MANAonline
3 women arrested for burglary and theft
By Santos Zefania
Lilongwe, May 24, Mana: Police in Lilongwe have arrested three women for allegedly orchestrating a burglary in Area 36 on May 19, 2025.
According to Lilongwe Police Public Relations Officer, Hastings Chigalu, the suspects have been identified as Chimwemwe Chembe, 39, Elizabeth Mkwezalamba, 36, and Memory Elias, 46. The trio reportedly hired three criminals to assist in stealing household items, including a deep freezer, an upright fridge, a mattress, beddings, and a microwave.
Chigalu explained that the first suspect, Chimwemwe, had been residing in a house whose owner had temporarily relocated to Blantyre for work, leaving behind some belongings locked in a separate room.
“Three days before the burglary, Chimwemwe approached Elizabeth and the two conspired to break into the room and steal a microwave,” said Chigalu. “However, Chimwemwe went ahead alone, broke into the room without Elizabeth’s knowledge, and sold the microwave for K30,000.”
After discovering that she had been left out of the scheme, Elizabeth allegedly decided to organize a larger burglary without Chimwemwe’s involvement. She then approached the third suspect, Memory Elias, asking her to help identify criminals for the job and to store the stolen items temporarily, since Elizabeth’s husband would not approve of keeping them in their home.
“Memory agreed and recruited three men to carry out the burglary, including her own son,” Chigalu added.
On the day of the incident, at around 17:00 hours, Elizabeth reportedly brought the criminals to the house under the pretense of inspecting the targeted items. The same night, at around midnight, the suspects returned and carried out the burglary.
The arrest of the three women was made on Thursday following a tip-off from well-wishers. Meanwhile, the three male accomplices remain at large and are currently being pursued by police.
Young women acquire media skills
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, May 24, Mana: God Cares Rights Foundation through Lwande Lithu Project with support from United Nations Women Peace Humanitarian Fund has embarked on an initiative aimed at equipping young peace builders with skills in story telling on issues affecting their communities through multimedia platforms.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Saturday, Programme Officer for Lwande Lithu Project, Blesco Nyangulu, said the initiative will provide a platform through which communities will be telling stories about gender based violence (GBV) among other issues to transform and foster peace.
One of the peace builders, Lestina Kalua of Chagoneka Village under Senior Chief Mwalweni, said that the skill which she has acquired from the project will help her investigate and report on credible stories from her community.
“This will help bring light on issues which retard development, co-existence, unity and peace in the community,” said Kalua.
Another beneficiary, Violet Nyirenda of Dimba Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwamlowe said knowledge on data privacy when handling stories will win people’s trust in their work and enhance peace building.
She added that other skills such as mobile storytelling will enable her share stories from her community fast targeting wider audience through her mobile phone.
The project is targeting 18 young women drawn from all four constituencies in the district.
CARD rescues 1,700 households from hunger in Balaka
By Steve Lingamawa
Balaka, May 24, Mana: Balaka District Council hailed Church Action in Relief and Development (CARD) for rescuing about 1,700 households from hunger in Balaka as the church relief organization responded to effects of El Nino in the 2024/2025 lean season through El Nino Emergency Response Project.
Balaka District Disaster Risk Management Officer (DDRMO), Allick Milanzi, expressed gratitude on Thursday when CARD presented El Nino Emergency Response Project exit report to Balaka District Council.
Milanzi said the district had 51, 802 households that were affected by hunger due to El Nino induced dry spells in the 2024/2025 season.
“Allow me to appreciate various stakeholders that participated in this initiative such as CARD, Council officers, the police and community members among others. Balaka District is prone to climatic shocks such as dry spells but your effort is always available as shown during this project,” DDRMO added.
He further explained that CARD, through El Nino Emergency Response Project disbursed K90,000 to every households to purchase food despite several challenges encountered during the project implementation, citing community leaders’ corrupt practices in identifying the beneficiaries.
CARD Project Coordinator, Harliex Chimutu, said the organization is among primary disaster respondent actors in Malawi.
He therefore commended stakeholders’ collaboration that helped to bail out households that were affected by hunger in Balaka District, saying; "The Project was given seven months to operate in Balaka from November 2024 to May 2025 particularly in areas of Phimbi, Nkaya, Makuluka and Zalimu with each household getting K90,000 for the first five months to purchase food items."
CARD received a 273,000 Canadian Dollars from the Presbyterian World Service and Development and Canadian Food Grains Bank to support households that were affected by the El Nino dry spell in Balaka.
Mulanje Social Cash Transfer Programme uplifting lives of 17,000 beneficiaries
By Innocent Chamtulo
Mulanje, May 23, Mana: The Social Cash Transfer Programme in Mulanje, now delivered through electronic payments, is benefiting 17,000 households, transforming many from low-income status to improved livelihoods through small business ventures and progress toward sustainable self-reliance.
Information Officer at Mulanje Council, Alex Chitwere disclosed this on Thursday during a media tour of households in the district currently enrolled in the SCTP also known as Mtukula Pakhomo,
He said the programme was meant to help beneficiaries transitioning from low-income to another level, adding that this was the whole essence of introducing the programme.
“The Social Cash Transfer Programme in the district is progressing very well. For the first time beneficiaries are receiving cash through electronic payment system, which also benefited the council by reducing the pressure of mobilizing resources for disbursing cash to beneficiaries across the district,” he added.
One of the beneficiaries, Ndifelanji Chideya from Group Village Head Kalilima, Traditional Authority Nkanda, said the programme has transformed her household, enabling her to afford most basic needs since her enrollment in 2024.
“Before joining Mtukula Pakhomo, life was very difficult for us as we could not make ends meet. We lacked the capacity to produce enough for our family and lived a miserable life.
“After being enrolled in the programme, we have seen some improvement in our livelihoods. With the support, I ventured into a small business and also engage in animal farming, which has enabled me to meet my family’s daily needs,” she explained.
Another beneficiary from the same area, Regina Matchipisa hailed government for introducing the e-payment system, saying beneficiaries used to wait too long to receive cash when cash disbursement was previously manual.
“With the e-payment, we are now able to withdraw our money whenever we feel the need to do so. Previously, we had to walk long distances to receive cash and it was very difficult to plan and budget properly on how to use the cash,” she added.
Edina Tebulo from Mkhito Village, Traditional Authority Nkanda said she used to struggle to support her children in secondary schools, who are in Form 2 and Form 3, adding that her enrolment into SCTP changed things for the better than before.
“We used to find piece works to support our children’s education. Mtukula Pakhomo has relieved me from the hustle of piece works,” she added.
The SCTP in Malawi is government social protection scheme supported by Multi-Donor Trust Fund aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods of the most vulnerable households.
Higher learning institutions key for Malawi economic transformation
By Paul Madise
Lilongwe, May 23, Mana: Secretary for Higher Education, Dr. Levis Eneya, has urged higher education institutions and graduates to actively participate in the implementation of the national development agenda, the Malawi 2063.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of DMI-St. John the Baptist University on Friday, at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe, Dr. Eneya emphasized the necessity of collective efforts to transform Malawi into an upper-middle-income economy by the year 2063.
He praised the Catholic Institutions and the Catholic Church for the significant contribution to education in Malawi. He commended DMI St. John the Baptist University for working hard to have all programmes accredited by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), and for the ongoing expansion of the Lumbadzi Campus, the establishment of a College of Health Sciences, the creation of scholarship funds for disadvantaged students, and investments in digital learning technologies, among other developments.
Eneya then pledged government's support saying President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera's government is committed to supporting both public and private institutions in their efforts to develop human capital.
“We urge all institutions to adhere to standards set by government through the National Council for Higher Education. The Ministry will continue with regular audits in all higher education institutions to make sure that high standards are maintained,” he said.
He also congratulated the students on their achievements and encouraged them to be innovative, avoid corruption, and utilize their skills to create opportunities for others. He emphasized that graduates are ambassadors for their university and key players in shaping Malawi’s future.
“Go out and make a difference. Malawi is relying on you,” said Eneya.
In his remarks, Professor Amalraj Ambrose, Vice Chancellor of the university, underscored the institution’s commitment to research and development, stating the availability of grants for innovation in fields such as agriculture, ICT, and health.
Professor Ambrose appealed for continued government support and reaffirmed DMI’s mission to expand across Africa while empowering the disadvantaged through education.
Fire guts storage room at Balaka District Hospital
By Andrew Phiri
Balaka, May 23, Mana: A fire of unknown origin gutted a storage room at Balaka District Hospital late Friday afternoon, causing panic among staff and nearby community members.
In a statement, hospital spokesperson Mercy Nyirenda confirmed that the fire started in an unfinished building being used to store scrap materials.
“We can confirm that a storage room at Balaka District Hospital has been gutted by fire this afternoon. We are currently working to extinguish it using fire extinguishers and water, and we have requested assistance from the Zomba Fire Department, which we are still waiting on,” the statement read.
Hospital officials, accompanied by experts, are yet to investigate the cause of the fire and assess the extent of the damage.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and the hospital continues to offer medical services to patients.
As of 7:30 p.m., the building was still in flames, with the Zomba fire brigade yet to arrive at the scene.
Community members made efforts to contain the fire, but were unsuccessful due to a lack of adequate firefighting equipment.
This is not the first such incident at Balaka District Hospital. In 2020, a fire destroyed medical supplies worth millions of kwacha in a similar blaze.
Deputy SPC calls for commitment in implementation of OGP
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, May 23, Mana: Deputy Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Janet Banda, has called on government , civil society and private sectors to ensure commitment and willingness to support the Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative in the country.
She made the remarks on Friday in Lilongwe during the orientation meeting for the members of the newly constituted National Steering Committee and Technical Working Groups .
She stated that as the country prepares to implement the successor National Action Plan (NAP) for 2025–2028 under the Open Government Partnership (OGP), it is crucial to ensure citizen empowerment and inclusive governance for all.
“Since Malawi joined OGP in 2013, the country has made notable strides to institutionalise open government practices across the public sector, we have grown stronger in building institutions that citizens can trust and that operate with integrity,” she said.
Banda further stated that the new NAP prioritises some thematic areas which will help to promote openness and transparency will include, anti - corruption, digital governance, fiscal openness, open parliament, natural resources and climate and environment.
“ These thematic areas are not just technical policy priorities but they are the building blocks for sustainable developments and meaningful citizen engagement, as members you must ensure that you are tracking progress, providing technical support and engaging with stakeholders,” said Banda.
In his remarks, Co- Chairperson of the National Steering Committee who also represented Non Governmental Organizations (CSOs) said they are impressed with the OGP as it gives a room of openness about everything which government is doing.
He added that they will continue to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the plan to fulfill its mandate.
The National Action Plan for OGP helps to guide in the implementation of open governance in Malawi.
Lotus Resources Limited to explore more Uranium deposits in Chitipa
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, May 24, Mana: Lotus Resources Limited, a company that is operating Kayelekera Uranium Mine which is in both Karonga and Chitipa Districts has intensified its efforts to explore more areas in Chitipa District for possible uranium deposits.
Speaking on Friday during an engagement meeting with Chitipa District Executive Committee, Geologist for Lotus Resources Limited, John Mwenelupembe, said that the company wants to have more site with Uranium deposits to feed Kayelekera Plant.
He said that the company’s intention is to explore Uranium at Mchina in Chitipa District.
He added that the Kayelekera Mine has about a 10-year operation span and that the company wants to extend the operation span years, hence the drive to have feeder Uranium deposits spots.
“Kayelekera Mine has about 42.5 million tonnes of Uranium deposits which will be mined for 10 years and we are exploring more areas with possible deposits so that we can extend our operations to about 20 or 30 years,” Mwenelupembe said.
He further said that the mining company has applied to Malawi Government for an Exploration License and consultations with stakeholders in Chitipa District is one of the requirements before they develop an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).
“As we will be starting this ESMP drafting programme and the studies that will be involved, we will be working hand in hand with the Chitipa District Council to ensure that all environmental safeguards and social issues are taken into account,” he said.
Acting Environmental Officer for Chitipa District Council, Kamunkhwala Tembo, commended Lotus Resources Limited for engaging the council on its intention to explore Uranium deposits in the district.
Tembo stated that the Environmental Affairs Department has established guidelines requiring every company planning to undertake mining activities to develop an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for their area of operations.
New Confucius Institute buildings at KUHeS mark major boost for Malawi-China educational partnership
By Paul Madise
Lilongwe, May 24, Mana: Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Jessie Kabwila, has described the construction of morden buildings for the Malawi Confucius Institute (CI-Malawi) at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) Lilongwe Campus as a vital milestone in enhancing the country’s educational infrastructure.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony of the CI-Malawi at KUHeS in Lilongwe, Kabwila commended the partnership between Malawi and the People's Republic of China. She highlighted the institute's state-of-the-art facilities, which include classrooms, a library, and a multipurpose hall, as crucial for expanding access to quality education.
“This development aligns with the Malawi 2063 agenda of building human capital and achieving inclusive wealth. It provides our students and citizens with the opportunity to gain language skills and cultural knowledge vital for global competitiveness,” she stated.
She emphasized the importance of infrastructure in transforming education and applauded the dedication of all stakeholders involved in the project. She reaffirmed the Ministry of Higher Education's commitment to increasing access to higher education, in line with the National Education Sector Investment Plan (NESIP) 2020–2030.
The minister highlighted the need to embrace the opportunities the institute presents, ensuring that the Confucius Institute thrives and continues to enrich the academic landscape at KUHeS, UNIMA, and beyond through the sharing of Chinese culture and values.
In her remarks, the Chinese Ambassador to Malawi, her Excellency Lu Xu, expressed that her government regards Malawians as brothers and sisters.
She stated that China firmly believes that through shared development and common prosperity, the two nations can uphold equal rights and enjoy lasting peace and stability around the world.
She highlighted that the spirit of unity and cooperation is at the heart of China's engagement with Malawi.
Ambassador Lu indicated that China is committed to being a reliable partner to the Malawian government, stating that Chinese government continues to support Malawi’s essential development efforts, especially as the country advances through industrialization and modernization.
"This project reflects our longstanding emphasis on the importance of higher education—both in China and in Malawi. We are proud to support Malawi’s progress in this critical sector and remain dedicated to helping elevate the standards and accessibility of higher education for the benefit of future generations," she said and advised students and staff to take good care of the facility.
In addition to infrastructure development, the Chinese government has also donated four vehicles including a bus to ensure that transportation needs at the institute are adequately addressed.
CI-Malawi started as University of Malawi project before delinking of the constituent colleges of UNIMA, and will continue to be overseen by the two universities, UNIMA and KUHeS, and open to the public to access it's services.
The just handed over Confucius Institute is expected to be officially inaugurated soon during a high-level event. However, with the handover done, the facility has already started being used, and will host Chinese musical concert on 24th May, 2025.
Malawi launches National Social Protection Policy
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, May 23, Mana: Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has emphasized the importance of the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) saying it provides a comprehensive social protection to all Malawians, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized by empowering them economically.
Speaking during the launch of the NSPP 2024-2029 at Lilongwe Hotel on Friday, Banda said the policy will provide support to vulnerable populations through social cash transfer and other forms of assistance.
"The policy aims to promote social security mechanisms to protect individuals and families from economic shocks as well as addressing malnutrition and promoting nutrition sensitive interventions,” he said.
Banda added that government recognizes the importance of partnerships in implementing the policy hence called on development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector, and local communities to support the policy's implementation.
"Social protection is not charity; it is an indispensable investment for human capital development, socio-economic stability, and national development,” said Banda.
He, therefore, said government is committed to prioritize predictable finance mechanisms for social protection interventions through increased domestic resource mobilization and fostering Public Private Partnership (PPPs).
Representative of Development Partners, Rovan Sweeney, said the launch of the policy demonstrates government's commitment to protect and empower the most vulnerable members of society.
"It is a testament to share commitment in ensuring that no one is left behind especially the most vulnerable,” he said.
