The Atlas Malawi

16/01/2026

Police at Kamuzu International Airport have arrested two people for contravening airport regulations during an enforcement exercise conducted on January 16, 2026, according to Airport Police Public Relations Officer Inspector Sapulain Chitonde.

He said officers apprehended Ronald Jacob, also known as Mlamba, after he was found loitering within the airport premises.

"Jacob’s conduct amounted to idle and disorderly behaviour, an offence under Section 180(b) of the Penal Code, and he was cautioned before being released," he said

In a related development, police arrested Jailosi Faiton for vending at an aerodrome, contrary to Section 19, Regulation 4(vi) of the Aviation Act. Faiton, who was found selling jackets and neckties at the airport, has since been charged and is expected to appear in court soon.

Meanwhile, Airport Police have warned members of the public, particularly those in Lilongwe, to refrain from loitering or vending at Kamuzu International Airport, saying such acts pose a security threat to passengers and airport operations.

16/01/2026

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday arrested Greenbelt Authority Finance Manager Linda Phiri and Procurement Manager Masausto Kamowa.

Also detained are Kenneth Khonje (Eistein Construction) and Victor Chabwera (PLMB Engineers).

On Nov 10, 2025, ACB received a complaint that Greenbelt Authority awarded contracts dubiously in 2025 and made advance payments totalling K28.9 billion to several builders.

Allegations say owners shared part of these funds with politicians for campaigns and some with Greenbelt staff.

ACB Acting director general Gabriel Chembezi has confirmed with Times Group but could not comment further as operations continue.

16/01/2026

Second Vice President Enock Chihana has urged Malawians to take part in tree planting during the national forestry season, as a way of addressing climate change challenges such as flash floods.

Chihana made the call in Phalombe District during the official launch of the 2025/2026 National Forestry Season.

He warned against careless cutting down of trees and emphasised that protecting and conserving the environment is a shared responsibility for all citizens.

Minister of Natural Resources Alfred Gangata said his ministry is promoting tree planting in areas heavily affected by deforestation, including Mpata in Phalombe District.

Gangata added that over 41 million trees are expected to be planted during the 2025/2026 forestry season, which runs from 15 December to 15 April.

16/01/2026

Apolisi ku Lilongwe amanga anthu asanu omwewa akuganizilidwa kuti amachita za umbanda ku Area 1, Falls Estate.

Mneneri wa Police ya Lilongwe Inspector Hastings Chigalu wati pa 18 November 2025 anthuwa anachita chiwembu kwa nzika zaku Nigeria zimene zimakhala ku Falls, pamene adazibera ma lamya anayi, laptop, wrist watch ndi K6.1 million, asadabere amwenye ku Central Poultry ma laptop atatu, lamya ndi K1 million Kwacha pa 26 November 2025.

Pa 29 November adabaso ma lamya awiri ndi K695 sauzande kwa nzika za Pakistan.

Anthuwa ndi Lano Banda a zaka 27, James Banda 32, Alfred Banda 39, Gregory Makonokaya 41, komanso Steven Lackson 25.

16/01/2026

Mchinji Magistrate's Court convicted 37-year-old Ernest Chimpeni of defilement after finding the girl he slept with was under 18, though she claimed 19 and showed a 2006 birth ID.

Chimpeni had begun marriage talks with her family, paid K30,000 and a chicken as dowry, only to learn she was pregnant by another man.

After demanding a refund, the girl’s parents reported to police, leading to his arrest. In defense, Chimpeni admitted the relationship but said he relied on her ID; witnesses said she was born in 2008, making her a minor.

She also admitted falsifying her age to vote in the Sept 2025 elections. Senior resident magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda ruled that the 2023 Penal Code amendment bans using belief of age as a defence for under-18s and warned that underage voter registration exposes minors to exploitation and embroils innocents in crime.

Chimpeni remains in police custody awaiting Monday sentencing.

16/01/2026

Bungwe loyendetsa zisankho la Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) layimitsa chisankho Cha padela ku Lilongwe City Bwaila constituency. Malanga ndi bungweli, izi zili choncho kaamba ka mlandu umene uli ku court okhudza zisankho za delari.

16/01/2026

Chimwendo Withdraws Bail Request

Malawi Congress Party’s Richard Chimwendo Banda has pulled his bail request in the High Court, saying the State has not filed substantive criminal charges against him since his December 12, 2025 arrest.

Through lawyer George Jivason Kadzipatike, Chimwendo Banda argues he has been detained without charge, trial, or commitment to the High Court beyond 30 days, violating section 161E of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code.

The withdrawal note says the High Court Criminal Division case is only his bail application, as no substantive proceedings exist against him. It adds: “The Applicant filed a substantive judicial review in the High Court, Civil Division, challenging detention without trial and beyond statutory time, and obtained an order for release on 14 January 2026.

Therefore, the Applicant withdraws his interlocutory bail application due to the absence of substantive criminal proceedings against him.”

Kadzipatike previously noted Chimwendo Banda prompted the High Court to grant bail, stressing the bail matter is the sole issue before the Criminal Division. He said: “A litigant may withdraw any time before judgment; the case remains with the Chief Resident Magistrate Court until the State commits it to the High Court.”

16/01/2026

Boma lasintha dzina la nseu omwe umatchedwa Paul Kagame ku Lilongwe kuti tsopano uzitchedwa John Chilembwe.

16/01/2026

Aspiring candidate for Rumphi Central constituency in the forthcoming by-elections Yelemia Chihana has been dealt a big blow as the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) said he can not contest under the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Aspiring candidate for Rumphi Central constituency in the forthcoming by-elections Yelemia Chihana has been dealt a big blow as the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) said he can not contest under t…

15/01/2026

DPP to appeal against Chimwendo Banda's release

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will challenge a High Court order
that granted judicial review and led to the release of Malawi Congress Party Secretary General Honourable Richard Chimwendo, according to a statement by the Ministry of Justice.

Sitting in Lilongwe, the High Court Civil Division permitted judicial review following an application by Chimwendo’s lawyer, George Jivason Kadzipatike, who argued that his client had been detained beyond the statutory remand period under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code.

As interim relief, Justice Kenyatta Nyirenda stayed the remand warrant issued on December 15, 2025, and ordered Chimwendo’s immediate and unconditional release, pending an inter partes hearing set for January 23, 2026.

15/01/2026

https://atlasmalawi.com/malawians-unite-at-pim-to-honour-rev-john-chilembwe/

By Blackson Mkupatira: Malawians on Thursday gathered at Providence Industrial Mission (PIM) in Chiradzulu District to commemorate Rev. John Chilembwe Day, observed annually on January 15 in honour…

15/01/2026

The Scorchers have been drawn in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Baneba Zambia, and Egypt at the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).