The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has defended its decision to procure a $1.5 million platform designed to monitor trends of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation on public social media platforms. The decision has faced widespread criticism, with many arguing that the funds could be better utilized for other pressing national needs. However, speaking to the media in Lilongwe, MACRA Director General Daud Suleman justified the move, explaining that the regulator generates sufficient revenue to fund such initiatives without burdening taxpayers. He revealed that MACRA expects to generate K13.5 billion in profit this year, with a projection of K20 billion in the next financial year. “These funds allow us to invest in essential systems and equipment that are globally recognized as critical for regulators,” Suleman said. “This platform is a strategic tool to analyze trends and develop strategies to protect consumers in this evolving digital era.” Suleman emphasized that the...

In a dramatic twist of events, Faizal Gaffar Latif, a controversial business magnate of Asian descent and owner of Mapeto (DWSM) Limited, has been arrested on charges of money laundering and fraud. Latif, a figure often embroiled in allegations of financial misconduct, was apprehended on Monday, January 20, 2025, in Blantyre. The arrest follows a warrant issued by the Blantyre Senior Resident Court under case number 14 of 2025, citing “fraud other than false pretenses” under section 391 A (a) of the Penal Code and money laundering under section 42 (1) (a) as read with section 42 (3) (a) of the Financial Crimes Act. Sources within law enforcement have described these charges as grave, underscoring an alleged scheme to conceal the origins of illicit funds and engage in deceptive business practices. While the police have yet to disclose the full details of Latif’s alleged crimes, insiders suggest that his actions...

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President, Fleetwood Haiya, has called for integrity and professionalism among Malawian football referees to ensure a smooth 2025-2026 football season. Haiya was speaking at Sunbird Livingstonia Hotel in Salima on Sunday when he presided over the 2025 FIFA Referee Badges Presentation ahead of the season. He said the event was remarkable as 16 referees received their badges, an indication that they want to take the game to greater heights in terms of professionalism. “The FIFA badge is international. It is our wish that the referees will be professional and of high integrity in their work in the forth coming season. We will have a manual on how best we can train our referees so that they can represent this country anywhere in the world,” stated Haiya. One of the recipients, Mayamiko Kanjere, said it felt so good to be recognised as a FIFA referee. “I’m...

A resounding call for tax reform took center stage during the final pre-budget consultation meeting for the 2025-2026 National Budget, where private sector stakeholders urged the government to slash the VAT rate to 15% to stimulate consumer spending and revitalize the economy. The meeting, held at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre, featured a compelling presentation by the Bankers Association of Malawi (BAM), which argued that reducing VAT and removing it entirely from essential items like cooking oil would provide relief to vulnerable groups and spur economic activity. BAM Chief Executive Officer Lyness Nkungula highlighted the need for tax incentives that promote savings, investments, and digital banking infrastructure. She proposed measures such as tax deductions for interest on savings accounts and incentives for banks that invest in accessible financial services for rural areas. “Proposing tax breaks for banks investing in digital banking infrastructure will improve access to financial services, particularly in...

SANA Shops, one of Malawi’s largest retail chains, has come under fire for allegedly subjecting employees to inhumane working conditions. Reports obtained by Nyasa Times through interviews, letters, and accounts from former and current staff reveal widespread abuse, exploitation, and racism allegedly perpetrated by the Indian owners. According to the testimonies, verbal abuse is rampant, with managers frequently using racist slurs and degrading language toward Malawian employees. “We work under constant humiliation,” one former employee revealed. “It’s a culture of fear and intimidation where we’re made to feel less than human.” Disturbing claims of sexual harassment have also surfaced, with female employees accusing senior staff of inappropriate advances. Some victims allege they were coerced into silence under threats of dismissal, leaving them vulnerable and without recourse. Wages are another major grievance, with many workers claiming to earn below the legal minimum wage despite long and demanding hours. Complaints of arbitrary...

In a bid to strengthen its data services, Airtel Malawi Plc has announced plans to acquire additional international data link capacity and engage new local fiber providers. In a statement issued on Friday, Acting Managing Director Abdul Shaik said the initiative is aimed at addressing frequent network disruptions that have affected Airtel’s services. “This strategic move will mitigate interruptions caused by issues in neighboring countries like Mozambique and Zambia, as well as local fiber outages in Malawi,” the statement reads. Shaik highlighted that, as a landlocked country, Malawi relies on foreign service providers for data services. Challenges such as prolonged power outages in Zambia, vandalism, and road construction in Malawi have caused multiple fiber outages, leading to disruptions in data and voice services. “To address these challenges and ensure uninterrupted service, we have added ESCOM as an additional local fiber provider to enhance service protection on our major routes. Internationally,...

Minister of Labour Hon. Vitumbiko Mumba is proving to be the no-nonsense leader Malawi desperately needs. Let’s face it: smiles, handshakes, and polite diplomacy will not fix this broken nation. Malawi requires bold, unapologetic action to root out the chaos and lawlessness that have taken hold. Imagine this—a factory locks the Minister of Labour out to block his inspection, and after being shut down for blatant labor violations, they have the gall to reopen without addressing any issues. This is more than arrogance; it’s outright contempt for the law. You cannot build a country where state authority is mocked and rules are treated like a joke. This kind of “masewera mentality” is why Malawi remains stuck in the mud. Under Kamuzu Banda’s dictatorship, such madness would never have been tolerated. People had discipline, respect for authority, and a sense of duty. Let’s be honest: Malawi’s democracy has become a breeding...

The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Public Trust has asked political parties in Malawi to consider adopting quotas as a means achieve a minimum percentage of women and youth candidates, as well as those with disabilities. Different Political parties present during the commemmoration of the 58th Independence Celebrations at BICC-pic by Lisa Kadango Malango NICE Executive Director Gray Kalindekafe, in a statement issued on Monday, challenged political parties to learn from other countries how they are integrating and promoting women and the youth in elections. He made the sentiments in a statement issued and released on Monday. Kalindekafe observed that many political parties around the world have adopted gender quotas to ensure a minimum percentage of women and youth candidates, as well as those with disabilities. He cited the French Socialist Party requires that 50 percent of its candidates for elections be women. “Some countries have reserved seats for women...

The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has unveiled its roadmap for the highly anticipated primary elections, revealing a commitment to transparency and inclusivity by adopting the secret ballot system. The primaries, which will be conducted in two phases, are scheduled to kick off in mid-February for constituencies without sitting Members of Parliament and mid-April for those with incumbent MPs. This announcement comes as Malawi gears up for the crucial general elections in September, where voters will elect councilors, Members of Parliament, and the President. By implementing secret ballot voting, MCP seeks to empower the electorate to freely choose candidates without fear of coercion or bias, ensuring that the chosen representatives truly reflect the will of the people. Jessie Kabwira, the party’s publicity secretary, emphasized MCP’s commitment to upholding democratic principles. Speaking to MIJ Online, Kabwira stated, “The secret ballot system allows the electorate to select candidates based on merit and their...

In a bold and scathing intervention, Minister of Labour Vitumbiko Mumba has ordered the immediate closure of CP Feeds Company, a Lilongwe-based manufacturer of animal feed, citing gross violations of labor laws and dangerous working conditions. Mumba, visibly furious during a visit to the factory, lambasted the company’s management for putting workers’ lives at risk. He observed employees working barefoot, without safety boots or protective masks, exposing them to hazardous environments that threaten their health. “This is an outright manipulation of labor laws and a complete disregard for human dignity,” Mumba declared. “The conditions here are appalling. Workers’ health and safety are non-negotiable, and this company has failed at the most basic level. We cannot afford to give them time to rectify this; the operations must stop immediately.” The Minister condemned the company for having only one toilet for female employees, describing the situation as not just unhygienic but a...