The Malawi Police Service has rolled out a renewed crime management training programme for detectives, signaling a fresh push to strengthen crime investigations across the country.
A total of 100 officers drawn from various policing jurisdictions are undergoing the specialised course at Police Training Schools in Limbe and Mtakataka.
The programme, which was officially launched on Thursday is designed to sharpen investigative skills within the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) after years without similar targeted training.
Director of the Criminal Investigations Department, Assistant Commissioner of Police Isaac Norman, described the initiative as a key step in modernising police operations.
He said the training reflects the service’s commitment to professionalism and pledged that more detective courses will be organised in the future.
Norman also appealed to the public to continue supporting the Malawi Police Service, noting that effective policing plays a critical role in promoting peace, security and national development.
Participants have welcomed the initiative, expressing confidence that it will improve their day-to-day work.
Sub Inspector Wezzie Phiri said the course is expected to expose detectives to advanced CID tactics and practical investigative approaches that will enhance crime detection and case handling.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Evelista Chisale, who was the guest of honour, said the selection of participants was carefully done. She noted that many officers were drawn from hard.to reach and remote areas, a move aimed at ensuring quality and professional policing services are delivered evenly across the country.
Police authorities believe the training will have a lasting impact on crime management, as graduates are expected to transfer the acquired skills to their respective stations and colleagues nationwide.
United Transformation Movement (UTM) President and former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor Dalitso Kabambe has warned that the government’s recent fuel price hike risks worsening economic hardship without resolving Malawi’s long-standing fuel shortages and foreign exchange constraints, arguing that pricing measures alone cannot fix deep-rooted structural weaknesses.
In an interview with 247 Malawi News, Kabambe said the 41 percent increase in fuel pump prices under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) may be technically compliant with the pricing framework, but falls short of addressing the fundamental causes of Malawi’s fuel crisis.
Kabambe
“From a narrow regulatory standpoint, the decision is defensible because the formula has been applied as designed.
“However, treating this adjustment as a sufficient response to Malawi’s fuel challenges would be a strategic mistake,” said Kabambe.
He noted that while cost-reflective pricing can help prevent losses in the fuel supply chain and reduce hidden subsidies, Malawi’s recent experience shows that strict adherence to the APM has not guaranteed fuel availability, foreign exchange stability, or broader economic resilience.
The former RBM Governor observed that when the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) assumed office in 2020, fuel prices stood at K699 per litre.
He said that over the past five years, successive APM-driven adjustments pushed fuel prices as high as K2,530 per litre before an administrative price freeze was imposed.
Kabambe said the most recent price adjustment under the MCP administration, effected in October 2025, raised fuel prices to K3,459 per litre.
Despite these historically high prices, he said fuel shortages persisted, parallel markets emerged, and pressure on foreign exchange intensified.
“If higher prices alone were sufficient to stabilise fuel supply, these outcomes should not have materialised,” said Kabambe, adding that the continued challenges indicate that Malawi’s fuel problem is structural rather than a pricing anomaly.
Kabambe warned that fuel price increases have far-reaching inflationary effects due to the central role fuel plays in the economy.
He noted that transport costs account for approximately 56 percent of landed transport costs and about 30 percent of export costs, significantly undermining Malawi’s international competitiveness.
The UTM leader explained that fuel is a highly inelastic commodity and a foundational input in transport, agriculture, manufacturing, electricity generation, and public service delivery.
As a result, he said, higher fuel prices transmit inflation throughout the economy, driving up food prices, production costs, and household expenditures.
“A sharp fuel price increase imposes immediate and broad-based economic pain on both households and firms,” he said.
Kabambe further observed that Malawi’s production and trade structure amplifies this vulnerability, as a large share of goods transported within the economy includes petroleum products themselves and bulky agricultural commodities such as fertiliser, maize, and tobacco.
While acknowledging that higher fuel prices may temporarily improve cash flow within the fuel importation and distribution chain, Kabambe cautioned that such gains are fragile without parallel reforms.
“The system remains exposed to foreign exchange shortages, inefficient procurement arrangements, logistical bottlenecks, and global oil price volatility.
“Under such conditions, today’s adjustment simply postpones tomorrow’s crisis,” he said.
Kabambe criticised what he described as poor policy sequencing, arguing that the government has opted to shock an already fragile economy before addressing its structural weaknesses.
“Foreign exchange supply remains weak, export capacity is constrained, transport and logistics costs remain high, and public sector inefficiencies persist.
“Pain imposed without prior strengthening does not build resilience; it breaks it,” he said.
He further warned that the cumulative impact of higher PAYE, VAT, capital gains tax, and fuel prices is systematically draining capital from the economy, leaving households without savings and businesses without reinvestment capacity.
Kabambe also described the policy direction as contradictory, noting that while government rhetoric promotes private sector growth and job creation, rising operating costs and suppressed consumer demand undermine those objectives.
“A durable solution must go beyond the pump price,” he said.
Kabambe called for structural reforms aimed at strengthening export capacity, reducing transport and logistics costs, and improving fuel supply efficiency.
He proposed strategic investment in rail transport, including modern electric trains, inland logistics infrastructure, and the development of a fuel pipeline to reduce reliance on road haulage.
He also emphasised the need to strengthen governance, efficiency, and transparency in fuel procurement, storage, and distribution to eliminate avoidable costs and leakages.
Kabambe stressed that while the APM remains an important tool for transparency, predictability, and protection against ad hoc political interference, it must be embedded within a broader fuel security and economic competitiveness strategy.
“On its own, it cannot resolve Malawi’s fuel vulnerabilities,” he said.
He concluded that the central policy question is not whether the APM has been followed, but whether fuel pricing decisions are advancing Malawi towards sustained fuel availability, lower structural costs, and long-term economic stability.
The State, through prosecutor Cecilia Zangazanga, on Wednesday made a u-turn on former Minister of Information and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Director of Campaign, Moses Kunkuyu’s charge of making remarks that could incite violence by charging him with a new case of abuse of office and money laundering.
Kunkuyu was arrested on Monday on accusations of making remarks that could incite violence at the funeral of the late former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Madalitso Kazombo.
But when he appeared in court on Wednesday, the State changed his case to abuse of office and money laundering.
Kunkuyu
According to the State, the abuse of office charge is that in August 2025, while serving as a minister, Kunkuyu directed Malawi Posts Corporation (MPC) to disburse over K14 million for the construction of boreholes and school blocks in Karonga and Dedza.
On the money laundering charge, the State alleged that some of the funds were later used for personal gain.
The State then asked the court to adjourn the matter for 14 days to allow it to complete investigations and obtain consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before proceeding with the case.
But Kunkuyu’s lawyers, Khwima Mchizi, Jimmy Mnyanda and George Jivason Kadzipatike, applied for bail, arguing that their client is entitled to freedom while investigations continue.
In his ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate of the Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Court, Austin Banda, granted bail to Kunkuyu on condition that he pays K1 million cash bail and provides two sureties bonded at K2 million each.
Kunkuyu becomes the fifth senior MCP member to be arrested since December last year after former Minister of Homeland Security Ezekiel Ching’oma, MCP Secretary General (SG) Richard Chimwendo Banda, MCP Publicity Secretary Jessie Kabwila and former Minister of Trade and Industry, who was also MCP president Lazarus Chakwera’s running mate, Vitumbiko Mumba.
Chimwendo Banda is accused of attempting to murder Frank Chawanda in February 2021, while Mumba and Kabwila are accused of addressing a press conference dubbed ‘We Got This’, where they alleged electoral fraud by the then opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) before the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announced the official presidential election results for the September 16 general elections.
Malawi’s Ministry of Homeland Security is undergoing a significant transformation, aimed at restoring professionalism, strengthening accountability, and improving operational performance.
The ministry, responsible for internal security and public services like passports and border management, faced challenges such as corruption, prolonged processing times, and weak coordination.
Minister Peter Mukhito and Deputy Minister Norman Chisale are leading the reform efforts, focusing on tackling corruption, streamlining passport issuance, and enhancing border management.
Mukhito
Key initiatives include strengthening digital platforms, improving inter-agency coordination, and promoting a culture of professionalism.
Early signs of impact are evident, with citizens reporting improved passport processing and service interactions.
The leadership prioritizes steady institutional reform over publicity, aiming to build durable, transparent systems.
The reforms mark a shift toward integrity, efficiency, and citizen-centered service delivery.
By confronting corruption and improving operational coordination, the ministry is laying the foundation for renewed public trust and sustainable performance.
Musician Temwah has officially announced a temporary withdrawal from the music industry, citing the need for reflection and artistic realignment.
The statement confirms that the decision takes effect immediately, with the artist stepping back from all music releases and music-related activities.
Management emphasized that the move is not a permanent exit but a deliberate and well-considered pause in Temwah’s creative journey.
Temwah arriving in Uk
According to the statement, the break is both intentional and necessary, offering the artist time to reset, recalibrate, and reconnect with the core purpose of the art.
The pause is also aimed at protecting the integrity of Temwah’s music, ensuring that future releases remain authentic and meaningful.
During this period, Temwah will not be involved in recording sessions, live performances, promotions or collaborations.
The announcement has surprised many fans, given the artist’s recent visibility and active presence within the music space.
However, management has reassured supporters that the decision was made with long-term growth and sustainability in mind.
No detailed personal or professional reasons were disclosed, as the focus of the statement remained on creative wellbeing.
The press release further outlines that Temwah’s music activities are expected to resume in December 2026.
Management noted that the return will depend on the right timing and creative readiness, when the artist’s “time and voice feel right again.”
The statement concludes with a message from management reaffirming continued support for Temwah and encouraging the public to follow official platforms for updates.
However, social media is awash with a photo of Temwah arriving in UK which suggests the singer is out for the country. It’s not confirmed yet if her move is permanent
