MANAonline
Rains cause havoc in Mzuzu, households displaced
By Rose Cross Mahorya
Mzuzu, May 15, Mana: At least 15 households have been displaced in Mzuzu City after their houses collapsed following rains that poured continuously for 3 days.
Disaster Risk Management Officer for Mzuzu City Council (MCC), MacDonald Gondwe, confirmed the development, saying Ward Disaster Committee is on the ground conducting initial assessment of the damage,
Gondwe, who is also spokesperson for Mzuzu City Council, said the affected households are in dire need of relief assistance.
“We have received disaster related reports from Masasa, Chibanja, Chibavi and Mchengautuba East wards and assessment to establish magnitude of the damage is under way,” said Gondwe.
Meanwhile, Councillor for Chibavi East Ward, Edward Simwaka, has appealed for immediate relief assistance including, plastic sheets, tents, and food for the households which have been affected by the rains.
According to Simwaka, some houses have collapsed due to high water table following the continuous downpour.
Malawi government strengthens land governance through devolution
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, May 15, Mana: Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening land governance and service delivery at the local level after devolving key functions and resources to councils across the country.
Speaking during an engagement meeting in Salima on the progress of land devolution on Thursday, Minister of Lands, Deus Gumba highlighted the progress made in decentralizing land services, aimed at bringing the services closer to the people and improving efficiency.
“We have devolved our functions to the councils to enhance service delivery and this includes the direct provision of resources and ensuring systems are streamlined within the community’s vicinity.
“Regulating land services is very important, and we are reinforcing land-related laws to ensure all developments align with stipulated guidelines.” Gumba said.
The devolution of land services is part of a broader effort by the government to decentralize governance functions and empower local authorities.
Principal Secretary for Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Hara emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between Ministry of Lands and his ministry.
“We are working together to build the capacity of District Commissioners so they can effectively execute their mandates,” Hara said.
“This is a shared responsibility. The human resource and fiscal functions have been devolved, and with resources now accessible through Other Recurrent Transactions (ORT), departments within councils are better positioned to manage and utilize these funds efficiently.” he said.
District Commissioner for Zomba, Reingard Chavula, acknowledged the transformative impact of the devolution policy on land governance at the district level.
“The land sector is one of the most integral areas that has been devolved. It has empowered us to make proper decisions and resolve long-standing community land issues that we previously could not address due to lack of authority.” she said.
She said the move is a critical step in improving transparency, accountability, and service delivery in the land sector, which has historically been viewed and marred by bureaucratic delays and disputes.
As government continues to devolve more functions, stakeholders are optimistic that these changes will lead to stronger local governance and improved livelihoods for Malawians across the country.
The meeting involved District Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers of local councils to discuss the progress of devolution in the land sector.
Chakwera calls for attitude change among university graduates
By Yamikani Sabola
Mzuzu, May 15, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has asked graduates to adopt attitudes of self-sacrifice, humility and optimism if they want to reap the benefits of education they have received.
He was speaking in Mzuzu on Thursday during the 27th Mzuzu University (MZUNI) graduation ceremony.
He said a good education has power to open good opportunities for the graduates. However, it is their attitude that determines how far they can go.
“There are things that you will need to overcome because they threaten to render your education useless.
“First thing about yourself that you need to overcome is your bad attitude. You need to understand that what you destroy with your bad attitude, you cannot fix with your good education,” he said.
He said attitudes that the graduates should overcome in themselves are attitudes of self-absorption, reluctance, rudeness, stubbornness, pessimism and self-pity.
“If you show up anywhere with your education but forget to leave your self-absorption behind, your education will soon become useless.
“No matter what skills you have acquired through your education; no one will want to be around you if they see in you the attitude of caring about no one but yourself,” he said.
Chakwera said people who have an attitude of self-absorption take all the credit for team efforts, blame others for their own mistakes and take things that are not theirs without asking.
Chairperson for MZUNI Council, Hawa Ndilowe, outlined operational strategies that the university has adopted to raise the bar of excellence.
She said one of the strategies is to strengthen and expand open distance and e-learning opportunities to fast track increase in access to university education.
“We want to expand the number of students accessing university education through open distance and e-learning to 19,000 by 2030. Currently, programs delivered through open distance and e-learning have risen from seven to 15, including science subjects,” she said.
Ndilowe said MZUNI is also pushing for regional and international accreditation, adding that 75 of its programmes have already been accredited by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
She said the university has also identified major business projects to implement through MZUNI Trust Fund to improve the institution’s financial sustainability and independence.
Ndilowe said some of the projects include mega farms and building of hotels in Mzuzu and Nkhata Bay.
Vice Chancellor for the university, Professor Welce Singini, commended Chakwera for abolishing quota system of selecting students to public universities.
He said the system was disadvantaging students from the northern region.
A total of 2,326 students have graduated with PHDs, Master’s Degrees, Bachelor’s Degrees and Diplomas including 1,376 males and 950 females.
11 Arrested for committing different offences
By Santos Zefania
Lilongwe 15 May Mana: Police in Zomba are keeping in custody 11 people suspected to have committed various offenses.
The offences range from, burglary, theft, malicious damage, receiving stolen property, being found in possession of petroleum products without a licence and possessing cannabis sativa without permit.
According to Zomba Police Station`s, Inspector Patricia Sipiliano, the suspects have been arrested during an intelligence driven operation which the district’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) undertook.
“The operation took place on the night of 14 May 2025, within our policing jurisdiction and was organized after receiving numerous reports in the months of January to March from individuals in Chinamwali, Matawale, and other areas about a series of break-ins and theft” Said Sipiliano.
This development has come days after police in the district recovered two Plasma Screens, one Lenovo Laptop and other assorted items stolen from various homes.
Two arrested in Lilongwe for gang rape
By Yewo Munthali
Lilongwe, May 15, Mana: Police in Lilongwe on Tuesday, arrested two of the three men suspected of gang-raping a 25-year-old woman at around 8 pm on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
The suspects have been identified as a 20 years old, Gideon Samuel and 22 years old, Steve Robert.
According to Lilongwe Police Station Public Relations Officer, Hastings Chigalu, on the said night the three suspects met the victim who was walking home alone from a shop.
He said together the suspects grabbed the victim and carried her into a nearby unfinished building where in succession, they raped her.
Chigalu said the suspects used their hands to shut the victim’s mouth to prevent her from shouting for help.
“The victim was referred to One Stop Centre at Kamuzu Central Hospital for medical examination and treatment and the results confirmed rape” said Chigalu.
During interrogation by officers from Chitipi Police Unit following their arrest, the suspects admitted to raping the woman.
The two however blamed their action on alcohol, saying they were drunk when they committed the offence.
According to Chigalu, a manhunt is currently underway to arrest the third suspect who is still on the run.
Meanwhile, the two arrested suspects have been charged with rape, and will be taken to court soon.
Gedion Samuel hails from Njikho Village, while Steve Robert comes from Chimphangu Village, both from Traditional Authority Malili in Lilongwe District.
Mawira CCAP holds marriage conference
By Alice Ndunya
Machinga, May 15, Mana: Mawira CCAP at Liwonde in Machinga District on Wednesday held a Christian marriage conference as a way of reminding couples of their obligations against factors that mostly lead to conflicts, disunity and divorce.
At the conference, a couple, Elita and Patrick Kaudzu from Chinamwali CCAP under Zomba City Presbytery together with host speaker, Moderator of Mawila CCAP, Rev. Austin Mututhe spoke on several topics which included: Principles of a good Family, God family Foundation and Principles of marriage.
Opening the conference, Rev. Mututhe, called upon married couples to be tolerant to each other and to always embrace a spirit of forgiveness, saying this is central for a Christian marriage.
He said couples should always strive for a God centred relationship built on trust.
“Peaceful homes bring about a better church and helps in building a society that is progressive and united,”he said.
Elita Kaudzu, a speaker at the conference highligted the negative implications of divorce as written in the bible, emphasising that God hates divorce.
She called on couples to avoid conflicts and disunity, urging them to find ways of strengthening relations.
Patrick Kaudzu, another speaker, said its disheartening to see Christian couples lacking a spirit of oneness to the extent of resorting to verbal and physical abuse.
He observed that such couples portray a bad image of marriage to their children thereby negatively impacting on the future of their children`s marriage life.
Patricia Muyande, a participant to the conference commended Mawira CCAP executive and Men’s Ministry for organising the conference, observing it will help christian couples to positively navigate through married life challenges.
The conference was organised after the church leadership observed an increased number of couples appearing before its governing council with maritial issues, while others are said to be seeking divorce in courts.
Over 40 couples attended the conference.
Man fined for possessing Indian Hemp
By Pickson Chipeso
Lilongwe, May 14, Mana: The Balaka Senior Resident Magistrate's Court has convicted and sentenced a 45-year-old man, Maliko Mathewe, to a fine of K200,000 or in default serve 12 months imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for being found in possession of Indian Hemp without a licence.
According to Balaka Police Public Relations Officer, Gladson M'bumpha, the court through state prosecutor Sergeant Precious Chiphaka heard that the convict committed the offence on April 25, 2025 at Mgawanyemba location within Balaka Township.
He was found in possession of loose Indian Hemp of approximately three kilograms and two flesh plants.
"Appearing before court, the convict pleaded guilty to the charge leading to his conviction.
"Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Joshua Nkhono concurred with the state's submission for a stiff sentence as a deterrent to other would-be offenders," M’bumpha said.
Mathewe, who comes from Kaumphawi Village in Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka, has since paid the fine.
Police arrest three for murder, armed robbery
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, May 14, Mana: Police in Mzuzu have arrested three men, Elia Levison, 30; Jimmy Nyirenda, 36, and Jimmy Adam, 42, in connection with various armed robberies in the city.
According to Mzuzu Deputy Public Relations Officer, Cecilia Mfune, the suspects were arrested on May 13, 2025 following intensive investigation by the station.
Mfune said the first suspect was apprehended in Katoto area and his arrest subsequently led to the apprehension of the other two suspects in Sozibele Lines Township.
During the arrest, one of the suspect, identified as Patrick Phiri, 30, who had a pistol loaded with six rounds pointed at police officers, attempting to thwart the arrest.
He was shot and died while receiving treatment at Mzuzu Central hospital.
"It has been established that on May 10, 2025, Andrew Katona, owner of a mobile money business was robbed a sum of K5 million and a Samsung mobile phone worth K1 million at Luwinga Township after the suspect fired live bullets three times into the air," she said.
Mfune said the matter was reported to Luwinga Police Unit and police detectives from Mzuzu Police Station conducted intelligence-driven investigation, which led to the arrest of the suspect.
"The three suspects confessed that they also robbed K100 million from Mzuzu-based Indian national, Hassim Irfan, on April 24, 2025 at Mapale area within the city.
“The suspects are connected to the murder of Mzuzu-based businessman, Chiukepo Sichali, who was shot dead on March 27, 2025 at Mchengautuwa township,” she said.
Meanwhile police have seized a blue Toyota Vitz registration number NA 6601, which was used in the robberies.
Police have also confiscated a pistol loaded with six lice rounds, 52 additional live rounds, two mattresses, a home theater, a 42-inch plasma TV, and 40 bags of cement during the operation at Sozibele Lines township.
The suspects will appear in court soon to answer charges of murder and armed robbery contrary to section 209 and 300 as read with section 301 of the Penal Code, respectively.
Government to turn NEEF into bank
By Yamikani Sabola
Mzuzu, May 14, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has revealed plans to turn National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) into a government owned bank next year.
Chakwera made the revelation in Mzuzu on Wednesday during commemoration of Kamuzu Day.
Kamuzu Day is held in honor of the legacy of the father and founder of the Malawi nation, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
He said the bank will be giving soft loans to the country’s youth at lower interest rates so that they start businesses and contribute to the growth of the national economy.
Chakwera criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regime for selling government owned Malawi Savings Bank (MSB).
“Kamuzu laid a solid foundation for the country’s banking sector by establishing MSB which was fully owned by the government. However, a certain administration came and sold the bank,” Chakwera said.
He said his administration is working hard to restore the foundations which Kamuzu Banda laid in various sectors of the economy.
He said, among other sectors, his administration is revamping the agriculture sector through promotion of irrigation.
“My administration is establishing irrigation schemes across the country to ensure vibrant irrigation farming which has the potential to help the country achieve food security,” he said.
In his homily, bishop for Mzuzu Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Rt Rev Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, also hailed Kamuzu Banda as a development-oriented leader.
“He was a leader who did not believe in temporary solutions but permanent. That is why infrastructure built during Kamuzu Banda’s reign, including roads and school blocks, still stand the test of time,” he said.
He said ahead of September 16 elections, political leaders should ask themselves whether they are aspiring for positions to serve their selfish interests or they want to truly serve the interests of Malawians.
In his remarks, Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, commended the President for directing that government should be funding Kamuzu Day celebrations and that the celebrations should be rotating among the southern, central and northern regions.
Representative for the Kamuzu Banda family, Ken Kandodo, said Chakwera is continuing with the legacy of the country’s founding father.
He noted Chakwera administration’s efforts in constructing durable roads and revamping railway lines, which were neglected by previous government administrations.
Fountain of Victory International Church to host Mother’s Summit
By Memory Khutuliwa
Blantyre, May 14, Mana: Fountain of Victory International Church has organised mother’s summit at Victory Land in Blantyre on May 24 to provide wisdom, counsel and prayers to women and young ladies that aspire to get married.
The summit will be held under the theme: ‘My seed shall be mighty upon the earth’ taken from the book of Psalms chapter 112 verse 2.
Event organiser, Pastor Priscilla Ziba, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) that the summit, which is done once in two years, is a platform for every woman especially those that prepare to get married and those that will be mothers.
She said the summit will provide good platform to seek wisdom on how to raise and nurture children in the fear of Lord.
“Preparations are going well. We are in fasting and prayer every Wednesday midnight to engage ourselves in God’s direction and guidance so that we should not miss what the Lord wants us to do in raising good children and families.
“We have invited all mothers from Evangelical Church of Malawi, all women from the corporate world, chiefs, choirs and other churches,” she said.
Pastor Ziba, therefore, urged all mothers and young ladies to attend the summit despite what they are passing through.
Pastor Esther Lunduka from Blantyre Mega Church looks forward to the summit, expressing hope that it will provide women an opportunity to hear God’s voice through Pastor Priscilla Ziba.
“I am prepared to attend this summit with higher anticipation. I will pray together with all the mothers to deal with challenges women encounter.
“Le all mothers prepare for this summit so that we should declare that our seed is mighty on earth and that the word of God is active and alive,” Lunduka added.
