Dalitso Kabambe, one of the presidential aspirant for the UTM party, has called on delegates to vote for visionary leaders at the upcoming elective conference.
Speaking to Bua Central Region delegates in Kasungu District, he expressed confidence in his ability to lead the party to victory in the 2025 general elections.
“I’m very optimistic that if I am voted into the UTM presidential seat and win next year’s polls, my experience will help address the challenges Malawians face today,” Kabambe stated.
UTM Bua Central Region Governor Gerald Mbewe hailed Kabambe’s remarks, underscoring the need for intelligent leadership to ensure the party’s success.
The UTM party’s 2024 elective conference is scheduled for November 17.
Other news
- NBM plc repositions ‘NBM Smart Cover’ to ease upfront insurance costs
By Suleman Chitera
National Bank of Malawi plc (NBM plc) has repositioned and rebranded its insurance premium financing solution, NBM Smart Cover, enabling customers to secure insurance cover without paying the full premium upfront.
Speaking at the press briefing, Business Development Manager for Retail Banking, Chifundo Kamwinda, explained that the facility allows the Bank to pay insurance premiums directly to insurers while customers repay in flexible instalments.
“As National Bank of Malawi, we are providing an affordable financing solution that allows the Bank to pay insurance companies upfront, while customers repay the facility in flexible instalments,” he said.
The service is available to individuals, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and corporates, with access requiring a completed application form and a declared source of income.
Customers already financing assets with the Bank can use the insured asset as security, while Premium Gold and Platinum clients enjoy the facility without additional collateral.
The facility offers flexible coverage and repayment periods ranging from three to eleven months, allowing customers to spread the cost of annual insurance premiums over a manageable timeframe.
Kamwinda explained that the repositioning follows the enactment of the 2024 Insurance Act, which requires customers to pay insurance premiums in full before cover begins, creating financial pressure for many.
The Bank says the product will improve access to insurance by removing the burden of upfront payments, particularly in the current economic environment.
“With Smart Cover, customers can secure their assets without the strain of immediate full payment, while accessing a simple and flexible financing solution tailored to their needs,” said Kamwinda.
The product applies to a wide range of assets, including motor vehicles and business property, making it a practical solution for both personal and commercial insurance needs.
- Breaking Down Barriers: The Unyielding Legacy of Chief Kachindamoto
By Burnett Munthali
Delegates from Malawi attending the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York City, United States of America, observed a minute of silence in honour of Theresa Kachindamoto, popularly known as Chief Kachindamoto, a revered traditional leader who left an indelible mark on the fight against child marriage.
The tribute was led by the Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Navicha, in recognition of Chief Kachindamoto’s outstanding contribution to the fight against child marriage and her commitment to promoting the rights and welfare of girls in Malawi, a testament to her unwavering dedication to the cause.
Through her leadership, Chief Kachindamoto gained international recognition for annulling child marriages and encouraging girls to return to school, helping transform the lives of many young girls in her community and beyond, a beacon of hope for a brighter future.
The commemoration was held alongside Malawi’s side event under the theme “From Complaints to Justice: Advancing Women’s and Girls’ Access to Justice in Malawi,” where stakeholders reflected on the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls, a crucial step towards a more equitable society.
Speaking during the event, Navicha called upon stakeholders and development partners to support the Kachindamoto Trust Fund, aimed at preserving her legacy by continuing efforts to end child marriage and promote girls’ education and empowerment, a fitting tribute to a true champion.
Delegates described her as a courageous traditional leader whose work greatly contributed to advancing gender equality and protecting the rights of children, noting that her legacy continues to inspire efforts to end child marriage, a testament to her enduring impact.
Her impact remains a guiding force in Malawi’s ongoing commitment to promote access to justice, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls, a reminder that the fight for a more just society is far from over.
- No arrests? Chitera demands answers as Amaryllis hotel scandal rocks government
By Staff Reporter
Pressure is mounting on authorities as questions intensify over the lack of arrests in the controversial Amaryllis Hotel deal, a transaction that has already exposed billions of kwacha in suspicious movements.
Political and social commentator Suleman Chitera has come out strongly, demanding immediate action from both the police and the government, arguing that the continued inaction is eroding public trust and exposing a worrying culture of impunity.
Speaking amid growing public outrage, Chitera questioned why, despite revelations that at least K72 billion linked to the deal has been traced—with some funds frozen and others preserved—no individual has been held accountable.
“It is unacceptable that such a massive financial scandal can unfold in broad daylight and yet no one is being arrested. What more evidence do the authorities need?” he charged.
The deal, involving the Public Service Pension Trust Fund’s purchase of the luxury hotel, has been widely criticized for alleged irregularities and defiance of regulatory directives. The Reserve Bank of Malawi had earlier fined trustees K40 million each and ordered a reversal of the transaction within seven days—an order that appears to have been ignored.
Chitera warned that failure to act decisively risks sending a dangerous message that those in positions of power are above the law.
“Malawians are watching. If this case ends without arrests, it will confirm what many already fear—that there is selective justice in this country,” he said.
He further called on law enforcement agencies to demonstrate independence and professionalism, stressing that this is a defining moment in the fight against corruption.
“This is not just about a hotel deal. This is about accountability, governance, and whether our institutions have the courage to protect public resources,” he added.
Meanwhile, authorities have remained largely silent on the matter, offering no clear timeline on possible arrests or prosecutions, even as investigations reportedly continue.
With public patience wearing thin, the spotlight is now firmly on the police and government to act—or risk deepening a crisis of confidence that could have far-reaching political and economic consequences.
- K72 Billion Amaryllis scandal: funds frozen, trustees fined as shock deal exposed
By Staff Reporter
The deepening scandal surrounding the controversial sale of Amaryllis Hotel has taken a dramatic turn, with authorities tracing a staggering K72 billion linked to the transaction—some of which has already been frozen, while the rest remains under strict preservation.
Kaluso Chihana, representing the Registrar of Financial Institutions, revealed the explosive details, confirming that financial investigators have moved swiftly to contain the suspected irregular flow of funds tied to the deal.
Chihana disclosed that on March 4, 2026, the Reserve Bank of Malawi cracked down on the Public Service Pension Trust Fund (PSPTF), slapping each trustee with a K40 million fine and ordering an immediate reversal of the hotel sale within seven days.
But in a shocking twist, authorities discovered that the deal had already been signed—raising serious questions about transparency and internal accountability within the pension fund.
Even more alarming, Chihana revealed that some trustees were completely unaware of the transaction, exposing what appears to be a breakdown in governance and decision-making processes at the highest level.
Regulators have since demanded full documentation from the fund to prove that proper procedures were followed before concluding the deal—a request that could further unravel the integrity of the entire transaction.
The unfolding developments now cast a dark cloud over one of the country’s most high-profile property deals, with pressure mounting for answers, accountability, and possible legal action against those involved.
As investigations intensify, the nation watches closely—awaiting justice in what is fast becoming one of Malawi’s most explosive financial scandals.
- Turkish investors eye Lilongwe trash gold mine in power deal
By Suleman Chitera
Lilongwe could soon turn its mounting waste crisis into a powerhouse of opportunity as foreign investors from Turkey’s Ranteco Energy from Waste move in to explore a game-changing partnership with the Lilongwe City Council.
The ambitious plan? Transform garbage into electricity, fertilizer, and other valuable products—effectively turning the city’s trash into economic gold.
Lilongwe City Council Chief Executive Officer, Clement Stambuli, says the project has the potential to revolutionize waste management in the capital, shifting from the current dumping culture to a modern, sustainable system.
Leading the delegation, Ranteco Chairman Omer Halt revealed that his company brings over 20 years of experience in waste-to-energy solutions, expressing confidence that Lilongwe could benefit from proven global technologies.
Halt disclosed that the first feasibility study will take approximately three months, a critical phase that will determine the project’s viability and potential impact.
As part of their assessment, the delegation toured the Area 38 dumpsite—commonly known as Mtaya—on Wednesday, where they witnessed firsthand the city’s current waste management challenges.
If successful, the project could mark a turning point for Lilongwe—cutting pollution, generating power, and unlocking new economic opportunities from what was once seen as useless waste.
