MANAonline
Communities at Kunthembwe hail MWASIP for restoring degraded land
By Memory Chatonda
Blantyre, March 29, Mana: Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP) Coordinator for Blantyre District, Owen Malimba, has said the project has scaled up land restoration activities to about 8,483 hectares against 12,234 hectares projected target.
Malimba disclosed this on Thursday during a meeting that was held to discuss MWASIP implementation with traditional leaders, Catchment Management Committee (CMC) and Area Development Committee (ADC) members at Traditional Authority Kunthembwe’s area.
He said the land restoration and other environmental conservation related activities were done under sustainable land management component which involves gully reclamation, construction of stone bands, swales and conservation agriculture among others.
He added that the project also supported about 15,000 communities participating in MWASIP activities with matching grants and Community Environmental Conservation Fund (CECF).
“For matching grants, about K832 million has been disbursed to 30 farmers' groups, while under CECF, about K461 million has been given to the communities," Malimba said.
Senior Traditional Authority Kunthembwe also hailed MWASIP currently being implemented in his area, for restoring the degraded landscapes and also improving the people's livelihoods.
The senior chief acknowledged interventions such as sustainable land management (SLM) activities, saying great impact has been registered in the area, citing landscape restoration.
"Apart from this, the project also supported 30 farmers' groups participating in SLM activities with matching grants to venture into different business enterprises such as poultry farming, beekeeping, and livestock farming, while others were supported with money from the CECF to start income generating activities to sustain their livelihoods," he added.
Senior Chief Kunthembwe said he will continue encouraging his subjects to maintain assets that have been created through the project.
A CMC member at Namitondo in Kunthembwe area, Pililani Gulo, commended MWASIP for bailing out his family from abject poverty.
"MWASIP, through CECF, gave me about K500,000 to start a small-scale business and, today, I manage different businesses, including a grocery shop, to support my two children with basic needs," she said.
The meeting was organized under MWASIP's social marketing activity to allow different influential groups at the local level to reflect on the project as it is expected to phase out in the next 12 months.
MCGs essential in vaccine advocacy
By Tamala Kamanga
Dowa, March 29. Mana: Dowa District Environmental Officer (DEO) James Mtonga says Mother Care Groups (MCGs) are essential in promoting vaccine advocacy among under-five children in rural areas.
Mtonga made the remarks Friday at the end of a media tour organized to appreciate the progress of Extended Immunization Programme (EIP).
He said, before the formation of MCGs, it was difficult for the EIP to achieve its target.
"The major issue was defaulters which affected our immunization campaign, and to reach our target of 85 percent coverage. But the coming in of these MCGs has helped us to reach our target.
"The MCGs have been crucial in vaccine advocacy which is very important because the ideal situation is to have all children vaccinated with all the required vaccinations, and this promote their health well-being," he said.
The MCGs use volunteers to trace mothers with under-five children in their areas, and they follow up to make sure they are adhering to all immunization sessions.
Chizolowondo Health Centre MCG Secretary, Felia Binwell, said they conduct door-to-door visits to families that have under-five children to advocate for vaccinations.
She however said one of the challenges they meet is resistance due to cultural and religious beliefs.
"Our advocacy for vaccine uptake amongst under-five children has faced various challenges because of cultural and religious beliefs amongst some people. But we are making significant strides, and so far we have managed to convince six families to change their perceptions.
"Another challenge was space. We used to do under-five clinics under a tree, but through the trainings we had received, we have managed to build an under-five clinic in collaboration with our village leaders and parliamentarian," she said.
Binwell also said they have made strides in encouraging male involvement in children immunization.
The media visited Chilambe under-five clinic under Chizolowondo health centre in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chakhaza and Mtekenya health post in T/A Msakambewa.
Government constructs 200 health posts
By Gracious Phiri
Kasungu, March 29, Mana: Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo-Chiponda says government has so far constructed 200 of the planned 900 health posts nationwide.
Kandodo-Chiponda said this on Friday during the laying of a foundation stone for the construction of Mphasi Health Post in Kasungu District.
She said upon taking office, the Chakwera-led administration launched a flagship programme to construct 900 health posts to reduce distances people cover to access essential healthcare services in the country.
‘I am so grateful for this project because it is a game changer. We have now done almost 200 health posts and most of them are already functional,’ she revealed.
The minister said the stride government is taking ascertains its commitment in enhancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), promoting safe motherhood, and reducing teenage pregnancies by making sexual and reproductive health services accessible within every five kilometre.
She said: "Long distances to health facilities negatively impact safe motherhood activities."
Kandodo-Chiponda also warned against theft and mismanagement of construction materials, stating that this leads to having substandard structures that do not last long.
Sub-Traditional Authority Mphasi said pregnant women face mobility challenges in reaching the nearest health centres, Bua and Kasungu District Hospitals, which are approximately 30 kilometres away.
He expressed readiness to ensure construction materials are secured and utilized effectively.
"We are excited with the coming of a health post here. Regarding security, we have already set up committees that will safeguard materials to be used," he said.
Christina Samalani, a resident of Mphasi, was all smiles about the project, stating that it will ease challenges in accessing essential healthcare services for the local community.
Government plans to construct two health posts at Mphasi and Kapili in Kasungu, which are to cost about K1.5 billion, a development that will increase number of health posts in the district to 40.
Man arrested for murder in Thyolo
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, March 29, Mana: Police in Thyolo have arrested 47-year-old Paulo Fisher in connection with the murder of Zinthenga Banda, whose decomposed body was discovered on January 27, 2025, at Conforzi Estate behind the Engine filling station in the district.
Banda had reportedly gone to the area to eat sugarcane and search for coco plants.
According to Thyolo Police Spokesperson. Rabecca Kashoti, investigations revealed that on January 20, Banda and two friends had been sent by a local businessperson to pick sugarcane from a garden within Conforzi Estate.
“Upon arrival, they encountered two men guarding the field, who initially suspected them of attempting to steal.
“They were first denied access to the sugarcane, but after explaining that they had been sent by the owner, they were allowed to proceed,” said Kashoti.
Kashoti said, after completing their work, Banda’s two friends left, while he remained behind to eat sugarcane, mentioning that he would later search for coco plants.
“Days later, on January 23, Banda’s daughter was concerned when her father failed to return home, and his phone went unanswered. She reported the matter to Thyolo Police Station, prompting an investigation.
“On January 27, officers discovered Banda’s body in a maize field within the estate. The remains were in a decomposed state, with multiple deep cuts,” Kashoti confirmed.
She added that the post-mortem conducted at Thyolo District Hospital established that Banda had died from severe wounds inflicted by a sharp object.”
“Following intensive investigations, police tracked down and arrested Fisher, who had been on the run.
“We have managed to apprehend the suspect after he had been hiding for some time. He will appear in court soon to answer a murder charge,” Kashoti said.
Fisher comes from Chibwana Village, Traditional Authority Nchiramwera, in Thyolo District.
Fuel smuggler arrested in Karonga
By Patience Harawa
Karonga, March 29, Mana: Police in Karonga have arrested Robert Mwangaju, 30, for allegedly being found in possession of 420 litres of liquid petroleum without a license.
According to Margret Msiska, Public Relations Officer for Karonga Police Station, Mwangaju hails from Mwangwala 1 Village in the area of Traditional Authority Kilupula in Karonga District and was arrested on March 26 at Rukuru roadblock.
“Mwangaju was arrested around 15:00 hours when officers manning the roadblock stopped a Toyota Sienta, registration number BZ 8098, driven by Zidana Kopakopa.
“The vehicle, which had five passengers on board, was coming from Karonga town, heading towards Songwe Boarder. Our officers stopped the vehicle for routine checks, and upon searching, they found 22 20-litre containers each loaded with liquid petroleum,” said Msiska.
She said Mwangaju failed to produce documents for the fuel, leading to his arrest and seizure of the fuel.
Government elevates three chiefs to Sub T/As in Dowa
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, March 28, Mana: Government on Thursday elevated three Group Village Heads (GVH) to Sub Traditional Authorities (Sub T/As) in Dowa, with a call for traditional leaders to be development conscious for their communities.
The three are GVHs Chipeni, Chidothi Mkhulu and Manondo Zikielo, who were elevated to Sub T/As at an event that took place at Dowa district council.
In an interview after elevating the chiefs, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Joyce Chitsulo, asked the chiefs to support government's developmental agenda.
"People need development, and the chiefs are the conduit between people and government. So we need chiefs, Sub T/As, T/As to be championing issues of development in their respective areas in conjunction with government.
"But also, to work with government in fighting corruption at the local level, whether in the distribution of relief items, the Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) or Constituency Development Fund. We need leaders who can help their subjects access the required social services," she said.
She also tasked the Sub T/As to promote girl child education and fight issues of child marriages while lamenting that Dowa has a high number of girls dropping out of school.
Uncertainty, however, dawned before commencement of the event, as it was discovered that court orders were restraining the elevation of two of the chiefs, namely GHV Chidothi and Chipeni.
After consultations, the function proceeded with a resolution to only install GVH Manondo as a Sub T/A. However, as the function was coming close to an end, things took another twist when it was again later revealed that the injunctions had been stayed.
This paved the way for the installation of the two other chiefs.
The Deputy Minister said that as a law-abiding government, they made sure that they uphold the rule of law and stop the elevation of the two, and proceeded to elevate GHV Manondo only as there were no issues with that.
"But the good thing about it is that this injunction was not coming from concerned members of the Sub T/As clan, but other chiefs who felt it was supposed to be them to be elevated.
"So I am saying it was a good thing because as a ministry, we are struggling with issues of injunctions on chieftaincy, as there are a lot of misunderstandings as to who is going to be the next chief after the death of the one who was holding the office. But this case was different," she said.
Parliamentarian for Dowa South East, Halima Daudi said the chiefs will help to identify developmental projects needed in the area.
She asked the chiefs to put the interests of the people first.
In her remarks, Sub T/A Chidothi said she was excited to be elevated, and promised to focus on helping government bring development to her area.
Nice urges people to secure a voter certificate
By Zenak Matekenya
Dedza, March 28, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) programs officer for Dedza, Vincent Kalawa has called on voters in the district to secure their voter certificate and make their voices heard in the upcoming September 16, 2025, General Election.
He made the call Thursday at Bembeke trading Centre amid the sensitization tour to a number of places, including Linthipe 1 and Thete.
“We are urging the voters to take full responsibility for keeping their voter certificate safe. We are also reminding them that the General Elections will be held on September 16 this year and that they should exercise their right to vote,” he said.
Kalawa further urged the voters to spare time to understand the manifestos of various contestants to make informed choices.
He discouraged any form of violence to ensure the election is free and fair.
One of the voters during the awareness, Said Ali, hailed NICE for the campaign, saying there are some people who are reluctant to vote out of frustration.
“Casting the ballot is the only legal way of dealing with any nonproductive politician,” he said.
CS-EPWP strengthens beneficiaries' financial base
By Maston Kaiya
Ntcheu, March 28, Mana: Joseph Guza, the District Designated Officer of the Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works (CS-EPWP) for Ntonda-Kapeni Catchment in Ntcheu district, says the World Bank-funded programme has enabled participants to become financially successful after venturing into various economic livelihoods.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency on Friday, Guza said, unlike before, where many beneficiaries were into illegal charcoal production businesses, which were not sustainable, participants are now able to buy fertilizers while others have goats, and some are in the agro-dealer business, all courtesy of the programme.
"The CS-EPWP seeks to address the adverse effects of climate change, as such participants are encouraged to invest in sustainable economic livelihoods such as irrigation farming, among others.
"After working for 30 days, participants are encouraged to invest part of their wages in various economic activities to ensure that their sound financial base is improved," he said.
He adds that participants are establishing village forests where over 3 hectares have been restored, besides reclaiming hectares of degraded landscape through gully reclamation and reforestation.
One of the participants, Thomas Noles of Chapalapata village, in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Phambala under the Ntonda-Kapeni Catchment area, said the coming in of the programme has turned his household fortunes.
Noles said before being enrolled in the programme, he was producing illegal charcoal, which left his seven-member family in poverty.
"Using K48,000 wage payment, I saved some money through the village loans and savings accounts and later used the same to invest in irrigation farming," he said.
Noles said three times a year, he cultivated different crop varieties like tomatoes and maize, which he sells to support the daily needs of his family, besides children's education.
Another participant, Gloria Peter of Nyambo village, in the area of TA Phambala under the same Catchment area, said the wages have enabled her to purchase goats and construct a decent house.
Peter, a single mother who lives with her two sons, said she invested in small-scale business besides village loans and savings in her area to increase the income.
"While I am supporting my family, my appeal to the authorities is to increase the wages owing to the high cost of living, which has been necessitated by the devaluation of the local currency," she said.
The National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) is implementing the CS-EPWP with funding from the World Bank and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
MP urges government to protect forests from destruction
By Patience Longwe & Lesnat Kenan
Lilongwe, March 28, Mana: Member of Parliament (MP) for Kasungu North, Mike Bango, has called upon government to collaborate with the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) to protect the country's forest from destruction.
Speaking when he asked a supplementary question to Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change in Parliament on Friday, Bango emphasized the need for urgent action to safeguard forests like Chimaliro, which is under threat from charcoal production.
"Chimaliro Forest, a vital ecosystem, is facing degradation due to the increasing demand for charcoal. The situation has raised concerns about the long term consequences of deforestation, including loss of biodiversity, soil erosion and climate change,” he said.
Bango proposed that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change should work with MDF to establish a permanent presence in Chimaliro Forest and other vulnerable areas.
Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Owen Chomanika, said government is taking bold steps to protect the country's forest reserves, which have been under siege from deforestation and other environment threats.
"As a ministry we have plans to engage MDF in forest protection efforts,” he said.
He expressed concern over high cost of deploying MDF personnel to forest reserves, which has been in place since 2007.
"The current Memorandum of Understanding between government and MDF is being reviewed to explore more sustainable options,” he said.
He, therefore, said government is recruiting 1,500 new forest guards who will be armed and trained to effectively protect forests.
Chomanika emphasizing on the need for a more robust approach, citing loss of lives and injuries among forest guards who are currently ill-equipped to deal with the scale of the problem.
"The new recruits will undergo training to meet the revised framework which is currently being developed.
“Government aims to complete the recruitment process soon with the ultimate goal of ensuring long term sustainability of Malawi's forest reserves,” Chomanika said.
High Court grants injunction to Nankhuni against MLS suspension
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, March 21, Mana: The High Court Judge, Justice Howard Pemba has granted an injunction to Practicing lawyer Gift Nankhuni, halting the enforcement of a six-month suspension and fines imposed by the Malawi Law Society (MLS) Disciplinary Committee.
The injunction, granted by Justice Pemba at the Lilongwe District Civil Division Registry, prevents the MLS from implementing its disciplinary decision pending the outcome of a judicial review.
The committee's ruling, issued on January 10, 2025, had suspended Nankhuni for six months and imposed significant fines. However, Nankhuni challenged the decision, leading the High Court to grant permission for a judicial review under Cause No. 6 of 2025.
As a result, the MLS and its representatives are now legally barred from enforcing the disciplinary measures until the review process is concluded.
When contacted for comment, Nankhuni declined to speak on the matter, referring inquiries to his legal team—comprising Senior Counsel Allan Chinula, John Suzi Banda, and Gilbert Khonyongwa. However, his lawyers also refrained from commenting, citing the ongoing court proceedings.
