MANAonline
NEEF brings Micro Irrigation Farm inputs loans to Karonga
By George Mponda
Karonga, April 30, Mana: National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) has launched a Micro Irrigation Farm Inputs Loan initiative in Karonga, aiming to boost agricultural productivity and enable farmers to harvest three times a year
Speaking on Wednesday during the launch at Mwakalenga Village in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu, where members of Wiyule Irrigation Scheme received inputs worth K30 million, NEEF's Director of Finance Benedicto Kananzi said they want to boost agriculture production in Malawi by providing loans for farmers to be engaged in irrigation.
"We want to support 200,000 Malawian farmers with nearly K100 billion in loans. The initiative aims to boost food security, create jobs, and generate foreign exchange by providing modern farm equipment, fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides. The goal is to enable farmers to harvest three times a year, increasing productivity and exports," Kananzi said.
"Karonga has plenty of water sources, so farmers, especially women and youths, should take advantage of these loans to keep themselves busy throughout the year and get paid three times while using farming methods which are not manually exhausting," he added.
On his part, acting Deputy Programme Manager for Karonga Agriculture Development Division (ADD), Dr Martin Ng'oma, said the initiative will boost food security for people in Karonga, a disaster-prone district.
"Besides being food secure, farmers will also be financially stable from the sales of their produce, which they will be harvesting three times in year through the proper utilization of these loans," Ng'oma said.
Chairperson for Wiyule Irrigation Scheme, Bertha Mogha, hailed NEEF for the loan, saying they will use the inputs to expand their 50-acre scheme.
"We have received a solar water pump, 104 bags of fertilizer and 350 kilograms of maize seed worth K30 million, which will help us expand our scheme, which has 50 members. We were not producing enough since the work was being done manually, but with this solar water pump, we will increase production as well as membership of our scheme," Mogha said.
Police arrests fourth suspect in the K52m Capital Printing Press robbery
By Lesnat Kenan
Lilongwe, May 1, Mana: Following a robbery of K52 million at Capital Printing Press at area 4 in Lilongwe on March 11,2025 and the subsequent arrest of three culprits, detectives have nabbed a fourth suspect, Douglas Mulumbe, aged 37 who got a share of K7 million.
According to Lilongwe Police, Public Relations Officer, Inspector Hastings Chigalu, Mulumbe was arrested during a day time raid at his girlfriend's house in area 23, where he has been hiding.
"Mulumbe admitted to taking part in the robbery and got a share of K7 million which he used to purchase a piece of land at Gada location at K3.8 million price and spent K85,000 on mattress. police have since made recovered both proceeds", he added.
Chigalu further said other culprits who were already arrested on the same include Welford John ,29, Sautso Mandala,44, and Samuel Kasala,42.
He also said the suspects, while armed with Panga knives and metal bars, invaded Capital Printing Press offices, tied up two security guards before breaking into the office where they dismantled a money safe and went away with the cash.
Meanwhile, to complete the criminals’ roundup, detectives have relentlessly intensified a manhunt for one more suspect, identified as Patrick Mtengula who is still on the run and once arrested will also face robbery chargers in court.
All the arrested suspects are from Ntcheu Districts, with two from Traditional Authority (TA) Ganya, one from T/A Makwangwala and the other from TA Njolomole.
Chitipa Police arrest suspect for street lights theft
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, April 30, Mana: Police in Chitipa District have arrested 28-year-old James Zulu on suspicion of stealing two solar street lights and poles along Chitipa road on Tuesday.
Chitipa Police Spokesperson, Sub-Inspector Gladwell Simwaka, said that the Police are investigating possible accomplices and motives behind the theft.
“The suspect is in custody and will face two charges, namely vandalism and theft, once investigations are complete,” Simwaka said.
He then appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help prevent further thefts and ensure community safety.
The arrest comes barely two days after stakeholders organized a sensitization campaign at Group Village Head Katutula in Senior Chief Mwabulambya in the district on the evils of vandalizing the streetlights.
James Zulu hails from Zulu village under Traditional Authority Zulu in Mchinji district.
Four in for illicit petroleum products
By Yankho Kalulu.
Phalombe, April 30, Mana: Police in Phalombe arrested four men for allegedly possessing and attempting to externalize petroleum products without a permit, as Phalombe court fined a convict for possessing such products.
Phalombe Police Publicist, Sergeant Jimmy Kapanja, confirmed the arrest and identified the suspects as Charles Yohane, 21, from Chinani Village and Frank Mapeto, 25, from Nthambuka Village, both from Traditional Authority Chiwalo in Phalombe.
Other suspects are: Jailosi Yohane, 35, from Mombo Village Traditional Authority Jenala in Phalombe and Gabriel Petrol, 31, from Mulakera, Zambezia Province in Mozambique.
Kapanja said all four were arrested for being found with various quantities of petrol and diesel.
“The arrests were made during a sweeping exercise on April 26, 2025, at Chitekesa and Miseufolo in Phalombe. The four suspects were found with 260 litres of petrol and 100 litres of diesel in 20-litre jerricans, while 520 litres of petrol were abandoned but recovered at Miseufolo, with the owner still unknown,” he added.
Phalombe Police Station publicist said the four suspects will appear in court soon to answer charges related to possession and extramising petroleum products without a permit.
Police in the district assure the public that they will continue to deal with illicit petroleum trade within the district.
In a similar incident, Phalombe second Grade Magistrate Court convicted and ordered Boniface Kasoti, 32, from Nthenda Village, Traditional Authority Chiwalo, to pay a fine of K600,000 after police arrested him for possessing petroleum products without a permit on April 18.
Chitipa District Council calls for patience over stadium construction
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, April 30, Mana: District Commissioner for Chitipa, MacMillan Magomero, has called for patience among sports fanatics in the district over the district's stadium, currently under construction, which he said will be completed by May 15, 2025.
The call follows demonstrations, a group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Chitipa, staged on 25 April 2025, petitioning the council over continued delays to complete construction of the district's sports facility.
Magomero, speaking Tuesday during a Full Council Meeting, which brought together various stakeholders, including members of the Concerned Citizens, said the district council is working tirelessly to ensure that the stadium is completed in good time.
"While it is everyone's right to demonstrate, people should understand their roles and responsibilities in society. As a council, we are working tirelessly to ensure that the stadium is completed in time and that communities here in Chitipa start benefiting from the facility," Magomero said.
Magomero faulted the procedure the demonstrators followed to petition the council, saying it was unconstitutional, hence calling for dialogue among various stakeholders in the district as the stadium is being constructed.
In his remarks, Member of Parliament for Chitipa East Constituency, Kezzie Msukwa, underscored that the cause for the petition was good but faulted the procedure to deliver the petition to the council, saying such issues are better handled through discussions rather than demonstrations.
"This issue of a stadium is trivial. I understand that the council is working hard to ensure that the facility is completed, hence people in the district need to wait as the stadium will be available for use soon," Msukwa said.
Senior Chief Mwabulambya called on people to rally behind the council over the matter, saying there is no need for people in the district to worry as the stadium will be completed and handed over to the district council soon.
One of the concerned citizens, Samson Sibale, described full council meeting as a success, saying that the discussion on the stadium was fruitful.
“We have been told that the stadium will be ready by May 15th, 2025, and we are just waiting for that day because we want to start using the stadium,” Sibale said.
Once completed, Chitipa stadium is expected to be the home ground for Chitipa United, which plays in the country's elite football league, TNM Super League, as the team currently uses Karonga stadium for its home matches.
Man arrested for possessing forest produce without permit
By Pickson Chipeso
Lilongwe, May 1, Mana: Police in Mangochi have arrested a 31-year-old man for being found in possession of forest produce without proper documentation.
According to Mangochi Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Amina Tepani Daud, the suspect, identified as Mark Yusuf of Chomba Village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi, was apprehended on April 30, 2025, around 10:30 am within the township.
Daud said a team of Mangochi Police officers conducting day patrols on the said date received a tip-off that the suspect was offloading bags of charcoal at his compound.
"Acting on the information, the officers proceeded to the identified house, where they discovered 212 bags of charcoal and 27 pieces of timber.
"The Department of Forestry was immediately alerted and joined the police in the operation. The forest produce was seized, and the suspect taken into custody," She said.
Daud said the suspect is expected to appear in court soon to answer a charge of possessing forest produce without documentation, contrary to the country’s forestry regulations.
Tobacco farmers urged to explore irrigation farming to deal with prolonged dry spells
By George Bulombola
Mzuzu, April 30, Mana: Controller of Agriculture Extension and Technical Services, Dr. Alfred Mwenifumbo, has urged tobacco farmers to embrace irrigation farming technology as a coping mechanism to prolonged dry spells during rain-fed farming.
Mwenifumbo was speaking on Wednesday when he opened the 2025 Tobacco Marketing Season at Mzuzu Auction Floors.
He said that for sustained high-quality tobacco production, farmers need to be proactive in adopting farming technologies which can promote agriculture amidst shocks and effects of climate change.
“You can invest some of the money which you will raise from the tobacco sales in irrigation solar pumps, which can easily be fixed and operated within your tobacco fields and irrigate your crops during intermittent and prolonged dry spells,” said Mwenifumbo.
Commenting on offered prices at the beginning of the market in Mzuzu, Mwenifumbo said that the prices indicated that the market was on the right course, adding that the prices were good.
“Tobacco is assorted into different grades, and every grade has its minimum price, and I am saying that we have stated well because based on the official prices according to grades, today’s tobacco has been bought either at the minimum price or at higher prices. This is a good indication of a good market,” he said.
He added that the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, is working on a contract farming policy to protect farmers from being exploited by contractors and vice versa.
Both parties will be expected to follow the guidelines in the policy and if any of them breaches their contractual farming agreement, the case can be taken to a court of law, and we hope that the policy should by September materialize into an Act.
President of Tobacco Association of Malawi Farmers Trust, Abe Banda, also described the offered prices as good but not as good as was the case in the last tobacco marketing season.
“Last season, the lowest was about USD1.80, even USD2; however, the very same grade has been bought at USD1.20, but the good thing is that they are not buying below the minimum prices,” said Banda.
Speaking on behalf of tobacco farmers, Howard Luhanga, who is also a Rumphi NASFAM Board Member, appealed to the National Economic Empowerment Fund to extend the Farm Inputs Loans Program to tobacco farmers.
“We would also like to be involved in the Mega Farms concept so that we increase production of tobacco, which is one of the country’s forex earners,” said Luhanga.
MEC unveils Elections Dispute Resolution framework
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, April 30, Mana: The Malawi Electroral Commission (MEC) has developed a comprehensive Election Dispute Resolution (EDR) framework to enhance the management and resolution of electoral complaints, petitions and disputes ahead of the 2025 general election.
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), Chairperson for the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Anabel Mtalimanja said the framework aims to strengthen Malawi's electoral dispute resolution mechanism, ensuring they are effective, functional and responsive to electoral realities.
"The framework incorporates both mechanisms provided for under electoral laws and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, promoting efficiency and flexibility in resolving disputes" she said.
She added that the MEC will collaborate with other relevant institutions to resolve disputes beyond its jurisdiction, ensuring that all electoral grievances are effectively addressed.
"The Commission remains committed to transparency and stakeholder engagement, encouraging leaders to seek clarification directly from the MEC whenever in doubt," she said.
Ntalimanja has urged political leaders and social media influencers to exercise caution and responsibility in their public statements relating to the electoral process.
" It is important to refrain from making unverified claims and spreading misinformation, which can erode public trust in democratic institutions," she emphasized.
She, therefore, encouraged all stakeholders to engage constructively, communicate responsibly and uphold the value that bind the nation together.
The development of the EDR framework is a significant step towards promoting electoral integrity and stability in Malawi. By working together, the MEC and stakeholders can ensure that the 2025 general election is conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
Traditional leaders bemoan lack of coordination between MPs and development structures
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, April 30, Mana: Traditional leaders in Nsanje have noted that Members of Parliament in the district often fail to fulfill their campaign promises due to a lack of coordination with community-level development structures.
Traditional Authority Nyachikadza made the remarks on Tuesday at Red Valley Lodge, where the Women’s Legal Resources Centre (WORLEC) and Oxfam engaged traditional and faith leaders in Nsanje in discussions on social accountability and peaceful electoral processes ahead of the September 16 elections.
Nyachikadza said most members of parliament work with political structures once voted thereby ignoring development structures.
“As a result, community involvement in Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects is minimal and there is no transparency,” he added.
He said the development structures are better placed to identify the needs of the people as compared to political structures.
Group Village Head Nyanthumbi from Senior Chief Tengani also observed that some areas within constituencies are more developed than others, attributing this disparity to Members of Parliament neglecting areas where they did not receive strong voter support.
“This is worrisome because people are denied the most needed development infrastructures or attention simply because they did not give more votes to the member of parliament,” he added.
WOLREC Programmes Officer, Ireen Mtonga said the meeting drew all nine traditional authorities and one key faith leader to a dialogue on social accountability in their respective areas.
Mtonga added that many communities have expressed concerns about their Members of Parliament failing to deliver on campaign promises, noting that the dialogue aimed to offer solutions to these community concerns.
“We also encourage community leaders to support women, youths and people with disability as Malawi prepares for general elections in September," she added.
Nsanje District Commissioner, Dominic Mwandira said the engagement was crucial as it will help the district to hold peaceful elections.
He therefore urged traditional and faith leaders at the meeting to promote peace in their respective communities.
With funding from the European Union, WOLREC and Oxfam are implementing a project on; Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi.
The EU funded project aims at promoting inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups to meaningfully participate in political and decision-making structures and processes.
MISA express gratitude towards MRA donation to WPFD
By Prisca Promise Mashushu
Lilongwe, April 30, Mana: The Media Institute of Southern African (MISA) Malawi Chapter has expressed gratitude towards the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) for it’s financial contribution towards 2024 World Press Freedom Day which will take place in Mzuzu on May 3.
Speaking during the sponsorship handover at Msonkho house in Blantyre on Wednesday, MISA Malawi National Governing Council member, Chikondi Kasambara, explained that the support will enable them reward excellence in business reporting which is crucial for the development of the country.
“This support is directed towards this year’s commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, which will be held in Mzuzu under the theme ‘Media for an Informed Electorate’. By selecting this theme, MISA Malawi acknowledges the significant role that media plays in an election year.
“In the time when the role of the media is more critical than ever, your generous contributions will facilitate this crucial gathering but also empower the media in Malawi to continue its vital work. Your belief in our mission reinforces the importance of a free and independent press, essential for a well-informed electorate and a thriving democracy,” she explained.
She further acknowledged MRA’s unwavering support and commitment to the principles of press freedom and responsible journalism saying it has been instrumental in making World Press Freedom Day celebrations in Malawi a resounding success.
MRA Acting Head of Corporate Affairs, Wilma Chalulu explained that through accurate and fact based journalism, the public can truly appreciate and understand issues concerning the institution thereby promoting good relationship among the two.
“To support the day and the role MISA Malawi has, MRA continues to invest in the media by holding annual tax training workshops designed to equip journalists with knowledge required to report accurately and confidently on tax, fiscal policy, and economic governance.
“We view our relationship with the media as a strategic alliance, one rooted in our core values, fairness, integrity, service excellence, and transparency,” she added.
