By Steve Chirombo

Dedza, April 28, Mana: At exactly 10:15pm on Monday, Minister of Information and Digitization, Moses Kunkuyu, was declared winner for Dedza Mulunduni Constituency primaries.

The elections which were held at Dedza Stadium saw Kunkuyu amassing 1,073 votes beating the current Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Ishmael Onani, who got 273 votes.

The other two contesters got 19 and 15 votes respectively out of 1,404 votes cast.

On his part, Director of Political Affairs in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Maxwell Tcholera, who was also the team leader for the elections, described the voting process credible and transparent.

"I am very happy at the way we have conducted our elections here. They were peaceful despite starting late due to other unforeseen circumstances," he stated.

In Dedza, five constituencies that include; Mulunduni, Kasina, Chikoma, Mphunzi and Dzalanyama held primary elections on Monday.

MP Clement Mlombwa emerged victorious for Mphunzi constituency with 877 votes against other three contesters who got 74, 67 and 4 votes.

Dedza Chikoma has seen Honourable Ouzious Chidobvu winner after amassing 872 votes out of 994 with his contesters going home with 51 and 33 votes respectively.

Honourable Joshua Malango, MP for Dedza Kasina, has scooped 1,302 votes against other three contenders who got 1,079, 302 and 40 votes.

Vote counting for Dedza Dzalanyama Constituency was yet to start at the time of this publication.

By Salome Gangire

Neno, April 28, Mana: President of the People's Progressive Movement, Mark Katsonga has urged Malawians to utilize locally available resources to boost production and support the country’s economy.

he made the call on Monday during a rally held at Ligowe Community Ground in Neno District where he said Malawi is blessed with abundant resources including fertile land, minerals and abundant water bodies.

“Malawi continues to be poor when it shouldn't be. This has to change, we must start looking at our challenges positively because it is possible to turn things around,

“We do not need to import maize, millet, soya and other crops. All of these can be produced locally because we have the land and all we need is just to increase our production capacity.” Katsonga added.

He therefore urged Malawians not to look at tribe and region when electing leaders but choose leaders that will help the nation to go to greater heights.

Senior Chief Mlauli commended Katsonga for his remarks, saying increased agricultural production has potential to drive Malawi’s economy thereby reducing poverty among the vulnerable population.

He emphasized that Malawi’s vast land provides greater opportunity for it to achieve food security and economic stability.

By Blackson Mkupatira

Chiradzulu, April 28, Mana: Chiradzulu District Council’s Director of Planning and Development, Henderson Kaumi, has expressed satisfaction with the progress of various infrastructural projects being implemented under Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project in the district.

Kaumi expressed the satisfaction during a recent supervisory tour of Mombezi concrete bridge and Mbulumbuzi youth skills development center in Traditional Authority (TA) Mpama, Nyandule classroom block construction at TA Sandarak and Chanza Health Post at TA Likoswe.

In an interview at Chanza Health Post, Kaumi said was optimistic that all the projects will be completed on time and will meet expected quality standards.

“Most of these projects were launched not long than 120 days ago but they are almost at completion level. This is the case because we have been strict when selecting contractors and we conduct regular monitoring and supervision visits,” he added.

The director therefore thanked contractors for their dedication and community members for their various contributions, saying dedication and community contribution have been crucial in ensuring timely completion of the projects which meet quality standards.

Kaumi also commended Government of Malawi and the World Bank for allocating resources to Chiradzulu District Council, saying many sectors faced challenges when delivering services to people in the district due to bad infrastructures.

“We receive a lot of funding from the World Bank under the GESD project and this enables us to construct various development infrastructures such as roads, bridges, school blocks, teachers’ houses, health posts, market sheds and toilets, among others.

“These projects were selected by the people and are responding to their needs. As a council, we are glad that they are taking shape,” he added and expressed hope that the projects will continue   to improve service delivery especially in transport, health and education sectors,

On his part, Chiradzulu District Council, Director of Public Works, Francis M'baya said Chiradzulu being one of the districts prone to natural disasters, there was need to build infrastructures that should withstand disasters.

“After the community give us land, we conduct geological survey to assess type of soil and we start the actual construction with series of supervisions,” he added.

Village Head Ntauchira said the health post in his area will reduce challenges people faced when they needed medical services.

“When we provided land for construction of this facility, we did not believe that it will be constructed this soon. We thank government for responding to our needs” the local leader added and pledged to take good care of the facility once handed over to the community for use.

By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, April 28, Mana:  Minister of Higher Education, Jessie Kabwila, has won with a landslide in a highly contested Malawi Congress Party (MCP), primary parliamentary elections for Salima Central West Constituency.

Kabwila who has scooped 1310 votes out of 2050 votes will be the MCP torch bearer for the constituency, in the September general elections.

The Primary elections which took place at Mgoza Primary School ground, saw Kabwila going head to head with former Deputy Minister of Health, Enock Phale who is the sitting Member of Parliament for the area. Phale got 676 votes out of the 2050 votes cast.

Meanwhile, Micah Chisale has won against Francis Mphamba for the position of Ward Councilor for the Chitala area, while in the Namanda/Lipimbi area, Noel Kamanga has won against Ester Soko.

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.