Malawi News Agency, Lilongwe (2025)

14/08/2025

EAC-SADC Leaders Endorse Unified Mediation Effort for Eastern DRC Peace

Lilongwe, August 14, Mana: The Joint Extraordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government has endorsed a consolidated African-led mediation process to address the deteriorating security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Honourable Nancy Tembo, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the Joint EAC-SADC Extraordinary Summit on behalf of President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.

In a Communique seen by Mana, the summit was held virtually on Wednesday, and it was co-chaired by Kenyan President Dr. William Ruto and Zimbabwean President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, mandated the Joint EAC-SADC Co-Chairs to oversee implementation of its decisions.

“We have agreed to act in unison, with a single mediation structure reporting both to the AU and the Joint EAC-SADC Summit,” the co-chairs said in the joint communiqué.

The communique also said that leaders approved the immediate merger of EAC-SADC and African Union (AU) mediation structures, creating a joint framework to be supported by an integrated technical secretariat led from Addis Ababa.

“The consolidation of our efforts is not just symbolic, it is the structural backbone for a sustainable peace process,” the communiqué added.

The summit also suggested resolutions included adopting a unified Terms of Reference for the AU Mediator and the EAC-SADC Panel of Facilitators, and mobilising resources including humanitarian aid under a centralised AUC-coordinated mechanism. The summit further endorsed frameworks for merging Nairobi and Luanda processes, inclusive mediation designs, and resource mobilisation strategies to support the joint initiative.

Former Botswana President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi was appointed to the Panel of Facilitators, tasked with guiding the peace process alongside four other members. Leaders commended DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame for committing to dialogue in resolving the conflict.

“We appreciate the commitment of President Tshisekedi and President Kagame in embracing dialogue as the route to peace in eastern DRC,” read part of the statement.

The summit acknowledged complementary roles of ongoing international efforts such as the Washington Accord 2025 and Doha Declaration of Principles 2025, stressing alignment with the African-led approach.

During the meeting, appreciations were extended to the AU Commission, EAC, and SADC Secretariats for preparatory work, and to the regional chairpersons for their leadership in promoting peace and stability in the region.

The communiqué, issued in English, French and Portuguese, was adopted on 13th August 2025, with all versions equally authentic.

By Innocent Manda

14/08/2025

Four arrested for possessing scrap metals without proper documents in Thyolo

Thyolo, August 14, Mana: Thyolo Police have arrested four men for allegedly possessing scrap metals without proper documents, violating Section 4(7) of the Second-Hand and Scrap Metal Dealer Act.

Thyolo Police Publicist, Rabecca Kashoti, said the suspects—Peter Chiwalo, 18, Frank Bamusi, 20, Thomas Makhucha, 51, and Mathews Botomu, 21—were apprehended on August 12 at Magombo Village in Traditional Authority Nchiramwera.

“During investigations, the suspects failed to produce relevant documents for the scrap metals in their possession,” she said.

Kashoti added that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team seized the scrap metals and arrested the suspects, who will appear in court soon to answer the charges.

She advised the public to avoid handling scrap metals without proper documentation to prevent legal consequences.

Chiwalo and Bamusi come from Kaombe Village, T/A Bvumbwe, while Makhucha and Botomu are from Lolo Village, T/A Nanseta in Thyolo District.

By Dalitso Kampira

14/08/2025

MCP candidate pledges to expand health services in Dowa Central East

Dowa, August 14, Mana: Malawi Congress Party (MCP) parliamentary candidate for Dowa Central East constituency, Martin Luka, has pledged to improve access to health services for residents if elected in the September 16 general elections.

Luka made the remarks Thursday during a sports bonanza organized by the party’s youth wing at Mitembo Primary School.

“In our area, many villages are far from health facilities, and transport to reach them is often too expensive. That is why I started mobile clinics to help people access medical care, and if elected, I will ensure these continue,” he said.

Luka added that providing healthcare is vital for development, as healthy people can work, care for their families, and educate their children.

Councilor candidate for the area, Morie Brown Chintokota, said he would work alongside Luka to bring development, including roads and clean water, to the constituency.

“As you know, this area faces challenges, but if elected, Luka and I will work together to improve infrastructure and services here,” he said.

Youth representative Gerald Dikson urged young voters to support Luka, warning against being swayed by short-term incentives.

“Politicians may make flashy promises, but we should vote for leaders who genuinely care about the youth and our future,” he said.

By Tamala Kamanga

14/08/2025

MACRA urges social media influencers to follow electoral laws

Lilongwe, August 14, Mana: The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has urged social media influencers to comply with electoral principles by avoiding the dissemination of misleading information, warning that violations could attract penalties.

MACRAs Head of International Affairs and Corporate Communication, Limbani Nsapato, made the remarks Thursday during a social media influencers workshop at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, held under the theme The Role of Social Media Influencers During Elections.

Nsapato said influencers must be aware of sanctions for breaching electoral laws ahead of the September 16 General Election.

Media content creators must operate in line with principles set by MACRA and other governing bodies, including the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), to ensure credible and fair elections. Their dissemination should carry nothing but integrity and confidentiality, he said.

He cited the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act (2016) and the Data Protection Act (2024), which regulate online communication and prohibit misleading content that could lead to defamation.

Dr Jolly Ntaba, a Journalism and Media Studies lecturer at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), said influencers play a key role in shaping public opinion and mobilising voter behaviour.

Misleading information during the electoral period can jeopardise the process. Influencers should discourage hate speech, promote respectful online engagement, and ensure informed, peaceful and fair elections, Ntaba said.

MACRAs Director of Broadcasting, Zadziko Mankhambo, said the inclusion of influencers in electoral awareness is strategic, given their large followings and influence across platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and WhatsApp.

Comedian Mr. Jokes, one of the participants, welcomed the initiative, saying: We did not realise it was also our responsibility to influence our followers towards peaceful elections. This training has opened our eyes.

By Santos Zefania

14/08/2025

Mchinji motorcycle taxi operators form association to boost safety

Mchinji, August 14, Mana: Motorcycle taxi operators in Mchinji have launched the Mchinji Motorcycle Association (MMA), a move aimed at improving safety and strengthening information sharing among members.

Speaking during the launch at Mchinji Community Ground, the association’s chairperson, Wayison Saopa, said the grouping will unite operators and help address challenges affecting their work.

“This will help us come together, share vital business information, and work in a safer environment,” she said.

Saopa noted that while motorcycle taxi services are a vital source of income, operators face risks such as robbery and trafficking, making the need for safer operating conditions critical.

Mchinji Traffic Officer, Assistant Superintendent Dan Chitsulo, said the association will give police a proper channel for engagement with operators, particularly in road safety training.

“Many road accidents happen because most operators lack proper training, so the association will help us reach them more easily and train them to reduce accidents,” he said.

Mchinji District Council representative, Ferguson Kasonga, said collaboration between the council, police and operators will maintain business order and improve revenue collection for district development.

By Winfrida Kamwana

14/08/2025

EGENCO faces power generation challenges

Lilongwe, August 14, Mana: The Electricity Generation Company (EGENCO) says it is facing ongoing power generation challenges as three of its machines at Kapichira, Tedzani I and Tedzani II respectively are faulty.

Tedzani Unit 5 is out of service due to a faulty generator while Kapichira Unit 3 because of a faulty transformer.

EGENCO Chief Executive Officer, Maxon Chitawo, made the remarks at the Central Office of Information (COI) in Lilongwe on Thursday when his office and the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) held a joint press briefing on the country’s power supply situation.

He said technicians are working on having the machine at Tedzani II fixed this weekend.

“We could not immediately fix the machine as it shares a tunnel with other machines. This requires that we de-water the tunnel. As such, we will do it over the weekend when demand is lower,” he said.

He assured the public that power generation and supply to the national grid will be normalised soon saying work on the other two machines is in progress.

ESCOM Chief Executive Officer, Kamkwamba Kumwenda, said his organisation has put in place measures to manage power deficit.

He cited grouping customers by feeders and load shedding on rotational basis as some of the measures in place.

“Customers are switched off and on using a first out, first in approach. We provide the load shedding schedule in advance so that customers can plan in advance,” he said.

He expressed concern that despite the growing demand, no new supply has been added between September 2024 and August 2025.

He said the available 350 megawatts (MW) capacity is not enough to sustain the growing demand.

“In addition, 101MW from solar and 14MW from thermal are not available all day. As a result, load shedding is expected to continue during peak hours,” said Kumwenda.

By Patricia Kapulula

14/08/2025

Three arrested in Ntchisi for robbery with violence

Ntchisi, August 13, Mana: Police in Ntchisi have arrested three men for robbery with violence following an incident at Kwezani Trading Centre on Monday night.

Ntchisi Police Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Salome Zgambo, said the suspects—Mayembe Mwanza, 27, Andrew Chigwe, 28, and Serious Duncu, 28—attacked two men who were travelling home from Mponera carrying a gallon of petrol.

“The suspects pretended to be Criminal Investigation Department officers, but when asked for identification, they hesitated,” she said.

Zgambo said the victims tried to escape, but the suspects caught up with one of them at Kwezani, assaulted him, and stole his phone, the petrol gallon and a bottle of Cypermethrine.

Police were alerted and later apprehended the suspects, who were identified by one of the victims, Precious Yekemiya.

All three suspects come from Mtawayika Village in the area of Senior Chief Nthondo in Ntchisi District.

By Chisomo Masaiti Chiusiwa

14/08/2025

NGO donates blankets to Courageous Kids Foundation

Blantyre, August 14, Mana: Ashraful Aid International Humanitarian Organization has donated 117 blankets to Courageous Kids Foundation in Mpemba, Blantyre, to help keep children at the facility warm during the cold season.

Executive Director for Ashraful Aid International Humanitarian Organization, Abdullah Panjwani, said the gesture was aimed at providing comfort and warmth to the children amid freezing temperatures.

“We wanted to take advantage of the cold weather to warm the bodies, hearts and souls of as many people as possible,” he said.

Panjwani pledged continued support to the foundation, adding that more empowerment projects would be introduced in the future.

Courageous Kids Foundation houses 98 children, including 43 girls and 55 boys, with 13 pursuing higher education.

Founder of the foundation, Courageous Musasa, expressed gratitude, saying the donation came at a crucial time.

“We are very happy because we desperately needed the blankets, and it is very cold here in Mpemba,” he said.

This is not the first time Ashraful Aid International Humanitarian Organization has supported the facility. In February, it donated food items to help address feeding challenges.

By Pempho Nkhoma

14/08/2025

Dedza conservation efforts win praise from MEPA

Dedza, August 13, Mana: The Malawi Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) has commended communities in Dedza District for their commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable land restoration.

Acting Climate Change Manager for MEPA, Patrick Mkwapatira, said this on Tuesday after touring surviving trees and tree nurseries prepared for the next planting season in the area of Traditional Authority Kaphuka.

“We are impressed with how communities, in collaboration with the council, are restoring degraded land and conserving the environment,” he said.

Mkwapatira said the MEPA-funded project is helping communities build resilience to climate shocks while promoting agricultural productivity and nutrition through the planting of fruit trees in homesteads.

He emphasised the link between agriculture, nutrition and environmental protection, noting that knowledge sharing among communities, the council and MEPA is key to sustaining the gains made.

Group Village Head (GVH) Bango called for an exchange visit to learn new environmental management techniques from other areas.

“We are following sustainable strategies to restore vegetative cover, which is why you see more surviving trees and nurseries ready for planting,” he said.

One of the women involved in the initiative, Christina John, said the project has opened their eyes to different methods of conservation.

She said communities have planted fruit trees such as papaws, mangoes and avocado pears, which will improve nutrition for children and families in the future.

By Steve Chirombo

14/08/2025

MEC urges political parties to maintain peaceful campaigns

Chitipa, August 13, Mana: The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has commended political parties for conducting peaceful campaign rallies and urged them to maintain the trend ahead of the September 16, 2025 general elections.

MEC Director of Media and Public Relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, said the commission has so far received no reports of violence or cases of traditional leaders taking sides.

“We commend political parties for conducting peaceful campaigns and encourage leaders to work with MEC in promoting peace and order as we prepare for the election,” he said.

Mwafulirwa said peaceful elections encourage voter turnout as people feel safe to travel to polling centres without fear of harassment, unlike in violent elections where voters may stay away.

Gender Coordinator for the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Karonga Diocese, Janet Mhango, also hailed political parties for practicing mature politics.

She urged continued collaboration among MEC, security agencies, political parties and community leaders, alongside sustained civic education to remind voters and party supporters of their role in safeguarding peace.

“If these measures are sustained, we can go to the polls in a safe and fair environment for everyone,” she said.

Malawi is set to hold presidential, parliamentary and local government elections on September 16, 2025.

By Aliko Munde

14/08/2025

Boxer Sabe appeals for support ahead of Lilongwe clash with Yuda

Blantyre, August 14, Mana: Mbayani Township-based middleweight boxer, Precious Sabe, has appealed to boxing promoters and well-wishers for financial support as he prepares for his September 28 bout against Lilongwe-based boxer, Roy Yuda, at Brematt Multipurpose Hall in Lilongwe.

Sabe said financial constraints are affecting his preparations, limiting his ability to hire experienced trainers and maintain a proper diet needed for peak performance.

“I am facing challenges that hinder my training, and lack of resources puts me at a disadvantage,” he said.

He urged those willing to assist to help him secure the necessary resources to improve his chances in the ring, assuring that any support will enhance his performance in Lilongwe.

Sabe has brought pride to Mbayani Township, winning several medals, including a silver medal at the 2022 Regional Five Youth Games in Lilongwe, a bronze medal at the Namibia National Championship, and other local honours.

Boxing promoter, Razak Mlenga, said lack of resources remains a major challenge for talented boxers like Sabe.

“It is unfortunate that boxers often fail to reach their full potential due to financial constraints, but I am willing to help Sabe with what I can to aid his training,” he said.

Mlenga urged government and well-wishers to rally behind the boxer, expressing confidence that with the right backing, Sabe could inspire the next generation of fighters.

Yuda, Sabes opponent, boasts a professional record of eight wins and two losses, including a technical knockout victory over Alick Mwenda on January 2, 2022.

By Petro Mkandawire

14/08/2025

TNM Super League first round ends with close title race

Blantyre, August 14, Mana: The first round of the 2025 TNM Super League has ended with tight competition, as Mighty Wanderers top the table with 35 points from 15 matches, remaining unbeaten with 10 wins and 5 draws.

They are closely followed by FCB Nyasa Big Bullets on 34 points, Silver Strikers with 30 points, and Ekhaya FC in fourth place with 26 points.

“We are pleased with how the first round ended as strong team performances and enthusiastic fan support have made matches exciting and boosted league revenue,” said Super League of Malawi (SULOM) General Secretary, Williams Banda.

Banda added that e-ticketing and digital advertising have improved revenue collection, despite reduced non-match day events in most venues and the partial closure of Civo and Mzuzu stadiums due to licensing issues. He said social media promotion has helped fans access match details and tickets more easily.

He noted challenges in stadium management and licensing, stressing the need to address them before the second round to sustain the leagues momentum.

Sports analyst, Charles Nyirenda, said the first round showed the leagues unpredictability, with team standings shifting frequently.

“Clubs must stay focused and respond quickly if they want to challenge for the top positions in the second round,” he said.

At the bottom of the table, Mzuzu City Hammers FC and Songwe Border FC remain in danger of relegation, underscoring the need for urgent tactical and strategic changes.

By Gift Wahuta

Malawi News Agency

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