Category: National

On Thursday, Airtel Malawi staff halted their usual daily business and stepped up to save lives by donating blood through the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS).

This is an annual exercise that is hosted at the mobile service provider’s Head Office in Lilongwe in partnership with the MBTS.

The initiative emphasizes Airtel Malawi’s ongoing commitment to give back to the community and support life-saving causes.

This year’s campaign is part of a larger national effort to help MBTS meet its ambitious target of collecting 140,000 units of blood across the country by 2026.

Speaking at the blood donation exercise, Airtel Malawi Managing Director, Aashish Dutt said following last year’s record-breaking participation they felt it was important to continue to champion this critical cause together with its employees.

“At Airtel Malawi, we believe that corporate responsibility goes beyond providing digital connectivity. It’s about connecting with the heart of the community. Through this blood donation drive, our staff are proud to play their part in saving lives and helping MBTS meet its national goal,” Dutt said.

On the other end, MBTS Head of Center Felix Ayuba thanked Airtel Malawi Staff for the gesture and called upon other companies and organizations to borrow a leaf from the leading mobile service provider.

“The demand for safe blood in Malawi remains high, with thousands of patients including expectant mothers, accident victims, children with severe anaemia, and patients undergoing surgery depending on donations for survival. Through partnerships like this, Airtel Malawi is contributing towards building a sustainable blood supply in the country.” he said.

Airtel Malawi has also encouraged more organizations and individuals to join hands with MBTS and support this noble mission.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Parliament George Chaponda has called on the Ministry of Homeland Security to come clean on passports crisis and replace ‘questionable’ supplier.

The remarks come a few days after Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) executive director Sylvester Namiwa slammed what he called a growing passport crisis in the country, following a two-week suspension in passport printing.

“The assertion that “everything is under control” is not only false but also an insult to the countless Malawians who have been stranded, delayed, or denied urgent travel due to the non-availability of passports for the past weeks.

“Let me state it clearly: Malawi is in a passport crisis. Like I have said in Parliament before, this crisis did not start today. It began when this government decided, without proper justification, to terminate the contract with Techno Brain, a company that was providing passports. efficiently and without the current chaos.

“Since then, the issuance of passports has been marred by irregularities, long delays, and now, a complete standstill.. At first it was E-Tech and now the centre of this problem is the new supplier Madras Security Printers, a company with a troubling international record.

“This company, which now supplies. Malawi’s passports, has been involved in numerous scandals and corruption allegations in other countries. A simple Google search reveals that this company has left trails of controversy wherever it has operated.

“The question every Malawian should ask is: How did such a company secure this contract in Malawi? The answer, sadly, points to a lack of due diligence and questionable procurement processes.

“This is a betrayal of public trust. Malawi deserves better. We cannot entrust our national security documents to a company with a reputation in tatters and expect smooth service delivery,” reads a statement by Chaponda released on Thursday.

Chaponda has therefore, called on Minister of Homeland Security, Ezekiel Ching’oma to tell Malawians the truth about the state of the passport system and what led to the current collapse and immediately suspend the contract with Madras Security Printers, and launch a fresh, open, and transparent tendering process.

He further said the ministry should ensure that only reputable, globally trusted companies, with no record of scandals or corruption are considered for such sensitive national assignments.

“Government must stop gambling with the lives and dignity of Malawians. It must stop awarding contracts to companies with well-documented scandals that are easily accessible to anyone with internet access.

We need leadership that protects the interests of citizens not one that enriches itself through questionable deals,” he said

In March this year, Government signed a five-year contract worth about USD 29.9 million (around K52 billion) with Madras Security Printers Private Limited for passport production.

UTM president Dalitso Kabambe has claimed that a farmer died on Tuesday at Chinkhoma Auction Floors after realizing that his tobacco fetched very low prices.

On Tuesday, Kabambe made a surprise visit to Floors to “witness the pain of our farmers”.

“I went to stand with those who feed this country’s economy, yet sleep hungry. I met farmers who cannot afford a bicycle, who live in broken homes, who have worked for months only to be handed a pittance for their tobacco. Their cries broke my heart.

“But the tragedy deepened when I was told a story of Lameck, a farmer-already drowning in debt-collapsed and died after realizing that the price offered for his tobacco would not allow him to repay his input loan, nor pay his workers.

“He died, not from disease, but from despair. We lost him. And with him, a piece of our nation’s conscience. This is the real crisis that AHL’s press release failed to address-the collapse of fairness, the erosion of hope, and the suffering of the very people who sustain our economy,” he said in a statement released on Tuesday

Kabambe promised that once voted into power in the forthcoming general election, farmers should expect better gains from their tobacco.

“To our farmers-the soul of our land-I say: you have been abandoned, you have been neglected, but you are not alone.

“I, together with UTM, stand with you. And we will change this broken system. Through bold leadership and targeted investment, we will restore dignity to agriculture. We will ensure access to affordable inputs. We will guarantee fair prices. We will modernize our markets and improve rural livelihoods. You will smile again. You will build your homes. Educate your children.

“Feed your families. That is not just our promise-it is our mission. This moment is bigger than politics. It is about the soul of a nation. A nation where justice must prevail.

The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) in collaboration with Bwaila Media Club (BMC) have officially signed a memorandum of understanding to work together in disseminating accurate, relevant and civic information to the public towards the fourth coming 2025 general elections.

Speaking during the signing ceremony on Tuesday, NICE Executive Director, Gray Kalindekafe said they have taken this  bold decision in realizing that they can not work in isolation in making sure that all Malawians are well informed but rather partner with the media realizing the important role  the Media play in democratic Malawi.

Kalindekafe cited that the partnership is not just collaboration, but is about amplifying the voice of democracy ensuring that every Malawian had access to credible, timely, and impactful information across the country.

“We are going to use each others competitive advantage to ensure that we provide civic education to each and every corner of this country,” said Kalindekafe.

In his remarks, the secretary general for BMC, Moses Chitsulo commended NICE for the partnership and promised to utilize the Platform, expertise, and networks to ensure that every Malawian understands their Rights, duties and importance of their voice in the development of the Nation.

He therefore urged BMC members to embrace the opportunity rendered with enthusiasm and dedication.

Auction Holdings Limited (AHL) Group and its subsidiary, AHL Tobacco Sales Limited, have accused the security team of UTM president Dalitso Kabambe of violently roughing up the company’s security during his visit at Chinkhoma Auction Floors.

In a statement released on Tuesday, AHL said in the process of the fracas, security officer sustained an injury on the arm.

“We are deeply concerned and dismayed over the unfortunate incident that occurred at Chinkhoma Auction Floors on 17 June 2025 where UTM party loyalists accompanied by their President Dr Dalitso Kabambe manhandled our security team and forcibly entered Chinkhoma Auction Floors in contravention of protocols for access to tobacco markets and without authorization by the Tobacco Industry Regulator, the Tobacco Commission.

“An advance UTM Team got to Chinkhoma Auction Floors around 11.30am on 17th June 2025 and indicated that their President was going to Kasungu and demanded that he would like to tour the Auction Floors.

“They were advised by representatives of the Tobacco Commission and AHL Tobacco Sales Limited to seek a clearance from the Tobacco Commission as required as it is only farmers selling tobacco on a particular day that are provided access cards and allowed on the Floors.

“Contrary to the advised protocol, Dr Kabambe’s security detail violently roughed up our security team and forcibly entered Chinkhoma Floors.

“AHL would like to unreservedly and strongly condemn the President of UTM, Dr Dalitso Kabambe, his security detail and the rest of his team for such acts of violence and lawlessness on our premises.

“It is of utmost importance that tobacco market access regulations and protocols are observed and particularly by those in leadership like Dr Kabambe, who must act in an exemplary manner at all times.

“Such an unfortunate conduct is not expected of a party leader vying to lead the country. It should be noted that AHL Tobacco Markets are restricted areas and can only be accessed through a clearance by the Tobacco Commission.

“These markets are critical to the country and do not need such disruption. The markets must therefore not be politicized to gain political mileage as Dr Kabambe and his team has done,” reads part of the statement

Youth and Society (YAS) has written the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Masauko Chimkakala demanding an update regarding the discontinued criminal proceedings against directors of Paramount Holdings Limited.

The directors were answering charges of making and uttering false documents to get contracts.

The three directors are Prakash Virji Ghedia, Arvindikumar Atiti Patel, and Surej Khimji Jagatiya as the first, second, and third accused, respectively.

The three were being accused of offenses surrounding conspiracy to utter false documents and utter a false document showing that the company is an authorized dealer of Yamaha Motorcycles in Malawi.

However, Chimkakala discontinued the case without giving reasons, saying; “at this stage, I am not at liberty to disclose until other stakeholders have done their processes.”

During a meeting in May last year, the Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament, in accordance with the constitutional oversight powers, ordered the restoration of the case, an action which Chimkakala is yet to do.

In a letter dated June 16, 2025, YAS has demanded a detailed account of the actions the DPP’s office has taken in response to the Legal Affairs Committee’s resolution.

“At this meeting, the Committee expressly rejected the discontinuance of Criminal Case Number 868 of 2023, citing insufficient justification and unresolved questions surrounding the authenticity of the dealership documents submitted by Paramount Holdings.

“The Committee’s resolution was unambiguous: the case must be reinstated within 30 working days, with the expectation that the Court, not the Executive, should determine the matter on its merits.

“As a watchdog organization committed to the rule of law, accountability, and justice, Youth and Society (YAS) is gravely concerned that, 12 months after the lapse of the 30-day period, there has been no public communication, action, or indication that your office has respected and acted upon the Committee’s resolution,” reads part of the letter signed by YAS executive director Charles Kajoloweka.

He further demanded a confirmation on whether criminal case has been reinstated before a competent court of law and, if the case has not been reinstated, a clear explanation for the failure or delay, including how such inaction aligns with your constitutional obligations and accountability to Parliament.

“Mr. Chimkakala, the integrity and public confidence in your office rest on the transparent and principled execution of your prosecutorial duties.

“A failure to act on this matter, in spite of clear parliamentary oversight and direction, would constitute a dangerous precedent, undermining both the fight against corruption and the public’s trust in justice institutions.

“We remain hopeful that your office will demonstrate its commitment to constitutionalism, transparency, and public accountability by acting decisively and updating the public accordingly,” he said.

There was no immediate action from the DPP’s office as we went to press.

Police in Lilongwe have dismantled one of Malawi’s illegal firearm syndicates, arresting 23 individuals.

The suspects include three Malawi Defence Force officers, one British national, two Chinese nationals, and an Italian.

They are accused of participating in illegal arms dealings involving dangerous weapons.

Authorities have confiscated 19 pistols, 415 rounds of live ammunition, three explosive devices, and 325 blank cartridges.

Deputy National Police Public Relations Officer Harry Namwaza explained that the police launched targeted, intelligence-led operations after a tip from the public about suspect Mike Minjale.

Minjale is believed to have smuggled illegal firearms into Malawi and supplied them to various people.

Minjale was arrested on June 3 at a roadblock in Ngumbe, Blantyre.

Following this, a special police team made additional arrests and recovered illegal firearms across multiple districts, including Blantyre, Nsanje, Chiradzulu, Zomba, Lilongwe, Ntchisi, and Dowa.

Namwaza stated that they have found out Minjale smuggled 20 pistols from South Africa into Malawi, which he then distributed to different individuals.

The police are currently working to locate the remaining pistol and identify its owner.