Blantyre vandal man dies a day after electrocution

Posted on by admin

Airtel Malawi

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The man who was electrocuted on Wednesday morning at Chichiri in Blantyre while attempting to vandalise high-voltage electrical equipment has died, officials from the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) have confirmed.

According to ESCOM Chief Public Relations and Communication Officer Piliran Phiri,the incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday when the suspect was caught in the act of tampering with critical infrastructure that powers part of the city.

Capital One

He was severely shocked by the live wires and sustained life-threatening burns.

The deceased has been identified as Madalitso Samson, originally from Sojali Village under Traditional Authority Ganya in Ntcheu.

Witnesses who arrived moments after the incident reported that Samson was found unconscious beside the vandalised equipment.

He was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, where medical personnel battled to stabilise him. Despite the efforts of health workers, Samson succumbed to his injuries earlier today due to extensive internal and external burns.

ESCOM says the tragedy is a stark reminder of the deadly consequences associated with tampering with electrical installations. The corporation has repeatedly warned the public about the extreme danger posed by high-voltage equipment.

ESCOM stressed that vandalising power infrastructure is not only a criminal act but also a direct threat to life. The company described electricity theft and vandalism as “a death sentence” for those who engage in it.

Officials further noted that the equipment involved carries enough voltage to kill instantly, and no amount of skill or experience can guarantee safety when dealing with live electrical components.

The corporation has also raised concern over the rising cases of vandalism targeting transformers, cables and other installations across the country. These acts cause prolonged blackouts, expensive repairs, and disruptions to essential services.

ESCOM is now urging communities to take an active role in safeguarding national power assets by reporting anyone seen loitering around or tampering with restricted areas. The public is advised to always observe warning signs and maintain a safe distance.

The utility company pleaded with Malawians not to risk their lives out of desperation or greed, emphasising that no financial gain is worth the loss of life. They reminded people that electricity is unforgiving and lethal when mishandled.

Discover more from The Maravi Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

The Maravi Post

Hegseth Boat Strikes, Witkoff To Moscow, National Guard Shooting Suspect

Posted on by admin

Airtel Malawi

A U.S. official contradicts the White House account of who ordered the deadly boat strike in the Caribbean, while President Trump considers his next moves with Venezuela.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff heads to Moscow for high-stakes talks after revising the peace agreement with Ukrainian negotiators.
And new details about the Afghan man accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers point to a long-running mental health crisis rather than radicalization.

Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Capital One

<

p class=”readrate”>Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebecca Metzler, Miguel Macias, Alina Hartounian, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

<

p class=”readrate”>

<

p class=”readrate”>It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.

<

p class=”readrate”>

<

p class=”readrate”>We get engineering support from Damian Herring. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

<

p class=”readrate”>

<

p class=”readrate”>Our Senior Supervising Producer is Vince Pearson.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Discover more from The Maravi Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

The Maravi Post

Machinga pupil struck, killed by lightning while returning from well

Posted on by admin

Airtel Malawi

MACHINGA-(MaraviPost)-A 14-year-old pupil from Mpiranjala Primary School in Machinga, identified as Ivy Patsidya, has died after being struck by lightning on Sunday evening.

The chairperson of the area’s disaster risk committee under Senior Chief Mchinguza, Asima Kapalepale, confirmed the tragic incident.

Capital One

He explained that the teenager was on her way back from the well where she had gone to fetch water when the lightning struck her.

Kapalepale said the area had experienced a heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds at the time of the incident.

He described the event as a devastating loss for the family and the community, especially given the young girl’s age and the circumstances under which she died.

The local disaster risk committee has since urged communities to exercise caution during stormy weather conditions, particularly when children are moving outdoors.

They have also appealed to parents and guardians to monitor the whereabouts of young people during severe rainfall to prevent similar tragedies.

Education authorities in the area have expressed sadness over the sudden loss of the pupil, noting that her death comes at a time when students are preparing for end-of-term activities.

Community members have also called for increased awareness on lightning safety measures as rainfall patterns continue to become unpredictable.

The matter has been reported to relevant authorities, and funeral arrangements are underway as the community mourns the death of the young learner.

Discover more from The Maravi Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

The Maravi Post

Malawian activists call for sustained HIV/AIDS support

Posted on by admin

Airtel Malawi

By Zakeyu Mamba

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Health rights activists and national HIV stakeholders have urged government and partners to maintain strong financing and focus on the HIV and AIDS response, warning that gains made over the years must not be reversed.

Capital One

Speaking during World AIDS Day commemorations, health activist Mazuko Matemba stressed the need for continued investment in HIV programmes.

He said HIV and AIDS must remain a key priority for government, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities, noting that the disease still has no cure and continues to affect young men and women.

At the same event, National AIDS Commission (NAC) Executive Director Beatrice Matanje announced that Malawi has reached HIV epidemic control.

She said the country has successfully achieved the 95-95-95 global treatment targets—with 95% of people living with HIV diagnosed, 95% of those diagnosed on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment virally suppressed.

Matanje further highlighted a significant decline in national HIV prevalence among adults aged 15 and above, dropping from over 14% in the late 1990s to 7.3% in 2020, reflecting the impact of sustained national interventions.

Despite this progress, activists are calling for consistent financial support and commitment to ensure Malawi maintains these milestones.

They warn that without continued focus from all sectors, the country risks losing the gains made in controlling the epidemic.

The call comes as Malawi aims to strengthen its HIV prevention, treatment and community support systems to sustain the progress achieved so far.

Discover more from The Maravi Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

The Maravi Post

Thailand lady Chonthirat Sakulkoo resurrects after declared dead (Watch the video)

Posted on by admin

Come back to life after declared dead

Airtel Malawi

BANGKOK-(MaraviPost)-A 65-year-old woman in Nonthaburi, on the outskirts of Bangkok in Thailand has shocked her family when she knocked from inside her coffin after being declared dead.

Chonthirat Sakulkoo, who had been unwell for two years, was cared for by her brother, Mongkol Sakulkoo. When she was found unresponsive, Mongkol assumed she had passed away and began preparations for her cremation.

Capital One

“All the documents had been issued, and we placed her in a coffin,” Mongkol explained.

However, before the cremation, Mongkol took Chonthirat to Chulalongkorn University Hospital to fulfill her wish to donate organs, but the hospital refused to accept her without an official death certificate.

At the Wat Rat Prakongtham crematorium, staff also insisted on a doctor’s certification before proceeding. It was during this discussion that Chonthirat suddenly knocked from inside the coffin.

Mongkol, surprised, asked to have the coffin opened, where family members were stunned to see her eyes slightly open and knocking.

Watch the video…

Doctors later diagnosed Chonthirat with acute hypoglycaemia, a condition that causes dangerously low blood sugar and can mimic death-like symptoms.

She is now receiving proper medical care at Bang Yai Hospital.

Discover more from The Maravi Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

The Maravi Post

Health Parley Chair Masamba calls for swift action on sexual reproductive rights

Posted on by admin

Airtel Malawi

SALIMA-(MaraviPost)-Parliamentary Chairperson of Health, Anthony Masamba, has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) and key health stakeholders to translate dialogue into decisive action as he delivered his closing remarks at a high level meeting on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) on November 29, 2025.

Speaking before lawmakers, officials from the Reproductive Health Directorate, facilitators and other resource persons, Masamba commended participants for a productive day of engagement, saying the discussions must now fuel tangible change in policy, budgeting and community level interventions.

Capital One

He stressed that the issues tackled women’s sexual and reproductive health rights, access to quality services and safe abortion care remain fundamental to women’s wellbeing and the nation’s development agenda.

These issues, he said, continue to determine the future of millions of women and girls in Malawi.

Masamba highlighted that while progress has been made in some Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as access to safe drinking water, the country still lags significantly on SDG 3, which targets reduced maternal mortality and universal access to reproductive health services, including family planning.

He reminded participants of five core truth development cannot be achieved without prioritizing women and girls reproductive health is central to women’s participation in national progress,autonomy over childbearing empowers women in all aspects of life, access to SRHR services is essential and the poor and marginalized remain the most excluded from vital reproductive health care.

Addressing Malawi’s international commitments, Masamba cited the Maputo Protocol, to which the country is a signatory, as a cornerstone for protecting women’s rights including access to healthcare and reproductive autonomy.

He also referenced the SADC SRHR Strategy, describing it as a strong guiding framework for integrating quality services, information and rights based approaches across the region.

On the recent High Court ruling related to unsafe abortion, Masamba said the decision presents an opportunity for sober reflection.

He urged stakeholders to assess the ruling’s implications, engage in broad consultations and consider policy pathways that safeguard the rights, dignity and health of all Malawians, especially vulnerable groups.

He reaffirmed Parliament’s readiness to continue collaborating with health advocates, government agencies and civil society to ensure that the rights of women and adolescents are protected and promoted.

Masamba however challenged participants with a critical question, “How many of you have done costing for safe abortion care and can submit it to Government and Parliament for inclusion in the national budget?”

He emphasized that without concrete costing and budget alignment, the country risks stalling progress on vital SRHR commitments.

Masamba ended his remarks by wishing all participants good health and safe travels, reminding them that the true value of the meeting lies in ensuring that the recommendations made are implemented collectively.

Masamba is Malawi Congress Party (MCP) legislator for Mchinji North East constituency with journalism and public health backgrounds.

Discover more from The Maravi Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

The Maravi Post