By Rosalia Kapiri

Lilongwe, January 21, Mana: The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is set to enhance its efforts in combating misinformation and disinformation trends in the country through an advanced monitoring system.

MACRA says a contract for the supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, and testing of this integrated system will soon be awarded to HASHCOM Ghana Limited.

Speaking at a press briefing at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe on Tuesday, MACRA’s Director General, Daud Suleman, highlighted the critical need for regulatory tools in the digital age.

“As a regulatory body, MACRA has a responsibility to protect consumers from the dangers of misinformation on digital platforms. Relying solely on manual approaches to address these issues is inefficient. This system will provide the evidence we need to regulate effectively, instil confidence in digital platforms, and ensure the safety of online spaces,” Suleman said.

He emphasized that public trust in the digital ecosystem is vital, not only for user safety but also for sustaining revenue streams in the digital economy.

“When people lose trust in mobile and digital platforms, they shy away from using them, which can negatively impact our economy. This initiative will also empower Malawians by building awareness and equipping them to report digital misconduct,” he added.

Thokozani Chimbe, Director of Legal Affairs at MACRA, assured the public that the system will be implemented with respect for individual rights and privacy.

“The monitoring tool is designed to counter fake news and misinformation without infringing on people’s freedoms. We are committed to a balanced approach that addresses cybercrime while respecting the rights of all citizens,” Chimbe explained.

Suleman further clarified that the contract award process adhered to all required bidding procedures.

He revealed that the system will be integrated with major social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn, to effectively track and analyse online trends.

The project, valued at $1.5 million, is expected to be completed by the end of January 2025. MACRA expressed confidence that this initiative will play a crucial role in creating a safer and more reliable digital space for Malawians.

Through this proactive approach, MACRA aims to strengthen trust in digital platforms and safeguard the country’s online environment from the growing threats of misinformation and cybercrime.

By Tiyanjane Tsankhwimbi

Nsanje, January 21, Mana: Police in Nsanje have launched a manhunt for unidentified criminals who murdered Amosi Sauti in the early hours of Monday.

Nsanje Police Station Public Relations Officer, Agness Zalakoma said Sauti was found lying lifeless in the afternoon of January 20, 2025 in his house at Chingwe Village.

Zalakoma said Sauti was a well-known local farmer who had over 15 goats, chickens and guinea fowls which were all kept in one of his bedrooms.

“Our investigations have established that the criminals gained entry into the house by removing the bricks of the rear wall of the house where they stole unknown number of goats,” said Zalakoma.

Postmortem conducted at Nsanje District Hospital has shown that death was caused by strangulation. Meanwhile, enquiries are in progress to trace and arrest the perpetrators.

Sauti hailed from Chingwe Village in Traditional

By: Timothy Peter

Dedza, January 21, Mana: One of the Agriculture Extension Development Officers (AEDO) in Dedza district, Kerita Chagwa, has urged fellow female workers to use their skills and work hard when discharging their duties as extension workers in the Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) they work.

She said this after the district's Agriculture Office awarded prizes to four top performing AEDOs who worked hard in their EPAs in 2024.

Chagwa, who is the only female extension worker who was recognized for her dedication to improving lives of farmers in the district, said female workers should not underrate themselves in the course of their duties.

"As female extension workers, we have the same capabilities and skills to assist and improve famers' lives at both household and area levels as males do. So, we need to work very hard in our areas," she said.

Meanwhile, another awardee, a male extension worker from Kanyama EPA in the district, Yona Mhango, promised to continue working hard this year.

"It is not a mean achievement for me to be awarded, so I will continue serving farmers well. I also want to encourage other workers to work hard and put Dedza on the map so that next time they may also win similar prizes," he added.

In his remarks, Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Dedza District, Siliro Nkhukuzalira Magomelo, said it was encouraging to see both female and male extension workers working hard in ensuring food security in the country as well as helping government to achieve its aspirations towards curbing hunger.

"I will capitalize on the hard working spirit, commitment and enthusiasm among my extension workers to produce more in the district," he said.

Magomelo added that rewarding hard working officers is key to improving lives of farmers in the district and promised that, as a new director of agriculture in the district, he will help his junior staff to work extra hard.

The four top performing AEDOs were all awarded mattresses. Dedza District has ten EPAs with 84 AEDOs against 169 sections.

By Patience Longwe and Pickson Chipeso

Lilongwe,21January, Mana: The Senior Resident Magistrate's court sitting in Lilongwe has convicted and sentenced Nasoni Moyenda, 28, to 20 years’ imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL) for having sexual intercourse with a 10-year-old girl on December 23, 2024.

The court heard from Lilongwe Police Station Prosecutor, Sub Inspector Eugenio Yotamu that the convict committed the offence at around 19:30 hours in a certain church's toilet at Chiuzira Trading Centre.

After having sexual intercourse with the girl, the convict gave the victim K500 as a token of appreciation, and a way of zipping the victim's mouth from spilling the beans.

In court, Moyenda pleaded guilty to the charge of having sexual intercourse with a minor.

In mitigation he asked the court not to send him to prison saying he was misled by a witchdoctor, that he would get rich if he had sexual intercourse with a virgin of such age, adding he was also a first offender.

In its submission, the State prayed for stiffer sentence citing the seriousness of the offence which attracts life imprisonment as a punishment.

The State also said that the convict who was supposed to protect the victim, opted to have sex with her, thereby subjecting the girl to both physical and psychological trauma.

Passing his sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Bracious Kondowe, said the girl was forced into a sexual act.

Quashing the convict's mitigating factors, Kondowe emphasized what Kishindo J. said in the case of State v Mfune and Others that; "When people of previous good behavior decide to enter the world of crime in grand style, they should not be surprised when they are met with the full force of the law. The fact that they are first offenders cannot be a good excuse."

Kondowe then sentenced Moyenda, to 20 years’ IHL.

Nasoni Moyenda hails from Wande Village, Traditional Authority Masula in Lilongwe District.

By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, January 21, Mana: District Commissioner (DC) for Nkhotakota District Council Ben Matengeni Tohno says a good working relationship between the council, political leadership and development partners is crucial for development sustainability.

He made the remarks on Monday in Blantyre during a budget review meeting that National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) is conducting with all Local councils in the country as they finalise the 2025-2026 financial year budget.

"The good working relationships that we maintain with our development partners like the government of Iceland that is investing in infrastructure development of education and health facilities, and other Non-governmental organisations that support us and the good guidance from the political leadership creates a conducive environment for development to thrive," said Tohno.

He indicated that the district has done quite well on its programmed projects in the ending 2024-2025 financial budget saying the council has implemented a good number of the projects with shortfall coming in due to logistical challenges such as delay in funding disbursements from the government that affected other activities in the district.

"We are carrying out flagship projects like the renovation of Sitima inn into a 2-star hotel to boost the council's local revenue and make sure more funds are raised to fulfil council plans as outlined in our district development plan," said Tohno.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director for NLGFC, Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project coordinator, Charles Chunga commended Nkhotakota District Council for its thorough budget preparation and encouraged timely attention to the feedback given on the budget.

Nkhotakota District Council's total budget is K14.9 billion, including a K10.4 billion development budget, K510 million for Local revenue, and K4 billion for Other recurrent transactions (ORT).

By Paul Madise

Lilongwe, January 13, Mana: Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo is on January 14^th set to preside over the grant signing ceremony of a five-yearUS240 million Dollars Regional Climate Resilience Program (RCRP 2) between his Ministry and local authorities to improve resilience to water-related climate shocks in the country.

The Ministry has disclosed this earlier statement signed by Richard Hara Secretary for Local Government, Unity and Culture noting that the ceremony will take place under a new Malawi Government program called RCRP 2, where Chimwendo is also expected to present cheques to 28 qualifying district councils providing them with financial through Performance-Based Grants (PBGs) under the district-level infrastructure sub-components.

According to the statement, RCRP grants are aligned to Governance to Enable Service Delivery Project (GESD) principles, specifically, the use of Local Authorities Performance Assessment (LAPA) is designed to assess the performance of Local Authorities (LAs) in several areas which among others include management of disasters.

“Local authorities will receive funds commensurate to their LAPA score,” the statement indicates. “The PBG component aims to incentivize and motivate efficiency, equity and accountability in LAs through service delivery responsibilities.”

After the five-year project implementation plan, RCRP is expecting households in selected basins to have reduced vulnerability to climate shock, Land areas with increased flood protection and catchment conservation, communities that have access to Early Action(EAs) and social protection systems supported through the project, a people that benefit from restored infrastructure damaged by Tropical Cyclone Freddy and other eligible emergencies and regional collaboration strengthened on water-related climate challenges.

Confirming the development, RCRP Deputy Project Coordinator Flemmings Nyirenda also disclosed that the representation cheques to 28 qualifying district councils range from MWK70 million and higher to MWK100 plus billion depending on councils.

“The total amount of money going to district councils is 70 million US Dollars for a five-year program, 240 US Dollars for the whole program, and this year we are disbursing 10 million US Dollar which these districts are sharing for intergovernmental fiscal transport formula to build resilience communities to climate change,” he added.

Reacting to the matter, Public Relation Officer for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Chipiliro Khamula has expressed gratification in welcoming the development stating that the department is pleased further noting that these are deliberate efforts aimed at building resilience of communities to water-related climate shocks.

“This will greatly assist in reducing losses and damages that emanate from flood-related climate shocks,” he emphasized.

The program is being implemented collaboratively by Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Roads Authority, Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture, National Governance Finance Committee, Ministry of water and Sanitation, the Local Authorities and the African Union among other stakeholders.

By Steve Chirombo

Dedza, January 13, Mana: Food and Nutrition Security Officer (FNSO), for the Welthungerhilfe (WHH), Japhet Saka, has advised farmers in Dedza to develop the spirit of using various types of manure as one way of retaining soil fertility in their fields.

Saka made the call to farmers at Khoche primary school on Monday during the dissemination of information about the Biochar manure and demonstration on plots to the communities.

He said the objective of the project is to help communities and schools achieve sustainable food and nutrition security.

“As you can see these demonstration plots were mounted at Msapuka, Khoche, Kakolo and Mbirima primary schools. We are encouraging farmers to continue using thermic compost and biochar manure in their fields.

All the schools harvested unexpected bumper maize in the plots that were planted using various types of manure. This is why we came to remind people on how they can utilize various types of manure around schools and their communities,” said Saka.

Agricultural Extension Development Officer (AEDO), for Kaphuka, Blessings Banda, said many farmers are embracing the various types of manure knowing that fertilizer prices continue to increase.

“The project is helping communities to start using manure in their fields as they have noted that the harvest does not differ from those that are applying inorganic fertilizers. We are also happy to see that learners are practising the ways of making organic manure around the schools and this is very important as they will be able to use the same knowledge in their homes,” said Banda.

In her remarks, Chairperson of the school feeding initiative under Khoche, Abesi Kaziputa, expressed her satisfaction with what WHH is doing in the area.

“The processes are simple. For example, the thermic manure requires crop residues and animal droppings. These are done procedurally. They are piled together and water is applied. After seven days, they are turned until they are decomposed. It is mostly with 35 or 47 days depending on the resources used,” said Kaziputa.

By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, January 13, Mana: Principal Social Welfare Officer for Kasungu, Victor Williams Nyirenda has hailed the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) saying it has helped to build resilience amongst poor and labour-constrained households.

Nyirenda said this on Monday on the sidelines of a media tour the council organized to appreciate the impact of the social protection initiative which is a component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Project being implemented by Malawi Government through the National Local Government Finance Committee.

He said it is pleasing that many targeted households have acquired life-changing assets that will help the families stand on their own.

"We are excited and satisfied that here in Kasungu we are on the right trajectory as regards achieving the SCTP objective which is to build resilience amongst poor households.

"So far it is pleasing to note that many beneficiary households have acquired assets like livestock while some have invested in various businesses including farming," Nyirenda said.

He hailed the role played by Community Savings and Investment Promotion (COMSIP) in providing business management training to SCTP beneficiaries, which has helped them to succeed in their diverse businesses.

Traditional Authority Chilowamatambe urged the beneficiary households to sustain their businesses so that they graduate from the initiative and live independent life.

"I am impressed with various ventures that have been created under the programme. My appeal is that we maintain the momentum so that we get out of poverty and become independent," He said.

One of the beneficiaries Liness Phiri from Traditional Authority Kaomba said she invested her money in a tailoring business which has helped her to build a house and expand her farming activities.

"It's easier now to feed my three children and send them to school. I'm also able to harvest enough such that my household is food secure in all the months of the year," She said.

Another beneficiary James Kwenda from Chilowamatambe said he will use the savings he has made in 2024 through a village savings and loans group to boost his butchery business.

Kasungu District has over 16,000 beneficiaries who have so far received K10.3 billion since the programme rolled out in 2017.

Funded by the World Bank and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund, the SCTP aims to create wealth, reduce poverty and improve school attendance and nutrition status amongst economically vulnerable households.

By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, January 13, Mana: Police in Mchinji have arrested a 35-year-old teacher, Owen Banda, for fraudulently obtaining farm inputs meant for farmers under the Mega Farm Loan project and selling them for personal gain.

According to police investigations, the Mega Farm Loan project, facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture, allows farmers with at least 20 hectares of land to acquire farm inputs on loan.

However, Banda falsely claimed ownership of a 20-hectare piece of land which did not belong to him to secure inputs valued at MK43,142,400.

Mchinji Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Limbani Mpinganjira, said that the inputs Banda fraudulently obtained included 256 bags of NPK and Urea fertilizer, 800 kilograms of certified maize seed, 128 litres of Hannes chemical, and 128 litres of Round-Up chemical which were later found being sold at his shop.

“The suspect used a fabricated land claim to access the loan and obtained the farm inputs, which he then put up for sale,” Mpinganjira said.

The fraud came to light when authorities overseeing the Mega Farm Loan project became suspicious of Banda’s activities and reported the matter to Mkanda Police Post which led to his immediate arrest.

Efforts by the police to recover the stolen inputs are ongoing.

Banda is currently in custody at Mchinji Police Station and will soon appear in court to face charges of Fraud other than pretences under Section 319A of the Penal Code.

Banda is a teacher at Chimwamkango General Farming Primary School in Mchinji District and hails from Mlengwe Village, Traditional Authority Dzoole, in Dowa District.

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, January 13, Mana: Government has said the 2025/2026 budget will utilise revenue from taxes and other revenues and not rely on borrowing from donors to develop the country.

Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Simplex Chithyola said this on Monday during the opening of the first 2025/26 pre-budget consultation meeting in Lilongwe.

He said government wants to formulate a "people-friendly budget" focusing on key areas for sustainable economic growth.

“This meeting is critical and of utmost importance as it provides us with the opportunity to gather and solicit views on the formulation of the 2025/26 National Budget from a diverse range of stakeholders”, said Chithyola.

Chithyola stated that government is still in discussion with the International Monetary Fund to consider supporting Malawi with the Extended Credit Facility (ECF).

Representing the Secretary to the Treasury and Principal Secretary for Administration in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Heatherwick Njati, stressed the importance of collaboration in crafting a transformative budget.

"The budget is a tool for economic transformation. Its success depends on proper planning, programming and implementation," he said.

He therefore urged participants including professional bodies, civil society and faith-based organisations to contribute solutions to challenges that could hinder the budget's success.