Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera
Fresh off guiding Mighty Wanderers FC to glory in the TNM Super League 2025/26, head coach Bob Mpinganjira has left the country for Scotland to undertake a 21-day intensive coaching program—an opportunity seen as both a professional milestone and a potential turning point in his future with the club.
Mpinganjira’s departure comes at a time when uncertainty surrounds his tenure with the Nomads. In recent days, social media—particularly Facebook—has been awash with speculation suggesting the club may be hesitant to extend his contract, despite delivering the league title in what is widely regarded as Malawi’s most competitive football competition.
The timing of the overseas training stint has only intensified the conversation. While the program in Scotland is expected to sharpen his tactical expertise and expose him to modern coaching methodologies, questions remain about whether the trip is part of long-term plans with Wanderers or preparation for opportunities beyond Lali Lubani Road.
Sources close to the club indicate that management is weighing its options, with discussions reportedly including the possibility of recruiting an expatriate coach to lead the team into the next phase. Such a move, if confirmed, would mark a significant shift for a side that has just enjoyed domestic success under local leadership.
For Mpinganjira, however, the focus appears firmly on development. His stewardship of Wanderers this season has been widely praised for instilling discipline, consistency, and a winning mentality—qualities that culminated in the club’s triumphant league campaign.
Football analysts argue that investing in his growth could yield long-term dividends for both the club and Malawian football at large. “Sending him abroad is a positive step,” one local analyst noted. “The real question is whether the club will capitalize on that investment.”
As the Nomads’ faithful await clarity, the situation underscores a broader debate within Malawian football: balancing confidence in local coaching talent with the allure of foreign expertise.
For now, all eyes remain on Scotland—and on what Mpinganjira’s return could mean for the future of Mighty Wanderers FC.
- Zambian Law Association condemns courts shutdown
By Vincent Gunde
The Law Association of Zambia has condemned the shutting down of the courts by President Hakainde Hichilema who instructed judges and court staff not to report for work in order to block the opposition from filing petitions over irregularities of the Zambian elections.
The Law Association said on 24th August, 2026 heavily armed military personnel have surrounded court premises in Lusaka leading to sealing off certain court premises with tape marked “Crime Scene.”
It said the closure of the courts has created a real risk that persons seeking to exercise their constitutional right have uncertainty regarding access to court registries.
Writing in a statement dated 24th August, 2026 signed by Arnold Kaluba, President of the Law Association of Zambia, the Law Association said it recognizes that exceptional circumstances including genuine and immediate security concerns require temporary measures to protect judicial officers, judicial staff, litigants and members of the public.
The Law Association said such measures must be lawful, proportionate, and implemented in a manner that preserves access to justice and respects of the constitutional independence and autonomy of the judiciary.
It said the Zambian Constitution vests sovereign authority in the people of Zambia and provides for the separation of functions among the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary saying each arm of Government is required to exercise its authority in a manner that respects the constitutional functions and independence of the others.
“Where extraordinary security measures are necessary at or around court premises, there must be clarity regarding their purpose and legal basis,” reads the statement in part.
The Law Association of Zambia has called upon the Judiciary to urgently restore access to the courts and resume the filing, receipt and hearing of matters as soon as it is safe and practicable to do so.
It has called upon the Judiciary to give priority to matters affecting personal liberty, bail applications, electoral and other proceedings subject to strict statutory or constitutional timelines.
The Law Association of Zambia said it is currently engaging the Honourable Chief Justice and the Attorney General concerning the closure of the courts by President Hakainde Hichilema and its implication.
It has finally assured the Zambian people that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep its members and the nation informed of material developments
- Lilongwe to Launch First City-Wide Electric Public Bus System
By Suleman Chitera
Lilongwe is set to introduce its first formal, city-wide public bus system, with the Lilongwe City Council announcing plans to establish Lilongwe Electric Transit Ltd (LETL), a company that will operate electric buses across the capital.
The planned public transport system is expected to transform how residents travel around Lilongwe by introducing scheduled routes, digital fare payments, dedicated bus depots and real-time monitoring.
The announcement follows the Lilongwe City Council’s participation in the International Transport Summit in Moscow in August 2026, where council officials studied modern urban transport systems focused on clean, efficient and reliable public transportation.
Lilongwe City Council Chief Executive Officer Clement Stambuli Lilongwe City Council Chief Executive Officer Clement Stambuli said the experience in Moscow convinced the council that the capital needs a properly coordinated public transport system.
“We came back from Moscow inspired and convinced of one thing: Lilongwe deserves a public transport system that works for its people. This is our moment to build it right, from the ground up — clean, reliable, and for everyone,” Stambuli said.
LETL to introduce electric buses in Lilongwe
Currently, Lilongwe does not have a formal public bus service operated by the city council.
Residents largely depend on fragmented private transport options, with concerns over reliability, affordability and rising fares linked to increases in fuel prices.
The council says the absence of a coordinated public transport system has created daily challenges for students, workers, mothers, business owners and other residents who depend on public transportation.
Under Phase One of the LETL project, the council plans to introduce electric buses supported by dedicated infrastructure and technology.
The planned system will include:
- Dedicated electric-bus charging infrastructure and depots
- A central Command and Control Centre for real-time tracking and safety monitoring
- Scheduled routes and fixed timetables
- Digital fare payments using smart cards and mobile money
- Professionally trained drivers and staff
- Preventive maintenance systems designed to maximize bus availability
Stambuli said the project is intended to be more than simply putting new buses on Lilongwe’s roads.
“This is not just about new buses. This is about a new way of moving,” he said.
Electric buses expected to reduce pollution
According to the council, the introduction of electric buses will help reduce noise and air pollution in Lilongwe while also creating employment opportunities for drivers, technicians and other transport-sector workers.
The project could also reduce the city’s dependence on imported fuel by shifting part of public transportation from conventional fuel-powered vehicles to electric mobility.
The council expects the system to improve access to schools, hospitals, markets and economic opportunities, particularly for residents who depend heavily on public transport.
Lilongwe seeks investors and technical partners
The city council says it cannot deliver the project alone and is engaging financial institutions to secure investment for the planned transport system.
It is also working with technical partners and global cities, including Moscow, for expertise, training and technology transfer.
The council is expected to coordinate with energy providers, regulators and community leaders as planning for the electric public transport system progresses.
Under the proposed operating model, LETL will combine a public-service mandate with professional management.
Revenue is expected to come from passenger fares, advertising and a service agreement with the Lilongwe City Council, which would help ensure that routes continue to serve the public interest.
Rollout timeline yet to be announced
Despite the announcement, the council has not yet provided a specific date for when the first electric buses will begin operating.
Stambuli acknowledged that the project remains under development but expressed confidence that it can be delivered through cooperation between the council, its partners and Lilongwe residents.
“We are still a work in progress. But with God’s guidance, with our partners, and with you the residents of our city, we will build this together. One route, one bus, one day at a time,” he said.
The Lilongwe City Council said it will announce the rollout timelines for the electric public bus system after further consultations and technical planning.
Why this matters
If implemented as planned, the LETL project could mark a major shift in public transportation in Lilongwe, replacing the city’s fragmented transport arrangements with a coordinated system based on scheduled routes, digital payments, electric buses and centralized monitoring.
For thousands of residents who rely on public transport every day, the success of the project could determine whether Lilongwe finally gets the reliable, affordable and modern city bus service it has long lacked.
- Mozambique Police Stations Turned Into Scrapyards as Impounded Vehicles Rot for Decades
By Our Reporter
Police stations and criminal investigation facilities in Mozambique are increasingly resembling scrapyards, with hundreds of impounded and accident-damaged vehicles occupying valuable space for years—even decades.
The vehicles are parked at compounds belonging to the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) and the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC). Some were seized during investigations involving alleged offences, while others were impounded after road accidents or in connection with criminal cases.
According to sources cited by Domingo, many of the cases involving the vehicles remain pending before the courts or public prosecutors’ offices.
The situation is not new and is reportedly well known to justice authorities. However, it is becoming an increasing concern for the PRM because the abandoned vehicles are consuming limited space at police facilities.
The areas occupied by the vehicles could instead be used for police operations, including the construction of additional infrastructure and accommodation for various services.
However, authorities cannot dispose of or relocate the vehicles until the relevant justice institutions authorise their removal.
Sources told Domingo that many of the vehicles have become completely unusable after remaining immobilised for prolonged periods. Some have reportedly been sitting inside police compounds for 10, 20 and even 30 years.
The newspaper found that there is little publicly available information about the progress of the legal proceedings connected to many of the vehicles, despite the space they continue to occupy.
During recent visits to several police facilities in Maputo province, including locations in Maputo city, Matola and Matola-Rio, Domingo observed the extent of the problem.
At the 18th PRM Police Station in Maputo city, the condition was described as particularly deplorable. Nearly 100 vehicles have reportedly been parked there for years on an area of about one hectare.
Some of the vehicles have been held since 2006 and have now spent roughly two decades inside the police compound. Their original makes and models are barely recognisable, while others are covered by grass and vegetation.
In some cases, trees have grown around or over the vehicles, with some even bearing fruit.
A similar situation has reportedly emerged elsewhere in Maputo province, including at the compound of a police post at Matola Provincial Hospital, where impounded vehicles continue to occupy valuable space.
The growing number of deteriorating vehicles highlights the challenges facing law enforcement and justice authorities in dealing with seized property and cases that remain unresolved for prolonged periods.
Without decisions from the courts or prosecutors authorising their removal or disposal, the vehicles are likely to remain where they are—continuing to occupy police space while gradually turning law-enforcement compounds into long-term scrapyards.
- UNIMA Students Left in Loan Limbo as August 29 Appeals Deadline Nears
Reported by Raymond Edward Daud and Naomi Salimu
University of Malawi (UNIMA) students are facing growing uncertainty over their education loans as the Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) is yet to release the university’s provisional loan list.
The delay comes a week after HESLGB released loan lists for students from other public universities, leaving UNIMA students without clarity on whether their applications have been successful.
The uncertainty has intensified after the board set August 29, 2026, as the deadline for students to appeal their loan allocation decisions.
For students who have not yet seen their names on a provisional list, the situation has raised concerns over how they will know whether they are eligible to appeal before the deadline.
Chanco News contacted HESLGB Communication and Marketing Manager Millie Kasunda for clarification. However, Kasunda referred questions concerning UNIMA students to the university’s Dean of Students.
“Ask the Dosa for UNIMA, they have the details,” Kasunda said.
Attempts to obtain clarification from UNIMA Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Jonas Mwatseteza were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to messages seeking an update on the delayed loan list.
The UNIMA Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Secretary General, Trust Msiyambiri, also did not respond to inquiries on the matter.
The delay is particularly concerning for students who depend on government loans to meet university costs, following the recent increase in fees at public universities.
Joseph Ng’ambi, president of the Mathematics and Statistics Society at UNIMA, said students are worried that some could be forced to withdraw from their studies if they fail to secure financial support.
“The majority of us rely on these loans. Some may be forced to withdraw once they discover, after the appeals deadline, that their application was unsuccessful,” Ng’ambi said.
The situation has left many UNIMA students waiting for official communication on their loan status while the August 29 appeals deadline draws closer.
Students are now calling for the university and HESLGB to release the provisional list or provide clear guidance on the status of their applications before the deadline.
- Football Legends Association Raises K192 Million as Simama Hotels, Austo Add K8 Million
By Suleman Chitera | August 25, 2026
The Football Legends Association (FLA) has raised K192 million towards its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and fundraising dinner and dance gala scheduled for August 29 in Lilongwe.
The latest boost comes from Simama Hotels and Austo Brake and Clutch, which have jointly contributed K8 million towards the initiative.
Simama Hotels has donated K5 million, while Austo Brake and Clutch has contributed K3 million.
Marumbo Kondowe, Head of Sales at Simama Hotels, said the company made the contribution to recognise former football players for the important role they played in representing Malawi and bringing pride to the country during their playing careers.
Kondowe said the support was also intended to contribute towards improving the welfare and quality of life of former players.
Meanwhile, Austin Kasito, owner of Austo Brake and Clutch, said his company decided to support the initiative because of his passion for football.
Kinnah Phiri, a member of the Football Legends Association board, has thanked companies, individuals and organisations that have supported the fundraising campaign.
Phiri said the contributions demonstrate appreciation for former football players and recognise their contribution to the development of football in Malawi.
FLA targets K250 million for former football players
The Football Legends Association is targeting K250 million through its fundraising campaign.
The association plans to use the money to provide former football players with access to medical care through a medical scheme and help them acquire vocational and other practical skills.
With K192 million already raised, the FLA needs a further K58 million to reach its K250 million target.
The fundraising campaign will culminate in the association’s AGM and fundraising dinner and dance gala in Lilongwe on August 29.
- US Eyes Greater Investment in Malawi as American Chamber of Commerce Launches
By Suleman Chitera | August 25, 2026
The United States has welcomed the establishment of the American Chamber of Commerce in Malawi, describing it as a significant new chapter in strengthening trade, investment and economic cooperation between Malawi and the United States.
Speaking during the launch in Blantyre on Tuesday, US Chargé d’Affaires Melania Arreaga said the new chamber would provide an important platform for American and Malawian businesses to deepen commercial partnerships and explore investment opportunities.
Arreaga said the administration of US President Donald Trump remains focused on supporting American businesses as they compete in international markets.
“President Trump has been clear: the US is putting America first. Putting America first means backing American businesses when they compete around the world,” Arreaga said.
She said the US administration places significant importance on the private sector, describing it as a key driver of economic prosperity both in the United States and in countries with which it partners.
US targets Malawi’s mining potential
Arreaga singled out Malawi’s mining sector as an area with potential to attract increased American investment, particularly because of the country’s critical mineral resources.
“Take mining. Malawi holds enormous potential to strengthen the US critical mineral supply chains and reduce our dependence on adversaries for resources that power our economies and our security,” she said.
Arreaga added that the United States expects to see growing American investment in Malawi’s mining industry.
The remarks come as Malawi seeks to attract more investment into its mining sector, which the government has identified as a potential major contributor to economic growth, exports and foreign exchange earnings.
Business leaders welcome new chamber
The launch has also been welcomed by leaders of Malawi’s private sector, who said the American Chamber of Commerce could help create new opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) Chief Executive Officer Daisy Kambalame said the establishment of the chamber would strengthen business partnerships and encourage increased investment.
NICO Group Chief Executive Officer Vizenge Kumwenda also welcomed the initiative, saying stronger links between American and Malawian businesses could help unlock new commercial opportunities.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Malawi is expected to serve as a platform for businesses to build networks, identify investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the two countries.
For Malawi, increased US investment could provide opportunities for capital mobilisation, technology transfer, job creation and expansion of the country’s export base, particularly in sectors such as mining, energy, agriculture and manufacturing.
The launch therefore marks a potentially important development in Malawi-US economic relations, with both countries looking to deepen private-sector cooperation and expand investment opportunities.
Malawi Freedom Network will continue to follow developments on American investment, Malawi’s mining sector and the growing economic relationship between Malawi and the United States.
- BREAKING: Former Electoral Body Chief Andrew Mpesi Arrested
By Our Reporter
Former electoral body chief Andrew Mpesi has reportedly been arrested after appearing before the police’s Financial Crimes Investigation Unit in Lilongwe.
Mpesi was summoned to the unit as part of an investigation into suspected financial crimes.
His lawyer, Chrispine Ndalama, says the charges against his client have not yet been disclosed.
Police have not yet issued an official statement confirming Mpesi’s arrest or the reasons for his detention.
Former electoral body chief Andrew Mpesi More details are expected as the investigation develops.
- Zambian Law Association condemns courts shutdown
- Lilongwe to Launch First City-Wide Electric Public Bus System
- Mozambique Police Stations Turned Into Scrapyards as Impounded Vehicles Rot for Decades
- UNIMA Students Left in Loan Limbo as August 29 Appeals Deadline Nears
- Football Legends Association Raises K192 Million as Simama Hotels, Austo Add K8 Million
- DNA Results in Malawi: 80% Non-Paternity Rate Reported Among Men Testing After Suspecting Infidelity
By Suleman Chitera
25 August 2026Recent DNA paternity testing figures reported in Malawi have sparked a national conversation about fatherhood, trust, relationships and the growing demand for scientific evidence in family disputes.
According to reports published by The Nation, genetics scientist Kingdom Kwapata and Attestation Background Checks and DNA Limited Malawi have reported that about 80 percent of men who undergo paternity tests after suspecting their partners of infidelity are found not to be the biological fathers of the children tested.
The figures have generated significant public interest, particularly because they suggest that DNA testing is increasingly being used by Malawians to settle questions of biological parentage.
What does the 80 percent figure mean?
The statistic needs to be understood carefully.
It does not mean that 80 percent of all fathers in Malawi are raising children who are not biologically theirs.
Rather, the reported figure concerns a specific group: men who already have suspicions about paternity and subsequently seek DNA testing.
That distinction is important because people who have no doubts about their children’s parentage are much less likely to voluntarily request a paternity test.
Kwapata reportedly handles more than 30 paternity cases every month, while Attestation Background Checks and DNA Limited, which operates in Lilongwe and Blantyre, has also reported a similar pattern among clients seeking testing because of suspected infidelity.
20 percent tested men confirmed as fathers
Based on the reported 80 percent non-paternity figure, approximately 20 percent of men in that particular group are confirmed as the biological fathers.
However, this should not be interpreted as a national paternity rate.
The testing population is already heavily selected because the men have reasons to question paternity.
The situation appears different in child-maintenance disputes.
Photo of DNA test Reports quoting Kwapata indicate that approximately 90 percent of men tested in child-maintenance cases are confirmed as the biological fathers.
That produces a striking contrast:
Type of DNA testing Reported result Men testing after suspected infidelity About 80% not biological fathers Same group About 20% confirmed biological fathers Court/maintenance-related testing About 90% confirmed biological fathers Why are the results so different?
The explanation is largely selection bias.
A man who voluntarily seeks a DNA test because he suspects infidelity is not a random member of the population. He has already identified circumstances that make him question paternity.
By contrast, men involved in child-maintenance disputes may undergo testing because they dispute financial responsibility or have been asked to establish paternity through legal proceedings.
Therefore, the two groups cannot be compared as though they represent the same population.
What does a DNA result actually say?
A paternity DNA report normally provides a conclusion based on genetic markers and a statistical probability of paternity.
A result supporting paternity can show a very high probability, commonly 99.9% or higher depending on the testing methodology and laboratory. An exclusion indicates that the tested man is not the biological father.
The exact percentage on an individual report should therefore not be confused with the 80 percent statistic being reported in Malawi.
The 80 percent figure describes a group of tested cases, while a result such as 99.99% probability of paternity describes the statistical strength of an individual test.
DNA testing is changing family disputes
The growing use of DNA testing has implications beyond confirming biological fatherhood.
Results can become relevant to disputes involving child maintenance, divorce, inheritance, custody and parental responsibility.
They can also provide certainty where allegations and disagreements have continued for years.
But the emotional consequences can be considerable.
A negative paternity result can fundamentally alter relationships between parents and children, while a positive result can settle disputes and establish biological responsibility.
A statistic that requires caution
The reported 80 percent non-paternity rate is significant, but it should not be presented as evidence that four out of every five fathers in Malawi are raising children who are not biologically theirs.
There is currently no basis in the reported figures for making that broader national claim.
The available data relate to people who actually sought DNA testing, particularly those motivated by suspicions of infidelity.
That makes the statistic important as an indicator of who is seeking DNA testing and what results are emerging from that selected group, rather than a measure of the prevalence of paternity fraud across the entire Malawian population.
The bottom line
DNA testing is increasingly becoming a powerful tool for resolving questions of biological parentage in Malawi.
The latest reported figures indicate that about 80 percent of men who seek testing because they suspect infidelity are found not to be the biological fathers, while about 90 percent of men tested in child-maintenance cases are reportedly confirmed as fathers.
The figures are striking, but they must be reported with context.
DNA can establish biological relationships with powerful scientific evidence—but the statistics surrounding who gets tested matter just as much as the results themselves.
- MEC Dismisses Reports That Chairperson Was Stopped From Leaving Malawi
By Suleman Chitera
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that its Chairperson, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, and other senior officials were stopped by police from leaving the country at Kamuzu International Airport.
In a press statement issued on Monday, 25 August 2026, MEC Director of Media and Public Relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa described the reports as false, saying no Commission official was prevented from travelling by the police.
Mwafulirwa said Justice Mtalimanja and the Deputy Chief Elections Officer responsible for Finance and Administration had been scheduled to travel to Mozambique to attend a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries (ECF-SADC).
The meeting is scheduled to take place from 25 to 27 August 2026.
However, MEC explained that the officials’ planned travel was still awaiting the necessary approval from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC).
The Commission stressed that this administrative process should not be interpreted as a police intervention or an attempt to prevent its officials from travelling.
“There was no incident at Kamuzu International Airport involving the Chairperson or any other MEC official,” the Commission said, clarifying that no MEC official was stopped from leaving the country by the police.
The clarification comes amid reports circulating on social media claiming that Justice Mtalimanja and other senior MEC officials had been prevented from travelling. The Commission has urged members of the public and media organisations to verify such reports directly with MEC before publishing or sharing them.
MEC confirms continued SADC electoral engagement
Despite the controversy surrounding the reports, MEC reaffirmed Malawi’s active participation in the ECF-SADC and its electoral cooperation activities within the region.
MEC Director of Media and Public Relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa The Commission said Malawi remains a member of the ECF-SADC Executive Committee and continues to participate in the organisation’s programmes and meetings.
MEC also highlighted Malawi’s recent role in regional electoral observation. Through the Commission, Malawi recently chaired the ECF-SADC Election Observation Mission to Zambia during that country’s General Elections held on 13 August 2026.
The role reflects Malawi’s continued involvement in regional efforts aimed at strengthening electoral governance, cooperation and democratic processes among SADC member states.
The ECF-SADC brings together electoral management bodies from countries within the Southern African Development Community. The forum provides a platform for electoral commissions to exchange experiences, cooperate on electoral matters and promote credible and democratic electoral processes.
Commission calls for responsible reporting
MEC’s latest statement also underscores the importance of accurate information, particularly concerning the country’s electoral management body and its senior officials.
The Commission has called on media organisations and members of the public to seek clarification from MEC before circulating reports concerning its officials or operations.
The clarification is particularly significant given the role of MEC in managing Malawi’s electoral processes and the potential for unverified claims involving its leadership to generate public concern.
MEC maintained that there was no confrontation involving its officials and police at Kamuzu International Airport and that the planned trip to Mozambique was subject to the required OPC approval.
The Commission has therefore sought to put the matter to rest by distinguishing the pending travel approval from the claim that its officials had been stopped by police from leaving Malawi.
- Muluzi Demands Evidence Over K1 Million ESCOM Guards Allegations
By Suleman Chitera | August 25, 2026
United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi has challenged Situation Malawi to provide evidence for allegations linking him to a purported promise to pay former ESCOM security guards K1 million each.
Muluzi, who previously served as Minister of Energy, has strongly rejected the claims, saying he never promised the former guards such payments and did not instruct anyone to withdraw a court case allegedly connected to the matter.
In a statement published on his official Facebook page, Muluzi said he had no knowledge of the alleged arrangement reported by Situation Malawi and described the publication as false, fabricated and without factual basis.
United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi The UDF leader said he was particularly concerned that the allegations had been presented to the public as established facts despite, in his view, lacking supporting evidence.
He argued that such claims can have serious consequences, particularly when they involve public figures and matters capable of affecting an individual’s reputation and credibility.
Muluzi has therefore put the publication on notice, demanding that it either produce evidence to substantiate the allegations or retract the story and issue an apology.
He also warned against using political differences as a justification for making claims that cannot be supported by facts.
According to Muluzi, public debate and journalism should be guided by evidence, accountability and truth rather than allegations presented without verification.
“I will continue to respond to what I consider deliberate misinformation,” Muluzi said, maintaining that facts should remain central to public discourse.
The dispute now places the focus squarely on the evidence behind the reported K1 million payment claim. Muluzi’s challenge is clear: if the allegation is factual, he wants the publication to produce the evidence; if it cannot, he wants the claim withdrawn.
The controversy also highlights the importance of verification when reporting allegations involving political leaders and public officials, particularly where claims could have significant reputational consequences.
Situation Malawi had not, in the material cited by Muluzi, been shown to have produced evidence publicly supporting the specific allegations.
Muluzi’s response effectively turns the matter from a political accusation into a question of evidence: who made the alleged promise, when was it made, and what documentation or testimony supports the claim?
Until such evidence is presented, the allegations remain disputed, with Muluzi firmly denying any involvement in the purported K1 million payment arrangement.
- Flames Legends Receive K8 Million Boost for Medical Scheme, AGM
By Suleman Chitera
25 August 2026The Flames Legends Association (FLA) has received a combined K8 million from two corporate companies to support its activities, including the welfare of former Malawi national football players.
Simama Hotel contributed K5 million, while Austo Brake & Clutch donated K3 million, in a show of support for the association and the football legends who represented Malawi on the international stage.
The K5 million contribution from Simama Hotel was presented during a ceremony in Lilongwe.
Simama Hotel Operations Director Fiskani Kazembe said the hotel values its relationship with FLA Speaking during the handover, Simama Hotel Operations Director Fiskani Kazembe said the hotel values its relationship with FLA and recognises the contribution former Flames players made to Malawi football.
“We appreciate the relationship we have with FLA. We are happy to offer our services to you. We recognise players who brought pride and prominence to the country,” Kazembe said.
Austo Brake & Clutch Managing Director Austin Kasito said the company decided to support the legends as part of its commitment to giving back to communities that support its business.
Kasito said sport remains important to the company and that the former Flames players deserve appreciation for the memorable moments they gave Malawians.
“We love sports and we like to give back to the communities that support our business. They gave us good moments as a country and we need to appreciate them,” he said.
FLA trustee Kinnah Phiri, a former Flames captain and coach, expressed gratitude to the two companies, saying the contributions would go towards the association’s medical scheme and its Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for Saturday at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe.
Phiri said the association still needs substantial financial support to meet its overall budget.
“We really appreciate their contributions. The funds will go towards the intended purpose, the medical scheme and the Annual General Meeting,” he said.
According to Phiri, FLA’s total budget stands at K250 million, leaving the association with a deficit of K58 million.
He, however, expressed confidence that the association would mobilise the outstanding amount in the remaining days.
The latest corporate support highlights growing recognition of the needs of former footballers, particularly in areas such as healthcare, while also strengthening partnerships between FLA and the private sector.
The Flames legends have previously played a significant role in putting Malawi football on the regional and international map, and FLA has been advocating for improved welfare and sustainable support for former national team players.
- Ireland Ambassador Says Malawi Can Become Major Legume Producer
By Suleman Chitera
Irish Ambassador to Malawi Kate Brady says Malawi has the potential to become a key player in legume production, highlighting the crop’s importance in strengthening food security and improving livelihoods.
Brady made the remarks on Tuesday in Chikwawa District during the launch of the Legume Tour Malawi 2026, an initiative aimed at promoting legume production and showcasing opportunities within the sector.
She said Malawi’s favourable agricultural conditions and the growing importance of legumes provide the country with an opportunity to expand production, increase household incomes and strengthen the agricultural sector.
The launch brings renewed attention to legumes such as beans, groundnuts, pigeon peas and other crops, which play an important role in nutrition, soil fertility and household food security.
Brady’s remarks come as Malawi continues to explore ways of transforming agriculture from subsistence production into a more productive and commercially viable sector.
The Legume Tour Malawi 2026 is expected to provide farmers and other stakeholders with an opportunity to share knowledge, showcase farming practices and explore opportunities for increased production and value addition.
With greater investment, improved farming technologies, access to markets and stronger support for farmers, Malawi could further position itself as an important producer of legumes in the region.
- Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika: A Statesman with a Vision for Malawi’s Future
By Suleman Chitera
August 25, 2026Malawi needs leadership that looks beyond the challenges of today and remains firmly focused on building a stronger, more peaceful and prosperous future.
In His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, Malawi has a leader whose political journey, academic background and experience in public service have placed him at the centre of the country’s national development conversation.
Professor Mutharika’s leadership is anchored in knowledge, experience and a long-term understanding of the challenges facing Malawi. His supporters regard him as a statesman capable of providing the stability, direction and strategic thinking needed to move the country forward.
Leadership Built on Experience and Knowledge
Professor Mutharika’s extensive academic and political experience has shaped his approach to national leadership.
His supporters believe that effective governance requires more than political rhetoric. It requires careful planning, informed decision-making, discipline and a clear understanding of the country’s economic and social realities.
For Malawi, this approach is particularly important at a time when citizens expect stronger economic opportunities, improved public services, infrastructure development and policies capable of creating a better future for young people.
Related stories Malawians See Economic Progress Under President Arthur Peter Mutharika
The argument for experienced leadership is therefore not simply about political loyalty. It is also about the value of institutional knowledge, statesmanship and the ability to make difficult decisions in the national interest.
Putting Malawi First
At the heart of the message surrounding Professor Mutharika’s leadership is the principle that national interests should come before personal or partisan interests.
Malawi is a diverse nation, and its progress depends on citizens working together regardless of political, religious, regional or social differences.
Professor Mutharika’s supporters continue to present him as a leader committed to national unity and development, arguing that Malawi needs a political culture in which disagreements do not prevent the country from pursuing common national objectives.
The country’s future, after all, cannot be built through division. It requires cooperation, responsible leadership and a shared commitment to national progress.
Mkulukutamoyo Akuyesetsa
The expression “Mkulukutamoyo akuyesetsa” captures the message of those who believe Professor Mutharika continues to dedicate himself to the country’s progress.
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Translated broadly, the phrase portrays an elder statesman who continues to work hard and contribute to the development of Malawi.
For his supporters, this is a reflection of perseverance and commitment. They believe that leadership should be measured not only by speeches but also by dedication, consistency and the ability to remain focused on national objectives.
A Vision Beyond Politics
Leadership should ultimately be about people.
Malawians want opportunities to improve their livelihoods, quality education for their children, reliable healthcare, better roads and infrastructure, access to electricity, economic opportunities and a stable environment in which businesses can grow.
They also want a country where young people can see a future for themselves without being forced to leave in search of opportunities elsewhere.
These challenges require leadership capable of thinking beyond election cycles.
Professor Mutharika’s supporters therefore emphasize the importance of a long-term national vision—one that places development, economic transformation, unity and national dignity at the centre of Malawi’s agenda.
Strengthening National Unity
Malawi’s strength has always been found in its people.
Regardless of political affiliation, citizens share the same country and ultimately the same aspirations for peace, security and prosperity.
A strong national leader must therefore be able to appeal beyond political supporters and encourage citizens to recognize their shared responsibility for Malawi’s future.
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Professor Mutharika’s message of unity continues to resonate with those who believe that political differences should never become barriers to national development.
The country’s political leadership must encourage dialogue, tolerance and respect while maintaining a firm commitment to national interests.
Development Must Remain the Priority
For Malawians, development remains one of the most important measures of leadership.
A prosperous Malawi requires investment in agriculture, energy, mining, manufacturing, tourism, technology and small and medium-sized businesses.
It requires infrastructure capable of supporting economic activity and public institutions capable of delivering services efficiently.
It also requires policies that empower ordinary Malawians rather than leaving economic opportunities concentrated among a small section of society.
This is why the leadership conversation must remain focused on practical results.
Vision is important, but vision must ultimately translate into improved lives.
A Message of Confidence and Hope
As Malawi looks toward the future, the country needs confidence.
It needs citizens who believe that national challenges can be overcome and leaders who are prepared to take responsibility for difficult decisions.
Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s supporters see in him a leader with the experience, knowledge and determination required to provide that confidence.
His political journey remains part of Malawi’s broader democratic story, and his contribution to national leadership will continue to attract public discussion and debate.DPP Leadership Under Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika Promises Stability, Development and Stronger Governance
Ultimately, history will judge every leader by the impact of his or her decisions on the lives of citizens and the development of the nation.
We Salute His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika
On this occasion, we salute His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika for his years of public service, his contribution to Malawi’s political development and his continued commitment to the national conversation.
May his emphasis on wisdom, unity, development and national dignity inspire Malawians to work together for a stronger country.
Malawi belongs to all its citizens.
Its future requires unity.
Its development requires hard work.
And its progress requires leadership that is prepared to look beyond today and build for generations to come.
Mkulukutamoyo akuyesetsa. Malawi patsogolo.
This article is an expression of support and commentary and does not represent an independent assessment of all government policies or political claims.
- Lilongwe Muslims Celebrate Ziyara, Call for Peace, Unity and Compassion Across Malawi
By Suleman Chitera
August 25, 2026 | Lilongwe, MalawiMuslims in Lilongwe today gathered to celebrate Ziyara, an annual occasion marked by worship, spiritual reflection, fellowship and the strengthening of bonds among members of the Muslim community.
The gathering, organised under the auspices of the Lilongwe Sunni Foundation, carried a broader message of peace, unity, compassion and peaceful coexistence among Malawians of different religious backgrounds.
Speaking during the event, Foundation Chairperson Aamir Patel said Ziyara should not be viewed solely as a Muslim celebration, but also as an opportunity to promote harmony and strengthen relationships between people from different faith communities.
Patel emphasised that Malawi’s strength lies in its diversity, urging citizens to continue embracing one another regardless of religious affiliation.
“Ziyara is not only about coming together as Muslims. It is also an opportunity to promote peace, unity and understanding among all Malawians,” Patel said.
He encouraged Muslims and other citizens to make compassion and care for others an important part of their daily lives, particularly by supporting people facing hardship and those who are most vulnerable in society.
The message comes at a time when communities across Malawi continue to face social and economic challenges, making calls for solidarity, kindness and mutual support increasingly important.
A Celebration Beyond Religion
Ziyara provides an opportunity for Muslims to come together in prayer and spiritual reflection while reinforcing the bonds of brotherhood and community.
However, the Lilongwe gathering also demonstrated how religious occasions can contribute to wider national values, including peaceful coexistence, respect, tolerance and community service.
For Malawi, a country made up of people from different religious and cultural backgrounds, such messages have the potential to strengthen social cohesion and encourage citizens to focus on what unites them.
The Lilongwe Sunni Foundation’s appeal for compassion also highlights the important role religious communities can play in supporting vulnerable people and promoting a culture of generosity.
Call for Unity Among Malawians
The Ziyara celebrations ultimately carried a message extending beyond the day’s religious activities: Malawians should continue living together in peace, respecting their differences while working together for the common good.
Patel urged the faithful to translate the values associated with Ziyara into everyday life by showing kindness, supporting people in need and promoting understanding within their communities.
As Muslims in Lilongwe celebrated the occasion, the event served as a reminder that faith can also be a powerful platform for promoting peace, compassion and unity across society.
The celebration therefore brought together worship, fellowship and a wider call for Malawians to build a more peaceful and caring nation—one where people of different faiths can live side by side with mutual respect.
Malawi Freedom Network continues to highlight stories that promote community development, religious understanding, peace and national unity across Malawi.
- Malawi Police Service Gets New Leadership in Administration
By Suleman Chitera
August 25, 2026The Malawi Police Service has strengthened its senior leadership following the appointment of Evalista Mvula Chisale as Deputy Inspector General of Police responsible for Administration, with immediate effect.
The appointment was made by the Malawi Police Service Commission following a meeting held in Blantyre and was confirmed by National Deputy Police Spokesperson Alfred Chimthere.
The decision marks an important development in the administration of the country’s police service and is expected to provide fresh leadership to one of the institution’s most critical portfolios.
Administration plays a central role in ensuring that the Malawi Police Service operates effectively. The docket oversees key areas including personnel management, officers’ welfare, logistics and other internal systems that support police operations across the country.
Mrs. Chisale brings experience and a reputation for discipline, commitment and hard work to the position. Her appointment is therefore being viewed as an opportunity to further strengthen the administrative structures that support police officers in carrying out their responsibilities.
A well-functioning administrative system is essential to an effective police service. When officers have proper welfare systems, adequate logistical support and efficient personnel management, they are better positioned to serve communities and maintain law and order.
The latest changes have also resulted in Dr. Noel Kayira taking over as Deputy Inspector General responsible for Operations.
Dr. Kayira assumes the operations portfolio following the retirement of Stain Chaima, whose departure created a vacancy in the position.
The new arrangement means that the Malawi Police Service now has DIG Chisale overseeing Administration while DIG Kayira takes responsibility for Operations.
The two portfolios are among the most important at senior management level, with Administration providing the institutional support necessary for the service to function effectively, while Operations focuses on the deployment and coordination of policing activities.
The Commission’s decision has consequently brought a new leadership configuration to the top management of the Malawi Police Service at a time when the institution continues to face the demanding responsibility of maintaining security and public order across Malawi.
Mrs. Chisale’s elevation is also a recognition of the importance of experienced officers taking up strategic leadership positions within the service.
Her immediate task will be to help ensure that the administrative machinery of the police service remains efficient, professional and responsive to the needs of officers and the wider institution.
With DIG Chisale in Administration and DIG Kayira in Operations, the Malawi Police Service enters a new phase of senior leadership with an opportunity to build on existing systems while strengthening efficiency, professionalism and service delivery.
The appointments demonstrate the Commission’s responsibility to fill key leadership positions and ensure continuity within the police service.
For Malawians, effective leadership within the Malawi Police Service matters because the strength of the institution depends not only on officers working in the field, but also on strong systems behind them.
The new leadership therefore deserves the necessary support to deliver on its mandate and strengthen the Malawi Police Service for the benefit of both its officers and the communities they serve.
Malawi Freedom Network wishes DIG Evalista Mvula Chisale and DIG Dr. Noel Kayira success as they take on their respective responsibilities and looks forward to a stronger, more professional and effective Malawi Police Service.
- DPP Leadership Under Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika Promises Stability, Development and Stronger Governance
By Suleman Chitera
August 25, 2026The leadership of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), under the stewardship of President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, is positioning itself as a government focused on restoring stability, strengthening national institutions and accelerating Malawi’s development agenda.
With Professor Mutharika at the helm, the DPP administration is emphasizing unity, security, economic development, improved public services and stronger support for ordinary Malawians.
A key figure in the party’s leadership is Secretary General Hon. Peter Mukhito, who also serves as Minister of Homeland Security. His dual responsibility places him at the centre of both party mobilisation and the government’s national security agenda.
Mukhito Strengthens Party Organisation
As DPP Secretary General, Hon. Mukhito has been playing an important role in strengthening party structures and promoting unity among members.
The Secretary General’s responsibilities include coordinating party activities, mobilising supporters and ensuring that party structures remain active across the country.
Supporters of the DPP leadership argue that strong internal organisation is essential if the party is to effectively implement its political and development programme.
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The emphasis on discipline and coordination under Professor Mutharika’s leadership is being presented as part of a broader effort to build a politically organised party capable of delivering on its national agenda.
Security and National Stability
As Minister of Homeland Security, Mukhito is also responsible for matters directly connected to national safety and internal security.
Peace and security remain critical to Malawi’s economic progress. Farmers need a secure environment to cultivate their fields, businesses need stability to invest and create employment, and families need to live without fear.
The government’s security agenda therefore forms an important part of its broader development strategy.
A stable Malawi, supporters say, creates the foundation for investment, economic activity and improved living standards.
Focus on Health and Public Services
The administration is also highlighting improvements in essential public services, particularly healthcare.
The government’s stated objective is to strengthen hospitals and health facilities so that Malawians can access essential medicines, equipment and professional healthcare services.
For ordinary families, access to reliable healthcare is one of the most important measures of effective governance.
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The DPP leadership is therefore seeking to present healthcare improvement as a central component of its people-centred development agenda.
Infrastructure as a Driver of Economic Growth
Roads, electricity and water supply remain among the major infrastructure priorities for Malawi.
Improved roads make it easier for farmers to transport agricultural produce to markets, while reliable electricity supports businesses, industries and households.
Access to clean and reliable water also has direct implications for public health and household welfare.
The government’s infrastructure agenda is therefore being framed not simply as construction, but as an investment in Malawi’s long-term economic productivity.
Agriculture and the Fight Against Hunger
Agriculture remains the backbone of Malawi’s economy and a major source of livelihoods for millions of households.
The DPP leadership continues to emphasise agricultural support, farm inputs and policies aimed at helping smallholder farmers increase production.
The ultimate objective is to strengthen household food security while creating opportunities for farmers to generate income from their agricultural activities.
Supporters of the government argue that Malawi cannot achieve sustainable development without transforming agriculture and ensuring that farmers have the resources and markets needed to succeed.
A Leadership Message Built Around Development
The cooperation between Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and senior officials such as Hon. Peter Mukhito is being presented by DPP supporters as evidence of a leadership team focused on national service.
The political message is clear: stability, security, healthcare, infrastructure and agricultural development must work together if Malawi is to achieve meaningful economic transformation.
As the government continues implementing its programme, public attention will naturally remain focused on measurable results, accountability and improvements in the daily lives of citizens.
For the DPP, however, the broader vision is one of a Malawi that is peaceful, productive and economically stronger.
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Under Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s leadership, the party is seeking to convince Malawians that disciplined political organisation, effective government institutions and sustained investment in development can provide the foundation for a more prosperous future.
The road ahead will ultimately be judged by results, but the DPP leadership says its direction remains firmly centred on peace, development, food security and better opportunities for Malawians.
- Shire Valley Media praises Press Cane’s operational transparency
By Suleman Chitera
Shire Valley Media Club has commended PressCane Limited for opening its operations to journalists, saying the company’s decision to host a first-hand tour has helped provide a clearer understanding of its activities, challenges and contribution to the region.
The Monday tour gave journalists firs-hand exposure to Press Cane’s production processes, including the fertilizer and ethanol plants.
It also provided the journalists with an opportunity to understand Press Cane’s operations better than is normally visible to the public.
The Club’s president MacMillan Mozeyo described the tour as important, saying it also allowed journalists to assess the company operations’ potential benefits to communities in the Shire Valley.
“The fertilizer plant was of particular interest because of its potential to benefit farmers through increased availability of agricultural inputs. The media also appreciate Press Cane’s efforts to manage its effluent and explore ways of converting it into a useful agricultural product.”
“The tour has strengthened the relationship between the company and journalists in the Shire Valley, as we are now partners in communicating developments taking place in Chikwawa and Nsanje,” said Mozeyo.
Press Cane Chief Executive Officer Bryson Mkhomaanthu said the tour was an opportunity for journalists to appreciate and report on the realities of running a complex manufacturing business.
“This tour is definitely very important for us, especially because there has been a lot of talk out there. As the media team, you need to be sharing this information,” said Mkhomaanthu.
Mkhomaanthu said Press Cane wanted the journalists to appreciate both the progress being made and the challenges faced in its production operations, particularly at the fertilizer plant.
He said the company was also undertaking various assessments and preparing reports to ensure its operations comply with legislation, safety requirements and environmental standards.
The journalists also visited the effluent management pond, where Press Cane is developing processes to convert the waste into manure for use by farmers to improve crop production
- The Mpinganjira Derby, father-son face off
Thom-Mpinganjira-Football-will-win Wanderers face Ekhaya FC in Airtel Top 8 final
By Suleman Chitera
It is going to be epic! It is going to be history in the making for Malawian football administration and sponsorship. Mighty Wanderers, sponsored by business mogul Thom Mpinganjira will battle it out against Ekhaya FC, sponsored by Mpinganjira’s son, William in the final showdown of ‘Zamadolo’ Airtel Top 8 trophy at the Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe this Sunday.
But the two Mpinganjira’s, father and son, insist that football will be the winner at the end of the final on Sunday although the young Mpinganjira is a bit ‘disrespectful’ to his father!
“It is certainly a unique and exciting story for Malawi football, and I understand why the fans and the media are interested in it. But beyond the father-and-son angle, I think the bigger story is the shared passion for football and the investment being made into the game. On the day, both teams will compete to win, and we expect a strong and entertaining final. I believe Ekhaya will win the game. The pressure is on Mighty Wanderers not Ekhaya FC,” declared William in an exclusive interview.
As expected, Mpinganjira senior decided to go soft on his son.
William-Ekhaya-FC-will-win “It is unique and unprecedented in the history of Malawi football, and I understand why people are calling it the ‘Mpinganjira Derby’. I must say here that I was surprised when William took the decision to take his team to the Super League and even more surprised that Ekhaya has survived to the extent of qualifying for Airtel Top 8.”
“Surprised because he is sponsoring Ekhaya from his own pocket. I am very proud of him and his achievements thus far and the role my son is playing in supporting football development through Ekhaya FC and the growth of the game in Malawi.”
“Regarding the Airtel final, when Mighty Wanderers FC and Ekhaya FC meet, the game of football will be the biggest winner. It will be a tough game, perhaps the toughest game this season for Wanderers because Ekhaya is a team of young boys full of energy they never tire easily.”
“A win against Wanderers Will be Ekhaya’s biggest pay day, so I do not see them missing the opportunity to stage the biggest upset. I hope it will be a great advert for Malawian football, that may encourage others to join football sponsorship. At the end of the day, the biggest winner will be football and the fans,” said a calm and collected Mpinganjira Senior.
William also agrees with his father that at the end of the final, football in Malawi will be the greatest winner.
William-Mpinganjira-celebrates-Ekhaya-FC-win “But whatever happens, I believe Malawi football is the real winner because this kind of commitment creates opportunities for players, strengthens the local game and helps expose more talent. We respect Mighty Wanderers, Bullets and Silver Strikers and all the established clubs, and for Ekhaya FC, this is part of our journey of growth. We are still building, but we are building with ambition,” said William.
The ‘Mpinganjira derby’ will surely provide fireworks, Zamadolo!
- Scorchers Reap Millions After Historic World Cup Qualification
By Suleman Chitera
August 25, 2026LILONGWE, Malawi — Malawi’s historic Scorchers campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) continues to bring financial rewards, with the national women’s football team receiving millions of kwacha in recognition of its remarkable achievement of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Scorchers made history in Morocco by becoming the first Malawi women’s national team to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Malawi secured its World Cup place after defeating Ghana 2–1 in the WAFCON quarter-final, a result that sent the debutants into the semi-finals and guaranteed qualification for the global tournament.
The team then went a step further by defeating Algeria 3–1 in the semi-final to reach the WAFCON final, another unprecedented achievement for Malawian women’s football.
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Although the Scorchers eventually lost 3–0 to Cameroon in the final, they returned home as continental runners-up and World Cup qualifiers.
Government rewards Scorchers players
President Peter Mutharika awarded K5 million to each Scorchers player following the team’s historic WAFCON campaign.
The presentation was made during a luncheon held in honour of the team after its return from Morocco, with the First Lady, Gertrude Mutharika, also presenting gifts to members of the squad.
The reward was described as recognition of the players’ commitment and achievement in putting Malawi on the global women’s football map.
National Bank announces K500 million reward
The financial recognition has also come from the corporate sector.
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) has awarded the Scorchers K500 million following their outstanding WAFCON performance and historic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
NBM chairman Grant Kabango said the bank regarded the players as national heroes and praised their determination and sacrifice.
The bank has been a major supporter of the Scorchers and previously announced a wider sports sponsorship programme worth K1.58 billion.
More rewards for the historic team
The Scorchers have also attracted other rewards following their unprecedented campaign.
NBS Bank announced a K245 million bonus package, with reports indicating that each player involved in the campaign would receive K7 million, while the remainder would be shared among members of the delegation, including technical staff and officials.
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The rewards underline the growing commercial value of women’s football in Malawi following the team’s breakthrough on the continental stage.
World Cup dream now becomes reality
The biggest prize from the campaign, however, is qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
FIFA says Malawi’s qualification was built on years of investment in grassroots and women’s football, including support through the FIFA Forward programme. The Scorchers entered the WAFCON ranked 153rd in the FIFA Women’s World Ranking but defied expectations to reach the final.
For Malawi, the achievement represents more than a sporting milestone.
It provides the country with an opportunity to compete against the world’s best women’s national teams while giving a new generation of Malawian girls a powerful example of what is possible through investment, development and determination.
The Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Tabitha, were among the standout performers during the historic campaign, while Temwa later won the WAFCON Golden Boot.
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From WAFCON debutants to World Cup history makers
Before the tournament, Malawi had never qualified for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Within weeks, the Scorchers had reached the continental final and secured the country’s first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification.
Their journey has therefore transformed the status of women’s football in Malawi and generated unprecedented national interest.
With the rewards continuing to arrive, attention now turns to how the money and increased support can be converted into long-term investment in women’s football—from grassroots development and player welfare to training facilities and international preparation.
The Scorchers have already made history.
Their challenge now is to ensure that the breakthrough in Morocco becomes the beginning of a new era for women’s football in Malawi.
- Malawi Power Crisis Deepens as EGENCO Reveals Major Generation Problems and More Blackouts Loom
By Malawi Freedom Network
August 25, 2026
Lilongwe, MalawiMalawi’s electricity crisis is deepening, with the Electricity Generation Company (Malawi) Limited (EGENCO) confirming that several of its generating units are operating below capacity while one major unit at Nkula B remains completely out of service.
The development has raised fresh concerns over the reliability of electricity supply across the country, as households, businesses, hospitals and industries continue to contend with prolonged power interruptions.
EGENCO’s latest update, issued on August 22, provides a detailed picture of the problems affecting the country’s generation system and the measures being taken to restore capacity.
Nkula B Unit 6 out of service
One of the biggest immediate setbacks is the failure of Nkula B Unit 6, which has a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW).
According to EGENCO, the unit developed a technical fault on August 7, 2026, and is currently out of service.
The company says damaged generator bearing components and the shaft are being dismantled and will be transported to the original equipment manufacturer’s workshop in South Africa for repairs.
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EGENCO expects the unit to return to service in the first week of October 2026.
The loss of the 20MW unit comes at a particularly difficult time, with electricity demand continuing to exceed available generation capacity.
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) recently reported that available generation had fallen to about 347MW against peak demand of 430MW, creating a 42MW deficit that can rise to 83MW during evening peak hours.
Nkula A also operating below capacity
EGENCO says Nkula A Power Station is currently producing 24MW, compared with its installed capacity of 35.1MW.
The reduction has been attributed to worn-out turbine shaft seals.
The company says the Government of Malawi, through the Reserve Bank, has allocated foreign exchange to facilitate the procurement of the required spare parts.
According to EGENCO, the spare parts had been fully paid for by July and were being shipped into Malawi, with the affected units expected to return to full generating capacity by the end of September.
This means some relief could come in September if the repairs and delivery of the equipment proceed according to schedule.
Tedzani and Kapichira remain affected
The electricity generation problems extend beyond Nkula.
EGENCO says Tedzani Units 5 and 6 are operating at a combined reduced capacity of just 5MW because of debris and stones accumulating at the intake area following the impact of Cyclone Ana in 2022.
A contractor has been engaged to remove the material, with the works expected to be completed by December 2026.
At Kapichira Power Station, Unit 3 is also operating below its installed capacity following the failure of its original generator transformer in May 2025.
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EGENCO says it is acquiring a replacement transformer, but the expected delivery date is October 2027, with full restoration of the unit targeted for December 2027.
The company explained that generator transformers are manufactured on a make-to-order basis and can take more than 12 months to produce.
Foreign exchange shortages worsening the problem
EGENCO has linked many of the generation problems to delays in procuring critical spare parts over the past two to three years.
The company says foreign exchange constraints contributed significantly to those delays.
The issue highlights one of the deeper structural problems facing Malawi’s electricity sector: maintaining ageing generation infrastructure requires access to foreign currency for specialised equipment and components that are not manufactured locally.
EGENCO says the Government has allocated approximately US$8.1 million for critical spare parts, enabling the company to pay for some of the most urgent components.
Why Malawians should expect continued pressure
The latest developments mean the electricity problem is not simply a matter of ESCOM distributing insufficient power.
At the generation level, EGENCO is dealing with damaged equipment, ageing machinery, reduced output from several plants, procurement delays and the long lead times required to obtain specialised equipment.
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ESCOM has consequently warned that the power supply situation is likely to remain unstable until key generation units are restored.
The situation demonstrates the growing gap between electricity demand and Malawi’s ability to generate enough power consistently.
A recent assessment reported peak demand of more than 450MW, while available EGENCO generation was significantly lower, illustrating the structural mismatch between demand and supply.
EGENCO promises new generation projects
While repairing existing plants, EGENCO says it is also pursuing additional generation projects.
Among the projects identified by the company are:
- 300MW Kam’mwamba Coal-Fired Power Project
- 4.5MW Wovwe II Hydropower Project
- 40MW second phase of the Salima Solar Power Plant
- 358MW Mpatamanga Hydropower Project
- 80MW Chasombo and Chizuma Hydropower Projects
The projects are intended to increase Malawi’s generation capacity and reduce the country’s dependence on a limited number of ageing generation assets.
EGENCO recently commissioned the first 10MW phase of the Salima Solar Power Plant, another step towards diversifying Malawi’s electricity generation mix.
The bigger question: when will Malawi have reliable electricity?
For ordinary Malawians, the central issue is no longer simply how many megawatts the country has installed on paper.
The critical question is how much electricity can actually be generated and supplied reliably when households and businesses need it.
EGENCO’s latest statement suggests that some immediate problems could improve between September and December this year, particularly if Nkula A repairs are completed and Nkula B Unit 6 returns as scheduled.
However, the Kapichira Unit 3 problem demonstrates that some generation constraints could remain well into 2027.
The continuing crisis also places pressure on Malawi’s economic ambitions. Businesses require reliable electricity to operate machinery, preserve products, provide services and maintain production. Frequent outages can increase operating costs, disrupt working hours and force businesses to rely on alternative power sources.
For households, prolonged blackouts affect everything from studying and communication to refrigeration, water supply and small businesses.
EGENCO asks for public patience
EGENCO says it recognises the challenges affecting power generation and is working to restore the affected machines.
The company says it remains committed to strengthening the reliability of Malawi’s electricity supply while expanding generation capacity.
The immediate focus, however, remains restoring damaged equipment and bringing lost megawatts back onto the national grid.
Until that happens, Malawians are likely to continue experiencing an unstable electricity supply.
The latest developments therefore leave Malawi facing a difficult short-term reality: repair the existing generation fleet while simultaneously investing in enough new generation to meet rapidly growing demand.
For millions of electricity consumers, the success or failure of those interventions will be measured not in megawatts or project announcements, but in one simple question — when will the lights stay on?
- Malawi’s Mining Boom Raises Big Questions: Who Will Control the Country’s Mineral Wealth?
By Suleman Chitera
Malawi Freedom Network
25 August 2026Malawi stands at a mining crossroads
Malawi is entering a potentially transformative period for its mining industry, with uranium, rare earths, rutile, graphite and niobium projects attracting increasing attention from international investors.
But alongside the promise of foreign exchange, jobs and economic growth is a growing question that Malawi cannot afford to ignore:
Will the country’s mineral wealth deliver lasting benefits to Malawians, or will valuable resources leave the country while communities and taxpayers receive only a fraction of the returns?
The question has become particularly important as several major mining projects move closer to development while concerns about ownership, licensing, transparency, community benefits and government oversight continue to emerge.
The Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority currently publishes licences and mining development agreements covering projects including Kayelekera, Songwe Hill and Kanyika, demonstrating the increasingly active pipeline of mining developments in Malawi.
The United States Department of Commerce also identifies several rare earth, rutile, graphite and niobium projects planned in Malawi, with anticipated development over the coming years.
For a country whose economy remains heavily dependent on agriculture, the mining expansion could become one of Malawi’s most important economic stories of the next decade.
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But it could also become one of its biggest governance tests.
The mineral boom is no longer just a promise
For years, Malawi has been described as a country with considerable mineral potential but a relatively small mining industry.
That picture is changing.
The return of uranium production at Kayelekera, developments surrounding rare earth projects and increasing interest in rutile and graphite have placed Malawi more firmly on the global critical-minerals map.
The Government has also been promoting investment in the sector and seeking to strengthen the regulatory framework.
Its Mining Investment Forum has highlighted sustainable investment, stronger institutions, local value addition and beneficiation as important components of Malawi’s mining strategy.
That last issue is particularly important.
If Malawi simply exports raw minerals, much of the economic value may be captured outside the country.
If, however, minerals are processed locally, the country can potentially create additional employment, businesses, technical skills, tax revenues and industrial capacity.
This is the difference between mining for extraction and mining for economic transformation.
Songwe Hill: Malawi’s rare-earth opportunity
One of the projects attracting international attention is the Songwe Hill Rare Earths Project.
The project is being advanced by Mkango Resources and its partners, with plans involving mining, processing and rare-earth separation.
In March 2026, Mkango announced an updated feasibility study that put the initial capital expenditure for the Malawi mining, milling, flotation and hydrometallurgy facilities at approximately US$325.5 million. A separate rare-earth separation plant planned in Poland was estimated at approximately US$212 million.
Rare earth elements are strategically important because they are used in technologies including electric vehicles, renewable-energy equipment, electronics and advanced industrial applications.
That means Malawi’s mineral deposits are increasingly relevant not only to local investors but also to global supply-chain competition.
The opportunity is therefore much bigger than simply selling minerals.
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It is about where Malawi positions itself in the international critical-minerals economy.
But questions about ownership cannot be ignored
The potential economic value of Malawi’s mining resources has also brought serious governance questions.
An investigation published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and its partners in February 2026 examined the ownership of Mawei Mining Company, which holds a heavy-mineral-sands concession near Makanjira.
The investigation reported that entities linked to Chinese state interests had acquired control of the project’s parent company through ownership changes that Malawian officials said they had not been aware of.
The project is believed to contain large quantities of heavy mineral sands, including zircon, titanium and monazite, which can contain rare earth elements.
The investigation prompted the Malawi Government to announce a fact-finding exercise into the ownership changes and compliance with mining laws.
This development raises an important national issue:
Who ultimately owns Malawi’s mineral assets?
The answer should not be hidden behind complicated corporate structures registered in offshore jurisdictions.
Related stories: CSOs Welcome Devolution of Mining Functions, Call for Stronger District Capacity
Malawians have a legitimate interest in knowing who controls companies holding strategic mineral licences, who benefits financially and whether changes in beneficial ownership comply with Malawi’s laws.
Licensing is becoming another major test
Ownership is not the only issue.
Licensing and regulatory compliance have also come under increased scrutiny.
In August 2026, Attorney General Frank Mbeta directed mining companies to comply strictly with licensing requirements, warning that firms that fail to comply could face closure.
The Government’s directive came amid questions surrounding the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Balaka.
Rift Valley Resource Developments Limited has applied to upgrade its licence from medium-scale to large-scale, with the Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority confirming receipt of the application.
The development illustrates why licensing classifications matter.
A major mining operation should be regulated according to its actual scale, investment, environmental footprint and potential impact on surrounding communities.
The law must apply consistently to both domestic and foreign investors.
The Makanjira case should be a warning
The controversy surrounding the Makanjira project offers a broader lesson.
Malawi needs a mining sector in which investment is welcomed but oversight is never sacrificed.
Foreign capital is necessary for large-scale mining because major projects require enormous amounts of financing, technology, engineering expertise and infrastructure.
But attracting investors should not mean giving investors unlimited discretion.
The Government must know:
- Who owns every mining company operating in Malawi?
- Who are the ultimate beneficial owners?
- How much investment has actually entered the country?
- How much mineral wealth is expected to be extracted?
- What royalties and taxes will Malawi receive?
- How many Malawians will be employed?
- What infrastructure will mining companies provide?
- What environmental obligations will companies carry?
- What happens when a company changes ownership?
- How much of the mineral will be processed inside Malawi?
- How will affected communities benefit?
These questions should be answered before large-scale extraction begins, not after problems emerge.
Communities must not be spectators
Mining projects are often promoted using impressive figures about investment and exports.
Related stories: Mathanga Backs Continental Unity Agenda at African Mining Indaba 2026
But for people living near mining sites, the most important questions are often much simpler.
Will there be jobs?
Will roads improve?
Will electricity reach communities?
Will local businesses receive contracts?
Will schools and health facilities benefit?
Will families affected by mining receive fair compensation?
The Makanjira investigation reported frustration among community members who said promised development benefits had not materialised while the mining project remained largely stalled.
This demonstrates why community development agreements and other legal safeguards must be treated as enforceable commitments rather than public-relations documents.
The Government should publish agreements and monitor whether companies actually deliver what they promise.
Malawi must learn from other African mining countries
The global competition for critical minerals is intensifying.
African countries possess enormous quantities of minerals needed for electric vehicles, renewable energy, defence technologies, electronics and other industries.
But a major challenge remains: much of Africa’s mineral wealth is exported without significant processing on the continent.
Recent African policy debates have therefore increasingly focused on local beneficiation, meaning processing minerals closer to where they are extracted.
That shift is driven by a simple economic calculation.
Exporting raw ore creates some employment and government revenue.
Processing, refining and manufacturing can potentially create far greater economic value.
Malawi should therefore resist the temptation to measure mining success purely by the value of minerals exported.
The better question is:
How much of that mineral value remains in Malawi?
The sovereign wealth fund question
Another major issue is what Malawi will do with mining revenues if the sector expands significantly.
A May 2026 investigation by the Center for Investigative Journalism Malawi reported concerns that Malawi was moving toward monetising major mineral resources without yet having a fully established sovereign wealth law to protect future revenues.
This is a critical debate.
Mining revenues can rise rapidly when commodity prices are favourable, but mineral deposits are finite.
If the country spends all mining revenues on short-term consumption, future generations may inherit exhausted mines without having inherited sufficient infrastructure, industries, education or financial assets.
A properly governed sovereign wealth mechanism could help convert temporary mineral income into long-term national assets.
But such a fund would only work if it has strong legal protections, transparency, parliamentary oversight and independent management.
Malawi needs maximum transparency
The mining boom should therefore be accompanied by an unprecedented level of public disclosure.
The Government should make it easy for citizens to find:
- Mining licences.
- Mining development agreements.
- Beneficial ownership information.
- Environmental impact assessments.
- Community development agreements.
- Production figures.
- Export volumes.
- Royalties and taxes paid.
- Government equity interests.
- Company compliance records.
- Environmental monitoring reports.
- Mine closure and rehabilitation plans.
The Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority already provides a public platform containing various mining licences and development agreements.
The next step should be ensuring that this information is comprehensive, searchable, regularly updated and understandable to ordinary Malawians.
Transparency should not be treated as an obstacle to investment.
It is part of responsible investment.
The biggest opportunity may be bigger than the mines
Malawi’s mining boom should not be judged only by how many mines eventually open.
The real opportunity is to use mining as a catalyst for broader industrialisation.
Mining can create demand for:
- Engineering companies.
- Transport operators.
- Construction firms.
- Equipment suppliers.
- Environmental consultants.
- Laboratory services.
- Accountancy and legal firms.
- Information technology businesses.
- Security companies.
- Local manufacturers.
- Training institutions.
If government policy deliberately connects mining projects to Malawian businesses, the sector could stimulate economic activity far beyond the mine gates.
But that requires deliberate policy.
Simply hoping that mining investment will automatically transform the economy is not enough.
A new mining era — but with a new contract
Malawi now appears to be moving from an era of mineral exploration toward a period in which several strategic projects could become operational.
That transition demands a new national conversation.
The country needs investment.
It needs foreign exchange.
It needs jobs.
It needs infrastructure.
And it needs to diversify its economy.
But Malawi also needs to protect its mineral wealth from opaque ownership structures, weak enforcement, poor contracts, environmental damage and short-term political interests.
The country should welcome responsible investors while making one principle non-negotiable:
Malawi’s mineral wealth must generate lasting value for Malawians.
The coming years could determine whether the mining boom becomes a genuine economic turning point or another chapter in which Malawi exports its natural resources while importing the finished wealth.
That is why the mining sector deserves continuous investigation, public scrutiny and evidence-based reporting.
For Malawi Freedom Network, this should be treated not as a one-day news story, but as a long-term investigative beat covering every major mining licence, ownership change, development agreement, community promise, environmental assessment, production figure and government revenue.
Because the biggest mining story in Malawi may not be the discovery of another mineral.
It may be the question of who ultimately benefits from the minerals Malawi already has.
- NOCMA Loses US$403,605 in Suspected Cyber Fraud as Police Probe K700 Million Payment
By Malawi Freedom Network
August 25, 2026LILONGWE, Malawi — The National Oil Company of Malawi Limited (NOCMA) is investigating a suspected cyber-fraud incident in which US$403,605 — approximately K700 million — was transferred to a fraudulent bank account after criminals allegedly impersonated Mozhandling Limited, a company providing services linked to Malawi’s fuel imports through the Port of Nacala in Mozambique.
NOCMA has confirmed that the matter has been reported to the Malawi Police Service, while banks involved in the transaction, including Bank of America, are working to trace the diverted funds.
The case has raised serious questions about payment verification procedures and the protection of public funds, particularly because the money was transferred after NOCMA received communication advising that its service provider had changed its banking details.
How the alleged fraud happened
According to NOCMA’s account, the company had an outstanding payment of US$403,605 to Mozhandling Limited for services connected to the handling and movement of petroleum products through Nacala between August 13, 2025 and January 2026.
NOCMA said it had previously made an initial payment to Mozhandling, leaving the US$403,605 balance outstanding.
The company subsequently received several email communications from a person identified as Patricia Maria, who was following up on the outstanding payment on behalf of Mozhandling.
However, in March 2026, NOCMA received another communication purporting to be from Maria informing the company that Mozhandling had changed its banking arrangements.
The communication reportedly provided new bank account details at Bank of America, together with documentation purportedly confirming the new account.
NOCMA said it relied on the information and documentation it received and instructed its bankers, National Bank of Malawi, to process the payment.
The US$403,605 payment was made on April 29, 2026.
The fraud was discovered two weeks later
The suspected fraud was only uncovered approximately two weeks after the transfer.
NOCMA said the genuine Mozhandling representative contacted the company again to follow up on the outstanding payment.
NOCMA informed her that the money had already been paid.
It was then that the company realised that the banking instructions it had acted upon may have been fraudulent.
Related stories: Nocma Loses K700 Million in Cyber Fraud After Hackers Impersonate Mozambican Firm
The development triggered investigations involving the Malawi Police Service and financial institutions as authorities attempt to establish how the fraudulent communication was generated, how the perpetrators obtained or intercepted the relevant correspondence and whether the money can be recovered.
Serious questions over financial controls
The incident has already triggered questions about NOCMA’s internal financial controls.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa said the key concern was not simply that fraud allegedly occurred, but how a payment of such magnitude could be redirected through a change in banking details without being independently verified before the money was released.
Centre for Social Transparency and Accountability executive director Willy Kambwandira similarly questioned the controls surrounding the transaction, arguing that a change of banking details involving such a large payment should require rigorous independent verification and senior-level authorisation.
The questions are particularly significant because the transaction involved public funds and an international service provider.
Link to Malawi’s fuel procurement changes
NOCMA has linked the circumstances surrounding the payment to changes introduced after Malawi moved from the Open Tender System (OTS) to a Government-to-Government (G2G) fuel procurement arrangement in November 2024.
Under the new arrangement, NOCMA assumed a central role in fuel importation and became involved in additional logistical requirements, including shipping, clearing, port handling and transportation.
NOCMA says the new system introduced additional contractual and financial processes before all operational and cybersecurity procedures had been fully developed and institutionalised.
The company has since returned to the Open Tender System and says it is auditing its payment-verification procedures.
Will the K700 million be recovered?
That is now one of the biggest questions surrounding the case.
NOCMA says investigations are underway with the Malawi Police Service and relevant financial institutions to trace the funds.
At this stage, there is no confirmed public indication that the entire US$403,605 has been recovered.
Authorities will also need to establish exactly how the alleged fraud was carried out, whether the criminals gained access to email communications belonging to or involving Mozhandling, and whether anyone inside or outside the organisations involved assisted the perpetrators.
Importantly, no individual has been publicly established as responsible for the alleged fraud, and the investigation remains ongoing.
A warning for Malawi’s public institutions
The NOCMA case highlights the growing risks faced by organisations that conduct large-value transactions through email.
Related stories:NOCMA Begins 10-Year Inspection and Maintenance of Blantyre Fuel Storage Tanks
A seemingly legitimate request to change a supplier’s bank account can potentially redirect millions if it is not independently verified through a trusted communication channel.
For public institutions handling taxpayers’ money, the incident raises a broader question: should a supplier’s banking details ever be changed solely on the basis of email correspondence and supporting documents?
Financial and cybersecurity specialists generally recommend independent verification of changes to payment instructions, particularly for large international transfers.
The case also comes at a time when cyber-enabled financial fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated, making strong internal controls and verification procedures essential for government institutions.
What happens next?
The Malawi Police Service and financial institutions are expected to continue tracing the funds and investigating the circumstances surrounding the transfer.
NOCMA’s internal review will also be closely watched, particularly regarding how the fraudulent banking instructions were received, verified and approved.
For Malawians, the central issue is straightforward: US$403,605 of public money was transferred to an account that NOCMA now says was fraudulent.
The country will now want answers on who was behind the alleged fraud, how the deception bypassed NOCMA’s controls, whether the money can be recovered and whether anyone will ultimately be held accountable.
NOCMA says it is cooperating with investigators as efforts continue to trace the diverted funds.
- Nocma Loses K700 Million in Cyber Fraud After Hackers Impersonate Mozambican Firm
By Malawi Freedom Network
August 25, 2026The National Oil Company of Malawi Limited (Nocma) has lost US$403,605—equivalent to about K700 million—to cyber fraud after criminals allegedly impersonated a Mozambican company responsible for handling fuel shipments at the Port of Nacala.
Nocma has confirmed the incident, saying the Malawi Police Service and Bank of America have launched investigations aimed at tracing the funds and identifying those behind the fraudulent transaction.
According to Nocma, the fraudsters intercepted email communications involving Mozhandling Limited, a company contracted to provide port-handling services for fuel shipments passing through Nacala.
The criminals allegedly used the compromised communication to send Nocma forged banking information, claiming that Mozhandling had opened a new account with Bank of America.
Believing the instructions to be genuine, Nocma directed the National Bank of Malawi on April 29, 2026, to transfer US$403,605 to the account supplied by the fraudsters.
The deception was only discovered approximately two weeks later when a legitimate representative of Mozhandling contacted Nocma over an unpaid invoice.
The development immediately raised concerns within the company, prompting Nocma management to report the matter to the police and begin efforts to recover the diverted funds.
Nocma admits control weaknesses
Nocma has acknowledged that weaknesses in its internal controls contributed to the financial exposure.
The company says the vulnerabilities emerged during the introduction of the Government-to-Government (G2G) fuel procurement model, which was implemented before all necessary operational and cybersecurity procedures had been fully established.
The admission raises questions about the effectiveness of payment verification procedures used to authorise large international transactions involving fuel suppliers and service providers.
Nocma says it has since returned to the Open Tender System (OTS) and is conducting an audit of its payment verification and financial controls.
The company is also cooperating with law enforcement agencies as investigations into the incident continue.
Police and bank investigations underway
The Malawi Police Service is investigating the circumstances surrounding the transfer, while Bank of America is involved in efforts to trace the account that received the money.
It remains unclear whether the stolen funds can be fully recovered or whether any suspects have been identified or arrested.
The incident highlights the growing cybersecurity risks facing institutions handling large public-sector financial transactions, particularly where payments depend heavily on email communication and changes to banking details.
Nocma’s loss of approximately K700 million also places renewed focus on the need for stronger verification procedures before public institutions approve changes to supplier bank accounts.
Cybersecurity experts generally recommend independent verification of any new banking instructions through previously established communication channels rather than relying solely on email correspondence.
For Nocma, the immediate priority is now to trace the missing funds, establish exactly how the fraudulent communication entered its systems and close the control gaps that allowed the transaction to proceed.
The company says its ongoing review of payment verification procedures is intended to strengthen safeguards and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The investigation remains ongoing.
- Zotsatira za DNA ku Nigeria Zayambitsa Mafunso pa Ubale wa Ana ndi Abambo, Pomwe Ziwerengero za ku Malawi Zikukopanso Chidwi
Wolemba: Malawi Freedom Network
LILONGWE — Lipoti latsopano lokhudza kuyezetsa DNA ku Nigeria layambitsanso mkangano wokhudza ubereki wa ana komanso chiwerengero cha abambo omwe mwina akulera ana omwe si awo obadwa nawo osadziwa.
Kafukufuku amene waperekedwa kuti unachitidwa ndi Smart DNA ku Nigeria wapeza kuti pafupifupi bambo m’modzi mwa abambo anayi omwe anayezetsa DNA anapezeka kuti si bambo wobereka mwana amene anayezetsedwa.
Malinga ndi DW Africa, chiwerengerochi chatsika poyerekeza ndi ziwerengero zomwe zinalembedwa m’zaka zam’mbuyomu.
Komabe, zotsatirazi zikufunika kumasuliridwa mosamala chifukwa sizikuyimira anthu onse a ku Nigeria.
Anthu omwe ali mu ziwerengerozi ndi omwe anapita kukayezetsa DNA, ndipo ambiri mwa iwo mwina anali kale ndi kukayikira kapena zifukwa zina zomwe zinawapangitsa kufuna kuyezetsa ubereki.
Zomwe kafukufuku wa ku Nigeria ukutanthauza
Kuyezetsa DNA kwa ubereki kumagwiritsidwa ntchito kutsimikizira ngati mwamuna ndi bambo wobereka wa mwana. Kuyezekeraku kumayerekezera zinthu za majini kuchokera kwa mwanayo ndi bambo amene akukayikiridwa kuti ndi bambo wake kuti aone ngati pali ubale wa magazi womwe ukuyembekezeka.
Choncho, ziwerengero za ku Nigeria zikupereka chithunzi cha zomwe zapezeka pakati pa anthu omwe apita kukayezetsa DNA, osati umboni wakuti bambo m’modzi mwa anayi onse a ku Nigeria akulera ana omwe si awo.
Kusiyanitsa kumeneku n’kofunika kwambiri pomasulira ziwerengero za DNA.
Mwachitsanzo, bambo yemwe alibe chifukwa chilichonse chokayikira ubereki wa mwana wake sangapite kukayezetsa DNA. Choncho, sangakhale m’gulu la anthu omwe ziwerengerozi zinachokera.
Izi zikutanthauza kuti zotsatira zochokera ku zipatala kapena malo oyezetsa DNA sizingangogwiritsidwa ntchito kunena kuti ndi momwe zilili kwa anthu onse.
Zomwe zikukopa chidwi ku Malawi
Lipoti la ku Nigeria lakopanso chidwi pa ziwerengero zomwe zinanenedwa kale ndi mabungwe omwe amapereka ntchito za kuyezetsa DNA ku Malawi.
Attestation Background Checks komanso DNA Limited Malawi akuti ananenapo kuti pafupifupi abambo asanu ndi atatu mwa khumi omwe anayezetsa DNA m’zochitika zomwe iwo ananena anapezeka kuti sanali abambo obereka ana omwe anayezetsedwawo.
Ngati chiwerengerochi ndi cholondola, chingakhale chofunikira kwambiri ndipo chingafunike kafukufuku wowonjezera. Komabe, sizikuyenera kutanthauziridwa kuti abambo asanu ndi atatu mwa khumi onse a ku Malawi akulera ana omwe si awo obadwa nawo.
Kusiyana pakati pa zotsatira za anthu omwe anayezetsa DNA ndi ziwerengero za anthu onse m’dziko n’kofunika kwambiri.
Ngati malo oyezetsa DNA amalandira makamaka anthu omwe ali kale ndi kukayikira kuti mwina siwo abambo obereka ana awo, n’zotheka kuti zotsatira zawo zikhale ndi chiwerengero chokwera cha ana omwe si awo poyerekeza ndi zomwe zingapezeke ngati anthu onse atasankhidwa mwachisawawa.
Chifukwa chiyani kuyezetsa DNA kukukhala kofunika?
Kuyezetsa DNA kwakhala chida chofunika kwambiri pothana ndi mafunso okhudza ubale wa magazi.
Kupatula mikangano ya m’banja, kuyezetsa ubereki kungachitike pa nkhani za cholowa, chisamaliro cha mwana, nkhani za malamulo, kulembetsa kubadwa komanso nkhani za kusamukira kumayiko ena.
Sayansi ya DNA ingathandize kupereka yankho pamene pali zonena kapena kukayikira komwe sikungatsimikizidwe ndi mawu okha.
Komabe, zotsatira zake zingakhale ndi zotsatira zazikulu pa moyo wa anthu komanso maganizo.
Zotsatira za DNA zomwe zimasintha zomwe banja lakhala likukhulupirira kwa zaka zambiri zingakhudze ubale pakati pa amuna ndi akazi, makolo ndi ana. Pachifukwa ichi, nkhani za kuyezetsa DNA ziyenera kusamalidwa mwachinsinsi komanso mwaulemu.
Kufunika kotanthauzira ziwerengero mosamala
Ziwerengero zomwe zikubwera kuchokera ku Nigeria ndi Malawi ziyenera kuonedwa ngati nkhani yomwe ikufunika kafukufuku wowonjezera, osati umboni woti pali vuto lalikulu la kubereka ana mwachinsinsi m’mayiko onsewa.
Kafukufuku wokhudza anthu onse m’dziko uyenera kugwiritsa ntchito anthu omwe asankhidwa mwachisawawa komanso omwe akuyimira anthu osiyanasiyana, osati anthu omwe amapita okha kukayezetsa DNA chifukwa chokhala ndi kukayikira.
Kafukufuku woterewu ungathandize kupereka chithunzi chenicheni cha kuchuluka kwa ana omwe amapezeka kuti si a abambo omwe amaganiziridwa kuti ndi awo m’dziko lonse.
Mpaka kafukufuku woyimira anthu onse utachitika, mawu monga “bambo m’modzi mwa anayi ku Nigeria” kapena “abambo asanu ndi atatu mwa khumi ku Malawi” ayenera kufotokozedwa momveka kuti ziwerengerozi zikukhudza anthu omwe anayezetsa DNA, osati abambo onse m’mayikowo.
Nkhani yokhudza mabanja yomwe ikufunika kusamalidwa
Kupitirira ziwerengerozi, nkhani ya kuyezetsa ubereki ndi nkhani yovuta kwambiri m’mabanja.
Ana ndi omwe angakhudzidwe kwambiri ndi mikangano pakati pa akuluakulu okhudza ubereki. Choncho, nkhani za DNA ziyenera kufotokozedwa mosamala kuti zisapangitse ana kunyozedwa kapena mabanja kuyamba kuimbirana milandu popanda umboni.
DNA ingatsimikizire ubale wa magazi, koma sikuti imangotsimikizira kufunika kwa ubale pakati pa bambo ndi mwana.
Mwamuna akhoza kukhala kuti si bambo wobereka mwana, koma n’kutheka kuti wakhala akumulera, kumuthandiza komanso kumukonda kwa zaka zambiri.
Choncho, ziwerengero zomwe zikubwera kuchokera ku Nigeria ndi Malawi zikubweretsa mafunso ofunika pa nkhani ya ubereki, kukhulupirirana komanso maubale a m’banja. Koma zikuwonetsanso kufunika kwa ziwerengero zolondola, ulemu pa nkhani za mabanja komanso kumasulira bwino zotsatira za sayansi.
Pakadali pano, uthenga waukulu pa zotsatira zomwe zilipo ndi wakuti chiwerengero chokwera cha ana omwe apezeka kuti si a abambo omwe amayezetsa DNA sichiyenera kusokonezedwa ndi chiwerengero cha anthu onse m’dziko.
Kafukufuku wodziyimira pawokha komanso woimira anthu onse ndi amene angathandize kudziwa bwino kuchuluka kwa nkhani za kusiyana kwa ubereki ku Nigeria, Malawi komanso m’mayiko ena.
- DNA Findings in Nigeria Raise Questions Over Paternity as Malawi Figures Also Attract Attention
By Malawi Freedom Network
LILONGWE — A new report on DNA testing in Nigeria has reignited debate over paternity and the number of fathers who may unknowingly be raising children who are not biologically theirs.
Research attributed to Smart DNA in Nigeria indicates that nearly one in four fathers who underwent DNA testing was found not to be the biological father of the child tested.
According to DW Africa, the proportion represents a decline compared with figures recorded in previous years.
However, the findings require careful interpretation because they do not represent the entire Nigerian population.
The people included in the figures were individuals who went for DNA testing, meaning that many of them may already have had doubts or specific reasons for seeking a paternity test.
What the Nigerian findings mean
Paternity DNA testing is used to establish whether a man is the biological father of a particular child. It compares genetic information from the child and the alleged father to determine whether they share the expected biological relationship.
The Nigerian figures therefore provide an indication of what has been found among people who have sought DNA testing, rather than evidence that one in four Nigerian fathers generally are raising children who are not biologically theirs.
This distinction is important when reporting DNA statistics.
For example, a father who has no reason to question the paternity of his child may never undergo a DNA test and would therefore not be included in such research.
Consequently, the results from DNA testing centres cannot automatically be projected onto the wider population.
The situation attracting attention in Malawi
The Nigerian report has also brought renewed attention to figures previously reported by DNA testing service providers in Malawi.
Attestation Background Checks and DNA Limited Malawi have reportedly indicated that approximately eight out of every ten fathers who underwent DNA testing in their reported cases were found not to be the biological fathers of the children tested.
If accurate, such a figure would be significant and would warrant further investigation. However, it should similarly not be interpreted as meaning that eight out of every ten fathers in Malawi are raising children who are not biologically theirs.
The difference between DNA-test results and population-wide statistics is critical.
If testing centres primarily receive clients who already suspect that they may not be the biological fathers of their children, their results could naturally show a much higher rate of non-paternity than would be found in a randomly selected sample of the general population.
Why DNA testing is becoming important
DNA testing has become an increasingly important tool in resolving questions surrounding biological parentage.
Apart from personal family disputes, paternity testing can arise in cases involving inheritance, child-support matters, immigration, birth registration and other legal or family-related issues.
The scientific nature of DNA testing can provide answers where allegations and suspicions alone cannot.
However, the results can also have serious emotional and social consequences.
A DNA result that contradicts what a family has believed for years can affect relationships between spouses, parents and children. For that reason, experts and testing providers generally stress the importance of confidentiality, informed consent and appropriate counselling when dealing with sensitive paternity cases.
The need for responsible interpretation
The figures emerging from Nigeria and Malawi should therefore be treated as an issue requiring further research rather than as proof of widespread paternity fraud across either country.
A comprehensive population-level study would need to involve a representative sample of people rather than only individuals who voluntarily seek DNA testing.
Such research could provide a clearer picture of the actual prevalence of non-paternity in the general population.
Until such representative evidence is available, statements such as “one in four Nigerian fathers” or “eight in ten Malawian fathers” should be qualified by explaining that the figures relate to people who underwent DNA testing.
A sensitive family issue
Beyond the statistics, paternity testing remains a deeply sensitive family matter.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of disputes between adults over biological parentage. Public discussion of DNA findings therefore needs to avoid language that could unnecessarily stigmatise children or encourage families to make accusations without evidence.
DNA testing can establish biological relationships, but it does not by itself determine the quality of a parent-child relationship.
A man may not be a child’s biological father but may nevertheless have raised, supported and loved that child for many years.
The emerging DNA figures from Nigeria and Malawi therefore raise important questions about paternity, trust and family relationships, but they also underline the importance of accurate statistics, responsible reporting and proper scientific interpretation.
For now, the key message from the available findings is that high rates recorded among people seeking DNA tests should not be confused with national population statistics.
Further independent, representative research would be necessary to establish the true prevalence of non-paternity in Nigeria, Malawi or any other country.
- Endorsements turns Chakwera into MCP Life President
By Suleman Chitera
Former President and MCP leader Dr. Lazarus Chakwera is continuing receiving endorsement after endorsement from MCP Members of Parliament and party leaders for the 2030 presidential election.
The MCP Constitution has no clause for Life President after Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda and it will not be as a surprise that some party leaders will make Chakwera the Life President of the mighty MCP.
Dr. Lazarus Chakwera stood in the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections and this, according to the MCP Constitution, he was supposed to leave office for other potential senior members of the party to take over.
In June, 2020 Dr. Lazarus Chakwera stood for the court – sanctioned fresh presidential elections which he won under the MCP – UTM Alliance and as the country was approaching the 16th September, 2025 elections, MCP MPs endorsed Chakwera to stand for the party where he lost miserably.
As Dr. Lazarus Chakwera was coming back from Kasungu to Lilongwe where he attended the CCAP Livingstonia Synod Annual General Assembly, he first stopped at Mtunthama trading centre where Kasungu East MCP District Chairman Mr. Chisomo Mbembeza endorsed Chakwera as the party’s presidential torch – bearer for the 2030 election.
Kasungu East constituency Member of Parliament Alex Nkhoma echoed the same sentiments that the 2030 election demands Chakwera to bounce back into government to address farm – gate prices on the claims that farmers are crying.
In his speech, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera assured the people that he is ready to serve them as their president in 2030 speaking clearly that Chakwera is running the MCP as a briefcase political party not as a national party.
A Malawi Congress Party (MCP) diehard of Mvera in Dowa district Mr. Rodgers Kamphangala, has questioned MCP members and supporters that are there no potential candidates in the MCP to take over from Dr. Lazarus Chakwera?
Kamphangala said Dr. Lazarus Chakwera is being deceived by hundreds of people lining in the streets demanding him to address them that they are for him.
He has asjed the MCP to tell its members and supporters that there’s no one in the party who can take over the party’s leadership apart from Chakwera arguing that Chakwera cannot accumulate more than 100,000 votes from central region.
“The region is already divided with many don’t want Chakwera, Chimwendo Banda and other senior members of the party, there’s a campaign going around for a vote of no confidence on Chakwera,” said Kamphangala.
He has warned all those that are endorsing Chakwera for the 2030 elections that Chakwera can in no way win any election in Malawi, saying there’s nothing that Chakwera can promise Malawians that he will deliver after failing to deliver the same.
Kamphangala has finally advised patriotic members and supporters of the MCP not to tolerate nonsense, Chakwera must be forced to step down as MCP President in as soon as yesterday for others to lead the party to the 2030 presidential election.
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