The Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) has called on journalists to play a vital role in promoting peace and stability during the upcoming general elections in Malawi.
According to CSAT’s Head of Programs and Policy Albert Lulaka, the media has a critical responsibility to promote responsible reporting that prevents election violence.
Lulaka emphasized that positive journalism can significantly contribute to the smooth conduct of elections.
He noted that the public relies heavily on the information disseminated by journalists, making their role pivotal in shaping public perception and maintaining peace.
The call to action comes as Malawi prepares for the general elections scheduled for September 16, 2025. CSAT’s initiative aims to strengthen meaningful youth participation in the country’s democratic processes and promote peaceful elections.
The media training session in Mangochi provided an opportunity for journalists to discuss their role in promoting peace and stability during the elections.
Lulaka’s message underscored the importance of responsible reporting in preventing election violence and promoting a peaceful electoral process.
Promoting peace and stability through responsible reporting, journalists can play a critical role in ensuring that the elections are free, fair, and credible. CSAT’s initiative is a timely reminder of the importance of media responsibility in Malawi’s democratic processes.
The project’s funding by the German Federal Foreign Office demonstrates the international community’s commitment to supporting Malawi’s democratic processes.
With 817,752 Euros in funding, the project aims to strengthen youth participation and promote peaceful elections.
In a heartfelt appeal, Honorable Mary Thom Navicha, Member of Parliament for Thyolo Thava and affectionately known as the “Angel of Development,” has called on Malawians to pray for peaceful elections.
Navicha’s constituents bestowed upon her this nickname in recognition of her tireless efforts to bring development to her constituency.
Speaking during her birthday party celebration in Thyolo, Navicha emphasized the importance of peaceful elections, urging Malawians to pray for leaders who will listen to the concerns of stakeholders and opposition parties.
“We need to pray for peaceful elections, and we also need to pray for Malawi Electoral Commission’s leaders to have a listening ear to the concerns raised by stakeholders and opposition parties on areas they have observed that could jeopardize elections,” she said.
Navicha
Navicha’s commitment to her constituents is unwavering, as she assured them that she will continue to prioritize development over politics. “I will continue giving you development and not politics,” she said.
Her track record of delivering development projects to her constituency has earned her the respect and admiration of her people.
In a significant development, Navicha expressed her support for Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, saying, “Make sure you vote for Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, who will free Malawians from the pangs brought by Lazarus Chakwera.”
Navicha’s appeal for Mutharika is likely to influence the voting decisions of her constituents, given her reputation as a champion of development in her constituency.
Navicha also advised supporters to avoid violence during political rallies, promoting peace and stability.
“Let’s avoid violence during political rallies,” she said, adding that, “We need to conduct ourselves in a manner that promotes peace and stability.”
Her message is timely, given the tensions that often arise during election periods.
The “Angel of Development” also called on leaders to listen to the concerns of stakeholders and opposition parties, promoting transparency and accountability.
This call is a welcome move, as it will help ensure that the electoral process is fair and transparent.
As the elections approach, Navicha’s statement is a significant development in the lead-up to the polls.
Her call for peaceful elections and her endorsement of Mutharika are likely to influence the voting decisions of her constituents.
Navicha’s reputation as the “Angel of Development” will likely carry significant weight in the eyes of her constituents.
Navicha’s appeal for peaceful elections and her commitment to development are a beacon of hope for her constituents.
As Malawians head to the polls, it is essential that they prioritize peace and stability, and that leaders listen to the concerns of all stakeholders. Navicha’s leadership and vision for a better Malawi are qualities that her constituents appreciate, and her endorsement of Mutharika is likely to have a significant impact on the elections.
Aspiring Member of Parliament for Nkolokoti Ndirande Matope Constituency,Andrew Juma Chisawa, has urged Malawians to maintain peace as the country heads to elections on September 16.
Chisawa made these at Makhetha in Blantyre after teaching youth how to make sausages and soap.
The MP’s call for peace is a timely reminder of the importance of stability and calm during this critical period in the country’s democratic process.
Andrew Juma Chisawa
Chisawa’s initiative to teach youth how to make sausages and soap is part of his efforts to empower his constituents with practical skills.
The program aims to promote self-reliance and entrepreneurship in the community.
“I implemented this program for my people to give them an opportunity to be independent,” said Chisawa.
Group Village Headman Matope thanked Chisawa for introducing the project and also advised the youth to work hard in acquiring various skills.
Matope’s endorsement of the program highlights its potential to make a positive impact on the community.
The training session on making sausages and soap was a success, with twenty people awarded certificates after completing the lesson.
This follows a similar event in April, where 18 people were awarded certificates after completing the seminar.
Chisawa’s initiative has been well-received by the community, with many participants expressing gratitude for the opportunity to acquire new skills.
The program is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy and help reduce unemployment.
The High Court of Malawi’s Financial and Economic Crimes Division, sitting in Lilongwe, has delivered a precedent-setting judgment by permanently discharging former Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha in a case involving alleged misreporting to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
At the heart of the matter was a US$350 million loan obtained from Afreximbank by the Reserve Bank of Malawi during Mwanamvekha’s tenure as Finance Minister.
The state had alleged that the loan had been misreported to the IMF, constituting a serious breach of financial integrity and transparency standards required by international lending institutions.
Mwanamveka
Justice Redson Kapindu, a respected jurist known for his meticulous reasoning, presided over the case and ultimately ruled in favor of the defense.
He held that the state had failed to bring forth any credible or direct evidence implicating Mwanamvekha in the alleged financial misrepresentation.
This ruling follows a drawn-out legal saga that began in 2022 when Mwanamvekha was arrested alongside three other senior public finance officials.
Though the case was initially dismissed in 2024 due to the state’s failure to satisfy the burden of proof, it was subsequently re-opened, signaling the prosecution’s continued belief in the merit of the charges.
Despite this, the court has now definitively closed the chapter for Mwanamvekha, affirming his acquittal and permanently discharging him from the proceedings.
The ruling is widely seen as a litmus test for the judiciary’s independence in politically sensitive cases involving high-profile figures.
In response to the verdict, lead defense counsel Kalekeni Kaphale—a former Attorney General and Senior Counsel—described the decision as a victory for the principles of justice and due process.
He argued that the case had highlighted the dangers of pursuing prosecutions absent solid and persuasive evidence.
Kaphale further stated his intention to seek a similar discharge for another of his clients, former Secretary to the Treasury Cliff Chiunda, who remains among the accused.
According to Kaphale, Chiunda’s position was primarily administrative, and he was neither the author nor the approving authority of the data or decisions that formed the basis of the IMF misreporting allegations.
With Mwanamvekha now cleared, the remaining defendants—Chiunda, Henry Mathanga, and former Reserve Bank Governor Dalitso Kabambe—continue to face legal scrutiny.
All three were similarly arrested in connection with the Afreximbank loan and accused of orchestrating or facilitating the submission of inaccurate data to the IMF.
Their next court appearance is scheduled for June 4th and 5th, 2025, with proceedings likely to be closely followed by stakeholders in Malawi’s governance and financial sectors.
Legal analysts suggest that the outcome of Mwanamvekha’s case may influence the direction and public perception of the remaining prosecutions.
The acquittal also reignites debate surrounding the use of prosecutorial discretion and whether political motivations play a role in high-level financial crime investigations.
There are growing concerns that some cases may be initiated or pursued more for their symbolic value than for their legal merit.
This raises broader questions about the state’s capacity to marshal sufficient investigatory resources when dealing with complex financial crimes involving powerful individuals.
Critics argue that premature arrests and weak prosecutions not only damage reputations but also undermine public confidence in the justice system.
Conversely, the court’s ruling demonstrates judicial restraint and a commitment to legal standards, reinforcing the idea that courts must be guided by facts and not public pressure.
The judgment is also a reminder that in criminal law, the burden of proof lies squarely on the prosecution, and failure to meet this threshold must result in an acquittal, regardless of the political climate.
In the broader context of Malawi’s governance landscape, this case underscores the tension between anti-corruption efforts and the safeguarding of individual rights and fair trial guarantees.
As the cases against Chiunda, Mathanga, and Kabambe progress, public attention will be fixed not only on the outcomes but on the integrity of the process itself.
The acquittal of Mwanamvekha could be a turning point in the way economic crimes are prosecuted in Malawi—favoring methodical investigation over prosecutorial zeal.
It may also catalyze reforms in how cases involving international financial institutions and state borrowing are handled, ensuring that such cases are guided by financial forensics and evidence-based prosecution.
Ultimately, the ruling reaffirms the judiciary’s role as a bulwark against arbitrary prosecutions and a guarantor of constitutional rights.
In this evolving legal environment, the Mwanamvekha ruling stands as a benchmark for judicial independence, prosecutorial responsibility, and the enduring value of the rule of law in a democratic society.
In a significant boost to healthcare delivery in Neno District, Partners In Health (PIH) has handed over a state-of-the-art K452 million High Dependency Unit (HDU) to the Neno District Health Office.
The unit, equipped with cutting-edge medical technologies, aims to minimize referrals of critically ill patients to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, thereby saving lives and resources.
PIH Executive Director, Basimenye Nhlema, emphasized that the opening of the HDU underscores the organization’s commitment to providing quality healthcare to the people of Neno.
“We want to ensure that no life is lost due to lack of relevant health structures,” Nhlema said, urging health personnel to assist patients with dignity while taking care of the unit.
The HDU is a game-changer for Neno District, which has long struggled with limited access to quality healthcare.
According to Dr. Enock Ndarama, Neno District Director of Health and Social Services, the facility will not only save lives but also reduce the financial burden associated with referrals.
“This unit will help us save lives and resources, and we’re excited to have state-of-the-art medical technologies at our disposal,” Dr. Ndarama said.
Neno District Council Chairperson Councilor Joseph Chiphaliwali commended PIH for the timely intervention, noting that the project will ease referral operations, which have been hampered by the poor road network in the district.
“This project comes at a time when we need it most,” Chiphaliwali said, adding that, “We’ll no longer have to worry about transporting critically ill patients to Blantyre, which will undoubtedly save lives.”
The PIH’s investment in Neno District’s healthcare infrastructure is part of its broader commitment to strengthening the health system in the area.
The High Dependency Unit is a testament to PIH’s dedication to delivering quality healthcare to the people of Neno.
As the district continues to grapple with healthcare challenges, the PIH’s intervention is a welcome development that promises to improve health outcomes and save lives.
The unit will enable healthcare personnel to provide quality care to critically ill patients, improving health outcomes and saving lives.
With this new facility, Neno District is poised to take a significant step forward in providing quality healthcare to its residents.
