The body of the late Auxilia Matlou Banda was laid to rest yesterday.
Matlou was a fashion designer as well as a young woman involved in second-hand clothing (kaunjika) business and other trades in the city of Lilongwe.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that she passed away due to complications related to a stroke.
late Auxilia Matlou Banda
Auxilia was a close friend of a musician known as Tuno MW, and she had also played a part during the engagement ceremony of Onesimus’s manager, Tonderai Banda, where she was one of the dancers.
Her death has shocked many people as she was still very young.
Police officers stationed at Muloza border in Mulanje have arrested a 53-year-old Mozambican national, Fadweck Thomas, after he was found in illegal possession of 600 litres of diesel fuel.
According to authorities, Thomas was also attempting to export the fuel without any legal documentation or authorization, raising suspicions of fuel smuggling across the Malawi-Mozambique border.
The arrest was confirmed by South East Police Region spokesperson, Sub Inspector Edward Kabango, who provided further details surrounding the incident.
Kabango said the arrest took place on April 20, 2025, after border officers received a tip-off regarding suspicious activity involving a vehicle with Mozambican registration.
The tip-off revealed that a Toyota Land Cruiser bearing registration number MMS 93-48 was transporting three large drums of diesel that had been concealed under a lawn mower in the vehicle.
Acting on the information, police conducted a thorough search of the vehicle at the Muloza border post.
During the inspection, officers discovered the hidden diesel drums and immediately questioned the suspect regarding the fuel’s origin and intended destination.
Fadweck Thomas failed to produce any documentation proving the lawful possession of the fuel or any permit authorizing its export from Malawi.
As a result, the officers arrested him on the spot and formally charged him with two offenses: illegal possession of fuel and attempting to export goods without proper documentation.
Police say the suspect is currently in custody and is expected to appear in court on Tuesday following the conclusion of the Easter holiday.
This case adds to a growing number of cross-border smuggling incidents involving fuel and other controlled commodities in the southern region.
Authorities have since reiterated their commitment to enhancing security and surveillance measures at all border points to curb illegal trade and safeguard Malawi’s economy.
The suspect, Fadweck Thomas, is reported to be a resident of Villa Milanje in the Zambezia Province of Mozambique.
Police have also urged the public to report any suspicious activities involving illegal trade to help in combating smuggling and other economic crimes.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced.
The pontiff spent his final weeks in the hospital due to an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was the first pope from outside Europe in 1,300 years when he was chosen to replace Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.
He was known for his humility, emphasis on God’s mercy, and commitment to social justice.
Francis made significant contributions to the Catholic Church, including reforms and outreach efforts.
He advocated for a more sympathetic approach towards the LGBTQ community and emphasized the importance of addressing climate change.
The Pope was a vocal critic of unbridled capitalism and consumerism, and he called for the protection of migrants and the abolition of the death penalty.
Throughout his papacy, Francis was recognized for his dedication to the poor and his efforts to promote interreligious dialogue.
His leadership and vision continue to shape the Catholic Church, and his passing marks the end of an era.
South Africa’s opposition party led by Jacob Zuma, the Ukhonto weSizwe Party,MK Party, has distanced itself from its secretary-general, Floyd Shivambu’s, attendance at an Easter service organized by the founder of Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church Prophet Shepherd Bushiri.
According to a statement released by the party, Shivambu attended the service independently and without the party’s authorization.
Bushiri and Shivambu
MK Party states that it respects the rule of law and does not condone associating with individuals evading justice.
Bushiri and his wife ,Mary,face multiple charges in South Africa, including rape, forgery, fraud and bail-jumping.
The couple fled the rainbow nation in 2020 while out on bail and has been fighting extradition since then.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets continued their impressive run in the TNM Super League 2025 season, registering a 7-0 thrashing of Songwe Border United at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday.
The win saw Bullets maintain their momentum ahead of the second leg of the Airtel Top 8 against Creck Sporting Club at Bingu National Stadium.
Bullets’ head coach, Peter Mponda, expressed delight with the positive result, saying it would boost their momentum in the upcoming match.
“This win will give us the confidence and momentum we need to take on Creck Sporting Club,” Mponda said.
Songwe Border United’s head coach, Enock Mhone, acknowledged that mistakes made during the match cost them the game.
“The mistakes we made today cost us the game, but overall, we expect to do better than today’s result,” Mhone said.
Babatunde Adeponju, Wongani Lungu (2 goals), Chikumbutso Salima, Hassan Kajoke, and Maxwell Gastin Phodo scored for Bullets, while another goal was an own goal.
With this win, Bullets have now won three games, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one.
In another match, Creck Sporting Club earned their first point of the season after a goalless draw with Blue Eagles.
The result sets the stage for an intriguing matchup between Bullets and Creck Sporting Club in the Airtel Top 8.
