President Lazarus Chakwera has lashed out at some people he did not disclose, saying they are conniving with contractors to frustrate development projects being initiated in the country for their own benefit.
 
The President made the remarks yesterday when he commissioned the 30 billion Kwacha Nkhata Bay Town Water Supply and Sanitation project which will benefit over 104 thousand households in the district.

The project is being implemented by government and the Northern Region Water Board.
 
“I know what some people are doing. That is very unpatriotic behavior, that must come to stop because it is theft,” said Chakwera.
 
He then hailed the utility body for effective use of resources which his administration strives to achieve every time.
 
Chairperson of the Board Frank Tumpale Mwenifumbo said the project is expected to reduce cases of waterborne diseases like cholera, as the district is one of the hotspots of the disease which claimed more than 1,700 people in 2022-2023.
 
Said Mwenifumbo: “This is what we are supposed to do. And we will continue to provide portable water to people through various projects we are implementing in most parts of the region.”
 
The 30 billion Kwacha Nkhata Bay Town Water Supply and Sanitation project targets to improve Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene services and build the capacity of various stakeholders in the Wash sector.
 
The project has been financially supported by the African Development Bank and OPEC Fund for International Development and the Government of Malawi.

Mzuzu, which is dubbed Malawis fast growing city, will be the first to have a Coach terminal that will be operational by 1st October this year.
 
Chief Executive Officer of the City Gomegzani Nyasulu says this is one of the resolutions made during the Mzuzu City Summit held two weeks ago, and the city is expecting to be collecting K9 million every month from about 7 local and international operators.
 
“Our simple calculations tell us that, with the operators we have, we will be generating at least K300 thousand Kwacha per day. And by the end of the month, the council will be having K9 million from the terminal.” said Nyasulu.
 
He added, that at the new facility, authorities will not allow Callboys and vending.
 
Mzuzu, will be the first city in Malawi to have such a terminal and there is an opening for the private sector to partner in managing the facility.
 
Mayor of the City Councilor Gift Desire Nyirenda says this will bring sanity in terms of Coach parking stations.
 
Explained Councilor Nyirenda: “Mzuzu is fast fast-growing city in the country. It is our wish that we provide the needs of the residents of this city. We may delay, but surely we will get there.”
 
The Mayor also says Councilors will monitor the development to ensure effective utilization of proceeds from the terminal.

The Coach Terminal will be located on the premises of Shire Bus Lines Company just adjacent to the Clock Tower in the city.

This year, government took over the management of all Shire Bus Company bus depots from Mulli Group of companies after High Court ordered that all such facilities, which were illegally possessed by the group, be handed over to local councils.
 

The Lions Clubs International's multiple district 412 covering Malawi, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique has stressed the need for continued humanitarian aid to survivors of cyclone Freddy which claimed lives of about 1000 people this year in some parts of the country.
 
Council Chairperson of the district, Lion Victor Gondwe said this during an induction ceremony of new leaders and members of Mzuzu, Viphya, and Katoto Specialty Lions Clubs, where he noted that in most places that were hit by the cyclone, survivors still need aid.
 
“The Lions community is expecting a lot from the newly inducted Lions in serving the disadvantaged, just like those that are affected by cyclone Freddy,” said Lion Gondwe.
 
He added that being a Lion means a big thing in saving people who are in dire need of help.
 
Lions embrace the Lions Club International's Five Pillars of Service which include Vision, Hunger, Diabetes, Cancer, and Environment.
 
Guest of honor at the ceremony, business person and renowned IT governance expert, Lion Mathews Mtumbuka tipped his fellow Lions to explore other avenues of mobilizing resources that are used to provide support to those in need.
 
Said Lion Mtumbuka; “We know that Lions build schools, and provide different needs to the people, but there is a need for them to find other ways of generating resources than depending on their monthly salaries, assuming they are employees.”
 
Among others, Lions strive to improve health and well-being, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian services and grants that impact lives globally and encourage peace and international understanding.

Principal resident magistrate Clemence Chamwenda sitting at the Mzuzu court registry has sentenced six men to 21- years imprisonment with hard labour each, for robbing guests at Royal Gardens Lodge at Lubinga in the city on 4th August this year.

The six (jailed) and two others who are still at large, robbed property which included cellphones, laptops, clothes, and cash among others worth over 7 million Kwacha.

State prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Vickness chinseu Simwinga of Mzuzu police told the court on Wednesday this week, that the convicts had planned to commit the offense as they were equipped with panga knives, metal bars, camouflage clothes, and face masks.

“Your worship, these are dangerous criminals and they are a threat to the security of people such that they deserve a harder sentence,” said Assistant Superintendent Simwinga.

Of the six, four are ex-convicts while the other two are first offenders, and their plea for mercy from the court when sentencing was not entertained.

In his judgment, Principal Resident Magistrate Clemence Chamwenda said the crime the accused committed, has the potential to harm the business of the lodge.

Replied magistrate Chamwenda; “It has pleased this court to send you to jail for 21 years each. Your actions may have a negative impact on the lodge, as people will have trust issues with its security”.

Meanwhile, Mzuzu Police Spokesperson Inspector Paul Tembo has welcomed the judgment, saying this will motive the law enforcers in their zeal to combat crime in the city.

“The arrest and swift conviction of the six is an indication that the law enforcers have stepped up efforts in providing security in the city, after registering incidences of theft cases in the past months,” explained Inspector Tembo.

The six include Faduwik Chiwaya, Sam Kagunda, Precious Jonathan, Issa Ibrahim, Stonald Nkhoma, and Titus Chirwa.
 

The body of iconic economist cum politician Goodall Gondwe was buried yesterday and all the eulogies at the burial ceremony centered on celebrating his personal, educational, and political achievements.
 
Scores of people from within and abroad attended the sorrowful ceremony which earlier was threatened by rising political tension amongst political parties, but CCAP Synod of Livingstonia, family, former Vice President Khumbo Kachali, and Vice President Saulos Chilima emphasized that Gondwe deserved a proper send-off.
 
“Time for politicking is coming and we all know that. Let’s all of us keep in mind that we have come here to bury the great son of Malawi and he deserves a befitting send-off,” said Chilima before reading his eulogy.
 
Added Chilima: “When we go back to Lilongwe government will organize a conference where economists will review some of Gondwe's works, it is instrumental for the country.
 
“Goodall was a true definition of a good man. He was our father and mentor. Whenever you wanted him for advice, he was there.”
 
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Peter Mutharika described the late Gondwe as a great son of Malawi, after serving the country and international organizations including the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
 
“I met Goodall in 1959 at school. Since that time we have been together and worked closely in various setups. Family and the party have lost a great man,” said Mutharika.
 
Goodall Goodall was DPP’s vice president for the northern region.
 
Group Village Headman Kayiwononga told hundreds that gathered at the ceremony that their father, meaning late Gondwe, taught Kayiwonanga Village three things which included the promotion of unity, love and also having a spirit of hard work.

This was echoed by his daughter Tiwonge who spoke on behalf of her two brothers.
 
Born Goodall Edward Gondwe on 1 December 1936 in Mzimba, he breathed his last on 8 August 2023.
 

Renowned economist-cum politician Goodall Gondwe has died at the age of 87 in Lilongwe, his nephew Komani Gondwe has confirmed. Komani says Goodall collapsed yesterday at his house in Lilongwe and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Adventist hospital later.

Four Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers have been dismissed after an internal disciplinary hearing. They were found guilty of taking bribes at a security check-point near Chirumba Barracks in Karonga.The four were accused of receiving the bribes from a truck driver driving from Mzuzu towards Karonga early morning yesterday.

President Lazarus Chakwera has implored Malawians to embrace the culture of hard work for the country to develop, saying doing so would help in fulfilling provisions of the development blueprint, Malawi 2063.

Government says it will not remove the checkpoint at Chirumba Barracks in Karonga where some traders have been complaining of mistreatment by soldiers when they transport their goods.

A Mzuzu-based local non-organizational organisation called Center for Community Empowerment Initiative (CCEI) says it will provide anti-rabies vaccine to 60,000 pets like dogs in Rumphi and Mzimba North covering Mzuzu city by December this year.