MANAonline
Lilongwe City Council struggles with rising streetlight solar panel thefts
By Japonicah Jabu
Lilongwe, June 23, Mana: The Lilongwe City Council (LCC) has raised serious concerns over the rising theft of solar panels from streetlights along newly constructed roads, warning that the trend poses a threat to public safety and undermines the city’s appearance.
Tamara Chafunya, spokesperson for the Lilongwe City Council, lamented the "lawless individuals" who are stealing and vandalizing these vital infrastructures.
"These streetlights are part of the development that the government puts in place as part of safety and beautification of the city at night," Chafunya explained, emphasizing the significant investment made by the government.
Chafunya urged citizens to cultivate a sense of ownership over public developments, stressing the collective responsibility required to safeguard these costly constructions.
In response to the rampant thefts, the LCC has engaged various stakeholders to install surveillance cameras at infrastructure sites.
"These cameras will be able to record and be used to trace and catch the culprits," she stated.
Concurring with the LCC, Lilongwe Police Public Relations Officer, Hastings Chigalu, affirmed the police's inherent duty to protect public infrastructure. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the police and scrap metal dealers to curb the illicit trade of stolen items, thereby eliminating a market for the stolen streetlights.
Chigalu further elaborated on the police's proactive approach, stating, "The police does not wait until issues arise for them to take action but they use the strategy of prevention and if it fails then the perpetrators are taken to court to answer for the crime."
He also identified motorbike operators as key enablers of these crimes, as they assist in transporting stolen materials.
Both the Lilongwe City Council spokes person and the Lilongwe Public Relations Police underscore the importance of civic responsibility and a collective effort to protect and preserve the city's infrastructure for the benefit of all residents.
Phalombe District Council to commerce rehabilitation works on Minor Water Schemes
By Linda likomwa
Phalombe, June 24, Mana: Phalombe District Council will soon start the K154 million rehabilitation works on Sombani, and Phalombe Minor Water Schemes which were heavily damaged by Tropical Cyclone Freddy induced rains in March 2023.
The 90 days project work is funded by World Bank under Region Climate Resilient Programme (RCRP) through National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC).
District Commissioner Douglas Moffat disclosed this recently, saying the damage affected provision of water services to communities in the district.
“In this project we are going to expand conveyer pipes from the current 110 to 200 milliliters to make sure that the water tank has adequate water to supply to both Southern Region Water Board and Phalombe Minor systems,” said Moffat.
The District Commissioner added that government has pumped in a lot of money to the project which is expected to supply water for the targeted communities in the next 40 years hence need for the council and chiefs to sign an agreement to protect the water resource at Michesi Mountain where people cut trees for charcoal production, fire wood while some encroach to open land for farming.
Traditional Authority Mkhumba expressed her gratitude over commencement of the rehabilitation works on Phalombe Scheme, saying that by the end of rehabilitation works, people in her area will have access to portable water closer to their homes and was optimistic that water-borne diseases will also be prevented.
She therefore assured the council of continuous sensitization on protection of forests at Michesi Mountain, saying all those that opened farm land in the protected forest area will be taken to task so as to stop the encroachment.
Phalombe Minor, Water Users Association (WUA) Local Utility Operator, Peter Chiotcha said by the end of the rehabilitation work 8,000 households will benefit from the portable water supply.
“Currently we have 3,540 households that are benefiting, but some get the water in the afternoon while others are supplied with water during evening hours. Out of 786 pipes that were installed less than 200 are working,” he disclosed.
He therefore asked government to consider funding rehabilitation of Phalombe Major Water Scheme which is also in bad condition to reach out to the larger community with portable water.
Feed the Children donates to Nkhata Bay District Council
By Janet Masamba
Nkhata Bay, June 25, Mana: District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, David Gondwe, has commended Feed the Children for donating a Toyota Prado TX vehicle, two motorcycles and three laptops to support the sustainability of nutrition projects in the district.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Gondwe said the donation will significantly improve mobility which is one of the major challenges the council faces in monitoring nutrition initiatives.
“As Nkhata Bay District Council, we are grateful for the gesture Feed the Children has shown by providing us with these assets.
“Although the Akule ndi Thanzi project they were implementing in the district has come to an end, we will ensure these assets are used to sustain its impact and continue registering success,” he said.
The DC added that the donation came at the right time, as the council had been seeking similar resources to support project monitoring, especially given the district’s hilly terrain.
“Let me urge all officers who will be using these assets to take very good care of them for the benefit of the community members we serve,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Cluster Coordinator for Feed the Children Chimwemwe Nyasulu expressed hope that the donated items would contribute to a reduction in nutrition-related cases in the district.
“One of the key outcomes we expect in the coming years is a significant reduction in stunting cases and we believe the agreement signed with the council to take care of these assets will be honored,” he said.
Chairperson for Civil Society Organization in Nkhata Bay, Michael Mwanachawa said the gesture that Feed the Children has shown should be emulated by other organizations as sustainability of all the projects remains in the hands of the council.
Akule ndi Thanzi Project was being implemented in the district with the aim of improving nutrition status of pregnant and lactating women, under five children and adolescent girls with financial support from USAID.
MHEN hands over push bicycles to mother care groups for community mobilization
By Kenneth Zindondo,
Blantyre, June 25, Mana: Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) says a reliable mode of transport plays a significant role in ensuring effective community mobilization for improved child health across Malawi.
MHEN Executive Director, George Jobe, made the remarks on Monday as he handed over a bicycle to Mpendekela Mother Care Group at Traditional Authority Lundu in Blantyre to improve the group’s mobility.
According to Jobe, mother care groups work voluntarily with limited resources, saying it was pleasing to see them doing incredible work in mobilizing parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated against illnesses.
“They use default tracing tools such as vaccine cards and community registers to identify children who miss vaccinations, and they also encourage expectant mothers to deliver at certified health facilities,”.
“One notable achievement is the construction of a footbridge at Lundu, which has allowed communities to access health services, especially during the rainy season,” he added.
Jobe expressed gratitude over the group’s commitment towards child health as MHEN was at Lundu as part of its ongoing monitoring and evaluation visits in the nine districts, including Blantyre, where the organization work with the mother care group in mobilizing communities on child vaccination.
Senior Health Surveillance Assistant at Lundu Health Centre, Sigrace Seda, acknowledged the mother care group’s active contribution to numerous activities that improved health delivery.
“Before the group was formed, it was difficult to trace children and women who miss vaccination. Thanks to the mother care group’s follow-ups, our data is more accurate, and coverage has improved,” she said.
Mpendekela Mother Care Group’s Secretary, Veronica Kalino, expressed gratitude over the bicycle donation, saying this will improve mobility to remote areas in times of community mobilization.
“We often struggled to reach remote areas due to lack of transport. With this bicycle, we can now visit more households to ensure no one is left behind,” she said.
Senior Village Head, Chilundu, also hailed the group for playing active role in community mobilization, which had seen improved vaccine uptake in most areas within Lunzu Health Center catchment.
Mother Care Groups were established in 2022 by the Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Health, with technical support from Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and funding from Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).
Lack of access to adult education hinders national development
By Pickson Chipeso
Lilongwe, June 25, Mana: DVV International Organization says limited access to quality adult education in Malawi significantly hampers the socio-economic prospects of individuals, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA), DVV International Communication Officer, Dyson Mthawanji said adult education enhances skills, knowledge, and competencies, empowering individuals to improve their livelihoods and contribute to national development.
"Limited access to quality adult education hinders economic development and competitiveness. A workforce lacking in skills and knowledge cannot effectively contribute to the growth of key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services,” he said.
Mthawanji added that existing infrastructure such as community centers and schools can be repurposed to provide adult education facilities, offering a cost-effective way to expand learning access.
In his remarks, Executive Director for Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC), Benedicto Kondowe emphasized that without literacy and vocational skills, many Malawians remain in low-paying, informal jobs, unable to fully participate in the economy.
“Adult education is not just a second chance at learning; it is a vital bridge to economic empowerment, social inclusion, and self-reliance,” said Kondowe.
He urged the government to prioritize adult education within national budgets and integrate learning spaces into existing infrastructure, stressing the importance of public-private partnerships and coordination among sectors.
Newly refurbished NU DCs offices a motivation to stakeholders
By Maston Kaiya
Ntcheu, June 25, Mana: Chairperson for Ntcheu District Council, Councilor Flaness Kampeni has observed that the newly refurbished district commissioner's office block will bring motivation to all stakeholders, including civil servants, civil society organisations and the entire Ntcheu community.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Tuesday, Kampeni said works to renovate the office has been long overdue, adding that she is optimistic that the council's secretariat will now work comfortably and improve their operations.
Kampeni said the rehabilitation was in line with the district development plans, noting: "The structure is magnificent and will improve the working operations of the council."
In a separate interview, District Commissioner for Ntcheu, George Ngaiyaye said the structure has brought a conducive working environment for various district council officers, such as the Director of Administration, the Human Resources, Deceased Estates, Information, Treasury and the Malawi Electoral Commission.
"The structure has brought a conducive working environment which will bring confidence to members of staff as they discharge their duties while at the same time the development will bring trust to the public," said Ngaiyaye.
On the other hand, Acting District Director of Public Works, Onacence Nyirenda said the works have been done to a tune of K167 million.
Nyirenda said various works have been done including new roofing, iron sheets, tiling, painting, ceiling installation, drainages and breaking some walls, among others.
"We have reconditioned the structure in a way that it will also be a historical building that people will be able to point at," said Nyirenda.
According to reports, Ntcheu District Council Offices which are centrally located at the BOMA in the area of Senior Chief Kwataine were built in the 1940s during the colonial era.
SRWB rallies communities in Chiradzulu to protect water equipment
By Blackson Mkupatira
Chiradzulu, June 24, Mana: Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) has urged communities under group village heads Onga and Kambalame in Chiradzulu District to take full responsibility of protecting water infrastructure in their respective areas for sustainable water supply.
SRWB in collaboration with Chiradzulu district council made the call during a stakeholders meeting held in Group Village Head Onga’s area following growing concerns over theft and vandalism of essential water equipment.
The board’s Security Executive, Ephrone Mphande expressed concern over the persistent theft and vandalism of vital installations, disclosing that the board had lost K120 million in replacing two stolen transformers in the area.
“People often say this is a business, but we are offering a service here. Our aim is to ensure that Malawians access clean and safe drinking water. We are here not to make profit,” he said.
Mphande, therefore, urged community leaders and their subjects to play an active role in safeguarding the infrastructure, saying SRWB’s mandate is to supply clean water and not to provide security.
Chiradzulu Police Station Officer, Senior Superintendent, Lloyd Chalemera said investigations have shown that most suspects involved in the thefts come from Blantyre.
“We have intensified security and we are encouraging community members to work closely with community policing structures to protect the equipment and identify the thieves,” he said.
Group Village Head Kambalame said it would help if a guardroom was constructed at the site to allow guards to operate in shifts, especially at night when the transformers are most vulnerable.
“In our previous meetings, we also agreed that the contractor should employ strong and capable guards. We want someone who has the capability to be on such duties,” he added.
A community member, Dinesi Michael welcomed the idea to intensify security to protect water equipment and other related infrastructure; expressing hope, that water supply will be sustainable with equipment protected by communities.
He, however, proposed that armed police officers be deployed to protect the facility, saying the previous guards were elderly, poorly paid and lacked motivation.
“The guards were not paid on time by the contractor and some feared for their lives because they didn’t have proper protection and equipment,” said Michael.
Chiradzulu District Council Water Supply Officer, McPherson Kuseli said the council has taken note of the communities’ recommendations and suggestions and will engage relevant stakeholders to explore the best ways of safeguarding the equipment.
Congolese national arrested for allegedly committing financial crimes
By George Mponda
Karonga, June 24, Mana: Police in Karonga have arrested a 32-year-old Congolese national, Christine Manana for allegedly being found with over US$23,000 in suspected counterfeit notes and an additional US$14,070 in undocumented foreign currency at Songwe Border Post.
According to Spokesperson for Karonga Police Station, Margret Msiska the incident occurred on June 23, 2025 around 11:00 a.m. as Manana was returning to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through the Songwe Border.
Police officers from Fiscal and Fraud Section conducted a routine search on the suspect and discovered that she had US$23,000 suspected to be counterfeit and another US$14,070 of which, she had no supporting documents from a licensed financial institution or forex bureau," said Msiska.
Msiska added that the suspect was immediately taken into custody and the money was seized.
"The counterfeit currency will be sent to the Reserve Bank of Malawi for forensic analysis while investigations continue to trace the origin of the fake notes and undocumented cash," she said.
Manana who comes from Sudi Village in Kivu District of the DRC is expected to appear in court soon to answer charges of possessing counterfeit currency, illegal possession of foreign currency and attempting to externalise foreign currency without authorization.
EbAM Project to reduce adverse impacts of climate change
By Wilson Zagafu
Nkhata Bay, June 24, Mana: Malawi Government in partnership with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is set to launch a six-year Eco-system-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM) Project in 11 districts which are vulnerable to effects of climate change across the country.
The project, funded by the Green Climate Fund at a tune of US$53.2 million aims at addressing the adverse impacts of climate change.
Deputy Director in the Department of Land Resources Conservation, MacPherson Nthala made the disclosure when he introduced the project to members of Nkhata Bay District Executive Committee.
“The project would, among others, restore approximately 88,800 hectares of degraded land and promote climate-smart agricultural practices. This will help to enhance food and water security while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Nthala.
Chief Technical Advisor for FAO, Ben Vickers said the project will also integrate landscape management, resilient livelihoods, food systems and enabling institutional and financial environments.
“The intervention will also address adverse impacts of climate change which emanate from human activities such as poor agricultural practices,” said Vickers.
Chief Agriculture Officer for Nkhata Bay, Selina Malaga commended government for including the on the list of districts participating in the project.
"This project will mitigate the impacts of climate change which leads to prolonged dry spells; hence, affecting agricultural productivity in the district," said Malaga.
The project will be implemented in Nkhata Bay, Rumphi, Chitipa, Karonga, Thyolo, Zomba, Mwanza, Dedza, Neno, Nsanje and Mangochi and will run from 2025 to 2030.
NCC Calls for protection of children's rights during the 2025 elections
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, June 24, Mana: The National Children's Commission (NCC) has issued a strong call to action to protect children before, during, and after the 2025 General Elections.
Speaking during a press briefing held on Tuesday at the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare headquarters in Lilongwe, NCC Vice Chairperson, Commissioner Benedicto Kondowe, urged political stakeholders to prioritize children’s rights and protection, stressing that children are citizens, not tools for political gain.
Kondowe said that the commission is committed to holding duty bearers accountable and ensuring that children's rights are safeguarded.
"The NCC is calling for concrete measures, including formal child protection protocols within political parties, child-focused desk in electoral bodies, and the deployment of trained child rights observers," he said.
Kondowe also emphasized that child protection is not optional, but a legal and moral duty.
As the country prepares for the 2025 General Elections, the NCC's call to action is a timely reminder of the need to prioritize children's rights and protection.
