The High Court in Blantyre is set to hear a case in which former Member of Parliament for Nsanje Lalanje, Gladys Ganda, is challenging the election results for the constituency.
The hearing is scheduled to take place on March 13, 2026, and will be presided over by High Court Judge Allan Hans Muhome.
According to a court document, electoral petition number 98 of 2025, Ganda is disputing the victory of Bilal Karim, who was declared the winner of the September 16, 2025, parliamentary poll in Nsanje Lalanje constituency.
Ganda
In an earlier interview, Ganda claimed that the parliamentary race was marred by acts of cash handouts to voters and political violence, which allegedly compromised the credibility of the exercise.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) declared Karim, an independent parliamentary candidate who is now a member of the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the winner after he amassed 13,491 votes, compared to Ganda’s 5,714 votes.
A total of seven candidates contested the September 16, 2025, Nsanje Lalanje constituency parliamentary election.
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc and Portland Cement Malawi have reaffirmed their commitment to rolling out initiatives that strengthen the country’s cement supply chain, improve access to financing for distributors, and reduce reliance on imported cement.
The collaboration follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions in Blantyre in October last year, aimed at supporting procurement, transportation, wholesaling, and retailing of cement products nationwide.
Jianguo Liu and Grant Kabango
Speaking on the ongoing partnership at the cocktail event in Lilongwe on Friday, NBM plc Board Chairperson Grant Kabango said the MoU has established a strong relationship between the bank and the cement industry through Portland Cement.
“The idea is to facilitate the procurement, distribution, transportation, wholesaling, and retailing of cement products. Our colleagues at Portland Cement have established a production plant in Malawi, which is now feeding into the national supply line. As a result, Malawi can significantly reduce the importation of cement from other countries, thereby conserving foreign exchange,” said Kabango.
He added that the Bank has established a number of financial facilities suited to each stage of the supply chain.
“Transporters are now able to acquire what they need, while distributors and wholesalers are also accessing the financing required to ensure that their businesses operate smoothly,” he said.
He added that since signing the MoU in October last year, about K3.2 billion has already been utilised in Blantyre alone.
“We are seeing strong demand coming through, and that is why we have now moved into the Central Region because of the promising results recorded in Blantyre. Portland Cement has also opened a depot in Kanengo, which means we anticipate receiving even more financing requests from businesses requiring support through the National Bank of Malawi plc,” he said.
Kabango emphasized that cement is not a seasonal product and explained that the bank is fully prepared to finance supply chain activities whenever client’s approach, noting that it has adequate resources to meet the growing demand.
Portland Cement Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jianguo Liu emphasised, the impact of the Balaka plant on cement production.
“After we commissioned our Balaka plant, we have increased cement production. Our Balaka plant alone has increased cement production capacity by 800,000 tonnes per year. By our estimates, that represents almost 60 to 70 percent of the country’s total cement consumption as of last year,” said Liu.
He added that the partnership with NBM plc is expected to make it easier for distributors and retailers to access financing, both through credit and improved cash flow management, ultimately fostering mutual growth.
On investment, Liu revealed that the Balaka plant cost 100 million US dollars, or about K200 billion .
“The plant has already been commissioned. This means Malawi now has enough cement production capacity. We are confident that we can provide a reliable cement supply and avoid shortages,” he said.
Portland commissioned its cement manufacturing plant in Balaka District with capacity of 200,000 metric tons
Second Vice President Enock Chihana has described the late banker Webster Khwima Kaunga as a remarkable individual whose work in Malawi’s banking sector made a lasting impact on the country’s development.
Speaking on Monday during Kaunga’s burial at Chizobe Village, Traditional Authority(T/A) Muzikubola in Mzimba, Chihana said the late banker was a national asset whose dedication and selfless service will be deeply missed.
Chihana at the funeral
“Webster was a hardworking and committed professional who played a key role in the banking sector.
“His contributions to the nation will not be forgotten,” he said.
In his eulogy, Kaunga’s son, Webster Junior, described his father’s passing as a profound loss not only for the family but for the entire nation.
On his part,former Vice President Khumbo Kachali also paid tribute, noting Kaunga’s active involvement in church activities, social initiatives, and sports, highlighting his commitment to community service beyond his professional achievements.
Kaunga, 55, held various positions at the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) and was widely respected for his integrity and professionalism.
He passed away on Wednesday following an illness and is survived by his wife and three children.
CDH Investment Bank has strengthened its collaboration with the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) by signing a US$120,000, approximately K210 million Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that focuses on eco-forestry and tourism, solar energy infrastructure, and innovative student scholarships.
Speaking during the signing ceremony on Friday at LUANAR’s Bunda Campus, CDH Bank Chief Business Development Officer Jamal Kamoto praised the university for its effective management of a previous US$30,000 grant over the past three years.
“Our confidence in LUANAR’s ability to manage resources responsibly has led us to expand our support to US$120,000. This will help scale up ongoing initiatives and programs that benefit both students and the wider community,” said Kamoto.
On his part,LUANAR Vice Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda commended CDH Investment Bank for the partnership,saying the grant will enhance student opportunities and contribute to community development.
“The university is committed to managing these funds with integrity and purpose, ensuring they are used to deliver meaningful impact,” said Kaunda.
CDH Investment Bank is a leading financial institution in Malawi, providing a wide range of banking and investment services, including corporate banking, retail banking, advisory services, and investment management.
The bank is committed to supporting economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and initiatives that foster education, environmental sustainability, and financial inclusion.
Shocking revelations have come from the Weekend Malawi News published reports that when Malawi increased the number of constituencies from 193 to 229 ahead of the 16th September, 2025 elections, the concern among many, was that this would tear through taxpayers’ pockets.
The recent hiking of taxes, the worst of it being K6,000 salary deductions from teachers, have proved it all that lives for Malawians will not be the same, Malawians are still in Egypt working as slaves and the hope for a better Canaan of tomorrow, is a long way to go.
The Malawi News has reported that the Government of Malawi has hiked Members of Parliament (MPs) vehicle loan facility from K50 million to K300 million and the public is paying for every MP who gets the loan.
The hiking of MPs vehicle loan facility from K50 million to K300 million has coincided with a government Notice to all civil servants advising all civil servants and public officers that there are currently no available resources to support salary increase.
In the Notice, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralization Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha stated that government is already deeply indebted from the past borrowings that increasing salaries will be a disaster in the civil service.
Mwanamvekha emphasized that individuals seeking higher remuneration are free to explore employment opportunities outside the civil and public service reminding all that public service is about service and patriotism. The government released the Notice to the civil servants following a request for a 50 percent salary increase citing rising cost of living but government indicated that its current priority is raising revenue through taxes and reducing national debt even as economic conditions remain difficult.
