The Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed an application by Hon. Richard Chimwendo Banda seeking a stay or suspension of execution of a remand warrant issued against him. The ruling was delivered on 9 January 2026 by Justice of Appeal Dorothy NyaKaunda Kamanga, SC, in MSCA Miscellaneous Criminal Application No. 1 of 2026, in the matter of Hon. Richard Chimwendo Banda v The Republic. Hon. Chimwendo Banda was arrested in December 2025 and subsequently applied for a stay of execution of his remand warrant while pursuing an appeal. He argued that his continued detention was unlawful on the grounds that he had not been formally charged. In response, the State raised a preliminary objection, contending that the Supreme Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to hear the matter. The prosecution further argued that the application amounted to an abuse of court process, as the High Court of Malawi had not yet made a final determination on the applicant’s bail application. The central question before the Court was whether the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal had the jurisdiction to grant a stay or suspension of execution of a remand warrant. In its determination, the Court upheld the State’s objection and made several key findings: The Supreme Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the application because there was no competent appeal before it. The Court emphasized that jurisdiction is a fundamental legal requirement and not a mere technicality that can be overlooked. It noted that its criminal appellate jurisdiction is limited to final decisions of the High Court. A remand warrant, the Court held, is a provisional or interlocutory order that does not finally determine the rights of the parties. The concept of a stay or suspension of execution applies to final judgments or sentences, such as warrants of commitment following conviction, and does not extend to remand warrants. The applicant failed to comply with Order I, Rule 18 of the Supreme Court of Appeal Rules, which requires an applicant to first seek a stay from the High Court before approaching the Supreme Court of Appeal.  As there was no final decision from the High Court, the application was deemed premature and an abuse of the court process. The Court clarified that the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal has no jurisdiction to grant a stay or suspension of execution in respect of a remand warrant, as such a warrant is an interlocutory order and not a final decision. The Court upheld the preliminary objection raised by the State and dismissed Hon. Chimwendo Banda’s summons for a stay or suspension of execution of the remand warrant. The ruling reinforces the limits of the Supreme Court of Appeal’s criminal jurisdiction and underscores the requirement that litigants must exhaust proceedings in the High Court before seeking relief at the appellate level.

President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has withheld assent to the recently passed Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Constitution (Amendment) Bill of 2025. In a statement released on Tuesday night, Presidential Press Secretary Cathy Maulidi said the President has directed the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, in collaboration with the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, to draft comprehensive guidelines for the management of the CDF. The move, she said, is intended to ensure that development projects at constituency level continue without compromising financial integrity. According to the statement, President Mutharika reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the management of public funds—particularly the CDF—adheres to the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. The decision follows sustained calls from local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which had urged the President not to assent to the Bill. The NGOs argued that the proposed amendments would conflict with existing judicial decisions that nullified the role of Members of Parliament in the distribution and management of CDF resources at both district and constituency levels. Civil society groups have consistently maintained that respecting court rulings is essential to safeguarding the rule of law and preventing the misuse of public resources. The government has not yet indicated when the proposed CDF management guidelines will be finalized and implemented.

The High Court in Blantyre has reinstated Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Director of Human Resources and Administration Chrispin Banda through a Stay Order, following his secondment to the Malawi School of Government (MSG) as a lecturer on November 17, 2025. The ruling comes just five days after another High Court judge in Blantyre, Justice Allan Hans Muhome, issued a similar Stay Order reinstating ESCOM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kamkwamba Kumwenda to his position on December 24, 2025. Banda and Kumwenda were among three senior ESCOM executives who had been seconded from the utility company to public universities. Banda was sent to MSG, Kumwenda to the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), while Chief Operations Officer Maxwell Mulimakwenda was seconded to Mzuzu University (MZUNI) as a lecturer. The secondments sparked legal challenges, with the affected executives arguing that the decisions were unlawful. In his application, filed through lawyer Bentry Nyondo of Ritz Attorneys at Law, Banda argued that his employment with ESCOM is governed by a contractual agreement under which he reports solely to the ESCOM Board, not external authorities. Nyondo further contended that the office of the Chief Secretary to the Government, while constitutionally established, must operate strictly within the bounds of the law. “The holder of the office of the Chief Secretary, which is a creature of the Constitution, can and must only exercise lawful authority,” Nyondo argued. Meanwhile, Attorney General Frank Mbeta has indicated that the government intends to challenge both Stay Orders, signaling that the legal battle over the secondments of ESCOM executives is far from over. The court decisions have raised broader questions about executive authority, governance of state-owned enterprises, and the limits of administrative power in personnel management. Legal analysts say the final outcome of the cases could set an important precedent regarding the autonomy of parastatal boards and the rights of senior executives under contract. The matter is expected to return to court as substantive hearings proceed.

Traditional Authorities in Phalombe District, led by Traditional Authority Kaledzera, have formally petitioned the Ministry of Local Government to rename Rev. Chilembwe Hospital back to Phalombe District Hospital, citing lack of consultation during the previous name change. In a letter addressed to the ministry, the traditional leaders argue that the decision to rename the health facility during the administration of former President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera was made without engaging local leadership and communities. Speaking on behalf of the chiefs, TA Kaledzera described the move as undemocratic and imposed. “This was an imposition against our wishes. Democracy demands consultation with the owners of development,” said Kaledzera. “By raising this concern, we are not undermining the good works or historical contribution of the late freedom fighter John Chilembwe, but we believe the decision was misplaced. We are therefore asking the new government to reverse it.” Social governance expert Cheke Ziba has supported the position taken by the traditional leaders, arguing that the renaming of the hospital was politically motivated. According to Ziba, the former government’s decision was aimed at gaining political advantage rather than promoting inclusive governance. “Using national symbols and public institutions to buy votes undermines democratic principles,” Ziba said, describing the move as inappropriate and harmful to public trust. Meanwhile, following the electoral victory of President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, reports indicate that some individuals have already tampered with signage bearing the name ‘Rev. Chilembwe Hospital’ on the facility’s perimeter fence, reflecting growing tension over the issue. Authorities have not yet commented on the reported vandalism, while community leaders have urged calm as they await an official response from the Ministry of Local Government. The ministry is yet to issue a statement on whether it will consider the request to reverse the name change. Observers say the matter raises broader questions about community consultation, historical recognition, and political decision-making in public infrastructure projects. For now, traditional leaders in Phalombe say they remain hopeful that the new administration will address their concerns through dialogue and inclusive decision-making.

Malawi’s creative community has been thrown into deep mourning following the tragic loss of five young and gifted artists who died in a horrific road accident while traveling to Lilongwe for an end-of-year musical performance. The victims, Elivacy Matamando Muyaba, Wilfred Kupengule Jnr, Vincent Mkwinda, McFarlen Banda, and Raphael Chitsonga, were members of the Hive Band, a musical ensemble that worked closely with celebrated Afro-dance artist Eli Njuchi. Their untimely passing has sent shockwaves across the nation, silencing voices that had become an integral part of Malawi’s evolving music scene. In a heartfelt condolence message, President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, together with the First Lady, Prof. Gertrude Mutharika, expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, describing the loss as a devastating blow not only to the bereaved families but to the entire nation. “These were not just musicians,” the statement read. “They were instrumental figures whose passion and artistry helped shape the soul of Malawi’s music industry for years.” The President noted that the tragedy is particularly painful given that the artists were on a journey to bring joy and entertainment to Malawians during the festive season. Their deaths, he said, leave a painful void in the country’s cultural and artistic fabric. The loss has also been deeply felt within the Musicians Association of Malawi and among countless fans who admired the young men’s talent, dedication, and contribution to the arts. Tributes have continued to pour in from fellow artists, industry stakeholders, and members of the public, all united in grief and remembrance. As a sign of national solidarity and mourning, the Government has announced that it will cover all funeral expenses to ensure the departed artists are laid to rest with dignity befitting their contribution to the nation. During this difficult period, the President and the First Lady conveyed their prayers and condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, urging Malawians to stand together in compassion and support. Malawi mourns the loss of five sons whose music brought rhythm, inspiration, and pride to the nation. Their legacy, etched in song and memory, will endure beyond their untimely departure.

Gogo Daisy Gray Kufa Mapantha Maseya stands as a remarkable figure in Malawi’s early educational, social, and liberation history. Her life bridges missionary education, anti-colonial resistance, and the deep-rooted traditions of the Maseya Clan of Chikwawa, while also being closely linked to the historic John Chilembwe Uprising of 1915. Gogo Daisy Gray Kufa was born in 1898 in Chiradzulu District, then part of British Nyasaland. She was the first-born child of John Gray Kufa Mapantha, a prominent figure of his time and one of the ring leaders of the 1915 John Chilembwe Uprising against British colonial rule. Her father, John Gray Kufa Mapantha, was closely associated with Reverend John Chilembwe, sharing the ideals of African dignity, self-determination, and resistance against racial oppression, forced labour, and colonial injustices. This revolutionary environment shaped Daisy’s worldview from an early age. One of the most defining moments of Gogo Daisy Gray’s life was her experience during the Chilembwe Uprising. She later narrated to Steven Maseya the Second who happened to be one of her grandchildren in the 1980s how, in 1915, her father was pursued by British colonial authorities for his leadership role in the rebellion. To evade capture, John Gray Kufa Mapantha fled into hiding with his entire family, including young Daisy Gray. They took refuge along the river banks in Chiradzulu, enduring hardship and fear as colonial forces intensified their manhunt. Tragically, their hiding place was betrayed by one of villagers, who revealed their location to the colonial authorities in exchange for £40, a significant sum at the time. This betrayal led to her father’s capture, marking a painful chapter in the family’s history and a lasting memory in Daisy’s life. he later was executed in Zomba after a sham trial. Despite political persecution and instability, Daisy Gray Kufa excelled academically. In 1913, at a young age, she enrolled at the Nyasaland United Educational Institutions of the Church of Scotland at HHI (Henry Henderson Institute), Blantyre—one of the most prestigious missionary education centres of the time. In September 1913, she successfully graduated with a Teacher’s Probationary Certificate, becoming part of the earliest generation of formally trained African women educators in Nyasaland. Teaching was not only a profession but also a form of empowerment and community service during a period when African education was heavily restricted. She served as a teacher by profession, contributing to literacy, moral education, and social advancement, particularly for young Africans and girls. Gogo Daisy Gray Kufa later married Mr Steven Maseya, a respected man from Traditional Authority Maseya in Chikwawa District. Through this marriage, she became firmly rooted in the Maseya Clan, a lineage known for its strong cultural identity and historical presence in the Lower Shire Valley. Following her marriage, she was known as Daisy Gray Kufa Mapantha Maseya, symbolizing the union of two influential families—one associated with national resistance and the other with deep traditional authority. Gogo Daisy Gray Maseya was a devoted mother of eight children. Over time, most of her children passed on, and the only surviving son is Mr Fraser Maseya, the last-born in the family. Through her children and descendants, her legacy continues—carrying forward the intertwined histories of education, resistance, faith, and culture. In her later years, Gogo Daisy Gray Mapantha Maseya lived at Mwalo, under Traditional Authority Changata in Thyolo District. She was widely respected as an elder, a former teacher, and a living witness to some of Malawi’s most significant historical moments. She passed away in 1985 at the age of 87, leaving behind a powerful legacy rooted in courage, learning, and sacrifice. Gogo Daisy Gray Kufa Mapantha Maseya occupies a unique place in Malawian history: As the daughter of a John Gray Kufa, one of the freedom fighters, she represents the human side of Malawi’s liberation struggle. As an early female educator, she symbolizes African women’s advancement through education As a member of the Maseya Clan of Chikwawa and Thyolo, she embodies cultural continuity and resilience Her life reflects the broader story of Malawi’s journey from colonial subjugation to self-awareness and nationhood. Gogo Daisy Gray Kufa Mapantha Maseya remains a matriarch whose story deserves remembrance, honour, and preservation for future generations.

The Second Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, Right Honourable Enock Kanzingeni-Chihana, will on Monday, December 22, 2025, host investors and key stakeholders on a tour of the Mombera University construction site in Mzimba District. According to a statement from the Office of the Second Vice President issued on Sunday, December 21, the visit will commence at 10:00am and is aimed at accelerating the construction and completion of the long-awaited Mombera University. Vice President Kanzingeni-Chihana was appointed as the Champion for the Mombera University project by the State President, His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, as part of government’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and promoting regional development. The site tour will be attended by a Ministerial Committee drawn from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Transport and Public Works. The committee is expected to assess progress on the project and engage with investors on outstanding technical, financial, and logistical issues. Following the tour, the Second Vice President will host an interface meeting with investors and stakeholders at Sandton Conference Hall in Mzimba District. The meeting will focus on strengthening partnerships, addressing implementation challenges, and exploring ways to fast-track the completion of the university. Once completed, Mombera University is expected to play a critical role in expanding higher education opportunities, promoting skills development, and stimulating economic growth in the northern region and the country at large.

The Malawi Police Service has released the names of six suspects arrested in connection with the shooting to death of medical doctor Victoria Mnesa Bobe at her home in Blantyre last month. In a press statement signed by Malawi Police Service Public Relations Officer, Senior Superintendent Lyael Chimtembo, the suspects have been identified as Raphael Msalanyama Mono (35), a former police and intelligence officer from Gaza Province in Mozambique; Issa Ali (47) of Machemba Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Jalasi in Mangochi District; Santos Chamamba (54) of Bitalinyu Village, T/A Ndamera in Nsanje District; Maxwell Eliya (52) of Chimombo Village, T/A Chimombo in Nsanje District; Charles Chikafa (62) of Mkwinda Village, T/A Chigalu in Blantyre; and Peter Chimenya (50) of Kazembe Village, T/A Likoswe in Chiradzulu District. Police say investigations are continuing and that efforts have been intensified to arrest two remaining suspects who are still at large. Authorities are also working to recover stolen property, including a rifle believed to have been hidden in Mozambique. Dr Bobe, aged 33, was murdered on November 17, 2025, after unknown assailants broke into her house by drilling a hole at her residence in Chigumula Township, Limbe. During the incident, the attackers stole a MacBook Pro 11 laptop, an iPad (10th Generation), and an NBS POS machine. In a related development, police in the capital Lilongwe have arrested a 20-year-old man identified as Limbani Chikalipo in connection with the murder of Peter Mzungu, an employee of Partners In Health, where he worked as an accountant. Lilongwe Police Station Public Relations Officer Hastings Chigalu said police have recovered a Lenovo laptop, its bag, and other items stolen on the night Mzungu was killed. The victim reportedly died after being struck with a metal bar.

The Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, has been honoured with the Personality of the Year 2025 Award in recognition of her exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to democratic governance. The prestigious award was presented by renowned Malawian author and social commentator Mr. Stanley Onjezani Kenani, who cited Justice Mtalimanja’s role in strengthening electoral integrity and overseeing the successful conduct of the 2025 General Election. The award includes a monetary prize of K500,000. Receiving the honour, Justice Mtalimanja expressed profound gratitude to Mr. Kenani, describing the recognition as a reflection of collective efforts by the Commission, MEC management, and staff at the Secretariat, as well as the broader community of electoral stakeholders who contributed in various ways to the success of the electoral process. “This award is not mine alone,” said Justice Mtalimanja. “It belongs to the entire Commission, the Secretariat staff, and all stakeholders whose dedication and cooperation made the 2025 General Election a success.” In a gesture widely praised as humanitarian and symbolic of servant leadership, Justice Mtalimanja announced that she has donated the entire monetary component of the award to the Ministry of Hope Crisis Nursery in Area 14, Lilongwe. The facility provides care and support to orphaned, abandoned, and other vulnerable children. The development underscores Justice Mtalimanja’s commitment not only to democratic governance but also to social responsibility and community welfare. The announcement was made in a public notice signed on 15 December 2025 by the Malawi Electoral Commission.

The Malawi Government has secured a US$15 million grant from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to support the country’s infrastructure development and economic recovery efforts. The agreement followed a high-level meeting held on 14 December 2025 between the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralization, Hon. Joseph Mwanamvekha, who is also Malawi’s Special Envoy to the State of Kuwait, and the Acting Deputy Director General of the Kuwait Fund, H.E. Mr. Rashid Al Bader, alongside senior officials of the Fund. During the meeting, Hon. Mwanamvekha outlined key macroeconomic challenges currently facing Malawi, including shortages of fuel, fertilizer, food, foreign exchange, and pharmaceuticals. In response, Mr. Rashid Al Bader assured the Malawi Government of the Kuwait Fund’s continued support through the provision of annual grants, commencing with an initial allocation of US$15 million. He explained that the funding will primarily target the health sector, in line with the Fund’s corporate social responsibility objectives. The Malawi Government plans to utilise the grant for the construction of the Blantyre District Hospital, a project aimed at decongesting Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, one of the country’s busiest referral facilities. Hon. Mwanamvekha was accompanied by Malawi’s Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, Mr. Yunus Karim, during the engagement.

Malawi has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening parliamentary diplomacy in Africa following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Parliamentary Cooperation with the Kingdom of Morocco. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 3rd Annual Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL), held on Saturday, 13 December 2025, in Rabat, Morocco. Speaking after the signing ceremony, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly of Malawi, Sameer Gaffar Suleman, described the MoU as a significant milestone in deepening bilateral relations between the Parliament of Malawi and the Moroccan House of Representatives. The MoU was signed by Rt. Hon. Suleman and the President of the House of Representatives of Morocco, Hon. Rachid Talbi El Alami, and seeks to enhance cooperation between the two legislatures through increased collaboration among parliamentarians and their respective parliamentary secretariats. “The MoU will enable the two parliaments to coordinate positions at regional, continental, and international levels, while promoting democratic values and strengthening the rule of law,” said Rt. Hon. Suleman. He added that the framework provides an opportunity for the sharing of best practices in parliamentary procedures, capacity building, and the institutional development of both parliaments and their secretariats. The Speaker further disclosed that his engagements with the Moroccan leadership also focused on common challenges facing the African continent, highlighting the importance of collective action by African legislatures in addressing governance, development, and democratic consolidation. The cooperation established through the MoU is expected to serve as a vital bridge for enhancing parliamentary engagement and advancing mutually beneficial relations between Malawi and Morocco, while reinforcing Africa’s collective voice in global legislative forums.

The Malawi Government has reconstituted Boards of Directors for at least 66 parastatal institutions across various ministries, following the expiry of tenure for previous boards, in a move officials say is aimed at strengthening governance, accountability and service delivery. According to an official announcement, the new board appointments came into effect on 9th December 2025 and cut across key sectors including education, agriculture, energy, transport, finance, information, water, trade and social welfare. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has the highest number of reconstituted boards, covering major public universities and statutory bodies. Notable appointments include Professor James Seyani as Chairperson for LUANAR, Dr Ben Okomaatani Malunga for the University of Malawi (UNIMA), Rev. Reynold Mmangisa at Mzuzu University, Professor Alfred Mtenje for Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, and Mr William Mpinganjira at MUBAS. The Malawi Institute of Education will be chaired by the LUANAR Vice Chancellor, while Dr Moses Kadyakapita takes over at the Teachers Council of Malawi. Some institutions, including the Malawi National Commission for UNESCO and the Malawi College of Accountancy Board, were constituted with members only, without a chairperson. In the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, several influential parastatals received new leadership. Dr Thom Mpinganjira was appointed Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, while Mr James Naphambo will lead the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF). Other appointments include Dr Kalekeni Kaphale at PPDA, Dr Joseph Nagoli at the Public Private Partnership Commission, and Mr Noel Mkulichi at the Roads Fund Administration. The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development saw extensive board changes, including traditional leaders and professionals appointed to regional water boards. Inkosi M’belwa V will chair the Central Region Water Board, Paramount Kyungu the Northern Region Water Board, while Eng. Hadson Mnthinda and Counsel Stanly Chirwa will chair Southern Region Water Board and Blantyre Water Board, respectively. In agriculture, Mr Grey Nyandule Phiri was appointed Chairperson of ADMARC, Dr Bruce Munthali for the National Food Reserve Agency, and Dr Mary Agnes Nyirenda at the Greenbelt Authority. The energy sector also received new leadership, with Mr Alfred Nhlema chairing ESCOM, while the Chief Secretary to Government will chair both EGENCO and NOCMA, a development likely to spark debate on concentration of oversight roles. In the Information and Communications Technology sector, Dr Benson Tembo was appointed Chairperson of MBC, Counsel Chancy Gondwe at MACRA, and Mr Henry Shamu at the Malawi Digital Broadcasting Network Limited. The Transport and Public Works Ministry saw Dr Witness Kuotcha appointed Chairperson of the Roads Authority, while Mr Julius Chione will lead Malawi Railways Limited. However, institutions such as the Construction Industry Regulatory Authority and Civil Aviation Authority were reconstituted without chairpersons. Under Trade and Tourism, Monsignor Dr George Buleya will chair the Malawi Bureau of Standards, Mr Proud Chalira heads MAGLA, and Mr Korea Mpasa takes over at the Competition and Fair-Trading Commission. In the social sector, Professor Alister Munthali was appointed Chairperson of MACODA, while Mr Steven Msowoya will lead the Disability Trust Fund and Ms Bertha Lipipa Phiri chairs the NGO Regulatory Authority. While the government says the reconstituted boards will enhance institutional performance and align parastatals with national development priorities, governance experts and civil society organizations are expected to scrutinize the appointments. The new boards are expected to commence work immediately, setting policy direction and overseeing management in line with their statutory mandates as Malawi heads into a new phase of public sector governance.