Police in Mangochi have arrested Kenneth Juwawo on suspicion of vandalizing and stealing ESCOM cables, causing a power blackout in Matenganya Village, Traditional Authority Chowe.
Speaking with 247 Malawi News Mangochi Police Public Relations Officer Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi, says the man have been identified as Juwawo, from Sakweda Village, Traditional Authority Kaduya in Phalombe, was found in possession of 206 pieces of ORK 100mm aluminum conductor cables, which he had concealed inside a fish basket.
Daudi added that according to reports, on March 24, 2025, at around 01:00 hrs, residents of Matenganya Village intercepted Juwawo as he emerged from a nearby bush, riding a bicycle and carrying the fish basket.
When questioned, he initially claimed he was transporting tomatoes to M’balula Market. However, a search of the basket revealed the stolen ESCOM cables.
Juwawo was immediately apprehended and handed over to Mangochi Police, where he remains in custody pending court proceedings.
Meanwhile, the stolen items have been identified by ESCOM officials.
Police in the district continue to warn the public against vandalizing essential infrastructure, emphasizing that such acts disrupt communities and carry severe legal consequences.
In a significant display of regional solidarity, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi joined fellow heads of state and government from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for a virtual meeting on Monday evening.
The emergency summit, convened to address the escalating security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), brought together key regional leaders to forge a united response to the crisis.
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa praised the regional blocs for demonstrating a sense of solidarity in the face of adversity.
“It is heartening to see our regional communities coming together to address the security challenges facing the DRC,” President Mnangagwa said.
He added, “This show of unity is a testament to our commitment to peace and stability in the region.”
President William Ruto of Kenya, co-chairperson of the summit, congratulated DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame for their commitment to tackling the issues affecting the continent.
“We recognize the critical role that the DRC and Rwanda play in regional stability, and we commend their leaders for their efforts to address the security challenges facing the region,” President Ruto said.
The virtual meeting marked the second joint EAC-SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, following the first meeting convened in Dar es Salaam on February 8, 2025.
The summit aimed to coordinate a regional response to the deteriorating security situation in the DRC, which has raised concerns about the potential for regional instability.
The leaders discussed various strategies for addressing the security challenges in the DRC, including diplomatic efforts, economic cooperation, and regional security initiatives.
They also emphasized the importance of international cooperation and support in addressing the crisis.
As the region continues to grapple with the security challenges facing the DRC, the summit marked an important step towards forging a united regional response.
With the commitment and cooperation of regional leaders, there is hope for a peaceful and stable resolution to the crisis.
The summit’s outcome is expected to have significant implications for regional stability and security.
As the situation in the DRC continues to evolve, the region will be watching closely to see how the commitments made at the summit translate into action on the ground.
In related news, the African Union (AU) has also expressed concern about the security situation in the DRC and has called for a peaceful and inclusive resolution to the crisis.
The AU has offered to support regional efforts to address the security challenges facing the DRC.
As the region moves forward, it is clear that a united and coordinated response will be critical in addressing the security challenges facing the DRC.
With the commitment and cooperation of regional leaders, there is hope for a peaceful and stable resolution to the crisis.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Member of Parliament for Rumphi West, Yona Mkandawire, has labeled the proposed 2025-2026 budget as “retrogressive.”
Mkandawire’s remarks came during a parliamentary debate on the proposed budget, in which he expressed concerns that the financial blueprint prioritizes expenditure over production.
Yona Mkandawire
According to Mkandawire, the budget’s focus on expenditure will hinder Malawi’s ability to achieve its 2063 agenda, a comprehensive development plan aimed at transforming the country into an upper-middle-income economy.
The legislator emphasized that the government’s lack of commitment to investing in critical production areas, such as agriculture and manufacturing, will continue to hold the country back.
Mkandawire also highlighted the government’s failure to investigate and prosecute high-profile corruption cases as a major obstacle to Malawi’s progress.
This lack of accountability, he argued, undermines the government’s efforts to promote economic growth and development.
The MCP lawmaker’s criticisms echo concerns raised by other stakeholders, including economists and civil society organizations, who have warned that the proposed budget does not adequately address the country’s pressing development needs.
Mkandawire’s remarks are not the first time he has challenged the government’s policies.
In February 2025, he openly disputed President Lazarus Chakwera’s State of the Nation Address, accusing him of presenting false information about development projects in his constituency.
As the debate on the proposed budget continues, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to Mkandawire’s criticisms and those of other stakeholders.
One thing is clear, however: the government must prioritize investments in critical production areas and ensure accountability in its use of public resources if it hopes to achieve its development goals.
In related news, the Malawi government has come under increasing pressure to address corruption and ensure transparency in its financial dealings.
The country’s anti-corruption agency has been criticized for its failure to prosecute high-profile corruption cases, sparking concerns about the government’s commitment to accountability.
As the country prepares for upcoming elections, the debate over the proposed budget is likely to intensify.
Mkandawire’s criticisms have highlighted the need for a more nuanced and informed discussion about Malawi’s development priorities and the role of the budget in achieving them.
Malawian football star Temwa Chawinga has made a stunning start to her season in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States, earning her a nomination for Player of the Week.
Chawinga, who plays for Kansas City, has scored two goals in her first two games, setting her sights on defending her top goal scorer award.
Her impressive performance has helped Kansas City secure second place on the log table, just four goals behind leaders Orlando Pride.
Temwa Chawinga
The nomination is a testament to Chawinga’s skill and dedication to the sport.
She faces stiff competition from other talented players, including Gia Corley of San Diego Wave FC, Kylie Nadaner of Orlando Pride, and Angelina Anderson of Angel City FC.
Chawinga’s success in the NWSL is not only a proud moment for Malawi but also an inspiration to young girls and women back home.
Her achievements demonstrate that with hard work and determination, Malawian athletes can compete at the highest level and make a name for themselves on the global stage.
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) has expressed optimism that it will achieve its goal of connecting 180,000 people across the country to electricity.
This initiative is part of a five-year project that ESCOM is implementing in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy.
One of ESCOM’s senior officials, George Matukuta, told Zodiak Online that, so far, the corporation has already connected 82,000 people to electricity since the project began in 2020.
He made these remarks at PIM market in Chiradzulu District, where ESCOM is assisting people who have been struggling to get connected to electricity despite meeting all the necessary requirements.
Matukuta further explained that ESCOM has now started connecting people to electricity at a reduced fee of K17,500 to ease the financial burden that many applicants face.
He added that the reduced connection fee aims to ensure that customers gradually repay the costs by purchasing electricity units after their connection is completed.
This project is being implemented under the Ministry of Energy, with financial support from the World Bank, which is assisting in ensuring that more people have access to electricity affordably.
The expansion of electricity access is seen as a crucial step, especially considering that many people in both rural and urban areas have struggled to obtain electricity despite fulfilling all the requirements.
Through this initiative, ESCOM aims to provide more Malawians with the opportunity to use electricity for education, business, and improving their daily lives.
The corporation expects that by 2025, all 180,000 targeted beneficiaries will have been connected to electricity, significantly contributing to national economic development.
It is clear that ESCOM is making efforts to address the challenges that many people face in getting electricity, and this project appears to be making a positive impact.
Despite challenges such as shortages of materials and rising costs of infrastructure development, ESCOM remains committed to expanding electricity access to as many people as possible.
The introduction of an affordable connection fee has also helped individuals who previously could not afford electricity installation due to high costs.
ESCOM continues to work closely with the government and other supporting institutions in the energy sector to ensure that more Malawians benefit from electricity supply.
This initiative should be welcomed by all stakeholders, as it plays a vital role in improving livelihoods, boosting businesses, and driving national development.
