MANAonline
Couple Arrested for Strangling Child to Death in Ritual Murder Plot
By Sellah Chunda and patience Longwe
Lilongwe, August 26, Mana – Police in Nathenje have arrested a couple accused of strangling their two year-old son to death in a gruesome plot to use his body for charms to gain wealth.
The incident occurred in Chikuwa Village, Traditional Authority Chitekwere, Lilongwe District.
The suspects, identified as Ivy Elinati (25) and Mphatso Nalinde (25), the child's mother and stepfather, are alleged to have conspired to kill the boy after striking a deal with an unidentified Mozambican witch doctor. The witch doctor had reportedly promised the couple wealth if they provided him with their son's dead body.
According to Lilongwe Police PRO Hastings Chigalu, the couple bade farewell to their relatives and friends at the husband's home village, claiming they were traveling to Mozambique to visit other relations.
However, their true intention was far more sinister— they planned to kill the child en route to Mozambique to fulfill the witch doctor's demands.
After walking several kilometers, the couple reportedly lured their son into the bush, where they strangled him to death. However, when they contacted the witch doctor to inform him of their actions, he refused to proceed, claiming they had failed to perform certain rituals, making the body useless for the intended charms.
Fearing the consequences, the couple returned home with the deceased child, attempting to cover up the murder by claiming that the boy had suddenly become unconscious and died while strapped to his mother's back. However, the village elders grew suspicious of their story and alerted the police.
A postmortem examination conducted at Nathenje Health Centre confirmed that the boy had died from suffocation due to strangulation.
The couple has been charged with murder and will face trial in court.
The suspects, Ivy Elinati, hails from Chimbwala Village, T/A Mlonyeni in Mchinji, while Mphatso Nalinde comes from Chikuwa Village, T/A Chitekwere in Lilongwe District.
NWRA dates southern region media managers
By Memory Chatonda
Blantyre, August 26, Mana: National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) has challenged editors and media managers from various media institutions to make deliberate efforts that would change people’s mindset on issues around water resources management in the country.
NWRA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Dwight Kambuku gave the challenge on Monday in Blantyre during the high level engagement meeting with editors and media managers from the southern region.
Kambuku said the significance of editors and media managers in any set up could not be overstressed as they are the cardinal point on which success or failure of any institution rotates.
“It is for this reason that we ask for your support. Help us persuade the citizenry towards involvement in matters of managing water resources and avoidance of any water related catastrophe,” he said.
Kambuku said he is optimistic that through the interaction, NWRA and media managers would share notes on how best they could sustainably manage and regulate water resources at the same time and also jointly implement strategies of averting any water related catastrophe among the citizenry.
“I believe the outcomes will resonate well with the Malawi 2063 Agenda as it focuses on jointly contributing towards achieving country’s long term development plans,” he said.
Meanwhile, NWRA has penalized councils and companies for contravening water resource Act and regulations during their operations.
“As you are aware, no one is allowed to drill a borehole without obtaining a license from the authority, no one is allowed to extract water from the rivers for irrigation or domestic use, no one is allowed to use the water resource for generation of hydro-electric power not even discharging effluent into water bodies without the permit from the Authority.
“So, those that were penalized, in a big way they violated these conditions as captured in the water resource Act of 2013 and also the regulation of 2018,” he said, adding that some of the councils that have been penalized include Zomba, Lilongwe and also Mount Meru.
On his part, Secretary General for Malawi Editors Forum, Gracian Tukula described the meeting as crucial in ensuring that manager and editors understand better the mandate of the NWRA for them to ably disseminate messages to the masses to save life and property.
“Water is life because we cannot talk about sustainable life without water. Therefore, this interaction is of paramount importance and it remains our responsibility to use the information we have gathered regarding to water resource management for publication through different platforms,” Tukula said.
NWRA was established by the Act of parliament in 2013 and it became operational in 2019. Among other things, the authority is mandated to control, regulate and conserve water resources.
First Lady advises women on fistula prevention
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, August 26, MANA:First lady Madam Monica Chakwera, has called on women and girls in the country to work hard in preventing fistula by avoiding situations which leave them vulnerable to the disease.
Speaking during the commemoration of World Fistula Day at Mkaika Community Day Secondary School in Nkhotakota on Monday, Madam Chakwera said fistula can be prevented by among other things avoiding underage pregnancies in girls.
Madam Chakwera encouraged women to take their time and focus on education until the right age where their bodies are matured enough to reproduce without negative side effects on their health.
Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud said her ministry is working tirelessly to make sure information as well as contraceptives are made available to women and girls living in hard to reach areas to fight unintended pregnancies in communities as one way of preventing fistula cases.
She called upon chiefs, church leaders and community leaders to encourage those suffering from fistula in their communities to get medical treatment noting that fistula is a treatable condition and as such should not be a source of shame and embarrassment.
Nkhotakota District Council Chairperson Charles Chimzukuzuku, commended the government and it's partners for intensifying the fight against fistula
Freedom from fistula in collaboration with UNFPA is implementing a three-year project called empowering empowering women with obsteric fistula to ensure access to quality obsteric fistula care and social reintergration in nkhotakota with funds from the government of Iceland.
Chakwera calls upon judges to be proactive
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, August 26, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has called upon the newly appointed High Court judges to be proactive to Malawians when carrying out their duties.
The President made the remarks on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
Chakwera emphasised on the issue of being systematic organised when carrying out their work, saying that the talents, education, experience, integrity and passion have maximum impact in the cause of delivering justice to Malawians.
“As judges you need to make sure to maximise the use of your time, your resources, and your staff in that, you will safeguard your minds and professionalism align with the expectations of your roles”, he said.
The President further said, the judges should pay attention to their temperament as it has to do with the proper regulation of emotions and reactions to emerging situations.
“If something happens that stirs in you such emotions of shock, sadness, or anger and you do not take time to reflect on and regulate those emotions, you will inevitably find yourself discharging your duties with an attitude of pettiness and egoism emanating from those unregulated emotions instead of discharging your duties purely on the basis of what is fair according to law,” Chakwera highlighted.
In his remarks, Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda welcomed the appointments, saying that this would enhance the judiciary’s efficiency.
“The judiciary needs more judges, so swearing in of these judges will help to ensure that court cases are heard in good time and that justice is served in the country,” he said.
Mzikamanda disclosed that the judiciary aims to increase the number of judges from 58 to 90 to improve service delivery across the country.
One of the appointed Judge, Trouble Kalua said they will demonstrate effectiveness and fairness in their duties to ensure that justice is served to the people of Malawi.
The newly appointed judges include Justice Kondwani Banda, Justice Madalitso Chimwaza, Justice Trouble Kalua, and Justice Edna Bodole.
Chilomoni Assemblies of God celebrates Young Adults Day
By Beatrice Bangula
Blantyre, August 26, Mana: Chilomoni Assemblies of God Pentecostal Revival Centre under the leadership of Rev. Maxton Chipungu celebrated Young Adults Day on Sunday in Chilomoni Blantyre where the young adults took charge of the Sunday service.
Director of Young Adults Ministry, Mercy Mwase explained to Malawi News Agency in an interview on Sunday that this year’s Young Adults Day focused on: Fishing Souls for Jesus Christ, which according to Mwase means, young people engaging in personal evangelism to save lives.
“This day is celebrated once every year and mostly on Sundays whereby all church activities are led by Young Adults Ministry including preaching, church announcements, welcoming of visitors and convening.
“Young Adults Ministry is a ministry of the church, and it is a ministry of young people aged from 18 years old to the time of marriage. After marriage, females join Otumikira Mwa Chikondi (OMC) Ministry which is a women's ministry and males join men’s ministry, a ministry for men within the church, she added.
The day’s preacher Doreen Mkwamba focused on Christians being the salt and light of the world and in her preaching explained she that young adults as young people should not always wait for older people to preach the gospel and win souls to Christ.
She added that young people should be at the forefront of preaching the gospel and take an active role in church activities.
Leader of Chilomoni Assemblies of God, Rev Chipungu hailed Young Adults Ministry and encouraged parents to encourage their children to join the ministry, saying young adults learn the word of God and walk in the way of the Lord.
“As parents and pastors, we say it is a great thing to see a young lady preaching the word. It was also interesting to listen to great testimonies from Young Adults Ministry,” he added.
He said when children are raised in the way of God, they are guided by His power and remain in God
NYNCC decries animal welfare in the country
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, August 26, Mana: The National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC) has stressed the need for members of the media to be committed on reporting issues of animal welfare and rights that are deteriorating in the country.
NYNCC National Coordinator Dominic Nyasulu made the call on Saturday in Lilongwe during a day-long media training on animal welfare and cage-free farming.
Nyasulu noted that the caged farming system in the country is one area that needs to be looked into, since it is not only hampering the welfare of the animals such as chickens, but also affecting the environment.
He said it is pathetic that many poultry companies in the country are still using charcoal as a source of energy which is contributing to degradation of the environment.
“There is a huge gap in terms of our registrations and policies. If you look at what is governing the industry now, it is an outdated policy that was formulated in the 70s and if you compare it with what is happening on the ground, it is bad,” he said.
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Head of Animal Science Department Jonathan Tanganyika, attributed the issue of animal welfare to ignorance, lack of information and law enforcement as some of the factors contributing to the deteriorating in the country.
“Animals have freedom just like human beings. They have freedom from hunger, thirsty, discomfort, pain, injury or fear and distress. But many people do not observe these things, which is bad,” he said.
Tanganyika said as LUANAR, they will keep on doing research and share the results with the relevant authorities for proper dissemination of the information to the masses.
Speaking in a separate interview, one of the journalists Mercy Lwanja of Radio Alinafe thanked NYNCC for engaging members of the media on animal welfare and cage-free farming, saying it has been an eye-opener.
“We are happy that some of the information we have gained here, will go a long way in improving the welfare of animals and the environment in the country,” she said.
Catholic Church registers milestone of faith as 174 Catholic Christians get confirmation sacrament in Nkhata Bay
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, August 25, Mana: St Joseph Catholic Parish in Nkhata administered Confirmation Sacrament to 174 Christians marking a significant development in their spiritual journey.
This is a sacrament that seals a baptized person with the Holy Spirit and strengthens them for the task of serving Christ and His Church.
Among the confirmands, 87 were newly baptized Christians after attending the church’s teachings for two years as per Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) guidelines.
Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, Zughzo Yohane Nyirenda who was the main celebrant, laid hands and anointed the confirmands with Chrism Oil marking the descending of the Holy Spirit and sealing their commitment to Christ and His Church.
In his homily, Nyirenda drew inspiration from John 16 Verses 13 to 14 and advised the confirmands to go out as missionaries to preach the word of God and bring back the lost sheep to God.
"Go out and preach the word of God without fear for the Holy Spirit will always guide you.
Continue being faithful to the Catholic Church by participating in various activities in your zones because that is the only way the church can keep growing," said Nyirenda.
He then urged the Christian community to participate in all processes in preparing for the upcoming 2025 general elections by voting for leaders of their choice.
Parish Priest for St Joseph Catholic Fr Andrew Kamanga said that he was pleased to see the church growing every day.
"We are happy to witness another great development in the Catholic Church. We expect that you will practice whatever you have been learning about Catholicism throughout your life,” said Kamanga.
One of the Catechist from Kavuzi Zone, Bathlomeu Nkhonjera who was also one of the mentors lauded the confirmands for their endurance in undertaking the Catholic church teachings.
"Specially let me thank the clergy at this parish for providing guidance and direction in ensuring that the teachings are instilled in our brothers and sisters,” said Nkhonjera.
Rachel Kaliata, one of the confirmands said that she has been energized upon receiving the sacraments and ready to serve the Lord as a true Catholic Christian.
The confirmands were drawn from Likoma, Chintheche, Banga, Mpamba, Kavuzi, and Kande which are administrative zones of St Joseph Catholic Parish.
Malawi Red Cross Society uses sports to curb gender based violence in Karonga
By George Mponda
Karonga, August 25, Mana: Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) on Saturday used 'Tithetse Nkhaza' Football Bonanza to raise awareness and curb rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) among disaster survivors in Karonga District.
In an interview on the sidelines of the football bonanza at Kambwe, Malawi Red Cross District Coordinator for Karonga, Reuben Malema said they were alerted of rising cases of GBV cases especially in areas which were affected by floods.
"We are already implementing the Flood Response Project in these areas, so we decided to mobilize people from this area for dangers of GBV awareness so that we among others fight against early marriages which are on the rise.
“Sporting activities bring a lot of people of different age groups together, so we used this opportunity to relay messages on the dangers of GBV. The district’s statistics indicate that such cases are on the rise in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu which is always affected by flood annually," Malema said
District Gender Officer for Karonga, Ireen Mwenelupembe said that her office has GBV Information Management System (GBVIMS) which has indicated that cases are high in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu as compared all traditional authorities in the district.
"Using sports is one of the interventions to mobilise people but we also work with community structures such as community victim support units, mother groups and women forum groups to ensure that we curb GBV in this area,” said Mwenelupembe.
Chairperson for Mbande Area Development Committee, Chancy Mlelemba said that GBV affects the development of the area.
“We have since developed by-laws and we enforce them in curbing such a vice, besides that, people are urged to report anyone who marries off their children at an early age to relevant authorities,” said Mlelemba.
Kalaria Football Club emerged winners after beating Karonga United Reserves 1-0 and they walked away with three balls while their opponents received two balls from MRCS.
Hara calls for Malawians to vote for Chakwera’s second term
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, August 25, Mana: Speaker of Parliament, Catherine Gotani Hara has urged Malawians to vote for President Lazarus Chakwera during the 2025 general elections.
Speaking Saturday during a political rally at Rumphi Police Ground, Hara said Chakwera deserves a second term of office for working tirelessly to improve the welfare of Malawians.
Among other achievements by the government under the leadership of Chakwera, Hara cited among others, improved farm gate selling prices of various crops, road and rail infrastructure.
"As you are aware people have realized a tangible amount of money from sales of their farm produce such as tobacco, maize, and soybeans this year. The president has worked hard to lobby for better farm gate prices,” said Hara.
She added that currently government is mobilizing resources for the construction of Rumphi-Chitipa Road.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Director of Youth, Steven Kamsiyano said Chakwera has championed reintroduction of Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) Examinations, removed quota system of selecting students to secondary schools and higher learning institutions among others.
"People of Rumphi are known for their love for education. Application of quota system deprived them of fair access to education and everyone across the country is enjoying fair selection in education processes," said Kamsiyano.
Board member for National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF), Alam Beza said that the board has removed collateral for loans not exceeding K1 million.
Member of Parliament for Rumphi Central, Macdowel Chidumba Mkandawire also urged people in the district to continue rallying behind Chakwera and vote for him come 2025.
North-North Regional Chairperson for MCP, Kezzie Msukwa and some MCP Members of Parliament were present at the rally.
Chakwera participates in CCAP Centenary celebration
By Elia Chibwe
Lilongwe August 25, MANA: Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) congregants, government officials, people from all corners of the country and Worldwide, gathered on Sunday morning to celebrate 100 years of its existence.
Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera, Vice President Michael Biziwick Usi, Madame Ella Usi, Vice President of Zimbabwe Kembo Mohadi and former President Joyce Banda joined the celebrations to express their dedication to religious activities.
Speaking during the Centenary Celebration at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe, Chakwera hailed the great contribution of the church to the country's development in various sectors of the government.
"The church has promoted oneness, as well as encouraged people to pray for one another. Today we are celebrating that God has answered your prayers in different ways.
"I urge you to continue to be faithful and dedicated in uplifting people's lives as you have contributed to education, health, and infrastructure sector by providing relief items and businesses among others," said Chakwera.
He urged the church to continue working hand in hand with the government in promoting the country's development and praying for the Nation
In his sermon, Moderator for Blantyre Synod, Rev. Reuben Msowoya quoted three chapters Psalms 126:1-6, Luke 4:14-22 and Ephesians 4:1-7, saying people should take up the spirit of the church founders who showed humility, faith and unity among others.
"The Lord changes seasons, Israelites stood strong on the faith that God will remove their slavery and wipe their faces. He transforms people from poor to rich, from uneducated to educated.
“Let's focus on humility, tolerance, love and peace among others by not allowing our mouths to speak evil of others. Let's show unity without discrimination because of tribes as we are all one. This is the spirit founders of this Church have shown" Msowoya said.
Vice Moderator for Western Cape, Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, Prof. Marius Nel hailed the strong leadership in the church, saying it has contributed to the growth of the church.
Nkhoma Moderator, CCAP General Assembly Biswick CK Nkhoma underscored the significant contribution that CCAP has made in elevating the economic development of the country.
"CCAP has made significant contributions to community development such as social justice, education and we are still dedicated to building universities," Nkhoma said.
The celebration was held under the theme "The Lord has done great things for us"
