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Articles by Steve Zimba
Rangers pull out of lion hunt in Mzimba
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife has effectively withdrawn rangers from the hunt for a lion that killed 30-year-old Clement Munthali in Mzimba’s Mpherembe area on 22 September this year. The Department’s Director, Brighton Kumchedwa, told us that an established response team is mandated to monitor the area and report to authorities, such as the police, if the stray lion is seen. “Let me speculate that the lion has gone back to the protected area.
Mzuzu City Council employees end strike
Service delivery has resumed in Mzuzu City following the call-off of the strike by council employees over salary increments and dissatisfaction with some top management. Mzuzu City Council Trade Union Chairperson Hudson Komani Mnyenyembe has confirmed that, together with the Secretariat, they will travel to Lilongwe on Monday to meet Local Government officials over their concerns.
Striking Mzuzu City Council workers demand removal of CEO, Director of Administration
The striking Mzuzu City Council union members have demanded the immediate removal of the council’s Chief Executive Officer, Gomezgani Nyasulu, and Director of Administration, Patrick Chipeka Phiri, claiming the two are failing to address their financial concerns.
Chikulamayembe breaks silence on burial ceremony controversy
Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe of Rumphi, Joseph Bongololo Gondwe, has spoken for the first time about the events that rocked the burial ceremony of the former Acting Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe of the Tumbuka people, Mtima Walter Gondwe, on 1st October 2026. Various politicians attended the ceremony, including Malawi’s Second Vice President Enoch Chihana, Cabinet Ministers, Principal Secretaries, and the Mayors of Blantyre and Mzuzu cities, among other high-profile government officials.
Kasasile villagers caught off guard by relocation plans, demand compensation
Malawi’s Second Vice President Enoch Chihana has announced that 367 families settled in the disputed Kasasile area of Nkhata Bay will be relocated to Maji Estate in Mpherembe, Mzimba, where government has secured 600 hectares of land for them. Chihana said the families will be enrolled in the Social Cash Transfer Programme and provided with food, fertilizer and safe water to help them settle and sustain their livelihoods.
State Funeral for Late Mtima Gondwe on Thursday
AaFormer acting Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe of the Tumbuka tribe in Rumphi, Mtima Gondwe, will be accorded state funeral protocols on Thursday. Local Government spokesperson Chimwemwe Njoloma confirmed the development in an interview on Monday, saying the honour is due to the fact that Gondwe once served in the position in an acting capacity. “We are expecting the Minister of Local Government to be the guest of honour at the burial ceremony at Bolero in the district,” she said.
New chief installed in Mzimba as rival claims Mzikubola throne in Court
Inkosi yaMakhosi M’mbelwa V has installed Khetwayo Jere as Inkosi Mzikubola III amid a court battle with rival claimant Masabani Jere, who has filed for judicial review at the Mzuzu High Court Registry to determine the rightful heir to the throne. Masabani filed the application in September 2026 under Order 19, Rule 20 of the High Court Civil Procedure Rules, 2017, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
Malawi Working on Improved Tobacco by 2028
TC chief executive officer Dr. Joseph Chidanti-Malunga says with this goal they are looking at producing at least 200 million kilograms of tobacco per year. "There are several strategies in place to ensure that more farmers grow tobacco in the country. For example, improved prices of buying the leaf from farmers is just one of them,” said Dr. Chidanti-Malunga.
Mzimba Women Constructs a Health Post to Increase Vaccine Uptake
Chairlady of Chikhwengwe women's care group Mellifa Phiri said in an interview on Thursday that with advocacy support from the Malawi Health Equity Network, (Mhen) the group has lobbied for an HSA which the Ministry of Health has since allocated to the area. "Despite registering these successes. This area we are operating from does not have water, such that we just need a borehole for our health personnel.
Synod of Livingstonia Bans Congregants From Traveling to Zambia
General Secretary of the Synod Reverend William Tembo has told us in an interview that the Church has also called on congregations in border areas with Zambia to take precautionary measures when preparing food during church activities. The Church has also advised its followers that boarder the Eastern part of Zambia including Lundazi which is very close to Malawi to take precautionary measures when handling their foodstuffs.
Govt Restocking Fish in Small Water Bodies
Minister of Natural Resources Michael Usi has told us that the development will also ensure a reduction in the prices of fish on the local market. "The plan is that, as the government is implementing various projects in Lake Malawi to increase fish production, the upland should also have sources of fish for local consumption and the export market.” Apart from targeting ponds and Dams, government is also considering restocking rivers that have the potential for the fishing business.
St. John of God Hospitaller Services Rated as a 3-Star Hospital in Malawi
The Executive Director of the mental hospital, Dr. Charles Masulani, described this as an early Christmas gift that will motivate them more and reduce rising cases of mental disorders in the country. “Apart from motivating our members of staff, our clients and their guardians will have confidence in the service we provide at our facility,” said Dr. Masulani. This initiative is aimed at ensuring that hospitals in the country provide quality healthcare services, and all hospitals will be assessed.
St. John of God Hospitality Services Rated as a 3-Star Hospital in Malawi
The St. John of God Hospital Services in Mzuzu has become the first hospital in the country to be rated as a 3-star medical facility in the provision of quality health services to its clients. The Executive Director of the mental hospital, Dr. Charles Masulani, described this as an early Christmas gift that will motivate them more and reduce rising cases of mental disorders in the country.
Effects of Cyclone Freddy Still Haunting WVM
World Vision Malawi says a spate of natural disasters that rocked the country in 2023 have greatly affected the implementation of some projects they are running in the country. World Vision Malawi Director of Programmes, Charles Chimombo, says despite these setbacks, there is no project that is under threat of closure.
Lightning Kills a learner Mzuzu, Injuring Three Others
One Student has died and two others including their teacher have sustained injuries following a lightning strike at Msipazi Primary School in Mchengautuwa in Mzuzu on Thursday. Mzuzu Police Station Publicist Paul Tembo says this happened when the three students, all girls aged 14, were escorting their teacher to her house in the area.
Insufficient Agriculture Extension Workers' Training Affecting Farm Yields
A Consortium of some Civil Society Organizations in the Agriculture sector has noted that insufficient capacity-building training for agriculture extension workers is negatively impacting progress in the implementation of agro-forestry projects in some parts of the country.
Steve Zimba
One Student has died and two others including their teacher have sustained injuries following a lightning strike at Msipazi Primary School in Mchengautuwa in Mzuzu on Thursday. Mzuzu Police Station Publicist Paul Tembo says this happened when the three students, all girls aged 14, were escorting their teacher to her house in the area.
Mazani Unveils "Mulenji" EP
Local R&B artist Mazani is set to captivate his fanbase once more with his second project called "Mulenji". "Mulenji," a title that resonates with mystery and allure, perfectly expresses the depth and diversity of Mazani's artistic vision. "The EP takes listeners on an immersive musical odyssey, exploring themes of love, passion, and self-discovery," he said.
Equatorial Insurance Brokers Takes Financial Literancy Education to Secondary Schools
An insurance firm, Equatorial Insurance Brokers has embarked on a campaign of sensitizing secondary school learners of various financial literacy programmes aimed at equipping them with skills and knowledge about the financial sector in the country.
Man Arrested for Repackaging Fake Fertilizer
Police in Mzuzu have arrested a 41-year-old man for allegedly possessing 17 bags of counterfeit fertilizer weighing 50 kilograms each. Mzuzu Police Spokesperson Paul Tembo says the suspect Blessings Nyirenda has been arrested in the city following a tip-off that the businessperson was reprocessing and repackaging the fertilizer in NPK sacks belonging to Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving fund of Malawi (SFFRFM).
Shortage of Maize Bran in the North Hits Livestock Farmers
Some livestock farmers in the northern region say that continued illegal exportation of maize bran locally known as Gaga to countries Like Tanzania, Eswatini, Kenya, and Zimbabwe has led to a scarcity of feed for livestock on the local market. A Mzuzu-based livestock farmer Boniface Jubeki of Chingalu Farms has implored the government to control the exportation of the commodity, saying current trend is pushing upwards the cost of production and prices of meat and its products in the region.
Car Free Day Set for Friday
A local organization on road safety has appealed to all motorists that this coming Friday should walk or cycle to their destinations in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions emanating from motor vehicles that pollute the environment. Road Safety Alert Foundation Public Relations Officer Thokozani Chenjezi told us in an interview Thursday that this is a result of various negative effects of carbon emissions to the environment that Malawi and other countries are experiencing.
Financial Woes Affect Portable Water Access at Ekwendeni School for the Blind
Ekwendeni Resource for the Blind which is a primary school under the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia has gone for three years without access to clean and potable water due to the failure to settle 800,000 Kwacha water bills to the Northern Region Water Board. Head of the Ekwendeni Mission, Reverend Timothy Nyirenda says that the water supply was disconnected following acute funding challenges affecting its donors (the Church and well-wishers).
Chakwera Talks Tough on Contractors
President Lazarus Chakwera has lashed out at some people he did not disclose, saying they are conniving with contractors to frustrate development projects being initiated in the country for their own benefit. The President made the remarks yesterday when he commissioned the 30 billion Kwacha Nkhata Bay Town Water Supply and Sanitation project which will benefit over 104 thousand households in the district. The project is being implemented by government and the Northern Region Water Board.
Malawi’s First Coach Terminal to Open in Mzuzu
Mzuzu, which is dubbed Malawis fast growing city, will be the first to have a Coach terminal that will be operational by 1st October this year. Chief Executive Officer of the City Gomegzani Nyasulu says this is one of the resolutions made during the Mzuzu City Summit held two weeks ago, and the city is expecting to be collecting K9 million every month from about 7 local and international operators.
Lions Club International in Fresh Appeal for Malawi’s Cyclone Freddy Survivors
The Lions Clubs International's multiple district 412 covering Malawi, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique has stressed the need for continued humanitarian aid to survivors of cyclone Freddy which claimed lives of about 1000 people this year in some parts of the country.
21-Year Jail Term for Robbing Guests at a Lodge in Mzuzu
Principal resident magistrate Clemence Chamwenda sitting at the Mzuzu court registry has sentenced six men to 21- years imprisonment with hard labour each, for robbing guests at Royal Gardens Lodge at Lubinga in the city on 4th August this year. The six (jailed) and two others who are still at large, robbed property which included cellphones, laptops, clothes, and cash among others worth over 7 million Kwacha.
Political Tension Nearly Disrupts Late Gondwe’s Burial Ceremony
The body of iconic economist cum politician Goodall Gondwe was buried yesterday and all the eulogies at the burial ceremony centered on celebrating his personal, educational, and political achievements.
Former Cabinet Minister and Veteran Politician Goodall Gondwe Dies
Renowned economist-cum politician Goodall Gondwe has died at the age of 87 in Lilongwe, his nephew Komani Gondwe has confirmed. Komani says Goodall collapsed yesterday at his house in Lilongwe and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Adventist hospital later. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) member served in various cabinet positions after working in various portfolios as an economist locally and internationally.
MDF Dismisses Four for Taking Bribes
Four Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers have been dismissed after a court martial found them guilty of taking bribes at a security check-point near Chirumba Barracks in Karonga.The four were accused of receiving the bribes from a truck driver driving from Mzuzu towards Karonga early morning yesterday. Two of the four soldiers will do time in a military prison; one for 10 days and the other 14 days before going back home.
Chakwera Implores Malawians to Work Hard
The president said this on Saturday during the consecration of the Auxiliary Bishop of Mzuzu Catholic Diocese Yohane Sugzo Nyirenda. "If we need good roads, we should work very hard. Even leaders have a role in encouraging people to work very hard in ensuring that they get what they deserve,” explained President Chakwera. Young and old thronged Mzuzu Stadium to witness the consecration ceremony of the first ever auxiliary Bishop of the Mzuzu Diocese.
Chirumba Barracks Roadblock Staying Put - Government
Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng'oma told Zodiak in an interview that being a strategic place it will put CCTV cameras following reports that some soldiers are mistreating people there. "We do not have plans to remove the checkpoint simply because it is controlling the influx of illegal immigrants and illegal importation of goods and farm produce to and from Karonga, among other issues,” says Ng’oma.
Local NGO to Vaccine 60,000 Pets in Mzimba North & Rumphi
CCEI Managing Director Gilbert Banda has told Zodiak on the sidelines of Mzimba north district Agriculture fair in Mzuzu on Wednesday that the organisation has already vaccinated 10,000 dogs in the area and this is aimed at preventing the lives of people and pets from rabies.
CHREAA & SALC Pen President Chakwera to Pardon Best MSCE Students
CHREAA Executive Director Victor Mhango has told Zodiak in an interview that the pardon will give inmates Kumbukani Mindiera and Father Msowoya a chance to further upgrade their academic journeys and later help to develop the country in different spheres after completing their studies. "We believe prisons are a space for reformation. And if the President can pardon these two convicts, the gesture can help them realize their dream in education,” said Mhango.
Nkhata Bay Wins K60 million in Afikepo Project
CRS Country Representative Sekai Mudonhi says the rewards to be held quarterly are a social and behaviour change intervention aimed at ensuring that communities have enough food in their households. "This initiative will be taking place every quarter of the year so that communities from where the programme is being implemented are motivated,” disclosed Mudonhi.
Malawi to Host 2023 IVETA TEVET Conference
Director of Corporate Affairs Department for the Authority Lewis Msasa has told ZBS that the international conference will bring together experts in vocational skills education that would help Malawi’s Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational training to grow further. "These countries are expected to participate in the Mangochi conference this November and this will be a game changer in promoting Malawi’s development blueprint, the agenda 2023,” said Msasa.
Artist Gwamba to Promote Music, Tourism in the North
According to the three partners, the show by Gwamba is meant to promote tourism in the city of Mzuzu. Speaking after announcing the partnership on Monday, Mzuzu City Mayor Desire Nyirenda said this a big opportunity for the city to promote its tourism sector while assisting to identify talent amongst the youth. ``The agreement covers various aspects.
18,000 Caregivers Still Missing on Government Payroll
Deputy Director of Child Affairs in the Ministry of Gender Justin Hamera has however told us in an interview that the ministry has proposed to the Ministry of Finance to consider 3 thousand more trained caregivers noting that the process is gradual. ``So we have about 20 thousand caregivers in the country. Of these, 2 thousand started last year receiving honoraria from government.
Some Youth Want Retired Muluzi Back
Dr. Chrispin Mphande holds the view that Atupele Muluzi's bouncing back into politics may be determined by how the public's response to recent activities by the youthful grouping. ``This is a strategy for this group of young people for Atupele to come back to politics despite that he resigned from active politics,” said Dr. Mphande. There have been some activities by Friends of Atupele.
Plan Malawi Girls Education Project in Mzimba North Excites Government
Principal Quality Assurance Officer in the Northern Region Education Division, Sam - Hobbie Tembo says statistics show that even the pass rate of the learners has improved in most schools. ``I have been informed that before this project started, the pass rate at one school was 10 percent. But in the just recent Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) results, they have managed to register more than 30 percent pass rate which is encouraging,” explained Tembo.
Cost of Production Pushing Prices of Cement Upwards - Shayona
Administration Manager of the Company, Spencer M'baka says they buy more than 15,000 liters of diesel per day which produces at least 2,000 metric tons of the product saying this is costly. ``You already know the electricity problems the country is facing. But, the good thing is that we have been in talks with the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM), and government to give us extra megawatts and the promises sound promising,” said M’baka.
PRSM Hail Mzuni for Sound Com Studies
The Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM) has noted that most institutional and governance challenges the country is facing could be attributed to a lack of sound strategic advice from communication experts. PRSM President, Benson Linje made the remarks on Friday during the Mzuzu University Department of Communication Studies Symposium of 2022 in the northern region city where he urged institutions to start hiring communication experts who make leaders informed on various issues.
Review Witchcraft Law - CCJP Mzuzu Diocese
CCJP Coordinator of the diocese, Felix Manda suggested this at a press conference in Mzuzu on Tuesday where he commented on the gruesome Mzimba witchcraft incident where two elderly women were verbally and physically harassed on allegations that one of them killed her daughter-in-law through magic. ``The witchcraft Act must be reviewed to protect people, people are being victimized on hearsay.
Expert Urges Govt Rethink Free Primary Education
Anna Keys Msowoya notes that most public schools are lacking various infrastructure and material needs, like books hence, a little payment could make a difference in sustaining quality education in the institutions. "Government is already doing commendable things. But we should be able to reflect and see our needs in those schools. So, if parents can be paying school fees in primary schools, some of the problems there can be reduced,” said Keys Msowoya.
Mzuzu Central Hospital Suspends All Minor Surgical operations
Director of the hospital Dr. Frank Sinyiza has confirmed the development in a telephone interview saying, for now, they are only concentrating on urgent and emergency cases until the status of the availability of Gas which Ministry of Health is sorting out, improves. ``I cannot say when we will resume conducting the suspended services. It will depend on how soon the Ministry of Health handles the issue of Oxygen Gas with the suppliers,” said Dr. Sinyiza.
First Suspected Cholera Case Reported in Mzuzu City
Mzimba North Health Center commonly known as Mapale spokesperson, Lovemore Kagbaye has confirmed the development in an interview on Sunday saying the samples from the patient have been sent to Mzuzu Central hospital laboratory for further tests. ``We are just waiting for the final results from the Mzuzu central hospital laboratory. And from there, we can confirm if the patient has Cholera or not,” said Kagbaye.
Cholera Threat in Mzuzu
Network Vice Chairperson for the north Tirivanhu Tizifa has told Zodiak in an interview on Thursday that it is worrisome to notice that the city which borders Nkhatabay remains filthy at a time when it is also receiving rainfall. "We are worried as Network. And, if nothing happens to manage the situation in Mzuzu, the residents are in danger of the outbreak,” noted Tizifa.
Cyber-Crime Overwhelms MPS
Head of the Digital Forensics and Cyber-Crimes Unit at the National Police Headquarters, Senior Superintendent Gladson Kubwalo said in an interview this comes at a time when there are very few Cyber-Crime experts in the country. ``Inadequate of Cyber-Crime experts in Malawi can be well addressed if institutions of higher learning can introduce Forensic science disciplines in their programmes, noting that there is no University in the country offering such course,” said Kubwalo.
Protestors to Guard Against Businesses in Today's Mzuzu Demos
Chairperson of the grouping, Gomegzani Nkhoma said at a press conference yesterday in the northern region city that they will not allow intruders to distrust businesses in the city clearing the point that these are not politically connected protests. ``We are aware that police officers will join us this morning to provide security, but we also have our stewards who are ready to provide manpower suppose some people want to cause trouble during the peaceful demonstration,” said Nkhoma.
Govt Moves in to Sustain Availability of Medical Supplies in Public Hospitals
Deputy Minister of Health, Enoch Phale has said in an interview that this follows revelations that some hospitals are asking patients to buy drugs from private pharmacies and hospitals due to shortages of medical supplies in public facilities. ``As the government, we don’t want to hear that patients are being sent back home without accessing medical treatment.
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