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ESCOM, Police engage Lumbadzi chiefs in fight against vandalism

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​The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited has intensified its nationwide community sensitization campaigns as part of its ongoing efforts to wage war against the vandalism of critical electricity infrastructure, particularly transformers.

​On Thursday, ESCOM, in collaboration with the Malawi Police Service, conducted an anti-vandalism awareness campaign at Mkukula Primary School ground in Lumbadzi, Dowa—an area that has recently seen a spike in vandalism incidents.

​The campaign brought together local chiefs and community members to highlight the importance of safeguarding electricity infrastructure and the vital role citizens play in combating the vice.

​The Cost of Vandalism

​Speaking during the event, ESCOM Senior Control Engineer Peter Murotho emphasized that protecting electricity infrastructure is a collective responsibility. He noted that vandalism not only disrupts the power supply but also severely undermines social and economic development.

​”Vandalizing ESCOM infrastructure leaves the network exposed and poses serious safety risks to the public. It also results in significant financial losses, as substantial resources are diverted to repair damaged infrastructure instead of expanding the network,” Murotho said.

​The Guest of Honour, Lumbadzi Police Officer-in-Charge Mable Msefula, described vandalism as a major bottleneck to reliable electricity supply in the area. She urged community members to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement.

​”Electricity infrastructure is central to our daily livelihoods. Vandalism disrupts essential services in our homes, businesses, and public institutions. It is our duty to protect these assets, and I urge all community leaders and residents to promptly report any suspicious activities to the police,” Msefula said.

​A Call for Mindset Change

​ESCOM’s Chief Public Relations and Communications Officer, Pilirani Phiri, underscored the strategic importance of community-led interventions.

​”From November 2025 to March 2026 alone, ESCOM recorded 138 cases of vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure,” Phiri revealed. “Through these campaigns, we are driving home two key messages: the need for a mindset shift toward protecting public assets, and the importance of taking collective ownership of this infrastructure. Together, we can defeat vandalism and secure a reliable power supply for all.”

Community Commitment

​Traditional Authority Mkukula thanked ESCOM for the timely initiative, pledging the full support of local leadership.

​”As chiefs, we will work closely with ESCOM to ensure that all electricity infrastructure in our jurisdictions is actively safeguarded,” he promised.

​The interactive meeting concluded with a lively question-and-answer session. Community members engaged directly with officials on critical issues, including how to report vandalism, the anonymity and safety of informants, and grassroots strategies for protecting local assets.

​This sensitization initiative is part of a broader, sustained campaign by ESCOM and law enforcement agencies to curb vandalism through education, community collaboration, and strengthened reporting mechanisms.

South Africa’s Xenophobia: A leadership opportunity for Mutharika 

Moses Kumkuyu:

Mr. President,

When I saw the memo announcing your travel to South Africa, I was genuinely excited. Given the ongoing xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans, including Malawians, I assumed you were travelling to engage on a matter of urgent public interest. I thought perhaps the Chairman of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation was stepping in at a moment when regional leadership is desperately needed.

Then, to my surprise, I continued reading and discovered that it was a private visit.

That effort may well be important for reasons known to you. However, it also reminded me of the leadership opportunity that currently sits before you.

I have seen the reaction of many African governments, including Malawi, to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. I have also seen our government repatriating affected citizens, with 150 Malawians recently arriving back home.

That effort is commendable.

However, the main ask from these people is not transport home. Many have invested their hard-earned wealth in South Africa. They have built businesses legally, acquired property legally, established families legally, and contributed to the economy legally. What they need is leadership that reminds South Africa of its obligations under regional and international human rights frameworks.

Malawi currently chairs the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. That position offers you a platform to speak not only for Malawians, but for all Africans facing hostility despite their legitimate presence and contribution in South Africa.

The people affected are not simply looking for buses back home. Many are watching decades of work, investment, and sacrifice disappear before their eyes. Some have nowhere to restart. Some risk losing everything. Others may fall into depression and ultimately die.

While sending buses is a good thing, it is certainly not the best thing. Ceremonial welcomes at the Stadium cannot replace the protection of lives, businesses, investments, and dignity.

Mr. President, the Chairmanship of the SADC Organ is currently with you. Rise up and speak for Malawians and all Africans with legitimate interests in South Africa. Africa is crying out for leadership, and this is a moment for courage.

I would make this same call to President Samia Suluhu Hassan if she were chairing the Organ, so nothing personal.

This is a moment for you, our Chairman and coincidentally our Lawyer President.

Airtel Africa Invests US$6.2 million in Education and Digital Inclusion

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The Airtel Africa Foundation has invested US$6.2 million in education, financial inclusion,
environmental sustainability and digital inclusion programs during its first full year of
operations, with education receiving the largest share of funding.

This has been revealed in the Foundation’s inaugural annual report, released on Friday, which highlights the organization’s impact on millions of learners and communities across Africa through its four strategic pillars collectively known as FEED (Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental Sustainability and Digital Inclusion).

Among its key achievements, the Foundation connected 1,028 schools to the internet through a partnership with UNICEF, bringing the total to 3,296 across 13 countries. The initiative has also reached more than two million learners and nearly 39,000 teachers, while 64 zero-rated digital platforms provided over 11 million learners with free access to educational content.

The report also highlights progress under the School Adoption Program, which has seen
seven public schools fully renovated and a further 43 undergoing upgrades. The program combines infrastructure improvements with digital connectivity and student development
initiatives aimed at enhancing learning outcomes.

In a bid to strengthen Africa's technology talent pipeline, the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship awarded 257 full university scholarships to students in Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The scholarships are supporting studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and helping to nurture future technology leaders across the continent.

Commenting on the report, Airtel Africa Foundation Chair Segun Ogunsanya said the
organization was established to address inequalities in access to opportunity.

“The Airtel Africa Foundation was established to help dismantle barriers caused by unequal
access to opportunity. While talent and ambition are abundant, access to education, digital
tools and economic participation remains uneven. Through partnerships and our continental
reach, we are committed to investing in communities furthest from opportunity,” he said.
The report further underscores the Foundation's growing emphasis on measurable impact and long-term sustainable change across the communities it serves.

Looking ahead, the Foundation plans to expand several of its flagship programs, including extending its School Adoption Program to more than 80 schools, increasing the number of scholarships awarded to over 600 young people, and providing free internet connectivity to an additional 2,000 schools across the continent. It also intends to broaden digital skills training and financial inclusion initiatives to reach more underserved communities.

Ogunsanya further said the Foundation is well positioned to drive skills development and
create lasting change at both individual and household levels while working with
governments to support Africa's economic transformation.

The planned expansion reflects the Foundation’s commitment to scaling successful
interventions and widening access to education, digital connectivity and economic
opportunities for communities across Africa.

CFTC gives penalised firms 30 days to settle fines

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By Roy Howa: 

The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) says businesses recently penalized for violating competition and consumer protection laws have 30 days to settle fines and comply with refund orders once they receive official communication of the Commission’s determinations.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, CFTC’s spokesperson, Innocent Helema, said all orders arising from its formal determinations, including monetary penalties and refund orders, are expected to be settled within the stipulated period.

Helema also clarified that complainants are not automatically awarded compensation under the Competition and Fair Trading Act (CFTA).

“CTFA does not award compensation to the complainant. In this regard, the complainant is entitled to use the Commission’s determination to claim for compensation before the High Court of Malawi,” Helema said.

Helema further said the latest sitting differs from previous ones, particularly in the imposition of monetary penalties.

“The determinations from this sitting represent a difference, especially in monetary penalties. It is worth noting that in 2023, the High Court ruled that the Commission lacked the powers to impose fines on those who violated the CFTA. However, the updated legal framework now provides a stronger basis for these penalties,” Helema said.

On enforcement, he said the Competition and Fair Trading Act of 2024 has strengthened its ability to ensure compliance with its determinations.

“Under the CFTA 2024, the Commission’s determinations carry the legal weight of administrative court orders, providing a robust mechanism to enforce compliance and ensure timely settlement,” Helema said.

The latest determinations follow a recent sitting in which the Commission ruled on a number of consumer protection and competition-related cases involving two major banks, businesses and service providers.

 

 

Portland Cement fined K188m for illegal water connections

The Blantyre Water Board (BWB) has fined Portland Cement Company MK188,829,200.00 after it was found operating three illegal water connections, depriving the Board of revenue for a prolonged period while consuming treated water without paying a single bill.

According to a statement by the Board, the illegal connections were uncovered during a routine inspection and monitoring exercise conducted by the Board’s technical teams in Makata, Blantyre.

“This was after the Board’s CEO Yeremia Chihana made several serious interventions with all staff across to make serious routine inspection and monitoring to reduce Non Revenue water.

“Investigations revealed that the company had bypassed official procedures and was drawing large quantities of water directly from the Board’s system through unauthorized connections,” reads part of the statement

The discovery represents a serious act of water theft and sabotage against public service delivery.

“Illegal connections not only result in huge financial losses to the Board, but also negatively affect service delivery to honest and paying customers. Following the discovery, Blantyre Water Board immediately disconnected water supply to the company and commenced procedures to impose penalties and recover outstanding losses arising from the illegal usage,” reads the statement in par

Chihana has strongly condemned the malpractice and warned that the Board will continue intensifying inspections and enforcement operations against all individuals and institutions involved in illegal water connections.

“The incident serves as a strong warning to all customers and institutions engaging in illegal water connections that the Board will not tolerate any form of water theft,” he said

 

Leaked ESCOM letter: Why Malawians need facts over haste

By Michael Manda – MZUNI Student:

The circulation of a purported government letter authorising a “No Objection” for ESCOM to proceed with the award of contracts for transformers and wooden poles has ignited a familiar storm in Malawi’s public discourse.

On social media and in political circles, the document is already being framed as proof of backdoor deals and corruption. But an objective reading of the facts suggests the story is far more complex, and that rushing to judgment may do more harm than good to accountability itself.

At face value, the leaked communication grants Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) authority to proceed with procurement processes for critical distribution infrastructure. “No Objection” letters are standard in Malawi’s procurement system.

Under the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act (PPDA), procuring entities like ESCOM must often secure approval from PPDA or the controlling ministry before awarding high-value contracts. The letter, therefore, signals administrative clearance, not an award, not payment, and not evidence of personal enrichment.

What it does not show is equally important: no pricing details, no named bidders, no contract values, and no proof that procurement regulations were bypassed. Allegations of illegality, fraud, or circumvention of the law require more than a single letter. They demand tender documents, evaluation reports, comparative schedules, and PPDA audit trails. Without that bundle, the document is a clue, not a conviction.

A respected Malawian legal scholar, who spoke on condition of anonymity, argued that the bigger governance issue may be the leak, not the letter. “Effective public administration depends on confidentiality, trust, professionalism, and respect for institutional processes,” the scholar noted, emphasizing that selective leaking of internal communications, especially without accompanying context like tender files or evaluation minutes, creates misleading impressions and fuels speculation.

A prominent private legal practitioner echoed this, cautioning that Malawians have seen this pattern before: partial documents go viral, narratives harden online, and by the time full facts emerge, public trust is already eroded. In governance terms, that’s a cost Malawi cannot afford when institutions like ESCOM are already battling credibility challenges.

To understand why “transformers and wooden poles” matter, one must look at ESCOM’s operational reality. Malawi’s power utility has struggled for years with frequent outages, overloaded transformers, and vandalism of distribution infrastructure. Transformers and poles are not peripheral items; they are the backbone of grid stability. Delays in procuring them directly translate to longer blackouts for households and businesses in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu and rural areas.

From a service delivery angle, the “No Objection” could be read as government trying to expedite processes that have historically slowed ESCOM’s response to infrastructure failures. Whether that expediency came at the cost of due process is exactly the question PPDA and the Anti-Corruption (ACB) are mandated to answer.

Where genuine concerns exist, Malawi has established oversight mechanisms: the PPDA to audit compliance, ACB to investigate criminal conduct, internal audit units within ESCOM and line ministries, and Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee for political oversight.

Renowned governance scholar Professor Fedex Houverghton argues this is where Malawi’s maturity as a democracy will be tested.

“Good governance demands not only vigilance but also fairness and adherence to due process,” he said. “We must resist the temptation to substitute suspicion for evidence and speculation for fact. The mature response is to seek full context, allow competent institutions to establish facts, and permit due process to take its course.”

Substituting Twitter threads for PPDA investigations weakens, not strengthens, accountability. It shifts focus from evidence to outrage, and from reform to retribution.

It would be inconsistent, and unfair, to hastily attribute corrupt motives to President Peter Mutharika without credible evidence. Throughout his tenure, Mutharika has publicly condemned corruption and pushed for transparency in public resource management. That does not make him immune from scrutiny, but it does mean accusations must be anchored in verifiable facts, not timing or political convenience.

The prudent questions are procedural, not personal: What is the full procurement file? Was PPDA approval granted after due evaluation? Were bidding rules followed? Did ESCOM’s internal controls function? Those answers lie with auditors and investigators, not with leaked screenshots.

To cap it all, Malawi’s democracy is healthiest when citizens demand answers and institutions provide them through lawful channels. If the ESCOM letter raises red flags, then PPDA should publish its review, ACB should state whether a probe is underway, and Parliament should demand a ministerial statement. Transparency after investigation builds more trust than leaks before it.

As Professor Houverghton puts it: “A nation that punishes first and investigates later ends up with fear instead of accountability. A nation that investigates first and punishes based on facts ends up with stronger institutions.”

The leaked letter requires facts, not a rush to judgment. Until those facts are on the table, Malawi’s response should be vigilance paired with patience, and criticism anchored in evidence.

FDH Bank plc injects K100m into Team Malawi’s Commonwealth Games

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FDH Bank Plc has donated K100 million to the Malawi Olympic and Commonwealth Games Committee (MOCGC) to support Team Malawi’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games set to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.

Speaking during the cheque presentation ceremony on Wednesday, FDH Bank Plc Head of Personal Business Banking, Daniel Pinto Khamula said the contribution demonstrates the bank’s commitment to the development of sports and national growth.

“We look at it as a national duty. It is a patriotic thing to do, and so when these opportunities arise, and we have these needs, we believe that we need to take part in this,” said Khumalo.

He emphasised that the private sector has a responsibility to contribute to the country’s development, including supporting athletes who represent Malawi on international platforms.

“We don’t believe that this is something that other people need to do for us. We believe that as Malawians, we need to participate in our own growth, and as a bank, as it grows, we also believe that the nation should grow with us. So, this is a natural thing for us to do as FDH Bank,” he said.

Khamula added that the bank’s support goes beyond financial assistance, expressing hope that the sponsorship will motivate both current and aspiring athletes.

“We believe that as a corporate, we cannot exist outside our society. We need to participate in what is happening within our country. So, we hope that this continues to inspire the athletes and also inspire potential athletes,” he said.

Malawi National Council of Sports Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ivy Chinangwa, commended FDH Bank for the timely support, describing the donation as a major boost to Team Malawi’s preparations for the prestigious multi-sport event.

“Partnerships between the corporate sector and sporting institutions are critical in ensuring athletes have adequate resources to compete effectively on the international stage,” said Chinangwa.

Malawi Olympic Committee Vice President Francis Kakhuta-Banda also hailed FDH Bank for its contribution and appealed to other companies to emulate the gesture by supporting Team Malawi’s preparations ahead of the Games.

“Participation in international competitions requires substantial financial resources, and increased corporate support would help athletes focus on training and performance,” said Banda.

Mental Health: Breaking the stigma around men’s emotions

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By Rebecca Mumba:

As Malawi commemorates Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month this June, statistics from Zomba Mental Hospital show that men accounted for 80.5 per cent of the 503 admissions recorded between January and March this year.

According to the hospital’s quarterly report, most of the 405 male cases are linked to mental and behavioural disorders associated with cannabis use.

Clinical psychologist Professor Chiwoza Bandawe attributes the high number of mental health cases among men to inability to open up emotionally.

He explains that more men tend to be admitted to mental health facilities compared to women because men tend to hide feelings. 

“Men tend to keep things in for long periods of time. They are socialised that way. From an early age, it becomes ingrained in them that asking for help is a sign of weakness. 

“As a result, it often takes a long time before they can accept that they have a mental health issue that needs addressing,” Bandawe says.

He adds that many men use alcohol and substances more intensely than women, which can lead to mental health issues.

Bandawe warns that there is a link between untreated mental health conditions and substance use which the men turn to as a way of coping.

“Use of substances makes the matter even worse. This often leads to emergency psychiatric admission, compounded by a range of other issues and challenges that men have kept inside and not expressed,” he says.

Observed every June, the Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is dedicated to breaking the stigma around men’s emotions, challenging traditional views of masculinity and encouraging men to seek help for issues like depression, anxiety and stress.

Although Malawi’s population comprises more females than males at 51.2% and 48.8%, respectively, the Malawi Police Service (MPS) records more suicide cases among men than women annually.

MPS’s Deputy Director for Community Policing, Superintendent Alexander Ngwala, says in 2024 and 2025, the police recorded 597 and 565 cases of suicide, respectively.

“In 2024, 479 victims were men, 54 were women and 64 were children while in 2025, 434 men, 53 women and 68 children committed suicide,” Ngwala says.

Ngwala concedes that the police have a big challenge to deal with the high prevalence of suicide cases because they mostly emanate from unreported gender based violence against men which leads to depression.

“We have heard of men being beaten by their wives and sustaining injuries. Even emotional abuse –where married men are denied conjugal rights; and economical abuse in terms of being controlled by women on household finances.

“However, the men shun to report to police and other points of service delivery for unknown reasons. We read about it in newspapers. They sometimes commit suicide or react in a different way,” he says.

Ngwala advises that such men ought to present themselves at victim support units because the police provide psychosocial support to such men.

“In dire circumstances, we have a network of partners. For instance, we refer them to social welfare offices, hospitals and other relevant points of service,” he says.

To deal with the mental health challenge affecting Malawian men, Bandawe says there is need for practical interventions. 

“Firstly, we really need to educate men and make them aware that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Help is available. They don’t have to go through this alone.

“Secondly, we need men who have been through mental challenges to come forward and speak openly. They are out there. They need not be ashamed,” he says.

Bandawe further says men need support groups where they can hold non-judgmental conversations with one another. 

“When men meet, they typically talk about football, politics, women, and that sort of thing. But for matters of the heart, there are seldom places where men can meet and talk. 

“So we strongly encourage places like churches, mosques, and different community settings where men can meet and actually discuss their issues,” he says.

 

SKC Mausoleum unveiling Saturday

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Preparations for the official memorial and unveiling of a Mausoleum for the late Vice President of Malawi Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima at his resting place in Nsipe, Ntcheu on Saturday are in place, family members have said.

Dr Efrem Chilima who is chairing a committee comprising of Chilima family members and close friends organising the event, said in an interview yesterday that all preparations for the event are going on well and they are receiving support from various individuals including government.

“We are set to remember our dear brother, father and friend Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima during his second death anniversary with a memorial mass which will be celebrated by Bishop Alfred Mateyu Chaima of Zomba Diocese at Nsipe Catholic Grounds from 9am before the unveiling of the mausoleum,” said Dr. Chilima.

He said they are expecting a huge turnout for the memorial service considering the friendships and the many people that the late Chilima touched in his lifetime.

“We want to honour the late Dr Saulos Chilima is a dignified and respectable manner and that is why we are asking all those who have been invited to the event at Nsipe that the dress code is Black, white and purple,” said Chilima.

He said after the mass, there will be some speeches by some family members, the clergy, traditional leaders, the late Chilima’s close friends and Minister of Education Bright Msaka who will be the Guest of Honour representing President Peter Mutharika.

Dr. Chilima also said other dignitaries that have confirmed participation include First Vice President Jane Mayemu Ansah, Second Vice President Enock Chihana, Former President Joyce Banda, Former Vice Presidents Cassim Chilumpha, Khumbo Kachali and Michael Usi, Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda, Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman and other cabinet ministers and members of parliament and members of the diplomatic corps.

Families of the victims of people who were with the late Chilima during the plane crash have also been invited to attend the event, according to Chilima.

Dr. Chilima said the family is aware of another event which the UTM Party has organized in the afternoon of the same day at Ntcheu Stadium.

“We know that Saulos touched so many lives and we want to honour his life and legacy and celebrate his good works and that is why as family we have organized the memorial mass and unveiling of his mausoleum at Nsipe in the morning. We all remember him in different ways but let us honour his memory and legacy with dignity and respect,” said Dr. Chilima.

The late Chilima tragically lost his life together with eight others in a plane crash at Thungwa in Chikangawa on their way to a funeral of lawyer Ralph Kasambara in Nkhata-Bay on 10 June 2024.

UGI contributes K15m to MUBAS Research and Innovation Conference

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By Takondwa Nyirenda:

United General Insurance Company Limited (UGI) has donated K15 million to Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) in support of the upcoming innovation conference scheduled for September under the theme ‘Research and Innovation’, as part of its commitment to advancing innovation and knowledge.

Speaking during the donation ceremony, UGI Chief Operations Officer (COO) McDonald Chibwe said the company was pleased to support the conference.

“Anything that deals with research and innovation attracts our interest, because it is through research we gain knowledge, improve our products and services, and enhance the use of technology to serve customers better,” said Chibwe.

Chibwe said innovation continues to play a key role in the insurance industry, citing the company’s adoption of new technologies, including AI Agent for handling customer claims and Matrix technology in motor insurance operations.

“We are in a service industry where success is measured by value that we give to our customers. Technology is advancing in real time, and with developments in artificial intelligence, we can further improve how we assess and manage risk while enhancing customer experience,” said Chibwe.

He added that technological advancements have potential to provide practical solutions to everyday challenges and transform the way insurance services are delivered.

“With these innovations, we believe insurance delivery can be transformed, while creating opportunities for institutions to partner with us in providing solutions that improve people’s lives,” said Chibwe.

MUBAS representative Professor Bernad Thole commended UGI for its continued support towards research and innovation initiatives at the university.

“We are happy when we approached them, they willingly offered support. UGI has partnered with us for a number of years in research activities and seminars,” said Thole.

Thole said partnerships between academia and the private sector are important as they create mutual benefits through knowledge sharing, innovation and business growth.

“MUBAS has expanded its focus beyond research to include innovation and resource utilisation in order to provide practical solutions to the private sector. While the private sector can benefit from innovations developed by the university, we also learn valuable lessons from industry on how to manage and grow enterprises,” said Thole.

MUBAS is also expected to hold another conference in August under the theme ‘Developments in Infrastructure and Investments (DII)’.