Two people tragically lost their lives in a road traffic accident on the Great North Road in Mkushi, Central Province.
The incident occurred when a Nissan Hardbody collided with a passenger bus, resulting in fatal consequences.
The victims have been identified as Joseph Ngula, a driver at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and Abraham Banda of the Zambia Statistics Agency.
Police reports, as conveyed by Kalemba, indicate that the accident took place around 09:45 hours on Friday and was caused by the driver of the Power Tools bus.
“According to the Police, preliminary findings reveal that the accident occurred when the driver of the Power Tools bus failed to correctly assess the distance and speed of the Nissan Hardbody ahead of it,” she explained.
“This failure resulted in the bus hitting the Nissan Hardbody from behind, and the vehicle was subsequently crushed between the bus and a Howo Truck in front,” the police report added.
Ministry of Labour principal public relations officer Mwaka Ndawa confirmed that Mr. Ngula had served as a driver for five years.
“His dedication, professionalism, and service to the Ministry will be remembered with profound respect and honour,” stated Ms. Ndawa.
The Ministry has expressed deep sadness over the loss and announced that a team would be dispatched to Mkushi to facilitate the dignified transportation of the bodies to Lusaka for funeral arrangements.
Authorities have urged road users to exercise caution, maintain safe distances, and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent similar accidents in the future.
The Malawi Broadcasting Corporation has issued a formal clarification following an error made during its evening news bulletin regarding President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s movements.
In its correction, MBC explained that the President had not returned to Mangochi as earlier reported in the broadcast.
The public broadcaster stated that President Mutharika had instead made a brief stop at his private residence located in the lakeshore district.
According to the clarification, the stopover was part of the President’s journey as he travelled towards Blantyre.
MBC emphasised that the State Residence remains the official and exclusive home from which the President carries out his constitutional responsibilities.
The institution acknowledged that its earlier announcement may have caused unnecessary confusion among viewers and the general public.
The clarification was issued through the corporation’s official Facebook page to ensure that the correct information reached a wider audience in real time.
Observers say the correction reinforces the importance of accuracy in state broadcasting, especially where matters concerning the Head of State are involved.
The incident also highlights the need for consistent communication between State House and public broadcasters to prevent misinterpretation or speculation.
MBC assured the public that it remains committed to delivering verified information and improving the reliability of its news output moving forward.
Salima North Constituency lawmaker Maxwell Mnjemu has expressed dissatisfaction with Minister of Information Shadreck Namalomba’s response regarding network coverage in the area.
Mnjemu raised the issue on Thursday during the August parliamentary sitting, asking Namalomba about network problems that are affecting businesses in his constituency.
Maxwell Mnjemu
He lamented that the minister’s response was not encouraging and requested that his question be placed on the parliamentary order paper.
Mnjemu said: “I am not satisfied because I expected a straightforward answer. It was just a vague response, saying they have heard us and that a team should go and assess the area.”
He added: “I really expected them to say, ‘We have taken note of that; we will send our assessment team and provide results.’”
The legislator emphasised that his constituency is densely populated and also serves as a business hub, particularly because of its location along Lake Malawi.
He encouraged entrepreneurs to invest in the area, particularly in the tourism sector, noting its potential for business growth.
Mnjemu further explained that the area is just 45 kilometres from Salima District, which is approximately 150 kilometres from Lilongwe, making it easily accessible from the capital.
In response, Minister Namalomba advised the lawmaker to resubmit his question on the order paper.
He explained that the main cause of poor network coverage is the unavailability of communication towers across the country.
The minister reassured Mnjemu that the government of President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has initiated a project to construct 128 towers, acknowledging that this is just the beginning.
He added that the Malawi Communications and Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is currently seeking contractors to build 62 of these towers.
Namalomba also appealed to network service providers, Airtel and TNM, stating that they tend to focus on remote areas rather than densely populated zones, which affects service delivery and profitability.
He said: “They should help extend services to remote areas because President Mutharika’s vision is for all Malawians to have access to the internet. By 2030, maybe eight out of ten Malawians should be able to receive online messages.”
The minister also called on other companies responsible for network provision to expand their services to underserved areas, assuring them that they are welcome to invest.
The parliamentary session is ongoing, with legislators raising questions on developmental projects that the government can implement in their respective constituencies.
Member of Parliament for Ntcheu Central, Hon. Paul Wongani Ng’oma, has renewed his call for the completion of the Ntcheu Stadium, which he says is already 90 percent finished.
Ng’oma appealed to the Ministry of Local Government to finalize the project, noting that the stadium had already been officially opened during the Malawi Congress Party administration.
Paul Wongani Ng’oma
He further commended the ministry for supporting the people of Ntcheu Central Constituency through the expansion of the Ntcheu Market under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) programme.
The lawmaker expressed optimism that the government would deliver on its commitments, saying: “I know this government will always deliver its promises. The project was initiated by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government, and with the assurance from the minister, I am confident they will complete the stadium.”
Ng’oma acknowledged that the constituency still has numerous development needs, but said some projects would only be initiated after the approval of the 2026–2027 national budget due to funding constraints.
He highlighted persistent challenges such as water shortages, and the need for a police unit, a hospital, girls’ hostels, and other critical infrastructure.
Ng’oma described water scarcity as one of the most pressing issues, noting that some communities go up to three months without access to clean water despite being near the Mpira Dam, which supplies water to residents of Balaka. He said even the dam’s immediate owners are experiencing water shortages.
He pledged to engage relevant stakeholders to resolve the water problem once and for all so that residents can have reliable access to safe water.
Commenting on the stadium’s completion, Minister of Local Government, Honourable Ben Phiri, said the government would support efforts to finalize the project and encouraged the legislator to consider allocating part of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) towards its completion.
Reflecting on Parliament’s proceedings for the week, Deputy Leader of the House, Shadreck Namalomba, said it had been a busy period that included ministerial statements and responses from party spokespersons during the mid-year budget review.
Namalomba noted that discussions around the Constituency Development Fund dominated the week, with a private member’s motion contributing to extended debate that continued into Friday’s sitting.
He added that the Minister of Finance is expected to wind up the budget debate on Monday before the deliberations move to the committee of supply.
The August House is scheduled to resume business on Monday afternoon.
Vice President Dr. Jane Mayemu Ansah SC, JA (Retired) officially opened the Cabinet Retreat in Mangochi, delivering a message on behalf of President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika that emphasised decisive leadership and national responsibility.
She reminded Cabinet members that the President’s vision, announced during his 4 October 2025 inauguration, remains the guiding framework for governance and public service.
That vision, she explained, is rooted in patience, discipline and sustained effort as the foundation for rebuilding Malawi.
Dr. Ansah highlighted a renewed social contract between Government and citizens, stressing that Ministers must exemplify commitment and accountability in fulfilling it.
She cautioned that the retreat is more than a routine meeting, describing it as a strategic platform to confront Malawi’s economic, social and political challenges.
The Vice President outlined the pressing difficulties the country faces, including persistent shortages of foreign exchange, fuel, essential medicines and basic commodities.
She observed that the business environment is currently more constrained than it was in 2020, reflecting broader economic pressures.
Millions of Malawians, she said, continue to live below the poverty line and are awaiting tangible improvements from Government action.
Dr. Ansah acknowledged the measures already implemented by the DPP-led administration, such as cost containment, expansion of the farm input subsidy programme, and the removal of ghost workers through payroll audits and digitisation.
However, she emphasised that these actions represent only the beginning of the work required to transform the nation.
The Vice President encouraged Ministers to think creatively and courageously in identifying pathways to sustainable prosperity.
She stressed that achieving meaningful progress requires disciplined, accountable and responsible leadership at every level of Government.
Dr. Ansah noted that Malawi often excels in policy design but struggles with policy implementation, highlighting the importance of follow-through.
She urged the Cabinet to consider global financial shifts and changing geopolitical priorities, which increasingly direct aid and investment to regions deemed strategically important.
In response, Malawi must be innovative with its limited resources and proactive in seeking new financing avenues.
The Vice President called for a transformation of Malawi’s national narrative, centred on results, integrity and accountability.
She reminded Cabinet members that citizens expect campaign promises to be converted into real, everyday improvements.
Dr. Ansah said the retreat should reinforce the Government’s commitment to stabilising the economy and restoring confidence among Malawians.
She urged Ministers to remain aligned with the long-term vision of MW2063 and to prioritise agriculture as the engine of inclusive growth.
She also emphasised the need for disciplined investment in industrialisation, mining and value addition, supported by reliable energy and robust infrastructure.
Digital innovation and artificial intelligence, she suggested, must be leveraged to enhance identity systems, streamline procurement, and increase transparency in Government operations.
The Vice President encouraged the exploration of private capital, diaspora resources, and innovative partnerships to support sustainable development.
She urged faster progress in decentralisation, noting that empowering secondary cities and local authorities would broaden economic opportunities nationwide.
Ministers were reminded that effective leadership is measured by the results achieved after the retreat, not by speeches delivered within it.
Dr. Ansah underscored the importance of unity, discipline and innovation in shaping every decision moving forward.
She highlighted the necessity of consistent policy execution as the foundation of strong and reliable governance.
President Mutharika’s commitment to attracting serious investors was also reaffirmed, with the Vice President quoting his emphasis on partnerships rather than handouts.
To create an investor-friendly environment, she stressed the importance of respecting contracts, enforcing clear rules, and combating corruption.
Dr. Ansah noted that Malawi already has a clear developmental direction, with political momentum beginning to build.
She urged Ministers to draw inspiration from nations that overcame adversity through determination and resilience.
The Vice President challenged leaders to act with integrity, deliver results faithfully, and rebuild public confidence in national institutions.
She expressed gratitude to development partners, particularly the United Nations Development Programme, for their continued support.
Acknowledging UN Assistant Secretary General Ahunna Eziakonwa, she highlighted the importance of international solidarity in Malawi’s development journey.
Dr. Ansah formally declared the Cabinet Retreat open on behalf of President Mutharika.
She concluded her address with a prayerful blessing over the nation.
