Police in Dowa District on March 16, 2025, apprehended two individuals for illegal possession of cannabis sativa at Dzaleka Refugee Camp.
They are identified as Remasi Mziiki, 22, a Congolese refugee, and Gosta Mvula, 52, a resident of Jeputala Village under Traditional Authority Msakambewa Dowa District.
Acting on intelligence from an anonymous source, officers from the Dzaleka Police Unit conducted a search of Mziiki’s residence in the Lisungwi area of the refugee camp.
The operation uncovered cannabis sativa concealed in food containers, a sack, and plastic bag.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Gosta Mvula, who was found near Mziiki’s residence in possession of a laptop bag containing cannabis packed in a sack and prepared for sale.
When questioned, the suspects failed to produce valid licenses for the possession or sale of cannabis.
Immediately, they were arrested, and the confiscated drug was taken for assessment.
Police have since disclosed that Mziiki has a prior conviction for a similar offense.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon to face charges related to their activities.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) senior official and Minister of Mining, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma, is holding a political rally at Kavuzi in Nkhata Bay.
The rally has drawn people from various parts of the district, including local leaders and party supporters eager to hear from the minister.
During the event, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kabunduli expressed gratitude to President Lazarus Chakwera for officially recognizing him as a Traditional Authority.
Zikhale in Nkhatabay
He stated that he had struggled for years to claim his rightful chieftaincy and that the president’s intervention had finally resolved the long-standing leadership dispute.
In addition to thanking the president, Chief Kabunduli commended the government for providing maize to his subjects at a time when the country is facing a severe hunger crisis.
He noted that food shortages have affected many households in the district, and the government’s assistance has brought relief to struggling families.
However, Chief Kabunduli also took the opportunity to highlight some pressing challenges facing his community.
He appealed to the government to provide an ambulance for Kawalazi Health Center, emphasizing the difficulties patients face in accessing medical care.
The chief explained that the absence of an ambulance makes it difficult to transport critically ill patients to Mzuzu Central Hospital for specialized treatment.
He urged the authorities to address this issue urgently to improve healthcare delivery in the area.
Furthermore, Chief Kabunduli requested the government to rehabilitate the Chintheche-Chikangawa and Kavuzi-Kawalazi turn-off roads.
He argued that poor road conditions have negatively impacted transportation, trade, and access to essential services in the district.
He emphasized that upgrading these roads would boost economic activities, facilitate movement, and enhance overall development in the region.
As the rally continued, Minister Zikhale Ng’oma assured the people of Nkhata Bay that their concerns would be forwarded to the relevant authorities.
He reiterated MCP’s commitment to addressing developmental challenges in the district and working towards improving the lives of Malawians.
The event ended with party supporters chanting slogans in support of President Chakwera’s leadership and pledging their continued loyalty to MCP.
UTM Vice President for the North, Catherine Mzumara, has strongly criticized politicians for exploiting the Northern Region during election campaigns while failing to fulfill their promises.
Speaking at a political gathering, Mzumara accused political leaders of repeatedly seeking votes from the North only to neglect the region once they assume office.
She emphasized that this time around, people from the Northern Region will not allow themselves to be taken for granted.
Catherine Mzumara
To support her claims, Mzumara played an audio recording of President Lazarus Chakwera making campaign promises to the people of the North.
She argued that the recording was evidence of unfulfilled commitments, demonstrating that Chakwera had deceived the electorate.
Mzumara did not mince words, calling Chakwera a liar, a failure, and a leader who continuously breaks promises.
She stated that the president’s track record has shown that he is unfit to lead the country for another term.
She urged Malawians, particularly those in the Northern Region, to unite and ensure they vote wisely in the upcoming elections.
Mzumara encouraged voters to choose leaders who genuinely care about national development rather than those who only show up during campaign periods.
Her speech received loud cheers from the crowd, signaling growing frustration among voters who feel abandoned by the current administration.
As the elections approach, it remains to be seen whether the Northern Region will indeed shift its voting patterns in response to such concerns.
MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda has urged opposition parties to stop misleading the public about the hunger crisis in Malawi.
Banda stated that hunger can arise due to various factors, including drought.
He also appealed to traditional leaders not to allow vendors to buy maize that the government is distributing to Admarc markets.
Banda explained that these vendors purchase the maize at lower prices and later resell it at inflated rates, making it difficult for ordinary Malawians to access affordable food.
Chimwendo
He emphasized that the government’s efforts to supply maize to Admarc markets are meant to assist struggling households, and any interference by vendors undermines these efforts.
Banda further warned that if vendors continue this practice, it will worsen food insecurity, especially for vulnerable communities.
He called on local chiefs to work closely with authorities to ensure that government-subsidized maize reaches those who genuinely need it.
The MCP Secretary General also reassured Malawians that the government is actively working on measures to mitigate the impact of hunger.
He highlighted ongoing interventions such as food relief programs and agricultural support to help farmers increase food production in the coming seasons.
Banda also dismissed claims that the government is failing to address the hunger situation, stating that opposition parties are using the crisis to gain political mileage.
He encouraged citizens to remain patient and trust that the government is doing everything possible to ensure food security across the country.
As food shortages continue to affect parts of Malawi, Banda’s remarks reflect the government’s stance that hunger is a natural challenge rather than a political failure.
His statement comes amid growing concerns from citizens about rising food prices and limited access to maize in some regions.
The government has pledged to monitor the distribution of maize at Admarc markets to prevent exploitation by unscrupulous traders.
Meanwhile, Malawians await further government interventions to stabilize food supply and ensure affordability for all.
Balaka Police have raised alarm over the rising cases of youth-related crimes in the district, highlighting the urgent need for interventions to curb the trend.
Speaking at the conclusion of a youth football bonanza for players under the age of 14, Senior Police Officer Victor Malunga emphasized the increasing rate of criminal activities involving young people.
The bonanza, which had a total sponsorship of K450,000, served as a platform to not only showcase young football talent but also to address pressing social issues affecting the youth.
Malunga revealed that in 2023, a total of 183 young individuals were arrested for various offenses, a number that has increased significantly to 232 in 2024.
This upward trend, he noted, reflects a growing crisis that requires immediate attention from all stakeholders, including law enforcement, community leaders, and policymakers.
He attributed the rise in crime among youths to multiple factors, including lack of structured recreational activities, unemployment, and social neglect.
According to Malunga, many of the young offenders often find themselves engaging in theft, drug abuse, and other delinquent behaviors due to idleness and lack of positive engagement.
Recognizing the role that sports can play in shaping the lives of young people, members of the National Youth Football Association (NYFA) are advocating for more investment in youth sports programs.
One of the committee members, Muhammad Ajussa, stressed the need for various stakeholders, including government authorities, corporate sponsors, and community leaders, to support youth football initiatives as a way of providing young people with constructive activities.
He argued that structured sports programs not only help to keep young people away from crime but also instill discipline, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility.
Similarly, Bartholomew Boaz, who is responsible for youth football development in Balaka, expressed his commitment to strengthening football programs in the district.
He stated that initiatives such as the youth football bonanza are designed not only to nurture football talent but also to provide an alternative to crime and delinquency.
By engaging young people in structured sporting activities, Boaz believes that communities can significantly reduce crime rates while creating opportunities for youth empowerment.
The growing concern over youth crime in Balaka calls for a collaborative approach to address the underlying causes of delinquency.
While law enforcement plays a crucial role in maintaining security, preventive measures such as investing in education, sports, and vocational training are essential in shaping a positive future for young people.
As stakeholders push for increased support for youth programs, it remains to be seen whether such initiatives will receive the necessary funding and policy backing to make a lasting impact.
