By Happy Byson Milanzie

Lilongwe, February 21, Mana: Minister of Lands, Deusi Gumba, has assured people that the project of building houses for the security agencies is going on smoothly, with phase three of the project almost complete.

According to Gumba, approximately 4000 houses in phase three have already reached the procurement and construction stages, demonstrating the seriousness of the current administration.

"The project is making significant progress on the ground. Out of the 10000 houses planned by the government, some have already been opened by President Lazarus Chakwera, while others are nearing completion with only minor work remaining," he said.

Gumba also emphasized that 90 percent of the phase three project is expected to be completed soon, as both the procurement and construction processes are progressing well.

He said the project in Rumphi is also promising, with contractors already identified adding of the 90 earmarked in the district, 78 will be allocated to the Malawi Police Service, and 12 to immigration.

The government of Malawi promised to build 10000 houses across the country, with 4000 houses allocated to the Malawi Police Service, another 4000 to the Malawi Defense Force (MDF), 1000 to immigration, and another 1000 to prisons.

By James Mwale

Ntchisi, February 21, Mana: Malawi Congress Party Thursday held primary elections for legislator and ward councillors to represent the party in forthcoming tripartite elections in the district’s West Constituency.

Competing for the Member of Parliament position were Anderson Msonthi who amassed 284 votes followed by Moses Chakana with 284 votes.

Mtendere Chilapondwa accumulated 47 votes followed by Mdoko Peter Banda who got 33 votes followed by Rosemary Sadya Lunda who came last with 27 votes.

Competing for Madanjala ward councillor was Justice Zambila who amassed 363 votes followed by the incumbent, Mark Mphenzi Mtengo who got 67 votes.

Coming third was Millias Mkwezalamba who got 27 votes followed by Dustan Kalirani who came last with 7 votes.

For Kamnenje ward, incumbent Arnold Kapolo came first with 476 votes followed by Damiano Kapesa with 107 votes with Godfrey Zakeyo coming last with 31 votes.

In an interview after the voting exercise, the prospective legislator said: “It was a stiff competition and for people to trust me with a voter margin of such magnitude, I am very happy.”

Amongst his ambitions, Msonthi said: “Our district has poor road network concerns and we are stranded here because of the same. I will try my best to make sure our road network improves.”

The voting exercise was overseen by ward councillors and the district’s senior party officials.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, February 21, Mana: Executive Director of the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), Boniface Chibwana, has called for a political commemoration of this year's Martyrs Day to maintain the event's integrity and significance.

 In an interview in Nkhata Bay during a stakeholder's engagement meeting for the event, Chibwana emphasized that focusing on the martyrs' sacrifices will promote unity and solidarity among citizens.

"As we prepare for this day, it is essential to understand that the martyrs died for this country's freedom and wanted self-rule, so Malawians can govern themselves.

"That is why we are emphasizing that this commemoration should be apolitical, as the martyrs died for everyone in this country," he said.

According to Chibwana, during the commemoration, political party colours and affiliations should be set aside to remember that martyrdom is about self-rule.

He added that all political parties must attend the event as one nation.

Principal Secretary responsible for national Unity in the Ministry of Local Government Unity and Culture, Dr. Elizabeth Gomani stated that preparations for this year's National Martyrs Day event are at an advanced stage and will be unique compared to previous years.

"As the government, we are ready for this function, and we want to keep commemorating it as a national event.

"We have produced a commemorative cloth for the first time, and we want everyone to come in one colour, not in political party colours," Gomani said.

 "We have also made efforts to engage the media to educate the masses on the distinction between Chilembwe Day and Martyrs Day, and everyone is welcome on this day,” she added.

Representative of the deceased families, James Thawi praised the government for taking over responsibility for organizing the event, describing it as a sign of empathy towards the families.

Martyrs' Day is observed annually in the country on 3rd March to honor those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and self-rule.

This year's celebration will take place in Nkhata Bay under the theme "The Martyrs: A Great Model of Patriotism and is expected to be led by President Dr Lazarus MacCathy Lazarus Chakwera.

By Timothy Peter

Dedza, February 21, Mana: One of the country's social media influencers, Gerald Chavez Kampanikiza commonly known as GCK has been voted as a torchbearer for Dedza Boma Constituency under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) ahead of the September 16th general elections.

Kampanikiza amassed 839 votes to stand out as a top candidate who will represent the party against the other 5 candidates in elections held at Dedza Stadium on Thursday.

Speaking after the elections, Regional Publicity Director for the Centre who was a Team Leader for the Elections, Abraham Liwonde, commended people in the area for maintaining peace before, during and after the elections.

He said: "MCP is the mother of all political parties in the country and we told our supporters to maintain peace during the elections.

"People here have chosen the best candidate for themselves and as a party, we are very happy to conduct fair and free primary elections," he said.

He has since asked those who have not made it to support Kampanikiza in developing the area and also keeping the party strong.

"We ask those who have not made it to support the one who has won," he added.

In his reaction, Kampanikiza told Malawi News Agency (MANA) that he was a very happy person.

"I am very happy to be given this opportunity to lead the party under Dedza Boma Constituency. It was not easy for me but I was hopeful that I would make it.

“I will keep my promises as I work towards developing the area," he explained.

Kampanikiza was seconded by Howard Mzambwe who got 338 votes while Martha Kwataine was third with 194 votes followed by Jane Kumwanje with 37 votes and Francis Chimpikizo as well as Felicity Kadyampakeni who both got 10 votes.

Meanwhile, Ganizani Chimwala will represent MCP as councilor for Umbwi ward after amassing 370 votes while Charles M'tambalika who got 497 votes will represent Bembeke Ward.

Elsewhere at Dedza Linthipe Constituency, Councilor, Themuka Nkhweu has won with 767 votes against Jacob Kaumphawi's 529 and Bonex Malunga as well as Stevie Tanyaze who got 258 and 237 respectively.

By Andrew Phiri

Balaka, February 20, Mana: Eagles Relief organization said it will embark on a new project called Drought Risk Financing to empower over 66,000 farmers affected by prolonged dry spells in Balaka District in the 2024/2025 farming season.

Eagles Relief Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator, Evelyn Mkandawire said on Wednesday at Balaka District Executive Committee meeting that Drought Risk Financing will provide farmers with drought resistance orange, sweet potato vines, cowpeas, tomatoes and onions among other vegetables.

She added that the initiative will benefit over 1,200 households in sub traditional authorities Toleza and Chimatiro in the district.

“Mostly, targeted beneficiaries will be households that have marginalized people including women, children and people living with disabilities.

“We are targeting sub traditional authorities Toleza and Chimatiro, based on the 2024 dry spells report from Balaka District Agriculture Office in December. Eagles Relief is implementing other related projects in the same areas and we believe this will provide a complimentary aspect to the existing initiatives,” she added.

She said the project will take onboard farmers that have access to land to equip them with agricultural practices to enable them produce enough food through revolving farming techniques.

Balaka District Crop Production Officer, Blazio Mphepo hailed Eagles Relief’s Drought Risk Financing, describing it, as timely intervention capable of covering over 31,000 hectares of land affected by dry spells in Balaka.

Eagles Relief will implement the Drought Risk Financing Project worthy over K139. million for five years, starting from 2025 and the first part will be a pilot.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, February 20, Mana: Lilongwe Police are holding Wang Jixiang, 27, in custody for allegedly diverting K70 million, which he was entrusted to deposit at the bank, and subsequently gambling it away at a casino on February 19, 2025.

According to Lilongwe Police spokesperson Hastings Chigalu, authorities have also arrested Wen Jui, 50, on suspicion of harboring Wang Jixiang.

Reports indicate that Wang, a shop manager at Area 2 in the capital city, was instructed by his employers to use the company vehicle to make the bank deposit. However, after the suspect took the money, he went missing, and his phone became unreachable.

"After allegedly taking the money and driving his employer's vehicle, the suspect went missing, and his phone went out of reach," Chigalu said.

Following a report of Wang’s disappearance, detectives launched an immediate investigation and search, which led them to discover that he was hiding in Area 43, at the home of the second suspect, Wen Jui.

During interrogation, Wang admitted to using the stolen amount for gambling at a casino and revealed that he had abandoned his employer's vehicle near Bwaila District Hospital. The vehicle was later recovered by detectives.

Wang Jixiang and Wen Jui will face charges of theft by servant and harboring, respectively.

By Thom Ali

Lilongwe, February 19, Mana: Malawi government through the Ministry of Labour has condemned the employment of expatriates by some organizations in the country, noting that the practice violates labour laws and the rights of Malawians.

Speaking during an inspection tour in Lilongwe, Minister of Labour Vitumbiko Mumba said the employment of expatriates hinders Malawians from securing jobs in the same positions.

"We cannot talk of job creation by employing expatriates when we have Malawians who are qualified for similar positions. We need to prioritize local talents to ensure jobs are created for Malawians,” Mumba emphasized.

Condemning such illegal practices in the country, Mumba noted that foreign investors often employ expatriates instead of utilizing local talent.

The Minister further said expatriates are only required to work in the country for a given period for skills transfer and knowledge sharing, after that period the expatriates are expected to give opportunities to local talents.

He also emphasized that expatriates must obtain work permits and visas and register with the relevant authorities in the country.

Malawi Engineering Institution Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Arthur Wengawenga said the institution is mandated to regulate engineering in the country, as such permitted expatriates in engineering are required to register with MEI with a given limited period to work in Malawi.

"As a regulatory institution, we are required to examine expatriates in the engineering sector, to verify qualifications and register them with MIE," he said.

Wengawenga urged all illegal expatriates in the country to register with their respective bodies, or risk deportation.

Since taking office, the Minister of Labour has been conducting inspection tours across the country to expose labor exploitation by foreign investors. Among the issues identified are low wages for local workers, hazardous working conditions, inadequate food provisions, lack of protective gear in factories, and incidents of sexual and verbal abuse.

By Sheminah Nkhoma and Lesnat Kenan

Lilongwe, February 20, Mana: Members of Parliament (MPs) have urged the government, through the Ministry of Health, to prioritize the completion and upgrading of stalled health projects that have remained unfinished for years.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, MP for Nkhotakota South, Brainax Kaise, expressed concern over the construction of a health post and the rehabilitation of other health centers, emphasizing the need to improve patient care and the working environment.

“People in our Constituency  do not have access to health services nearby. We appeal to the government to finish up constructing facilities which are underway so that people have the ability to get good medical services easily,” he said.

In his response , Deputy Minister of Health, Noah Chimpeni, has assured all MPs that government is committed to ensuring access to health care in all districts across the country.

Chimpeni said government has already started opening health posts which have been completed in some areas so that people start accessing health care services within a walkable distance.

"This is an ongoing exercise which government is doing. So many of them have been constructed, opened for use and some to be opened soon and new sites have been handed over to contractors to continue construction of health posts and everything will be done according to plan," he added.

He further stated that some of the health posts under construction are 80 to 90 percent complete, with only painting and bulb installation remaining before they can begin offering services.