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MP Nkhwazi urges government to attract investors and improve infrastructure in Nkhatabay North

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By Dean Chisambo

Member of Parliament for Nkhatabay North, Mackenzie Chipalamoto Nkhwazi, has appealed to the government to create a conducive environment for investors, both local and foreign, to strengthen the country’s forex reserves.

Nkhwazi made the appeal on Wednesday during parliamentary debates on the mid-year budget review presented last week by the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralization.

Nkhwazi- let’s strengthen country economy



He explained that attracting investors is key to boosting foreign exchange inflows and stimulating economic growth.

The lawmaker also highlighted pressing development needs in his constituency, calling for the opening of the Mzuzu–Bula Usiskya road, which he described as critical due to its potential to promote tourism in the area.

Nkhwazi further raised concerns over access to clean water, noting that many residents of his constituency still rely on lake water for drinking.

He disclosed that the community has secured water from Usingini and said that, next year, through a K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the plan is to construct water tanks and supply clean water to the lower-lying areas along the lake shore, which he emphasized is a matter of life and health.

During the parliamentary session, legislators continued their comments on the mid-year budget review, with newly elected members contributing their maiden speeches.

Nkhwazi also noted that Malawi Congress Party lawmakers had temporarily abandoned the proceedings due to rumors circulating on social media about a potential arrest of their president, Lazarus Chakwera; however, the Leader of the House, Jappie Mhango, publicly denied these allegations.

Osman urges immediate response to escalating violence against women, girls

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By Chisomo Phiri

Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Executive Secretary, Habiba Osman, has urged urgent action to curb rising cases of gender-based violence against women and girls in the country.

Speaking in Lilongwe on Thursday, Osman highlighted that one in three girls in Malawi has experienced sexual violence, a statistic she described as deeply alarming and indicative of the need for immediate, coordinated interventions to safeguard the rights and dignity of women and girls.

Habiba Osman



She further appealed to development partners to strengthen capacity-building efforts that amplify the voices of women and girls especially those from marginalized communities.

According to Osman, empowering these voices is essential for advancing the ratification process of key human rights instruments.

On his part, Deputy Director in the Ministry of Gender,Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Ronald Phiri,encouraged stakeholders to support the implementation of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG).

He said the convention provides a critical framework for combating all forms of violence against women in Malawi.

Adopted in February 2025, the AU-CEVAWG is a comprehensive legal instrument designed to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls across the African continent.

Chakaka-Nyirenda pushes for continental framework to enforce human-rights decisions

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By Chisomo Phiri

Former Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda says Africa’s most pressing human-rights challenge remains the persistent failure of many nations to enforce judgments issued by regional courts.

He made the remarks on Thursday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he delivered a keynote address at the 30th East Africa Law Society Annual Conference and General Meeting.

Chakaka Nyirenda



Describing the situation as the continent’s ‘unfinished work’ the former AG told delegates that although Africa has developed an impressive human-rights architecture, its effectiveness collapses when domestic systems refuse or delay to implement binding rulings.

Chakaka-Nyirenda stressed that a judgment without enforcement is ultimately meaningless.

He called for a continent-wide convention on the recognition and execution of human-rights judgments to promote uniformity, certainty, and credibility.

“When these judgments are not enforced domestically, a right declared becomes a right denied; compensation ordered becomes compensation withheld; and justice pronounced becomes justice delayed. The gap between judgment and justice is our continent’s unfinished work,” he said.

Arguing that true sovereignty is expressed not by evading obligations but by fulfilling them, Chakaka-Nyirenda underscored that enforcement is essential for deterrence, accountability, and upholding the rule of law.

He further emphasised that rulings from the African Court, the East African Court of Justice, and other regional tribunals must become directly enforceable at the national level because justice that cannot be implemented remains justice denied.

MCP urges government to address unpaid public workers amid rising public concerns

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By Burnett Munthali

The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has stated that it can no longer remain silent on the issue of unpaid former government employees who lost their jobs between 2023 and 2025.

The statement comes as United Transformation Movement (UTM) legislator Patricia Kaliati called on the government to take urgent action in releasing payments owed to these former workers.

Kaliati warned that the current predicament is a direct result of previous administration mismanagement and urged accountability in addressing the backlog.

Jessie Kabwila



MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwira accused Kaliati of attempting to downplay the failures of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government, including rising prices of basic goods, erratic electricity and water supply, and other unfulfilled promises made upon taking office.

Kabwira highlighted that the previous government attempted to recruit civil servants indiscriminately, invested in road construction, and supported children’s education in public schools—efforts which the current administration has failed to continue in the first two months of its tenure.

He emphasized that the government must ensure that all promises made to the public before taking office are fully implemented rather than merely blaming past administrations.

The MCP is therefore calling for a thorough review of pending public payments and commitments, urging the authorities to act swiftly to restore confidence in public service delivery.

Failure to address these concerns, the party warns, could further erode public trust and negatively impact the welfare of citizens affected by delayed payments.

Muluzi calls for transformation of MRA to boost national revenue

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By Dean Chisambo

Machinga Likwenu Member of Parliament, Tulinje Muluzi, has urged the government to undertake comprehensive reforms at the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) to enhance revenue generation and strengthen the country’s financial stability.

Speaking on Wednesday during parliamentary deliberations on the mid-year budget review presented by Minister of Finance, Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha, Muluzi expressed strong support for the review, noting that its success depends on empowering the MRA, which is the primary source of government funding.

Tulije Muluzi



He emphasized the need for a more efficient taxation system, stating that Malawi must broaden its tax base and remove unnecessary exemptions to increase domestic revenue collection.

Muluzi argued that transforming MRA is essential for improving fiscal performance and ensuring sustainable financing for national development.

The legislator further highlighted concerns about inadequate funding for the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), stressing that the institution needs more resources and additional staff to effectively handle stalled corruption cases in the courts.

He said the fight against corruption requires strong institutional support, proper funding, and adequate personnel if meaningful progress is to be achieved.

Muluzi, who is currently facing a legal challenge from his opponent regarding the 16th September election results, assured his supporters that he remains unfazed by the case, which has now moved to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

He reaffirmed his commitment to delivering on the promises he made during the campaign period, regardless of the ongoing court proceedings.

Wednesday’s parliamentary session saw several MPs presenting their views on the mid-year budget review, although Malawi Congress Party legislators walked out of the chamber following rumours circulating on social media that the government intended to arrest their party president, Lazarus Chakwera.

Commenting on the matter, Leader of the Opposition and former President Lazarus Chakwera dismissed the allegations, stating that the government has no such intention and that the rumours were unfounded.