By George Mponda

Karonga, April 28, Mana: A scheduled Karonga District Full Council meeting ended abruptly on Monday after Ward Councillors demanded explanation on stalled development projects and the sale of an ambulance which they felt had not been adequately addressed.

The Council meeting, scheduled to discuss key sector presentations, was cut short after just 30 minutes when councillor for Rukuru Ward, Gift Mwakiyelu, raised a point of order, disrupting the agenda.

Mwakiyelu said; "We have just received the reports to be presented today, with no time to review them. We need explanation on several issues, including stalled projects, the K119 million police officers' house construction at Wiliro, and the sale of an ambulance."

Senior Chief Mwakaboko supported Councillor Mwakiyelu's concerns, saying he had not received the reports in time hence the need to reschedule the meeting.

Council Chairperson, Bellium Msukwa adjourned the meeting, setting a new date for two weeks to allow councillors and chiefs sufficient time to review the reports.

District Commissioner (DC) for Karonga, Frank Mkandawire, expressed disappointment over the abrupt end of the Full Council meeting saying they only have two months left to plan for project completion, particularly under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD).

"Two weeks ago, the councilors were conducting service committee meetings where these issues should have been raised because we are running out of time to meet the June deadline for the completion of GESD projects, these delays will affect us," said Mkandawire.

The DC has since advised the councilors to bring forth substantial agenda items and engage the council secretariat in order to ensure the people of Karonga receive the quality service they deserve.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, April 27, Mana: Member of Parliament for Lilongwe East who is also Minister of Homeland Security, Ezikiel Ching,oma has reassured Malawians that government will implement robust security measures to prevent rigging during the upcoming general elections.

Speaking during a mega rally at Chowo Primary School playground in Lilongwe, Ching,oma said every vote will count and that government is committed to ensuring a free and fair electoral process.

"Our government will take all necessary measures to guarantee the integrity of the elections" he said.

Ching'oma also Urged members of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to strengthen their Unity.

"The key to our success lies in our unity, we must work together and support one another if we are to triumph in the upcoming elections" he said.

Traditional Authority (TA) Chitekwere expressed gratitude to the President Chakwera for bringing electricity to the area which highlights the government's efforts to improve infrastructure and provide essential services to its citizens.

He called on the government to provide relief maize to the area, saying it has been hit by severe drought that has affected the community.

"Your urgent assistance will help residents who are struggling to access food in the area " he said.

Director of Youth for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) who is also Deputy Minister of Transport, Steven Baba Malondela said government has achieved in infrastructure development, particularly in road construction.

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, April 28, Mana: Chiefs in Mzimba District say people should no longer blame leaders in patriarchal societies for the failure of women to triumph in elections but rather blame it on monetization of politics.

Paramount Chief M’mbelwa IV of Mzimba made the remarks on Monday when Women's Legal Resource Centre (WOLREC) and Oxfam held an engagement meeting with chiefs drawn from the district to discuss on a “Gender Transformation and Youth Inclusive Democracy” project being implemented in the district.

The paramount chief said women in the district are no longer sidelined from vying for political leadership positions due to their gender.

"As chiefs we pledge to be supporting them regardless of some cultural factors which bar women from competing for political leadership positions.

“Issues associated with lack of success by women political aspirants during elections are related to lack of finances as our politics is sadly becoming monetized,” said M’mbelwa IV.

He said is has become a common norm to see well to do aspirants excelling in elections due to their financial muscle.

“These are some of the areas we must look at if we are to promote women’s participation in politics. Money plays a bigger role than the aspirants’ manifestos,” he said.

Senior Traditional Authority Mabulabo said the district has made great strides in opening up for women leaders in recent years.

Gender Officer for M’mbelwa District Council, Naomi Mwale said so far 54 women candidates have expressed interest to vie for various political leadership positions ahead of the September 16, 2025.

WOLREC and Oxfam with funding from European Union is implementing a Gender Transformation and Youth Inclusive Democracy project in seven districts across the country including Mzimba.

By Pempho Kantayeni & Pickson Chipeso

Lilongwe, April 28, Mana: The Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Court has adjourned the case involving Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM), Dalitso Kabambe and Former Minister of Finance, Joseph Mwanamveka and others to 8 May 2025.

The two are answering a case of misreporting information on Malawi’s Net International Reserve (NIR) and Gross Liabilities to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during 2018-2020.

According to Mwanamveka’s Lawyer, Kalekeni Kaphale, the case was supposed to start at 10am but there were several delays as the court was busy with late filings of court documents by some accused persons and the prosecution, leading to a request for adjournment.

“Therefore we requested if we could adjourn to a fresh date and the court allowed it and adjourned the case to 8 May 2025,” said Kaphale.

Public Prosecutor, Kamudoni Nyasulu said the defence applied for adjournment to next week in order to address the re-inclusion of Former Finance Minister, Joseph Mwanamveka in the case, as the court was told he was part of the proceedings initially.

Mwanamveka was mistakenly discharged from the case in February 2024, however in August 2024 the court applied to reinstate Mwanamveka as documents showed that he was Minister of Finance during 2018-2020.

“The defence applied for an adjournment to next week, so we’re coming out for those two remaining things, next week, maybe Thursday, because he was part of it.

“We explained to the court that he was part of it, but initially he was discharged because there was a mistaken belief that at the time that the charges were happening, the accused wasn’t a Minister of Finance but documents show otherwise”, said Nyasulu.

The adjournment was granted to ensure a fair and thorough examination of the case, considering the new developments and the defence’s need for additional time.

By Beatrice Bangula

Blantyre, April 28, Mana: Malawi Assemblies of God’s royal rangers in the southern Malawi have hailed the regional royal rangers’ division executive for organizing a three days training for 30 prospective royal rangers’ leaders on a curriculum that is used to teach rangers for effective evangelism and other outreach activities,

The training took place over the week end at Revival International Assembly (RIA) in Machinjiri, Blantyre where royal rangers leaders were trained in evangelism and discipleship, friendship and mentoring, adult leadership roles, among others.

Royal Rangers Training Coordinator for the Southern Division, Amazing Mwakipunda said the training was ideal for prospective rangers’ leaders as it provided essential knowledge and skills needed in the Christ centered ministry.

“We have almost 30 royal rangers’ leaders from different Assemblies of God churches attending the training. We started the training and we will break and continue on May 1st up to 3rd May,” he said.

Mwakipunda said the training also expected to provide structured guidance and leadership development on top of strengthening capacity of royal rangers’ leaders to nurture the next generation of royal rangers.

“Upon completing this training, the number of active outposts within the districts will increase significantly. Topics during the training included; ministry philosophy and curriculum design, how children learn best, junior leadership, evangelism and discipleship, friendship and mentoring, adults’ leadership roles and how to conduct fun week meeting,” he said.

A training participant from Chilobwe Tabernacle Assembly of God, Charissa Ching'amba said the training was necessary as it built capacity of most rangers in the ministry for effective evangelisation.

“From the training, we have gained a lot of knowledge such that we will be able to train rangers in our respective churches on how to become real royal rangers and what royal rangers do,” she said.

Royal Rangers is a Christ centered ministry that focuses on developing young people into leaders to become men and women of character.

Some of activities of the royal rangers include; evangelism, outdoor activities, bible studies and devotions, leadership development and community services.

By Lesnat Kenan

Lilongwe, April 28, Mana: Mzimba Second Grade Magistrate Court, has convicted and sentenced a 27 years old man, Emmanuel Nchama to three years’ imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for burglary and theft, contrary to sections 309 subsection (2) and 271 of the Penal Code.

According to Jenda Police Station Assistant Public Relations Officer, Constable Precious Mzunga, the court, on April 25, 2025 heard through state Prosecutor, Sub Inspector Pachalo Nyirenda, that Nchama broke into a house at Jenda and stole various items, including a car battery, Plasma Television Screen and a Smartphone.

" The total value of the stolen items was estimated at K480,00 and he was arrested the same day after a complaint was lodged for burglary and theft", he said.

 Appearing before court, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge.

Mzunga said the accused asked the court for lenience, saying he had previously been imprisoned for other offences and he served a lengthy sentence.

In submission, Nyirenda asked the court to impose a stiffer punishment, emphasizing that burglary and theft have become common in the district and that a harsh sentence would serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.

Emmanuel Nchama, hails from James Sibande Village, Traditional Authority Mabulabo in Mzimba District.

By Doricah Mkwapatira and Charlie Ligomeka

Machinga, April 28, Mana: Thousands of people in Machinga on Sunday paid tribute to Senior Chief Nsanama who died on Saturday and laid to rest on Sunday at his Masungwi headquarters in the district.

Senior Chief Nsanama, born Duwa Lapukeni on January 1, 1954 died at the age of 71 at his headquarters after an asthma attack.

Speaking at the funeral ceremony, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Joyce Chitsulo called on the royal family to stay united and mourn Senior Chief Nsanama in peace.

She urged the family to follow right procedures when appointing a successor, observing that doing so will prevent chieftaincy disputes that ignite divisions among family members and subjects.

“In this moment of grief, we must come together just as our departed chief used to advice during his lifetime,

“Succession needs patience and protocol. This prevents wrangles that come due to the struggle of power in the clan, I urge family members to follow the right procedure,” she said.

Machinga District Council Chairperson, Councilor Simplex Duwa said the council will miss Senior Chief Nsanama’s contribution to development.

“He was a true leader who valued unity and transparency, he was a wise man whose insights will forever be cherished, the council will never forget him,” he said.

Paramount Chief Kawinga also urged relatives to mourn Senior Chief Nsanama with respect,

“I plead with the family to hold hands and stay united during this time. There should be no disputes over chieftaincy.

“He was a God fearing man who had a Mosque at his place which is a testimony that he feared God and may the community remember him for being peace loving,” he said.

The late Senior Chief Nsanama was installed sub chief in 2006 and later traditional authority in 2017.

He was elevated to Senior Chief in 2020, and is survived with a wife, eight children and 24 grandchildren. 

By Brighton Chimsinde

Mchinji, April 27, Mana: Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Dr. Nertha Semphere Mgala has advised beneficiaries of the social cash transfer programme Mtukula Pakhomo to regard the monetary support as seed money.

Mgala advised in an interview after holding an interface meeting with Guillime Cluster Beneficiaries at Chivawu Primary School in the area of Chief Zulu in Mchinji District.

The principal secretary said in addition to the financial payment under social cash transfer, the beneficiaries had been receiving K70,000 every month as a top-up cushion in the lean season.

“We are encouraging them to make sure that the money they are getting should not just be used for food and other consumable things. But they should look at it as the seed money which they can use to buy farm inputs, investing in livestock farming for them to improve their financial muscle,” she said.

Mgala explained that in the past four months, the beneficiaries were given K70,000 as a cushion to the effects of the lean season for them to be productive farmers and have the ability to send their children to school.

She described Mtukula Pakhomo as an important initiative that the government of Malawi is implementing with a donation from the German Government through KFW.

“Moving forward we are hopeful that the Malawi Government will sustain the programme for more vulnerable and needy households in the district and from other additional districts to benefit. Government is aiming to see that the needy and vulnerable Malawians are decent and also building decent houses,” Mgala said.

One of the beneficiaries Edita Yepulani of Kaphande Village, Traditional Authority Zulu said through the money they get from the programme some of them have managed to buy iron sheets, and pigs, build decent houses, feed families and pay school fees for their children.

Yepulani also thanked the programme for introducing an electronic payment but she requested the government to provide them with cell phones for some beneficiaries who could not afford to buy the devices.

“We are thankful to the government for the programme that has changed our lives for the better. Additionally, for starting electronic payment which is safe, secure and less time-consuming. However, we are asking the government to provide us with phones because some of us cannot afford to buy them,” Yepulani said.

Currently, Mchinji District has 12,067 beneficiaries in the programme out of 14,875 targeted households under Social Cash Transfer (Mtukula Pakhomo).