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Power outage hits Malawi Parliament Building

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By Burnett Munthali

A power outage struck the Malawi Parliament building earlier today, plunging the premises into darkness.

The outage, which lasted for several minutes, disrupted proceedings in the chamber, but did not bring discussions to a complete halt.

Despite the lack of electricity, lawmakers continued to engage in debates, with some expressing concern over the frequent power cuts affecting the building.

In the dark: Malawi Parliament



The power outage comes amid growing frustration among parliamentarians over the state of infrastructure in the country.

Lawmakers have been vocal about the need for improved facilities and services, including reliable electricity, to support their work.

The parliamentary authorities have been urged to address the issue to prevent future disruptions.

The incident has raised questions about the government’s efforts to improve infrastructure and provide basic services to institutions.

Malawi has been experiencing frequent power outages in recent months, sparking concerns about the country’s energy crisis.

The situation has affected businesses, households, and public institutions, including the parliament building.

Efforts to address the power crisis are ongoing, with the government exploring ways to increase energy production and stabilize the grid.

In the meantime, parliamentarians are calling for measures to mitigate the impact of power outages on their work.

The incident has highlighted the need for investment in infrastructure to support the country’s development.

As the country grapples with the energy crisis, citizens are watching with interest to see how the government will address the issue.

The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

The power outage has caused inconvenience to lawmakers and staff, but proceedings have resumed, with efforts to restore electricity underway.

Celebrating the enduring partnership

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By Linda Kwanjana

NBS Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Malawi’s military veterans through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) for a 10-year sponsorship agreement of the MDF Veterans Golf Tournament.

The MDF Veterans Golf Tournament, also known as the “Thanksgiving Golf Tournament,” is an annual initiative organized by the Malawi Defence Force to honour and support military veterans who served the nation with distinction. Over the years, the tournament has evolved into a key national platform that brings together the corporate sector, government, and the public to recognise the sacrifices of veterans while mobilising resources to support their welfare.



Proceeds from the tournament are channelled towards improving the livelihoods of veterans, including support for housing, daily needs, and general welfare.  

Speaking during the signing ceremony, NBS Bank Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Temwani Simwaka emphasised that the partnership reflects the Bank’s long-standing commitment to recognising and supporting those who have contributed to the country’s peace and stability.

“As a proudly Malawian bank, we recognise that the peace and progress we enjoy today are built on the sacrifices of our veterans. This partnership is about honouring that service and playing our part in supporting their well-being,” said Mrs. Simwaka.

The MDF Veterans Golf Tournament has grown significantly in recent years, attracting participation from corporate organisations, government leaders, and golfers from across the country. Beyond sport, it serves as a unifying platform that promotes patriotism, camaraderie, and collective responsibility towards veterans.  

MDF highlighted that the initiative not only celebrates the legacy of service men and women but also raises awareness of the challenges faced by veterans, while fostering continued support from stakeholders.

This tournament is more than a sporting event, it is a reminder that service to the nation does not end at retirement and that as a nation, and we have a responsibility to support those who served.  

Through this Memorandum of Understanding, NBS Bank and the Malawi Defence Force aim to further strengthen their partnership and ensure the sustainability and growth of the tournament as a meaningful platform for honouring veterans and supporting their welfare.

DPP members fight over land at the Ministry Headquarters

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By Linda Kwanjana

A fierce fight erupted in Minister’s office at the ministry of Lands over a dispute bordering on access to Land

Two supporters of DPP who met at the Minister’s office fought fiercely because they were accusing each other that some have already benefited from the minister and hindering colleagues’access to the minister.

It has been a custom that long queues are always visible at the minister’s office on a daily basis.

Ministry of Lands offices



Some people spend almost the whole day waiting for either the Minister or the Commissioner for Lands

Since DPP bounced back to power they have been long queues in these two offices

The ministry has silently
Been distributing land it snatched from those who were given land during the previous regime

Those who were given land specifically on June 23 2025 they land offers were declared invalid because they exceeded their due date.

Joe Icon to perform in Mulanje

By Chisomo Phiri

Music promoters in Mulanje have lined up Malawian Amapiano star Joe Ikon to headline a music show scheduled for April 25, 2026 at Cork & Bottle, in what they say is part of efforts to expand entertainment opportunities in the district.

The event is being spearheaded by music promoter Michael Kwapata, who said preparations are progressing well ahead of the show.

Joe Ikon



According to Kwapata, the initiative aims to give local audiences a chance to experience live performances from some of the country’s popular artists without travelling to bigger cities.

He said Joe Ikon, who is signed under Madness Entertainment, is expected to perform some of his well-known songs, including Pang’ono, Ndafika, Agulu, Oneni and Mpaka M’manda.

Kwapata expressed confidence that the artist’s energetic stage presence will keep patrons entertained throughout the night.

Meanwhile, a local party enthusiast, Tina Makawa, says such events help residents unwind and socialise.

In addition to the live music performance, the show will feature games, face painting, football viewing and refreshments at the venue located behind Mulanje Park Stadium.

HRCC defends National Bank amid K5 Billion cash withdrawal storm

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By Linda Kwanjana

The Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has come out strongly in defence of National Bank of Malawi (NBM), arguing that the Bank acted within the law in the controversial K5 billion cash withdrawal saga linked to the sale of Amaryllis Hotel.

HRCC chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba said it is misleading to place blame on the Bank when regulatory institutions that were duly informed failed to act.

“National Bank followed procedure. They verified the transactions, confirmed with the account holder, and notified the relevant authorities. At that point, their legal obligation was fulfilled,” said Mkwezalamba.

Robert Mkwezalamba



The K5 billion cash withdrawals, now under parliamentary scrutiny, have raised serious questions about the role of oversight bodies, particularly the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), which reportedly received prior alerts on the transactions but did not intervene.

According to information emerging from the probe, NBM officials reportedly contacted FIA ahead of the large cash withdrawals, including the K1.5 billion transactions conducted on two separate occasions in January 2026.

Mkwezalamba stressed that banks are not law enforcement agencies and cannot arbitrarily block legitimate transactions.

“A bank cannot refuse to honour a customer’s cheque without lawful justification. If anything, the law compels them to pay on demand once due diligence is satisfied. The responsibility to investigate suspicious transactions lies with enforcement agencies like FIA,” he said.

The HRCC chairperson further warned against what he described as a growing tendency to scapegoat institutions that operate within the confines of the law while ignoring failures by those mandated to act.

“We must be careful not to criminalise compliance. If the bank alerted authorities and no action was taken, then accountability must start with those who had the power to investigate and intervene,” said Mkwezalamba.

The controversy has been further inflamed by revelations that former FIA Director General Jean Piriminta was dismissed after allegedly leaking CCTV footage of the transactions, which reportedly show high-profile individuals, including State House-linked operatives, involved in the cash withdrawals.

Mkwezalamba said the focus must now shift to institutional accountability and systemic reform.

“This issue is bigger than one bank. It exposes gaps in our financial oversight systems. The question Malawians should be asking is: why were red flags ignored?”

The HRCC has since called for a transparent and impartial investigation into the matter, urging Parliament and relevant agencies to establish the full facts without political interference.

As pressure mounts, the unfolding scandal continues to test the credibility of Malawi’s financial governance systems, with NBM now finding unlikely support from civil society voices insisting the bank may have simply done its job.