The plight of the founder of Balaka Reggae, Paul Banda,has taken a distressing turn.
Despite efforts to raise funds for his medical treatment abroad, Banda’s condition continues to deteriorate, and his trip to India remains stalled,according to journalist Deus Sandram’s Facebook post.
Several months ago, a young man from Machinjiri, Blantyre, offered to donate a kidney to Banda, and arrangements were made for the trip.
Paul Banda
However, progress has been slow, and Banda’s health continues to worsen.
The young man, who has relocated to Blantyre for Banda’s dialysis sessions, is equally frustrated, incurring expenses on rentals and transportation while waiting for the trip to materialize.
Banda is Malawi’s veteran musician.
He was born on 16 October 1963.
He is the elder brother to the late musician Lucius Banda.
He is the brains behind the country’s first pop group Alleluya Band. The band was founded in the late 1970’s.
He later left and began working as a solo artist. Besides singing, he is also a music producer.
He owns a studio called Imbirani Yahweh Studios.
He has produced music to artists such as late Lucius Banda, Billy Kaunda, Mlaka Maliro, Joseph Tembo, Coss Chiwalo, Charles Sinetre, Charles Nsaku and many others.
Loudmusic Fest who are the organisers of the memorial music show for musician and graphic designer Spyral Mwenya, have released a line up for the event slated to take place on June, 28, 2025 at Moneymen Club in Blantyre.
The late Spyral Mwenya
The lineup include some big urban artists like Phyzix, Che Wikise, Fredo, Tuno, Afana Ceez, Tsar Leo, Hayze Engola,TrappyBeats, Cyclone,Barry One and Classick.
The show will also include performances by renowned DJs like Mighty Virus, DJ West, Sili Flame, DJ Vinneq and Exit the DJ.
According to the organisers, the event is going to be hosted by Annita Phoenix Mabedi and comedian Ching’aning’ani.
Spyral real name, “Kennedy Mwenya” died at the age of 29 on 25 June, 2024 following a road accident in Mzuzu.
American-based Malawian social media influencer Jolly Bro, popularly known as JB, has sharply criticized Malawi’s opposition leaders for failing to support activist Sylvester Namiwa and other civil society leaders during recent protests. In a live stream on his social media profile, JB accused the United Transformation Movement (UTM) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of neglecting demonstrators, leaving them vulnerable to attacks by ruling party supporters .
JB argued that opposition leaders, including DPP’s Kondwani Nankhumwa and former Reserve Bank Governor Dalitso Kabambe, did not physically join the protests, which he believes could have deterred violence. “If Kabambe or [former President] Peter Mutharika were on the ground with the demonstrators, Namiwa wouldn’t have been brutalized,” JB claimed.
Kabambe visiting Namiwa
Kabambe has received criticism from some Malawians for what is described a “publicity stunt”—visiting Namiwa with cameras after the attack instead of standing with protesters during the demonstrations .
The influencer also used the platform to endorse Peter Mutharika for the 2025 presidency, praising his economic record and declaring, “I will campaign for him vigorously until he wins” . JB’s remarks come amid escalating political tensions in Malawi, where opposition activists face increasing violence. His live stream has sparked mixed reactions, with some supporters applauding his boldness while others accuse him of politicizing Namiwa’s ordeal .
The incident highlights growing frustrations with Malawi’s opposition, which JB alleges prioritizes optics over solidarity with grassroots movements.
People of Mwanza West Constituency have selected Maureen Chitsulo, daughter to former member of parliament (MP) for the area, late Joyce Chitsulo, to represent them in the 16 September general election.
Chitsulo was unveiled as an independent parliamentary candidate on Friday afternoon by traditional leaders and some other local leaders in the area.
Late Joyce Chitsulo who also served as Deputy Minister of Local Government and Unity, died in Lilongwe on June 6 and was laid to rest on 9 June, 2025 in Mwanza district.
Unveiled- Maureen Chitsulo
During the funeral ceremony, Senior Chief Govati of the area told President Lazarus Chakwera and the crowd that gathered that leaders of the area were negotiating with the family of late Chitsulo to have someone from the family to replace her as Member of Parliament.
According to Govati, having someone from the Chitsulo family would ensure continuation of various developmental activities that the former MP was undertaking.
The recent violent attack on Sylvester Namiwa, a pro-democracy activist, has reignited painful memories of Malawi’s dark era under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). While the DPP now feigns outrage over political violence, Malawians must not forget that this very party perfected the art of state-sponsored terror, especially against dissenters. From Billy Mayaya’s brutal assaults to the arbitrary arrests of Timothy Mtambo, Gift Trapence, and Reverend MacDonald Sembereka, the DPP’s reign was marked by a systematic crackdown on civil liberties. Let us revisit these horrors to ensure the DPP does not rewrite history for political sympathy.
Billy Mayaya: Beaten for Demanding Justice
One of the most harrowing examples of DPP’s brutality was the attack on Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) member Billy Mayaya in Blantyre. In broad daylight, suspected DPP cadets ambushed Mayaya, assaulting him simply for organizing peaceful demonstrations against electoral injustice . The attackers, often shielded by police inaction, operated with impunity, sending a clear message: dissent would be met with violence.
Timothy Mtambo, Trapence, and Sembereka: Arrests and Intimidation
Mayaya was violently attacked by DPP regime
The DPP regime weaponized the law to silence critics. In March 2020, HRDC leaders Timothy Mtambo, Gift Trapence, and Reverend MacDonald Sembereka were arrested on trumped-up charges of “inciting violence” after calling for peaceful protests against electoral fraud . President Peter Mutharika himself labeled HRDC a “terrorist organization,” while DPP officials like Grezeldar Jeffrey openly threatened to “silence” Mtambo violently .
Even before their arrests, Mtambo narrowly escaped death when petrol bombs were hurled into his compound, torching his car—a clear assassination attempt . The DPP’s youth wing, the notorious “cadets,” were frequently deployed to attack opposition figures, journalists, and activists, often in full view of law enforcement .
DPP’s Legacy: A Culture of Fear
The DPP’s reign was defined by: 1. State-Sponsored Violence: Attacks on opposition figures like UTM’s Bon Kalindo, who was left with a broken nose and internal bleeding after a DPP mob assault . 2. Judicial Harassment: Baseless prosecutions of activists, designed to drain their resources and morale . 3. Propaganda and Smears: State media, like Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), amplified death threats against HRDC leaders, further endangering their lives .
Conclusion: DPP Cannot Whitewash Its Crimes
As the DPP opportunistically capitalizes on the Namiwa case to pose as victims, Malawians must remember the truth: this is the party that turned political violence into a strategy. Their cadets brutalized citizens, their leaders incited hate, and their government weaponized institutions to crush dissent. Let us not allow them to rewrite history. The scars of Billy Mayaya, Timothy Mtambo, and countless others remain fresh—a permanent indictment of the DPP’s bloody legacy.
