The High Court in Blantyre has ordered the Inspector General of Police to compensate James Mbendera, a 14-year-old boy who was brutally tortured and injured by police officers in Mulanje.
The court ruled that the police’s use of excessive force and failure to inform the child’s parent or guardian was unlawful and unconstitutional.
The case stemmed from an incident where James Mbendera was tied with elastic rubber and taken to Misanjo Police in Mulanje, where he sustained injuries that led to his amputation at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
The police officers involved, Charles Mbewe and Stanley Chigaru, were sentenced to 10 years in jail for causing grievous harm and neglecting their duties.
The court’s decision also emphasized the need for police to comply with constitutional rights and child protection laws when dealing with minors.
The compensation amount will be determined by the Registrar.
This ruling serves as a significant step towards holding law enforcement accountable for their actions and ensuring justice for victims of police brutality.
The most powerful camera ever built on Earth is now ready to peer deep into the cosmos.
Designed with an extraordinary 3-billion-pixel resolution, this massive instrument will capture some of the clearest images of the night sky ever taken.
It resides within a purpose-built observatory, dramatically positioned atop a remote mountain for optimal sky visibility.
With this unmatched imaging power, astronomers will be able to observe cosmic features in remarkable detail, far beyond what was previously possible.
The camera is set to revolutionize space science by collecting vast quantities of data that will fuel discoveries for years to come.
It will track the movements of asteroids, uncover new galaxies, and provide new insights into the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.
The observatory housing this technological marvel sits against a stunning landscape, where sunsets and mountain peaks add to its mystique.
This groundbreaking project is part of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, one of the most ambitious astronomical initiatives of our time.
Its southern location offers a dark, clear sky ideal for space observation, far from city lights and atmospheric interference.
The observatory plays a key role in the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), a ten-year mission to map billions of celestial objects.
Once operational, the project will produce the most comprehensive and dynamic sky map ever created.
Photographer Marcos Zegers captured the awe-inspiring image featured above for The New York Times, showcasing both the telescope and its dramatic setting.
This achievement marks a major step forward in humanity’s quest to understand the universe.
With every snapshot it takes, Earth’s largest camera will bring us closer to the stars and deepen our grasp of the cosmos that surrounds us.
One of Malawi’s leading private media companies, the Times Group, has officially launched its advanced digital system online news platform, E-Times.
E-Times is a digital platform that combines e-editions of The Daily Times, Malawi News, and The Sunday Times, leveraging communication edge technology to provide breaking news, current affairs, investigative journalism, in-depth analysis, and compelling human-interest stories.
Raphael Chirwa, Chief Commercial Manager, said E-Times offers more than just a digital replica of the print editions, as it provides a reimagined experience that allows readers to switch between a traditional newspaper layout and a modern, streamlined digital view.
He further said the key features include high-resolution images, multimedia integration, text-to-speech functionality, customizable font sizes, and distraction-free reading modes.
“This is a significant milestone in the transformation of the country’s media landscape. E-Times redefines how we engage with our readers. We provide credible, accessible, and affordable news in a format built for today’s world,” Chirwa said.
In his remarks, Times Group Editor-in-Chief Pilirani Kachinziri pledged that with the advancements in the e-edition, there will also be high-quality content.
“A good platform blends well with good content, stories in this case, and we promise our consumers that we will not flinch from doing what we know best. We will engage an extra gear to ensure the advancements in technology are complemented with well-crafted stories,” Kachinziri said.
He added that the Times Group has four media-related platforms: Times Press (print), Times Television, Times Radio, and Times Online.
The launch also featured a panel discussion under the theme “Verified or Viral? Combating Misinformation and Reinventing Journalism in Malawi,” which underscores the urgent need to prioritize accuracy over sensationalism in today’s fast-paced digital media environment.
The panelists included Mr. Pilirani Kachinziri, Editor-in-Chief of The Times Group, who discussed editorial integrity, E-Times digital transition, and fact-checking innovations.
Dr. Sunduzwayo Madise, Legal Scholar and Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Malawi, enlightened the public on media law, consumer behavior, and misinformation trends.
Dr. Jolly Ntaba, Chairperson of the Media Council of Malawi and Head of the Journalism Department at MUBAS, shed light on digital literacy, journalism education, AI, and misinformation risks.
Kelious Mlenga, Deputy Director of Legal (Consumer Affairs) at MACRA, assured the country of policy, governance, and oversight dimensions of truth in the digital space that the newly launched E-Times has undergone.
In an era overwhelmed by misinformation and viral content, this discussion reinforces the shared responsibility of audiences and media practitioners to uphold truth. E-Times can be accessed through the website (www.times.mw//entimes), in 20 different international languages, even in audio form.
Dalitso Kabambe, a UTM presidential hopeful, has proposed a bold and unconventional solution to Malawi’s ongoing economic struggles—removing two zeros from the Malawian kwacha.
At first glance, the idea may seem like mere symbolism or political theatre, but historical precedent suggests otherwise.
In 2013, under the leadership of President Michael Sata, Zambia successfully implemented a similar strategy by removing three zeros from its currency.
Kabambe
This reform was not just a cosmetic exercise. It helped streamline transactions, simplify accounting systems, and most importantly, restored public confidence in the currency.
A look at the current exchange rates illustrates the difference: ZK 1 today trades at around MWK 74.15, while one Malawian kwacha equals about ZK 0.0135.
The contrast highlights the psychological and functional benefits of a currency that is easier to manage, both for businesses and consumers.
Removing zeros can make daily financial operations—such as pricing, budgeting, and wage negotiations—more straightforward.
For small traders, rural shopkeepers, and civil servants, this could significantly reduce the confusion and inflationary noise that come with carrying and dealing with large figures.
Critics of currency redenomination often dismiss it as superficial, arguing that it does not change the fundamentals of inflation or poverty.
But this view misses the point: redenomination is not meant to be a silver bullet, but rather a foundational step in a broader economic strategy.
If implemented alongside sound fiscal discipline, institutional reform, and anti-corruption measures, this policy can mark the beginning of an economic reset.
Zambia’s experience is instructive. While it didn’t solve every economic challenge, the move improved efficiency and investor perception, helping to stabilize inflation expectations.
Malawi, currently battling a rising inflation rate and a weakening currency, could benefit from a similar reform, especially if the political leadership is committed to accountability and economic transformation.
Kabambe’s proposal should not be dismissed as fantasy. It’s a strategic intervention designed to restore confidence and improve functionality in Malawi’s financial system.
But it will only work if paired with transparent governance, reduced borrowing, and a commitment to real economic reform.
Cutting zeros won’t fix the economy overnight—but it might be the confidence boost Malawi needs to believe in change again.
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is intensifying its efforts to implement the Data Protection Act in a lawful, transparent, and fair manner, aimed at ensuring the collection, storage, and use of personal data is properly regulated.
This was emphasized by a MACRA Board Director during a Data Protection Workshop held for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on Wednesday in Lilongwe.
Songea
MACRA Board Director Songea highlighted that the workshop provided an important opportunity to discuss key requirements outlined in the Data Protection Act of 2024.
He noted that Malawi has been making progress in the area of data protection even prior to the enactment of the new law.
“The only new aspect of this law is that it creates specific mandates for various stakeholders and data controllers,” Songea explained.
He further warned that non-compliance with the law will carry certain liabilities, most of which will be administrative in nature.
Songea also pointed out that the misuse of personal information remains a major concern, and the new law is designed to place responsibility on individuals and institutions handling such data.
He added that capacity building among stakeholders is essential to support the effective implementation of the law and ensure full compliance.
On his part, Mark Chonde, a participant from the Reserve Bank of Malawi, emphasized the importance of the workshop, urging stakeholders not to take it for granted.
“When we collect data, we have to make sure it is stored properly and handled in a secure and appropriate manner,” said Chonde.
The Data Protection Act, introduced in 2024, aims to safeguard citizens’ personal data and establish clear standards for how that data is collected, used, and protected in Malawi.
