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Minister Chimwendo Banda warns underperforming councils

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By Lloyd Jonathan

Minister of Local Government Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda has sounded the warning against Councils’ management over their underperformance in implementing various projects.

Chimwendo Banda sounded the warning a while ago during the on-going quarterly coordination meeting currently being held at Golden Peacock Hotel in Blantyre.

Local Government Minister Chimwendo



The Minister sounded the warning with reference to the three Councils which did not qualify to access resources in 2023/2024 financial year under the World Bank funded GESD programme, that issues Performance Based Grant cheques to Councils with outstanding performance.

Honourable Banda, who is in a company of his deputy Honourable Owen Chomanika, spanned his speech on issues such as laxity in implementing projects for the local people, corruption and abuse of funds as some of factors leading to Councils’ underperformance.

He then further warned that his administration does not want to see any Council fail to perform again this year.

Traditionally, the performance of councils are assessed annually to see how they are progressing in terms of executing development projects.

At least a total of nine councils have been recorded as the underperformers for the past three fiscal years according to the recent Local Authorities Assessment Report (LAPA).

The development according to Honourable Banda is a move that is denying people in the respective authorities their right to development.

Said Banda :”So far nine councils have failed to perform and they did not access the grant. I don’t want to hear that councils have failed to access the grant this year.
The song should not be repeated this year.”

Speaking further, Honourable Banda, who is also the leader of the House in Parliament issued a stern warning against the Councils’ controlling officers and council chairpersons over abuse of the Connstituency Development Fund (CDF).

“CDF is not for individuals.It is for poor people. …if you are not happy with the projects say that you don’t like the project. The performance of the Council will be judged by how you as the District Commissioner has performed. Councillors too should not force the DCs to what what they personally want to do.”

In February this year, Honourable Banda said his administration will ensure councils are executing development projects for the goodness of people in the country in line with the expectations of His Excellency President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera whose vision is to make Malawians prosper together in various sectors that include development.

Today’s meeting has drawn together District Commissioners and Council chairpersons from the Southern Region.

The aim of the meeting is to identify strategies that could help councils meet the aspirations in the Malawi Vision 2063 (M2063).

Chakwera urges Malawians in South Africa to support one another

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By Vincent Gunde

President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has urged the Malawian community in South Africa to support one another during this difficult time of the tragic death of at least 74 people including 20 Malawians and injury of scores of others when fire gutted a building in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The figure of 20 Malawians who have died has been known because of their National Identity Cards(IDs) but there are many foreigners including Malawians who are not documented and are staying in South Africa illegally died or injured.

Johannesburg fire accident that claimed lives of Malawians-



President Chakwera says he and the First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera are deeply saddened by the tragic death of people conveying their condolences to the bereaved families and best wishes to those receiving treatment in hospitals in South Africa.

“We stand in solidarity with South Africa and commend the heroic efforts of rescue teams,” reads Chakwera’s condolence message on his Facebook wall.

President of Chilungamo Party Comrade Sheikh Alhaji Jumbe has sent his condolences to bereaved families of fellow citizens who have lost lives in the fire tragedy in Johannesburg saying he and the party are with families who have lost their sons and daughters in this tragedy.

‘’Their loss is the loss of the nation, we all belong to God and to him we shall all return, may their souls rest in eternal peace,” reads Comrade Alhaji Jumbe’s eulogies on the wall.

Meanwhile, a Council of Muslim theologians Jamiatul Ulama of South Africa (JUSA) says it has noted that many among the deceased are being identified as Muslims saying their hearts go to families and friends who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy.

‘’We are praying that those who have sustained injuries recover soon,’’… reads the statement on the wall.
JUSA has invited members of the deceased families and friends to approach the council in South Africa’s Burial Centre, for any assistance that will be required for funerals of their beloved ones by calling Muhammad 0794902098 and Ali 0717002040.

TNM Super League: Chitipa blow chance to go top following defeat against Tigers

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By Staff Reporter


Chitipa United suffered defeat at the hands of Mighty Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday as they missed a golden opportunity to shoot to the top of the log after losing for only the second time in the league this season.

Two precious goals from Precious Chpungu and Precious Chiudza were enough to take the Kanjedza outfit to position 11 on the log table.

Chipungu opened the scoring for the Kau-Kau boys from close range in the 45th minute after he was left unmarked in the box.



Chiudza then doubled the lead just four minutes in the second half with a beautiful header before Lorenzo Ghedo pulled one back for the visitors with a header after receiving a cross from China Chirwa in the 78th minute.

Chitipa remain third on the log table with 36 points level with second placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and a point behind leaders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets who have played two games less than the Lions of Misuku Hills

The loss has reduced Chitipa’s chances of winning their first ever super league title.

Elsewhere, an early goal by Olson Kanjira helped Kamuzu Barracks to collect maximum points as they beat Moyale Barracks 1-0 at Rumphi Stadium.

At Karonga Stadium, it ended goalless between Karonga United and Blue Eagles as Karonga move to sixth on the log table while Blue Eagles dislodge Mafco FC on position 13.

Nicholas Dausi fired from DPP

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By Chisomo Phiri

The Democratic Progressive Party ( DPP) has fired one of its senior members Nicholas Dausi from the party.

In a statement, the party’s spokesperson Shadric Namalomba, says the decision follows a recommendation by the party’s disciplinary and central executive committee.

Fired: Nicholas Dausi



The statement has however, not provided details for the expulsion.

Last week Dausi was spotted at a rally by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Director of youth and minister of Local government Richard Chimwendo Banda in Mwanza central constituency but the legislator denied to have joined MCP.

Surveyors Institute in Malawi to hold 2023 AGM from 5 – 6 October

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By Linda Kwanjana

After successfully holding a mid-year conference that focused on Continued Professional Development (CPD), Surveyors Institute of Malawi (SIM) is organizing yet another premier annual lake conference to take place at Sunbird Livingstonia Hotel in Salima.

This year’s theme is “The role of surveyors in smart cities development, key features towards 2063 agenda.”

Members of this professional body are recognised as having an important part to play in the land administration/management, construction cost estimation and project management and real estate management/valuation and hence development of the country.

SIM is having yet another meeting and this time around the meeting is have key presenters who will outline issues bordering on the profession.

Chairperson of the organizing Committee, Precious Chisi, confirmed the indaba, decribing it as so crucial.

Gumba to open the conference

Chisi said the meeting will be opened on 5 October 2023, and will be concluded on 6 , adding that it is on 6 October, 2023 when elections will be held.

According to the organizing committee chairperson, the Minister of Lands, Deus Gumba, will grace the AGM.

SIM has since appealed to well-wishers to contribute in various ways towards the preparation of the conference.

“We are a professional body with very few members and our source of finance is mainly membership subscription fees. This source of resource does put the Institute into limitations to do much more than it usually anticipates. It is in view of this back ground that we are requesting for possibility to sponsor this CPD, which we feel is timely to look at issues that impinge on collaborative activities in the built environment and come up with policy direction towards a responsible practice,” he said.

Meanwhile registration is happening at a conference fee of K200,000 for members and K250,000 for non members

Few month ago, SIM organized another impactful Mid-Year CPD Conference which took place at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe from 4-5 May.

The guest of honor was Honourable Deus Gumba MP, Minister of Lands and the theme for the conference was “Ethically Empowered Surveyors- The catalyst for National Development”.

Surveyors Institute of Malawi was formed in 1975. It is a professional grouping that contains the following broad fields of activities; Land surveying, Hydrographic surveying, Geological surveying, Land economy and Quantity surveying in Malawi. in 1975, members of SIM are responsible for Land management, a process by which the resources of land are put to good effect and land administration which carter for the transfer of rights in land from one party to another through sale, lease, loan, gift and inheritance; the regulating of land and property development; the use and conservation of land; the gathering of revenues from the land through sales, leasing, and taxation; and the resolving of conflicts concerning the ownership and the use of land.