Malawi Police in Mangochi are keeping in custody five muscled men for allegedly stealing cellphones from some people who patronized the recent Sand Music Festival in the tourist destination district.
The suspects are Edward Austin, Cidreck Chilembwe, Yusuf Stambuli, Aron Phiri and Yamikani Moffat all from Lilongwe.
According to Mangochi Police Spokesperson, Amina Tepani Daudi, the five used a Blue Toyota Corolla Saloon and posed as guests at one of the resthouses within the township.
“They left their motor vehicle at the premises and commuted to the event with the sole intention of stealing cellphones,” says Daudi.
She says police records indicate that cellphones were reported stolen during the event; prompting the police to launch an investigation.
Adds Daudi: “Upon searching the room they had booked, the police recovered 20 cellphones, including three iPhones, four Samsung phones, two Redmi phones, six Tecno phones, one Huawei, one Honor cellphone, TNM Mpamba phone, and two small Itel cellphones.”
Meanwhile, the five suspects have confessed to committing the offence, and investigations are on-going to recover the remaining cellphones.
Temwa Chawinga claimed a hat trick as Malawi national women’s football team ‘Scorchers start their Cosafa Women’s championship campaign with a 4-3 win over Banyana Banyana at Lucas Moripe Stadium in South Africa.
Scorchers took the lead in the 27th minute through Leticia Chinyamula but Banyana Banyana leveled the scores through Thubelihle Shamashe a minute before the end of the first half.
Scorchers captain Temwa Chawinga restored Malawi’s lead in a first half added time as she capitalized on a defensive blunder to slot the ball into the net.
Temwa scored her second goal in the 64th minute before completing her hat trick in the 77th minute with a beautiful header.
The hosts scored their second goal of the match through Thogofatso Motlogelwa in the 79th minute and Shamase scored the third goal for South Africa in the added time.
The next game for Scorchers will be against eSwatwini on Saturday 7 October, 2023.
Defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets relied on Patrick Mwaungulu’s 79th minute goal to move three points behind TNM Super League leaders Mighty Mukuru Wanderers as they beat Bangwe All Stars 1-nil at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Mwaungulu scored the only goal of the match with a beautiful volley outside the penalty box after capitalizing on a goalkeeping error by Elias Missi. Bullets had Nickson Nyasulu to thank as he cleared the ball on the line in the added time, denying Bangwe from getting an equaliser when Rabson Chiyenda was already beaten in the line of duty.
The win mean that Bullets have now accumulated 43 points from 20 games while Wanderers have 46 points after playing 23 games.
Man of the Match Patrick Mwaungulu
In other midweek fixture, Red Lions came from behind to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory in an entertaining match played at Karonga Stadium.
Karonga were leading with a brace from Elie Kayombo who scored in the 45+4 minutes in the first half, and in the 53rd minute in the second half.
Fred Banda pulled one back for the Zomba-based soldiers in the 85th minute and two minutes later, Deus Mkutu scored the second goal for Red Lions to level the scores.
Just when everyone thought the match was going to end in a draw, man of the match Mike Kaziputa had other thoughts as he scored the third goal for the Lions in the added time to end the match at 3-2 in favor of the visitors.
Elsewhere, Moyale Barracks beat the struggling Civil Service United 1-0 at Rumphi Stadium with a goal scored by Charles Nkhoma in the 45th minute.
In Dwangwa, goals from Bernard Chimaimba and Prince Kachere were all what Mafco FC needed to get three points as they beat Ekwendeni Hammers 2-nil at Chitowe Stadium
Civil Service United, Red Lions and Extreme FC remain in the relegation zone after accumulating 25, 21 and 14 points respectively after playing 24 games.
Malawians have expressed disappointment with the organisers of the Blantyre Arts Festival (BAF) for organizing a free entertainment event on the same day when musician Jay Jay Cee was planning to launch his latest album titled “Pamodzi”.
Jay Jay Cee announced his album launch in June this year and has been working hard to have a successful launch which was slated to take place at Robins Park on October 7, 2023.
With just afew days to the day, BAF organizers announced that they will have a free show at Kamuzu Upper Stadium, just about a kilometer from Robins Park where Jay Jay Cee’s album launch was supposed to take place.
Among music artist to perform at BAF festival include; Skeffa Chimoto Taygrin and Driemo who was also booked for Jay Jay Cee’s album launch.
The development has forced the musician, real names Juma James Chitsonga, to postpone his show fearing that it would be less patronized.
The album launch has since been rescheduled to November 4, 2023 at the same venue, Robin Park.
This has irked some music followers who are claiming that the BAF festival organisers have done that to frustrate Jay Jay Cee’s efforts.
One of the people who have spoken on the issue is music promoter and business man Kelvin Silugwe.
Silugwe said he was not happy with what BAF organizers have done and has pledged his support to Jay Jay Cee on his album launch in November.
“I know everyone is calling him humble and wise for postponing his show to give them mpata awa abwera dzanawa, koma lets face it, the financial and psychological damage to Jay Jay Cee is just too much. Comon, you can’t just wake up to frustrate young talents just because you can and uli ndi kuthekera.”
“We stand with Jay Jay Cee and for this reason, we will support his new date, financially and physically. We will make sure he holds a very successful album launch. To the organizers of the free show, mwamulakwira mwana, koma poti ndinu akulu akulu, with connections and financial support from donors, have it your way.” Said Silugwe
Musician Kellie Divine Njuchi said she was saddened with the development saying it will cost the artist a lot as he has been working hard to have a successful launch without the help of the corporate world.
She said, “This is very sad and heart breaking. .. guy has been working daily up and down.”
Another musician Smacks Kayira who has just come out from hibernation with his brand new song ‘Ndani?’, believes despite what BAF organizers have done, Jay Jay Cee’s album launch will be a success.
“Very unfortunate how the industry is so biased. He really tried his best with all his effort but just last minute all this happens. But all in all his hardworking spirit will pay out. 4th November all road to Robins Park,” he said.
One music fan on social media only identified by the name ‘Achimwene Aakulu’ wrote, “Some people are just heartless, they don’t care about others.”
Another person on Facebook, Ambrohillary Msichi had no kind words for the BAF festival organisers.
” I had no intention to attend his show buh because of this primitive development, I hereby to confirm that I will attend this show ndi amzanga ena 15.”
Richard Mukuru Jnr, a music fanatic from Zambia also had his share on the development. He wrote on Facebook, “I feel sorry for this lad he don’t deserve this, he has been so supportive to the fellow artists mmhh. Jay Jay Cee is one of the humble artists I know from Malawi. Go lad God is on your side. Sending love from Zambia.”
Some of the artists expected to perform at Jay Jay Cee’s album launch include Eli Njuchi, Driemo, Sangie, Wikise, Gibo Pearson, Nepman, Chizmo, Rita, Hilco, Kellie Divine Njuchi and Nesnes
Minister of Homeland Security, Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma has called for concerted efforts from various stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking and terrorism in the country.
The Minister made the call in Lilongwe during the launch of Malawi’s National Counter Terrorism – Violent Extremism Strategy and National Plan of Action Against Trafficking in Persons (2023-2028).
“In order to achieve these strategies, there is need for various stakeholders to join the government in its continued efforts to ensuring sustainable peace and security in the country,” Zikhale emphasized.
Additionally, the Minister also highlighted the critical role of the Media in sensitizing the general public on the negative effects of these crimes and their adverse impact on national development.
In her remarks, United Nations Resident Coordinator Rebecca Adda-Dontoh reiterated the commitment by UN in supporting the Malawi government in combating trafficking in persons and it’s links to organized crimes.
The two documents will provide an integral approach for all stakeholders in order to achieve the vision of creating a Malawi free from terrorism and trafficking in persons.
