By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, February 6, Mana: Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda says chiefs play a significant role in uniting people and has asked them to do more in ensuring justice is delivered at the community level.

Chimwendo Banda said this on Wednesday during the elevation of Traditional Authority (TA) Nthalire and Group Village Head Mwenekayilizi to Senior Chief Nthalire and Sub-TA Mwenekayilizi respectively at Nthalire Community Stadium in Chitipa District.

Chimwendo Banda said that chiefs need to do more to make sure that justice is delivered at the community level even when distributing social protection programmes like the Affordable Input Programme and lean season maize distribution programmes.

“We need chiefs to help government in promoting justice and fairness by making sure that vulnerable people are not being victimized. We want to ensure that people are receiving food aid as per the government guidelines,” Chimwendo Banda said.

He then asked chiefs to protect vulnerable people when discharging their duties, saying it is against government policies and laws to side with those who infringe on vulnerable people’s properties like land.

“We have cases of chiefs who have grabbed the land of orphans after the death of their parents. We urge all the chiefs in the country to make sure that we protect vulnerable people,” he said.

Paramount Chief Kyungu asked the chiefs to promote unity and peace for the country to flourish.

“For the country to be united it should start at the community level. Chiefs have a great role to play in fostering unity and peace,” he said.

Chitipa District Council Chairperson, Councillor Ronald Kayira, thanked State President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera for elevating two traditional leaders which he said is a plus in the district.

Senior Chief Nthalire and Sub-TA Mwenekayilizi were elevated on 3^rd February 2025 by Dr Chakwera.

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, February 6, Mana: Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, has departed Malawi through Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) on Thursday morning following a two-day diplomatic visit.

The Chairperson was seen off at KIA by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo and other government officials.

Speaking before the departure at KIA, Spokesperson for Mahamat, Ebba Kalondo said the visit for the Chairperson was very important as they have discussed issues pertaining to the country as well as the African continent with President Lazarus Chakwera.

She said the Chairperson was in the country to appreciate the support which President Chakwera has been giving him throughout the time he has been Chairperson of the AUC.

“The Chairperson thought it wise to visit Malawi so that he should bid farewell to the Malawi president as his eight years’ tenure has come to an end,” said Kalondo.

She further stated that the visit has also helped the two leaders to discuss continental agendas which Malawi has been standing in all the operations of the AUC.

Kalondo said Malawi has been addressing great challenges including climate change as it was affected by drought and heavy rainfall.

“Malawi is among some African countries who benefited from solidarity funds of the AUC after it was affected by El Nino,” she said.

The Spokesperson further said the two leaders have tackled issues to do with intra-African solidarity and unity, on how to address problems the continent is facing so that peace and security should prevail.

Mahamat, was first elected chairperson for a four-year term on January 30, 2017, after seven rounds of voting beating Kenya's Amina Mohamed.

He was reelected in 2021 for another four-year term which ends this month

By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, February 3, Mana: Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) has disclosed that from February 3 to 9 the country should expect primarily warm to hot conditions, cloudy conditions and locally heavy rain which will increase the threat of flash floods.

The Department says rain along lakeshore areas will continue extending to many parts of the country, leading to heavy episodes of thunderstorm due to combined effects of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and a low pressure system in the Mozambique channel.

Director for DCCMS, Dr Lucy Mtilatila, asked people to be prepared for occasional rough conditions on Lake Malawi and other lakes.

She appealed to lake users to be aware of occasional rough waters and avoid crossing flooded areas.

“When thunderstorms are within our vicinity, people must stay indoors, avoid staying in open fields and closer to metal objects.

“On Wednesday expect cloudy and warm conditions coupled with scattered rain and thunderstorm mainly over central and northern areas later in the afternoon. As such, people should stay alert and remain cautious to avoid loss of life and property,” she said.

According to Mtilatila, the Department will keep on monitoring potential development of a tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean and will provide updates as needed.

During the past week most areas experienced cloudy conditions with scattered rains which were heavy over some places resulting to flash flooding over Mangochi and Machinga.

The highest 24 hourly rainfall recorded was 211mm at Machinga Boma on January 30.

Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) Spokesperson, Chipiliro Khamula, said currently the Department has a standby search and rescue team in place comprising of the Malawi Defence Force, Malawi Police Service, Marine Department, Malawi Red Cross Society and other stakeholders in case of flash floods.

“In collaboration with the DCCMS, DoDMA is conducting awareness on the prospects and implications of the current rainfall season and disseminating time-scaled seasonal forecasts as part of early warning to prevent loss of life as well as property,” Khamula said.

By Namon Chitukuta

Mzuzu, February 4, Mana: Gabriel General Trading (GGT), a Mzuzu based commercial company, has pledged to support Zolozolo Police Unit in Mzuzu City as one way of fostering good working relationship between business community and the police.

Recently GGT donated a signpost to Mzuzu Police Unit.

A representative of the company, Aamire Ali, said the donation is an appreciation of the work that the Malawi Police does in maintaining peace and order in promoting secure business environment in the city.

“We believe in giving back to the community hence this donation,” Ali said.

He pledged that the company will further equip the unit with furniture for improved working conditions at the facility.

Officer in Charge for Zolozolo Police Unit, Inspector Paul Tembo, expressed gratitude towards the donation saying the signpost will help clients easily locate the unit in times of need.

“We appreciate this gesture and hope for continued partnership with GGT. The signpost will make our services more accessible and promote our visibility within our jurisdiction of duty,” Tembo said.

He said the donation is a sign of collaboration between business community and the police in fostering safety and security around the unit’s surrounding areas in particular and Mzuzu City as a whole.

By Brian Wasili

Mwanza, February 4, Mana: Mwanza District Council took a learning tour of Lilongwe to tap knowledge and experiences on strategies that has seen Lilongwe District Council a good performer in revenue mobilisation.

Lilongwe District Council Chairperson, Mathias Chiopsanjati, hailed Mwanza District Council for choosing Lilongwe as a learning point among other district councils saying the recognition is an honour.

“This signifies that performance of the Council on revenue collection is outstanding and is visible to other local authorities,” said Chiopsanjati.

The said the Council will keep on exploring other ways of improving revenue mobilisation, citing introduction of e-payment in most of its revenue collecting points.

Lilongwe District Council is one the outstanding councils in the country in local revenue generation such that by December 2024, the Council had already generated K1.2 billion against the projected K1.4 billion.

The Council chairperson disclosed that plans were at an advanced stage to construct more infrastructure such as modern toilets in markets to improve service delivery and local revenue.

Lilongwe District Council also introduced performance driven incentives among its revenue collectors.

Apart from listening to presentations by various council sectors on local revenue mobilisation, the hosts took the visiting team on a tour of market places, shops, lodges and recreational centres among others where Lilongwe District Council collects its revenue.

Mwanza District Council Chairperson, Emmanuel Kapawe, said knowledge gained from the tour will be applied to improve resource mobilisation.

“We will go for strategies that are applicable so that we should improve on local revenue both in short and long term,” said Kapawe.

He said Mwanza District Council mainly depends on fees generated from two major markets namely; Boma and Chipatala.

The Council also introduced border entry fee to improve revenue mobilisation.

“Revenue collection is so far not adequate for staff salaries and for effective service delivery,” said Kapawe. 

During the 2025/2026 budget hearing session in Blantyre, National Local Government Financial Committee hailed Lilongwe District Council for updating its Local Revenue Enhancement Strategic Plan (LRESP)

By Agatha Kadzinje

Blantyre, February 4, Mana: Christos Ambassadors Students Ministries (CASM) has organized a conference called Blantyre Secondary Schools Conference (BSSC), scheduled for February 8, 2025 at Blantyre Secondary School as a way of strengthening the spiritual and academic life of secondary school students.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Tuesday, CASM Vice Chairlady, Patience Chikwanda, said one of the major challenges secondary school students face is lack of direction in life.

Chikwanda said most students believe Christianity alone will make them excel, failing to recognize that faith must be accompanied by hard work for one to flourish.

She emphasized that the conference aims to enlighten secondary school students on how best they can succeed in academics.

“They will be motivated by representatives from different colleges across the country who will share their experiences on how they succeeded and reached where they are today.

“Students will learn how to achieve their academic goals despite their current academic state. One can easily be inspired when they see and hear from someone who has directly experienced similar challenges,” she said.

Chikwanda emphasized that attendees should look forward to learning new ways of navigating different aspects of life, as the wisdom shared at the conference will be guided by God’s grace.

The conference will include mentorship sessions, awards, music and arts performances, praise and worship and preaching of the Word of God.

In a separate interview founder and guest speaker for CASM, Kennie Mulinde, concurred with Chikwanda saying most secondary school students struggle to differentiate between influences that could impact their future positively or negatively.

Mulinde shared his personal story of how he once abused drugs and alcohol in secondary school until he attended a youth conference that challenged him to change his life.

“That experience inspired me to become the man I am today and establish my own ministry,” he said.

Last year’s conference was attended by over 300 secondary school students. CASM expects this year’s event to attract more participants and have a greater impact.

Mulinde called upon different ministries to initiate programs that guide students not only intellectually but also in various aspects of life, helping to build responsible citizens who can contribute to the country’s development.

CASM is an interdenominational, campus-based ministry and a branch of Christos Ambassadors Ministries International founded in 2023

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, February 4, Mana: Police in Kawale, Lilongwe have arrested 29-year-old, Mikel Juwawo, for attempting to have carnal knowledge with a three-year-old girl child.

According to Kawale Police Spokesperson, Precious Mabvuto Phiri, the incident occurred on February 2, 2025 within Kawale 2 location.

Reports indicate that on the aforementioned date the mother to the child heard an uncontrollable cry of the child in the maize field close to her house and immediately rushed there.

"As she approached the place where she heard the cry, she met Mikel who sensed danger. He was seen coming out of the maize garden while zipping up his trousers in haste.

“Being focused to see what was wrong with the child, she proceeded to where the child and found her alone without underwear,” she said.

Phiri said the suspect tried to escape from the jaws of angry villagers but it was too late as he found himselself in the hands of vigilant residents who brought him to Kawale Police for further action.

Juwa, who hails from Thabwa in Chikwawa will, after completion of paper work, appear in court soon to answer charges of indecent assault.

By Innocent Chamtulo

Mulanje, January 28, Mana: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi on Monday engaged Mulanje District stakeholders on disinformation during an election period.

MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga said as Misa Malawi they have conducted similar sessions with other districts in order to furnish them on how they can deal with disinformation-related cases as the country heads towards September 2025 polls.

“Peaceful transfer of power during an election is very important for the development of the country. Therefore people from the grassroots level must be fed with the right information for them to make the right decisions and prevent indulging in activities that might fuel violence during elections,” he said.

He said Misa Malawi is implementing the 'I verify' initiative, which will enable members of the public to inquire about election issues that they have heard about through internet sites, and Whatsapp forums that will be handled by MISA.

“Misa has assembled a team of experts that will be able to verify the information and give feedback as well as disseminating to other people,” he said.

Mulanje District Commissioner David Gondwe hailed the initiative saying that it has come at the right time, as the project will help to clarify allegations that surround general elections in September 2025.

“Disinformation often stimulates negative emotions, such as fear, anger, and distrust, to manipulate individuals into believing false or misleading information. Therefore, it is important that district members engage grassroots people to avoid such emotions among people,” he said.

By Mary Makhiringa

Balaka, January 28, Mana: Local councils in the country have been asked to fully utilize and maximize local revenue collection in their districts, which local business investors always bring as this will improve the financial status core at the councils.

This comes amid concerns that came Monday in Blantyre, as District Commissioner for Balaka, Tamanya Harawa presented how the council performed during the last financial year, during the 2025-2026 budget review session with the National Local Government Finance Committee (NGLFC).

Harawa said, among other challenges, Balaka has been getting inadequate and inconsistent funding from the treasury, which he observed, affected their day-to-day service delivery.

“As a way of cushioning ourselves from financial problems, Balaka District Council has developed the Quinquennial Valuation Roll (QVR) in which all businesses and dwelling houses were revalued so that the council starts collecting more money for its day-to-day activities.

“We also would like to start utilizing our bus depot, we know the depot can be used by big bus companies as their offices, taxi operators, as well as minibuses, can also be utilizing the same for our good,” he said.

Harawa also disclosed that the council with support from Centenary Bank intends to start electronic payments in their strong hold markets so that revenue is enhanced.

He also noted that in the last financial year, Balaka District Council has managed to pay all outstanding salary arrears to its direct employees as one step forward in making sure that service delivery is enhanced.

“We know that when an employee is not motivated, he or she cannot perform well in his or her duties, that is why although we had arrears for five months when we started the previous financial year, we tried and settled all before December,” he added.

On his part, Director of Infrastructure and Economic Development at NGLFC, Paul Chipeta urged all councils to always strive for more revenue so that service delivery is not compromised.

“At first, councils used to complain that funding is inadequate, we have since changed some things. For example, councilors’ honoraria are being funded by the NGLFC not from the monthly funding, yet councils are still complaining of funding gaps, that is why we are urging councils to be proactive in local revenue collection.

 “The local revenue performance that they have presented needs to be checked by endorsing several measures to enhance revenue collection. They need to enhance awareness to the locals on the need to pay tax, as well as improving service delivery to the people so that the citizen in turn can pay the much-needed tax,” Chipeta said.

However, Chipeta commended Balaka District Council for paying all outstanding salary arrears to all its direct employees, saying it was a step forward in enhancing revenue collection.

“I was listening attentively to the budget presentation and I saw that there are no serious issues that need to be worked on when you go back, this also shows the kind of commitment that you have put during the entire budget formulation process,” he said.

In a separate interview, Balaka District Council Director of Planning and Development, Chris Nawata said the council has already seen potential in the mining companies, which are exploring mining opportunities for various minerals in the district.

“We are geared to make sure that Balaka must also benefit from the various mining activities happening in a lot of areas so that the council increases its local revenue base; thereby, enabling good service delivery to the locals,” he said.

In local revenue, Balaka intends to collect K345 million in 2025-2026 against K231 million last financial year.