Local

Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change has described the Transforming Landscapes and Livelihoods Project as key to helping Malawi restore 4.5 million hectares of land degraded by human activities. Principal Secretary in the ministry, James Ali, said this in Lilongwe during the launch of transforming landscapes and Livelihoods Project. The project seeks to accelerate the restoration of the country's Miombo and Mopane woodlands for sustainable forest and management of biodiversity. "This five-year project will contribute significantly towards the achievement of Malawi 2063 because in the project we have included activities aimed at avoiding, reducing and reversing land degradation and deforestation. Communities participating will be empowered through beekeeping and other ...

Neno district has recorded 41. 67% decrease in cases of Gender Based Violence-GBV agaist 46% last year. District Social Welfare Officer Paul Sosono disclosed this during the commemoration of 16 days of Activisim against Gender based violence in the district while calling on men to break the silence by reporting GBV cases. Sosono said out of 140 cases recorded this year, 15 cases were reported by men. "This is is due to some cultural factors that hinder men from opening up when they have been abused," he added. Dickson Masamba is a GBV survivor and concurs with Sosono; saying most men are suffering in silence as they fear they will be regarded as weak men in the society. He has since asked his fellow men to change mindset and start reporting GBV cases. Masamba furthers calls...

Some beneficiaries of government inputs subsidiary program have started purchasing the cheap fertilizer only in Mangochi without seeds. A visit by Malawi Wathu Online to Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi depot was welcomed by a large group that queued to access the fertilizer. Ishmael Wedi from Chomba village, Traditional Authority Mponda who was waiting for his turn to buy the soil enriching commodity was impressed with calm and order at the SFFRFM depot. "The process is smooth and currently there is nothing sinister happening like it has been in previous years," he said. According to Wedi, one village at a time is allowed to purchase fertilizer to ensure sanity. Aish Symon from the same village is excited with how the process has started In this y...

Police in Kasungu are looking for unknown persons suspected to have murdered a three-year-old albino girl. According to Kasungu Police Spokesperson, Joseph Kachikho, the incident happened on November 30 around 11 pm at Mawawa Village Traditional Authority Chulu in the district. The girl has been identified as Talandila Chirwa. Kachikho said it is reported that the girl was sleeping on the same bed with her grandmother since her parents are divorced. During the said time an unidentified man forcibly broke into the house and stabbed the child in the neck and chopped off her arm and went away with it. The child died on the spot. Kachikho said investigations are underway to trace and arrest the suspect. - MBC Online Services. MBCNewsLive

The Malawi Network Against Trafficking in Persons (MNAT) says the country is not doing well in terms of trying to eradicate human trafficking. Chairperson for MNAT Rodrick Mulonya said this during the opinion leaders conference on combating human trafficking in Malawi which is taking place in Salima. Mulonya said the country is currently in Tier 2, which is a United States of America Government human trafficking assessment index which ranks countries' efforts to meet the minimum standards. The US Government ranks countries' efforts In Combating human trafficking from Tier 1 to tier 3. Tier 1 consists of countries that are meeting minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, while Tier 3 consists of countries that are not fully meeting the minimum standards and a...

The Restorative Justice and Peace Building Project by the Malawi Prison Services (MPS) has started bearing fruit. Speaking to MBC Online Services, the Spokesperson for MPS, Chimwemwe Shaba, said through the project they have been able to facilitate peacebuilding and reconciliation between prisoners and the people they had offended across the country. "Prisoners have welcomed this initiative wholeheartedly, the response is overwhelming," said Shaba. The spokesperson said among others, the initiative is easing the integration of prisoners into communities once they finish their jail terms.

Malawi has, between September and October this year, lost four lives in Mgona Village, Senior Chief Tengani in Nsanje district due to crocodile attacks. Group Village Headman Mgona has confirmed the deaths; saying this has since created fear and panic among his subjects. “People are afraid to go to the Shire River whenever they want to fetch for water, do fishing activities and even when crossing to Mozambique for farming," says the chief. A “local expert” has since killed the crocodiles after the residents piled pressure on the chief to call him for the task. The chief could not indicate if they tried to inform the relevant authorities about this. But Lengwe Parks and Wildlife Division Manager, Wesley Kawaye warns it is illegal killing crocodiles without a hunting licence. ...

Former President Peter Mutharika and Former First Lady Gertrude Mutharika have described the arrest of their son Tadikira Mafubza as 'not justified by facts'. In a statement, signed by Mutharika's spokesperson Shadric Namalomba, the Mutharikas have also expressed shock with the arrest of Tadikira saying he was never involved in what happened. "It is on record that the driver of the van in question clearly stated that Tadikira did not have any knowledge that the vehicle in issue was used to carry out illicit activities. However, despite the state being aware of his innocence, proceeded to charge him with murder and aggravated human trafficking. Tadikira is a law abiding young man, God fearing and always with an endless smile," reads the Statement. The Mutharikas have called on the...

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera is today at Themba la Mathemba Chikulamayembe's Headquarters in Bolero Rumphi where he is attending this year's Gonapamuhanya Cultural Festival of the Tumbuka. Upon his arrival, Dr Chakwera toured some pavilions to appreciate some cultural practices among the Tumbukas like local foods. Among other government officials attending the ceremony is the Minister of Local Government, Blessings Chinsinga and Deputy Minister of Defence, Harry Mkandawire. Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa Districts is also attending the ceremony. Meanwhile, Themba la Mathemba Chikulamayembe the 13th has been welcomed by different dignitaries at the ceremony. The ceremony is being commemorated under the theme: 'Developing education, good cultural practices, to...