By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, April 21, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has urged political parties to intensify their campaigns emphasizing there is no opportunity for rigging in the September 16, 2025 General Election.

MEC Commissioner Richard Chapweteka was speaking in Dedza at Inkosi Kamenyagwaza’s headquarters where he briefed traditional and faith leaders about voters register verification process.

He said the verification process will start from May 13, 2025 to May 15, 2025 in Dedza, Chitipa, Mulanje and others districts in the phase one.

The commissioner said despite rigging claims making rounds Malawians should trust the commission that it will conduct credible elections because it has a system that will not allow anyone to rig the election.

“Voters verification is a step to achieve a clean voters register and promotes transparent and credible elections. We urge everyone who registered to vote including those who transferred to vote in different centres to verify their identity in the voters register,” he said.

Chapwetaka added that the commission has also established a mobile verification platform requiring one to dial *2509# and enter the number starting with letter G on their voter certificate.

“For those who fail to verify at the centre they can dial *2509# to verify their names on phone free of charge starting from May 5, 2025. A single phone can be used to verify names of many voters, even an entire village,” he said.

The commissioner said the verification process will also be used to issue voter certificate duplicates to the voters who have lost their certificates.

He however said failure to present a voter certificate or national identity card during the voting day would not prevent anyone from voting so long they correctly give their names or phone number registered in the voters register.

Inkosi Kamenyagwaza hailed MEC for engaging the traditional and faith leaders to spread the messages noting they have influence and wider reach.

“We will use different platforms to spread the message. Verification process is critical in preparing the voters for the election. Those with issues in the system will have an opportunity to fix them in advance,” he said.

By Solister Mogha

Zomba, April 19, Mana: District Commissioner for Zomba, Reinghard Chavula, appealed to Zomba District Council staff to collaborate when implementing projects to ensure multi-sectoral contribution and best results.

Chavula made the call in Liwonde during the People for Rural Irrigation Development (Pride) project annual review meeting this week.

She said projects require multi-sectoral contributions, stressing the need for officers to ensure full involvement of concerned players from other relevant sectors.

“I am aware of a particular council where officers sidelined each other when implementing projects, even if the guidelines spell out openly the need for such sectors. This is bad because it hinders progress and defeats the purpose of the project,” Chavula said.

She stressed that all government projects, as well as those supported by donors and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOS), aim at uplifting the well-being of Malawians.

The District Commissioner said there should never be a point when an officer should prevent a fellow officer, for unknown reasons, from contributing to the project’s best outcomes.

Chavula also reminded sector heads to implement projects about the master plans.

“There has to be synergies in the way we implement projects. Let us not depart from our master plan,” she added.

The District Commissioner, therefore, hailed Pride project for its huge contribution to Zomba's agricultural sector.

“You are all aware of Matoponi and Mlowoka irrigation schemes, and these are huge investments in the agriculture sector. We expect our people to be food secure soon,” she said.

Davie Sato, Zomba District council’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Davie Sato concurred with Chavula, saying most of the projects required combined efforts in implementation to ensure  best results.

“The District Commissioner is right. Sectors need to collaborate if we are to make tangible progress,” he added.

Pride Project, Desk Officer and Irrigation Officer, Ellason Musaiwa said the annual review meeting was crucial as it provided opportunity to track progress, challenges and plan for the year ahead.

“A lot has been done, and we needed to share best practices and plans on how best we can serve the people of Zomba, particularly those at Matoponi and Mlowoka irrigation schemes,” added Masaiwa.

Zomba District has been implementing the Pride project for six years, with some notable achievements, such as the construction of two solar-powered irrigation schemes at Chingale in the district

In most of the tours to the Matoponi and Mlowoka schemes, agricultural experts say, the schemes have the potential to turn Zomba into a food basket if fully utilized.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, April 19, Mana: Executive Director for Gender and Justice Unit (GJU), Sarai Chisala Tempelhoff, has underscored the importance of the Empowerline and GJU Strategic Plan describing it as the beginning of a new chapter that holds transformative potential for gender equality and justice in the community.

Speaking during the launch of the strategic plan on Friday at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe, Tempelhoff said the 2024 - 2028 strategic plan reflects their commitment to systemic, impactful change anchored in inclusivity, innovation and resilience.

"With this roadmap as our guide, we seek to amplify voices, transform narrative and  dismantle barriers,” she said.

She said the strategic plan has three pillars that will guide their work over the next four years.

"First, we will focus on strengthening access to justice for survivors of gender based violence (GBV) through community-led approaches that blend traditional and formal justice mechanisms which will include expanding our paralegal networks and establishing more community justice centres in under-served regions.

“Second, we commit to evidence-based advocacy that challenges discriminatory policies and practices which our research agenda will directly inform policy recommendations while elevating the lived experiences of women and girls across Malawi,” she said.

She, therefore, said the third pillar will invest in building suitable institutional capacity not only within GJU but also across its partner network.

"This means developing comprehensive training programmes, establishing communities of practice and creating resource hubs that enable knowledge sharing,” she stated.

Tempelhoff empathised on the need of the project saying it offers a lifeline support, information, and referral services through a toll-free number and interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.

She said the innovation brings critical services straight to girls and boys, women and men wherever they are.

Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, said the launch marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts to address GBV and protect the rights of women and girls.

"GBV remains a pervasive human rights abuse and public health problem in Malawi, negatively impacting individuals well being and preventing women and girls from fully participating in development processes.

“Despite existing laws, policies and structures, access to justice for survivors of GBV remains a distant dream for many Malawians,” she said.

She said the launch calls upon policymakers, civil society, traditional leaders, donors and the media to support, promote, and protect innovations like Empowerline in order to create a Malawi where justice is embraced, demanded and delivered.

She added that the strategic plan provides a clear road map for tackling gender inequality and promoting legal empowerment.

"The plan aims to hold various systems accountable and ensure that justice is not just an idea but a lived reality for every Malawian,” she said.

By Chisomo Masaiti Chiusiwa

Ntchisi, April 19, Mana: Ntchisi Police Station has arrested Willard Kapichira, 28, and Lloyd Banda, 30, for allegedly being found with pieces of elephant ivory.

According to Ntchisi Police Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Salome Zgambo, the suspects were arrested on April 18, 2025 at Kayoyo Rest House at Ntchisi Trading Centre following a tip-off.

She said: “Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officers rushed to the scene and upon searching the suspects' belongings discovered nine pieces of elephant ivory weighing approximately 11.40 kilogrammes.”

She added that Wildlife and Parks personnel confirmed the authenticity of the ivory and the suspects admitted to have obtained it from Nkhotakota Game Reserve.

The suspects are currently in police custody and will appear in court to face charges related to possession of listed species.

Kapichira, hails from Suwat Village while Banda, hails from Chambo Village both under Senior Chief Nthondo in Ntchisi.

By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, April 19, Mana: Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development (JCED) on Friday donated 70 bicycles worth K32 million to champion lead farmers and other groups in Kasungu District to ease mobility challenges in the provision of extension services.

Presenting the bicycles, which were procured with support from Irish Jesuits International, Deputy Director for JCED, Martha Phiri, said there have been serious mobility challenges for champion lead farmers under the institution's Tasintha Mlimi Project to ably provide extension services to fellow farmers.

"We work with the most marginalized and vulnerable farmers, building their resilience to effects of climate change such as food insecurity. We use the farmer to farmer approach whereby we train the local farmers to provide technical agricultural extension services to their fellows.

"These are the people that have contributed less to climate change yet they are the ones that suffer most from the effects of this changing climatic patterns. So, to smoothen the provision of extension services, we thought of distributing the bicycles to ease mobility for the service providers," Phiri said.

She said through the Tasintha Mlimi Project, JCED has helped vulnerable communities to cope with challenges brought by climate change.

She expressed hope that activities under the intervention will be sustained when the project phases out in 2026.

President for champion lead farmers, Frazer Phiri, expressed gratitude for the support which was also extended to patrons for environment clubs under the Green Schools Initiative and village agents who supervise village savings and loan groups under the Tasintha Mlimi Project.

He said: "We work with so many farmers and the catchments are big, requiring the use of bicycles like these.

"We mainly teach them about climate smart agricultural practices like manure making, environmental conservation and the establishment of orchards and tree nurseries. So, we are excited that we have received these bicycles because they will ease our mobility," he said. 

On his part, a representative of the Extension Methodology Officer at Kasungu District Council, Kelvin Siti, advised the groups to use the bicycles for the intended purpose of promoting provision of extension services in the communities.

He called for seriousness in climate change interventions saying the changing weather patterns are a threat to food security.

Kasungu is one of the districts that suffered prolonged dry spells last growing season, putting over 50, 000 people on the line of starvation.

By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, April 19, Mana:  Beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) in Salima have hailed government's swift response to the recent El Niño induced dry spells, praising the timely disbursement of emergency funds that helped them cope with food shortages.

Each beneficiary received K70,000 to support their household needs, a gesture many described as life saving.

Acoording to a beneficiary mother of four from the area of Traditional Authority Maganga, Sidya Isa, used the money to buy food items for her household.

“The money came just when we had nothing in the house. I was able to a buy 50 kilograms of maize and still had enough to purchase beans and cooking oil.

“Without this help, my children would have gone to bed hungry. Apart from the El Niño response I also received my normal cash transfer,” she said.

Another beneficiary, 78-year-old Mwanaiba Ali, from the same area said the support allowed her to survive a period of great uncertainty.

 “At my age, I cannot farm much anymore. The dry spell destroyed the little I had planted, but this cash helped me buy food and even some medicine. I am thankful to government for remembering us,” she said.

A widow from Lifuwu area, Aisha Shaibu, also praised the support underscoring the importance of the intervention in alleviating her family’s problems.

“Since my husband passed away, providing for my children has been a daily struggle. This money helped me buy maize, salt, and soap. It may seem to some, but for us it means survival. I feel seen and supported,” shaibu said.

Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer Programme in Salima, Thumbiko Mbale, said the exercise is a success and commended the efficiency brought by the use of electronic payments.

“We are pleased that beneficiaries were able to access their funds without many challenges. The use of mobile money platforms and bank transfers has greatly improved the process and reduced congestion at pay points,” he said.

He noted that SCTP remains a critical safety net for the most vulnerable populations, especially during times of crisis.

"The proactive measures taken in response to the El Niño effects demonstrate government’s commitment to cushioning citizens from climate related shocks," he said.

The K70,000 was a top up on the usual transfers that beneficiaries under the programme receive bi-monthly.

8,365 beneficiary households were budgeted for the exercise.

Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) is Malawi Government social protection programme that helps ultra-poor and labour constrained households.

Salima is among the seven districts funded by the German Government through KfW.

By George Mponda

Karonga, April 19, Mana: Three people died on Saturday after a motor vehicle they were traveling in swerved off the road, overturned and rested upside down near Mount Meru Filling Station at Karonga Boma along the Karonga-Chilumba M1 Road.

Karonga Police Station Public Relations Officer, Margret Msiska, identified the three as Diverson Tembo, 22; Alick Mwamonje, 24 and Hilton Mwamonje, 25.

Msiska said on Saturday afternoon, a Toyota Sienta salon registration number BW 7381 driven by Diverson Tembo from the direction of Karonga Town going towards Chilumba with six passengers on board swerved off the road.

“As he was nearing Meru Filling Station, Tembo (now deceased) lost control of the vehicle due to speeding and swerved to the dirty verge of the road where it overturned once and rested upside down,” said Msiska.

Following the impact, Tembo and passenger, Alick Mwamonje, sustained severe head injuries and were pronounced dead upon arrival at Karonga District Hospital.

Msiska said Hilton Mwamonje died three hours later whilst receiving treatment while the rest of other passengers escaped with minor injuries.

Alick and Hilton Mwamonje hailed from Mwangolera Village, while Tembo hailed from Kwiyula Village, all from the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga.