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Police arrest 5 men for robberies, recover stolen items in Lilongwe

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Police arrest 5 men for robberies, recover stolen items in Lilongwe



By Rahim Abdul

Lilongwe Police has arrested four men suspected to be members of a notorious criminal syndicate in connection with a series of robberies that occurred in Area 1, Falls Estate in Lilongwe, where foreign nationals were targeted.

The suspects have been identified as Lano Banda,aged 27, James Banda, 32 years old, Gregory Makonokaya, 41years old, all operating from Bangwe and Ndirande townships in Blantyre, and Alfred Banda, aged 39, of Mgona location in the capital city.

Police have also arrested Steven Lackson, 25 years old, an IT technician based at Devil Street in Lilongwe, who was allegedly buying stolen property from the suspects and forwarding it to Blantyre for resale.



On November 18, 2025 during night time, the suspects attacked four Nigerian nationals who were residing in the same house and stole four mobile phones, HP laptop, a wristwatch and K6.1 million in cash. Police have since recovered the laptop and a cellphone.

In another incident, on November 26, 2025 at around 01:00 hours, the suspects, while armed with panga knives, attacked six Central Poultry Limited employees of Indian origin who were within the same compound.

The suspects stole three laptops, a cellphone, and cash amounting to one million kwacha. Two laptops and one mobile phone have been recovered.

Further, on November 29, 2025 the suspects attacked a Pakistani national and four other housemates, all Central Poultry Limited employees. During the attack, one victim sustained a fractured left arm.
The suspects went away with two cellphones and K695,000 in cash, among others.

Following the incidents, Lilongwe Police detectives gathered intelligence which linked the suspects to the robberies, along with two other accomplices who are currently at large.

The investigations led detectives to Blantyre, where Lano Banda, James Banda and Gregory Makonokaya were arrested. Alfred Banda was later arrested at Bwandiro in the capital city.

The suspects will be taken to court soon to answer multiple counts of robbery and unlawful wounding, while investigations continue to apprehend the remaining suspects.

Lano Banda comes from Kheleng’ende Village, Traditional Authority Nsabwe in Thyolo, James Banda hails from Msukwa Village, Tradition Authority Nsamala in Machinga district, Gregory Makonokaya is from Mitawa Village, Tradition Authority Mulumbe, Zomba, Alfred Banda comes from Chimwamkango Village, Tradition Authority A Mkanda,  Mchinji and Steven Lackson is from Kumatenga Village, Tradition Authority  Chauma in Dedza District.

“Tsogolo Lolephereka” Nears Release as Dedza Filmmakers Highlight Youth Lessons

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“Tsogolo Lolephereka” Nears Release as Dedza Filmmakers Highlight Youth Lessons



By Rahim Abdul

Preparations for the official launch and screening of the film Tsogolo Lolephereka are now at an advanced stage, producers Awaden Films from Chimbiya in Dedza District have announced.

The filmmakers say all production processes were successfully completed, paving the way for the movie to be unveiled to the public in the near future.

Speaking on the development, Awalu Manyongo, a senior official at Awaden Films, expressed satisfaction with how the filming process progressed.



Manyongo described Tsogolo Lolephereka as a highly educational film, particularly targeting young people who squander educational opportunities due to peer pressure and distractions from societal trends.

He explained that the storyline reflects the harsh consequences that often follow poor decisions made during youth.

According to Manyongo, the film carries a strong message of responsibility, urging young people to value education and make informed life choices.

He further noted that Dedza District is home to many talented filmmakers, whose skills are clearly showcased in Tsogolo Lolephereka.

Manyongo said the production provided a platform for local artists to demonstrate their abilities to a wider national audience.

He added that the film industry is becoming an important source of employment, offering income opportunities to people involved in various aspects of production.

Awaden Films, he said, remains committed to producing more films as a way of nurturing talent and creating sustainable livelihoods.

Manyongo emphasized that their long-term goal is to use film as a tool for education, motivation and positive social change.

As anticipation builds ahead of its release, Tsogolo Lolephereka is expected to resonate with audiences through its strong message and locally rooted storytelling.

Pro Bono Lawyer Steps In as Mchinji Court Convicts Man in Child Defilement Case

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Pro Bono Lawyer Steps In as Mchinji Court Convicts Man in Child Defilement Case



By Rahim Abdul

A child defilement case concluded at the Mchinji Magistrate’s Court has taken a notable turn following confirmation that lawyer Sylvester Ayuba is representing the convicted man free of charge.

The court found Ernest Chimpeni, aged 37, guilty of defiling a minor after establishing that the girl involved was below the age of 18 at the time of the offence.

During the trial, the girl claimed that she was 19 years old and produced a national identity card indicating that she was born in 2006.

Ayuba



However, the court rejected this claim after evidence showed that the girl was actually born in 2008, making her a minor under Malawian law.

The prosecution further told the court that Chimpeni had initiated marriage discussions with the girl’s family in good faith.

As part of the customary malowolo process, Chimpeni paid K30,000 and a chicken to the girl’s family.

The relationship later deteriorated after Chimpeni discovered that the girl was pregnant by another man.

Following this discovery, Chimpeni went back to the girl’s parents to demand a refund of the money and chicken he had paid.

This development prompted the girl’s parents to report the matter to the police, leading to Chimpeni’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.

In his ruling, Magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda said that under the 2023 amendments to the Penal Code, a belief that a child is an adult cannot be used as a defence in defilement cases.

The court also noted that the national identity card could not be relied upon, as the girl allegedly falsified her age to qualify to vote during last year’s elections.

Chimpeni has since been remanded in custody and is awaiting sentencing on Monday, while lawyer Sylvester Ayuba continues to represent him on a pro bono basis to ensure access to justice.

Jumah proposes to Mutharika IPOD-RE establishment in Malawi

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Jumah proposes to Mutharika IPOD-RE establishment in Malawi


By Vincent Gunde

Revolutionary President of Muvi wa Chilungamo Revolutionary Party (MRP) Bantu Saunders Jumah the Utopian, has proposed to President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika the establishment of Inter- Party Organization for Dialogue and Reconcilition (IPOD- RE) in Malawi so that 2026 onwards this country embraces genuine and fruitful democratic nation.

Jumah said despite the united efforts that started immediately after the “cabinet crisis in 1964” that teared the country apart and marked the birth of one party state and dictatorship, the country has not healed for dialogue and reconciliation.

Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika -a proposal on Dialogue and Reconciation organization on his table.



He said even though on the 14th June, 1993 majority of citizens voted for multiparty democracy from one party state, 33 years later, the country remains disunited, fragmented, unpatriotic, and hatred saying multiparty dispensation has breed so much hatred, violence, disunity and discrimination resulting in the country failing to show a new face of prosperity.

Writing in a Revolutionary statement, Jumah said once the IPOD- RE is established, the hatred, tribalism and discrimination which have blanketed the country, will be done away observing that democracy demands peaceful transition and good heart when power change hands.

Jumah said it is through this organization that the wounds, scars and diseases of the past and present are healed claiming that seven governments have so far ruled the country since 1994 but citizens and the country have not witnessed or embraced prosperity and growth in politics, economy or social welfare.

He said in 1994 Malawians misunderstood multiparty democracy as a source of enmity and hatred bypassing dialogue and reconciliation observing that the truth of democracy is that 80 percent of ideas in the government seek advice from 20 percent ideas from those in opposition.

The Revolutionary President said Malawians have a wrong mentality and belief that 80 percent of ideas in the opposition brings “problems” not solutions to the ruling party in government saying in multiparty democracy, the 20 percent out of government must produce 80 percent of solutions to the 80 percent in the government.

“Malawi democracy must know that the 20 percent of people in opposition have 80 percent solutions of the problems and challenges of the country,” reads the statement in part.

NBM plc’s Akossa Hiwa named Africa’s top 100 corporate communications leaders

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NBM plc’s Akossa Hiwa named Africa’s top 100 corporate communications leaders

By Linda Kwanjana

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc’s Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager, Akossa Hiwa, has been recognised among the Top 100 Corporate Communications Leaders in Africa by Africa PR Week, as announced this week through their website and LinkedIn Platform.

Africa Global PR Week, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, serves as a pan-African platform that brings together public relations, media, branding, and communications professionals, alongside stakeholders from government, business, and academia, to shape conversations on the present and future of public relations in Africa.

Hiwa



The recognition places Hiwa among Africa’s leading corporate communications professionals who actively shape institutional reputation, navigate complex communication environments, and build trust across markets through strategic, ethical, and impactful engagement.

According to Africa PR Week, the Top 100 list recognises communications leaders whose work, often carried out behind the scenes, plays a vital role in shaping institutions and strengthening public trust across the continent.

“This recognition honours corporate communications leaders who shape reputation, lead with clarity, and build trust across Africa’s diverse markets. Their work moves industries, influences narratives, and strengthens institutions, positioning Africa as a powerful voice in global communications,” reads the statement.

Commenting on the recognition, Hiwa described the honour as both humbling and affirming, noting that it reflects strong leadership and collective institutional effort.

“I am deeply honoured to be recognised among Africa’s Top 100 Corporate Communications Leaders. This recognition speaks not only to my journey, but to the strength of the team I work with at NBM plc, the trust placed in us by leadership, and our shared commitment to using strategic communication to build credibility, inspire confidence, and drive meaningful impact,” said Hiwa.

Hiwa’s continental recognition builds on a series of recent national accolades that have cemented her standing as one of Malawi’s leading communications professionals.

She recently received the Public Relations Practitioner of the Year (Corporate Sector) award from the Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM) and the PR Personality of the Year award at the Institute of Marketing in Malawi (IMM) Excellence Awards, both presented in Malawi.

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