Colleen Zamba in custody for abuse of office charges
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The state has failed to take former Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Colleen Zamba to court on Thursday after her arrest on Wednesday at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in the capital Lilongwe.
This means Zamba will remain in police custody for another night after authorities failed to take her to court today as scheduled.
The former SPC lawyer, Sylvester Ayuba James however disclosed that police recorded her statement but later cited instructions from higher authorities preventing her court appearance until the 48-hour period expires.
James told the Nation online that the delays is “an abuse of the 48-hour rule”.
The lawyer added that a search warrant has been issued for Zamba’s phone, which lawyers have reviewed.
The forner SPC faces charges of abuse of office.
Zamba is believed to be ousted President Lazarus Chakwera’s errand lady
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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Attorney General (AG) Frank Mbeta, on Thursday officially opened the Professional Training in Arbitration organised by the Malawi Institute of Arbitrators (MIAC) in partnership with Africa Arbitration Academy, delivering his remarks virtually and reaffirming government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s dispute resolution framework.
Mbeta commended the organisers for hosting what he described as timely and strategic programme aimed at enhancing professional capacity in arbitration both in Malawi and across the region.
He noted that the growth of Malawi’s economy and the increasing complexity of commercial transactions require efficient and credible mechanisms for resolving disputes.
Mbeta emphasised that arbitration has become an essential component of modern business practice, offering parties flexibility, confidentiality and efficiency in resolving commercial disagreements.
He said such mechanisms help protect business relationships, reduce delays and promote confidence among investors.
The Attorney General highlighted recent reforms made to the Arbitration Act as part of the government’s broader effort to modernise the legal framework governing dispute resolution.
He added that further enhancements are being considered to ensure alignment with international standards and to position Malawi as a competitive and reliable venue for arbitration proceedings.
He also underscored the need to build a strong pool of experienced and ethical arbitrators, expand public awareness of arbitration as a viable alternative to litigation and embrace technology to improve the efficiency of proceedings including virtual hearings and secure digital platforms.
Mbeta acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly with regard to accessibility and affordability for small and medium-sized businesses.
He called for innovative approaches that ensure arbitration is not limited to large commercial entities but becomes a practical option for all.
He praised the Africa Arbitration Academy for its continued leadership in promoting African expertise and supporting cross-border collaboration in dispute resolution.
He said such initiatives contribute significantly to raising the continent’s profile in global arbitration.
Looking ahead, the Attorney General expressed optimism that Malawi can position itself as a regional centre for arbitration through sustained collaboration between government institutions, the judiciary, the private sector and the legal community.
He said a vibrant arbitration culture would support economic development, attract investment and strengthen the administration of justice.
Mbeta concluded by urging participants to fully engage in the training and apply the knowledge gained to advance the country’s dispute resolution systems.
The virtual session drew participants from Malawi and beyond, reflecting growing regional interest in arbitration as a driver of commercial stability and economic growth.
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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The former Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Colleen Zamba faces an abuse of office charge and she is expected to appear in court later today.
National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo has confirmed the development, saying Zamba remains at National Police Headquarters in Lilongwe.
Chimtembo told Nation online that the charge falls under Section 95 of the Penal Code.
“She is still in our custody. We expect to take her to court this afternoon,” Chimtembo said.
Zamba was due to travel to Geneva, Switzerland, for her daughter’s graduation on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 when she was detained in the VIP Lounge at Kamuzu International Airport before being taken for questioning by officers from National Police Headquarters.
She spent last night at Kanengo Police Station in the Capital City.
Zamba is believed to be former President Lazarus Chakwera regime’s errand lady.
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President Trump leans into a familiar political strategy of attacking immigrant communities as he intensifies racist comments about Minnesota’s Somali population and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. A Pentagon watchdog report finds Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth endangered U.S. troops by sharing classified strike plans over Signal, directly undercutting the White House’s claim that no harm was done. And a CDC advisory panel appointed by the Trump administration prepares to revisit long-standing vaccine recommendations, including whether to scale back protections for newborns and young children.
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p class=”readrate”>Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebekah Metzler, Andrew Sussman, Scott Hensley, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.
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<
p class=”readrate”>It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
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<
p class=”readrate” data-rr=”17″ data-pm-slice=”1 1 []”>We get engineering support from David Greenburg. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.
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BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Castel Malawi Limited has reinforced its dedication to supporting government efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS through a partnership with the Malawi Business Coalition on Health (MBCHealth) during this year’s World AIDS Day commemoration.
The event, held on Monday (December 1) in Makata, Blantyre, ran under the theme ‘We Remember, We Lead, We Rise to Transform the Response.’
Castel Malawi Limited’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Linda Kolomba, said the company remains deeply invested in strengthening the country’s HIV/AIDS response through strategic collaborations.
“As Castel Malawi, we recognise that the fight against HIV/AIDS requires unity and consistent action. This is why we continue to stand side by side with organisations to ensure that communities have access to the support and information they need. Our role is to uplift, empower, and contribute meaningfully to a healthier Malawi,” said Kolomba.
Kolomba further emphasised that, as a company, Castel Malawi places high importance on health and wellbeing, not only within the communities it supports but also among its own employees.
“At Castel Malawi, we believe that a thriving workforce starts with a healthy workforce. This is why we prioritise health initiatives internally and extend the same support to the communities we operate in. When our people are healthy, our nation is stronger,” she said.
In her remarks, MBCHealth Chairperson, Gloria Zimba, thanked Castel Malawi for joining hands with the coalition, adding that the health sector is currently facing significant financial constraints.
“We have lost partners from abroad, and we are very grateful to Castel Malawi and others for stepping forward to support us. We now depend heavily on such partnerships for financial assistance. Their involvement shows how dedicated they are, and as MBCHealth, we are honoured to have this collaboration,” said Zimba.
Other partners for the commemoration day included National Bank of Malawi plc, MASM, ESCOM, and Blantyre Water Board (BWB).
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BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Authorities in Blantyre are investigating a suspected arson incident at Michiru Girls Secondary School, where police have arrested 21 students believed to have played a role in fires that destroyed key structures on campus.
The arrests follow a blaze that erupted in the early hours of Thursday, reducing a student hostel and the head teacher’s office to ashes.
Police say the incident appears to have been coordinated, though inquiries are still underway to establish the full extent of the students’ involvement.
Blantyre Police deputy spokesperson Doris Mwitha confirmed the development in an interview with MaraviPost publication, describing the situation as “deeply troubling and unfortunate.”
She said officers responded swiftly after receiving an alert from school authorities.
According to Mwitha, investigators have been working closely with head teacher Francis Musasa, who reported that the fires may have been ignited as an act of protest.
The learners allegedly rejected the school’s decision to extend the closing date from 19 to 21 December 2025.
Sources within the school say tension had been building over the extension, which management communicated earlier this week.
Some students were reportedly unhappy with the revised schedule, claiming it would interfere with their travel plans for the holiday season.
The fire destroyed the girls’ hostel where some of the suspects were accommodated, leaving behind charred mattresses, burnt beds and piles of debris.
Several students have since been temporarily relocated while the school assesses the extent of the damage.
The inferno also gutted the head teacher’s office, burning important documents, including files, certificates belonging to former students and administrative materials essential to daily operations.
Another section affected was the storage room, which held various school supplies.
Among the destroyed property were 90 brand-new floor tiles that had been set aside for upcoming renovations.
School authorities say the incident has disrupted not only the learning environment but also ongoing improvement projects.
They have expressed disappointment that a facility meant to support students’ education has been turned into a crime scene.
Police have assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the motives, identify all responsible parties and assess the total value of the damage. They say additional arrests are possible as evidence continues to emerge.
Mwitha emphasized that acts of vandalism and arson in learning institutions will not be tolerated, warning that those found guilty will face the full force of the law. She added that safeguarding schools remains a top priority as the academic calendar draws to a close.
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