….Swearing-in of 30 new councillors marks the beginning of a fresh five-year term
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Blantyre City Council is today set for a decisive election as it chooses a new Mayor at the Civic Centre.
Three Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ward councillors have thrown their hats into the ring, signalling an intense intra-party contest.
The contenders are Isaac Jomo Osman of Bangwe Ntopwa Ward, Eric Mofolo of Mapanga-Mzedi Ward, and Joseph Makwinja of Bangwe Namiyango Ward.
Each of the three councillors has publicly expressed confidence in their leadership capabilities and their desire to steer Blantyre City in a new direction.
The mayoral vote is taking place alongside the swearing-in and oath-taking ceremony for 30 newly elected Blantyre City councillors.
The ceremony marks the beginning of their five-year mandate to serve Malawi’s commercial capital and its residents.
The election of a new Mayor is expected to set the tone for how the council will manage critical issues such as road infrastructure, waste management, security, and service delivery.
Observers note that the race is likely to be tight, given that all three candidates are from the same political party and share similar political constituencies.
The emergence of internal competition is also seen as a test of unity and democratic maturity within the DPP’s local structures.
Residents of Blantyre are watching closely, hoping that the new leadership will bring fresh energy and solutions to the city’s long-standing governance challenges.
The results of today’s election will shape the council’s direction and determine the political atmosphere at the Civic Centre for years to come.
The Maravi Post will provide updates as the election concludes.
Share this:
Like this:
LikeLoading…
Discover more from The Maravi Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Malawians have currently expressed a series of criticisms or concerns regarding the actions and decisions of Malawi President Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM).
Firstly, Mutharika’s ad hoc approach to cabinet appointments during a significant economic crisis has been criticized for being inconsistent and ineffective.
For instance, at the time of fuel scarcity, APM took a long time to appoint the Minister of Energy, Jean Mathanga.
Secondly, the appointment of individuals with allegations of crime and corruption, such as Alfred Gangata, Enoch Chihana, and Richard Luhanga, has raised concerns about governance and integrity.
Unfortunately, there is another school of thought that such appointments may propagate the corruption culture thereby creating a conflict of interest.
Furthermore , there have been complaints regarding the lack of proper procedures in the appointments of key positions, such as the Director General of the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
Some have contended that the acting Director General of MRA should have been chosen from within the organization, even without the involvement of the board.
Additionally, the process of selecting the Director General of ACB was not properly followed by APM. It should have included merit-based interviews for potential candidates, with the ultimate decision of appointment resting with the president.
Unfortunately, Mutharika has also been accused of favoring the Lhomwe tribe in public office appointments, leading to claims of tribalism and lack of inclusivity in governance.
This is against the background that Mutharika was evenly voted into power across all regions and tribes of Malawi.
Some critics have questioned Mutharika’s absence at the military fallen heroes ceremony as exhibiting a lack of respect and commitment to the nation and its armed forces.
It is therefore unfortunate that the ongoing shortages of essential commodities such as fuel, food, foreign exchange, water, and electricity have been a significant concern for the populace, reflecting poorly on Mutharika’s leadership.
Although it is premature to make a final assessment of Mutharika’s administration, the government has not provided any concrete explanation or proposed solutions for the current predicaments.
Lastly, Mutharika’s warnings against holding constitutional demonstrations have been interpreted as an attempt to suppress dissent and limit citizens’ rights to protest.
In conclusion, these listed factors represent a variety of concerns about Mutharika’s leadership that have been currently brought up in public discussions.
It is important for the Mutharika administration to promptly address these criticisms in order to maintain the public’s confidence in his leadership.
Share this:
Like this:
LikeLoading…
Discover more from The Maravi Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The National Advocacy Platform (NAP) has hailed the Government of Malawi for what it has described as a bold, visionary and long overdue decision to reform the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), describing the move as a milestone in promoting decentralisation, accountability and equitable development across the country.
In a statement jointly signed by NAP Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe and National Coordinator Baxton Nkhoma, the organisation commended the Minister of Local Government for unveiling a comprehensive reform package in Parliament under the theme “Power to the People: Rebuilding Local Leadership and Revamping the CDF for True Community Empowerment.”
NAP said the reforms signal a decisive departure from the past, where weak oversight and political interference often undermined effective local governance.
Among the key measures announced, government has increased CDF allocations from K200 million to K5 billion per constituency, a development NAP described as historic and transformative.
“This is the clearest signal yet of government’s commitment to fiscal devolution and its determination to bring development closer to the people, in line with the National Decentralisation Policy,” reads part of the statement.
The organisation further welcomed the new governance and management framework for the fund, which places District Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers at the centre of project oversight to ensure compliance with procurement, financial and contract management standards.
NAP also applauded the decision to make Village and Area Development Committees (VDCs and ADCs) central in identifying projects, saying the move restores true community ownership and bottom-up planning in local development.
Equally significant, the introduction of trained Project Implementation Committees (PICs) is expected to strengthen transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
NAP said it is encouraged by government’s plan to craft robust new guidelines for the reformed CDF, which will outline clear institutional roles, enhance citizen participation and align implementation with public finance laws and oversight mechanisms.
“These reforms are a necessary corrective to years of politicisation, weak controls and elite capture of the CDF,” NAP observed.
“If fully implemented, they have the potential to transform the fund into a genuine driver of grassroots development, supporting schools, health facilities, water systems, roads, agriculture and youth and women empowerment initiatives,”NAP added.
The platform has since urged government to fast-track the finalisation and dissemination of the new CDF guidelines through inclusive consultations involving all stakeholders.
NAP also called for stronger audit and procurement systems, enhanced citizen oversight and full public disclosure of all CDF-funded projects and contracts to safeguard transparency and public trust.
NAP underscored the importance of merit-based recruitment and performance monitoring of VDCs and ADCs to ensure that they operate independently and effectively, free from political manipulation.
The organisation further urged adherence to the Public Finance Management Act, Public Audit Act, and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets (PPDA) Act as key instruments in promoting accountability and prudent use of public resources.
Share this:
Like this:
LikeLoading…
Discover more from The Maravi Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) along side Lost History Foundation, has petitioned the Malawi Parliament to begin using local languages particularly Chichewa during its deliberations, in a move aimed at promoting inclusivity and national identity.
Presenting the petition at Parliament Building in Lilongwe on Thursday, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa emphasized that all parliamentary proceedings are meant for Malawians, the majority of whom communicate primarily in indigenous languages.
“Whatever transpires in Parliament is meant for the ordinary Malawian. It is therefore important that proceedings be conducted in a language that every citizen can understand,” said Namiwa.
He argued that introducing local languages such as Chichewa, Chitumbuka, and Yao in Parliament would help bridge the communication gap between lawmakers and the people they represent.
Namiwa noted that English, though an official language, often limits citizens’ understanding of national issues debated in the House.
The petition also calls for the translation of parliamentary documents, bills, and committee reports into local languages, enabling broader public participation in democratic processes.
He also calls for the local language inclusive in schools.
The petition has since been received by Member of Parliament for Zomba city North Bester Awali.
Awali commended the initiative, saying it would help them reach out to the local communities that voted for them.
He assured them that will present the petition to the Speaker’s office.
If adopted, Malawi would join other African nations such as Tanzania and South Africa that have incorporated local languages in parliamentary and official state business.
Share this:
Like this:
LikeLoading…
Discover more from The Maravi Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Two powerful former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) regime cabinet ministers are allegedly threatening human rights a Chimwemwe Mbeya Mhango for dragging the party zealot Dala Kadula to court over “life threatening assault”.
This comes weeks barely weeks after Kadula who is also answering physical and theft assault in court was exposed to have threatened to kill Mhango, the former Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldier.
Mhango told The Maravi Post in an interview on Thursday morning that after exposed Kadula’s assault to the media, former MCP regime cabinet ministers have been pressuring him to withdraw the matter.
The activist claims that the former ministers have been using some MDF senior officers to threaten him to withdraw the matter on Kadula.
But Mhango retaliates, “Since Kadula’s assault case was exposed to the public through the media, two powerful former cabinet ministers during MCP government have been sending some senior MDF officers intimidating me to withdraw Kadula case.
“Let them know, I won’t withdraw this case until justice is prevailed. Kadula and others must face justice for the crimes they committed during MCP regime”.
Mhango (Ntchindi) former MDF officernow human rights activist
But the activist wondered as to why public officers including senior MDF officers are involved into political matters, “The law is clear that public officers including MDF must desist from practicing politics inside service. Why some of MDF officers are being used by former MCP government cabinet ministers intimidate me? If they continue, I will expose them.
“This is the reason fellow activist Sylvester Namiwa was physically assaulted by MCP thugs in view of MDF soldiers and Malawi Police Service (MPS) officers. Many of these officers are in the service to serve politicians not the nation. This must end with the coming in of President Peter Mutharika’s government that whoever commits an offence must face the law”.
However, Mhango said he has reported the matter to relevant authorities for action.
The suspected MCP thug Dala Kadula is reportedly to have defiled Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) summons after the commission received complaint from Mhango.
According to MHRC letter dated March 21, 2024, Kadula snubbed the commission summon till to date.
The Maravi Post understands that the victim Mhango, was threatened with a gun after he participated in the concerned citizens demonstrations which Bon Kalindo held in Zomba last year.
Following Kadula threats to kill Mhango with a gun at a certain place in Lilongwe, the victim (Mhango) reported the matter to Kawale Police.
Despite Kawale Police issuing summons letter over the matter, Kadula also threatened the officers at that time as “he was un attachable”.
“The Human Rights Commission (hereinafter referred to as “the Commission) is in receipt of a complaint by Mr. Chimwemwe Mbeya Mhango (Ntchindi) (hereinafter referred to as the complainant) against yourself.
“The complainant claims that you and a party activist belonging to the Malawi Congress Party: His complaint against you is that you have threatened to kill him following some work-related disagreements,” reads MHRC letter in part.
“Given the above, the commission would therefore like to hear your side of the story concerning the above allegations. You are therefore advised to present before the Commission on Thursday 28 March 2024.
“Your cooperation in this matter will be greatly appreciated”, reads MHRC summon letter signed by its Director of Civil and Political Rights Peter Chisi.
This publication understands that Kadula also assaulted the commission’s messenger upon receiving the letter.
But the commission hinted that “it’s still pursuing the matter”.
Dala is said to be leading panga-raiding thugs that kept on terrorizing demonstrators against ousted President Lazarus Chakwera and MCP leadership.
Kadula is also allegedly to be MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda’s errand boy.
With the change of leadership, Kadula is now subjected to justice on various assaults he committed under Chakwera-MCP leadership.
Share this:
Like this:
LikeLoading…
Discover more from The Maravi Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
….Lilongwe court releases accused on strict conditions, including new sureties and mandatory police reporting
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate Court has granted bail to eight suspects accused of disturbing peaceful demonstrations by civil servants at Area 18 Memorial Tower on March 19, 2025.
The accused were reportedly involved in acts that disrupted the ongoing demonstrations, which were organized by civil servants demanding improved working conditions and timely salary adjustments.
According to court records, the suspects denied the charges leveled against them, maintaining their innocence and asserting that they were wrongfully accused.
It has been established that the same individuals are already on bail in three other separate cases currently pending before different courts.
Despite their previous bail status, the suspects were re-arrested last week shortly after being granted bail by Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda in one of their other ongoing matters.
Presiding over the case, Resident Magistrate Precious Kondowe granted the suspects bail upon fulfilling specific financial and procedural conditions.
Each suspect was released on a bail bond of K200,000, while two new sureties — different from those in their other three cases — were each bonded at K2 million.
Magistrate Kondowe emphasized that the sureties must be reliable individuals of good standing who can ensure that the accused comply with all bail conditions and attend all future court proceedings.
As part of the bail conditions, the suspects are required to report to Area 30 Police Headquarters every fortnight on Fridays.
They have also been strictly warned against interfering with witnesses or engaging in any activities that might jeopardize ongoing investigations.
The court further cautioned that any violation of these conditions would result in an immediate revocation of bail and possible remand pending trial.
Observers have noted that the case continues to attract public interest, given the repeated court appearances of the accused and their involvement in multiple ongoing legal proceedings.
The matter has since been adjourned to a later date for further hearing, with prosecutors expected to present witness testimonies and additional evidence.
The development marks yet another chapter in the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to maintain order and uphold justice following a series of demonstrations in the capital earlier this year.
Share this:
Like this:
LikeLoading…
Discover more from The Maravi Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
