Minister of Trade and Industry, Sosten Gwengwe, has assured vendors that government is taking a decisive action to address the challenges they are facing due to the rising prices of second-hand products on the market.
Speaking to vendors who gathered at Parliament Building in Lilongwe to present their grievances, Gwengwe emphasised government’s commitment to restoring fair pricing.
Gwengwe speaking to the vendors
As part of the solution, Gwengwe announced that his ministry has revoked all licenses for suppliers of second-hand goods, aiming to bring order to the market.
He further stated that affected shops will remain closed until the situation normalises.
Additionally, Gwengwe assured vendors that the government will engage their committee to find sustainable solutions and ensure price stability in the second-hand goods market.
Earlier today, vendors matched to Parliament to present their grievances to relevant officials.
Lilongwe, February 25, Mana: Stakeholders have put in place market price stabilization strategies as one way to reduce escalating prices of goods in the country.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Sosten Gwengwe, said at a media briefing in lilongwe on Monday a meeting with stakeholders to discuss measures of addressing the situation.
Mwale
He said the meeting discussed non justified pricing in the country, issues surrounding the black market in order to consolidate strategies on how to arrest the situation.
“We have discussed with all the relevant stakeholders. We are almost there to announce and start implementing the measures,” he said.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor, Dr Macdonald Mafuta Mwale said black market is linked to devaluation of the Kwacha which is happening on the parallel market.
“The value of the dollar, which is official, is the value that we have to prescribe with. Anything out of that is speculative, opportunistic, and also greedy in nature because nobody with our income levels can be able to buy the dollar at K5,000; what we have is K1,750 as the value of the dollar in Malawi,” he said.
He said there are a number of issues presented to the ministers to arrest the black market, and also deal with escalation of price of goods.
The meeting attracted the officials from Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Justice, National Intelligence Service, Competition and Fair Trading Commission and RBM.
Civil servants in Malawi have embarked on a nationwide strike, effective today, Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
The strike, called by the Civil Servants Trade Union of Malawi (CSTUM) and the Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM), is in response to the government’s failure to address their grievances regarding fair salary adjustments and allowance increases.
According to a letter signed by Charles Kumchenga, President of CSTUM, the government’s offer of a 10% salary hike is an insult, considering the skyrocketing prices of commodities.
The letter highlights that civil servants contribute significantly to the development of the nation, yet their hard work and dedication are not appreciated.
The strike is not a new development, as civil servants have been threatening to take industrial action since last year.
In January 2023, the CSTUM and TUM had notified the government of their intention to call for a nationwide strike, citing the government’s failure to address their concerns.
The current strike is a culmination of the prolonged negotiations between the government and the unions.
The government’s decision to increase the salaries of members of parliament by 100% in the last financial fiscal year budget, while offering civil servants a mere 15% increase, has been cited as one of the major grievances.
The strike is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s public services, including healthcare, education, and administration.
The unions have urged all civil servants to stand united and demand the respect and compensation they deserve.
As the strike begins, the government is yet to respond to the unions’ demands.
The situation is being closely monitored, and it remains to be seen how the government will address the grievances of the civil servants.
In the meantime, the people of Malawi can only hope that the strike will be resolved amicably and that the government will take the necessary steps to address the concerns of the civil servants.
The strike is a clear indication that the civil servants will no longer be taken for granted, and it is time for the government to take their demands seriously.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has announced the immediate revocation of all business licenses for kaunjika wholesalers and retailers.
The decision, which was made public through a press release, has sent shockwaves through the business community, leaving many traders wondering about their future.
According to the press release, the government has revoked the licenses due to unspecified reasons, and all kaunjika traders are required to reapply for new licenses.
The Ministry has warned that anyone found operating without a valid license will be prosecuted according to the law.
The decision has raised concerns among traders, who are worried about the impact on their livelihoods.
Many kaunjika traders rely on their businesses to support their families, and the sudden revocation of their licenses has left them facing uncertainty.
“This is a big blow to us,” said one trader, who wished to remain anonymous. “We were not given any notice or explanation for the revocation of our licenses. We are worried about how we will survive.”
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has emphasized that the decision to revoke the licenses was made to ensure compliance with the law and to protect the interests of consumers.
However, traders are skeptical about the government’s motives.
“We have been operating our businesses for years without any issues,” said another trader. “We pay our taxes and follow all the regulations. Why has the government suddenly decided to revoke our licenses?”
The government’s decision has also raised questions about the impact on the economy.
Kaunjika traders play a significant role in the informal sector, providing employment and income opportunities for many people.
“The revocation of licenses will not only affect the traders but also the people who depend on them for employment and income,” said Aoja Mutepati an economist. “The government needs to consider the broader implications of its decision and find ways to support the affected traders.”
In the meantime, kaunjika traders are advised to comply with the government’s directive and reapply for new licenses.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has promised to provide guidance and support to traders during the reapplication process.
As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the government’s decision to revoke the licenses of kaunjika traders has sent shockwaves through the business community, and it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry’s vision is to make Malawi a globally competitive export-oriented economy, generating higher and sustainable livelihoods through trade.
However, the decision to revoke the licenses of kaunjika traders has raised questions about the government’s commitment to supporting small-scale traders and the informal sector.
Only time will tell if the government’s decision will achieve its intended goals or if it will have unintended consequences for the economy and the people of Malawi.
Malawian nasheed artist Lifa Saidi is set to release his first nasheed(song) of the year 2025.
The highly-anticipated nasheed, titled Owala, is scheduled to drop on the first day of Ramadan.
In an exclusive interview with 247 Malawi News says he revealed that Owala song will be a dual-release, featuring both an audio and video component.
“The nasheed is designed to convey a powerful message that resonates with listeners of all ages and uplift both young and old”said Saidi.
Lifa Saidi has built a reputation as a talented nasheed artist, with a portfolio that boasts hits like “Daily”, “Kumachabe”, and “Liopserenji”, among others.
The holy month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewal, and devotion, making it the perfect backdrop for a nasheed that aims to inspire and uplift.
