MANAonline
Bartender arrested for wounding customer in Karonga
By George Mponda
Karonga, May 7, Mana: Police in Karonga have arrested Walinase Ng'ona, 36, who works as a bartender at Pa Paulo Bar around Ipyana in the district, for allegedly wounding 30-year-old Gift Msiska, who was a customer.
According to Karonga Police Station Public Relations Officer, Margret Msiska, the incident occurred on May 2, 2025 in the evening.
“It has been established that Msiska, in the company of three friends, was at a beer drinking joint when his friends left the place, Ng'ona stabbed Msiska with a broken bottle on the throat, at the back of the neck and head for reasons not yet known,” said Msiska
She said that the suspect then fled the scene and the victim was taken to Karonga District Hospital by a well-wisher, where he is still receiving medical attention.
According to the police spokesperson, Ng’ona was arrested on May 6 by community policing forum members who took him at Ipyana Mobile Police Camp before being taken to Karonga Police Station.
Ng'ona, who hails from Kwiyula Village, in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga, is expected to appear in court soon after completion of paperwork to answer a charge of unlawful wounding contrary to Section 241 of the Penal Code.
Two nabbed for possessing property suspected to have been stolen in Balaka
By Pickson Chipeso
Lilongwe, May 6, Mana: Police in Balaka have arrested two people for allegedly being found in possession of a motorcycle suspected of having been stolen.
According to Balaka Police Public Relations Officer, Gladson M'bumpha said the two, identified as James Akimu Umali aged 22 and Paul James, aged 27, were arrested on Tuesday afternoon of May 6, 2025, at Balaka Bus Depot in Balaka District.
M'bumpha said the arrest of the suspects followed a tip by a well-wisher that the two were possessing a motorcycle and were offering it for sale.
"Upon receipt of the report, Police Detectives from Balaka Police Station led by Inspector Ennaford Kammera followed the matter, leading to the arrest of the suspects in Balaka Bus Depot and the motorcycle was recovered.
"Meanwhile, investigations are in progress to trace the owner of the motorcycle," he said.
James Akimu Umali comes from Kachere Village in Traditional Authority Kachere in Dedza and Paul James comes from Kapalamula Village in Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka and they will appear before court soon to answer a charge of being found in possession of property suspected to have been stolen.
Africa to Embrace Science, Technology and Evidence-Informed
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, May 6, Mana: Minister of Higher Education Dr.Jessie Kabwila has called on African countries to fully embrace science, technology, innovation, and evidence-informed decision-making as essential pillars of development.
In her remarks at the 2025, Evidence for Development (Evi4Dev) conference in Nairobi, Kenya, Kabwila emphasized the need for African leaders and development stakeholders to take ownership of the continent's transformation agenda by investing in locally grounded solutions based on data and innovation.
“Africa is facing severe climate impacts, fragile health system, youth unemployment, rising debt, and diminishing international development finance.
“The continent has a lower higher education enrollment rate of just 9%, compared to a global average of 38%, and limited investment in research and development, standing at around 0.5% of GDP,” she said.
Kabwila also emphasized that data and evidence are essential for building institutions that deliver for the people and respond to their real needs.
“By embracing evidence-informed decision-making, Africans can create wealth and achieve responsive governance”, she said.
She, therefore, highlighted the need to address the gender and women's question, ensuring that development methods are engendered and inclusive.
"The future of Africa must be shaped by African knowledge, African solutions, and African resolve.
“Higher education is not just a path to jobs, it is the engine of Africa's development,” said Kabwila.
The Evi4Dev Conference brings together researchers, policymakers, development agencies, and civil society leaders from across the continent and beyond to discuss the role of data, evidence, and innovations in Africa's development.
Amref Health Africa embarks on Cholera response project in Chitipa
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, May 6, Mana: Amref Health Africa has introduced a four-month Cholera response project in Chitipa District.
Speaking Tuesday when he briefed Chitipa District Health Management Committee and Public Health Emergency Management Committee, Project Manager for Amref Health Africa, responsible for Cholera Response Project Phase 2, Young Samanyika, said the project seeks to prevent future Cholera outbreaks in the district.
Samanyika said the intervention is aligned to Malawi National Cholera Plan (NCP) and the Health Sector Strategic Plan III (HSSP III).
He said, among others, the project aims at enhancing the district's capacity in preparing and handling public health emergencies.
“This project will run for four months but we appreciate that there are also other public priorities such as MPox at the moment and we will take advantage of the resources meant for this project to control MPox,” said Samanyika.
Director of Health and Social Services for Chitipa District Council, Dr. Jollings Kasondo, described the project as timely when the district is struggling with a spate of Cholera outbreaks.
"We are very grateful for this project as it will contribute to enhance disease surveillance,” said Kasondo.
The district has since September 16, 2024 reported 62 Cholera cases with two deaths.
The US$ 100,000 (approximately K175 million) project is funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation through Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and will be implemented in Chitipa and Karonga districts.
Nkhata Bay District Council provides relief food to disaster survivors
By Janet Masamba
NKhata Bay, May 6, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Council on Tuesday distributed bags of maize to 50 households, which were affected by heavy rainstorm, which hit the district since Saturday damaging houses and property.
According to Spokesperson for Nkhata Bay District Council, Chisomo Kambandanga, the affected households are located in various areas under Senior Chief Mkumbira in the district.
Kambandanga said the initiative aims at mitigating some of the challenges that affected households are facing as they strive to cope up with the situation and return to normal life.
"Upon receiving reports of the damage, we conducted an assessment and verification exercise and established that about 50 households were affected in this area.
“These households had their houses damaged and lost food stuff in the process, hence the intervention through which we are providing a 50 kilogram bag of maize, plastic pails and plates,” said Kambandanga.
He said the Council also received reports of damaged crop fields from the areas of senior chiefs Timbiri and Mkumbira, traditional authorities Fukamalaza and Kabunduli and results on the extent of the damage would be released soon.
One of the beneficiaries of the relief food, Magret Mkandawire, was thankful to the Council for turning to their rescue.
Another beneficiary, Robert Msiska, commended the Council for the intervention, saying the maize would help sustain food supply during the difficult time.
Chairperson for Mkumbira Area Development Committee, Mavuto Kaunda, said the support will go a long way in helping the affected households recover from the devastating effects of the disaster.
MRCS flag week to mobilize resources for disaster response
By Lesnat Kenan
Lilongwe, May 7, Mana: Malawi Red Cross Society Director of Programs and Development, Gloria Kunyenga, has announced that the Society will conduct a Flag Week aimed at mobilizing resources to respond to different disasters that happen in the country.
She made the remarks at the Central Office of Information in Lilongwe on Tuesday during a press briefing.
"It is a week that aims at mobilizing resources to help the Society carry out its work throughout the country.
“We are going to roll out activities such as blood donation to raise money to support us covering some issues such as transport when distributing items to vulnerable communities,” she added.
She said the funds raised will also support government's efforts in responding to disasters in a timely and efficient manner.
She further said that although the Society receives support from different donors and partners, the money raised serves as a startup in responding to emergencies.
The society is expecting to raise at least K200 million during the Flag Week.
Malawi has been experiencing different emergencies such as floods, drought and COVID-19.
Kunyenga, therefore, expressed gratitude to President Dr Lazarus Chakwera, who is MRCS patron for his support to the society.
The flag week will be held from May 8 to May 17, 2025 under the theme "On the side of Humility".
President Chakwera is expected to launch the flag week on Thursday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
Malawi, UAE sign MOU on mining, education, diplomacy and trade
By sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, May 6, Mana: Malawi and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mining, trade, education and diplomatic training as one way of strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
President Dr Lazarus Chakwera and Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs of UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, witnessed the signing on Tuesday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
Speaking after the signing of the agreements, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo, said the MoU signifies Malawi’s 2063 for the country to have a stable economic growth.
She said, Malawi and UEA have good relations from which the two countries would benefit from each other.
“The President has been engaging with different countries on how they can develop this country; so, the signing of these agreements shows the commitment which the President has to make Malawi a better country,” she said.
Tembo further stated that government will ensure that all these MoUs are properly worked out on ground not just on paper.
The visit of the Prime Minister follows President Chakwera's trip to the UEA last year.
While in UAE Chakwera engaged with various government officials where he took advantage of the discussions to sell the Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM) strategy to them.
UAE's economy is the 3rd largest in the Middle East with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$415 billion.
Court adjourns Kaliati’s case
By Santos Zefania
Lilongwe, May 6, Mana: The Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Court has adjourned to May 26, 2025, the case involving Patricia Kaliati, an advisor to the United Transformation Movement (UTM) President. Kaliati is facing charges of conspiring to assassinate President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
In an interview on Tuesday in Lilongwe, Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda said the state has brought forward 15 witnesses, two of whom have already testified, while the remaining are expected to do so on May 26, when the case has been adjourned.
“The first witness’s testimony was found lacking in credibility, as the court noted the individual appeared to be aligned with the accused and therefore may not have been truthful,” said Banda. “However, the second witness provided credible evidence, having recorded a conversation with Kaliati during a meeting at her residence in Area 44.”
Additionally, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer McLucky Kamphandila, who testified as the second witness on behalf of the state prosecutor, stated that in mid-October 2024, he received information alleging that a group of individuals, led by Patricia Kaliati, were plotting to assassinate President Lazarus Chakwera.
Kamphandila revealed that Patricia Kaliati had close proximity to President Lazarus Chakwera, as they were part of the same government, which, in his view, could have made it easier to carry out an assassination. After following up on the matter and finding the information credible, he summoned Kaliati to his superior, where she was alleged to have planned the assassination between February and June 2024, in Area 44, where she resides.
Kaliati, who is currently out on bail, pleaded not guilty on April 8 to charges of conspiring to assassinate President Chakwera. She was arrested in October 2024 in connection with the alleged plot.
Malawi needs USD1.4 billion to recover from effects of disasters
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, May 6, Mana: Director of Disaster Preparedness and Response in the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA), Reverend Moses Owen Chimphepo, says the country needs around $1.4 billion to recover from damages caused by disasters in the past four years.
He was speaking on Monday at Chikho Hotel in Mponela during the opening of a two-day Capacity Building training on Disaster Risk Management Communication which targeted journalists from various media houses.
He said the country's vulnerability to hazards has been worsening due to population growth, urbanization and environmental degradation, which has impacted various sectors like food, energy, health, water, infrastructure and others.
"As a country, over the years we have been experiencing frequent disasters, and cumulatively we have a loss of property of around $921 billion. But for us to recover and replace the losses, we need $1.4 billion. That is the situation we are in.
"For example you have seen how the road infrastructure has been damaged but we have not managed to recover because as we try to replace those infrastructure, another disaster comes and damages again. That is why accumulatively there are such huge numbers," he said.
He however said much as it will take time to fully recover, government in conjunction with development partners is replacing lost infrastructure like bridges, roads and school blocks.
He however said there is need to build a country that is resilient to disasters.
"This is where this training comes in because you are crucial in every step of disaster risk management cycle, from preparedness, response and recovery.
"You are our partner in raising awareness on potential disasters and what precautionary measures to take, helping the department know what is happening and affecting a community. But also helping raising the need on building resilient communities and nation," said Chimphepo.
One of the participants Chancy Namadzunda of The Atlas Malawi said the training was an eye opener.
"There are a lot of things we have learnt like our role in raising awareness on potential disasters, effective reporting during disasters, and also spreading important precautionary information like need for relocation from disaster prone areas.
"Also overview and legal frameworks in Disaster Risk Management in Malawi, and functions and responsibilities of various government agencies and other partners," said Namadzunda.
The training was sponsored by Concern Worldwide.
Linga Dam communities engaged in proactive emergency preparedness
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, May 6, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Council on Monday engaged communities surrounding Linga Dam in the district on emergency preparedness in the event that the dam breaches or overflows.
Senior Irrigation Officer for Nkhata Bay District Council, Stewart Chauluka, described the engagement as important saying some villages are prone to floods if the dam ruptures.
According to Chauluka, the council aimed at educating communities on identifying potential threats, such as cracks and water overflow and on life saving measures in emergencies.
"This dam holds about 15 million cubic metres of water which is a huge volume and a breach could lead to significant damage. That's why we've taken steps to prepare these communities,” said Chauluka.
Village Head Chakunda commended the Council for the initiative which, she said, will provide valuable tips on what to do in case of danger hence reducing potential damages.
"We're grateful for these safety drills. Considering the dam’s capacity, a breach could be catastrophic. I, therefore, urge people to abide by these drills to mitigate risks which emanate from the dam," said Chakunda.
Disaster Risk Management Officer for Nkhata Bay District Council, Rachael Kamanga, said the council will continue engaging stakeholders to enhance disaster preparedness and response in the district.
Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Raphael Mkisi, advised communities to protect the environment and avoid activities that could lead to dam siltation and reduced rainfall.
The dam was constructed under the Agriculture Infrastructure and Youth in Agribusiness Project (AIYAP) with the goal of increasing agricultural productivity and income for households in the project area through irrigation.
