State to urgently produce crucial outstanding evidence before the trial can properly get underway. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787762125189-600x450.jpg)Five plead not guilty to Chileka businessman’s murder as trial set for OctobeThe accused appeared before Justice Etness Chanza on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, for the commencement of proceedings, in a case that has drawn significant attention since Mbeta’s shooting death last year. **Trial stalled as key evidence goes missing** Private practice lawyer Tamanda Chokhoto, representing the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, told the court that several critical pieces of evidence remained outstanding, including search warrants and vital call logs from telecommunications firms TNM and Airtel Malawi — gaps that Chokhoto said made it impossible for the trial to proceed as scheduled. Despite the missing disclosures, both the prosecution and defence applied for the accused to formally take their pleas, a request Justice Chanza granted. All five suspects subsequently pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. **Court sets strict 21-day deadline** Following the pleas, the court ordered the State to file and serve the outstanding disclosures within 21 days, with the trial now formally scheduled to begin on 8 and 9 October 2026. All five accused remain in custody at Blantyre Prison, commonly known as Chichiri Prison, as they await the resumption of proceedings. **Businessman shot dead at his own shop** Mbeta, 50, was reportedly shot dead on 13 June 2025 while working at his shop at Chatha Trading Centre in Chileka, in an attack that shocked the local community. Police said the assailants made off with an unspecified amount of cash, a Samsung A32 mobile phone, and mobile money transfer devices — a robbery that ultimately cost Mbeta his life and has left five men now facing trial for his murder. With the clock now ticking on the 21-day disclosure deadline, all eyes will be on whether the State can produce the missing evidence in time to ensure the October trial dates proceed as planned. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Homicide, murder --- ### [Ex-military pilot tells inquiry weather made Chilima flight unsafe: 'I would not have taken off'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ex-military-pilot-tells-inquiry-weather-made-chilima-flight-unsafe-i-would-not-have-taken-off/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A retired military pilot has told the parliamentary committee investigating the Chikangawa plane crash that he would not have permitted the aircraft carrying former vice-president Saulos Chilima to depart, given the weather conditions at Mzuzu Airdrome on the morning of the crash. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787758366239-600x452.jpg)Retired Brigadier Mtende says he’d have grounded fatal Chilima flight: ‘I Would Not Have Taken Off in That Weather’Brigadier General Juvenalis Mtende, a former Dornier pilot with extensive experience flying VVIP missions, told the ad-hoc committee that conditions at the airfield that morning were poor enough that the flight should have been cancelled. He said there had been “no significant improvement” in conditions at Mzuzu since the crash. Mtende said an experienced crew would have been well placed to assess the risks involved, and that continuing with the mission under those conditions was extremely dangerous. He said he would personally have advised the vice-president that the aircraft could not safely proceed. Asked how he would have responded under the pressures typically associated with VVIP flights, Mtende said he would have stood by his assessment despite the professional and political consequences that might follow. He said any refusal to fly would need to be communicated “clearly and confidently,” adding that safety considerations should take precedence over rank, protocol or expectation. His testimony is likely to add further scrutiny to the committee’s ongoing inquiry into why the aircraft was permitted to depart despite deteriorating weather conditions and concerns over landing conditions at Mzuzu, questions that remain central to establishing the circumstances surrounding the crash that killed Chilima and eight others on 10 June 2024. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Malawi Defence Force, plane inquiry, Saulos Chilima --- ### [Malawi battles hidden diabetes crisis among children amid chronic supply shortages](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-battles-hidden-diabetes-crisis-among-children-amid-chronic-supply-shortages/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Ministry of Health has revealed the alarming true scale of the country’s diabetes crisis, disclosing that nearly 79 percent of cases nationwide remain undiagnosed, as officials scramble to expand screening and treatment access — particularly for children living with the life-threatening condition. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787731700879.jpg)Mbewe:Insulin shortages and single specialist expose gaps in Malawi’s diabetes careMinistry of Health Public Relations Officer Benedicto Mbewe confirmed the government is taking urgent steps to decentralise diabetes services and bring essential medical supplies closer to patients, amid growing concern over the disease’s toll on the country’s youngest citizens. According to International Diabetes Federation figures cited by Mbewe, an estimated 2,185 children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 are currently living with Type 1 diabetes in Malawi, while diabetes prevalence among adults aged 20 to 79 stood at 5.7 percent in 2024 — a figure linked to an estimated 2,960 adult deaths annually. More recent data from the District Health Information System paints an even starker picture, putting the number of children and adolescents living with Type 1 diabetes at approximately 3,126 — though Mbewe warned the true figure could be significantly higher still. Clinical audits cited by the Ministry reveal deeply troubling trends in how the disease is being caught and managed. Children are being diagnosed at a median age of just 10 years old, with a median glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level of around 11.4 percent — dangerously high compared to recommended targets. Shockingly, only 16 percent of children were found to have achieved reasonable blood sugar control. In a startling admission of the scale of the resource gap, Mbewe confirmed Malawi currently has just one specialised paediatric endocrinologist serving the whole country — a staggering shortfall given the thousands of young patients requiring specialist care. Mbewe attributed persistent shortages of insulin, syringes and testing strips at public hospitals to inadequate and unpredictable government funding, ongoing supply chain challenges, and continued heavy reliance on donor support to plug the gaps. He revealed that the Central Medical Stores Trust manages to deliver only around 45 percent of hospital orders — a shortfall directly contributing to the availability crisis facing diabetic patients across the country. Despite the grim picture, the Ministry says progress is being made. Seven new Type 1 diabetes clinics have been established under the PEN-Plus model, bringing the total number of supported clinics nationwide to 12, while health workers — including nurses who underwent specialised training abroad — have received dedicated instruction in managing diabetes and its complications. The Ministry is also leaning on community outreach efforts, including radio listening clubs, patient support groups and dedicated diabetes camps for children, to boost awareness and education around the condition. Officials say work is now underway to decentralise the distribution of insulin and glucometers to primary health centres, aiming to bring life-saving supplies significantly closer to patients in their own communities — a critical step, campaigners say, in tackling a disease that continues to claim thousands of lives across Malawi each year, many of them entirely preventable with proper diagnosis and treatment. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Health, National **Tags:** diabetes --- ### [Minister Ben Phiri demands Malawi copy Rwanda's iron-fist crackdown on kabaza chaos](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-ben-phiri-demands-malawi-copy-rwandas-iron-fist-crackdown-on-kabaza-chaos/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr Ben Malunga Phiri, has issued a stark warning over the dangers of the country’s motorcycle taxi industry, urging kabaza operators to take a leaf out of Rwanda’s book, where strict government regulations have forced riders to adhere to strict safety and order standards. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787751309143-e1787777561991-600x483.jpg)Minister Dr Ben Phiri on kabaza: “An accident waiting to happen”Dr Phiri delivered the blunt assessment on Wednesday in Lilongwe, addressing the National Leaders and Stakeholders Conference organised by the Malawi Coalition for Kabaza Stakeholders and Associations (MACOKASA), held under the theme “Transforming Kabaza into a Safe, Unified, and Formalized Economic Engine.” The Minister did not mince his words when describing the current state of Malawi’s kabaza sector, painting a grim picture of an industry riddled with danger and disorder. “In Malawi, using kabazas feels like an accident already waiting to happen. People use kabazas because they have no choice, and I know nobody feels safe using them,” Phiri declared. He went further still, calling for a fundamental shift in how the country approaches road safety within the sector. “May we align to Malawi Agenda 2063 on safety, decent work, and inclusive growth, and make Malawi a safe place where death happens because it is time, and not because of recklessness,” he said. Phiri called on MACOKASA to spearhead a cooperative agenda ensuring every kabaza operator becomes properly registered, arguing the move would give police a vital tool to trace stolen motorcycles and crack down on theft within the industry. The Minister also appealed to development partners to fund dedicated kabaza shelters, aimed at decongesting overcrowded bus stops where buses and motorcyclists are currently forced to operate in the same cramped, chaotic space — a situation he suggested was fuelling much of the disorder plaguing the sector. Dr Phiri reaffirmed government’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with MACOKASA and other stakeholders to transform kabaza from a chaotic, informal sector into a safe, properly regulated and recognised economic engine — one capable of creating jobs while finally delivering the safety standards Malawians deserve. The Minister’s comments add fresh urgency to long-standing concerns over road safety within Malawi’s motorcycle taxi industry, with calls now mounting for concrete action to match the ambitious rhetoric before more lives are lost on the country’s roads. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Ben Phiri, Kabaza, Rwanda --- ### ['Speak up, don't endure!' Tiwa Savage delivers powerful anti-abuse message in Malawi — as minister Navicha reveals own daughter's cyberbullying ordeal](https://www.nyasatimes.com/speak-up-dont-endure-tiwa-savage-delivers-powerful-anti-abuse-message-in-malawi-as-minister-navicha-reveals-own-daughters-cyberbullying-ordeal/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Global music sensation Tiwa Savage has issued a powerful call to action urging girls and women across Malawi to break their silence in the face of sexual abuse and harassment, warning that a culture of enforced endurance is allowing violence against women to continue unchecked. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787775549550-1-600x450.jpg)Minister Navicha and TIwa Savage: “Being a woman should not mean a life of enduring”Speaking in her role as global ambassador for the Spotlight Initiative during an intergenerational dialogue on ending violence against women and girls, Savage delivered a passionate message challenging deeply entrenched attitudes toward abuse. The Afrobeats icon didn’t hold back in her criticism of societal norms that pressure women into silence, insisting the expectation to simply endure abuse must end. Savage said being a woman should never subject someone to violation, abuse or a life of “enduring,” stressing firmly that women have every right to live healthy lives and pursue their passions free from abuse of any kind. The singer also turned her attention to the rising danger of cyberbullying, warning that online harassment is fast becoming one of the most serious forms of abuse and violence facing girls and women today. She urged women and girls to report abuse whenever they experience it, insisting that speaking up remains one of the most powerful tools available in the fight against violence and harassment. Savage’s message struck a deeply personal chord with Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Mary Navicha, who echoed the singer’s concerns over the growing scourge of cyberbullying. In a striking and deeply personal revelation, Navicha disclosed that her own daughter, Ireen Navicha, had allegedly been subjected to cyberbullying by fellow Malawians while representing the country at the Miss World competition — a stark illustration of just how close to home the issue has struck, even within government’s own ranks. The dialogue underscored growing concern in Malawi over the intersection of traditional gender-based violence and its increasingly digital manifestations, with both Savage and Navicha calling for a collective shift in how society responds to abuse in all its forms — whether physical, verbal or online. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** cyberbullying, domestic violence, Ireen Navicha, Mary Navicha, Tiwa Savage --- ### [Tiwa Savage promises Malawian singer Temwah collaboration ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/tiwa-savage-promises-malawian-singer-temwah-collaboration/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Nigerian music sensation Tiwa Savage has stunned Malawi’s entertainment industry after pledging to collaborate on a song and music video with local artist Temwah, in a move that would mark a major boost for the country’s rising music talent. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787783530018-518x600.jpg)Temwah set to become second Malawian artist to feature Tiwa SavageThe promise came during a panel discussion focused on the creative industry, which brought together Tiwa Savage, Temwah and several other artists to discuss the business side of showbusiness. During the session, Temwah pressed the Afrobeats icon on how artists elsewhere are able to secure proper respect and lucrative backing from major corporate sponsors, a challenge many Malawian musicians continue to grapple with. Tiwa Savage responded with a powerful message, insisting that artists must first believe in themselves rather than depending on external support to validate their careers. “I’ll speak as if I’m bragging or praising Nigerians, but we didn’t rely on government or companies. First we believed in our talent, our voice, and then the companies and organisations came,” she said. It was at this point that Tiwa Savage made the surprise announcement, confirming her intention to record a collaborative song with Temwah. Should the project come to fruition, Temwah would become only the second Malawian artist to feature the Nigerian superstar, following her previous collaboration with fellow local musician Zeze Kingston. The potential collaboration is likely to generate significant excitement within Malawi’s music scene, offering Temwah a rare and valuable platform on the international stage while further cementing Tiwa Savage’s growing connection with the country’s creative industry following her recent visit and generous donations to local music initiatives. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Malawi Music, Temwah, Tiwa Savage --- ### [Court ruling exposes costly RBM salary dispute as former executives secure compensation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-ruling-exposes-costly-rbm-salary-dispute-as-former-executives-secure-compensation/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** NyasaAuthor1 **Content:** A decision by the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) to slash executive salaries in 2020 has resulted in costly compensation payments to former senior officials after the Industrial Relations Court (IRC) ruled that the reductions were unlawful. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/612128799_25404476539221144_5972235011940397617_n.jpg)One of the beneficiaries: MathangaThe ruling, delivered on November 14, 2025, found that RBM unlawfully reduced the salaries of executives after its Board had already approved a new executive salary structure in 2018. The judgment has since become a legal basis for compensation claims by several current and former senior officials, with reported payouts ranging from about MK800 million to MK1.5 billion. Those reportedly affected include Deputy Governor Henry Mathanga, Grant Kabango, William Matambo, Macdonald Mafuta Mwale, Mercy Kumbatira, Clemence Chinkono, Joseph Milner, Frazer Mdwazika, Ralph Tseka and Donnex Chitsonga, among other former senior executives. The developments have also shed new light on reports that Mathanga received about MK1.5 billion following his reinstatement, suggesting that the payment was part of a wider compensation dispute involving several officials rather than an isolated settlement. **Court finds salary cuts unlawful** The case arose from Matter No. IRC 803 of 2022, in which former RBM Director of Administrative Services Clemence Chinkono challenged the reduction of his salary following the Bank’s 2020 decision to revise executive remuneration. Court records show that Chinkono’s monthly salary was reduced from MK12,046,436 to MK9,885,937 after RBM implemented a downward revision on December 30, 2020. IRC Deputy Chairperson Annie Zinenani Gumulira ruled that although the RBM Board had authority to determine employee remuneration, the Bank could not unilaterally reduce salaries that had already become contractual entitlements. The court noted that a 2018 functional review had altered RBM’s grading structure, after which the Board approved a revised executive salary framework. Executive directors had reportedly recused themselves from the decision-making process to avoid conflicts of interest. ‘**One illegality cannot cure another’** RBM argued that the salary reductions were necessary to correct anomalies in its remuneration structure. The court rejected that argument. Describing RBM’s conduct as a “classic example of unfair labour practices,” the court held that the Bank could not correct an earlier irregularity by violating employees’ contractual and statutory rights. In one of the judgment’s strongest observations, the court said:“We cannot cure injustice by perpetrating another form of injustice.” The court found that RBM’s actions violated employment law provisions protecting employees from unilateral deprivation of agreed remuneration. It ordered that Chinkono receive the amounts claimed, together with interest, while damages for unfair labour practices would be assessed separately. The parties retain the right to appeal to the High Court within 30 days. **A dispute worth billions** The Chinkono judgment could have implications far beyond one former RBM executive. Several other current and former senior officials whose salaries were similarly reduced may rely on the same legal reasoning in seeking compensation. The dispute traces back to a 2020 remuneration decision implemented during the tenure of then RBM Governor Wilson Banda, when executive salaries were reportedly reduced by as much as 50 percent. The resulting legal battles have now exposed the potentially enormous financial consequences of decisions made by public institutions when employment contracts and labour laws are not properly observed. **FND: Taxpayers need accountability** Forum for National Development (FND) National Coordinator Fryson Chodzi said the saga should serve as a lesson to public institutions and leaders whose decisions can ultimately leave taxpayers carrying the bill. “We cannot fault the recipients of the money or RBM for complying with a court order,” Chodzi said. He said concerns had been raised when the salary reductions were introduced and that the court’s ruling had now validated those concerns. Chodzi argued that public debate should focus not only on the officials receiving compensation but also on accountability for decisions that courts ultimately find unlawful. “Those who received compensation were vindicating their legal rights. The real question is whether decision-makers who knowingly implement unlawful actions should bear greater responsibility when those actions end up costing public institutions billions.” The controversy is likely to intensify debate over governance, accountability and financial oversight in Malawi’s public institutions—particularly when administrative decisions later found unlawful leave taxpayers footing the bill. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** Henry Mathanga, Reserve Bank of Malawi --- ### [Mtende, instructor of ill-fated pilot Sambalopa, gives chilling testimony to Chikangawa inquiry](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mtende-instructor-of-ill-fated-pilot-sambalopa-gives-chilling-testimony-to-chikangawa-inquiry/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A retired military pilot who personally trained the pilot at the controls of the ill-fated Dornier 228 has delivered damning testimony to the Parliamentary Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the Chikangawa plane crash that killed Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others, revealing that crew coordination failures have been identified internationally as a leading cause of aviation disasters. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787751856309-600x413.jpg)Mtende:”When that interaction breaks down, an accident happens”Retired Brigadier General Juvenalis Mtende, who previously piloted the very same Dornier 228 aircraft that crashed on 10 June 2024, told the committee he was one of the first pilots in the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) and had flown a number of former presidents and other senior government officials during his career. In a striking revelation, Mtende confirmed he had personally trained Colonel Owen Sambalopa, the pilot in command of the doomed aircraft, rating him as an average student at the time but noting he expected Sambalopa’s abilities to improve once he began flying the planes operationally — which he said Sambalopa subsequently did. Mtende told the committee he had never flown alongside Flora Seleman, the co-pilot on the fatal flight, explaining that she had been working as an air hostess during the period he served with the MDF. He also confirmed he had already retired by the time of the crash and was not involved in any way in the planning of the ill-fated flight. Turning to broader aviation safety issues, Mtende told the committee that international studies have attributed more than 70 percent of major aviation accidents to aircrew-related factors, including poor coordination and communication breakdowns in the cockpit. “When that interaction breaks down, then an error will happen, and the result is an accident,” he told the committee. He explained that safe flight operations rely on a delicate web of interaction between pilots, air traffic controllers, ground crews, maintenance personnel, flight attendants and other aviation staff — a system that, when it fails at any point, can have catastrophic consequences. Mtende’s testimony marks the opening session of the committee’s second phase of inquiry, which is specifically focused on Dornier aircraft operations and the decision-making processes of pilots in challenging circumstances. During this phase, the committee is seeking to gather comparative evidence across several critical areas, including the operational characteristics and handling of Dornier aircraft, the exercise of professional judgment and command responsibility during VIP and VVIP operations, safety considerations and risk assessment during flight, and the practical pressures that can influence a pilot’s decision-making in difficult operational conditions. The second phase follows the conclusion of an emotionally charged first round of hearings, during which the committee heard directly from grieving family members of the nine people who lost their lives in the crash, alongside testimony from several of their close associates. That earlier phase also saw the committee hear from officials representing the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Defence and the Malawi Defence Force, as well as a number of former senior government officials, including former Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba. With the inquiry now moving into more technical territory surrounding the specific aircraft and pilot conduct on the day of the crash, Mtende’s insight as the man who once trained the pilot at the controls is expected to prove crucial as the committee works to establish exactly what went wrong in the moments before the tragedy that claimed the life of Malawi’s Vice President and eight others. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, General, News **Tags:** Malawi Defence Force, plane inquiry --- ### [Two NOCMA bosses arrested over K700 million fraud scandal — as Malawi police reveal exact account used to divert cash to Mozambique](https://www.nyasatimes.com/two-nocma-bosses-arrested-over-k700-million-fraud-scandal-as-malawi-police-reveal-exact-account-used-to-divert-cash-to-mozambique/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Two senior officials from the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) have been arrested over the alleged fraudulent transfer of $403,615.63 — roughly K700 million — in a dramatic escalation of the scandal engulfing Malawi’s state fuel importer. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787735165919-600x322.jpg)Nocmagate: Malawi police reveal exact account used to divert cash to MozambiqueMalawi Police Service (MPS) Deputy National Public Relations Officer Alfred Chimthere confirmed the arrests in a statement issued Wednesday evening, naming the suspects as 54-year-old Miklas Reuben, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and 49-year-old Thokozani Jacob Sesani, Senior Operations Manager — two of the most senior figures within NOCMA’s leadership. According to Chimthere, the pair are likely to face charges of negligence by a public officer in preserving money, alongside misuse of public office and other related offences, as police continue to build their case. In a striking level of detail, police disclosed that the disputed funds were allegedly transferred to account number 237055126003, belonging to Moniray Mozhandlings Lda, with the transfer purportedly made to cover loading and clearing charges for fuel shipments at the ports of Beira and Nacala in Mozambique. “They are expected to appear before the Court soon. Meanwhile, investigations into the matter are ongoing,” the statement read in part. The arrests represent a major development in the unfolding scandal, which first came to light after NOCMA admitted falling victim to a sophisticated fraud, in which criminals reportedly intercepted email communications and submitted forged banking details posing as a legitimate service provider. With both suspects now expected to face court proceedings imminently, attention will turn to whether further arrests follow as investigators continue working to establish the full scale of the fraud and how such a substantial sum came to be diverted in the first place. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Nocma --- ### [Tiwa Savage's K17.5million  gift to Malawi's young female creatives — plots her own foundation in the country](https://www.nyasatimes.com/tiwa-savages-k17-5million-gift-to-malawis-young-female-creatives-plots-her-own-foundation-in-the-country/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Nigerian singing sensation Tiwa Savage has left Malawi’s young creatives buzzing after announcing a generous K17.5 million donation to Music Crossroads Malawi, aimed squarely at supporting the next generation of women artists and creatives in the country. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787750774327-600x450.jpg)Afrobeats queen plots Malawi foundation to launch next generation of starsThe Afrobeats star made the announcement during a heartfelt engagement with young women creatives at the academy, telling the group she wanted to see them succeed and receive the kind of support that could help launch their careers. In an even bigger reveal, Savage confirmed she intends to establish the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation in Malawi, mirroring the foundation she already runs in Nigeria, which is dedicated to nurturing and supporting young talent in the music industry. “I will soon start the foundation in Malawi because I am amazed by the young women creatives who would like to be like me one day, and I am willing to help them reach their full potential,” Savage told the young hopefuls gathered at the academy. The “Eminado” and “All Over” hitmaker’s visit and generous donation are expected to give a significant boost to Malawi’s creative arts scene, offering young women artists both financial backing and the inspiration of seeing one of Africa’s biggest music stars personally invest in their futures. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787750742880-600x450.jpg)Tiwa Savage stuns Lilongwe music school with jaw-dropping gif Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Music Crossroads Academy, Tiwa Savage --- ### [Kambuku granted bail — as it emerges he allegedly falsified vehicle mileage to secure personal car](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kambuku-granted-bail-as-it-emerges-he-allegedly-falsified-vehicle-mileage-to-secure-personal-car/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former National Water Resources Authority Chief Executive Officer Dwight Kambuku has been granted bail by the Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe, just a day after his dramatic arrest on allegations of abuse of office and uttering a false document. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787751836429-600x449.jpg)Kambuku: Salary and vehicle allegations at heart of caseThe court ordered Kambuku to pay a K1 million cash bail bond, provide one surety bonded at K2.5 million on a non-cash basis, and report to Area 30 Police Headquarters every fortnight on Mondays. His lawyer, Chrispine Ndalama, confirmed the development, bringing a swift resolution to what has already become a high-profile case within Malawi’s public sector. Kambuku was arrested by Fiscal Police just a day earlier over a string of serious allegations relating to his conduct while at the helm of the Authority. It is alleged that Kambuku had been drawing a salary significantly above the institution’s officially approved salary structure, raising questions over how such an arrangement was permitted to continue undetected. He is further suspected of unlawfully acquiring a personal vehicle by allegedly falsifying its mileage records while still serving at the Authority — an allegation that, if proven, would point to a deliberate attempt to manipulate official records for personal gain. With Kambuku now released on bail, attention turns to the ongoing investigation into both allegations, as authorities continue building their case ahead of any formal court proceedings. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Dwight Kambuku, National Water Resources Authority --- ### [Diplomat's social media attacks on opposition figures spark debate over political neutrality of Malawi foreign service officers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/diplomats-social-media-attacks-on-opposition-figures-spark-debate-over-political-neutrality-of-malawi-foreign-service-officers/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A Malawian diplomat has come under growing scrutiny over a series of public social media posts attacking opposition figures, with critics questioning whether such conduct is appropriate for a serving member of the foreign service. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787749594738-1-600x600.jpg)Chimbanga: DiplomatLeonard Chimbanga, who serves as First Secretary (Political) at Malawi’s High Commission in Pretoria, has in recent days used Facebook to defend Sports and Youth Minister Alfred Gangata in an ongoing row over a church donation, branding criticism of the minister as “bodza” — Chichewa for lies — and dismissing it as misleading and malicious. Chimbanga has also directed criticism at former president Lazarus Chakwera, dismissing as laughable suggestions that Chakwera could seek to contest the 2030 presidential election, and has posted further attacks targeting the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and other opposition figures. The posts have drawn criticism from sources aligned with MCP, who argue that a serving diplomat engaging so directly and combatively in domestic political disputes sits uneasily with the expected conduct of foreign service officers. Critics point out that Chimbanga’s posts have come shortly after he completed pre-posting training at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a programme typically intended to prepare diplomats for the conventions and expectations of their role, including maintaining a degree of neutrality and restraint in public political matters. The criticism raises broader questions about where the line falls between a diplomat’s personal political views and their official responsibilities, particularly when posts target named domestic political figures using language more commonly associated with partisan campaigning than diplomatic communication. Neither Chimbanga nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a public response to the criticism at the time of writing. It remains unclear whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to address the propriety of diplomatic staff engaging publicly in domestic political disputes of this nature. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** DPP, Leonard Chimbanga, MCP --- ### [OG Issa hands Flames Legends K10 million lifeline as tributes pour in for football's forgotten heroes](https://www.nyasatimes.com/og-issa-hands-flames-legends-k10-million-lifeline-as-tributes-pour-in-for-footballs-forgotten-heroes/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** OG Issa Smart Electronics has stepped up with a generous K10 million donation to the Flames Legends Association (FLA), providing crucial financial backing for the organisation’s annual general meeting and medical scheme as it continues its mission to support Malawi’s former national team stars. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787741823820-600x338.jpg)Smart Electronics shop manager Naresh Kumar handing the donationThe cheque was formally handed over during a ceremony in Lilongwe on Wednesday, with Smart Electronics shop manager Naresh Kumar explaining that the contribution was as much a gesture of gratitude as it was financial support. Kumar said the donation was intended to honour former players for the immense contribution they made to Malawian football during their careers, recognising the legacy they left behind long after hanging up their boots. FLA, which represents former Malawi national team players and works to safeguard their welfare in retirement, welcomed the donation warmly, confirming the funds would go directly toward helping the association meet its core objectives. The Flames Legends Association has increasingly become a vital support network for former internationals, many of whom face financial and medical challenges after their playing careers end, with limited pension or welfare structures traditionally in place for retired footballers in Malawi. The association’s medical scheme in particular has grown in importance in recent years, providing former players with access to healthcare support they might otherwise struggle to afford. Wednesday’s donation adds to a growing pattern of corporate support for the association, following similar contributions in recent months from other private-sector partners eager to give back to the players who once proudly represented the nation on the pitch — support organisers say remains vital as FLA continues working to secure the long-term welfare of Malawi’s football legends. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Flames Legends, OG Issa --- ### ['It's a miracle!' 24-year-old carpenter and Standard 8 student scoops staggering K50million in Airtel Money promotion](https://www.nyasatimes.com/its-a-miracle-24-year-old-carpenter-and-standard-8-student-scoops-staggering-k50million-in-airtel-money-promotion/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A 24-year-old carpenter from Thyolo District has seen his life transformed overnight after scooping a staggering K50 million grand prize in Airtel Malawi’s Tola Promotion, a windfall that has left him dreaming of a brighter financial future. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260826-WA0001-400x600.jpg)Airtel Malawi Managing Director Aashish DuttMoses Madalitso, who is also an adult learner currently studying in Standard 8, is the sixth-born in a family of seven — an unlikely background for what has become one of the most life-changing wins in recent memory for an ordinary Malawian. The young carpenter learned of his incredible fortune through a phone call from Airtel Money officials on Wednesday, and says he now plans to plough the prize money into a range of business ventures to secure his financial future. Madalitso’s jackpot capped off a promotion that ran from 5 May to 5 August 2026, featuring weekly draws in which lucky winners walked away with K5 million each throughout the three-month period. The very first weekly winner was Wilfred Mwangala, a farmer from Zomba, who described the unexpected news as nothing short of a miracle and revealed plans to invest his winnings across several businesses. Other weekly winners included Cecelia Zimba and Simieon Msokera, a commercial farmer from Salima District, adding to a growing list of ordinary Malawians whose fortunes were transformed by the promotion. Speaking after the draw was held at Airtel Money offices in Lilongwe, Airtel Malawi Managing Director Aashish Dutt explained that the promotion was designed specifically to encourage digital financial inclusion and boost the use of digital financial services among Malawians. Dutt revealed that Airtel Money invested more than K650 million into the promotion as part of its broader push to expand access to digital finance across the country, with a further 3,600 customers each pocketing K50,000 during the promotional period. The staggering scale of the promotion means it has not only created life-changing winners like Madalitso, but has also rewarded thousands of everyday Airtel Money customers, all while encouraging greater uptake of digital financial services nationwide — a strategy Airtel says reflects its long-term commitment to expanding financial access for ordinary Malawians. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260826-WA0002-1-600x400.jpg)Airtel Malawi officials captured at the event during the ceremony Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News --- ### [Activist Agape Khombe held at Maula Prison over Chawinga house deal Facebook posts](https://www.nyasatimes.com/activist-agape-khombe-held-at-maula-prison-over-chawinga-house-deal-facebook-posts/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Activist Agape Khombe has been arrested and remanded at Maula Prison after being accused of cyberbullying private practice lawyer Edgar Kachere, in a case now centred on explosive Facebook posts linking the lawyer to a controversial property transaction involving Malawian football star Tabitha Chawinga. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787735221281-1-450x600.jpg)Activist Agape Khombe jailed over Facebook posts linking lawyer to Tabitha Chawinga house dealState prosecutor Prescott Mwayiulipo confirmed Khombe was taken into custody last Wednesday, before being formally charged on Friday with offensive communication and cyberstalking under the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act. **Facebook posts at heart of case** According to Mwayiulipo, the charges stem directly from a series of Facebook posts made by Khombe, in which he alleged that lawyer Kachere had duped footballer Tabitha Chawinga during a transaction involving the purchase of a house in Lilongwe. Khombe’s bid for bail was firmly rejected, with Mwayiulipo revealing that the activist had previously absconded bail conditions in an earlier, unrelated defilement case — a history that appears to have weighed heavily against him in the court’s decision to keep him behind bars. Khombe is being represented by lawyer Viva Nyimba, who has so far declined to comment on the case. The arrest is likely to reignite debate over the boundaries between legitimate online activism, public accusation and criminal cyberstalking in Malawi, particularly given Khombe’s public profile as an activist and the high-profile nature of the individuals named in his posts. With Khombe now remanded at Maula Prison, attention turns to when the case will next appear before the courts, and whether further details of the alleged house transaction involving Kachere and Chawinga will emerge as proceedings continue. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Agape Khombe, Edgar Kachere, Facebook, Tabitha Chawinga --- ### [500 phones and 1,000 SIMs seized in Zomba prison sweep](https://www.nyasatimes.com/500-phones-and-1000-sims-seized-in-zomba-prison-sweep/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Prison Service has revealed a staggering haul of contraband smuggled behind bars, confiscating more than 500 mobile phones, 1,000 SIM cards, 5 kilograms of Indian hemp and a host of other prohibited items since rolling out advanced scanning technology at Zomba Central Prison. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787730232973-600x444.jpg)Meke: Zomba prison’s secret smuggling operation exposed as scanners uncover 500 hidden phonesMPS Spokesperson Steven Meke confirmed the dramatic seizures on Wednesday, revealing they were the direct result of an initiative launched in 2025 in partnership with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), aimed squarely at rooting out illicit items smuggled into the facility. Meke said the new technology, combined with a range of other security interventions, had transformed Zomba Central Prison into a significantly safer environment, better suited to the genuine reformation and rehabilitation of offenders. The pilot initiative, jointly rolled out by MACRA and MPS, was specifically designed to curb digital fraud and other criminal activity allegedly being orchestrated by inmates using smuggled mobile phones and SIM cards — devices that have long fuelled concerns over prisoners continuing criminal operations from behind bars. Officials say the scale of the haul underscores just how widespread the smuggling problem had become prior to the scanners’ introduction, with more than 500 phones alone intercepted since the technology went live — numbers likely to raise fresh questions over how such volumes of contraband were previously making their way into one of the country’s most high-profile correctional facilities. Authorities have signalled the success of the Zomba pilot could pave the way for similar scanning technology to be rolled out at other prisons across Malawi, as the government continues efforts to tighten security and stamp out criminal activity within the country’s correctional system. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Macra, prisons --- ### [Minister Ben Phiri: World Vision turned vulnerable families into self-reliant success stories](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-ben-phiri-world-vision-turned-vulnerable-families-into-self-reliant-success-stories/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr Ben Malunga Phiri heaped praise on World Vision Malawi (WVM) for its role in turning vulnerable households into productive, self-reliant families, as the organisation officially handed over its Chigodi and Chilenje Area Programmes to Lilongwe District Council after 19 years of transformative work. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787734046541-600x338.jpg)Minister Dr Ben Phiri praises World Vision as K17.3billion programme hands power back to communitiesSpeaking at the closure ceremony on Tuesday at Chigodi Primary School in the area of Traditional Authority Mazengela, Phiri commended WVM for a programme that has benefited more than 22,000 households through sweeping livelihood and resilience interventions since it began. “Now that the projects have been handed over to the people through the council, they will benefit from public resources, including the K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF), particularly for the maintenance of the infrastructure,” Phiri said. The Minister confirmed government would continue backing the initiatives, ensuring the infrastructure built through the programmes is properly maintained going forward. He added that the projects would now be managed under newly mandated project maintenance policies for district councils, designed specifically to safeguard the long-term sustainability of development programmes across the country. Phiri also commended WVM for its close collaboration with government in pursuit of the ambitious Malawi 2063 development agenda. **Local MP urges communities to “build on the gains made”** Member of Parliament for Nkhoma Constituency, Pililani Buleya, echoed the Minister’s praise, commending the organisation for its long-term commitment to the communities she represents. “I am very happy with the development taking place in my area and would like to ask everyone who has benefited from these projects to build on the gains made,” Buleya said, urging beneficiaries and local authorities to take full ownership of the initiatives and share the skills they’ve acquired with others in their communities. **US$10 million invested since 2007** WVM Board Director Esther Chafumuka revealed the true scale of the organisation’s commitment to the area, confirming the programmes had received approximately US$10 million in investment since 2007 — equivalent to roughly K17.3 billion. “We are proud to see how impactful the initiatives have been in these two areas,” Chafumuka said, detailing how the funding had supported a wide range of interventions including feeding programmes, vocational training, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and education initiatives. With the handover now complete, attention turns to whether Lilongwe District Council and local communities can successfully sustain the substantial legacy left behind, ensuring nearly two decades of investment continues delivering benefits for generations to come. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787734055052-600x450.jpg)World Vision hands over K17.3 BILLION legacy of hope to Lilongwe communities after 19 years transforming 22,000 households Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Ben Phiri, World Vision --- ### [Mpesi and three top MEC officials face abuse of office and money laundering charges](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mpesi-and-three-top-mec-officials-face-abuse-of-office-and-money-laundering-charges/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi, 49, along with three fellow senior officials, are set to face charges of abuse of office and money laundering, police have confirmed, as the fallout from a growing scandal at the electoral body continues to escalate. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787658305639-600x328.jpg)“Abuse of resources”: Ex-electoral chief arrested as MEC accused of funding sons’ elite schooling post-resignationDeputy Police publicist Alfred Chimthere named the three other individuals facing charges alongside Mpesi as Director of Human Resources and Administration Dr Yasinto Chikapa, 59, Director of Finance Khumbo Alfred Phiri, 56, and Andrew Michael Kamkwala, 54, who serves as Chief Executive Officer responsible for Finance and Administration. All four men remain in police custody after being arrested yesterday by the Fiscal Police, in a coordinated operation that has sent shockwaves through the electoral body’s senior leadership. The arrests come amid growing scrutiny of financial dealings within MEC, with the allegations of abuse of office and money laundering now placing significant pressure on the Commission to explain the conduct of some of its most senior officials. Further details of the specific allegations against each individual are expected to emerge as the case progresses through the courts, with police confirming the four remain in custody as investigations continue. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Andrew Mpesi, Malawi Electoral Commission, money laundering --- ### [Infinity Finance Limited: Court refreezes K1 billion  at First Capital Bank amid fresh financial crime suspicions](https://www.nyasatimes.com/infinity-finance-limited-court-refreezes-k1-billion-at-first-capital-bank-amid-fresh-financial-crime-suspicions/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The High Court has moved to refreeze a staggering K1 billion held at First Capital Bank belonging to Infinity Finance Limited, after the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) successfully applied for a fresh preservation order amid ongoing suspicions the money is linked to financial crimes. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260826_103513_Google-600x396.jpg)Cash frozen by court orderAccording to a published ruling, the court granted the order after being satisfied there were reasonable grounds to believe the funds have either been used, or are intended for use, in the commission of an offence — or that the money itself constitutes the proceeds of criminal activity. The dramatic move comes after an earlier preservation order covering the same funds lapsed on 10 August, prompting the FIA to swiftly return to court to secure the money once again before it could be moved or dissipated. Despite the scale of the sum involved, the FIA has so far declined to reveal the exact nature of the suspected offences connected to the billion-kwacha stash, leaving significant questions unanswered over what specific financial crimes investigators believe may be linked to the funds. The refreezing of such a substantial amount is likely to intensify scrutiny of Infinity Finance Limited’s operations, with authorities expected to continue building their case as the investigation progresses — though with the FIA remaining tight-lipped for now, the full details behind the suspicious transaction remain shrouded in uncertainty. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National --- ### [Nocma in K700 million cyber‑fraud scandal](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nnocma-in-k700-million-cyber-fraud-scandal/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) has been left red‑faced after cyber‑criminals tricked the state fuel importer into wiring $403,605 (about K700 million) straight into a fraudulent account — in what insiders are calling one of the most embarrassing digital heists in Malawi’s public sector.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-6249.jpg) According to Nocma, the scammers impersonated Mozhandling Limited, a Mozambican firm responsible for handling fuel shipments through the Port of Nacala. The fraudsters intercepted official emails, forged banking documents, and coolly informed Nocma that the company had “opened a new account” with Bank of America. Believing the communication was genuine, Nocma instructed its local bankers on April 29, 2026 to transfer the funds — unknowingly sending the money directly into the hands of criminals. The scam only came to light two weeks later, when the real Mozhandling contacted Nocma demanding payment. Shocked officials immediately alerted the Malawi Police Service, while Bank of America opened its own investigation to trace the diverted funds. But the fallout is already raising serious questions about Nocma’s internal controls. Management has admitted that the financial breach was made possible by loopholes created during the chaotic rollout of the Government‑to‑Government (G2G) fuel procurement model, which was introduced before proper cybersecurity and operational systems were in place. Analysts say the blunder exposes a dangerous lack of digital vigilance at a time when state agencies are increasingly targeted by sophisticated cyber‑criminals. Nocma now says it has reverted to the Open Tender System (OTS) and is urgently auditing its payment‑verification processes. The company is also cooperating with law enforcement as investigators scramble to recover the missing funds. The scandal deepened further when it emerged that Nocma had asked the Ministry of Lands and Housing Development to pay warehouse rentals, despite already budgeting for them under its Other Recurrent Transactions (ORT) — a misstep that forced the Commission to quietly withdraw a related court case. For a company entrusted with safeguarding Malawi’s fuel security, the cyber‑heist has become a humiliating reminder of how quickly millions can vanish when digital defences fail. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Fraud, National Bank of Malawi, Nocma --- ### [Mtumbuka brands K700m loss an ‘avoidable failure of corporate governance’](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mtumbuka-brands-k700m-loss-an-avoidable-failure-of-corporate-governance/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s state-backed fuel importer is facing severe political backlash after $404,000 (£300,000 / K700m) of state funds disappeared in a suspected fraudulent transaction, raising fresh concerns over corporate governance and institutional oversight in the Southern African nation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784939507088-600x400.jpg)MP Mtumbuka: Those involved should pack and go home​Dr Matthews Mtumbuka, the Presidential running mate of the opposition United Transformation Movement (UTM) and a Member of Parliament for Rumphi Central, called for the immediate removal of executives involved in authorizing the transfer, describing the incident as an “unacceptable and avoidable loss of public money.” ​“Those involved should pack and go home,” Dr Mtumbuka said. “No question about this.” ​**Escalating Governance Risks** ​The incident has drawn swift condemnation from civil society groups, with the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) demanding the immediate suspension of all officials who verified, approved, or processed the funds. ​Michael Kaiyatsa, HRDC chairperson, and Kelvin Chirwa, national coordinator, warned that state agencies cannot simply dismiss the event as external cybercrime without examining systemic internal failures. ​**Key Demands from HRDC:** ​**Executive Accountability**: Immediate suspension of key signatories to safeguard operational evidence. ​**Forensic Probe:** An independent audit to determine whether internal negligence or procedural breaches enabled the loss. ​**Capital Recovery:** Complete repatriation of the missing funds rather than writing off the transaction. ​**Executive Oversight:** Direct intervention from President Peter Mutharika to enforce institutional reforms across state payment systems. ​**Cross-Border Investigation Underway** ​Nocma said it is cooperating with the Malawi Police Service and Bank of America to trace the funds and identify the recipient accounts involved in the transaction. ​The loss comes amid heightened scrutiny of Malawi’s state procurement processes. In 2022, the government faced international embarrassment after paying $727,000 for agricultural fertilizer under its flagship support programme to a UK-registered firm whose primary business was meat trading. ​Analysts warn that repeated governance lapses at key state enterprises risk further damaging investor confidence and weakening the country’s broader macroeconomic stability. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Mathews Mtumbuka, Nocma --- ### [Gunshot mystery: ‘I didn’t see it fired!’ — Dr Bobe trial halted till November.](https://www.nyasatimes.com/gunshot-mystery-i-didnt-see-it-fired-dr-bobe-trial-halted-till-november/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The High Court in Blantyre has adjourned the murder trial of seven people accused of killing Dr Victoria Bobe until 30 November 2026, after the State concluded its case with harrowing final testimony from a terrified security guard who was overpowered and tied up on the night of the fatal attack. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787669662060-600x450.jpg)Chilling final testimony closes State’s case in Dr Bobe murder trial as court adjourns until NovemberJudge Ruth Chinangwa announced the adjournment after the State completed presenting all ten of its witnesses, with the closing testimony coming from Julius Mwanamanga, a guard employed by Mart Security Services who had been assigned to protect Bobe’s residence that night after the regular guard went on leave. **“They came with their faces covered” — guard recalls terrifying attack** Recounting the ordeal, Mwanamanga told the court he was in his guardroom that night when armed robbers descended on the property. “I was in my guardroom that night when armed robbers came with their faces covered. They attacked me and tied me up together with two others before they started breaking into the house,” he said. Mwanamanga said he was unable to identify his attackers as their faces were covered throughout, though he recalled hearing a gunshot shortly after they seized him, and a second shot after they had left the house. When pressed by State lawyer Abdul Limbe on whether he could identify the assailants, Mwanamanga maintained he could not. **Firearms and medical evidence paint chilling picture** Mwanamanga’s testimony followed evidence from police officer John Julius Makolija, firearms expert Lawrence Gondwe, and medical personnel Steve Kamiza, who gave the court a detailed and disturbing account of the attack. Kamiza told the court Bobe suffered a gunshot wound to the head, with the bullet passing through her skull before later being found on the bed. He confirmed a post-mortem examination had been carried out, though no DNA test was conducted to establish who had handled the firearm. Under cross-examination, Kamiza was clear about the limits of his evidence. “I did not see the person who shot her because I was not there during the incident,” he said. Gondwe told the court the weapon used was a semi-automatic rifle with a 20-round capacity, but said he was similarly unable to identify who fired it or confirm which suspects had handled it. “I did not see the gun being shot. I did not see the person shooting,” he said. Guard “confessed” to receiving help from Bobe’s own security guard In a striking development, Makolija told the court that one of the suspects, Charles Chikafa, had allegedly confessed that the group was assisted in reaching Bobe’s residence by her own security guard, Peter Mphepo — an allegation that has added a disturbing inside-job dimension to the case. Defence lawyer Michael Goba Chipeta cross-examined State witnesses throughout, seeking to challenge the evidence presented. **Case to resume in November as court weighs case to answer** Speaking after the adjournment, State lawyer Abdul Limbe said the prosecution was satisfied with the progress of the case and would now prepare written submissions to assist the court in determining whether the seven suspects have a case to answer. Judge Chinangwa has directed both the Defence and Prosecution teams to file their written submissions by 30 September 2026, with the case set to resume on 30 November 2026, when the court is expected to rule on whether the trial will proceed to a full defence hearing. Bobe, a doctor at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, was murdered at her residence in Chigumula, Blantyre, on 17 November 2025 — a case that has continued to grip the nation as harrowing details of her final hours have emerged in court. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Bobe, murder --- ### [Adella hails growing quality of Malawi's women's football: 'We march with power'](https://www.nyasatimes.com/adella-hails-growing-quality-of-malawis-womens-football-we-march-with-power/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Adelaide Migogo, chairperson of the National Women’s Football Committee and leader of Malawi’s delegation at the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier, has hailed Silver Strikers Ladies’ historic run to the semi-finals as further proof of the rising quality within Malawi’s domestic women’s football league. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787688400050-450x600.jpg)Adella Migogo with Carolyn Mathyola who won the Player of the Match award. Mathyola scored a hat-trick in the game. Silver Strikers 5-1 Nsingizini HotspursSpeaking after the Bankers thrashed Nsingizini Hotspurs 5-1 to book their place in the last four, an ecstatic Migogo praised the team’s performance while insisting the result reflected a much bigger picture of progress within the local game. “Another huge statement about the growing quality of our local league. We may not be where we want to be yet, but we are making real progress,” Migogo said. She was quick to heap praise on the players for their emphatic display in Botswana, adding: “Congratulations to Silver Strikers Ladies on a strong performance. We march into semifinals with POWER!!!!” Migogo’s comments come as Silver Strikers Ladies continue to make history, becoming the first Malawian side to reach the semi-finals of the tournament and the first to win multiple matches in the competition — a run that has thrust the standard of Malawi’s women’s football firmly into the regional spotlight. Reflecting on the broader trajectory of the domestic league, Migogo was confident the results on the pitch were no accident. “The local league is getting stronger. The progress is visible,” she said, pointing to Silver Strikers’ continental success as tangible evidence of the steady development taking place within Malawian women’s football at grassroots and elite level alike. With Silver Strikers Ladies now set to face Zambia’s Zesco Ndola Girls in a blockbuster semi-final clash, Migogo’s message struck a note of confidence and ambition, signalling that the Bankers’ historic campaign may still have further chapters left to write — and with it, further evidence of just how far the local women’s game has come. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787694512662-e1787696978647-600x361.jpg)“The progress is visible”: Adella Migogo praises Silver Strikers’ historic CAF run Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Adelaide Migogo, National Women Football Committee, Silver Strikers Ladies, women football --- ### [Chris Brown or Burna Boy? Gangata's blockbuster concert plan to mint Malawi's next generation of billionaires](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chris-brown-or-burna-boy-gangatas-blockbuster-concert-plan-to-mint-malawis-next-generation-of-billionaires/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Sports and Youth, Alfred Gangata, has unveiled an ambitious plan to stage a major international concert in the country, revealing that global superstars Chris Brown and Burna Boy have emerged as the frontrunners from an initial shortlist of three international artists. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260716_030210_Google-1-e1787245432694-600x329.jpg)Gangata reveals bold plan to bring Chris Brown or Burna Boy to Malawi — with concert proceeds set to create up to 200 young billionairesIn a statement addressing widespread public reaction to the proposal, Gangata insisted the initiative would not cost taxpayers a single kwacha, stressing that government funding would play no part in bringing the star to Malawi. “Let me be clear: no Government money will be used. We will engage banks, companies and other private-sector partners,” Gangata said. But the Minister was quick to stress that the vision extends far beyond a single night of entertainment. According to Gangata, the concert forms part of a broader plan to help create between 100 and 200 young Malawian billionaires by 2030, tackling what he described as the single biggest obstacle facing the country’s talented youth: access to capital. Laying out the financial logic behind the plan, Gangata painted a picture of the concert’s potential scale. “Imagine 40,000 people at Bingu Stadium paying an average of K150,000. That is K6 billion. After costs, the proceeds can help provide capital to deserving young entrepreneurs,” he said, adding that similar events and partnerships could be repeated in future to sustain the initiative. Addressing concerns over accountability, Gangata confirmed that a professional and independent committee would be established to manage the initiative and ensure it is run transparently, with his own role limited to championing the vision and keeping the project focused on its long-term goals. “This is not just entertainment. It is about turning talent into businesses, businesses into jobs, and young Malawians into wealth creators,” he said. Closing his statement, Gangata delivered a rallying call aimed squarely at Malawi’s young population, arguing that the country’s youth possess no shortage of talent or ambition, only the platforms and capital needed to turn ideas into viable businesses. “Our youth do not lack ideas—they lack opportunities. Let us create those opportunities. With power!” he declared. The proposal is likely to spark continued debate over its feasibility and execution, with attention now turning to which of the two international stars will ultimately be secured for the landmark event — and whether the ambitious plan to convert concert proceeds into startup capital for young entrepreneurs can be delivered as promised. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment --- ### [Bullets complete signing of Liberian international Sheku Sheriff](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bullets-complete-signing-of-liberian-international-sheku-sheriff/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have completed the signing of Liberian international attacking midifielder Sheku Sheriff on a two-year deal, bringing added creativity and attacking quality to head coach Wedson Nyirenda’s squad. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260825-WA0017-1-600x600.jpg)Sheriff at the signing of the contract at Bullets offices in BlantyreThe 26-year-old joins the Malawi champions from Liberian side LPRC Oilers. Born in Grand Cape Mount County, Sheriff is a left-footed attacking midfielder known for his creativity, incisive passing and threat from set pieces, particularly free-kicks. He enjoyed a strong 2025/26 league campaign, scoring four goals and providing five assists in 14 appearances, and his experience at international and continental level is expected to add a new dimension to Bullets’ midfield and attack. Speaking after completing the move, Sheriff said he was delighted to join the club. “It feels amazing to join Bullets. This is a big step in my career and an opportunity to showcase my talent outside Liberia, so I am very happy to be here.” He believes his creativity and set-piece ability can offer something different to the side. “As an attacking midfielder, I believe I have qualities that can add something different to the team, including my creativity and ability from free-kicks.” Sheriff acknowledged the strength of the squad he is joining, saying he is ready to work for his place. “I am joining a squad with very good players, so I am prepared to work hard in training and compete for my opportunity.” He also had a message for supporters. “I hope to achieve a lot with Bullets. To the supporters, I ask you to continue standing behind the club regardless of the result. By the grace of God, and by working together with my teammates and coaches as one family, I promise to give 100 per cent whenever I represent Bullets.” Nyirenda said Sheriff fits the profile of player the club had been targeting. “We have been looking for an attacking midfielder who can also operate further forward—someone with an eye for the decisive pass and a strong instinct for goal. Sheriff possesses those attributes.” The coach said the signing would boost competition and balance within the squad. “We have very good midfielders, but we wanted to add a player capable of arriving from deeper areas to create opportunities and threaten the goal. Greater competition will give us more balance across the team.” Nyirenda also praised Sheriff’s technical ability and character. “Sheriff handles the ball well and uses space intelligently. He also has good character, leadership qualities and a strong mentality. “We believe he will add value to the team and look forward to seeing him bring those qualities onto the pitch.” Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Big Bullets --- ### [MEC bosses blow K1.2 billion a year on Lilongwe rentals — 20 TIMES pricier than Blantyre — as they defy president's relocation order](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mec-bosses-blow-k1-2-billion-a-year-on-lilongwe-rentals-20-times-pricier-than-blantyre-as-they-defy-presidents-relocation-order/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Electoral Commission (MEC) has been accused of squandering a staggering K1.2 billion annually on rental costs in Lilongwe — a jaw-dropping twenty times more than the mere K60 million it would cost to operate from Blantyre, as explosive new details emerge of leadership resistance to a presidential relocation directive. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1716988505410-562x600.jpg)Justice Mtalimanja Defying relocation orderSources say the vast majority of MEC staff are ready and willing to relocate to Blantyre in line with the order issued earlier this year, but that a small clique at the very top of the Commission is digging in its heels and blocking the move. Insiders have named MEC Chairperson Anabel Mtalimanja alongside MCP-aligned commissioners Richard Chapweteka, Rev Phillip Kambulire and Limbikani Kamlongera — all part-time, Lilongwe-based commissioners — as the key figures standing in the way of the relocation, while the remainder of the Commission is understood to see clear merit in the move. Making matters worse, details show that rental costs at the Commission’s Lilongwe headquarters have shot up dramatically since 1 April this year, rising from K34 million to K45 million per month. The situation is even starker at the Commission’s Njewa warehouse, where rental costs have been hiked from K38 million to a staggering K62 million per month — increases that have only intensified questions over why the Commission continues clinging to its costly Lilongwe base. Analysts and insiders alike say the real reason behind the leadership’s refusal to relocate has little to do with logistics, and everything to do with money. “The leadership is arrogant and extravagant. Why do they want to spend a lot of money on rentals when there is a cheaper way of doing the same thing? I ask the government to ensure that the Commission has relocated,” one analyst told this publication. Adding further embarrassment to the saga, the Commission also stumbled badly after attempting to get the Ministry of Lands and Housing Development to cover its warehouse rental costs — despite having already budgeted for those very expenses under its own Other Recurrent Transactions (ORT) allocation. The blunder is understood to be a key reason why the Commission was ultimately forced to withdraw its court case over the warehouse dispute, further exposing what critics say is a pattern of financial mismanagement and self-serving decision-making at the top of one of Malawi’s most important democratic institutions. With pressure now mounting on government to enforce its own relocation order, all eyes will be on whether MEC’s leadership can continue resisting the directive — or whether growing public scrutiny over the billions being spent on rentals will finally force their hand. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Malawi Electoral Commission --- ### [Mukhitho hails K2billion Illovo boost as ground broken on new Chikwawa police station](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mukhitho-hails-k2billion-illovo-boost-as-ground-broken-on-new-chikwawa-police-station/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Sugar giant Illovo Sugar Malawi has pledged a staggering K2 billion toward the construction of a brand-new police station in Nchalo, Chikwawa, in a landmark investment designed to dramatically strengthen security for residents and businesses across the district. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787689595064-1-600x400.jpg)Minister Mukhitho: Illovo’s K2billion gift lays foundation for safer NchaloThe ambitious project was officially launched on Tuesday during a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhitho, Deputy Minister of Homeland Security Norman Chisale, alongside senior government officials and private-sector representatives. Addressing the crowd, Mukhitho hailed the initiative as a major milestone in the fight to improve security in Nchalo, insisting that meaningful development simply cannot take place without it. “We are laying the foundation for security and a safer Nchalo. There can be no meaningful development without security. This will improve security,” he declared. 27 hectares of land handed over for construction Illovo Sugar Malawi Managing Director Ronald Ngwira confirmed the company had provided a generous 27 hectares of land for the new police station, alongside the substantial K2 billion funding commitment. Ngwira framed the initiative as the latest chapter in Illovo’s long-standing partnership with the Malawi Government, insisting the company places community safety firmly at the top of its priorities in every area where it operates. “We have worked together in many ways, and we don’t compromise on safety. Today we are here to celebrate the start of a similar project. “The presence of the Minister demonstrates government’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at keeping communities safe,” Ngwira said. Chikwawa District Council Director of Planning and Development, Eric Kenamu, offered his gratitude to Illovo Sugar Malawi for backing the project, describing it as a shining example of how government and private enterprise can join forces to meet the real needs of local communities. “We sincerely appreciate Illovo Sugar Malawi for supporting the project. This is a good example of government and the private sector coming together to address the needs of communities,” Kenamu said. The new police station is expected to significantly bolster law enforcement capacity in Nchalo, with officials hopeful that the substantial private-sector investment will pave the way for similar collaborative security initiatives in other districts across Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787689600630-1-600x450.jpg)“No development without security”: Mukhitho breaks ground on K2billion police station in Chikwawa Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Illovo, Malawi Police, Peter Mukhito --- ### [Malawian women set for spiritual and professional empowerment as Victorious Ladies Conference returns to Blantyre](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawian-women-set-for-spiritual-and-professional-empowerment-as-victorious-ladies-conference-returns-to-blantyre/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Fountain of Victory Church is preparing to host its highly anticipated Victorious Ladies Conference (VLC) in Blantyre from 27 to 29 August, with organisers pledging to empower women spiritually and professionally at the annual gathering. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787665324243-600x338.jpg)Corporate-focused session added to programmeNow in its 12th year, the conference is open to women of all ages, backgrounds and denominations, according to Fountain of Victory Global Women’s Director Pastor Misozi Banda, who says the event has become a powerful platform for personal transformation. The vision behind the conference, originally birthed by Apostle Joseph Ziba, centres on helping women discover their identity in Christ while unlocking their full potential across business, careers, family life, education and ministry. “This is a spiritual platform where women will be empowered to know who they are and also to be acquainted with the grace of God,” Banda said. As part of this year’s line-up, the conference will feature VLC Elevate on Thursday — a dedicated session aimed specifically at women navigating the corporate world, reflecting organisers’ continued push to blend spiritual growth with practical career development. Banda revealed the conference has already produced a string of powerful testimonies over the years, with participants going on to further their education, secure promotions and build successful professional careers after attending. Drawing inspiration from recent national success stories, Banda pointed to Malawi’s national women’s football team, the Scorchers, as proof of what women can achieve when given the right opportunities and support. Beyond the professional empowerment angle, organisers say the conference remains firmly rooted in its spiritual mission, with participants also given the opportunity to deepen their relationship with God and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour throughout the three-day event. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Fountain of Victory International --- ### [Flames Legends handed K8million lifeline from generous corporate backers ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/flames-legends-handed-k8million-lifeline-from-generous-corporate-backers/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Flames Legends Association (FLA) has received a welcome K8 million boost from two corporate sponsors, offering vital support for the welfare of Malawi’s football icons, though the association still faces a substantial shortfall as it races to fund its upcoming activities. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787689107032-600x338.jpg)Funds earmarked for medical scheme and crunch AGMSimama Hotel led the way with a generous K5 million contribution, presented during a handover ceremony in Lilongwe. Speaking at the event, the hotel’s Operations Director Fiskani Kazembe praised FLA’s ongoing efforts to support the wellbeing of former footballers who once represented the nation on the pitch. “We appreciate the relationship we have with FLA. We are happy to offer our services to you. We recognise players who brought pride and prominence to the country,” she said. Austo Brake & Clutch also came to the association’s aid, donating a further K3 million towards FLA’s activities. The company’s Managing Director, Austin Kasito, said the donation reflected the firm’s broader commitment to giving back to the communities that support its business. “We love sports and we like to give back to the communities that support our business. We thought it wise to play a role in helping the Flames legends. They gave us good moments as a country and we need to appreciate them. We are contributing K3 million to FLA,” Kasito said. FLA trustee Kinnah Phiri expressed heartfelt gratitude to both companies, confirming that the combined K8 million donation would go directly toward the association’s medical scheme, as well as helping fund its Annual General Meeting scheduled for Saturday at the Bingu International Convention Centre. Despite the timely boost, Phiri was candid about the financial challenge still facing the association. “We really appreciate their contributions. The funds will go towards the intended purpose, the medical scheme and the Annual General Meeting. “We are now remaining with a deficit of K58 million. Our budget is at K250 million. We are confident that we will manage to raise it in the remaining days,” he said. With the AGM fast approaching, FLA now finds itself in a race against time to close the remaining funding gap, as organisers continue appealing for further corporate support to ensure the welfare of the nation’s football legends remains properly funded. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787666630297-450x600.jpg)K8million lifeline from generous corporate backers — as association scrambles to close K58million funding gap Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Flames Legends --- ### [Malawi's Muslims mark Prophet Muhammad's birth in style](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-muslims-mark-prophet-muhammads-birth-in-style/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Muslims across Malawi have joined believers around the world in commemorating the birth of Prophet Muhammad, with thousands taking part in the country’s annual Ziyara Parade amid scenes of prayer, reflection and celebration. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787665518257-600x400.jpg)Prayers, parades and charity: Malawi’s Muslims mark Prophet Muhammad’s birth in styleIn Blantyre, the main event is currently underway at Mpingwe Sports Club in Limbe, where the faithful have gathered for prayers, recitations and reflection on the life and teachings of the Prophet, marking one of the most significant dates on the Islamic calendar. The day’s festivities kicked off with a vibrant parade from Kanjedza Mosque through to the sports club, drawing large crowds of worshippers along the route. The commemoration falls on 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal, observed this year on 25 August, with similar celebrations taking place simultaneously in other parts of the country as Muslim communities nationwide mark the occasion together. Charity at the heart of celebrations Beyond prayer and procession, the annual Ziyara programme has placed a strong emphasis on charity, with organisers distributing assorted items to patients at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and Chiradzulu Hospital, among other institutions, bringing comfort to some of the region’s most vulnerable during the celebrations. Event coordinator Padela Rahil said the commemorations were designed with a clear purpose: to strengthen faith among believers, promote unity within the Muslim community, and encourage acts of charity toward those in need. The Ziyara Parade remains one of the standout events on Malawi’s religious calendar, drawing together Muslims from across the country each year in a shared celebration of faith, community and generosity. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, General, News, Religion, Religious News **Tags:** Muslims --- ### [Murder trial hears RBM employee died weeks before planned pension change](https://www.nyasatimes.com/murder-trial-hears-rbm-employee-died-weeks-before-planned-pension-change/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Chilling new evidence has emerged in the murder trial of a Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) employee, after a court heard that the victim had expressed intentions to change her pension beneficiary just weeks before her death — changes she never lived to make. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787688745004-450x600.jpg)Egnat Katengeza:RBM murder trial: Victim’s pension plan cut short weeks before her death, court told![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787688749499-1-600x598.jpg)Amos Katengeza:RBM murder trial hears of victim’s last-minute pension intentions before her deathPensions Administration Supervisor Yvone Jere told the High Court in Lilongwe today that Agnes Katengeza had indicated in September 2023 that she intended to amend the beneficiaries listed on her pension nomination form. But in a chilling twist, Jere revealed that Agnes died just three weeks later — before she could ever make those changes — leaving her nomination form unaltered, with Egnat Katengeza remaining the sole named beneficiary. Jere’s testimony formed part of a series of State witnesses presented in the ongoing murder trial involving Amos Katengeza and Egnat Katengeza, who both stand accused of causing the death of their relative. The court also heard testimony from a clinical officer regarding the post-mortem examination carried out on Agnes’ body, as well as evidence from witnesses representing Airtel, who presented telecommunications records relevant to the case. Presiding Judge Bruno Kalemba has since adjourned proceedings until Wednesday, when the State is expected to conclude the presentation of its remaining witnesses. The prosecution is being led by Director of Criminal Litigation in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Dzikondianthu Malunda, while the two accused are being represented separately by lawyers Kavu Kaphwiti Banda and Khumbo Soko. **Body found in car boot behind shopping mal**l Agnes, who worked at the RBM, was killed in September 2023, with her body later discovered stuffed in the boot of her own vehicle behind Gateway Mall in Lilongwe — a case that has continued to draw significant public attention as harrowing details of the investigation unfold in court. The revelation that Agnes had signalled her intention to change her pension beneficiary just weeks before her death is likely to add further weight to the prosecution’s case, as the trial continues to build a picture of the events surrounding her killing. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Homicide, murder --- ### [Minister Ben Phiri pushes councils to safeguard K17billion World Vision development legacy](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-ben-phiri-pushes-councils-to-safeguard-k17billion-world-vision-development-legacy/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Ministry of Local Government has confirmed it has set local councils a strict timeframe to develop maintenance policies, aimed at ensuring development projects across the country remain sustainable long after their completion. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787688997607-600x450.jpg)Ben Phiri demands maintenance plans as K17billion World Vision projects handed to communitiesMinister of Local Government Dr Ben Malunga Phiri revealed the deadline on Tuesday in Lilongwe, during a handover ceremony in which World Vision officially presented a series of development projects implemented in the Chigodi and Chilenje areas to local community members. Phiri urged World Vision to complete a full handover of the developments to communities through their respective councils, insisting the move would allow public funds to be properly allocated toward ongoing maintenance of the projects going forward. **MP pushes for constituency funds to support upkeep** Member of Parliament for the area, Pilirani Kaphagawani Buleya, used the occasion to appeal directly to the Ministry, calling for a portion of Constituency Development Funds to be set aside specifically to help maintain and further progress the projects once they pass into community hands. Meanwhile, World Vision Board Director Esther Chafumuka urged community members to make the most of the facilities handed over to them, stressing the importance of ensuring the projects remain sustainable long after the organisation concludes its work in the area. **K17 BILLION invested, over 22,000 households benefiting** According to figures released by World Vision, more than US$10 million — equivalent to roughly K17 billion — has been ploughed into development projects across Chigodi and Chilenje, benefiting over 22,000 households in what stands as one of the organisation’s most substantial community investment programmes in the region. With the handover now complete, attention turns to whether local councils and community structures can successfully take up the mantle of maintaining the infrastructure, ensuring the substantial investment continues delivering benefits for years to come rather than falling into disrepair once external support winds down. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Ben Phiri, World Vision --- ### [Former MEC boss and four officials arrested amid K9million school fees scandal](https://www.nyasatimes.com/former-mec-boss-and-four-officials-arrested-amid-k9million-school-fees-scandal/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi has been arrested by Fiscal Police in Lilongwe, in a dramatic escalation of a growing scandal over public money allegedly lavished on his children’s private school fees despite him having already walked out of the institution. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787658305639-600x328.jpg)“Abuse of resources”: Ex-electoral chief arrested as MEC accused of funding sons’ elite schooling post-resignationMpesi’s lawyer, Chrispine Ndalama, confirmed the arrest, revealing that his client was summoned to Fiscal Police offices in Area 6 alongside four other senior MEC officials, including the Commission’s Director of Human Resources. Ndalama said he received a call from Mpesi confirming the arrest, after which the group was informed they would be transferred to a police cell — though at the time of the call, it remained unclear exactly which station they were being taken to. MEC footed the bill for elite schooling — after Mpesi had already resigned The arrest comes amid mounting fury over revelations that MEC continued splashing out on Mpesi’s sons’ education at two of Malawi’s most prestigious schools, even as he was in the process of exiting the organisation entirely. Documents show MEC paid a staggering K6,454,500 in school fees to Kamuzu Academy for Daniel Mpesi on 16 July 2026, transferred through a National Bank account. On the very same day, the Commission paid a further K2.7 million to Mount Sinai school for Nathan Mpesi, this time via an Ecobank account — payments covering the upcoming school session starting next month. Crucially, the payments were made months after Mpesi had already tendered his resignation, in a letter dated 24 May 2026. A press statement issued by MEC Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja on 27 May 2026 confirmed Mpesi was serving a three-month notice period, with his final day at the Commission falling on 21 August 2026 — meaning the hefty school fee payments were processed while he was actively working out his notice, rather than while still fully employed in a manner that would ordinarily justify such benefits. “Abuse of resources” — governance experts demand refund The revelations have sparked outrage among governance watchdogs, who have branded the payments a clear abuse of public resources and are now demanding the funds be refunded to the Commission in full. MEC has so far declined to comment on the unfolding scandal, leaving unanswered questions over who authorised the payments, why they were approved for a departing official, and whether similar arrangements have been extended to other senior figures within the organisation. The arrest of Mpesi and his four colleagues marks a significant escalation in the affair, with Fiscal Police investigations now expected to determine whether the school fee payments amount to criminal misuse of public funds. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Malawi Electoral Commission --- ### [Silver Strikers Ladies make history with CAF semi-final berth](https://www.nyasatimes.com/silver-strikers-ladies-make-history-with-caf-semi-final-berth/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Silver Strikers Ladies produced a statement performance to book their place in the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier, brushing aside Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs 5-1 at Gaborone United Stadium in emphatic fashion. The Malawian debutants set the tone early and never let up, with Grace Kakangula breaking the deadlock inside two minutes to settle any early nerves and hand the Bankers the perfect start. Silver Strikers continued to dominate possession and territory throughout the first half, doubling their advantage right on the stroke of half-time when Carlo Mathyola struck in first-half stoppage time to send her side in 2-0 up at the break. The Bankers picked up exactly where they left off after the restart. Gladys Banda punished a defensive mix-up to make it 3-0 in the 50th minute, before Mathyola grabbed her second of the afternoon just five minutes later to further extend the lead. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260825-WA0016-600x556.jpg)Silver Strikers Ladies beat Nsingizini Hotspurs 5-1 to reach semi-finalsThe Silver Strikers forward wasn’t finished there, completing her hat-trick in the 63rd minute to put the tie beyond any doubt and spark wild celebrations among the travelling Malawian contingent — a standout individual display capping off a ruthless attacking performance. Nsingizini pulled a consolation goal back in the 74th minute, but it did little to dampen the mood as Silver Strikers cruised through the closing stages to seal a comprehensive 5-1 victory. The result sends Silver Strikers Ladies through to the semi-finals as Group B runners-up, setting up a mouth-watering clash with Zambia’s Zesco Ndola Girls, who topped Group A. The achievement marks a landmark moment for Malawian women’s football, with Silver Strikers becoming the first Malawian side ever to reach the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier in their debut campaign. They’ve also etched their names into the history books as the first Malawian team to win two matches in the competition after progressing through the group stage. Attention now turns to a blockbuster semi-final showdown against Zesco Ndola Girls, with a place in the final on the line — and for a Silver Strikers side already making history, there could be plenty more to come. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Silver Strikers Ladies, women football --- ### [Rapper S Khrizzy faces jail threat as lawyer brands attack song on Chawinga "detestful and unpalatable"](https://www.nyasatimes.com/rapper-s-khrizzy-faces-jail-threat-as-lawyer-brands-attack-song-on-chawinga-detestful-and-unpalatable/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A prominent Malawian criminal lawyer has issued an explosive call for young artist S Khrizzy to be arrested and prosecuted, after the rapper released a song reportedly containing vicious attacks and insults directed at football sensation Temwa Chawinga. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260825_172813_Google-600x399.jpg)Lawyer wants rapper S Khrizzy prosecuted over vile Chawinga songGift Katundu didn’t hold back in his condemnation of the track, branding its contents “detestful and unpalatable” — so much so that he admitted he couldn’t even bring himself to finish listening to it. “He deserves something more than ridicule” In a fiery social media post, Katundu insisted that a simple apology from the young artist would fall far short of what the situation demands, arguing instead that S Khrizzy’s conduct could potentially cross the line into criminal territory under Malawi’s cybercrime laws. Drawing a striking comparison, Katundu recalled a 2018 case in which a university student from Mzuzu was arrested and briefly jailed after producing a song that incited rape against women. While admitting he wasn’t certain how that earlier case was ultimately resolved, he argued the precedent raised serious questions over how authorities should now respond to the Chawinga controversy. “An apology from the young man for me is not enough,” Katundu declared bluntly, going even further by suggesting that, were it not for human rights protections, the young artist would arguably deserve physical punishment for his actions. **Cybercrime law could see S Khrizzy jailed for up to FIVE YEARS** Grounding his argument firmly in legislation, Katundu pointed specifically to sections 86 and 87 of Malawi’s Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act, provisions designed to tackle cyber harassment and offensive communication — offences that carry the possibility of imprisonment upon conviction. According to Katundu, a custodial sentence of up to five years could be on the table, depending on the specific circumstances and any mitigating factors considered by the courts. “**Not because Temwa is our top player” — lawyer insists principle applies to everyone** Crucially, Katundu was careful to stress that his call for prosecution wasn’t rooted in Chawinga’s celebrated status as one of Malawi’s finest footballing exports, insisting the same standard should apply regardless of who the victim might be. “I still feel that this boy deserves something more than a ridicule or admonition. Not because the victim is our top player, but in general,” he said, framing the controversy as a broader test of where Malawian society draws the line between artistic expression and criminal harassment. The intervention is likely to spark fierce debate over the boundaries of artistic freedom in Malawi’s rapidly digitising society, with Katundu’s argument effectively challenging the idea that creative expression should place potentially harassing or degrading content beyond the reach of the law. His call now puts significant pressure on law enforcement authorities to determine whether the controversial song meets the legal threshold required to trigger a formal criminal investigation — turning what began as a wave of social media outrage into a genuine test case for how Malawi’s justice system responds to offensive content in the digital age. For now, S Khrizzy remains the subject of mounting public criticism, with Katundu’s dramatic intervention threatening to escalate the row from online condemnation into a full-blown legal battle. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** S Khrizzy, Temwa Chawinga --- ### [Mutharika's stepson Tadikila taunts former DPP Kayuni over prolonged absence from Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharikas-stepson-tadikila-taunts-former-dpp-kayuni-over-prolonged-absence-from-malawi/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Peter Mutharika’s stepson, Tadikira Mafubza, has publicly urged former Director of Public Prosecutions Steve Kayuni to return to Malawi, in a pointed social media post that has drawn attention for its personal undertones. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/1120AD22-DCC0-4E05-9418-8499633E8FC2-600x400.jpeg)Tadikila: taunts KayuniKayuni served as the country’s chief public prosecutor during the administration of former president Lazarus Chakwera, overseeing several high-profile cases that became politically contentious, including proceedings involving Mafubza himself. Writing on social media, Mafubza addressed Kayuni directly: “Steven Kayuni eeeh eeeh basi *bwelani, zija anthu amalemba zija zinatha, tonse tinakhululuka ine,* Hon Chisale, Prophet Shepherd Bushiri *tonse tinakhululuka nanga mpaka* one year *muli muliyenda.*” The message, roughly translated, tells Kayuni to simply come home, questioning why he has remained abroad for what Mafubza suggests has been around a year since a new DPP took office. The post carries particular significance given the history between the two men. As DPP, Kayuni was associated with the prosecution of a murder case involving Mafubza, one of the most closely watched criminal proceedings in the country in recent years. Mafubza was ultimately acquitted. His remarks also referenced Norman Chisale, a former presidential aide who was the subject of State proceedings during Kayuni’s tenure, including asset-preservation action, and in relation to whom Kayuni himself gave evidence as a witness. Chisale has since been appointed Deputy Minister of Homeland Security (Operations) in the Mutharika administration. Mafubza further invoked Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, whose extradition case from South Africa was also handled during Kayuni’s time as DPP. Bushiri has previously been critical of Kayuni and indicated he was considering legal action against the former prosecutor. Mafubza’s use of the phrase “tonse tinakhululuka” — meaning “we have all forgiven” — links himself, Chisale and Bushiri together, suggesting that all three consider the legal battles of that period to be behind them. The post comes against a changed political backdrop. Kayuni served as DPP under the previous MCP administration, while Mutharika returned to the presidency following the 2025 election. Chisale, once a subject of State prosecutions, now serves within the current government. It remains unclear whether Kayuni intends to respond to the post. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Steve Kayuni, Tadikila Mafubza, Tadikira Mafubza --- ### ["Completely fabricated!" Atupele Muluzi explodes over claims he bribed ESCOM guards](https://www.nyasatimes.com/completely-fabricated-atupele-muluzi-explodes-over-claims-he-bribed-escom-guards/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former Energy Minister Atupele Muluzi has launched a furious counterattack after being accused of promising former ESCOM security guards K1 million each in exchange for withdrawing a court case, branding the allegations “completely false, fabricated and without any factual basis.” ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260708_233957_YouTube-600x419.jpg)Muluzi made clear he had no intention of backing down in the face of what he called falsehoods, vowing to continue pushing back against allegations he considers misleading.Muluzi hit back after a media outlet published a story linking him to the alleged arrangement involving former ESCOM security guards during his time as Minister of Energy, issuing a strongly worded rebuttal categorically denying any wrongdoing. “At no time did I promise former ESCOM security guards MK1 million each, nor did I instruct anyone to withdraw a court case on the basis of such a promise,” he insisted. “How can such serious allegations be presented as fact?” The former minister went further, claiming he had no knowledge whatsoever of the alleged arrangement and questioning how such damaging allegations could be reported as established fact without any supporting evidence being produced. Muluzi said he categorically rejected any attempt to link him to conduct he insisted “simply did not happen,” while acknowledging that political criticism forms a legitimate part of democratic debate — but drawing a sharp line between fair scrutiny and what he characterised as deliberate fabrication. “Publish your evidence” — Muluzi throws down the gauntlet In a direct challenge to the publication behind the story, Muluzi demanded it put up or shut up. “If ‘Situation Malawi’ has evidence to support these allegations, I invite them to publish it,” he said, insisting that if no such evidence exists, the outlet should retract the story entirely and issue a formal apology for what he branded a fabricated account. “Facts matter. Truth matters. Accountability matters” Defiant and unrepentant, Muluzi made clear he had no intention of backing down in the face of what he called falsehoods, vowing to continue pushing back against allegations he considers misleading. “Facts matter. Truth matters. Accountability matters,” he declared, closing his rebuttal with a pointed reminder that he expects the same standards of accuracy and accountability to be applied to those making the claims against him. The row is likely to intensify scrutiny of the original allegations, with attention now turning to whether the publication will respond to Muluzi’s direct challenge to substantiate its reporting — or retract the story as he has demanded. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Atupele Muluzi, Escom --- ### [Malawi environmental groups call for greater climate financing to protect vulnerable communities](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-environmental-groups-call-for-greater-climate-financing-to-protect-vulnerable-communities/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Environmental sector stakeholders in Malawi have called on authorities and development partners to increase efforts to mobilise climate financing and sustainability programmes aimed at strengthening communities’ resilience to climate change. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260825-WA0013-600x450.jpg)Tadala Chumachiyenda NCA-DCA Malawi Coordinator for Fighting Inequality ProjectSpeaking at a workshop on climate justice organised by the NCA-DCA Malawi Joint Country Programme, Alfred Kambwiri of the Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy said implementation partners working on environmental sustainability should prioritise empowering vulnerable communities to participate in climate resilience efforts. He said communities should not only benefit from climate interventions, but should also be equipped with the knowledge, resources and capacity to develop and implement their own solutions. NCA-DCA Malawi’s Tadala Chumachiyenda said climate financing was particularly significant for countries such as Malawi that remain highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, adding that the success of many interventions depended on adequate and accessible funding. She said raising public awareness was essential to ensuring communities understood how climate finance was generated, allocated and used, as well as their role in holding institutions accountable. Tarcizio Kalaundi of Trocaire Malawi said the country had made some progress in unlocking climate financing and strengthening accountability mechanisms, but said more cooperation with international partners was needed to ensure funding reached communities equitably. The workshop brought together representatives from the Department of Environmental Affairs, faith communities, the private sector and the media to discuss shared priorities around climate preparedness and justice. Participants called for greater transparency, accountability and community participation in the management of climate resources, saying these measures were necessary to ensure climate financing delivered meaningful benefits to those most affected by climate change in Malawi. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260825-WA0014-600x450.jpg)Stakeholders attending the meeting in Lilongwe on Tuesday Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, General, News **Tags:** climate change, Environment --- ### [Mining minister urges Malawi media to look beyond controversy in sector coverage](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mining-minister-urges-malawi-media-to-look-beyond-controversy-in-sector-coverage/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Minister of Mining Thoko Tembo has called on journalists to play a more balanced role in reporting on Malawi’s mining sector, describing the media as a crucial tool for disseminating accurate information to the public. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260825-WA0006-1-600x473.jpg)Tembo calls for balanced media reporting on mining sectorTembo made the remarks in Salima during a Media Engagement on Mining and Mineral related matters, urging reporters to ground their coverage in facts, credible sources and a proper understanding of the issues at hand. “In this respect mining stories should not only focus on controversies. There are also opportunities that deserve attention,” he said. The minister said journalists should also highlight positive developments within the sector, including job creation, the growth of local businesses linked to mining, skills development, mineral value addition, investment opportunities, technological innovation, and the participation of young people and women in mining. Tembo added that the media had an important role to play in promoting responsible mining practices, particularly by educating communities and miners on environmental protection, occupational safety and health, responsible use of mining technologies, and compliance with existing laws. Speaking at the same event, Mining and Mineral Regulatory Authority (MMRA) Acting Director General Lloyd Muhara echoed the call for accurate, balanced and factual reporting on mineral-related issues. “The media needs to be equipped with necessary skills for effective reporting,” he said. Muhara noted that the mining sector remains highly technical and complex, with issues around licensing, operations, environmental protection, processing, exports and taxation often prone to misunderstanding without proper context. “We need the media that can help the public understand issues of mining and mineral related issues,” he said. Mining currently contributes around one percent to Malawi’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), though industry experts have projected the sector could grow by as much as 10 percent over the next five years. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260825-WA0009-600x450.jpg)Reporters on training: Malawi mining sector needs better-informed media coverage, officials say Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, News **Tags:** media, mining, Thoko Tembo --- ### [Chithyola K29bn abuse-of-office case referred to Malawi's High Court](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chithyola-k29bn-abuse-of-office-case-referred-to-malawis-high-court/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s former Finance Minister, Simplex Chithyola Banda, is facing intensified legal jeopardy after his abuse-of-office case was dramatically referred to the High Court, marking a significant escalation in a scandal that could see decisions made during his tenure at the top of government’s finances placed under the microscope. The transfer followed an application by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), represented by acting Director General Gabriel Chembezi, before Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda, who has been overseeing the case. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1784725693048-1-600x329.jpg)Chithyola to report to anti-corruption bureau as case transferred to High CourtChembezi confirmed to the court that Chithyola will report to the ACB on 30 August — a position that was formally accepted by the former minister’s lawyer, George Kadzipatike. K29 BILLION in alleged misused funds at the heart of the case At the centre of the scandal is an eye-watering allegation that Chithyola, during his time as Minister of Finance, authorised expenditure exceeding K29 billion — funds prosecutors allege were subsequently misused. The move to transfer the case to the High Court represents a major turning point in proceedings involving one of Malawi’s most high-profile former Cabinet ministers, and signals that authorities are treating the matter with the seriousness its scale demands. Spotlight falls on decisions behind the billions The case now places intense scrutiny on the precise decisions that allegedly led to the release and use of the colossal sum, with investigators and prosecutors working to establish whether Chithyola overstepped his lawful authority or breached procedures governing the handling of public finances. The development has also reignited pointed questions over how such a vast sum of public money came to be authorised in the first place, who ultimately benefited from the expenditure, and whether the safeguards meant to protect public funds were properly followed at every stage. As is standard, Chithyola remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until a court determines otherwise — though the transfer to the High Court signals the case is now entering a far more serious and consequential phase. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Chithyola Banda --- ### ["Heads must roll!" Advocacy group NAP demands sacking of NOCMA officials over K700million cash disaster](https://www.nyasatimes.com/heads-must-roll-advocacy-group-nap-demands-sacking-of-nocma-officials-over-k700million-cash-disaster/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The National Advocacy Platform (NAP) has launched a blistering attack on Malawi’s state-owned fuel company, demanding the immediate sacking of senior officials linked to a catastrophic K700 million payment blunder that has left the organisation’s financial controls in tatters. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Kondowe-2-600x329.jpg)Kondowe- public institutions cannot simply hide behind the word “scam” whenever internal controls collapse and allow public money to vanish.The controversial payment was made by the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) after the company received communication purporting to change a supplier’s banking details — a red flag that NAP insists should never have slipped through the net. In a scathing statement, NAP made clear it refuses to treat the incident as a mere administrative slip-up, arguing instead that the payment exposes gaping holes in financial oversight, due diligence and institutional accountability at the top of the state fuel giant. “Personally accountable” — NAP demands dismissals NAP chairperson Benedicto Kondowe and national coordinator Baxton Nkhoma didn’t mince their words, demanding the immediate dismissal of every official responsible for the fiasco. The pair insisted that those entrusted with safeguarding taxpayers’ money must face personal consequences when failures of this magnitude occur on their watch. Going further still, NAP called for the wholesale dissolution of the entire NOCMA board, alongside a full forensic investigation into how the transaction was ever allowed to proceed — and demanded the immediate recovery of the missing K700 million. How did it happen? NAP demands answers The advocacy body pressed hard on the central, unanswered question gripping the nation: how a payment of such staggering magnitude could reportedly be processed off the back of a mere change in a supplier’s banking details, seemingly without any meaningful verification taking place. NAP is now demanding that authorities determine conclusively whether the catastrophic loss stemmed from sheer negligence, reckless decision-making, deliberate wrongdoing, or — more troublingly — possible collusion from within NOCMA itself. “Can’t hide behind the word scam” — NAP issues stark warning In a pointed rebuke to the fuel company, NAP warned that public institutions cannot simply hide behind the word “scam” whenever internal controls collapse and allow public money to vanish. The organisation was unequivocal in its closing demand: accountability cannot begin and end with recovering the lost funds. Heads, NAP insists, must roll — with those whose actions or failures enabled the disastrous transaction facing the sack, not simply a slap on the wrist. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** National Advocacy Platform, Nocma --- ### [Minister sounds alarm on Malawi's GBV crisis: 24,467 cases in a single year](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-sounds-alarm-on-malawis-gbv-crisis-24467-cases-in-a-single-year/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) is being crippled not by a lack of laws, but by weak enforcement, poor access to services and glaring accountability gaps, government has admitted, as shocking new figures reveal the true scale of the crisis gripping the nation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260824-WA0004-512x600.jpg)Navicha: laws and policies risked becoming meaningless if survivors continued to fall through the cracks.Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Navicha, delivered the stark assessment while opening the 2026 Malawi GBV Learning, Innovation and Action Symposium in Lilongwe on Monday, telling stakeholders that while Malawi had built an impressive legal and policy framework to tackle GBV, the country was now failing at the crucial stage of putting it into practice. “The challenge before us is no longer primarily about the absence of laws and policies. It is about implementation, reach, quality, and accountability,” Navicha told the gathering, warning that laws and policies risked becoming meaningless if survivors continued to fall through the cracks. **24,467 cases in a single year** The symposium heard damning statistics laying bare the scale of the crisis, with 24,467 GBV cases reported across Malawi in 2025 alone — more than 22,000 of which involved women, underscoring the devastating and disproportionate toll violence continues to take on Malawian women and girls. But according to Malawi Irish Consortium on GBV Country Director Susie Kylie, those figures may only be scratching the surface. Kylie issued a stark warning that the true scale of the problem is likely to be significantly higher, with countless survivors choosing not to come forward at all. Campaigners say low reporting rates remain one of the single biggest obstacles in the fight against GBV, with survivors frequently held back by fear of retaliation, deep-rooted stigma, limited access to support services, and a lack of confidence that authorities will actually act on their reports. Navicha used her address to urge stakeholders to move decisively beyond paperwork and policy documents, insisting that laws must translate into real, tangible support for survivors and stronger, more effective protection for communities across the country. The symposium’s findings paint a troubling picture of a country that has done much of the legislative groundwork needed to combat GBV — yet continues to struggle to turn that framework into meaningful protection for the thousands of women and girls affected each year, with campaigners now demanding urgent action to close the gap between policy and practice. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** gender-based-violence, Mary Navicha --- ### [Bullet through the skull: Chilling pathologist testimony reveals how Dr Bobe was executed](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bullet-through-the-skull-chilling-pathologist-testimony-reveals-how-dr-bobe-was-executed/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Harrowing forensic evidence was heard at the High Court in Blantyre today, as the murder trial of seven people accused of killing Dr Victoria Bobe took a dramatic turn with detailed medical testimony describing the exact nature of the fatal shooting. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787658326896-600x338.jpg)Suspect qt court:Chilling gunshot wound testimony rocks murder trial as pathologist reveals how bullet passed through victim’s skull and struck ceilingPathologist Dr Steve Kamiza told the court that Bobe was killed by a close-range gunshot wound to the head, revealing the horrifying trajectory of the bullet — entering from the back of her skull, passing directly through, striking the ceiling, before ultimately falling onto the bed. Kamiza confirmed the injuries were severe and were the direct cause of her death. Firearms expert confirms semi-automatic weapon used at close range Kamiza’s harrowing testimony was followed by evidence from the eighth State witness, Superintendent Lawrence Gondwe, a firearms specialist from Lilongwe Police Headquarters, who told the court that physical evidence recovered from the crime scene was consistent with a semi-automatic firearm having been discharged at close range. Gondwe confirmed that a bullet had been recovered from the scene, while gunpowder residue was discovered both on the door and directly on the victim’s head and neck — further corroborating the account of a close-range shooting. Security guard “supplied information” to attackers, court told In a significant development, the ninth witness, Assistant Superintendent John Julius Makolija of Limbe Police Station, told the court that investigations had uncovered evidence implicating Bobe’s own security guard, Peter Mphepo, in the deadly attack — alleging he had supplied significant information to the accused that ultimately facilitated the assault. Justice Ruth Chinangwa adjourned proceedings until this afternoon, when the State, represented by lawyers from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, is expected to call a further witness to continue building its case. The seven accused are facing charges of murder, robbery and burglary in connection with the killing of Dr Bobe, who was fatally shot at her home in Chigumula, Blantyre, on 17 November 2025 — a case that has gripped the nation and continues to unfold with increasingly graphic detail as the trial progresses. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Bobe, murder --- ### [Evalista Chisale named deputy inspector general of Malawi police](https://www.nyasatimes.com/235528-2/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The wife of President Peter Mutharika’s personal bodyguard and deputy minister has been elevated to one of the most senior positions in Malawi’s police force, despite currently facing a case to answer over the death of a man who was electrocuted while in police custody. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-7604-e1588156230131.jpg)Evalister Chisale: police second in commandThe Malawi Police Service Commission has confirmed the appointment of Commissioner Evalista Mvula Chisale as Deputy Inspector General of Police responsible for Administration, with immediate effect — a promotion that has reignited controversy surrounding her family’s grip on the upper echelons of Malawi’s security apparatus. National Deputy Police spokesperson Alfred Chimthere confirmed the Commission met yesterday in Blantyre, where Chisale’s appointment was rubber-stamped. Dr Noel Kayira was simultaneously appointed Deputy Inspector General responsible for Operations, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Stain Chaima. A family with its fingers in every pie Evalista Chisale is married to Norman Chisale, the Deputy Minister of Homeland Security, MP for Ntcheu Central — and, remarkably, personal bodyguard to President Peter Mutharika himself. Norman Chisale’s extraordinary combination of roles has already triggered fierce public debate, with critics questioning how a sitting MP can simultaneously carry out active presidential security duties. Now, his wife’s promotion to one of the country’s top policing jobs is set to pour further fuel on the fire. **Murder case looms large over promotion** The appointment comes despite Chisale being one of ten police officers found by the High Court to have a case to answer over the 2019 death of Buleya Lule, a suspect in the abduction of a 14-year-old boy living with albinism, who died in police custody after being electrocuted. High Court Judge Chifundo Kachale ruled that Chisale and nine fellow officers must answer for their actions, following a damning report from the Malawi Human Rights Commission, which had previously named her among those suspected of involvement in the circumstances surrounding Lule’s death. She was arrested in July 2020 alongside eleven other officers in connection with the case. Rapid rise through the ranks Chisale’s latest promotion follows a rapid ascent through police leadership. She was among eight officers elevated to the rank of Commissioner on 31 January 2026 — a round of promotions that itself became mired in controversy, coming amid a bitter legal dispute after four embattled commissioners secured an injunction against their redeployment. Their official vehicles were subsequently stripped and handed to the newly promoted officers, Chisale among them. **New operations chief with sharply contrasting reputation** In stark contrast, her new counterpart Dr Noel Kayira arrives with a reputation for integrity that has drawn widespread praise. A lawyer with a PhD from the University of Malawi, Kayira previously served as South East Police Region Commissioner and has been described by colleagues as one of the most principled and professional senior officers in the country’s law enforcement ranks. He recently spearheaded a high-profile security crackdown in Blantyre following a viral video showing street children harassing members of the public. The stark contrast between the two appointments — one dogged by an unresolved murder case, the other built on a reputation for professionalism — is likely to intensify scrutiny of the Chisale family’s influence within Malawi’s security establishment, at a time when questions over accountability within the police service remain firmly in the public spotlight. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Evalister Chisale, Malawi Police, Noel Kayira --- ### [Why Live Roulette is pulling ahead of Slots on player retention in 2026](https://www.nyasatimes.com/why-live-roulette-is-pulling-ahead-of-slots-on-player-retention-in-2026/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260825_124811_Gallery-600x318.jpg)Game show formats have moved from a small niche to a significant share of live casino traffic in just a few years. It marks one of the sharpest changes in how online casino operators build out their live floors, and Roulette sits at the centre of it. Much of the growth is concentrated in [live Roulette, where operators like Premier Bet](https://www.premierbet.com/mw/live-casino/category/top-live-games) have layered in multiplier rounds, extra camera angles and dedicated hosts on top of a format that used to run on a fixed set of tables. **Studio spending is following the format** Leading suppliers have been adding new live dealer tables at a steady pace, with new production facilities opening specifically to support demand for Live Roulette. Between them, major suppliers now run a large and growing number of live tables and game show setups worldwide, as operators compete on table variety rather than just table count. Multiplier Roulette formats, among the earliest of their kind on the market, remain some of the most widely copied, with several suppliers now running their own version of the same randomly assigned multiplier mechanic. **Session length is the metric behind the shift** The shift shows up most clearly in how long players stay at a table. Session length and return play have become two of the main measures operators track when deciding which live formats to expand. Traditional Roulette, European Roulette and the newer multiplier variants all draw longer sessions than a comparable random number generator (RNG) table, which is part of why studio spending has moved so heavily toward [Roulette formats](https://roulette.academy/history/) rather than being spread evenly across Blackjack, Baccarat and Poker. A single Roulette table can also carry more players at once than a Blackjack or Baccarat table, which gives operators a more efficient use of studio space when demand for a specific format rises. **What a live table actually runs** Production is doing a lot of the work. A Live Roulette table now typically runs several camera angles at once, a dedicated host and a chat feature that operates as a regulated product element rather than a social add-on. Multiplier variants, sometimes marketed under names like Lightning or XXXtreme, apply a randomly assigned multiplier to certain numbers each round, changing the payout on that round without changing the underlying 35 to 1 odds of a straight-up bet on a single number in European Roulette. **Mobile access is widening who can reach it** Africa’s online betting and gaming market is forecast to grow from $12.7b in 2026 to $19.4b by 2030, a rise driven largely by smartphone and internet access rather than new markets appearing from nowhere. That growth curve matters for live formats specifically, since a Live Roulette table depends on a stable video stream in a way a static slot game does not, and rising mobile data access is what makes that possible in markets that were previously limited to lower bandwidth formats. **The odds stay the same** None of this changes the underlying mechanics of the game. Roulette remains determined by chance, and the multiplier layer sits on top of the same odds a player would find at any Roulette table, live or otherwise. What has changed is the production around it, the number of formats on offer, and how much of the industry’s studio investment now points at Roulette specifically rather than the wider table games category. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, General **Tags:** Casino --- ### ['Ball thicker than blood': Mpinganjira father and son go head-to-head for K40million Airtel Top 8 crown](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ball-thicker-than-blood-mpinganjira-father-and-son-go-head-to-head-for-k40million-airtel-top-8-crown/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** It is being billed as one of the most extraordinary sporting showdowns in Malawian history — a father and son going head-to-head, not on the pitch, but in the boardroom of football sponsorship, as their two clubs collide for silverware and serious bragging rights. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260825-WA0002-414x600.jpg)“The pressure is on Wanderers, not us”: William Mpinganjira’s cheeky dig at father Thom ahead of Airtel Top 8 finalBusiness mogul Thom Mpinganjira’s Mighty Wanderers will lock horns with Ekhaya FC — bankrolled entirely by his own son, William — in a blockbuster final for the coveted “Zamadolo” Airtel Top 8 trophy at Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe this Sunday, with a staggering K40 million prize pot and family bragging rights both up for grabs. And while both Mpinganjiras insist football itself will be the real winner come full-time, there’s no mistaking the cheeky confidence — and mild disrespect — from the younger Mpinganjira, who isn’t holding back when it comes to predicting the outcome. **“The pressure is on Wanderers, not us” — William fires opening shot** Speaking in an interview, William didn’t shy away from backing his own side over his father’s storied club. “It is certainly a unique and exciting story for Malawi football, and I understand why the fans and the media are interested in it,” he said. “But beyond the father-and-son angle, I think the bigger story is the shared passion for football and the investment being made into the game.” He wasn’t finished there, either, delivering a bold prediction that will no doubt raise eyebrows at the Mpinganjira dinner table. “I believe Ekhaya will win the game. The pressure is on Mighty Wanderers, not Ekhaya FC,” William declared. **Proud dad Thom refuses to bite back** Rather than clap back at his son’s confident jibe, Mpinganjira Senior took the high road, choosing instead to heap praise on William’s remarkable achievement in building Ekhaya from scratch. “It is unique and unprecedented in the history of Malawi football, and I understand why people are calling it the ‘Mpinganjira Derby’,” Thom said. “I must say here that I was surprised when William took the decision to take his team to the Super League and even more surprised that Ekhaya has survived to the extent of qualifying for Airtel Top 8.” He went further still, revealing genuine pride in his son’s personal financial commitment to the club. “Surprised because he is sponsoring Ekhaya from his own pocket. I am very proud of him and his achievements thus far and the role my son is playing in supporting football development through Ekhaya FC and the growth of the game in Malawi.” **“Toughest game of the season” — Thom braces for Ekhaya threat** Despite his composure, the veteran football sponsor didn’t underestimate the challenge posed by his son’s youthful side, warning that Sunday’s clash could prove Wanderers’ sternest test all season. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260825-WA0003-440x600.jpg)“The pressure is on Wanderers, not us”: William Mpinganjira’s cheeky dig at father Thom ahead of Airtel Top 8 final“When Mighty Wanderers FC and Ekhaya FC meet, the game of football will be the biggest winner. It will be a tough game, perhaps the toughest game this season for Wanderers, because Ekhaya is a team of young boys full of energy — they never tire easily,” he said. Thom even predicted an upset could be on the cards, acknowledging the sheer scale of what victory would mean for the fledgling club. “A win against Wanderers will be Ekhaya’s biggest pay day, so I do not see them missing the opportunity to stage the biggest upset. “I hope it will be a great advert for Malawian football, that may encourage others to join football sponsorship. At the end of the day, the biggest winner will be football and the fans,” said a calm and collected Mpinganjira Senior. **William: “We are still building, but with ambition”** For his part, William was quick to strike a more diplomatic tone when reflecting on the bigger picture, insisting his primary goal remains the growth of football in Malawi rather than simply beating his father. “Whatever happens, I believe Malawi football is the real winner because this kind of commitment creates opportunities for players, strengthens the local game and helps expose more talent,” he said. “We respect Mighty Wanderers, Bullets and Silver Strikers and all the established clubs, and for Ekhaya FC, this is part of our journey of growth. We are still building, but we are building with ambition.” With father and son now set to go head-to-head for silverware, sporting history, and family pride, all signs point to fireworks at Bingu Stadium this Sunday — *Zamadolo* indeed. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Airtel Top 8, Ekhaya FC, Mighty Wanderers, Thom Mpingangira, William Mpinganjira --- ### [Commentator smells inside job in NOCMA's K700m fraud scandal](https://www.nyasatimes.com/commentator-smells-inside-job-in-nocmas-k700m-fraud-scandal/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s National Oil Company (NOCMA) is facing a wave of public fury and pointed questions after confirming it was duped out of a staggering $403,605 — roughly K700 million — in a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme, with social commentator Onjezani Kenani suggesting the scandal reeks of inside involvement. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787647099630-600x532.jpg)NOCMA boss admits security loopholes as $403,605 vanishes in elaborate email hacking scamThe state fuel importer confirmed in a statement that fraudsters had intercepted email communications from Mozhandling Limited, a Mozambican firm contracted to handle fuel shipments through the Port of Nacala, before submitting forged banking details claiming the company had opened a new account with Bank of America. Believing the communication to be genuine, **NOCMA instructed the National Bank of Malawi** on 29 April 2026 to wire the full amount to the bogus account — a decision that would only unravel two weeks later, when the real Mozhandling representative contacted NOCMA demanding the outstanding payment, triggering an immediate police report. “**This story does not make sense” — commentator smells a rat** But NOCMA’s account of events has failed to convince everyone. Taking to social media in a scathing post, Kenani branded the explanation inadequate, insisting the case pointed toward possible internal collusion at the state-owned company. “This story at NOCMA does not make sense. There must have been collusion within. There are thieves within,” Kenani an auditor by profesdion wrote bluntly, questioning how such a substantial sum could vanish without individuals inside the organisation being involved in facilitating or authorising the transaction. Kenani’s scepticism follows NOCMA’s own confirmation that it is now cooperating with both the Malawi Police Service and Bank of America to trace the diverted funds, with the disputed payment linked to the period following the Government’s controversial switch from the Open Tender System to Government-to-Government fuel procurement. **Security loopholes exposed by rushed policy shift** According to NOCMA, Mozhandling had been engaged to provide shipping and clearing services under the new G2G arrangement, with an outstanding balance of $403,605 still owed following an initial payment — the exact sum fraudsters would later exploit after intercepting correspondence from an individual identified as Patricia Maria, a genuine Mozhandling employee who had been following up on the payment. In a startling admission, NOCMA management conceded that the entire scandal stemmed from control loopholes created when government rushed through the G2G procurement model without first establishing full operational and cybersecurity safeguards — a damning revelation likely to fuel further criticism of how the policy shift was implemented. **Calls grow for independent, thorough investigation** Kenani was unequivocal in demanding accountability, warning that the investigation must be robust enough to determine whether anyone inside NOCMA played a role in the fraud. “Let’s hope the investigation will be thorough, and that those investigating are not part of the thieving. Because, in this country, one can never really be sure,” he said pointedly. NOCMA has not accused any specific employee of theft or collusion, and investigators are yet to establish whether the fraud was purely external or involved insider knowledge. The company says it has since reverted to the Open Tender System and is now conducting a full audit of its payment verification controls while working alongside law enforcement. The scandal has nevertheless reignited concerns over the safeguards protecting Malawi’s state institutions from both cybercrime and internal corruption, with critics questioning how a payment exceeding $400,000 could slip through the net — and whether the systems meant to prevent exactly this kind of fraud were ever properly in place. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** National Bank of Malawi, Nocma --- ### [HRCC accuses Lilongwe City Council of abusing forfeiture powers to confiscate vendors' goods](https://www.nyasatimes.com/hrcc-accuses-lilongwe-city-council-of-abusing-forfeiture-powers-to-confiscate-vendors-goods/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has launched a hard-hitting national campaign demanding a comprehensive overhaul of Malawi’s asset recovery and forfeiture laws, warning that current powers are being wielded unfairly — and, in one striking case, abused entirely. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787377931361-600x349.jpg)HRCC demands overhaul of asset seizure laws amid fears of ‘selective justice’ in Malawi’s corruption crackdownThe campaign, titled “Fair Forfeiture, Equal Justice,” is pushing for a system capable of effectively clawing back illicit wealth while remaining transparent, proportionate, constitutionally sound and applied consistently across the board. HRCC Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba was quick to stress that the Committee is not opposed to asset forfeiture itself, and fully backs efforts to recover property acquired through crime. His concern, he explained, lies squarely in how that power is exercised — insisting it must operate strictly within the law, under proper judicial oversight, with due process and equal treatment for all. “The guiding principle of the campaign is simple: recover stolen wealth, protect lawful property, and uphold equal justice,” Mkwezalamba said. The campaign zeroes in specifically on the Financial Crimes Act of 2017, and in particular its Part VI provisions covering preservation orders, seizure, civil forfeiture, appeals and asset disposal. While Mkwezalamba acknowledged these powers remain essential weapons in the fight against corruption and financial crime, he argued forcefully that strong enforcement must be matched by equally strong safeguards. Fellow HRCC member Fryson Chodzi went further, flagging a litany of concerns including the selective application of forfeiture laws, prolonged and indefinite restraint of property, weak protections for innocent owners and third parties caught up in seizures, difficulty accessing legal remedies, and a troubling lack of transparency over how forfeited assets are ultimately managed and disposed of. Chodzi called for urgent review across several key areas — from the length of preservation orders and safeguards within the civil forfeiture process, to the quality of notice given to affected individuals and the overall effectiveness of appeal mechanisms. In a pointed illustration of exactly the kind of overreach the campaign is targeting, HRCC singled out Lilongwe City Council, accusing it of abusing forfeiture-related powers by confiscating goods from vendors with what the Committee described as a total absence of transparency — a case cited as clear evidence of why urgent legal reform is needed. Chodzi said Malawi urgently needs to harmonise forfeiture provisions scattered across different pieces of legislation, proposing a single, consolidated National Asset Recovery and Forfeiture Act to close existing gaps and inconsistencies. As part of its reform package, HRCC is also pushing for the creation of a National Forfeited Assets Register — a public database designed to account transparently for all assets preserved, forfeited, disposed of, and any proceeds subsequently realised. HRCC was careful to stress that it is not calling for asset recovery efforts to stop. Instead, its message to Government was clear: make forfeiture stronger by making it fairer. To Parliament, the Committee called for tighter scrutiny and stronger oversight of recovered assets. To the Judiciary, it demanded equal application of the law and greater transparency in decision-making. And to agencies such as the Anti-Corruption Bureau and Financial Intelligence Authority, HRCC expressed full support for their work — while urging continued respect for constitutional rights throughout the process. Summing up its position, HRCC insisted Malawi needs both effectiveness and fairness in equal measure. A system that recovers assets but is seen as selective, the Committee warned, risks losing public legitimacy altogether — while a system that protects rights but fails to recover stolen wealth is equally unfit for purpose. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** HRCC --- ### [Career diplomat Khanyizira takes over Israel posting from Bisnowaty as Mutharika presses ahead with diplomatic reshuffle](https://www.nyasatimes.com/career-diplomat-khanyizira-takes-over-israel-posting-from-bisnowaty-as-mutharika-presses-ahead-with-diplomatic-reshuffle/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has appointed career diplomat Bertrand Khanyizira as Chargé d’Affaires at Malawi’s mission in Israel, taking over from David Bisnowaty, whose tenure in the role has now come to an end. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787647452166.jpg)Mutharika has appointed career diplomat Bertrand KhanyiziraKhanyizira, who previously served as Head of Chancery at the same mission, brings with him nearly two decades of diplomatic experience, having held postings in China, Belgium and France. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in facilitating investment opportunities for Malawi — expertise officials believe will prove invaluable in strengthening economic ties with Israel. The appointment comes amid growing public pressure for greater representation of Malawian nationals in senior roles across the country’s foreign missions. Officials say Khanyizira’s appointment is designed not only to improve consular services for Malawians living in Israel, but also to deepen bilateral cooperation between the two nations going forward. The move forms part of a broader reshuffle within Malawi’s diplomatic corps, following the administration’s decision to recall a number of foreign-based personnel and prioritise career diplomats with proven track records in trade and investment facilitation for key overseas postings. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-3121.jpg)Bisnowaty: Replaced Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** David Bisnowaty, Diplomats, Israel --- ### [Malawi govt orders stranded diplomats home now — as recalled envoys accused of dragging their feet in foreign postings](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-govt-orders-stranded-diplomats-home-now-as-recalled-envoys-accused-of-dragging-their-feet-in-foreign-postings/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s government has issued a blunt ultimatum to recalled diplomatic staff still lingering abroad, warning that anyone refusing to return home immediately now risks arrest by their host countries, as their continued stay is officially illegal. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1785933801499-600x400.jpg)Namalomba: Recalled diplomats should return homeMinister of Information Shadric Namalomba delivered the stern warning after reports emerged that a number of diplomats had failed to return home despite being given every logistical support needed to do so. “While the majority has already complied, the remaining few have been formally reminded of their obligation. Anyone who chooses not to comply risks arrest by the host countries, as their continued stay is now illegal,” Namalomba said. The recall dates back to December last year, when the new administration ordered officials across the country’s diplomatic missions to wind up their postings and return home. Most diplomats were given a three-month window to prepare for their departure, with government footing the bill for air tickets, luggage shipping and up to seven days of hotel accommodation upon arrival. Despite the generous support package, reports suggest some diplomats have resorted to delaying tactics, reportedly stalling their return while awaiting the arrival of their replacements — a situation Namalomba confirmed remains ongoing in certain missions. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Diplomats, Shadreck Namalomba --- ### [Scorchers stars rewarded! MSACCO hands over K1million cash prizes to Asimenye and Sabina](https://www.nyasatimes.com/scorchers-stars-rewarded-msacco-hands-over-k1million-cash-prizes-to-asimenye-and-sabina/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Two of Malawi’s history-making Scorchers have been handed a generous cash reward after their heroics helped fire the nation to a historic first-ever qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with financial services provider Msilikali SACCO (MSACCO) stepping up to celebrate its own in style. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787646358378-600x600.jpg)Heroine honour from Msasco as Asimenye gets the dummy chequeMSACCO presented tokens of appreciation worth K1,000,000 each to members Asimenye Simwaka and Sabina Thom, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Scorchers’ remarkable run at the 2026 WAFCON — a tournament that ended with Malawi securing a spot on football’s biggest stage for the very first time. The handover ceremony was presided over by MSACCO Board Chairperson, Lt Col Andrew Kamponda, who paid tribute to the pair for carrying the national flag with distinction throughout the campaign. Addressing the gathering, Kamponda stressed that while Simwaka and Thom had made the entire nation proud on the pitch, their achievements carried special significance for the wider MSACCO family, who watched on as two of their own helped make history for Malawian football. Simwaka collected the dummy cheque in person, also accepting the award on behalf of teammate Thom, who was unable to attend the ceremony. MSACCO used the occasion to heap further praise on the Scorchers as a whole, wishing the team continued success as they prepare to fly Malawi’s flag on the global stage, while reserving special pride for Simwaka and Thom for representing both their country and their SACCO with such distinction. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Asimenye Simwaka, Msasco, Scorchers --- ### [Diplomat erupts: Chimbanga says Chakwera 2030 bid “dead on arrival”](https://www.nyasatimes.com/diplomat-erupts-chimbanga-says-chakwera-2030-bid-dead-on-arrival/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s political temperature spiked at the start if the week after Leonard Chimbanga, Malawi’s diplomat‑designate to South Africa, unleashed a blistering attack on the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) for floating the idea of Lazarus Chakwera contesting again in the 2030 elections. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_2484.jpg)Chimbanga mocks Chakwera’s 2030 ambitionsChimbanga, never one to mince words, dismissed the proposal as “wishful thinking,” arguing that Chakwera’s supporters were clinging to false hope simply because former president Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) has staged a dramatic political comeback. “Simply because APM ( President Arthur Peter Mutharika) made a comeback, *Chikangawa asamaone ngati iyeyonso zingatheke.* He is the worst President this country has ever had,” Chimbanga fired, in a comment that has ricocheted across social media and political WhatsApp groups. His remarks — unusually blunt for a diplomat — have triggered a storm within MCP circles, with party loyalists accusing him of overstepping diplomatic decorum and injecting partisan venom into a sensitive succession debate. But Chimbanga’s allies insist he is merely stating what many within the former ruling establishment whisper privately: that Chakwera’s presidential term record has left the party fractured, fatigued, and unsure of its future direction. The controversy comes at a moment when Malawi’s political landscape is shifting rapidly. Mutharika’s re‑emergence has energised his base and unsettled rivals, prompting speculation about whether MCP will attempt to rally behind Chakwera for another run — or seek fresh leadership. Analysts say Chimbanga’s outburst reflects deeper anxieties within the diplomatic and political class about 2025’s fallout and 2030’s uncertainties, with both major parties scrambling to redefine their identities. For now, MCP has not formally responded to Chimbanga’s remarks. But the diplomat’s comments have already injected fresh drama into a political season that was supposed to be quiet — and may have opened a new front in Malawi’s long‑running battle over leadership, legacy and the future of the presidency. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, Leonard Chimbanga, MCP --- ### [Ben Phiri calls for end to handouts as World Vision exits Ntchisi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ben-phiri-calls-for-end-to-handouts-as-world-vision-exits-ntchisi/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ben Phiri, has issued a rallying call for Malawians to break free from dependency on foreign aid and embrace self-reliance, insisting it is the only path to genuine, sustainable development. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787573827770-1-600x450.jpg)Minister Ben Phiri Calls for End to Aid Dependency as World Vision Concludes K14.7bn Ntchisi ProjectPhiri delivered the message in Ntchisi, at an event hosted by World Vision to showcase two decades of transformative work in the Kalira area under Senior Chief Chikho — a milestone celebration that laid bare just how dramatically the community has been reshaped by sustained investment. Speaking at the event, World Vision Malawi Board Director Esther Chafumuka revealed the staggering scale of the organisation’s footprint in the area, confirming that more than K14.7 billion (US$8.5 million) had been ploughed into development programmes over the 20-year period. **Life-changing statistics revealed** The figures unveiled at the event paint a remarkable picture of transformation. Access to clean, potable water in the Kalira area has surged from just 47 percent to a remarkable 83.8 percent, dramatically reducing the daily burden faced by families who once had to travel long distances for safe water. Children’s access to education has climbed by an impressive 60 percent, while World Vision’s initiatives have also successfully connected 2,100 local farmers to reliable markets, giving them a genuine pathway to sustainable income rather than relying on unpredictable, informal trade. Despite the scale of the organisation’s investment, Phiri’s message to the community was clear: while support from partners such as World Vision remains valuable, the long-term future of development must ultimately rest in the hands of Malawians themselves. The Minister’s comments reflect a broader push within government circles to encourage communities to view external support as a springboard for self-sufficiency, rather than a permanent solution — a message likely to resonate strongly as Malawi continues to grapple with questions over long-term reliance on donor-funded development programmes. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Ben Phiri, World Vision --- ### [Ex-water authority chief arrested over audit bombshell — lawyer slams police for "skipping" proper arrest procedure](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ex-water-authority-chief-arrested-over-audit-bombshell-lawyer-slams-police-for-skipping-proper-arrest-procedure/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The former Chief Executive Officer of the National Water Resources Authority, Dwight Kambuku, has been arrested following damning findings uncovered by the National Audit Office, in a case now overshadowed by accusations of improper police conduct. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787586468906-600x450.jpg)Dwight Kambuku![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787582768575-1-400x600.jpg)lawyer Ndalama accuses police of skirting legal procedureNews of the arrest was confirmed by Kambuku’s lawyer, Chrispine Ndalama, who wasted no time hitting out at what he described as a worrying trend within the police force. Ndalama cautioned officers against the practice of summoning suspects for questioning only to arrest them afterwards without following correct legal procedure, warning that such shortcuts could compromise the integrity of cases against the accused. He went further, stressing that certain offences — including abuse of office — require police to obtain a proper warrant of arrest before any detention can lawfully take place, raising pointed questions over whether that process was followed in Kambuku’s case. Kambuku is currently being detained at Area 6 Fiscal Police in Lilongwe, as investigations into the audit’s findings continue. The arrest marks the latest in a series of high-profile cases involving senior public officials facing scrutiny over financial and administrative audits, as authorities press ahead with efforts to root out mismanagement in state institutions — though Ndalama’s intervention has now cast a shadow over the legal footing on which the case was built. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** National Water Resource --- ### [Political scientists warn MCP's early endorsement of Chakwera for 2030 could freeze out rival talent](https://www.nyasatimes.com/political-scientists-warn-mcps-early-endorsement-of-chakwera-for-2030-could-freeze-out-rival-talent/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Political Science Association has warned that grassroots endorsements pushing Lazarus Chakwera to stand again as the Malawi Congress Party’s presidential candidate in 2030 risk sidelining other capable figures within the party, potentially undermining internal democracy before the race has even properly begun. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/lazarus-chakwera-1-600x379.jpg)Chakwera seeking a comeback to State House The Association’s spokesperson, Mavuto Bamusi, issued the caution after MCP’s District Chairperson for Kasungu East, Chisomo Mbembeza, publicly endorsed Chakwera as the party’s 2030 presidential candidate during a rally in Kasungu. **“Open the doors” — analysts demand fair contest** While acknowledging that grassroots members are entitled to back whichever candidate they choose, Bamusi insisted that MCP must resist the temptation to anoint a preferred candidate too early, and should instead throw the field open, allowing other potential leaders within the party the opportunity to come forward and contest freely at the party’s national convention. Bamusi warned that the practice of early endorsements — effectively crowning a preferred candidate ahead of formal internal elections — is common across political parties, but cautioned that it consistently undermines the principles of internal democracy, discouraging genuine competition and denying members a real choice. The warning comes just a day after Mbembeza told Chakwera directly, during a brief rally in Mtunthama, Kasungu, that local party structures remained firmly behind him ahead of 2030 — the latest in a string of grassroots endorsements that have followed the former president on his recent tour of the region. The developments highlight a growing tension within MCP between enthusiastic grassroots support for Chakwera’s continued leadership and concerns from political observers that such momentum, if left unchecked, could stifle any genuine internal contest for the party’s top job — a debate likely to intensify as the party edges closer to its next elective convention. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, Mabvuto Bamusi, MCP --- ### [Bullets held at Dedza as VAR-less controversy overshadows stalemate with Luanar](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bullets-held-at-dedza-as-var-less-controversy-overshadows-stalemate-with-luanar/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FCB Nyasa Big Bullets were left frustrated after being held to a goalless draw by Luanar Mitundu in a tense FDH Bank Premiership clash at Dedza Stadium on Sunday afternoon, in a match that saw both goalkeepers cover themselves in glory and a controversial refereeing decision spark fury on the touchline. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787511557751-600x400.jpg)Bullets held to a frustrating draw at DedzaWedson Nyirenda made just one change to the side that beat Karonga United 1-0, recalling Clever Kalambo to the starting line-up following his return from suspension, with Maxwell Phodo making way for the bench. Bullets started the brighter of the two sides, winning an early free-kick inside three minutes after Ephraim Kondowe was hauled down in the attacking half. Yamikani Mologeni’s delivery found its way into the box, but Blessings Mpokera could only head wide when well placed. The hosts responded moments later, advancing into the Bullets box, though Rahim Mtondera’s tame header was gathered comfortably by keeper Innocent Nyasulu. Bullets continued to press, with Kondowe surging down the left to whip in a dangerous cross that no red shirt could reach, before Nyasulu was called into action in the 17th minute, producing a smart save to deny Daah Rashid at the other end. **Controversy erupts as officials wave off foul claim** Misheck Billiat then went close for the visitors, latching onto a Mologeni free-kick after keeper Emmanuel Kanthiti had strayed from his line, only to drag his effort narrowly wide. The match burst into controversy in the 32nd minute when several Bullets players stopped in their tracks after the assistant referee flagged for a foul on Rashid — only for referee Idrissah Matola to wave play on, allowing Mtondera to race clean through on goal. Nyasulu was equal to the moment, producing a superb one-on-one stop to keep the score level, before an incensed Nyirenda was shown a yellow card for angrily protesting the officials’ decision. Three minutes later, Prince Chiumia gave away a free-kick for a foul on Precious Segula, but Luanar’s resulting effort drifted wide, before Kanthiti was forced into action again just before the break, requiring lengthy treatment after making a save from another dangerous Mologeni delivery. Billiat was booked in the 42nd minute for cheekily knocking the ball into the net while play remained stopped for the injured keeper. Kanthiti frustrates Bullets after the restart The sides went into the break level, and Bullets came out firing after the interval, winning an immediate free-kick which Mologeni floated into the box — only for a well-positioned Kanthiti to gather safely. Nyirenda turned to his bench in the 59th minute, sending on Phodo for Chawanangwa Gumbo in search of a breakthrough. Two minutes later Kalambo tested Kanthiti from range, but the Luanar stopper produced another important save to preserve the stalemate. The hosts hit back with fresh legs of their own, introducing Nicholas Kalondore and Charles Mbewe for Mtondera and Samson Phiri in the 64th minute, before Fletchar Bandawe was sent on for Emmanuel Nyakutepa two minutes later. Madalitso Safuli, who had replaced Kondowe in the 66th minute, was handed a glorious set-piece opportunity shortly after coming on but blazed his effort over the crossbar. As the match entered its final quarter, Bullets continued to search in vain for the breakthrough, with Luanar increasingly content to sit deep and soak up pressure. Sean McBrams was introduced for Kalambo in the 78th minute, before Chiumia picked up a booking for bringing down Bandawe — though Bullets defended the resulting free-kick comfortably. Another promising set-piece fell Luanar’s way in the 82nd minute, but the visiting backline once again stood firm. With three minutes of normal time left, Simeon Singa was thrown on for Mbewe as the hosts searched desperately for a late winner — but despite five additional minutes being played, neither side could find the decisive touch, and the points were shared. **Bullets march on unbeaten but title rivals close in** The result leaves Bullets fourth in the table on 27 points from 14 matches, with Nyirenda’s men having now kept three successive clean sheets and conceded just seven goals all season — a defensive record that remains the envy of the division, even if their attacking cutting edge continues to desert them at crucial moments. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Big Bullets, FDH Premiership --- ### [State silence deepens over VP Ansah's role in Malawi government](https://www.nyasatimes.com/state-silence-deepens-over-vp-ansahs-role-in-malawi-government/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Vice-President Jane Ansah has issued a striking public statement addressing her recent appearance at a national women’s conference, in what appears to be a deliberate move to bypass state media outlets that have conspicuously failed to cover her public engagements. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787510726755-600x433.jpg)Questions mount over Jane Ansah’s standing after state media ignores her public appearancesThe statement, shared amid mounting speculation that Ansah has been sidelined by the Mutharika administration, comes after both the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and the Malawi News Agency (MANA) — the country’s two dominant state-run news outlets — omitted coverage of her attendance at the Zambezi Evangelical Church (ZEC) Chiole Synod’s National Women’s Conference. In her statement, Ansah described it as “an honour” to join women at the conference, held under the theme “Mchipululu Simofela” — a Chichewa phrase meaning “you don’t die in the wilderness” — which many observers have already interpreted as a veiled reference to her own political isolation. The Vice-President used the platform to urge Malawian women to remain steadfast in faith, unity and commitment to education, family welfare and economic empowerment, describing these as “powerful foundations for national development.” Notably, Ansah was careful to frame her remarks within the context of government policy, stating that under President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s leadership, government “remains committed to creating an environment where women and all Malawians can participate meaningfully” in national development — a diplomatic nod to the administration despite the apparent freeze-out. She went on to commend the Synod for its partnership with government in areas including agriculture, education and infrastructure, and called on women to “remain resilient in difficult times” and to “draw strength from God.” The statement’s release outside official government channels has fuelled further speculation about Ansah’s standing within the ruling administration, with observers noting the unusual step of a sitting Vice-President having to publicise her own engagements independently, after state broadcasters and the national news agency failed to report on her attendance at a high-profile public event. Neither MBC nor MANA has offered an explanation for the omission, and State House has not issued any comment on the apparent news blackout surrounding the Vice-President’s activities. The development adds to a growing narrative around Ansah’s position in government, following earlier remarks widely interpreted as hinting at her marginalisation — comments that have only intensified public curiosity about the true state of relations between the Vice-President and the presidency she serves. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Jane Ansah --- ### [Lilongwe homeowners face fines and prison as city-wide property audit begins](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lilongwe-homeowners-face-fines-and-prison-as-city-wide-property-audit-begins/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Government valuers have been given their marching orders to descend on properties across Lilongwe City after the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development held a crunch orientation meeting on Sunday, kicking off a mammoth property assessment exercise that could see anyone caught lying to officials hauled before the courts. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787531065977-600x450.jpg)Government valuers descend on Lilongwe — with JAIL threat for anyone caught lying or blocking inspectorsThe Quinquennial Valuation Roll (QVR) exercise, set to run from August 2026 through to March 2027, will see officers combing through Lilongwe’s properties to build an updated database used to calculate city rates, in line with the Local Government Act of 1998. Acting Commissioner of Valuation, Cynthia Chisanu, revealed that officers will spend the first 30 days piloting the exercise before expanding the operation to cover the rest of the city. Addressing the assembled team, Chisanu stressed the need for close teamwork throughout the process. “You have to work closely with one another throughout the exercise because proper coordination will be essential in collecting accurate and reliable property information,” she told officers. **Property owners face fines — or worse** The exercise will see valuation teams entering properties across Lilongwe to carry out assessments, with residents, landlords and developers all expected to cooperate fully and hand over any information requested. But Lilongwe City Council has issued a stark warning to anyone tempted to dodge the process — branding obstruction of valuers, refusal to provide information, or lying to officials as punishable offences that could land offenders with hefty fines or even a stint behind bars if convicted. The Council insists the crackdown is necessary to ensure the resulting property database is accurate, with officials saying the updated records will form the backbone of future city rate assessments and dramatically improve how property information is managed across the capital. With enforcement powers now firmly in place, residents across Lilongwe have been put on notice: cooperate with the valuers, or face the consequences. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Property market --- ### [Bitter revolt inside Malawi's Global Fund body](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bitter-revolt-inside-malawis-global-fund-body/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A governance storm has erupted at the heart of Malawi’s Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) after six senior members accused officials of attempting to quietly overturn a landmark decision on who will control millions of dollars in Global Fund cash earmarked for the fight against HIV, TB and malaria. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787534385465-600x433.jpg)Bishop Litchawa blow whistle on secret scheme to overturn HIV funding vote — and demand answers NOWThe explosive row centres on a Decisional Meeting held on Tuesday 18 August at the Ministry of Finance, where quorum was confirmed and every item on the agenda — including the crucial selection of the Principal Recipient (PR) tasked with managing the funds — was debated and voted on in full. But just days later, members were stunned to learn that the CCM Secretariat planned to reach out to colleagues who had been absent from the meeting, inviting them to submit “input, comments or endorsement” on the PR decision alone — a move critics say threatens to unravel a legitimate, already-concluded vote. Six heavyweight members — Dunker Kamba, Bishop Moffat Litchapa, Treza Mphwatiwa, Memory Kamwendo, Tionge Gondwe and Ishmael Phiri — have now fired off a blistering letter of objection, accusing the Secretariat of trying to “manufacture participation” after the fact. **Quorum “rendered meaningless”** The group’s letter pulls no punches, warning that allowing absent members to weigh in retroactively “renders the concept of quorum and attendance meaningless.” Their argument is simple: if those who skip meetings can still shape the outcome, turning up becomes pointless. They go further, branding the move an attempt to “manufacture participation retrospectively” in a process that had already reached its conclusion — insisting that anyone who missed the live debate had no chance to question, challenge or be swayed by what was said in the room. **Rules for some, not others** Perhaps most damning is the accusation of double standards. While two other major resolutions — covering funding priorities and programme allocation — were accepted as final immediately after the meeting, only the PR decision has been reopened, a move the six blast as “inherently unfair” to those who attended and voted in good faith. The letter also raises the alarm over donor confidence, warning that with the Global Fund watching closely, the credibility of the entire process is now hanging by a thread — exposing the CCM to serious reputational damage and possible legal challenge. **“Halt it now,” demand rebels** The six have issued a stark ultimatum to the CCM Chairperson: scrap any plans for a post-meeting vote-gathering exercise immediately, and if it has already begun, halt it at once and strike any responses already received from the record. They insist the 18 August decision must stand as “final and binding” — just like every other resolution passed that day — and have warned they are prepared to escalate the matter to internal CCM structures, and even the Global Fund Secretariat in Geneva, if their demands are ignored. As of now, the CCM Chairperson has not issued a formal response. With millions of dollars in life-saving health funding on the line, the row has plunged the selection of Malawi’s next Principal Recipient into limbo — not because the vote didn’t happen, but because some now want a second bite of the cherry. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Global Fund --- ### [Nursing lecturer eyes union presidency with pledge on uniforms and pay](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nursing-lecturer-eyes-union-presidency-with-pledge-on-uniforms-and-pay/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A senior nursing lecturer at Mzuzu University has thrown his hat into the ring for the presidency of the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives (NONM), promising to tackle long-standing grievances over uniforms and pay if elected in November. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260823-WA0006-600x270.jpg)Chirambo the practice of nurses having to buy their own uniforms.Dr Griffin Baxter Chirambo told *Nyasa Times* he believes he is the right candidate to lead the organisation, speaking on Saturday morning as he took part in a fundraising walk in support of nursing students facing financial hardship. Chirambo, who previously served as the organisation’s Vice President, said one of his priorities would be ending the practice of nurses having to buy their own uniforms. “Uniformed public professions are supposed to be provided with uniforms by government. This is the case with the MDF, the Malawi Police Service and even game rangers,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that nurses are buying uniforms themselves. I will lobby for an end to this.” He also pledged to push for improved salaries for nurses and midwives, along with more consistent and timely promotions within the profession. “We have always seen mass promotions in other ministries like education, but this does not happen with nurses. It’s an issue that I will also take seriously,” he added. The NONM presidential election is scheduled for 27 November, with Chirambo among those expected to contest the top position. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** News **Tags:** nurses --- ### [Bullets boss Nyirenda slams 'not fit for purpose' Dedza pitch after frustrating draw with Luanar leaves title race wide open](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bullets-boss-nyirenda-slams-not-fit-for-purpose-dedza-pitch-after-frustrating-draw-with-luanar-leaves-title-race-wide-open/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Wedson Nyirenda launched a scathing attack on the playing surface at Dedza Stadium after his side were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Luanar Mitundu in Sunday’s FDH Bank Premiership clash, branding the venue unsuitable for top-flight football. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260712_013045_Facebook-600x534.jpg)Bullets coach NyirendaSpeaking after the stalemate, an evidently frustrated Nyirenda did not hold back in his assessment of the pitch that hosted the encounter. “Dedza ground is not fit for purpose. Not suitable to play football games,” the coach declared, venting his frustration at a surface he clearly felt contributed to his side’s inability to find a breakthrough despite dominating large spells of the contest. The blunt assessment comes after Bullets were left to rue a host of missed opportunities against a stubborn Luanar side, with the defending champions unable to convert their territorial advantage into the goals that would have extended their unbeaten run and closed the gap on league leaders. Nyirenda’s frustration will resonate with football administrators and fans alike, reigniting long-standing concerns over the state of playing surfaces at some of Malawi’s provincial stadiums, many of which are increasingly being used to host top-flight fixtures as clubs look to spread support and revenue beyond the traditional football hubs of Blantyre and Lilongwe. While Dedza Stadium has become a regular fixture on the FDH Bank Premiership calendar in recent seasons, questions over its playing surface are not new, with several coaches and players understood to have privately raised concerns about its suitability for the demands of top-flight football, including drainage issues and uneven turf that can affect ball movement and player safety. Sunday’s result leaves Bullets fourth in the table on 27 points from 14 matches, extending their run to three consecutive clean sheets and underlining the defensive solidity that has become a hallmark of Nyirenda’s side this season, even as their attacking output continues to draw scrutiny. The Bullets boss is not the first prominent figure in Malawian football to publicly question the readiness of venues used to host Premiership fixtures, with the issue periodically resurfacing whenever high-profile clubs are forced to travel outside their usual home grounds. It remains to be seen whether Nyirenda’s comments will prompt any formal response from the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) or the Super League of Malawi, both of which oversee venue approvals and standards for top-flight matches. Neither body has yet issued a statement addressing the coach’s remarks. For now, however, the focus will quickly shift back to results on the pitch, with Bullets sitting four points adrift of the pace in a title race that remains finely balanced heading into the closing stages of the first round. Whether Sunday’s setback at Dedza proves to be a temporary blip or a symptom of a wider issue facing clubs asked to ply their trade away from purpose-built football venues, one thing is clear: Nyirenda’s pointed remarks have thrust the conversation over stadium standards firmly back into the national spotlight — a debate unlikely to fade quietly given the stakes still riding on this season’s title race. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports --- ### [Golf glory! Khamalatha storms to Winter Tour Championship title with commanding two-shot victory](https://www.nyasatimes.com/golf-glory-khamalatha-storms-to-winter-tour-championship-title-with-commanding-two-shot-victory/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Victor Khamalatha has been crowned champion of the second edition of the Blantyre Sports Club (BSC) Winter Tour Golf Championship, firing a total gross score of 155 to see off stiff competition and claim the coveted title. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787532318935-600x338.jpg)Champion Khamalatha! BSC Winter Tour title sealed with commanding displayKhamalatha edged out runner-up Gabriel Kambale by two shots, while third-placed Mike Juma finished a further two strokes back, rounding out a closely fought battle at the top of the leaderboard. Elsewhere in the field, Rashid Salim claimed victory in the professionals’ category, while Samuel Debwe and Innocent Mkandawire took top honours in the A and B divisions respectively. In the ladies’ event, Satakwao Zuze was crowned champion. The two-day tournament, which attracted 17 golfers competing in the championship category, was backed by Rainbow Paints Limited as platinum sponsors, alongside partners OH Wines and Oranux IT Consulting. Speaking after the tournament, Rainbow Paints corporate sales manager Farouk Jungu and Oranux senior sales and marketing consultant Tammie-rose Chimbenje both expressed delight at their companies’ association with what remains widely regarded as “the gentleman’s game.” The championship is expected to continue growing in stature as an annual fixture on Blantyre Sports Club’s golfing calendar, drawing competitive fields across multiple divisions each year. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports --- ### [Apostle Hulda's K20million blessing! Lilongwe student's university dreams funded in full](https://www.nyasatimes.com/apostle-huldas-k20million-blessing-lilongwe-students-university-dreams-funded-in-full/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A student from Lilongwe has had his life turned around after being handed a staggering K20 million scholarship by the Apostle Hulda Foundation to fund his entire five-year university education. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260824_042054_Instagram-600x475.jpg)Apostle Hulda’s generosity transforms student’s future with staggering K20million scholarshipNephtali Dickson, from Area 23, will now study Biological Sciences at the University of Malawi (Unima) with every conceivable expense covered — tuition, accommodation, upkeep, transport and other education-related costs — thanks to the life-changing gift. The scholarship was awarded by Apostle Hulda Kamanga, who revealed she first learned of Dickson’s plight through traditional leaders in the area, who flagged both his impressive academic record and the crippling financial difficulties threatening to derail his studies. Kamanga said Dickson’s case forms part of a much wider mission by her foundation, which is already supporting 15 other students, four of whom are currently enrolled in higher education institutions. “Just like Nephtali, we want to support more students and it is my prayer that we can support about 20 students in college and give them an opportunity to complete their studies without financial challenges,” Kamanga said. An overwhelmed Dickson thanked the foundation for its generosity and pledged to repay the faith shown in him by throwing himself into his studies. The scholarship represents one of the largest individual educational gifts of its kind reported in Malawi in recent times, and comes amid growing recognition of the crucial role played by private and faith-based donors in plugging funding gaps for talented but financially disadvantaged students across the country. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, News **Tags:** Apostle Hulda Foundation --- ### [Shake‑up or set‑up? Promotions fuel talk of political patronage](https://www.nyasatimes.com/shake-up-or-set-up-promotions-fuel-talk-of-political-patronage/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** When Willy Kambwandira speaks about public sector reform, he does so with the steady insistence of someone who has watched Malawi’s bureaucracy bend under political weight for far too long. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260804_021845_Instagram-600x394.jpg)Saidi: 310 Promotions Ignite Favouritism FearsSo when news emerged that government had promoted 310 senior civil servants since October — a sweeping reorganisation of directors and deputy directors across ministries and departments — his response was immediate and pointed. Promotions of this scale, he argued, must be anchored in merit, transparency and institutional need, not expediency. Kambwandira’s cautionary tone has become the opening note in a debate that now stretches far beyond the numbers. It touches on deeper questions about how the state rebuilds competence, how leadership is cultivated, and how political power interacts with the machinery of government. **A Bureaucracy Long in Waiting** For years, Malawi’s public service has been marked by acting positions, prolonged vacancies and a leadership pipeline that often stalled before reaching senior ranks. Ministries have operated with directors doubling roles, deputy directors covering gaps, and institutional memory thinning as experienced officers retired without clear successors. It is against this backdrop that the government’s promotions — 127 directors (Grade C) and 183 deputy directors (Grade D) — must be understood. Officials describe the move as a long‑delayed correction, a deliberate attempt to stabilise leadership structures that have been drifting for too long. Chief Secretary Justin Saidi has framed the reshuffle as a strategic intervention. In his telling, the promotions are not a political flourish but a structural necessity: a way to motivate career officers, reward competence, and rebuild the continuity that allows ministries to function with confidence rather than improvisation. Saidi’s emphasis on internal progression is notable. For years, civil servants have complained that senior posts were increasingly filled by external appointees — often politically connected, sometimes inexperienced, and rarely embedded in the institutional cultures they were meant to lead. The new approach, he argues, is intended to reverse that trend. **The Transparency Question** Yet even as government positions the promotions as a technocratic fix, civil society organisations have raised concerns about timing, cost and process. Kambwandira’s warning — that promotions must be strictly merit‑based — reflects a broader anxiety about how decisions are made within the state. The promotions come at a politically sensitive moment, with the administration seeking to consolidate its governance agenda while navigating public expectations around accountability. In such a climate, even well‑intentioned reforms can attract suspicion. Critics ask: - Were clear criteria used? - Were performance assessments conducted - Were ministries consulted meaningfully? - And crucially, can the public see the rationale behind each elevation? These questions do not necessarily imply wrongdoing. Rather, they reflect a growing insistence that public institutions must operate with visible fairness, especially when decisions involve senior leadership. **A System Under Reconstruction** Supporters of the reshuffle argue that the civil service has reached a point where incremental fixes are no longer enough. They describe ministries struggling with decision bottlenecks, departments unable to plan beyond short cycles, and agencies operating without the leadership continuity needed for long‑term policy execution. From this perspective, the promotions represent an attempt to rebuild the architecture of the state — to ensure that leadership gaps do not become structural weaknesses. There is also a generational dimension. Many of the newly promoted officers have spent years in mid‑level roles, waiting for opportunities that never materialised. Their elevation signals a shift toward recognising internal expertise rather than importing leadership from outside. **The Political Undertone** Still, the political undertone is impossible to ignore. Any major reshuffle in the civil service inevitably intersects with questions of power: who gains influence, who loses it, and how the balance of authority shifts within ministries. Sceptics argue that the promotions could consolidate loyalty within the bureaucracy at a moment when the administration needs stability. Supporters counter that strengthening internal leadership is precisely what a reform‑minded government should do. The truth may lie somewhere in between. Structural reform and political calculation often coexist, each shaping the other in ways that are difficult to disentangle. **What Comes Next** The long‑term impact of the promotions will depend on what follows. If the newly elevated officers are empowered to lead with independence, competence and accountability, the reshuffle could mark a turning point for Malawi’s public service. If, however, the process remains opaque or becomes entangled in political expectations, the moment may be remembered as a missed opportunity. For now, the debate continues — reflective, cautious, and deeply aware that the future of the civil service is inseparable from the future of the state itself. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** civil service, Justine Saidi --- ### [Mwanamvekha: MRA is the "engine room of the nation" as five-year plan launches](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mwanamvekha-mra-is-the-engine-room-of-the-nation-as-five-year-plan-launches/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s tax authority has been hailed as the “engine room of the nation” after raking in a jaw-dropping K1.40 trillion in tax revenue in a single quarter, as government officials unveiled an ambitious five-year strategy aimed at supercharging the country’s finances. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787562570606-600x400.jpg)Mwanamvekha hails MRA as “engine room of the nation” after staggering K1.4 TRILLION tax haulFinance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha officially launched the Malawi Revenue Authority’s (MRA) Corporate Strategic Plan 2026-2031, describing the blueprint as nothing less than a “social and economic contract” between government and ordinary Malawians — one that will determine how money is raised to fund schools, clinics, roads and vital public services. Addressing the launch, Mwanamvekha praised MRA’s staggering quarterly haul, insisting the new five-year roadmap would push for aggressive revenue mobilisation, a dramatically expanded tax base, smarter risk-based compliance, full digital transformation and significantly improved service for taxpayers. “MRA staff, taxpayers and development partners must work together, the strategy must not remain a document on a shelf but must translate into real improvements for Malawians,” the Minister declared, as he formally launched the plan. **Authority hit 99% of targets under previous strategy** MRA Board Chairperson MacFussy Kawawa revealed the authority had delivered an impressive average revenue performance of around 99 percent under its outgoing strategy — smashing targets outright in four of the previous six years. Building on that momentum, the new plan will zero in on widening the tax net, embracing digital transformation and data-driven decision-making, tightening risk-based compliance, boosting taxpayer services, strengthening governance structures and rebuilding public trust in the tax system. Kawawa was blunt about what comes next, warning that the plan’s success hinges entirely on implementation, accountability and a genuine sense of ownership among MRA staff. He urged both management and employees to hit the ground running in year one with “urgency, discipline and a strong focus on measurable results.” The launch marks a pivotal moment for Malawi’s public finances, with the authority now under pressure to translate its blockbuster quarterly revenue figures into a sustained, long-term funding engine for the country’s development ambitions.![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787562580351-600x400.jpg) Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, National **Tags:** Joseph Mwanamvekha, Malawi Revenue Authority, tax --- ### [AG  Mbeta rips into Finance Bank's K1.1trillion damages claim over "compromised" calculations](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ag-mbeta-rips-into-finance-banks-k1-1trillion-damages-claim-over-compromised-calculations/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A staggering K1.1 trillion damages claim brought by the defunct Finance Bank of Malawi (FBM) came under intense scrutiny in Blantyre today, as Attorney General Frank Mbeta subjected the bank’s key financial witness to a gruelling cross-examination before High Court and Supreme Court Assistant Registrar Ibrahim Hussein. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/a-Nyasa-Times-pic-6417.jpg)Mbeta: Finance Bank’s colossal damages claim under scrutiny as AG exposes gaps in expert testimonyThe high-stakes assessment centres on FBM’s colossal compensation claim following the Reserve Bank of Malawi’s (RBM) controversial decision to strip the bank of its licence back in 2005 — a claim that, if upheld, could see the state on the hook for one of the largest damages payouts in the country’s history. During Wednesday’s morning session, Mbeta turned his fire on Nkhuzo Kuwani, a financial adviser for Zambia’s Mahtani Group of Companies, who was responsible for crunching the numbers behind FBM’s multi-billion-kwacha claim. “Compromised” calculations under the microscope The Attorney General wasted no time zeroing in on a glaring inconsistency, demanding to know why Kuwani’s calculations stretched back to include the period between 1 January and 17 May 2005 — weeks before the RBM formally pulled the bank’s licence. Kuwani claimed the inclusion stemmed from alleged illegal interference by the central bank during that window — but was left red-faced when he could not produce a shred of supporting evidence to back up the claim. Things went from bad to worse for the witness when he admitted his assumption rested on the belief that a court-awarded damages ruling automatically implied interference had occurred. Seizing on the admission, Mbeta bluntly told the court that basing financial calculations on assumptions rather than evidence risked compromising their accuracy entirely. Row over $30million “opportunity cost” claim The Attorney General also took aim at a separate element of the claim, arguing that the court had strictly awarded damages for loss of business and lost profits — not the eye-watering $30 million in so-called opportunity-cost losses that Kuwani had folded into his calculations. Pushed on the point, Kuwani insisted the bank could have been sitting on idle cash that, had it been lent out instead, would have generated additional revenue for FBM. The court has since adjourned for the afternoon session, with Kuwani expected to face re-examination as the marathon legal battle over the mammoth compensation claim continues. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Finance Bank, Frank Mbeta, New Finance Bank --- ### ['Back to sender!' UTM's Mtumbuka fires back at Kachali's "2060" jibe in blistering response](https://www.nyasatimes.com/back-to-sender-utms-mtumbuka-fires-back-at-kachalis-2060-jibe-in-blistering-response/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** UTM Vice President Dr Mathews Mtumbuka has hit back furiously at former Vice-President Khumbo Kachali after his cheeky “2060” jab at party leader Dalitso Kabambe, dismissing the remark as either “a pure (insensitive) joke” or “a senior moment” — or possibly both. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787567213220-600x399.jpg)“New blood, not old jokes”: Mtumbuka’s fiery response to Kachali’s Kabambe digThe sharp rebuke comes after Kachali left crowds at the Livingstonia Synod elective conference in Kasungu in stitches, joking in Tumbuka that Kabambe would have to wait until 2060 before rising to political prominence — remarks widely interpreted as a swipe at UTM’s electoral ambitions. Refusing to let the jibe slide, Mtumbuka took to social media with a pointed and unmistakably defiant response, insisting the party would not be knocked off course by what he characterised as tired political theatrics. “Let us recalibrate this,” Mtumbuka wrote. “Hypothetically, 2060 was either a pure (insensitive) joke or a ‘senior moment’, or an accidental hybrid of both. “If others are planning for 2060, that’s their game. Ours is a 2030 DK Project and we don’t need external advisors.” The UTM number two didn’t stop there, telling Kachali and his generation of politicians in no uncertain terms to step aside. “*Tisiyeni*. And we can’t be bullied. *Zachikale zimenezo*,” he wrote, translating loosely as an appeal for the old guard to make way. “We are modern progressive politicians — allow *ung’ono ung’ono* the space too. Malawians want real change — new blood!” He closed his blistering statement with a defiant rallying cry: “2030, here we come!! 2060 back to sender!” The exchange marks an escalation in the increasingly personal tone of Malawi’s evolving political rivalries, with younger figures within UTM appearing determined to push back hard against what they see as dismissive remarks from establishment politicians about their leader’s prospects. Kachali has not yet responded to Mtumbuka’s counterattack, and it remains to be seen whether the war of words will draw further comment from senior figures within either the MCP or UTM camps. The spat comes amid growing speculation over the shifting alliances and generational tensions shaping Malawi’s political landscape ahead of the next election cycle, with questions over leadership succession, age and “new blood” increasingly taking centre stage in public discourse. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, Politics **Tags:** Daliso Kabambe, Khumbo Kachali, Mathews Mtumbuka, UTM Party --- ### [Gangata’s K40 Million Donation Is Service, Not Disrespect](https://www.nyasatimes.com/gangatas-k40-million-donation-is-service-not-disrespect/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times Reporter **Content:** Portraying Minister Alfred Gangata’s K40 million church donation as disrespect towards President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is unfair and politically misguided. The fact that Gangata gave more than the President does not, by itself, suggest rivalry or disloyalty. The controversy followed Gangata’s contribution to a CCAP Livingstonia Synod project, while President Mutharika donated K5 million at the same gathering. However, the circumstances surrounding Gangata’s donation indicate that it was planned, personal and unrelated to the President’s contribution. ![President Mutharika with Minister Gangata ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/sm_1760618139.040477-600x428.jpg)President Mutharika with Minister GangataAccording to Gangata’s aide, Leonard Chimbanga, the Synod approached the minister about six months before the fundraising dinner and invited him to serve as guest of honour for a project in his constituency. After reviewing the project’s budget, Gangata made a personal pledge and reportedly fulfilled it two months before the event. He did not know who else would donate or how much they would give, and he did not attend the dinner despite being invited. Other political leaders also contributed to the fundraising effort, demonstrating that the project was supported by several individuals rather than being a contest between Gangata and President Mutharika. According to published reports, President Mutharika donated K5 million, former President and Malawi Congress Party leader Dr Lazarus Chakwera contributed K2.5 million, while UTM president Dr Dalitso Kabambe gave K1 million. Gangata’s K40 million was the largest reported contribution among these political figures. These contributions should be recognised as separate acts of support towards the same church project, with each donor giving according to personal conviction, ability and the circumstances under which the commitment was made. The difference between the amounts does not automatically establish a political contest or an attempt by one donor to diminish another. These facts weaken the claim that Gangata was trying to outshine or embarrass President Mutharika. His donation was reportedly an earlier commitment made in response to an identified community need, not a reaction to the President’s K5 million contribution or to the donations made by Chakwera and Kabambe. The contributions from Gangata, President Mutharika, Chakwera and Kabambe should therefore be assessed independently. Generosity is not a competition in which Cabinet ministers must always give less than the Head of State. President Mutharika’s K5 million donation remains generous and worthy of appreciation. Its value should not be measured against Gangata’s contribution. Equally, Gangata should not be condemned simply because he had pledged a larger amount. Public officials must remain transparent and accountable concerning substantial donations, and Malawians are entitled to ask legitimate questions about the source of such funds. However, scrutiny should be grounded in evidence rather than speculation about political rivalry. No credible evidence has been presented showing that Gangata intended to undermine, embarrass or challenge President Mutharika through this donation. Gangata’s political conduct should also be examined within the broader context of his service to the DPP. As a senior party figure in the Central Region, he has played an important role in organising, mobilising and expanding the party’s presence in a highly competitive political territory. His energy, visibility and willingness to support community initiatives can strengthen both the DPP and President Mutharika’s administration. Loyalty should not require silence, inactivity or personal restraint whenever a minister has an opportunity to help people. A loyal minister should work diligently, defend the administration, strengthen the governing party and translate the President’s vision into practical service. Supporting a church project within his constituency is consistent with the energetic and community-focused leadership that President Mutharika should encourage. A capable and generous minister does not diminish the President. On the contrary, such a minister can reflect positively on the President’s judgement in appointing people who are willing to act, mobilise resources and respond to community needs. Strong leaders are not weakened when members of their teams perform well; their leadership is validated by the quality and effectiveness of those serving under them. Gangata’s K40 million donation should therefore be understood as an act of personal generosity, faith and public service—not insubordination. President Mutharika’s K5 million, Chakwera’s K2.5 million and Kabambe’s K1 million should similarly be welcomed as valuable support for the church. The real story is not that Gangata outshone his President. It is that Gangata joined President Mutharika, former President Chakwera, Kabambe and other contributors in answering a community’s call. Malawi should encourage such generosity while continuing to demand transparency, accountability and service to the public good. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Columns **Tags:** Alfred Gangata, Peter Mutharika --- ### [British High Commissioner named Patron as Malawi-UK Chamber of Commerce prepares permanent office](https://www.nyasatimes.com/british-high-commissioner-named-patron-as-malawi-uk-chamber-of-commerce-prepares-permanent-office/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Leigh Stubblefield, the UK’s High Commissioner to Malawi, has been appointed Patron of the newly-formed Malawi-UK Chamber of Commerce (MUKCC), as the organisation moves to establish a permanent presence in the country and formalise bilateral trade infrastructure between the two nations. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787531526264-600x424.jpg)business stakeholder engagementThe appointment was confirmed on Thursday at a business stakeholder engagement event in Lilongwe, according to a statement from the British High Commission. Stubblefield framed the initiative as part of a broader push to strengthen private sector-led growth. “A thriving private sector is essential for creating jobs, driving innovation and supporting sustainable economic growth,” she said, adding that the High Commission was “pleased to support this initiative.” Hannington Gondwe, chief executive of MUKCC, said the Chamber was designed to function as a practical conduit for trade and investment flows between UK and Malawian enterprises, rather than a purely ceremonial body. The launch has drawn a cautious welcome from Malawi’s existing private sector infrastructure. Ronald Ngwira, president of the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said the new Chamber’s success would hinge on its ability to complement, rather than duplicate, the mandate of established business associations operating in the market. The Chamber’s Secretariat is understood to be finalising governance arrangements ahead of a formal launch, with further details on its operational structure and membership model expected in due course. The move comes as the UK continues efforts to expand commercial engagement across Southern Africa, positioning bilateral chambers of commerce as a mechanism for facilitating market access and investment flows outside formal government-to-government channels. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Business, Featured, News **Tags:** UK-Malawi Chamber of Commerce --- ### [Build Markets and Build Resilience: The Paradigm Shift to Build Economies and Save Lives Across Africa](https://www.nyasatimes.com/build-markets-and-build-resilience-the-paradigm-shift-to-build-economies-and-save-lives-across-africa/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The human cost of conflict is immense. Global headlines document the devastating consequences in the Middle East and territories, Sudan, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Sahel, and beyond. It is a significant cost in terms of both lives lost and harmed, particularly for children, and communities fragmented. In 2025 alone, at least 6,266 children were reported killed according to the UN report on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) . ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260824-WA0003-399x600.jpg)Erin McCusker \| Chief Impact Officer at LIXILYet beyond the front pages, another, more devastating, crisis is taking lives every day. Diseases linked to unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene contribute to the deaths of more than 1,000 children under the age of five each day. Two out of five of these children will be from just ten countries of Africa . The silent emergency of unsafe water and sanitation receives far less attention but remains one of the most urgent barriers to a healthy, thriving, and prosperous society. At the recent signing of our partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), I reflected on the negative multiplier effect that conflict, environmental disasters, and outbreaks have in communities: the systems protecting human life can quickly break down in these conditions, particularly access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and healthcare. However, the alternative is also true: investments in robust sanitation economies can not only address the impact on children’s lives every day, but also build resilience in communities in the face of crisis when handwashing and safe sanitation become even more critical to protecting public health. Behaviours and infrastructure for safe sanitation and hygiene cannot simply be switched on in a crisis – they depend on an established ecosystem: awareness of practical solutions that communities can purchase locally and want to use. No single organisation can build markets in isolation. Tackling a crisis of this magnitude demands collaboration: bringing together private-sector innovation, public-sector trust and scale, and the expertise of local organisations working within communities. Our JICA partnership is more than just a commitment to expand access to safe toilets and handwashing facilities, it is in a shared desire to build sustainable sanitation and hygiene markets that work for homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and refugee sites across all communities. JICA’s development expertise and relationships with governments complement LIXIL’s product innovation through SATO to empower African communities to create their own sanitation economy where affordable products are readily available, and consumers are aware and have the dignity of choice to invest in solutions that they want and that benefit their home or community. We have already seen what this can achieve in Malawi where LIXIL partnered with Water For People and Phalombe Hardware to improve the lives of more than 100,000 people . Rather than simply introducing SATO products, we worked with local partners to address affordability, access to stock, and community demand; the foundations of a functioning local market. Using products supplied through our manufacturing hub in Tanzania, we helped establish a revolving financing mechanism and worked with local savings and credit organisations to enable entrepreneurs to purchase stock. Alongside NGOs and local government, we also supported campaigns to build awareness and demand. The results speak for themselves. From an initial supply of 10,000 units, more than 18,500 additional units have been reordered. Entrepreneurs have grown their businesses, households have greater choice, and a sustainable market has begun to take shape. In the Kenyan Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee settlements and surrounding communities, sanitation and hygiene are also closely connected to public health, resilience, and self-reliance. Building on our existing work there, our partnership with JICA can help align practical solutions and local partnerships with the Kenyan Government’s Shirika Plan, a policy aiming to enable refugees to participate in economic and social activities. A toilet or tap alone cannot create refugee self-reliance in the same way that one project cannot guarantee access to safe, affordable sanitation. But together, public policy, product innovation, and partnerships on the ground can create a strong ecosystem that enables long-term benefits in health and economic growth. Innovation and the private sector must sit within a wider system. Products need supply chains, communities need awareness and trust, entrepreneurs need opportunities, and governments need partners that support their priorities and accelerate progress. Having already improved sanitation for more than 100 million people, we are now working towards reaching 100 million more by FY2031, expanding our work with JICA in countries including Kenya and Malawi. Investments today should not be about one-off projects or specific emergency interventions, but investments in building local markets supported by governments, NGOs, businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities themselves to improve dignity and economic empowerment in everyday lives and strengthen resilience before the next crisis begins. \**Erin McCusker is Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Impact Officer at LIXIL Corporation, where she leads communications, external affairs and impact strategy. She joined LIXIL in 2018 as Chief Strategy Officer for SATO, becoming SATO Leader in 2020 and Senior Vice President in 2022, with responsibility for SATO and LIXIL Public Partners.* Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Columns, General **Tags:** JICA --- ### [Prophet Kambale's 10-year journey of obedience: The story of Life International Church](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-kambales-10-year-journey-of-obedience-the-story-of-life-international-church/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** There is something fitting about the fact that Prophet Amos Kambale’s ministry began not in a church, but in a lecture hall. Ten years on, the architecture graduate who once studied blueprints now oversees a spiritual structure of his own — Life International Church, known across Lilongwe and beyond as simply “The Solution Centre.” ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260824-WA0002-424x600.jpg)From Lecture Hall to Life International Church: Prophet Kambale’s Decade of FaithThe story starts, as many callings do, with a quiet unsettling. While training as an architect at what was then The Polytechnic — now the Malawi University of Business Academic Studies — Kambale experienced what he describes as “various divine visitations and encounters,” moments that planted the first seeds of a different vocation. He completed his studies, and for seventeen months worked faithfully within his trained profession. Then, he says, came a command he could not ignore: leave the firm, and give himself fully to winning souls. He obeyed. With no congregation, no pulpit and no funding, Kambale relocated to Lilongwe — a city he believes God specifically appointed as his base — and began preaching wherever people gathered: village squares, school compounds, college halls across the Central Region. A Father in Ministry Every prophetic ministry, it seems, needs a spiritual lineage. For Kambale, that lineage was forged in 2012, after a prolonged season of fasting and prayer led him to Emmanuel Makandiwa in Harare. He stayed in the Zimbabwean prophet’s home, received counsel and prayer, and returned to Malawi carrying what he now describes as the prophetic DNA that would come to define LIC. To this day, he refers to Makandiwa simply as his spiritual father. Four years later, on 1 May 2016, that DNA found institutional form. Life International Church held its first service at Lilongwe LEA Primary School — a handful of believers on borrowed benches, worshipping in a space that belonged to someone else. The church’s vision was ambitious from the outset: “Raising a Godly global generation with impact in all spheres of life.” Its mission wove together evangelism, discipleship, and — distinctively — wealth creation and societal transformation. The choice of nickname, “The Solution Centre,” was deliberate. Kambale envisioned a church where people would bring not only their spiritual burdens but their practical ones too — a place where the Gospel addressed the whole of a person’s life, not merely their eternity. From Classroom to Community Hall A decade on, the physical journey of LIC tells its own story of growth. What began in a primary school classroom now fills the hall of Mbinzi Community Day Secondary School in Area 3 every Sunday — a congregation swelled by members travelling from other districts, and even neighbouring countries, drawn by what regulars describe as an atmosphere of healing, prophecy, and testimony. The church is now developing its own permanent property in the same area, a quiet but unmistakable signal of a ministry settling in for the long term. Faith and Enterprise Perhaps what distinguishes LIC most within Malawi’s crowded Pentecostal landscape is its refusal to separate the sacred from the practical. Kambale has built ventures spanning real estate, farming, supply chains, transport and construction — businesses he describes not as a departure from ministry, but as an extension of it. They fund the church’s work, certainly, but they also serve, in his telling, as a living demonstration to congregants of what disciplined, faith-rooted stewardship can look like. It is a theology of transformation that reaches beyond the individual soul and into the home, the workplace, and — Kambale would argue — the nation itself. A Jubilee Moment This year marks LIC’s tenth anniversary, and the church has invited Zimbabwean prophet Prime Kufa — a close associate of Makandiwa — to lead the celebrations, drawing worshippers from across the region for what promises to be a significant gathering in the church’s short but eventful history. Looking back over ten years, Kambale is careful to frame the story not as his own triumph, but as an act of obedience. “The church belongs to God,” he insists. “I am the person He privileged to pioneer it.” As The Solution Centre begins its second decade, its founding invitation remains unchanged: come with your problem, meet Christ, leave equipped — not merely for eternity, but for every sphere of life in the present. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, General, News, Religion, Religious News **Tags:** Prophet Amos Kambale --- ### [Ben Phiri marks birthday with tributes from ministry and political allies](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ben-phiri-marks-birthday-with-tributes-from-ministry-and-political-allies/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr Ben Malunga Phiri, was the subject of warm tributes from across government on Monday as colleagues marked his birthday. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787563275767-471x600.jpg)Cabinet colleagues pay tribute to Malawi minister Ben Phiri on his birthdayThe Ministry issued a formal statement honouring Phiri’s “dedicated and purposeful national service,” while a more personal message came from Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chimwemwe Chipungu, who described Phiri as his “partner in crime” and “mentor in politics.” In his tribute, Chipungu reflected on years of shared political work across the country, recalling journeys together to Zambia and stopovers in towns including Zalewa and Mzuzu — memories, he suggested, that reflected a close working relationship built over successive campaigns and years in office. The tribute, while informal in tone, underscored the personal bonds that often underpin political partnerships in Malawi, with Chipungu closing his message by wishing Phiri continued health and blessings in the year ahead. The birthday greetings add to a broader picture of camaraderie among senior figures in Malawi’s Cabinet, illustrating how personal relationships continue to shape and sustain political life beyond the more formal business of government. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** National **Tags:** Ben Phiri, Chimwemwe Chipungu --- ### [Silver Strikers Ladies outclassed as Dhlamini double sinks Malawian side in Gaborone](https://www.nyasatimes.com/silver-strikers-ladies-outclassed-as-dhlamini-double-sinks-malawian-side-in-gaborone/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Silver Strikers Ladies were given a footballing lesson by Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, going down 3-0 in their CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifying tie at the Gaborone Stadium in Botswana on Sunday evening. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260824-WA00001-535x600.jpg)Silver Strikers could find no way back into the matchThe Malawian side, nicknamed the Bankers, never settled into any semblance of rhythm, struggling to retain possession and offering little resistance to a South African midfield that dictated terms from the outset. It was Karabo Dhlamini who set the tone inside ten minutes, gliding past three defenders before drilling a long-range effort beyond the reach of goalkeeper Ireen Sibade — a goal of real individual quality that immediately put the Bankers on the back foot. Dhlamini was at the heart of matters again before the interval, curling a free-kick from the edge of the box into the roof of the net to double her side’s advantage and leave Silver Strikers trailing 2-0 at the break, with Sundowns firmly in the ascendancy. There was to be no respite after the restart. Sundowns continued to control the tempo with their movement and superior possession, repeatedly stretching an increasingly stretched Bankers defence, before a third goal arrived from a corner to complete a thoroughly one-sided contest. Silver Strikers could find no way back into the match, and the closing stages passed without any meaningful response, as Sundowns saw out a comfortable and largely untroubled victory. The result leaves little margin for error for the Bankers, who now turn their attention to a decisive fixture against Nsingizini Hotspurs Women — a match they must win if they are to keep alive any realistic hope of reaching the semi-finals. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Silver Strikers Ladies, women football --- ### [Prophet Bushiri pays tribute to wife Mary in birthday message shared on social media](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-bushiri-pays-tribute-to-wife-mary-in-birthday-message-shared-on-social-media/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Famous prophet Shepherd Bushiri, the leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church, has taken to Facebook with an emotional tribute to his wife, Mary, describing her as “one of the greatest blessings God has given” him. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787518527238-480x600.jpg)Blessed and loved up: Bushiri wrote, “you are my wife, my companion, my friend.”In a lengthy post shared with his followers, Bushiri praised his wife’s dual role as both his spouse and a prophetess in her own right, saying he had watched her “carry her calling with strength, faith, grace, and courage” throughout their marriage. “I celebrate the woman God chose to walk beside me, pray with me, challenge me, encourage me, and share this journey with me,” he wrote, adding that he had come to know “the woman behind the prophetess” — someone who “loves deeply, prays sincerely, gives selflessly, and keeps going even when the road is difficult.” The post continued in a similarly reflective tone, with Bushiri offering a prayer for his wife’s continued strength and wisdom. “I pray that God continues to strengthen you, increase your wisdom, protect your heart, and take you deeper into everything He has called you to become,” he wrote, before expressing hopes for the future of their marriage and shared ministry. “As we continue walking together, may God keep our marriage strong, our purpose united, and our love growing,” the message read, closing with a direct address to his wife: “To my wife, my prophetess, my love—thank you for being you. I love you, and I will always be grateful that God chose our paths to meet.” The tribute has since drawn considerable engagement on social media, consistent with the couple’s substantial online following across Southern Africa and beyond. Bushiri and his wife have built one of the most prominent — and most scrutinised — ministries in the region, with the ECG church attracting large congregations. Public tributes such as Sunday’s post have become a regular feature of the couple’s social media presence, offering followers a rare glimpse into their personal life alongside the ministry’s more public-facing activities. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News **Tags:** Mary Bushiri, Prophet Bushiri --- ### [Mzuzu pastor held over sex abuse of child during prayer visit](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mzuzu-pastor-held-over-sex-abuse-of-child-during-prayer-visit/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** A 53-year-old pastor has been arrested in Mzuzu after allegedly sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl who had visited his home for prayers with her mother and a friend. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20260823_195537_Instagram-600x405.jpg)Pastor, 53, arrested over sick abuse of girl, 11, who came to him for prayersDaniel Gondwe, a pastor at the Everlasting Church of God, was taken into custody by police following the allegations. Police allege that after praying for the girl’s mother, Gondwe instructed the child and her friend to go into a separate room, where the abuse is said to have taken place. He is further accused of warning the girl not to disclose what had happened. Gondwe has not yet appeared in court, and it remains unclear when he is expected to be formally charged or arraigned. Malawi Police Service has not issued a detailed public statement beyond confirming the arrest, and the Everlasting Church of God has yet to comment publicly on the matter. Cases of alleged child sexual abuse involving religious leaders have periodically drawn public concern in Malawi, with civil society groups in the past calling for stronger safeguarding measures within churches and faith-based organisations, though it is not yet clear whether any such calls have followed this specific case. Investigations are understood to be ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the case progresses through the justice system. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General, News **Tags:** defilement --- ### [Bullets and Silver stumble as title race tightens — while Civo's win offers lifeline at the wrong end](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bullets-and-silver-stumble-as-title-race-tightens-while-civos-win-offers-lifeline-at-the-wrong-end/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** The battle at the top of the FDH Bank Premiership grew tighter still on Sunday, after both FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers were held to goalless draws, handing struggling sides further encouragement in a title race that refuses to settle into a familiar pattern. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260823-WA0003-471x600.jpg)Silver Strikers’ skipper shields the ball under pressure from Goshen City Dedza Dynamos during Sunday’s stalemate.Bullets could find no way past a well-organised Luanar Mitundu FC at Dedza Stadium, the champions’ attacking threat blunted for the second successive week. Across town at Silver Stadium, Silver Strikers fared little better, unable to break down Goshen City Dedza Dynamos in a stalemate that will concern a side chasing the title. For a division growing accustomed to shock results, there was further evidence of the competitive squeeze lower down the table. Civo Services United, who have spent much of the campaign fighting off the drop, secured a precious 1-0 win over Salima-based MAFCO at Civo Stadium — a result that offers genuine hope of survival rather than mere consolation. Further north, Karonga United and Chitipa United shared the points in a 1-1 draw, neither side able to claim bragging rights in a keenly contested derby. The weekend’s results reinforce a narrative that has defined this season: a Premiership no longer willing to bow easily to its traditional heavyweights. With substantial prize money at stake — K200 million for the champions, K100 million for the runners-up, and K75 million for third place — the incentive for even mid-table sides to disrupt the established order has rarely been higher. As the first round draws to a close, the title picture remains finely balanced. Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers sit level on 29 points, separated only by goal aggregate — a margin that speaks to just how unforgiving this season has become at the summit of Malawian football. **Sunday’s results** Luanar Mitundu FC 0-0 FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Silver Strikers 0-0 Goshen City Dedza Dynamos Civo Services United 1-0 MAFCO Karonga United 1-1 Chitipa United ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20260823-WA0002-502x600.jpg)Silver Strikers and Goshen City Dedza Dynamos players tussle for possession in a battling goalless draw. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Sports **Tags:** Big Bullets, FDH Premiership, Silver Strikers --- ### ['Ayimenso!' MCP grassroots demand Chakwera's return for 2030 as party gears up for leadership vote](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ayimenso-mcp-grassroots-demand-chakweras-return-for-2030-as-party-gears-up-for-leadership-vote/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former president Lazarus Chakwera has been handed a rousing show of support from grassroots Malawi Congress Party (MCP) officials, with chants of “Ayimenso!” — Chichewa for “let him rise again!” — ringing out as the party’s District Chairperson for Kasungu East, Chisomo Mbembeza, publicly endorsed him as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2030 election. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787504781900-600x450.jpg)“We need him back!” MCP officials endorse Chakwera for 2030 as farmers cry over crop pricesThe endorsement came during a whistle-stop visit by Chakwera to Mtunthama Trading Centre in Kasungu, where local officials and supporters rallied behind their former leader, with the rallying cry capturing the mood of the crowd. Kasungu East MP Alex Nkhoma echoed the sentiment, telling the gathering that struggling farmers — battered by poor farm-gate prices — desperately need Chakwera back at the helm. For his part, Chakwera insisted the party’s revival begins from the ground up, declaring himself ready and willing to serve Malawians once again. **Party bosses to thrash out leadership election plans** The show of grassroots loyalty comes as MCP’s top brass prepare for crunch talks over how to conduct internal leadership elections, according to the party’s Secretary General, Richard Chimwendo Banda. Chimwendo Banda revealed that senior party officials are set to meet soon to iron out the framework for electing regional and constituency-level leaders, including parliamentary representatives. He made the announcement at a political rally in Lilongwe’s Bwaila constituency, organised by local MP Precious Kabambe. The Secretary General confirmed the party is moving to comply with a court ruling that ordered MCP to hold the elections — a decision that comes despite simmering tensions within the party’s ranks. Chimwendo Banda used the platform to appeal for unity, urging party members to set aside their differences and remain united as the process unfolds, warning that internal division could derail the party’s ambitions ahead of the crucial vote. The developments paint a picture of a party attempting to project strength and cohesion in public, even as it navigates a court-ordered internal shake-up and unresolved questions over its future leadership — with chants of “Ayimenso!” following Chakwera every step of the way as his supporters push to keep him at the centre of it all. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787504853752-600x450.jpg)United front? MCP calls for unity as party gears up for tense leadership elections amid Chakwera 2030 push Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP, Richard Chimwendo Banda --- ### [Gangata's ally fires back over 'outshine the master' donation row — insists K40million church gift was NOT a dig at President Mutharika](https://www.nyasatimes.com/gangatas-ally-fires-back-over-outshine-the-master-donation-row-insists-k40million-church-gift-was-not-a-dig-at-president-mutharika/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** An explosive war of words has broken out online after an aide to Malawi’s Sports Minister Alfred Gangata launched a furious counterattack against claims his boss deliberately upstaged President Arthur Peter Mutharika with a blockbuster church donation. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787498745374-600x493.jpg)Gangata: The intention behind this donation was never to outshine anyone. It was simply to helpLeonard Chimbanga’s took to Facebook with a blistering statement accusing critics of peddling “bodza” — lies — and twisting the facts surrounding Gangata’s contribution to the CCAP Livingstonia Synod, after a widely shared article suggested the minister’s gift was a calculated political stunt. Chimbalang’a branded the claims “misleading, unfair and malicious,” insisting the story had created a “completely false impression” of his boss’s motives. According to the aide, the real story is far less dramatic than the online speculation suggests. The Synod, he revealed, approached Gangata a full six months ago, inviting him to serve as Guest of Honour at a fundraising dinner for a church within his own constituency. After studying the budget, Gangata made a personal pledge — and paid it in full two months ago, long before the Synod even reached out to other high-profile donors. Crucially, Chimbalang’a said, Gangata had no idea at the time who else would be asked to contribute, or how much they might give. “His contribution was not made to compete with, match or outshine anyone,” he insisted. “It was simply an act of support to a church in his constituency.” In a detail that appears to undercut claims of political showmanship, the aide revealed that Gangata did not even turn up to the fundraising dinner himself — despite being invited — which he says proves the donation was made quietly, with no appetite for publicity or headlines. Chimbalang’a also moved to shut down any suggestion of a rift between Gangata and his boss, stressing the minister’s continued loyalty to President Mutharika. “To suggest that the Minister deliberately sought to ‘outshine the master’ is not only misleading — it imputes motives that simply did not exist,” he wrote. He ended his statement with a pointed rebuke aimed squarely at critics: “Facts matter. The intention behind this donation was never to outshine anyone. It was simply to help.” The row has reignited debate over the increasingly blurred lines between church and state in Malawi, with political heavyweights routinely using religious gatherings as platforms to make grand gestures — and, in this case, to defend themselves when those gestures are read as political theatre. Whether the explanation will be enough to silence critics remains to be seen, but the episode has thrust Gangata’s political positioning, and his relationship with Mutharika, back into the spotlight ahead of what is expected to be a tightly contested political period. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Featured, National **Tags:** Alfred Gangata, Leonard Chimbanga, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Minister disrespects the President? Gangata's K40million church donation puts Mutharika's K5million to shame](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-disrespects-the-president-gangatas-k40million-church-donation-puts-mutharikas-k5million-to-shame/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Malawi’s Sports Minister Alfred Gangata appears to have broken a golden rule of politics — never outshine your boss — after handing over a jaw-dropping K40 million donation to the CCAP Livingstonia Synod, eight times more than the amount given by his own President. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787498745374-600x493.jpg)The minister who upstaged his own boss: Gangata’s K40m gift eclipses Mutharika, Chakwera and Kabambe combinedThe eye-watering gesture, made at the Synod’s Annual General Conference at Kamuzu Academy in Kasungu, left tongues wagging after it emerged President Arthur Peter Mutharika had donated just K5 million on the same occasion — a staggering K35 million less than his own Cabinet minister. Gangata’s contribution instantly made him the biggest political donor at the gathering, eclipsing offerings from some of Malawi’s most senior political heavyweights. Former President and MCP leader Dr Lazarus Chakwera gave K2.5 million, while UTM president Dr Dalitso Kabambe contributed K1 million. The lavish donation has drawn comparisons to Robert Greene’s famous 48 Laws of Power, specifically the golden rule: “Never outshine the master.” Critics of the unwritten code argue that ambitious subordinates who overshadow their superiors risk provoking insecurity, envy — or worse. Whether Gangata’s blockbuster gift was a calculated show of loyalty, a generous act of faith, or an unintentional political statement remains unclear. But one thing is certain: on a day meant to celebrate unity and generosity, it was the Sports Minister — not the President — who stole the show. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** General **Tags:** Alfred Gangata, Peter Mutharika --- ### [Chakwera declares MCP "alive" and ready for political comeback](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-declares-mcp-alive-and-ready-for-political-comeback/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Former president Lazarus Chakwera used an address to Christian delegates at the CCAP Livingstonia Synod’s annual conference in Kasungu to signal his party’s ambitions for a return to power, telling the gathering that the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) remained a viable political force despite recent setbacks. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787490911603-600x450.jpg)Former president Chakwera vows fightback for MCP, even as factions push for new leadershipSpeaking at Kamuzu Academy, Chakwera blended religious and political rhetoric in remarks that went well beyond the conventions of a typical church address. “I’ve seen that Livingstonia Synod is alive,” he told delegates. “And let me be clear — the MCP is also alive. We are ready to come back and rescue this nation from the problems we’re facing.” The former president’s comments come as the MCP seeks to reposition itself following its exit from government, with Chakwera positioning the party as a solution to the country’s ongoing economic and governance challenges, though he offered few specifics on policy during the address. On his journey back to his base in Lilongwe, Chakwera was met by crowds of supporters at Mponela, who reportedly urged him to speak to them — a moment that underscored his continued grassroots support in parts of the country, even as questions persist over his long-term position within the party. Chakwera’s insistence that the MCP will rebuild ahead of a renewed push for power comes against a backdrop of internal tensions. Sources within the party point to factions calling for a leadership transition, with some arguing that fresh leadership may be needed to reinvigorate the MCP’s prospects ahead of future elections. The former president has so far shown no public sign of stepping aside, and his remarks in Kasungu suggest he intends to remain at the centre of the party’s political strategy. Whether that stance will hold amid growing internal pressure remains to be seen. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787499792376-600x277.jpg)Mponela MCP supporters – ‘The MCP is also alive’: Chakwera signals comeback bid as party faces leadership calls Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Politics **Tags:** Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP --- ### [Prophetess Mary Bushiri turns a year older as brother Gwamba pays touching birthday tribute on social media](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophetess-mary-bushiri-turns-a-year-older-as-brother-gwamba-pays-touching-birthday-tribute-on-social-media/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** Mary Bushiri, wife of popular Malawian preacher Shepherd Bushiri, has been showered with love online after her brother, popular musician Gwamba, marked her birthday with a heartfelt tribute on Facebook. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/FB_IMG_1787499850740-498x600.jpg)Mary BUshiri: happy birthdaySharing a stunning photograph of his sister dressed in an elegant mint-green gown, complete with a dramatic layered skirt and matching heels, Gwamba penned a gushing message celebrating the milestone. “Happy birthday to my big sis! Wishing you a year filled with happiness and countless blessings. May you continue to shine and inspire. Love you always!” the musician wrote alongside the snap. The photograph, taken against a lush, manicured garden backdrop, shows Mary beaming with joy, her hair swept back elegantly as she poses confidently for the camera. The image has since been circulating widely on social media, with fans and well-wishers flooding the comments section with birthday messages of their own. Mary Bushiri is best known as the wife of Shepherd Bushiri, the marveric prophet and leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church, who has built a massive following across Southern Africa and beyond. Mary has largely maintained a lower public profile compared to her husband, often appearing at church events and family gatherings rather than courting the spotlight herself. Sunday’s birthday tribute from her brother, however, offered a rare and warm glimpse into her personal life away from the headlines. Gwamba, a well-known figure in Malawi’s music industry in his own right, has never shied away from publicly celebrating his sister, often using his platform to share family milestones with his followers. His birthday message struck a chord with many online, who praised the close bond between the siblings. “Such a beautiful family moment,” one fan commented beneath the post, while another wrote: “Happy birthday to her, she looks radiant.” The tribute comes at a time when the Bushiri family continues to draw attention across the region, with Shepherd Bushiri’s church activities and its continued growth and popularity remaining a subject of public interest. Still, for one day, the focus shifted onto a simple celebration of family and love. Neither Mary Bushiri nor Gwamba has released further public statements beyond the Facebook post, and it remains unclear whether any private celebrations were held to mark the occasion. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : **Categories:** Entertainment **Tags:** Gwamba, Mary Bushiri, Shepherd Bushiri --- ## Pages ### [Chipungu launches five-year plan to improve land administration and housing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-launches-five-year-plan-to-improve-land-administration-and-housing/) **Published:** October 13, 2026 **Author:** Nyasa Times News Desk **Content:** - **Minister says digital reforms, stronger land governance and planned urban growth will be central to Malawi’s development ambitions under new strategy** The Government has unveiled an ambitious five-year strategy aimed at overhauling land administration, expanding access to affordable housing and managing the pressures of rapid urbanisation as Malawi pursues its long-term development goals. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261013-WA0004-1-400x600.jpg)Minister Chipungu: Land, housing and urban plan is ‘beginning of implementation’Launching the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development’s Strategic Plan for 2026-2031 at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Lands Minister **Chimwemwe Chipungu** said the blueprint would serve as a roadmap for improving land governance, modernising public services and supporting sustainable urban growth. Addressing government officials, diplomats, development partners, traditional leaders and civil society representatives, Chipungu described the plan as more than a policy document, calling it a “shared strategic direction” for the next five years. Malawi faces mounting pressure on its land resources amid rapid population growth, increasing urbanisation and rising demand for housing and infrastructure. The minister said the strategy had been designed to respond to these challenges while improving transparency and efficiency in service delivery. “How we manage land today will have profound implications for the Malawi we seek to create tomorrow,” Chipungu said, arguing that secure access to land remains fundamental to agriculture, housing, industry and investment. The new plan is closely aligned with the Malawi 2063 national vision and seeks to support the country’s ambitions for agricultural transformation, industrialisation and urbanisation. Under the strategy, the ministry will prioritise improvements in land administration systems, strengthen tenure security, promote planned settlements and expand access to adequate housing. It will also seek to improve the availability of geospatial information and make greater use of digital technologies. A key pillar of the plan is the expansion of digital land services. Building on the introduction of the Land Information Management System and digital land registration processes, the ministry aims to make land information more accessible, reduce administrative delays and improve accountability. Chipungu said technology should be used to deliver measurable benefits for citizens seeking land registration, planning approvals, valuation services and other government services. The minister also highlighted housing as one of Malawi’s most pressing development challenges, saying government alone could not meet growing demand. Instead, he called for stronger partnerships with private investors, financial institutions and development agencies to promote affordable and resilient housing solutions. “Our approach recognises that the housing challenge cannot be solved by Government alone,” he said. The strategy further seeks to strengthen urban planning as towns and cities continue to expand. Authorities will be expected to improve development control, integrate housing and infrastructure planning, and build more inclusive and resilient urban centres. Chipungu stressed that implementation would be subject to performance monitoring and regular reviews, warning that success would ultimately be judged by results rather than plans. “We must be prepared to ask difficult questions,” he said. “What have we achieved? What has not been achieved? Why has it not been achieved?” While acknowledging that funding constraints remain a significant challenge, the minister said implementation would rely on government resources, development partner support, public-private partnerships and other financing mechanisms. He urged donors to align their support with the strategy’s priorities and called on local authorities, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and communities to play an active role in delivery. ![](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20261013-WA0003-600x400.jpg)Chipungu says technology must improve citizens’ experience of land servicesDescribing the strategy as a “shared roadmap”, Chipungu said its success would depend on coordinated action across government and society. He said the ultimate objective was to translate policy commitments into tangible improvements in people’s lives through secure land rights, better housing opportunities and more sustainable urban development. “The launch is not the destination,” he said. “It is the beginning of a five-year journey towards stronger land governance, better housing and better managed cities.” The Ministry’s vision for the period is “equitable access to secure land, adequate housing and sustainable urban development for all”, with officials expected to begin implementing the strategy immediately. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : --- ### [About Us](https://www.nyasatimes.com/about-us/) **Published:** July 29, 2007 **Author:** Nyasa Times Reporter **Content:** ABOUT NYASA TIMES Nyasa Times is an independent online news publication covering Malawi and Malawians around the world. Founded in 2006, Nyasa Times publishes breaking news, national affairs, politics, business, education, health, sports, entertainment, religion, opinion and public-interest reporting. Our mission is to inform, engage and empower readers with timely, accurate and relevant journalism. We report on the stories shaping Malawi’s democracy, economy, communities, institutions and public life. Nyasa Times is committed to editorial independence, accuracy, fairness, transparency and accountability. Our journalism is guided by our Ethics Policy, Fact-Check Policy and Corrections Policy. We welcome feedback from readers and encourage the public to contact our editorial team with corrections, story tips, documents, community concerns and right-of-reply requests. Nyasa Times serves readers in Malawi, across Africa and throughout the Malawian diaspora. We aim to provide a platform for verified news, responsible debate, diverse voices and reporting that supports informed public discussion. Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV : --- ### [Contact us](https://www.nyasatimes.com/contact-us/) **Published:** August 17, 2011 **Author:** Nyasa Times Reporter **Content:** CONTACT NYASA TIMES Use this page to contact the Nyasa Times editorial, advertising and support teams. For news tips, corrections, right-of-reply requests, documents, community concerns or editorial feedback, please use the contact form below or email the newsroom. When contacting us about an article, please include: **Editorial email:** <editor.nyasatimes@gmail.com> **Advertising enquiries:** <editor.nyasatimes@gmail.com> --- ### [sitemap](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sitemap/) **Published:** August 29, 2011 **Author:** Nyasa Times Reporter **Content:** ### Pages - [\*WP Mobile Edition (Blog Index)](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fdx-index/) - [\*WP Mobile Edition (Contact)](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fdx-contact/) - [About Us](https://www.nyasatimes.com/about-us/) - [Advertise](https://www.nyasatimes.com/advertise/) - [Chipungu launches five-year plan to improve land administration and housing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-launches-five-year-plan-to-improve-land-administration-and-housing/) - [Contact us](https://www.nyasatimes.com/contact-us/) - [Contribute to Nyasatimes](https://www.nyasatimes.com/contribute-to-nyasatimes/) - [Corrections Policy](https://www.nyasatimes.com/corrections-policy/) - [Ethics Policy](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ethics-policy/) - [Fact-Check Policy](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fact-check-policy/) - [media-rss](https://www.nyasatimes.com/media-rss/) - [Privacy](https://www.nyasatimes.com/privacy/) - [sitemap](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sitemap/) - [Terms of Use](https://www.nyasatimes.com/terms-of-use/) - [Write for us](https://www.nyasatimes.com/write-for-us/) ### Articles by Category #### [Breaking News](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/national/breaking-news/) - [Malawian entrepreneur launches Pita-GO to digitise transport sector](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawian-entrepreneur-launches-pita-go-to-digitise-transport-sector/) - [Chisale walks free as K5bn asset case is thrown out by Supreme Court of Malawi ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chisale-walks-free-as-k5bn-asset-case-is-thrown-out-by-supreme-court-of-malawi/) - [British mum found safe as police hero takes bullet in dramatic rescue](https://www.nyasatimes.com/british-mum-found-safe-as-police-hero-takes-bullet-in-dramatic-rescue/) - [BREAKING: Malawian businessman arrested for murder after victim’s body exhumed from grave in shock twist](https://www.nyasatimes.com/breaking-malawian-businessman-arrested-for-murder-after-victims-body-exhumed-from-grave-in-shock-twist/) - [Malawi police arrest suspect over killing of Blantyre doctor](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-police-arrest-suspect-over-killing-of-blantyre-doctor/) - [BREAKING \| Man struck by train in Salima — police rush victim to hospital](https://www.nyasatimes.com/breaking-man-struck-by-train-in-salima-police-rush-victim-to-hospital/) - [Chilima inquiry report ready: Chakwera orders report be read to the public first before it get submitted to him](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chilima-inquiry-report-ready-chakwera-orders-report-be-read-to-the-public-first-before-it-get-submitted-to-him/) - [Scary: Four dead, 12 injured in Ntcheu accident](https://www.nyasatimes.com/scary-four-dead-12-injured-in-ntcheu-accident/) - [Chakwera announces the death of Malawi’s veep Chilima and nine others: Here is the full speech](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-announces-the-death-of-malawis-veep-chilima-and-nine-others-here-is-the-full-speech/) - [APM calls on Malawians to pray for the safety of the missing Chilima and nine others](https://www.nyasatimes.com/apm-calls-on-malawians-to-pray-for-the-safety-of-the-missing-chilima-and-nine-others/) - [Teary Malawians wait with unabated breath as rescue mission continue to search for Chilima’s missing aircraft](https://www.nyasatimes.com/teary-malawians-wait-with-unabated-breath-as-rescue-mission-continue-to-search-for-chilimas-missing-aircraft/) - [High Court convicts wife of late Prof. Mumba for murder of husband](https://www.nyasatimes.com/high-court-convicts-wife-of-late-prof-mumba-for-murder-of-husband-evidence-overwhelming/) - [Kalumo no longer Immigration boss: High Court nullifies his appointment as it was in ‘contravention of the law’.](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kalumo-no-longer-immigration-boss-high-court-nullifies-his-appointment-as-it-was-in-contravention-of-the-law/) - [It’s over! Govt rejects Chizuma’s application for contract renewal](https://www.nyasatimes.com/its-over-govt-rejects-chizumas-application-for-contract-renewal/) - [Boy, 7, dies after grandparent burnt his both hands for eating her kanyenya](https://www.nyasatimes.com/boy-7-dies-after-grandparent-burnt-his-both-hands-for-eating-her-kanyenya/) - [Thyolo District bans buying and selling of maize](https://www.nyasatimes.com/thyolo-district-bans-buying-and-selling-of-maize/) - [Unconfirmed results show MCP triumph in Karonga](https://www.nyasatimes.com/unconfirmed-results-show-mcp-triumph-in-karonga/) - [Things fall apart at Balaka CCAP as church leadership excommunicates 37 members for indiscipline](https://www.nyasatimes.com/things-fall-apart-at-balaka-ccap-as-church-leadership-excommunicates-37-members-for-indiscipline/) - [Sports Council appoints Dr Kamata as new CEO](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sports-council-appoints-dr-kamata-as-new-ceo/) - [Government gazettes new minimum wages, calls for strict adherence among employers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/government-gazettes-new-minimum-wages-calls-for-strict-adherence-among-employers/) #### [Business](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/business/) - [Malawi families squeezed again as cost of basic needs surges](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-families-squeezed-again-as-cost-of-basic-needs-surges/) - [TFM Centre of Excellence gives K10m to IPMM conference](https://www.nyasatimes.com/tfm-centre-of-excellence-gives-k10m-to-ipmm-conference/) - [PayChangu lands Reserve Bank of Malawi licence to expand digital payments](https://www.nyasatimes.com/paychangu-lands-reserve-bank-of-malawi-licence-to-expand-digital-payments/) - [CTS Courier backs women to build businesses after skills drive in Zomba](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cts-courier-backs-women-to-build-businesses-after-skills-drive-in-zomba/) - [FDH Money Bureau rewards 10 more pairs in 3rd ‘Double Double’ promotion ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fdh-money-bureau-rewards-10-more-pairs-in-3rd-double-double-promotion/) - [Low turnout in Malawi tobacco registration exercise](https://www.nyasatimes.com/low-turnout-in-malawi-tobacco-registration-exercise/) - [FDH Bank Swipe to Mauritius winners cherish experience](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fdh-bank-swipe-to-mauritius-winners-cherish-experience/) - [Private capital key to Malawi’s K8.1tn housing ambitions](https://www.nyasatimes.com/private-capital-key-to-malawis-k8-1tn-housing-ambitions/) - [Malawi extends tobacco registration drive ahead of new season](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-extends-tobacco-registration-drive-ahead-of-new-season/) - [Malawi loses $100mn a year to gold smuggling, state miner says](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-loses-100mn-a-year-to-gold-smuggling-state-miner-says/) - [NBM plc supports Financial Market Dealers Association conference with K5 million](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nbm-plc-supports-financial-market-dealers-association-conference-with-k5-million/) - [Govt urges private sector to invest in Malawi’s agrifood systems](https://www.nyasatimes.com/govt-urges-private-sector-to-invest-in-malawis-agrifood-systems/) - [Reserve Bank of Malawi champions non-bank finance as driver of economic development](https://www.nyasatimes.com/reserve-bank-of-malawi-champions-non-bank-finance-as-driver-of-economic-development/) - [FCB’s Mwathengere named Malawi’s top PR practitioner by PRSM](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fcbs-mwathengere-named-malawis-top-pr-practitioner-by-prsm/) - [Pro Veritas gets Malawi’s first Pension Advisor license](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pro-veritas-gets-malawis-first-pension-advisor-license/) - [‘Tikwere ndi wotsika’: Castel Malawi’s biggest ever promotion offers cars, bikes and cheaper prices](https://www.nyasatimes.com/tikwere-ndi-wotsika-castel-malawis-biggest-ever-promotion-offers-cars-bikes-and-cheaper-prices/) - [National symposium at BICC to accelerate Malawi 2063 agenda through agrifood investment](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-symposium-at-bicc-to-accelerate-malawi-2063-agenda-through-agrifood-investment/) - [Malawi tobacco farmers face days in the cold amid registration chaos](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-tobacco-farmers-face-days-in-the-cold-amid-registration-chaos/) - [Malawi Housing Corporation roars back to profit under Chimkango](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-housing-corporation-roars-back-to-profit-under-chimkango/) - [Mining law review on track to deliver ‘greater benefits’ for Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mining-law-review-on-track-to-deliver-greater-benefits-for-malawi/) #### [Cartoon](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/cartoon/) - [Handy tips to get the most out of Bitcoin trading](https://www.nyasatimes.com/handy-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-bitcoin-trading/) - [Lilongwe Water Board in unjustifiable water tariff hike](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lilongwe-water-board-unjustifiable-water-tariff-hike/) - [Malawi Police nab herbalist for sexual abuse of two women in Zomba](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-police-nab-herbalist-sexual-abuse-two-women-zomba/) - [Malawi struggling to kick the tobacco habit but companies hooked on tawny leaf](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-struggling-kick-tobacco-habit-companies-keep-hooked/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-55/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-54/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-53/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-52/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-51/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-50/) - [Cash-gate cartoon](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cash-gate-cartoon/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-49/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-48/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-47/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-46/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-45/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-44/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-43/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-42/) - [Lip-Smile](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lip-smile-41/) #### [Columns](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/columns/) - [Lessons of the ‘Midnight Six’ still resonate](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lessons-of-the-midnight-six-still-resonate/) - [When Chikangawa Forest fell silent, the media lost its way!](https://www.nyasatimes.com/when-chikangawa-forest-fell-silent-the-media-lost-its-way/) - [Kabambe should put his evidence on the table on Malawi corruption](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kabambe-should-put-his-evidence-on-the-table-on-malawi-corruption/) - [From defending plastics firms to defending the ban: the awkward history of Malawi’s attorney general Mbeta](https://www.nyasatimes.com/from-defending-plastics-firms-to-defending-the-ban-the-awkward-history-of-malawis-attorney-general-mbeta/) - [Ben Phiri’s China study tour reflects growing Global South interest in shared development wisdom](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ben-phiris-china-study-tour-reflects-growing-global-south-interest-in-shared-development-wisdom/) - [Sigh of relief: The vote that rescued Malawians](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sigh-of-relief-the-vote-that-rescued-malawians/) - [Dassu: Malawi’s vice-presidency is a constitutional office, not a party asset](https://www.nyasatimes.com/dassu-malawis-vice-presidency-is-a-constitutional-office-not-a-party-asset/) - [Beyond aid: Can Malawi compete for global investment?](https://www.nyasatimes.com/beyond-aid-can-malawi-compete-for-global-investment/) - [ANALYSIS \| President Mutharika, not Saidi, must answer for VP Ansah’s humiliation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/analysis-president-mutharika-not-saidi-must-answer-for-vp-ansahs-humiliation/) - [Accountability on hold: Malawi’s High Court tests parliamentary oversight](https://www.nyasatimes.com/accountability-on-hold-malawis-high-court-tests-parliamentary-oversight/) - [Get Rid of the Assholes: Stop Rewarding Toxic High Performers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/get-rid-of-the-assholes-stop-rewarding-toxic-high-performers/) - [Build Markets and Build Resilience: The Paradigm Shift to Build Economies and Save Lives Across Africa](https://www.nyasatimes.com/build-markets-and-build-resilience-the-paradigm-shift-to-build-economies-and-save-lives-across-africa/) - [Gangata’s K40 Million Donation Is Service, Not Disrespect](https://www.nyasatimes.com/gangatas-k40-million-donation-is-service-not-disrespect/) - [ANALYSIS \| The missing witness: Why has the Chilima inquiry not called Michael Usi?](https://www.nyasatimes.com/analysis-the-missing-witness-why-has-the-chilima-inquiry-not-called-michael-usi/) - [ANALYSIS \| Treason as a political weapon? Namiwa case revives Malawi’s troubling history](https://www.nyasatimes.com/analysis-treason-as-a-political-weapon-namiwa-case-revives-malawis-troubling-history/) - [Beyond Symbolism: What Malawi Can Learn from Morocco’s ‘Trump Road’ Strategy](https://www.nyasatimes.com/beyond-symbolism-what-malawi-can-learn-from-moroccos-trump-road-strategy/) - [ANALYSIS \| MCP’s shadow cabinet: More than a list of names—A blueprint to hold Govt accountable](https://www.nyasatimes.com/analysis-mcps-shadow-cabinet-more-than-a-list-of-names-a-blueprint-to-hold-govt-accountable/) - [The trillion-kwacha question: what Malawi’s Finance Bank saga reveals about the limits of restitution](https://www.nyasatimes.com/the-trillion-kwacha-question-what-malawis-finance-bank-saga-reveals-about-the-limits-of-restitution/) - [ANALYSIS\| Why Malawi’s new CDF rules could deliver the best community development in the fund’s history](https://www.nyasatimes.com/why-malawis-new-cdf-rules-could-deliver-the-best-community-development-in-the-funds-history/) - [Mutharika’s attack on mineral ‘traitors’ highlights need for stronger state capacity in mining](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharikas-attack-on-mineral-traitors-highlights-need-for-stronger-state-capacity-in-mining/) #### [Education](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/education/) - [Teachers are at heart of Malawi 2063 agenda, says Education Minister Msaka](https://www.nyasatimes.com/teachers-are-at-heart-of-malawi-2063-agenda-says-education-minister-msaka/) - [Msaka to universities: Start earning Malawi dollars to copy Zambia’s forex model](https://www.nyasatimes.com/msaka-to-universities-start-earning-malawi-dollars-to-copy-zambias-forex-model/) - [Malawi emerges as Indonesia scholarship leader alongside Nigeria](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-emerges-as-indonesia-scholarship-leader-alongside-nigeria/) - [Well-wisher Sosola donates uniforms to over 200 pupils in Mangochi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/well-wisher-sosola-donates-uniforms-to-over-200-pupils-in-mangochi/) - [CH3’s K6.9m desk donation brings relief to Mchesi Primary](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ch3s-k6-9m-desk-donation-brings-relief-to-mchesi-primary/) - [Judge crushes bid to reopen Pentecostal university’s licence after deregistration ruling](https://www.nyasatimes.com/judge-crushes-bid-to-reopen-pentecostal-universitys-licence-after-deregistration-ruling/) - [Clooney announces law scholarships for Malawian girls](https://www.nyasatimes.com/clooney-announces-law-scholarships-for-malawian-girls/) - [National Bank of Malawi expands scholarship scheme to health students](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-expands-scholarship-scheme-to-health-students/) - [Chipungu donates school essentials to Luchenza pupils heading to secondary school](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-donates-school-essentials-to-luchenza-pupils-heading-to-secondary-school/) - [‘Job well done’: MP Mtumbuka’s as entire primary school class earns secondary places](https://www.nyasatimes.com/job-well-done-mp-mtumbukas-as-entire-primary-school-class-earns-secondary-places/) - [Maranatha blasts jealous rivals as school celebrates near-perfect pass rate](https://www.nyasatimes.com/maranatha-blasts-jealous-rivals-as-school-celebrates-near-perfect-pass-rate/) - [Maranatha Academy offers Ireen Navicha Masters scholarship in India](https://www.nyasatimes.com/maranatha-academy-offers-ireen-navicha-masters-scholarship-in-india/) - [UK celebrates 23 Malawian scholars ahead of postgraduate study: ‘An investment in future leaders’](https://www.nyasatimes.com/uk-celebrates-23-malawian-scholars-ahead-of-postgraduate-study-an-investment-in-future-leaders/) - [Maranatha Academy launches K15bn scholarship fund to put 500 students through secondary school](https://www.nyasatimes.com/maranatha-academy-launches-k15bn-scholarship-fund-to-put-500-students-through-secondary-school/) - [MSCE 2026: 111,510 students pass as MANEB releases results — boys outperform girls, but girls lead among special needs candidates](https://www.nyasatimes.com/msce-2026-111510-students-pass-as-maneb-releases-results-boys-outperform-girls-but-girls-lead-among-special-needs-candidates/) - [Private school teachers urged to work harder as Prisam boss links effort to better pay and pupil results](https://www.nyasatimes.com/private-school-teachers-urged-to-work-harder-as-prisam-boss-links-effort-to-better-pay-and-pupil-results/) - [LUANAR reaffirms role as hub for Malawi’s agribusiness transformation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/luanar-reaffirms-role-as-hub-for-malawis-agribusiness-transformation/) - [More than 33,000 Malawians approved for student loans amid gender gap](https://www.nyasatimes.com/more-than-33000-malawians-approved-for-student-loans-amid-gender-gap/) - [Chiwanja Cha A Yao festival puts girls’ education at heart of 2026 event](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chiwanja-cha-a-yao-festival-puts-girls-education-at-heart-of-2026-event/) - [Kings Foundation distributes over 6,000 books in second nationwide campaign](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kings-foundation-distributes-over-6000-books-in-second-nationwide-campaign/) #### [Entertainment](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/entertainment/) - [Fashion designer Memory Ngwira urges Malawi models to protect themselves from exploitation](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fashion-designer-memory-ngwira-urges-malawi-models-to-protect-themselves-from-exploitation/) - [Gospel artists set for Anakubala Celebration in Mitundu:Gloria Kampingu to headline](https://www.nyasatimes.com/gospel-artists-set-for-anakubala-celebration-in-mitundugloria-kampingu-to-headline/) - [Zeze Kingstone criticised after video shows him throwing banknotes at fans](https://www.nyasatimes.com/zeze-kingstone-criticised-after-video-shows-him-throwing-banknotes-at-fans/) - [Flying high: Malawi Airlines backs Theresa Phondo’s Lilongwe concert with free flights for star guests](https://www.nyasatimes.com/flying-high-malawi-airlines-backs-theresa-phondos-lilongwe-concert-with-free-flights-for-star-guests/) - [Mubas Choir to hold concert to raise funds for instruments](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mubas-choir-to-hold-concert-to-raise-funds-for-instruments/) - [Zambian hitmaker Yo Maps set to headline Sand Music Festival as organisers confirm final details for beachside bash](https://www.nyasatimes.com/zambian-hitmaker-yo-maps-set-to-headline-sand-music-festival-as-organisers-confirm-final-details-for-beachside-bash/) - [Miss Malawi founder Carver Bhima dies](https://www.nyasatimes.com/miss-malawi-founder-carver-bhima-dies/) - [Sand Music Festival forced into last-minute venue switch as organisers scramble to avoid date clash chaos](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sand-music-festival-forced-into-last-minute-venue-switch-as-organisers-scramble-to-avoid-date-clash-chaos/) - [Wycliffe Chimwendo teams up with gospel greats for December comeback show](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wycliffe-chimwendo-teams-up-with-gospel-greats-for-december-comeback-show/) - [Get ready to party for your mama: ‘Amayi Asangalare’ concert confirmed for Nkhopola this October](https://www.nyasatimes.com/get-ready-to-party-for-your-mama-amayi-asangalare-concert-confirmed-for-nkhopola-this-october/) - [Roots and rebellion: Wailing Brothers, the band that launched Malawi’s reggae king, set for triumphant comeback](https://www.nyasatimes.com/roots-and-rebellion-wailing-brothers-the-band-that-launched-malawis-reggae-king-set-for-triumphant-comeback/) - [Malawian poet Sukali to release book asking: why are we the way we are?](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawian-poet-sukali-to-release-book-asking-why-are-we-the-way-we-are/) - [Nigerian megastars Johnny Drille, Bayanni and Teni set to descend on Lilongwe for star-studded Afro Fest debut](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nigerian-megastars-johnny-drille-bayanni-and-teni-set-to-descend-on-lilongwe-for-star-studded-afro-fest-debut/) - [Malawi music stars line up for lakeside all-nighter at Sunbird Nkopola for Accountant’s Explosion concert](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-music-stars-line-up-for-lakeside-all-nighter-at-sunbird-nkopola-for-accountants-explosion-concert/) - [Theresa Phondo to headline gospel concert with African stars](https://www.nyasatimes.com/theresa-phondo-to-headline-gospel-concert-with-african-stars/) - [Phyzix receives YouTube silver creator award for hitting 100k subscribers milestone](https://www.nyasatimes.com/phyzix-receives-youtube-silver-creator-award-for-hitting-100k-subscribers-milestone/) - [Sauti Sol set to headline Lilongwe’s Kumbali Live Music Concert](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sauti-sol-set-to-headline-lilongwes-kumbali-live-music-concert/) - [Apostle Kawinga marks 20 years of marriage with heartfelt tribute](https://www.nyasatimes.com/apostle-kawinga-marks-20-years-of-marriage-with-heartfelt-tribute/) - [Ireen Navicha touches down after historic Miss World top 40 finish](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ireen-navicha-touches-down-after-historic-miss-world-top-40-finish/) - [MP Nyamilandu shares stunning anniversary photo with wife as he marks 11 years of marriage](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mp-nyamilandu-shares-stunning-anniversary-photo-with-wife-as-he-marks-11-years-of-marriage/) #### [Featured](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/featured/) - [Malawi families squeezed again as cost of basic needs surges](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-families-squeezed-again-as-cost-of-basic-needs-surges/) - [Transport costs surge in Malawi as fuel scarcity bites](https://www.nyasatimes.com/transport-costs-surge-in-malawi-as-fuel-scarcity-bites/) - [Musowa: MPs must scrutinise government projects with better information](https://www.nyasatimes.com/musowa-mps-must-scrutinise-government-projects-with-better-information/) - [Lessons of the ‘Midnight Six’ still resonate](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lessons-of-the-midnight-six-still-resonate/) - [VP Ansah joins mourners at uncle’s burial in Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/vp-ansah-joins-mourners-at-uncles-burial-in-lilongwe/) - [Suleman questions Muslim representation in Cabinet, sparking debate](https://www.nyasatimes.com/suleman-questions-muslim-representation-in-cabinet-sparking-debate/) - [Minister Ben Phiri sets six-month deadline for CDF projects](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-ben-phiri-sets-six-month-deadline-for-cdf-projects/) - [Chipungu seeks private investment for Housing Project 250](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-seeks-private-investment-for-housing-project-250/) - [Lilongwe protest over fuel vendor’s death met with teargas](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lilongwe-protest-over-fuel-vendors-death-met-with-teargas/) - [Watchdog demands transparency over K587bn road projects earmarked for Chinese firm](https://www.nyasatimes.com/watchdog-demands-transparency-over-k587bn-road-projects-earmarked-for-chinese-firm/) - [Top Catholic cleric speaks out on economic crisis and promises pastoral letter](https://www.nyasatimes.com/top-catholic-cleric-speaks-out-on-economic-crisis-and-promises-pastoral-letter/) - [Malawi to roast in 42C heatwave as experts warn lives could be at risk](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-to-roast-in-42c-heatwave-as-experts-warn-lives-could-be-at-risk/) - [Bible warning for Mutharika critics: Mwanamvekha warns DPP against divisions](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bible-warning-for-mutharika-critics-mwanamvekha-warns-dpp-against-divisions/) - [‘Anyone who insults Mutharika will face action incouding death’: Mulhako boss warns ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/anyone-who-insults-mutharika-will-face-action-incouding-death-mulhako-boss-warns/) - [287 fuel tankers expected in Malawi this week](https://www.nyasatimes.com/287-fuel-tankers-expected-in-malawi-this-week/) - [Chakwera returns to the pulpit in Ghana after presidency shaped by church loyalists](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-returns-to-the-pulpit-in-ghana-after-presidency-shaped-by-church-loyalists/) - [PayChangu lands Reserve Bank of Malawi licence to expand digital payments](https://www.nyasatimes.com/paychangu-lands-reserve-bank-of-malawi-licence-to-expand-digital-payments/) - [One NICO commits K250m to Mulhako festival as culture takes economic centre stage](https://www.nyasatimes.com/one-nico-commits-k250m-to-mulhako-festival-as-culture-takes-economic-centre-stage/) - [Bullets return to top with win over MAFCO](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bullets-return-to-top-with-win-over-mafco/) - [Mwanamvekha leads Mulhako festival as Kawinga joins celebrations](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mwanamvekha-leads-mulhako-festival-as-kawinga-joins-celebrations/) #### [General](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/general/) - [TFM Centre of Excellence gives K10m to IPMM conference](https://www.nyasatimes.com/tfm-centre-of-excellence-gives-k10m-to-ipmm-conference/) - [Chipungu seeks private investment for Housing Project 250](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-seeks-private-investment-for-housing-project-250/) - [Malawi turns to community sentences as prisons struggle with chronic overcrowding](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-turns-to-community-sentences-as-prisons-struggle-with-chronic-overcrowding/) - [Nigerian preacher Wiseman Daniel set to bring ‘Greener Pastures’ crusade to Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nigerian-preacher-wiseman-daniel-set-to-bring-greener-pastures-crusade-to-malawi/) - [FDH Bank Swipe to Mauritius winners cherish experience](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fdh-bank-swipe-to-mauritius-winners-cherish-experience/) - [Pump scandal: CAMA accuses filling stations of fuelling black market as Malawians queue for hours](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pump-scandal-cama-accuses-filling-stations-of-fuelling-black-market-as-malawians-queue-for-hours/) - [Three new senior chiefs for Mulanje as Minister Ben Phiri urges integrity](https://www.nyasatimes.com/three-new-senior-chiefs-for-mulanje-as-minister-ben-phiri-urges-integrity/) - [Compensation delays prevent plot allocation at Area 54, Dunduzu and Matindi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/compensation-delays-prevent-plot-allocation-at-area-54-dunduzu-and-matindi/) - [Blantyre Water Board sacks CEO Chihana for third time](https://www.nyasatimes.com/blantyre-water-board-sacks-ceo-chihana-for-third-time/) - [Wiskes signs MoU with LUANAR on natural resources collaboration](https://www.nyasatimes.com/wiskes-signs-mou-with-luanar-on-natural-resources-collaboration/) - [K559m house, K370m bridge and court case that won’t end: inside Mzimba Hora’s CDF billions](https://www.nyasatimes.com/k559m-house-k370m-bridge-and-court-case-that-wont-end-inside-mzimba-horas-cdf-billions/) - [Malawi faces contraceptive funding shortfall, UN agency warns](https://www.nyasatimes.com/un-warns-malawi-faces-contraception-funding-gap-that-could-crush-young-womens-futures/) - [Court to rule November 20 on Dutch national accused of sodomy in Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-to-rule-november-20-on-dutch-national-accused-of-sodomy-in-malawi/) - [Blantyre Archdiocese launches Month of Mission as Church marks centenary of World Mission Sunday](https://www.nyasatimes.com/blantyre-archdiocese-launches-month-of-mission-as-church-marks-centenary-of-world-mission-sunday/) - [National Bank of Malawi honours staff recognition pledge with Cape Town tour](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-honours-staff-recognition-pledge-with-cape-town-tour/) - [Ben Phiri’s China study tour reflects growing Global South interest in shared development wisdom](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ben-phiris-china-study-tour-reflects-growing-global-south-interest-in-shared-development-wisdom/) - [Well-wisher Sosola donates uniforms to over 200 pupils in Mangochi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/well-wisher-sosola-donates-uniforms-to-over-200-pupils-in-mangochi/) - [Casino Marina: Lilongwe’s glitzy gaming den ‘set to shut its doors’, 30 jobs hang in the balance](https://www.nyasatimes.com/casino-marina-lilongwes-glitzy-gaming-den-set-to-shut-its-doors-30-jobs-hang-in-the-balance/) - [Prophet Bushiri’s massive Salvation Crusade set to hit Lilongwe this Saturday](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-bushiris-massive-salvation-crusade-set-to-hit-lilongwe-this-saturday/) - [Malawi’s climate fight ‘strangled’ by crushing debt burden, ActionAid warns](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-climate-fight-strangled-by-crushing-debt-burden-actionaid-warns/) #### [Health](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/health/) - [National Bank of Malawi, Press Trust invest K1.4bn in Ntcheu health centre](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-press-trust-invest-k1-4bn-in-ntcheu-health-centre/) - [Cars get dollars, medicines don’t? MPs question forex for pharmaceutical firms](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cars-get-dollars-medicines-dont-mps-question-forex-for-pharmaceutical-firms/) - [Ansah gives K15m food boost to cancer patients](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ansah-gives-k15m-food-boost-to-cancer-patients/) - [Malawi VP Ansah offers support to cancer patients on hospital visit](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-vp-ansah-offers-support-to-cancer-patients-on-hospital-visit/) - [Likoma District Council, StrokeAfrica join forces to tackle stroke burden](https://www.nyasatimes.com/likoma-district-council-strokeafrica-join-forces-to-tackle-stroke-burden/) - [‘Breast cancer is not a curse’: Ansah’s plea to women as cases soar in Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/breast-cancer-is-not-a-curse-ansahs-plea-to-women-as-cases-soar-in-malawi/) - [MedHealth boss works as receptionist for Customer Service Week](https://www.nyasatimes.com/medhealth-boss-works-as-receptionist-for-customer-service-week/) - [Health minister admits Malawi facing medicine shortage ‘crisis’; KCH faces 5,000-patient surgical backlog](https://www.nyasatimes.com/health-minister-admits-malawi-facing-medicine-shortage-crisis-kch-faces-5000-patient-surgical-backlog/) - [Malawi’s traditional healers get degree boost – as govt moves to regulate herbal medicine](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-traditional-healers-get-degree-boost-as-govt-moves-to-regulate-herbal-medicine/) - [Malawi faces contraceptive funding shortfall, UN agency warns](https://www.nyasatimes.com/un-warns-malawi-faces-contraception-funding-gap-that-could-crush-young-womens-futures/) - [Sickle cell warrior Lympie C on her lifelong battle with pain and stigma](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sickle-cell-warrior-lympie-c-on-her-lifelong-battle-with-pain-and-stigma/) - [Malawi moves towards advanced cancer treatment with nuclear medicine facilities](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-moves-towards-advanced-cancer-treatment-with-nuclear-medicine-facilities/) - [Analysis: Malawi’s silent stroke crisis is a warning the health system cannot afford to ignore](https://www.nyasatimes.com/analysis-malawis-silent-stroke-crisis-is-a-warning-the-health-system-cannot-afford-to-ignore/) - [Malawi’s medicine time bomb: Hospitals face catastrophic drug shortage as CMST rack up $18m debt to foreign suppliers](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-medicine-time-bomb-hospitals-face-catastrophic-drug-shortage-as-cmst-rack-up-18m-debt-to-foreign-suppliers/) - [From kidney failure to crusader: Maliro launches Foundation to save lives](https://www.nyasatimes.com/from-kidney-failure-to-crusader-maliro-launches-foundation-to-save-lives/) - [Rotary Club rallies Malawians to donate blood for children battling cancer](https://www.nyasatimes.com/rotary-club-rallies-malawians-to-donate-blood-for-children-battling-cancer-as-charity-reveals-scale-of-crisis-facing-young-patients-a-lilongwe-charity-has-launched-an-urgent-blood-donation-d/) - [Top lawyer Soko to sleep rough at rural clinic to expose Malawi’s maternal health crisis](https://www.nyasatimes.com/top-lawyer-soko-to-sleep-rough-at-rural-clinic-to-expose-malawis-maternal-health-crisis/) - [Malawi launches drive to close measles immunity gap ahead of nationwide campaign](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-launches-drive-to-close-measles-immunity-gap-ahead-of-nationwide-campaign/) - [Malawi to vaccinate children against measles and rubella](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-to-vaccinate-children-against-measles-and-rubella/) - [Anadkat donates K1.26 billion CT scanner to Blantyre Adventist Hospital](https://www.nyasatimes.com/anadkat-donates-k1-26-billion-ct-scanner-to-blantyre-adventist-hospital/) #### [National](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/national/) - [Chipungu visits Mulanje to see Habitat homes rise from a master plan](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-visits-mulanje-to-see-habitat-homes-rise-from-a-master-plan/) - [Fertiliser delays put Mbilizi under fresh scrutiny](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fertiliser-delays-put-mbilizi-under-fresh-scrutiny/) - [Suleman questions Muslim representation in Cabinet, sparking debate](https://www.nyasatimes.com/suleman-questions-muslim-representation-in-cabinet-sparking-debate/) - [Watchdog demands transparency over K587bn road projects earmarked for Chinese firm](https://www.nyasatimes.com/watchdog-demands-transparency-over-k587bn-road-projects-earmarked-for-chinese-firm/) - [‘Anyone who insults Mutharika will face action incouding death’: Mulhako boss warns ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/anyone-who-insults-mutharika-will-face-action-incouding-death-mulhako-boss-warns/) - [287 fuel tankers expected in Malawi this week](https://www.nyasatimes.com/287-fuel-tankers-expected-in-malawi-this-week/) - [Chakwera returns to the pulpit in Ghana after presidency shaped by church loyalists](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-returns-to-the-pulpit-in-ghana-after-presidency-shaped-by-church-loyalists/) - [One NICO commits K250m to Mulhako festival as culture takes economic centre stage](https://www.nyasatimes.com/one-nico-commits-k250m-to-mulhako-festival-as-culture-takes-economic-centre-stage/) - [Mwanamvekha leads Mulhako festival as Kawinga joins celebrations](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mwanamvekha-leads-mulhako-festival-as-kawinga-joins-celebrations/) - [Ansah’s cryptic comments set tongues wagging across Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ansahs-cryptic-comments-set-tongues-wagging-across-malawi/) - [‘Private is private’: Malawi govt refuses to explain President Mutharika’s five trips to South Africa](https://www.nyasatimes.com/private-is-private-malawi-govt-refuses-to-explain-president-mutharikas-five-trips-to-south-africa/) - [‘Public money is being stolen’: Speaker sounds alarm over fertiliser funds](https://www.nyasatimes.com/public-money-is-being-stolen-speaker-sounds-alarm-over-fertiliser-funds/) - [Bushiri splashes MK8m on Prophet Hara’s book](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bushiri-splashes-mk8m-on-prophet-haras-book/) - [Sumbuleta appointed to Admarc deputy CEO post not on approved staff structure](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sumbuleta-appointed-to-admarc-deputy-ceo-post-not-on-approved-staff-structure/) - [‘Lilongwe is the capital, but the situation does not befit it’ — Council chief Stambuli](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lilongwe-is-the-capital-but-the-situation-does-not-befit-it-council-chief-stambuli/) - [Low turnout in Malawi tobacco registration exercise](https://www.nyasatimes.com/low-turnout-in-malawi-tobacco-registration-exercise/) - [K10m award for book on Malawi’s indigenous knowledge](https://www.nyasatimes.com/k10m-award-for-book-on-malawis-indigenous-knowledge/) - [Court pauses arrest warrants against Mtambo, Trapence and Sembereka](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-pauses-arrest-warrants-against-mtambo-trapence-and-sembereka/) - [Minister Phiri launches major K7bn transport link for Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-phiri-launches-major-k7bn-transport-link-for-lilongwe/) - [Gold rush or gold bust? Malawi’s smuggling crackdown faces credibility test](https://www.nyasatimes.com/gold-rush-or-gold-bust-malawis-smuggling-crackdown-faces-credibility-test/) #### [News](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/news/) - [Transport costs surge in Malawi as fuel scarcity bites](https://www.nyasatimes.com/transport-costs-surge-in-malawi-as-fuel-scarcity-bites/) - [Pakistan examines diplomat claim by Malawi businessman Chaudhry ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pakistan-examines-diplomat-claim-by-malawi-businessman-chaudhry/) - [Former Malawi police chief Jose dies after short illness](https://www.nyasatimes.com/former-malawi-police-chief-jose-dies-after-short-illness/) - [VP Ansah joins mourners at uncle’s burial in Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/vp-ansah-joins-mourners-at-uncles-burial-in-lilongwe/) - [Chipungu seeks private investment for Housing Project 250](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-seeks-private-investment-for-housing-project-250/) - [Lilongwe protest over fuel vendor’s death met with teargas](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lilongwe-protest-over-fuel-vendors-death-met-with-teargas/) - [Top Catholic cleric speaks out on economic crisis and promises pastoral letter](https://www.nyasatimes.com/top-catholic-cleric-speaks-out-on-economic-crisis-and-promises-pastoral-letter/) - [Malawi to roast in 42C heatwave as experts warn lives could be at risk](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-to-roast-in-42c-heatwave-as-experts-warn-lives-could-be-at-risk/) - [PayChangu lands Reserve Bank of Malawi licence to expand digital payments](https://www.nyasatimes.com/paychangu-lands-reserve-bank-of-malawi-licence-to-expand-digital-payments/) - [Mulhako festival opens window on Lhomwe Heritage as crowds gather in Mulanje](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mulhako-festival-opens-window-on-lhomwe-heritage-as-crowds-gather-in-mulanje/) - [Malawi turns to community sentences as prisons struggle with chronic overcrowding](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-turns-to-community-sentences-as-prisons-struggle-with-chronic-overcrowding/) - [CTS Courier backs women to build businesses after skills drive in Zomba](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cts-courier-backs-women-to-build-businesses-after-skills-drive-in-zomba/) - [FDH Money Bureau rewards 10 more pairs in 3rd ‘Double Double’ promotion ](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fdh-money-bureau-rewards-10-more-pairs-in-3rd-double-double-promotion/) - [National Bank of Malawi, Press Trust invest K1.4bn in Ntcheu health centre](https://www.nyasatimes.com/national-bank-of-malawi-press-trust-invest-k1-4bn-in-ntcheu-health-centre/) - [Cars get dollars, medicines don’t? MPs question forex for pharmaceutical firms](https://www.nyasatimes.com/cars-get-dollars-medicines-dont-mps-question-forex-for-pharmaceutical-firms/) - [Teen sex case crumbles: Magistrate rules prosecution failed to prove case](https://www.nyasatimes.com/teen-sex-case-crumbles-magistrate-rules-prosecution-failed-to-prove-case/) - [Nigerian preacher Wiseman Daniel set to bring ‘Greener Pastures’ crusade to Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nigerian-preacher-wiseman-daniel-set-to-bring-greener-pastures-crusade-to-malawi/) - [Malawi urged to speed up new refugee law that would let refugees work and trade](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-urged-to-speed-up-new-refugee-law-that-would-let-refugees-work-and-trade/) - [Bushiri extradition order thrown out as Malawi court delivers final ruling](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bushiri-extradition-order-thrown-out-as-malawi-court-delivers-final-ruling/) - [K50m miracle: Apostle Hulda transforms Lingadzi Police Unit](https://www.nyasatimes.com/k50m-miracle-apostle-hulda-transforms-lingadzi-police-unit/) #### [Politics](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/politics/) - [Speaker hits back at Namalomba: ‘Who is he to tell me to produce evidence?’](https://www.nyasatimes.com/speaker-hits-back-at-namalomba-who-is-he-to-tell-me-to-produce-evidence/) - [Musowa: MPs must scrutinise government projects with better information](https://www.nyasatimes.com/musowa-mps-must-scrutinise-government-projects-with-better-information/) - [Lessons of the ‘Midnight Six’ still resonate](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lessons-of-the-midnight-six-still-resonate/) - [Minister Ben Phiri sets six-month deadline for CDF projects](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-ben-phiri-sets-six-month-deadline-for-cdf-projects/) - [Chipungu hands over K2.8 billion CDF projects in Luchenza](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chipungu-hands-over-k2-8-billion-cdf-projects-in-luchenza/) - [Bible warning for Mutharika critics: Mwanamvekha warns DPP against divisions](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bible-warning-for-mutharika-critics-mwanamvekha-warns-dpp-against-divisions/) - [‘Akumaganiza mwa ndowe!’ Kabwila’s stink bomb hits Mbilizi and ‘inept’ govt](https://www.nyasatimes.com/akumaganiza-mwa-ndowe-kabwilas-stink-bomb-hits-mbilizi-and-inept-govt/) - [‘Parliament doesn’t arrest thieves’: Namalomba fires back in corruption row](https://www.nyasatimes.com/parliament-doesnt-arrest-thieves-namalomba-fires-back-in-corruption-row/) - [Kabambe questions who runs Malawi during president’s absence](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kabambe-questions-who-runs-malawi-during-presidents-absence/) - [MCP’s temptation: change the leader or change the rules](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcps-temptation-change-the-leader-or-change-the-rules/) - [MCP’s Chakwera gamble exposes a party torn between renewal and nostalgia](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcps-chakwera-gamble-exposes-a-party-torn-between-renewal-and-nostalgia/) - [Court clears way for government to recall former Malawi envoy to Kuwait](https://www.nyasatimes.com/court-clears-way-for-government-to-recall-former-malawi-envoy-to-kuwait/) - [Malawi govt answers CCAP church leaders, insisting economic recovery is ‘encouraging’](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-govt-answers-ccap-church-leaders-insisting-economic-recovery-is-encouraging/) - [Malawi govt blasts Kabambe’s ‘unsubstantiated’ claims](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-govt-blasts-kabambes-unsubstantiated-claims/) - [Chakwera, Mumba and the 2030 clock: Analysts say parties must end feuds now](https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-mumba-and-the-2030-clock-analysts-say-parties-must-end-feuds-now/) - [Minister Ben Phiri warns officials sabotaging development](https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-ben-phiri-warns-officials-sabotaging-development/) - [Mumba’s new mission: Bury MCP and build a new future](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mumbas-new-mission-bury-mcp-and-build-a-new-future/) - [Ben Phiri champions reformed CDF as Thyolo Central launches K5bn development fund.](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ben-phiri-champions-reformed-cdf-as-thyolo-central-launches-k5bn-development-fund/) - [Ansah praises Mutharika for picking her as running mate, despite whispers in the governing elite](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ansah-praises-mutharika-for-picking-her-as-running-mate-despite-whispers-in-the-governing-elite/) - [Kabwila to Mumba: Don’t like Chakwera? Leave!](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kabwila-to-mumba-dont-like-chakwera-leave/) #### [Religion](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/religion/) - [Top Catholic cleric speaks out on economic crisis and promises pastoral letter](https://www.nyasatimes.com/top-catholic-cleric-speaks-out-on-economic-crisis-and-promises-pastoral-letter/) - [Nigerian preacher Wiseman Daniel set to bring ‘Greener Pastures’ crusade to Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nigerian-preacher-wiseman-daniel-set-to-bring-greener-pastures-crusade-to-malawi/) - [From South Africa to Lilongwe: Pastor Khumbo Joram set to headline Prophet Hara’s big celebration](https://www.nyasatimes.com/from-south-africa-to-lilongwe-pastor-khumbo-joram-set-to-headline-prophet-haras-big-celebration/) - [Malawi praised for “faithfulness and generosity” as Church marks centenary of World Mission Sunday](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-praised-for-faithfulness-and-generosity-as-church-marks-centenary-of-world-mission-sunday/) - [Blantyre Archdiocese launches Month of Mission as Church marks centenary of World Mission Sunday](https://www.nyasatimes.com/blantyre-archdiocese-launches-month-of-mission-as-church-marks-centenary-of-world-mission-sunday/) - [Catholic lawyers gather in Lilongwe as Red Mass marks 125 years of evangelisation in Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/catholic-lawyers-gather-in-lilongwe-as-red-mass-marks-125-years-of-evangelisation-in-malawi/) - [Prophet Bushiri’s massive Salvation Crusade set to hit Lilongwe this Saturday](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-bushiris-massive-salvation-crusade-set-to-hit-lilongwe-this-saturday/) - [Prophet Bushiri to hold Harvest Mandate Salvation Festival in Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-bushiri-to-hold-harvest-mandate-salvation-festival-in-lilongwe/) - [New church launches with bold plan to arm youths with livestock skills — and the gospel](https://www.nyasatimes.com/new-church-launches-with-bold-plan-to-arm-youths-with-livestock-skills-and-the-gospel/) - [Miracle healing or medical mystery? Police officer’s astonishing cancer claim sparks fierce faith-versus-science row](https://www.nyasatimes.com/miracle-healing-or-medical-mystery-police-officers-astonishing-cancer-claim-sparks-fierce-faith-versus-science-row/) - [Salvation For All Ministries launches Sunday services at Area 38 branch](https://www.nyasatimes.com/salvation-for-all-ministries-launches-sunday-services-at-area-38-branch/) - [Malawi’s Muslims mark Prophet Muhammad’s birth in style](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-muslims-mark-prophet-muhammads-birth-in-style/) - [Prophet Kambale’s 10-year journey of obedience: The story of Life International Church](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-kambales-10-year-journey-of-obedience-the-story-of-life-international-church/) - [Malawi prepares for major gospel crusade as Togolese preacher promises ‘wonders’](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-prepares-for-major-gospel-crusade-as-togolese-preacher-promises-wonders/) - [\# Prophet Mbewe to take ‘Oil of Testimonies’ crusade to Zomba](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-mbewe-to-take-oil-of-testimonies-crusade-to-zomba/) - [VP Ansah urges pastors’ wives to ‘win more souls’ through integrity and character](https://www.nyasatimes.com/vp-ansah-urges-pastors-wives-to-win-more-souls-through-integrity-and-character/) - [‘Serve with mutual respect’: VP Ansah’s message to pastors’ wives](https://www.nyasatimes.com/serve-with-mutual-respect-vp-ansahs-message-to-pastors-wives/) - [Theology, not finance, teaches you about money — chancellor](https://www.nyasatimes.com/theology-not-finance-teaches-you-about-money-chancellor/) - [Malawi Assemblies of God marks Youth Day with call for greater youth involvement](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-assemblies-of-god-marks-youth-day-with-call-for-greater-youth-involvement/) - [Lilongwe archdiocese launches K10bn endowment fund as minister Mwanamvekha hails Church ‘partnership’](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lilongwe-archdiocese-launches-k10bn-endowment-fund-as-minister-mwanamvekha-hails-church-partnership/) #### [Religious News](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/religious-news/) - [Top Catholic cleric speaks out on economic crisis and promises pastoral letter](https://www.nyasatimes.com/top-catholic-cleric-speaks-out-on-economic-crisis-and-promises-pastoral-letter/) - [Nigerian preacher Wiseman Daniel set to bring ‘Greener Pastures’ crusade to Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nigerian-preacher-wiseman-daniel-set-to-bring-greener-pastures-crusade-to-malawi/) - [From South Africa to Lilongwe: Pastor Khumbo Joram set to headline Prophet Hara’s big celebration](https://www.nyasatimes.com/from-south-africa-to-lilongwe-pastor-khumbo-joram-set-to-headline-prophet-haras-big-celebration/) - [Malawi praised for “faithfulness and generosity” as Church marks centenary of World Mission Sunday](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-praised-for-faithfulness-and-generosity-as-church-marks-centenary-of-world-mission-sunday/) - [Blantyre Archdiocese launches Month of Mission as Church marks centenary of World Mission Sunday](https://www.nyasatimes.com/blantyre-archdiocese-launches-month-of-mission-as-church-marks-centenary-of-world-mission-sunday/) - [Catholic lawyers gather in Lilongwe as Red Mass marks 125 years of evangelisation in Malawi](https://www.nyasatimes.com/catholic-lawyers-gather-in-lilongwe-as-red-mass-marks-125-years-of-evangelisation-in-malawi/) - [Prophet Bushiri’s massive Salvation Crusade set to hit Lilongwe this Saturday](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-bushiris-massive-salvation-crusade-set-to-hit-lilongwe-this-saturday/) - [Prophet Bushiri to hold Harvest Mandate Salvation Festival in Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-bushiri-to-hold-harvest-mandate-salvation-festival-in-lilongwe/) - [New church launches with bold plan to arm youths with livestock skills — and the gospel](https://www.nyasatimes.com/new-church-launches-with-bold-plan-to-arm-youths-with-livestock-skills-and-the-gospel/) - [Miracle healing or medical mystery? Police officer’s astonishing cancer claim sparks fierce faith-versus-science row](https://www.nyasatimes.com/miracle-healing-or-medical-mystery-police-officers-astonishing-cancer-claim-sparks-fierce-faith-versus-science-row/) - [Salvation For All Ministries launches Sunday services at Area 38 branch](https://www.nyasatimes.com/salvation-for-all-ministries-launches-sunday-services-at-area-38-branch/) - [Malawi’s Muslims mark Prophet Muhammad’s birth in style](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-muslims-mark-prophet-muhammads-birth-in-style/) - [Prophet Kambale’s 10-year journey of obedience: The story of Life International Church](https://www.nyasatimes.com/prophet-kambales-10-year-journey-of-obedience-the-story-of-life-international-church/) - [Malawi prepares for major gospel crusade as Togolese preacher promises ‘wonders’](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-prepares-for-major-gospel-crusade-as-togolese-preacher-promises-wonders/) - [VP Ansah urges pastors’ wives to ‘win more souls’ through integrity and character](https://www.nyasatimes.com/vp-ansah-urges-pastors-wives-to-win-more-souls-through-integrity-and-character/) - [‘Serve with mutual respect’: VP Ansah’s message to pastors’ wives](https://www.nyasatimes.com/serve-with-mutual-respect-vp-ansahs-message-to-pastors-wives/) - [Theology, not finance, teaches you about money — chancellor](https://www.nyasatimes.com/theology-not-finance-teaches-you-about-money-chancellor/) - [Malawi Assemblies of God marks Youth Day with call for greater youth involvement](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-assemblies-of-god-marks-youth-day-with-call-for-greater-youth-involvement/) - [Lilongwe archdiocese launches K10bn endowment fund as minister Mwanamvekha hails Church ‘partnership’](https://www.nyasatimes.com/lilongwe-archdiocese-launches-k10bn-endowment-fund-as-minister-mwanamvekha-hails-church-partnership/) - [CCAP shake-up: Two preachers axed in bitter feud as they cry ‘stitch-up’](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ccap-shake-up-two-preachers-axed-in-bitter-feud-as-they-cry-stitch-up/) #### [Sports](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/sports/) - [Scorchers coach Fazili sidelined from World Cup dugout over missing licence](https://www.nyasatimes.com/scorchers-coach-fazili-sidelined-from-world-cup-dugout-over-missing-licence/) - [Kamuzu Stadium to be demolished, Mpira Stadium to be upgraded](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kamuzu-stadium-to-be-demolished-mpira-stadium-to-be-upgraded/) - [FA Malawi rewards beach soccer squad with K3 million each after Seychelles thrashing](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fa-malawi-rewards-beach-soccer-squad-with-k3-million-each-after-seychelles-thrashing/) - [Bullets return to top with win over MAFCO](https://www.nyasatimes.com/bullets-return-to-top-with-win-over-mafco/) - [Moyale 0-1 Silver: Shema header gives Bankers win in Mzuzu](https://www.nyasatimes.com/moyale-0-1-silver-shema-header-gives-bankers-win-in-mzuzu/) - [Pasuwa’s Flames project under scrutiny as results and Malawi rankings decline](https://www.nyasatimes.com/pasuwas-flames-project-under-scrutiny-as-results-and-malawi-rankings-decline/) - [Ng’ambi fires Wanderers top after hard-fought win over Creck](https://www.nyasatimes.com/ngambi-fires-wanderers-top-after-hard-fought-win-over-creck/) - [Civo-Dedza Dynamos share spoils in FDH Bank Premiership](https://www.nyasatimes.com/civo-dedza-dynamos-share-spoils-in-fdh-bank-premiership/) - [Mkandawire stars as Civo see off Silver Strikers Ladies](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mkandawire-stars-as-civo-see-off-silver-strikers-ladies/) - [Malawi beach soccer team qualify for Africa Cup of Nations with 10-1 win](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-beach-soccer-team-qualify-for-africa-cup-of-nations-with-10-1-win/) - [Malawi’s beach soccer stars out to finish the job as Seychelles visit Salima](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-beach-soccer-stars-out-to-finish-the-job-as-seychelles-visit-salima/) - [Army wins football, police take netball gold as security forces’ sports festival closes](https://www.nyasatimes.com/army-wins-football-police-take-netball-gold-as-security-forces-sports-festival-closes/) - [Leaders v strugglers: Bullets take title chase to Lilongwe](https://www.nyasatimes.com/leaders-v-strugglers-bullets-take-title-chase-to-lilongwe/) - [First Capital Super 5s hockey tournament starts in Blantyre](https://www.nyasatimes.com/first-capital-super-5s-hockey-tournament-starts-in-blantyre/) - [Sulom moves FDH Premiership kick-off times to 3pm](https://www.nyasatimes.com/sulom-moves-fdh-premiership-kick-off-times-to-3pm/) - [FAM denies Scorchers were ‘abandoned’ after airport transport row](https://www.nyasatimes.com/fam-denies-scorchers-were-abandoned-after-airport-transport-row/) - [One photograph, three reactions: composure, concentration and astonishment](https://www.nyasatimes.com/one-photograph-three-reactions-composure-concentration-and-astonishment/) - [Malawi’s Scorchers thrash Zimbabwe 9-0 on aggregate to reach Olympic qualifying round](https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawis-scorchers-thrash-zimbabwe-9-0-on-aggregate-to-reach-olympic-qualifying-round/) - [TNM boosts sports journalism with K10m SWAM sponsorship](https://www.nyasatimes.com/tnm-boosts-sports-journalism-with-k10m-swam-sponsorship/) - [NBM says Scorchers are ‘our ray of hope’ ahead of Harare return leg](https://www.nyasatimes.com/nbm-says-scorchers-are-our-ray-of-hope-ahead-of-harare-return-leg/) #### [Videos](https://www.nyasatimes.com/category/videos/) - [UTM takes over DPP Nkhotakota offices](https://www.nyasatimes.com/utm-takes-over-dpp-nkhotakota-district-offices/) - [Mutharika warning Chilima, Kaliati, Masangwi, Callista on insults](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharika-warning-chilima-kaliati-masangwi-callista-on-insults/) - [Watch Bullets violence during the Airtel Top 8 final](https://www.nyasatimes.com/watch-bullets-violence-during-the-airtel-top-8-final/) - [Watch Mangochi erupts in pro-Bushiri chants](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mangochi-erupts-in-pro-bushiri-chants/) - [Kaliati argues good case for Chilima to contest for Malawi presidency 2019](https://www.nyasatimes.com/kaliati-argues-good-case-for-chilima-to-contest-for-malawi-presidency-2019/) - [MCP supporters political chants in Blantyre streets](https://www.nyasatimes.com/mcp-supports-political-chants-in-blantyre-streets/) - [Kwacha! 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If you choose to use language, such as a user name or game name that, in our sole discretion, is obscene, indecent, offensive, or abusive or that might otherwise be objectionable or inappropriate, we reserve the right without prior notice to you to delete or change the offending language including your user name or game name. 2\) Commissioned Program. If You are invited to participate in the Commissioned Program (the “Program”), You agree and acknowledge that your participation in the Program is strictly on a volunteer basis and that you will not be an employee of NT Media Group Network or any instrumentality thereof. While NT Media Group Network may reward you for you participation, you have no expectation of recompense of any type in consideration for your services, and that you are participating in this program solely because of your personal desire to contribute to above-referenced Program. You expressly assume any and all risks which may arise during the volunteer work, knowing that you may refuse to perform any activity or task requested. If any part of these terms or any future changes to these terms are not acceptable to You, You may at any time upon notice, cease Your function as a Commissioned Reporter. NT Media Group Network and its affiliates reserve the right to terminate your participation in the Program without any liability to You or any third party at any time without notice for any reason whatsoever. 3\) User Tools. NT Media Group Network and its affiliates reserve the right to terminate your access without any liability to any or all of the User Tools at any time without notice for any reason whatsoever. 4\) Monitoring. NT Media Group Network and its affiliates have no obligation to pre-screen or monitor the User Tools or the content Posted on or through any User Tools. However, NT Media Group Network and its affiliates reserve the right at all times to edit or remove any content or communications, in whole or in part, in NT Media Group Network’s or any of its affiliates’ sole discretion and to disclose any information or take any action as necessary to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request. 5\) Usage. Content or communications posted using the User Tools are generally public, not private, communications and others may read your communications without your knowledge or consent. You should not have any expectation of privacy relative to your communications through the User Tools. Always use caution when posting personal information especially when posting information that could personally identify you. Your posting of any User Content through the User Tools is done at your own risk. NT Media Group Network is not responsible for its theft, copying or placement of that User Content on other media or networks. NT Media Group Network and its affiliates do not control or endorse the content, messages or information found in any community and, therefore, NT Media Group Network and its affiliates specifically disclaim any liability with regard to the User Tools and the content therein and any actions resulting from your participation or the participation of others using the User Tools. Community managers and hosts are not authorized spokespersons of NT Media Group Network or any of its affiliates, and their views do not necessarily reflect those of NT Media Group Network and its affiliates. Community managers and hosts do, however, set standards on their own community areas. By posting User Content through the User Tools you grant NT Media Group Network certain rights as described in Section 4A below. G. Downloads Any material or third party software downloaded through or for the use of the NT Media Group Network is done at your own discretion and risk, and NT Media Group Network will not be responsible in any way for any damage to your computer system or loss of data that results from the download of any such material. No advice or information, whether oral or written, obtained by you from the NT Media Group Network or our third party service providers will create any warranty not expressly stated. 4\. Rights You Grant to NT Media Group. A. User Content. By submitting any User Content through or to the NT Media Group Network, including on any User Tools or User Pages, but excluding any User Content you submit on NT Media Group Network Blogs, you hereby irrevocably grant to NT Media Group, its affiliates and distributors, a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, and fully sub-licensable license, to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, translate, publicly perform, publicly display, create derivative works from, transfer, transmit and distribute on the NT Media Group Network, in connection with promotion or elsewhere, such User Content (in whole or in part) and to incorporate the User Content into other works in any format or medium now known or later developed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when you submit a text, video, images , NT Media Group Network may modify the format, content and display of such User Content. The foregoing grants shall include the right to exploit any proprietary rights in such User Content, including but not limited to rights under copyright, trademark, service mark or patent laws under any relevant jurisdiction. With respect to User Content you Post for inclusion on publicly accessible areas of NT Media Group Network Blogs, You grant NT Media Group Network the license to use, distribute, reproduce, modify, adapt, publicly perform and publicly display such User Content on the NT Media Group Network or on any media. You agree that the foregoing grant of rights by you to NT Media Group Network and its affiliates is provided without any the entitlement of payment of fees or consideration. In addition to the foregoing, any content you submit to NT Media Group Network for publication shall be subject to licenses granted pursuant to the Master License Agreement located at that you agree to upon submission of the content. B. Account Access. In order to ensure that NT Media Group Network is able to provide high-quality services that are responsive to Users’ needs, you agree that NT Media Group Network representatives will have access to your account and records as reasonably needed to investigate complaints. You are responsible for providing all personal computer and communications equipment necessary to gain access to the Service. 5\. Children and Mature Content The NT Media Group Network are not directed to children under the age of 13. NT Media Group Network will not knowingly collect personally identifiable information on or through the NT Media Group Network from anyone under 13. Please be aware that certain areas on the NT Media Group Network contain mature content and there may be posted specific age restrictions to access and view such areas. You may be exposed to Content on the NT Media Group Network that you find offensive, indecent or objectionable. By using the NT Media Group Network you assume all risk associated with its use. We encourage parents to supervise their children’s use of the NT Media Group Network and maintain open communication regarding appropriate materials for use and viewing by their children. Note to Parents. If you have any concerns about the NT Media Group Network, please contact us via our online form available at info@aallafricapress.com. 6\. Other Legal Stuff A. Disclaimer of Warranties. You expressly understand and agree that: YOUR USE OF THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK IS PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS. NT MEDIA GROUP, ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, PARTNERS AND LICENSORS (COLLECTIVELY, THE “NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK PARTIES”) EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK PARTIES MAKE NO WARRANTY THAT (I) THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, (II) THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE, (III) THE RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK WILL BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE, (IV) THE QUALITY OF ANY PRODUCTS, NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK, INFORMATION, OR OTHER MATERIAL PURCHASED OR OBTAINED BY YOU THROUGH THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK WILL MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS, (V) THAT YOUR MESSAGES, DATA OR INFORMATION, IN WHATEVER FORM OR MEDIUM, WILL NOT BE LOST, AND (VI) ANY ERRORS WILL BE CORRECTED. ANY MATERIAL DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK IS DONE AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND RISK, AND YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM THE DOWNLOAD OF ANY SUCH MATERIAL. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED BY YOU FROM ANY NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORKPARTY, OR THROUGH OR FROM THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK WILL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THE TOU. A SMALL NUMBER OF USERS MAY EXPERIENCE EPILEPTIC SEIZURES WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN LIGHT PATTERNS OR BACKGROUNDS ON A COMPUTER SCREEN OR WHILE USING THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK. CERTAIN CONDITIONS MAY INDUCE PREVIOUSLY UNDETECTED EPILEPTIC SYMPTOMS EVEN IN USERS WITH NO HISTORY OF SUCH SYMPTOMS. CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN PRIOR TO USE OF THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK IF YOU HAVE HAD ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS AND DISCONTINUE USE OF THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK IMMEDIATELY IF YOU EXPERIENCE DIZZINESS, ALTERED VISION, EYE OR MUSCLE TWITCHES, LOSS OF AWARENESS, DISORIENTATION OR INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENTS OR CONVULSIONS. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES OR THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. IN SUCH JURISDICTIONS, LIABILITY OF THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORKPARTIES WILL BE LIMITED TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. To the extent that any part of this section is not consistent with any other part of the TOU, then this Disclaimer of Warranties will override it. C. Limitation of Liability. YOU AGREE THAT THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK PARTIES WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK PARTIES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), RESULTING FROM: (I) THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK; (II) THE COST OF GETTING SUBSTITUTE GOODS AND NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK RESULTING FROM ANY PRODUCTS, DATA, INFORMATION OR NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK PURCHASED OR OBTAINED OR MESSAGES RECEIVED OR TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO THROUGH OR FROM THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK; (III) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA; (IV) STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANYONE ON THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK; OR (V) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK. IF, NOTWITHSTANDING THE OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORKPARTY IS FOUND TO BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGE OR LOSS WHICH ARISES OUT OF OR IS ANY WAY CONNECTED TO YOUR USE OF THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK, LIABILITY OF THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORKPARTIES SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (I) THE TOTAL OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION OR SIMILAR FEES WITH RESPECT TO ANY SERVICE OR FEATURE OF THE NT MEDIA GROUP NETWORK PAID IN THE SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE INITIAL CLAIM MADE AGAINST NT MEDIA GROUP, OR (II) US$100.00. D. Indemnification. You agree to protect and fully compensate the NT Media Group Network Parties from any and all third-party claims, liability, damages, expenses and costs (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your use of the NT Media Group Network, or violation of the TOU by you or any other user of your account (whether or not authorized). E. Copyright Infringement. If you believe that content you own has been used on the NT Media Group Network in a way that violates your copyright or other intellectual property rights, please provide NT Media Group’s Copyright Agent the following information: 1\. an electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright or other intellectual property interest; 2\. a description of the copyrighted work or other intellectual property that you claim has been infringed; 3\. a description of where the material that you claim is infringing is located on the site; 4\. your address, telephone number, and email address; 5\. a statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright or intellectual property owner, its agent, or the law; and 6\. a statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in your Notice is accurate and that you are the copyright or intellectual property owner or authorized to act on the copyright or intellectual property owner’s behalf. NT Media Group’s Designated Agent for Notice of claims of copyright or other intellectual property infringement can be reached as follows: By email: info@nyasatimes.com F. Miscellaneous. NT Media Group’s rights under the TOU may not be waived unless NT Media Group Network agrees to such change in writing. The TOU and your account on the NT Media Group Network are personal to you and may not be transferred or assigned. These Terms of Use shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom/Malawi, other than such laws, rules, regulations and case law that would result in the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than the two countries above. Any action, proceeding, dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the NT Media Group Network or these Terms of Use shall be brought exclusively in the United Kingdom or Malawi Courts for. Each party hereby agrees that such courts shall have in personam jurisdiction and venue with respect to such party, and each party hereby submits to the in personam jurisdiction and venue of such courts and waives any objection based on inconvenient forum. NT Media Group’s performance of the TOU is subject to existing laws and legal process, and nothing contained in the TOU is in derogation of our right to comply with governmental, court and law enforcement requests or requirements relating to your use of the NT Media Group Network or information provided to or gathered by NT Media Group Network with respect to such use. If any part of the TOU is determined to be invalid or unenforceable pursuant to applicable law including, but not limited to, the warranty disclaimers and liability limitations set forth above, then the invalid or unenforceable provision will be deemed superseded by a valid, enforceable provision that most closely matches the intent of the original provision and the remainder of the TOU shall continue in effect. The TOU, together with any additional terms and conditions or policies referred to and incorporated herein (including additional terms applicable to various parts of the NT Media Group Network and the Privacy Policy), constitutes the entire understanding between you and NT Media Group Network regarding the NT Media Group Network. A printed version of the TOU and any notice given in electronic form shall be admissible in judicial or administrative proceedings based upon or relating to the TOU to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as other business documents and records originally generated and maintained in printed form. The parties have agreed that the TOU shall be written in English. G. Notices. NT Media Group Network may give you notice of certain events from time to time and may be required by state or federal law to notify you of certain events. You hereby acknowledge and consent that such notices will be effective upon our posting them on our NT Media Group Network or delivering them to you through email if you have provided NT Media Group Network with your accurate email address. 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