Category Archives: Malawi

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corruption, Law and order, Malawi

MACRA exposes Prophet Bushiri’s lies on Rainbow TV licence revocation, ownership

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has accused Prophet Shepherd Bushiri of lying to the nation regarding to Rainbow TV licence revocation and owner.

MACRA response comes barely a week after Prophet Bushiri told Zodiak TV Excultive Interview that Rainbow TV licence revocation was politically motivated.

The man of God also claimed that he owned the closed television.

But in a press statement issued on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, MACRA Director General Daud Suleman argues that Prophet Bushiri claims of owning Rainbow TV is false.

“Our records confirm Prophet Bushiri was not the registered owner of the Television station and, therefore, he is not a party to any conversations concerning Rainbow TV and MACRA”, Prophet Bushiri exposed.

Reads MACRA statement, “The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) wishes to clarify the recent assertions made by Prophet Shepherd Bushiri during the Exclusive Interview aired on Zodiak Television platforms on 6th February 2025 regarding the circumstances surrounding the revocation of Rainbow Television Content licence.

“These assertions claim that the decision was politically motivated and suggest that the licence was revoked despite the broadcaster settling its outstanding fees. We categorically state that this is not the case”.

On June 8, 2022, MACRA revoked Rainbow Television’s Content Licence, issued on 1st May 2015 which according to MACRA records was issued to Rainbow Television Limited.

“The licence was issued in accordance with Section 43(1) of the Communications Act. This provision also mandates MACRA to revoke a licence if a licensee fails to comply with the Act or the specific terms and conditions of their licence agreement.

“Additionally, Clause 33.1 (vi) of the General Terms and Conditions of Content Licences stipulates that a licence may be revoked if a licensee fails to pay outstanding licence fees for more than twelve (12) months past the due date.

“Prior to initiating the licence revocation process, MACRA engaged with Rainbow Television multiple times and provided several opportunities forcompliance”, says Suleman.

The regulatory claims that despite efforts, the broadcaster did not fulfill its financial obligations within the required timeframe.

“The station’s license was revoked due to non-payment of MK14,930,000 (the amount had been reduced to K10 million) in outstanding license fees.

“Rainbow Television failed to meet the May 31, 2022, deadline for payment, despite a prior commitment to do so before the MACRA Board”, adds Suleman.

MACRA defends licence revocation, “This action was solely due to its failure to comply with its financial obligations and was not influenced by politics something that is outside MACRA’s regulatory mandate”.

MACRA rubbishes the Man of God owning Rainbow TV, “Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s claims of ownership are false. Our records confirm Prophet Bushiri was not the registered owner of the Television station and, therefore, he is not a party to any conversations concerning Rainbow TV and MACRA”.

Suleiman explains further, “It is pertinent to note that other broadcasters also had their licences revoked under similar circumstances.

“However, some of them subsequently reapplied for and received new licences, and they continue to operate in good standing”

Following the revocation, Rainbow Television filed for judicial review in the High Court Judicial Review case number 21 of 2022.

However, the Court dismissed the application, concluding that there was no valid basis for judicial review.

On July 8, 2022, Hon. Justice M.A. Tembo on appeal stated, “The claimant’s case is hopeless and not fit for further investigation at a full hearing. The claimant was in breach of its broadcasting licence by failing to pay licence fees.”

This ruling reaffirmed the legality of MACRA’s decision to revoke Rainbow Television’s licence under the Communications Act and applicable regulations.

MACRA therefore remains committed to enforcing compliance within the broadcasting sector.

“Licensees across the Telecommunications, Broadcasting. and Postal sectors are reminded that failure to comply with licence conditions, including the timely payment of fees, may result in regulatory enforcement actions, including revocation of licences.

“We encourage the public and affected licensees to reach out to MACRA for any further clarifications through our official communication channels,” appeals Suleman.

Prophet Bushiri is yet to defend his falsehood allegations.

Bushiri and his wife Mary are in Malawi after fled from South Africa for fear of their lives on hawks hunt on fraud and money laundering charges.

The duo have been in court for extradition case thar they be back in South Africa to answer R102 million fraud charges.

Human Rights

CDEDI alleges State House interference fuel procurement, lauds Age Bill halting

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil rights group Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has allegedly accused some State House officials for interfering fuel procurement arguing that the move goes against the law of the land.

The grouping observed that much-publicised importation of fuel under the guise of Government-to-Government (G2G) arrangement is not serving the public interests but individuals.

Addressing the news conference on Wednesday, February 12, 2024 in the capital Lilongwe, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa challenges State House to immediately stop the illegal procurement of the said 360 metric tonnes of fuel under the guise of the G2G arrangement.

Namiwa calls, “We urge the people at State House who are behind this sinister project to put their hands off fuel issues in the country and allow fuel to be purchased following the laid down regulations and procedures.

“Buying of fuel should remain a preserve of the mandated State organs, not individuals who are riding the political gravy train at the expense of the poor majority”.

He adds, “CDEDI challenges those few privileged State House employees, who seem to have captured government, to inform Malawians where they are
drawing their mandate to be involved in matters that, according to the country’s prevailing laws and regulations, belong to the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) and the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA).

“We at CDEDI are disturbed and disgusted to note that Minister of Energy Hon. Ibrahim Matola travelled all the way to Tanga in Tanzania in a desperate attempt to hoodwink Malawians into believing that he was welcoming 51 million litres of fuel procured through an arrangement between the governments of Malawi and Kenya”.

Namiwa observes further, “CDEDI is reliably informed that that fuel was supplied by Gulf Energies, which is a private company, and the arrangement came in as an emergency albeit at a higher CIF.

“Actually, with a larger part of the fuel consignment still stuck in Tanga as we speak, the deal has ceased to an emergency”.

Namiwa says, “Malawians may wish to know that at the height of this deal, a US$150 million Letter of Credit was opened when the traditional suppliers’ bill was hovering at around US$100 million.

“This meant that if it were in a serious arrangement,
the best way to go about it was to sort out the suppliers and maintain those who were compliant with the law”.

He adds, “Simply put, the country’s persistent fuel woes are a result of an engineered non-payment of fuel suppliers calculated to dodge the law and allow those behind the scheme make a killing.

“To validate the above, CDEDI regrets to inform the public that arrangements are at an advanced stage to identify a vessel to move the fuel stuck in Tanga to
Nacala”.

Namiwa observes further, “This is called double-handling by the end of the day, which will make the product more expensive and in the process further defeat the element of feeling with an emergency.

“Malawians ought to know that the country’s annual fuel consumption is far below that which we can be considered to buy from the refineries whose minimum order stands at 100 million metric tonnes”.

He therefore appeals, “When all is said and done, and left wanting about this particular fuel issue, on behalf of well-meaning Malawians, CDEDI wishes to implore the Malaŵi Government, MERA and NOCMA to stop the illegal purchase of the said 360 metric tonnes fuel under this shoddy deal; otherwise, it has potential to spark public anger”.

On halted Age Bill, Namwa says, “CDEDI is aware that a lot has been said on social media in relation to alleged attempts, by whoever, to take to Parliament an infamous Age Limit Bill. But it is pleasing that the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon. Richard Chimwendo Banda categorically dismissed that assertion andbranded it as a mere rumour.

“Equally pleasing was a post on social media Tuesday evening by Leader of the Opposition in the House Hon George Chaponda to the effect that according to a
Business Committee meeting be had attended to agree on matters to be transacted when Parliament reconvenes this week, there is nothing like that
infamous and undemocratic matter”.

Namwa explains, “CDEDI was however disturbed to hear from reliable sources that about K1 billion was invested in attempts to bring this matter for debate in Parliament when Malawians are starving due to acute food shortage.

“We gathered that proponents of the bill intended to push it into the Chamber as a Private Member’s Bill. For starters, Thursday is a Private Member’s day in
Parliament”.

He added, “It is when members of Parliament (MPs) are at liberty to waive relevant Standing Orders to allow any MP to bring to the floor a motion.

“But all that has to be done with the knowledge of the Business Committee of the House, in which case, if Hon Chaponda’s post is anything to go by, the
infamous and undemocratic bill about capping the country’s presidential age limit is not part of what our parliamentarians will deliberate on in the weeks
ahead”.

Namiwa observes, “In view of the dust that this stirred when it started making rounds, there is no harm in CDEDI borrowing the words of retired Supreme Court Judge Dunstain Mwaungulu, that under any circumstance such a bill is unconstitutional and not welcome in any democratic society.

“Ordinarily, a bill of such nature, cannot just appear in the Chamber from nowhere, since it calls for exhaustive consultative processes spearheaded by the Malawi Law Commission (MLC) in collaboration with the Malawi Law Society (MLS)”.

He concludes, “Apart from the rigorous consultative process, such a law cannot come in the middle of an electoral process, where registration of voters has already been conducted and all major political parties have conducted their conventions effectively electing or endorsing their torch-bearers.

“That said, CDEDI is mindful that this is Malawi, where overzealousness, coupled with forces of greed, drive some supposedly Honourable people do not act as such; hence warns such people to be ready to face the music for taking Malawians for granted”.

Meanwhile, State House is yet to respond on fuel procurement interference allegations.

Health

WHO, St. Jude launch groundbreaking international delivery of childhood cancer medicines

Maravi Post Reporter

The World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have commenced distribution of critically-needed childhood cancer medicines in 2 of 6 pilot countries, through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines. Currently, these medicines are being delivered to Mongolia and Uzbekistan, with next shipments planned for Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal and Zambia. The treatments are expected to reach approximately 5000 children with cancer across at least 30 hospitals in these countries within this year.

The Global Platform is a first initiative of its kind. Countries in the pilot phase will receive an uninterrupted supply of quality-assured childhood cancer medicines at no cost. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), childhood cancer survival rates are often below 30%, significantly lower than those in high-income countries. Six additional countries have been formally invited to join the platform.

The initiative is poised to become the largest, with the goal of reaching 50 nations in the next 5 to 7 years. It aims to eventually provide medicines for the treatment of approximately 120 000 children with cancer in LMICs, significantly reducing mortality rates. 

“For too long, children with cancer have lacked access to life-saving medicines,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This unique partnership between WHO and St. Jude is working to provide quality-assured cancer medicines to paediatric hospitals in low-and middle-income countries. WHO is proud to be part of this joint initiative with St. Jude, bringing health and hope to children around the world.”

Every year, an estimated 400 000 children worldwide develop cancer. The majority of these children, living in resource-limited settings, are unable to consistently obtain or afford cancer medicines. It is estimated that 70% of the children from these settings die from cancer due to factors such as lack of appropriate treatment, treatment disruptions or low-quality medicines.

“A child’s chances of surviving cancer are largely determined by where they are born, making this one of the starkest disparities in global healthcare,” said James R. Downing, MD, president and CEO of St. Jude. “St. Jude was founded on Danny Thomas’ dream that no child should die in the dawn of life. By developing this platform, we believe this dream can someday be achieved for children stricken by cancer, irrespective of where they live.”

St. Jude and WHO announced the platform in 2021 to ensure children around the world have access to lifesaving treatments. The platform brings together governments, the pharmaceutical industry and non-governmental organizations in a unique collaborative model focused on creating solutions for children with cancer. The co-design approach addresses the broader needs of national stakeholders, with a focus on capacity building and long-term sustainability.

The platform provides comprehensive end-to-end support, from consolidating global demand to shaping the market, assisting countries with medicine selection and developing treatment standards. It represents a transformative model for the broader global health community working together to tackle health challenges, in particular for children and noncommunicable diseases. To accomplish this, St. Jude and WHO partner with UNICEF Supply Division, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Strategic Fund.
 

Notes to editors:

World Health Organization

Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization (WHO) leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. WHO is the UN agency for health that connects nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. WHO’s mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. 

On childhood cancer, WHO works with over 100 global partners through the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, to support governments in developing high-quality cancer centres and regional satellites that ensure early, accurate diagnosis and effective treatments for children with cancer. WHO also develops standards and tools to guide the planning and implementation of interventions for diagnosis, treatment and palliative and survivorship care. Progress on childhood cancer, as well as on other noncommunicable diseases, are part of the agenda for the UN General Assembly Fourth High-Level Meeting of the on noncommunicable diseases to take place in September 2025.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer, sickle cell disease and other life-threatening disorders. It is a non-profit organization based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to 80% since the hospital opened more than 60 years ago. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. To learn more, visit stjude.org, read Progress: A Digital Magazine and follow St. Jude on social media at @stjuderesearch.

WHO and St. Jude first collaborated in 2018, when St. Jude became the first WHO Collaborating Centre for Childhood Cancer and committed US$15 million for the creation of the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (Global Initiative). This initiative supports more than 70 governments in building and sustaining local cancer programs and aims to increase survival to 60% by 2030. The Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines (Global Platform) synergizes with the Global Initiative, with activities implemented through this new effort expected to contribute substantially to the achievement of the initiative’s goals. The Global Platform is part of the St. Jude Strategic Plan focused on accelerating progress on catastrophic childhood diseases on a global scale through the institution’s largest investment in research and patient care.

Sourced from WHO

Business, Law and order, Malawi

MRA seizes MK85 million in smuggled goods as Digital Tax Stamps tighten compliance

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has intercepted MK85 million worth of smuggled goods in Lilongwe, marking a major breakthrough in enforcing the Kalondola Digital Tax Stamp system.

Acting on a tip from a patriotic citizen, MRA and police raided a warehouse in Area 4, Lilongwe, where illicit goods – including body care products, diapers, and other taxable items – were being offloaded without proper customs clearance.

Crackdown on Tax Evasion

To strengthen compliance, MRA has ramped up spot checks at retail shops, wholesalers, and liquor stores, following a directive from Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda in his mid-year budget review.

While adherence to the tax stamp system is improving, some importers and manufacturers continue to evade regulations by failing to affix the required stamps on excisable products.

Smuggling Hurts National Development

Grace Chilima, Deputy Manager of MRA’s FAST Centre, stressed the impact of tax evasion and said, “Had these goods reached the market undetected, Malawi would have lost revenue crucial for roads, schools, hospitals, and civil servant salaries.”

She urged the public to remain vigilant and report illegal trade, warning that smuggling directly undermines national progress.

MRA has vowed to eliminate tax evasion. Kalondola Project Manager Steven Kuntembwe emphasized that spot checks will continue to enforce tax stamp laws and penalize offenders.

“Failure to affix or activate tax stamps, as well as trading in unstamped excisable products, will result in penalties,” Kuntembwe warned.

He urged businesses to comply, noting that enforcement is about ensuring fairness in the marketplace.

Digital Tax Stamps: A Revenue Game Changer

The Kalondola tax stamp system, introduced after amendments to the Customs & Excise Act, now covers a range of excisable products beyond cigarettes, including alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water, and personal care items.

The system, implemented by SICPA Malawi after a competitive procurement process in 2023, is globally recognized for improving tax compliance, consumer protection, and industry fairness.

By leveraging cutting-edge fiscal technology, SICPA Malawi is helping the country to foster a transparent business environment that attracts investment and funds social services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

In 2019, Tanzania rolled out the Electronic Tax Stamp Management System (ETSMS), a key and most robust system supporting the discovery of smuggled or illicitly traded products in the market, heralding an end to the previous tax administration solution.

ETMS is cited by the International Monetary Fund as a measure increasing tax collection in Tanzania.

High-Tech Enforcement

MRA officers have been trained to monitor compliance using advanced tools like the Horizon EVO Web Application and the Kalondola365 mobile app provided by SICPA Malawi.

As tax enforcement tightens, MRA urges businesses to embrace compliance – not just to avoid penalties but to support Malawi’s long-term economic growth under the Malawi 2063 Agenda.

Health

Meds platform launch gives children with cancer a fighting chance

Maravi Post Reporter

Around 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year and most of them live in low-income countries where medicines are either unaffordable or unavailable, resulting in an overwhelming 70 per cent death rate.

In high-income countries, more than eight in 10 children who are diagnosed survive.

“The platform is now set to close this gap”, said Dr. Andre Ilbawi, Technical lead of the WHO cancer control programme.

The UN agency’s goal – working with leading US paediatric facility St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – is to reach 50 countries where needs are greatest, providing medicines to treat 120,000 children with cancer in the next five to seven years. Although it is an ambitious goal, it is achievable, Dr Ilbawi told journalists in Geneva.

“This marks the beginning of a global movement to provide children with cancer the medicines that they need, regardless of where they live, or their ability to pay”, he insisted thanks to the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines.

Major funding boost

The launch of the platform has been made possible by a $200 million investment by St. Jude’s – marking the largest financial commitment ever made for childhood cancer medicines globally.

The initiative also draws on the experience of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Pan American Health Organization Strategic Fund, which procure and distribute the medicines. “This innovation has now become a needed beacon of hope for families around the world”, Dr. Ilbawi said.

The platform is not a donation programme, but rather a joint venture involving governments, the pharmaceutical industry, non-governmental organizations and local stakeholders such as hospitals.

Complex and challenging

The remaining four countries of the pilot phase that will soon receive cancer medication are Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal and Zambia. Within days, El Salvador, Moldova, Senegal, Pakistan, Ghana and Sri Lanka will join the programme too.

The needs of a child suffering from cancer are complex and demanding, ranging from qualified professionals to pharmaceutical companies and communities that are ready to support a family through the traumatic process of diagnosis, WHO explained.

But with the launch of this platform come hopes of scaling it up. “The vision of giving every child a chance to fight cancer – no matter where they are born, is now becoming a reality” Dr. Ilbawi said.
UN Health News

Malawi, Sports

MNCS announces Malawi sports awards nominees

Chisomo Phiri

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) on Monday unveiled the top three nominees in each of the 13 categories for the Malawi Sports Awards.

The announcement was made at press briefing held at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre.

Speaking with journalists,MNCS Director of Marketing, Planning, and Infrastructure Services, Limbani Matola expressed gratitude to the national sports associations and sports journalists, through the Sports Writers Association of Malawi (SWAM), for submitting nominations.

Said Matola:This year’s awards received an overwhelming number of nominations, indicating a strong partnership between the MNCS and the sports community.

“The nomination process involved three stages: nomination, shortlisting, and adjudication.A committee reviewed the nominations to ensure they met the minimum criteria for each category.The adjudication committee then selected the top three nominees in each category.

“The public can now participate in the voting process through a web-based portal https://awards.malawisport.mw accessible on any phone with internet or WhatsApp.Voting starts today, and the public’s contribution will account for 30% of the total marks, while the judges’ marks will contribute 70%.”

Matola encouraged the public to vote for their favorite nominees, emphasizing that the process is merit-based.

This year’s sports awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 28, 2025 at Sunbird Nkopola in Mangochi.

Law and order, Malawi

Mzuzu business lady Rita Mkandawire arrested for duping fellow woman MK41million

MaraviPost

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Police Service in Mzuzu are keeping in custody arrested a 30-year old business woman for allegedly obtaining 41 million Malawian kwacha from Cecilia Chinyama under false pretence of business partnership.

Mzuzu Police Station Deputy publicist Cecilia Mfune has identified the suspect as Rita Mkandawire who was arrested on February 11, 2025, at Mchengautuwa township within the city.

Mfune told The Maravi Post that the suspect and Chinyama are best friends.

“In July 2024, Mkandawire suggested that they start a joint business of buying agricultural inputs, to which Chinyama agreed.

“However, Mkandawire allegedly started demanding more money from Chinyama to boost the business and at times pretending to be a customer into their business by using various phone numbers giving the victim an assurance that the business was doing fine,” she said.

Mzuzu business lady Rita Mkandawire arrested

The police publicist adds, “Chinyama reported the issue to Mzuzu Police Station after realizing that she was not receiving any profits from the business and also she discovered that all numbers used as clients were registered in her partners name.

“Following an investigation, Mkandawire was arrested, and seven phones which she allegedly used to commit the crimes were seized”.

The suspect Mkandawire, who hails from Mtiweranyifwa Village, Traditional Authority (T.A) Wansambo in Karonga district, will soon appear in court to answer charges of theft/fraud other than false pretence.

Law and order, Malawi

Malawi parliamentary business committee rejects drafted Age Bill petition

Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The parliamentary business committee has rejected the age bill petition, which was supposed to be presented in the august house by Welani Chilenga, representing Chitipa South constituency.

The leader of the opposition, George Chaponda told The Maravi Post Tuesday, February 11, 2024 that tha drafted Age Bill will not see the right of the Parliament.

Chaponda asserted that the bill that addresses the presidential age limit is not in accordance with the constitution.

“The constitution is clear and the flamers, in their wisdom, decided to fix the age limit. Furthermore, the constitution is sacred and should not be tampered with”, said Chaponda.

He states that they are looking forward to President Lazarus Chakwera’s State National Address that will be given on Friday.

Chaponda added that coming session will used to ask Chakwera questions arising from his speech on the matter of national importance, which is the national budget for 2025-2026.

He therefore said the discussion will be centered on issues such as the rise in cost of goods, lack of maize, no forex, and the economy which is in limbo.

Human Rights, Law and order

Balaka residents up with demos to ouster DC Tamanya Harawa

MaraviPost

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-A group of concerned citizens, operating under the umbrella “Mzika zokhunzidwa malinga ndikutengedwa malo akwa Ng’onga,” has notified the Balaka District Council of their intention to hold peaceful demonstration this Thursday February 13,2025.

Notification letter for Balaka residents demonstrations against DC Harawa

According to a letter in our possession, the group plans to conduct these demonstrations to push the Ministry of Local Government to move the current District Commissioner for Balaka, Mr. Tamanya Harawa out of office.

This demonstration follows the expiry of a seven-day ultimatum the local gave Local Government Principal Secretary Richard Hara on Monday February 3, 2025.

The residents accuse stems from Harawa for allegedly throwing spanners into the process of rectifying the unfair and hurried compensation following the loss of their birthplace at Ng’onga Village Tradition Authority(T/A) Nsamala paving the way for a Chinese firm Portland Cement Mining operations site.

Landowners and lawful occupiers were hyped during first and second phase of the compensation that were done in total disregard of the law and human face.

Harawa is accused of conniving some Chiefs of meddle into the otherwise cordial process that started with an all-inclusive stakeholders meeting held in the District of January 21,2025.

The apparent silence from Hara has escalated their concerns hence they resorted to exercise their constitutional right to hold peaceful demonstrations.

Notably, the group will not present a petition during the demonstrations, as the responsible person refused to receive it on February 3, 2025.
According to the letter copied to Hara and Balaka Police Officer incharge the protests will start at St John’s centre at 10.

Politics

MCP’s Richard Chimwendo Banda dismisses Age Bill rumors

Maravi Post Reporter

By Twink Jones Gadama

The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has denied rumors that the government is planning to introduce an Age Bill aimed at blocking former President Peter Mutharika from contesting in the upcoming elections.

Richard Chimwendo Banda, the party’s Secretary General, described the rumors as “baseless” and “propaganda” spread by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to deceive the public.

“There is no Age Bill whatsoever. We are not afraid of anyone. Anyone who is eligible will contest and we will campaign and win the elections,” Chimwendo Banda said.

Chimwendo Banda made the remarks on Saturday at Thambani in Mwanza, where he also urged people to vote for President Lazarus Chakwera in the upcoming elections. He was accompanied by other senior party officials, including Abida Mia, Owen Chomanika, and Moses Kunkuyu.

He urged Malawians to vote for Chakwera again, promising that the president will correct his past mistakes and deliver on his campaign promises.

Chimwendo Banda’s remarks come amidst speculation that the government is planning to introduce an Age Bill that would bar Mutharika, who is above 80 years old, from contesting in the elections. However, the MCP has denied any knowledge of such a bill, describing the rumors as a ploy by the DPP to gain sympathy from the public.

The development has sparked heated debate among Malawians, with some calling on the government to clarify its position on the matter. Others have urged the MCP and the DPP to focus on issue-based campaigning rather than spreading propaganda and rumors.

As the country prepares for the upcoming elections, the debate over the Age Bill is likely to continue, with many Malawians eagerly waiting to see how the situation unfolds.