Just minutes after being granted bail by the Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court, 11 suspects were re-arrested by police authorities.
The individuals had initially received bail in connection with allegations of theft and property destruction in the Mbowe area of Lilongwe.
According to court reports, the re-arrest is related to additional charges involving the assault of women during protests earlier this year.
These protests took place at Memorial Tower in Area 18 and involved government employees demonstrating for various grievances.
Police confirmed that the suspects are being held to face both the original property-related charges and the newly reported assault cases.
Magistrates and law enforcement officials have stressed that the re-arrest aims to ensure public safety and accountability while legal proceedings continue.
The sequence of events has drawn attention to the complexity of handling cases that involve both civic demonstrations and criminal allegations.
Observers note that the rapid re-arrest highlights the need for suspects to strictly adhere to bail conditions and cooperate fully with authorities.
The court proceedings for these individuals are expected to continue once the police complete investigations into the assault allegations.
Legal experts have emphasized the importance of due process, ensuring that the rights of the accused are protected while victims receive justice.
The community continues to monitor the case closely, given its implications for civic protests, public order, and the enforcement of law in Lilongwe.
Authorities have called for calm and patience as the judicial system works to resolve both the property-related and assault charges.
The government has officially abolished examination fees for students enrolled in public schools across the country.
This move is aimed at increasing accessibility to education and relieving financial pressure on families whose children attend government institutions.
The Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) has since released a detailed list of applicable fees for students who are not covered by the new policy.
According to MANEB, students attending private schools will still be required to pay examination fees in full, as will external candidates sitting for examinations outside the traditional school system.
The fee abolition applies exclusively to public school students, highlighting the government’s targeted approach to supporting underfunded institutions.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the decision, noting that the reform could improve student enrollment and retention in public schools.
However, some private school operators have raised concerns about potential disparities, arguing that the policy may create confusion among parents and students regarding fee obligations.
MANEB has urged all affected students and guardians to consult the official fee schedule to ensure timely payment and avoid disqualification.
Experts suggest that the policy could set a precedent for broader education reforms in the future, potentially expanding financial support to other categories of learners.
The government has emphasized that this initiative is part of its wider commitment to equitable education and reducing barriers to academic success for the majority of Malawian students.
Observers anticipate that the removal of fees could positively impact student performance, as families are able to redirect funds towards learning resources and school support.
The Ministry of Education has pledged to monitor the implementation closely to ensure compliance and assess the long-term effects on public education.
This policy change marks a significant milestone in Malawi’s educational landscape, reflecting the state’s proactive role in promoting access to quality learning opportunities.
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has given K20 million to this year’s Nation Publication Limited (NPL) Mother’s Fun Run initiative, aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health services across the district.
The donation will go towards medical and water, Sanitation and hygiene (WASH) improvements at Kasungu District Hospital and selected health centres in Kasungu.
Speaking during the cheque presentation ceremony in Blantyre on Thursday, NBM plc Customs Road Service Centre Manager, Ivy Mshali, said the Bank’s support goes beyond financial assistance, describing it as a gesture of shared responsibility in improving maternal health care.
“These facilities are often the first and only line of care for thousands of expectant mothers and newborns. We are standing alongside NPL and other partners to ensure that hospitals are equipped, safe, and ready to serve,” said Mshali.
She noted that the contribution comes at a crucial time when the hospital handles over 200 deliveries per week, despite facing challenges such as limited beds, incubators, and sterilization equipment.
“These are not just numbers, they are stories of mothers, families, and communities. We are not only improving health care infrastructure but also restoring hope to many women in rural areas who often give birth under unsafe and unhygienic conditions.”
“The Mother’s Fun Run initiative has proven to be more than just a campaign. It is a movement that brings people together for a cause that saves lives,” said Mshali.
Commenting on the support on behalf of NPL, Nation-On-Sunday Editor, Emmanuel Luciano, expressed gratitude to NBM plc describing it as a timely and impactful contribution.
“We are very grateful to NBM plc. This is a tremendous contribution, K20 million is a lot of money and will make a significant difference in the fight against maternal and neonatal deaths. It will go a long way in promoting safe motherhood and improving maternal health outcomes in Kasungu,” said Luciano.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission which has just concluded its discussions with Malawi Government officials has discribed the just concluded discussions as fruitful.
IMF Mission chief , Justin Tyson told journalists at Capital Hill that the just held discussions have been so successful.
He said the discussions focused on near-term policy priorities. He said the Staff agreed that urgent fiscal consolidation and tighter monetary policy are needed to tackle inflation, reduce imbalances, and stabilize the foreign exchange market.
Malawi delegation and IMF officials
He said the staff commend the authorities for reactivating the automatic fuel price mechanism and encourage them to operationalize the promised fiscal discipline and revenue mobilization, starting with the mid-year budget.
The team leader, said, Recent measures to control expenditure are a positive sign. Staff look forward to continued engagement with the authorities on their macroeconomic reform trajectory.
“We commend the government’s efforts to control spending in response to ongoing fiscal pressures. We look forward to seeing how these measures are integrated into a comprehensive package that supports long-term fiscal sustainability,” he said adding,
“We had very productive discussions with the authorities. We discussed the recent economic, financial and social developments, and as we all know, the macroeconomic challenges for the new government are significant. These include a worse than budgeted fiscal outturn of the mid year, accelerated inflation and continued pressures on the exchange rate,” he said.
The IMF Chief said Growth is projected to be modest in 2025 at 2.4% and food insecurity is elevated while public Debt dynamics remain unsustainable.
Speaking during the function, Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamveka commended IMF for the fruitful discussions held as the country navigates towards economic recovery.
Mwanamveka said currently there is no any Extended Credit Facilities (ECF) programme with the IMF as other people have been insinuating.
The Minister assured IMF that there is economic recovery plan in place and Government is doing everything to ensure the economy is back at its lane.
Legal and economic experts are urging the Malawi government to settle its helicopter dispute with Zambian firm AYATechnologies before it spirals into a financial disaster. They warn that international arbitration in Paris could force Malawi to pay far more than the K8 billion currently being claimed.
Malawi could end up paying billions more if it refuses to settle its dispute with AYA Technologies Ltd, the Zambian company suing over the botched Bell 412 helicopter deal, legal and economic experts have warned.
The experts say the government’s decision to cancel the procurement after already paying a $500,000 (about K867 million) deposit gives AYA strong legal grounds — and that prolonged arbitration before the International Court of Arbitration (ICC) in Paris could bleed the Treasury. The dispute revolves around Malawi’s July 2024 move to cancel the purchase of two helicopters for the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) after a technical report found them unfit to fly. AYA Technologies has since sued for $4.6 million (around K8 billion), claiming breach of contract, while Attorney General Thabo Nyirenda insists the contract was invalid and is seeking to recover the deposit.
Thabo
But experts say the government’s position, while principled, is financially risky. “Payment means contract existed,” lawyer argues Commercial lawyer Chifundo Soko said the government’s $500,000 advance payment legally acknowledges the existence of a binding agreement. “By paying, the government effectively confirmed the contract. Whether or not the helicopters were suitable for service, that payment signals intent and consent to proceed,” said Soko. “Arbitrators often look at the parties’ conduct, not just technicalities. From a legal standpoint, Malawi could easily be ruled to have breached the deal, and the damages could multiply.”
Soko urged the government to pursue mediation before the matter escalates, warning that arbitration in Paris is both costly and slow. “If Malawi settles now, it could pay far less than it would after years of litigation. Mediation is cheaper, faster, and better for our international reputation,” he added.
Economists warn of ballooning financial risks
Economic governance expert Clifford Mwansambo said taking the case to full arbitration would drain public finances and likely cost Malawi far more than K8 billion. “International arbitration is expensive — add interest, legal fees, and currency penalties, and you could be talking about K12 to K15 billion before the case even ends,” Mwansambo said. “Government should cut its losses now and negotiate. We cannot afford to bleed billions defending a contract that was clearly mishandled from the start.” He said a prolonged fight would also damage Malawi’s creditworthiness and regional relations, particularly given AYA’s Zambian origin.
Middlemen at the centre of the crisis Procurement analyst Dr. Anthony Kamwana said the dispute exposes the government’s dependence on middlemen in defence contracts — a pattern that has historically led to inflated prices and corruption scandals. “If a deposit was made, it means the intermediary fulfilled part of their role. These middlemen need to be sorted out legally or compensated fairly, otherwise Malawi will face more penalties,” Kamwana explained. “Settling out of court doesn’t mean admitting guilt. It means being pragmatic and protecting public funds.”
A costly lesson from history Malawi has lost millions of dollars in previous arbitration cases involving cancelled contracts. In 2020, the government paid $8 million in a similar procurement dispute after failing to negotiate early. Former Solicitor General Janet Banda, now an international law consultant, warned that the helicopter case could follow the same path. “Arbitration tribunals focus on procedure. If Malawi didn’t follow proper termination processes, it could lose regardless of the aircraft’s condition,” Banda said. “Negotiation is the smartest move. Settle now, limit exposure, and move on.” Settle and save Experts agree that settling could save the country billions. A structured mediation that compensates AYA for incurred costs while formally terminating the deal would prevent mounting legal expenses. “Even if government paid half of the K8 billion as a negotiated exit, that’s still a win compared to the potential K15 billion after arbitration,” Mwansambo said.
A source at the Ministry of Finance echoed the warning, saying the Treasury is worried about the financial implications. “The truth is, the deposit was made, so legally we are already entangled,” the source said. “If we don’t act now, the cost will balloon beyond control.”
Malawi’s stubbornness could prove costly. Experts say the government should swallow its pride, negotiate with AYA Technologies, and settle out of court — because if it doesn’t, taxpayers will end up paying far more than the helicopters were ever worth.
