MANAonline
Man arrested for murder in Mzuzu
By Santos Zefania
Lilongwe, June 10, Mana: Police in Mzuzu are keeping in custody a 27-year-old man, Austin Chipeta, in connection with the of murdering a sex worker, Rosina Hara, in Luwinga Township in the city on Monday.
According to Mzuzu Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Cecilia Mfune, Hara was found dead in her room on May 21, 2025, by fellow sex workers, who broke into her room after noticing that she hadn’t come out since the previous day.
"Police officers discovered Hara’s body with two cuts on the face, and on her private parts,” said Mfune, adding: “Postmortem at Mzuzu Central Hospital, later, confirmed her death resulted from head injuries caused by a blunt object."
Police investigators found Chipeta’s national ID, ATM card, and SIM cards at the scene, and this gave the police leads to the man as suspect and he was arrested on June 9, 2025, according to Mfune.
Chipeta, who admitted to having sex with Hara the night before her death, will appear in court soon to answer a murder charge under Section 209 of the Penal Code.
President Chakwera to Lead Memorial Service for Plane Crash Victims at Lunjika Turn-Off
By Innocent Manda and Patience Kapinda
Lilongwe, June 10, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera will lead a memorial service honoring Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima, former First Lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, and seven others who died in a plane crash on June 10, 2024, at Nthungwa in Nkhata Bay district.
The memorial will be held at Lunjika Turn-Off in Mzimba, near where the aircraft crashed, and the event will mark a moment of national reflection on the nine departed souls across Malawi.
The military plane carrying the Vice President and the rest went missing on the radar end route to Mzuzu from Lilongwe, calling for a search by the country’s security agencies until it was later found in Nthungwa Forest, with all the nine passengers, including government and security personnel, dead.
Malawians from all corners are paying their tribute via various platforms, expressing fond memories of the Vice President and the other eight, wishing their souls eternal peaceful rest.
Poet Robert Chiwamba has described Chilima as a “beacon of hope and a true icon”.
"He gave us hope, the youth and the nation. May his soul continue to rest in peace. He was a true icon,” Chiwamba wrote on his social media page.
Malawians continue to mourn Vice President Chilima, remembering him for his leadership, dedication to youth, and his push for public sector reform and modernization in government systems.
Malawians also continue to mourn Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, who was, at one time, the country’s First Lady and she became a key figure in HIV/AIDS awareness, championing prevention and breaking societal stigma during her public service.
Dzimbiri’s Foundation donated medicine and equipment to poor communities, and she is also remembered for her hands-on commitment to helping vulnerable groups through grassroots initiatives.
As MP for Balaka West (2014–2019), she advocated for a National Planning Commission, seeking to improve governance by depoliticizing development agenda and promoting long-term planning.
The memorial service at Lunjika Turn-Off serves as a national moment of reflection, offering Malawians an opportunity to remember and honor the lives lost in the tragic plane crash of June 10, 2024.
Two arrested for robbery
By Santos Zefania
Lilongwe, June 9, Mana: Police at Gateway Mall in Lilongwe have arrested two men for attacking and robbing a woman of a hand bag at Michiru Junction in Area 9, on Friday.
According to Lilongwe Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, Khumbo Sanyiwa, the suspects have been identified as Victor Tsikani, 24, and Daud Banda, 20.
The suspects attacked the victim who was walking home after knocking off from work at around 17:00 hours.
He said the victim's handbag contained National Identification card, National Examination Board Identification Card, sun glasses and K20,000 cash.
"Gateway Mall Police rushed to the scene to rescue the first suspect (Tsikani) when angry mob wanted to burn him alive.
"Upon interrogation the suspect disclosed the identity of his accomplice (Banda) who escaped the scene with the stolen bag," Kunyiwa explained.
Police later arrested Banda and successfully recovered the stolen bag.
It has been established that the two suspects are part of gangs who have been terrorizing people during the night at Michiru Road Junction and African Bible College (ABC) areas.
Tsikani hails from Mchitakupha Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Chadza in Lilongwe, while Banda comes from Jahito Village, TA Liwonde in Machinga.
The suspects will appear in court soon to answer robbery charges.
Phalombe magistrate engages learners in career talk
By Blessings Sabiti and Yankho Kalulu
Phalombe, Jun 8, Mana: First-Grade Magistrate Court in Phalombe hosted Ufa Primary School learners in a career talk as His Worship, Leonard Mtosa, encouraged the visiting learners to concentrate on their education to become productive and law-abiding citizens
First Grade Magistrate Mtosa made the call recently when learners travelled from Mlomba area, Phalombe to see him at Phalombe Court where he told the learners to also refrain from behaviours that would easily compromise their dreams of achieving life goals, citing child marriage as one of the factors that affect child education, health and general wellbeing.
First Grade Magistrate Mtosa, however, acknowledged increased child abuse in the district, calling for stakeholders’ collective efforts to deal with various forms of child abuse.
“We continue to receive many cases with children as victims, particularly defilement and child marriages, which often lead to school dropouts,” he added during the interface.
Ufa Primary School Head Teacher, Liston Belo, thanked Magistrate Mtosa for hosting the learners, saying the career talk also provided learners with a better understanding of child rights and responsibilities, on top of the magistrate explaining the consequences of children coming into conflict with the law.
“Learners had the opportunity to understand the law so that they could avoid coming into conflict with the law. The career talks also provided learners with awareness on various forms of child abuse, where and how to report in case they are victimised,” he added.
Belo further thanked the First Grade Magistrate for encouraging the learners to remain in school, in addition to providing them with an opportunity to observe how cases are handled in the court of law.
One of the learners, Fyness Napawa, said the career talk was inspiring and informative, such that it helped her to understand the judicial process.
She therefore urged fellow learners to concentrate on education and stay away from criminal activities and other behaviours that could affect their future.
During the career talk, Ufa School learners learnt about court proceedings, the duties of magistrates, the roles of state prosecutors, and defense lawyers.
Above all, the learners had the opportunity to seek clarification on how cases to do with child abuse are handled in a court of law.
The educational visit was organized by the school, where 62 learners heard the career talk.
Cotton Council of Malawi moves to protect farmers, sustain production
By Kondwani Magombo
Lilongwe, June 8, Mana: Cotton Council of Malawi (CCM) has introduced a digital platform called Cotton Information Management System (COTMIS) to support production and marketing of the crop, a move the Council says will protect farmers from potential losses, and sustain production.
CCM Executive Director, Cosmas Lwanda, disclosed this on Saturday at a press briefing held at the Council’s offices in Lilongwe, where the Council announced the official opening of the 2024/2025 cotton marketing season, which is to run up to September 9, 2025.
Lwanda said the changes brought by the newly introduced system include the use of digital registration and seed distribution; use of bank accounts and mobile platforms by farmers for receiving proceeds from cotton sales; pooling of resources for payment of farmers using COTMIS by all off-takers; and use of ADMARC, and other identified structures for permanent market.
“It is worth noting that stakeholders in the sector unanimously invested K2.85bn in production investments to support the Zero Deposit Input Distribution Program (ZEDIDI),” said Lwanda.
He added: “These changes portray a new beginning and emphasis on the security of investments for sustainably increased production of cotton which will attract increased value addition.”
The CCM Executive Director described the 2024/2025 cotton growing season as successful in terms of production, saying over 27,000 hectares were planted to cotton, with 29,000 farmers registered.
He further said over 200 Metric Tons of cotton seed was distributed to farmers in the growing year, and that the country is expecting production of over 20,000 Metric Tons, more than double last year’s production of 8,000 Metric Tons.
The 2024/2025 season has also seen new buyers, including Illovo Sugar Nchalo Limited, joining the industry and, according to Lwanda, there are five certified cotton buyers, including Afrisian Limited of Lunzu, Blantyre; ADMARC Limited of Limbe, Blantyre; Malawi Cotton Company of Mponda, Balaka; and Masapa Cotton Ginners of Kasungu.
The government of Malawi has, since, commended the steps that the CCM has taken to promote the cotton industry, saying the country is now moving towards sustainable production of cotton in high volumes for increased value addition.
Deputy Director of Crop Development Responsible for Field Crops, Osborne Tsoka, said the new system that the industry has adopted will help improve regulation and development of the sector by, among other areas, preventing side buying of the crop.
According to Tsoka, the minimum farm gate price for cotton for the 2024/2025 market season is K1,400 per kilogram, with a possibility to go higher, given the competitive market the industry has attracted this season.
The demand for cotton in Malawi is 300,000 Metric Tons on the domestic scene for local manufacturing and value addition, while the demand for the export Market is more than 200,000 Metric Tons, according to the CCM.
Youths in Ntcheu encouraged to get loans from NEEF
By Maston Kaiya
Ntcheu, June 7, Mana: National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) has encouraged Youth groups in Ntcheu to get loans and venture into businesses.
NEEF Credit Analysis Manager Whyghtone Mweta made the remarks on Friday during a stakeholder meeting with the youth from Ntcheu district.
Mweta highlighted that youth in the district are lagging in terms of how much they have received from NEEF.
"Being custodians of Malawi 2063, we needed to encourage them to get the loans and also advise them that when they get the loans they must pay back so that other youths should also benefit from NEEF," said Mweta.
Youth Economic Empowerment Scheme Chairperson for Ntcheu district Fred Kawalewale Gerson said eight groups from eight constituencies are ready to get the loans and venture into various businesses specifically irrigation farming.
He assured stakeholders that if given the loans, the groups are committed to pay back within the specific given period.
"Ntcheu being an agro-based economy, most of the youths are doing farming as a business and let me assure stakeholders that strategies are in place to ensure that all the selected groups should pay back the loans," said Gerson.
144 groups are targeted in Ntcheu district.
Chief hailed for launching by-laws
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, June 7, Mana: Her Liberty and Girls Activists Youth Organization (GAYO), two non-governmental organizations that advocate for the welfare of youth, particularly girls in Zomba, have commended Senior Group Village Head Mtogolo, under Senior Chief Malemia, for formulating by-laws aimed at protecting girls from various forms of injustice that threaten their rights and wellbeing.
Among others, the by-laws strongly condemn child marriages, prohibits parents from forcing their children particularly a girl child into marriage thereby denying them right to education.
Speaking on Friday at Malemia Primary School where the launch took place, Project Manager for Her Liberty, Kettei Mkwala said the launch of the by-laws was a clear testimony that local leaders under Group Village Head Mtogolo are serious about ending child marriages and teenage pregnancies in their areas.
Mkwala said the set by-laws compliments the organization’s efforts of creating safer environments for youths and a girl child to realize their life goals.
"We are very excited to see that chiefs have taken the responsibility to protect youths and promote the wellbeing of a girl child. For years, we have been working with youths, advocating for free and conducive environment for children,” she added.
The project manager said the by-laws will also facilitate and improve dialogue between parents and their children on issues of sexual reproductive health and child education.
Senior Group Village Head Mtogolo said rising cases of child marriages and teenage pregnancies prompted formulation of the by-laws, expressing hope that they will be enforced by all means to protect children in the area.
“We cannot sit and watch our society decaying. Formulation of the by-laws is one step towards addressing a number of injustices that children face in their daily lives,” he said.
Vice Chairperson of Malemia Youth Network, Fabiano Black hailed the chiefs for formulating the by-laws which he said will be enforced to help reducing child marriages and teenage pregnancies.
Mwanza mourns legislator and Deputy Minister Joyce Chitsulo
By Cassandra Mangulama
Mwanza, June 6, Mana: People in Mwanza mourn legislator, Joyce Chitsulo who until his death was also Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, describing her death as shocking and big loss of a dedicated servant-leader.
Mwanza District Council Chairperson, Councillor Emmanuel Kapawe said Mwanza has lost a dedicated leader.
“The whole Mwanza District has been saddened by the death of Chitsulo. We are shocked with her death.
“Chitsulo started working with us in 2019 when she was elected MP for Mwanza West. She worked on many developmental projects in Mwanza West and was very dedicated to ensure Mwanza is developing,” Kapawe added.
Chitsulo collapsed at home in Lilongwe and was taken to Kamuzu Central Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Chitsulo survived a road accident recently on her way from official duties in the northern region of Malawi.
Councillor Fraser Bandiele for Thambani Ward described the late legislator as a joyful and approachable leader who worked selflessly for the community.
“She was full of laughter and could easily get along with people. She brought development to her constituency without bias,” he said.
Chitsulo facilitated construction of a bridge that made it possible for people to travel from Thawale to Thambani via Mwima, according to the ward council, adding that late Chitsulo ensured that most of the areas in her constituency were connected to electricity.
Apart from helping in establishing a community based childcare centre (CBCC) in Tambo, the parliamentarian also embarked on construction of a Community Skills Development Center.
“The skills development center is under construction, she also facilitated construction of a Police Unit at Kalanga. This testifies that she was very dedicated in introducing development projects in her area and there is so much she accomplished that people can testify,” added Bandiele.
In the meantime, Mwanza District Council has released a condolence message expressing sorrow over death of Chitsulo.
Mob kills suspected thief in Balaka
By Milton Sukasuka
Balaka, June 6, Mana: A mob in Balaka District has killed a man aged 29, identified as, Rodrick Jackson, for allegedly breaking into a house, stealing maize flour, soya pieces, and a Bluetooth speaker at Chibwana Village, Traditional Authority Nsamala where he left a record of a habitual criminal.
Balaka Police Station Publicist, Inspector Gladson M'bumpha, said the suspect was caught stealing the items from a house on the night of Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
“At 8 o’clock in the evening on June 4, 2015, Jackson broke into a house of Pilirani Luka and allegedly stole food items and a Bluetooth speaker but was caught red-handed by the owner and some villagers. The group started beating him severely before dumping his body behind his wife’s house,
"After the incident, Kwitanda Community Policing Forum reported the matter to police on Thursday morning, June 5, 2025. Officers from Balaka Police Station rushed to the scene and took the body to Balaka District Hospital,” Balaka Police publicist added.
M'bumpha said a postmortem conducted at Balaka District Hospital showed that Jackson died from excessive bleeding caused by serious head injuries due to assault.
Police investigations continue to identify and arrest those involved in the mob justice, according to M’bumpha
Balaka Police has urged people to report crime suspects to police stations, posts or units instead of resorting to mob justice.
Jackson was a habitual criminal and was recently been released from Chichiri Prison.
He came from Chibwana Village, Traditional Authority Nsamala.
HESLGB to use loan recoveries for additional applicants
By Kenneth Zindondo,
Blantyre, June 6, Mana: Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) has received 34,587 applications for the 2025/2026 loan cycle, surpassing its initial target of 33,000 applicants by 1,587 applications, board Communication Manager, Millie Kasunda disclosed on Friday.
She said this does not mean that, HESLGB will fail to support the applicants in their pursuit of tertiary education in various university colleges.
“The board will use money from recoveries to support the applicants," she added, saying that, the provisional loan list will be released by August, after evaluation of all applications submitted through the Student Financing Management Information System (SFMIS) between April 1 and May 30, 2025.
Director of the Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC), Benedicto Kondowe said an increase in student’s loan applications was a clear testimony of growing demand for higher education and rising awareness of available financial support.
“While this is encouraging, it also raises concerns about the sustainability of the loan scheme. Without increased funding and improved loan recovery, the system may struggle to meet future demand, risking exclusion for many deserving students" he added.
Kondowe said rising trend in students applying for loans calls for inclusive policy and financial reforms to safeguard both equity and sustainability in Malawi’s higher education sector.
A beneficiary of the students’ loan, Oscar Masanga from University of Malawi expressed gratitude over the HESLGB support.
“This loan has helped many students to pursue higher education, it is a lifeline that enabled many to continue with education without worrying of tuition fees and other expenses,” he added
He therefore urged the Authority to continue funding the programme to accommodate increasing number of students that aspire for higher education.
