MPONDA MOB CASE: 20 Suspects Face Court in Balaka Today

By Inspector Gladson M'bumba

The Second Grade Magistrate's Court in Balaka District is today Wednesday, August 26, 2026 continuing further hearing of Mponda Area incident in which angry mob looted and destroyed property belonging to Hassan Safili Obeya aged 51 of Maloya Village in Traditional Authority Nankumba in Mangochi, suspecting him of human trafficking a woman who sells vegetables.

The case is will be presided over by Second Grade Magistrate Stanford Majoni and the 20 suspects are answering offences of theft and malicious damage.

Apart from State Prosecutor Inspector Rodrick Kamuona of Balaka Police Station who has been taking the case, Counsel

Asma Osman Kapoto of Kapoto and Company has also joined the case on the side of the state.

Bail matters will also be addressed today, Wednesday August 26, 2026 and the court adjourned the case last week Friday to this week on Wednesday August 26, 2026, to allow sufficient time for the state to assess the property damaged to each accused person and determine their value.

Currently, situation at the court is quite and normal as Police Officers from Balaka Police Station has tightened security at the court.

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43 REMANDEES GRANTED BAIL THROUGH COURTS

 

Courts recently conducted in Blantyre, Chikwawa and Nsanje with High Court Judge Justice Kamowa have resulted in 43 people being granted bail.

The 43 individuals had been on remand on suspicion of having committed homicide-related offences. Some had remained in custody for more than two years without their cases progressing to the High Court.

Among those granted bail was Frank Njanji from Nsanje, who had been on remand since March 2024. During this period, his case had not been committed to the High Court, and he had not been brought before the Court to apply for bail or have his case formally commence.

Njanji was accused of causing the death of a man following an altercation at a drinking joint. According to the information presented to the Court, the two men became involved in a dispute after one of them allegedly became upset over spilt beer. During the ensuing altercation, the man later died.

Following his arrest, Njanji's case remained before the Magistrate's Court and was not committed to the High Court. As a result, he was unable to apply for bail because the Magistrate's Court did not have jurisdiction to try the matter.

“If it wasn’t for this Camp Court, I was not sure when my case would be handled because I didn’t have a lawyer and I had no idea when I would appear before the Court,” said Njanji.

During the Camp Court proceedings, Principal Legal Aid Advocate Doreen Kawisa applied for the committal of Njanji's case to the High Court and subsequently applied for bail on his behalf. Justice Kamowa granted the application.

The Camp Court proceedings revealed that many of the cases involved individuals who had spent extended periods on remand without being brought before the High Court or having their matters progress through the justice system.

Principal Legal Aid Advocates Tiwonge Penama, and Patricia Chimbalame, Senior Legal Aid Advocates Marion Gondwe, Chipiliro Mafuta and the late Ishmael Masiyano, Legal Aid Officer Effort Kusakala, and Senior Clerical Officer Julius Salim joined Kawisa in making the Camp Court sessions a success.

-Malawi Legal Aid Bureau-

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ROAD DEATHS DROP BY13% IN 2026-MPS Reports

AUTHOR:Superintendent 

       Alfred Chimthere

The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has recorded a significant drop in road traffic accidents and fatalities during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.

Overall, the road traffic accidents decreased by 6 percent, from 1,894 cases in 2025 to 1,784 in 2026.

Similarly, the number of fatal accidents dropped by 15 percent, from 411 to 351, while the road traffic deaths decreased by 13 percent, from 464 to 406.

Regionally, the Central West and South West regions accounted for 68 percent of all reported road traffic accidents.

In terms of casualties, men are the most affected, accounting for 78 percent of all casualties and 84 percent of fatalities.

However, the people aged between 25 and 44 years are the most affected age group.

Meanwhile, the pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users, accounting for 43 percent of all casualties, followed by passengers (28%), motorcyclists (14%), pedal cyclists (9%) and drivers (6%). Also, the driver behaviour, particularly excessive speed, remained the leading cause of the accidents.

MPS urges all road users to continue observing traffic laws and exercising caution on the roads. The Service will continue intensifying traffic law enforcement and collaborating with stakeholders to further improve road safety across the country.

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ZAMBIA GOVERNMENT WARNS CITIZENS IN SOUTH AFRICA OVER XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS

The Zambian government has issued a travel and security advisory urging all Zambians living or visiting South Africa to stay alert and register with the Zambia High Commission, following a rise in attacks targeting foreign nationals.

In a statement dated 23 June, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the advisory comes “following escalation of attacks targeted at foreign nationals in certain parts of the country” and a 30 June, 2026 deadline given to foreigners without immigration documentation.

KEY PRECAUTIONS ISSUED TO ZAMBIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA:

1. Register with the High Commission: Use WhatsApp +27 70 397 5908 or register on ZamSA Connect at www.zambiasagroup.com to help authorities maintain an updated database for emergencies.  

2. Carry valid documents: Always have passports and permits, and keep them in safe places.  

3. Avoid risk areas: Exercise extreme caution and avoid crowded places, demonstrations, sporting events, and areas showing signs of unrest.  

4. Travel safely: Use reputable transport and inform trusted people of your travel plans.  

5. Stay informed: Monitor local developments, protests, and high-risk areas.  

6. Report incidents: Immediately report suspicious activity or crime to local police.

The Ministry advised Zambians to “remain calm, prioritize personal safety and seek assistance in an event of emergency.” It also listed emergency contacts including Pretoria@grz.gov.zm and 5 High Commission telephone numbers: +27 70 397 5908, +27 63 946 8658, +27 60 317 9228, +27 63 048 0483, +27 78 078 1485.

“Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Zambia High Commission, is closely monitoring the 

The warning comes days after Malawi faced a similar standoff at Mwanza border over deportees from South Africa who refused drop-off at the border.

DEPORTEES REFUSE MWANZA DROP-OFF-Force Buses to Blantyre After Standoff

Disagreement over where Malawians who were deported from South Africa should be dropped off caused 13 buses carrying these people to stop at the Mwanza border post.

According to international immigration laws, citizens who are deported from another country must be dropped off at a border post in their own country.

But this was not the case last night when Malawians who were being held at the Lindela detention center refused to get off at Mwanza border post, saying that they are also legal citizens of this country and therefore they should be dropped off in Blantyre where their fellow countrymen who were fleeing violence in that country usually arrive.

Even though government officials who were at the border tried to plead with them to get off at this border post as required by law, they strongly refused and threatened to vandalize the buses they were traveling in.

This forced the government officials to give in to the people and they agreed that all the buses carrying them should be allowed to go and drop the people at the Wenera bus terminal in Blantyre city.

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#COLUMN -THE IRONY IS HARD TO IGNORE

For years, some South Africans have demanded the deportation of undocumented African migrants, portraying immigration as a problem caused by outsiders. Yet recent events reveal an uncomfortable truth: South Africans themselves are among those living  rentfree and working abroad without legal status.

In June 2026, Ireland deported 42 South African nationals — nine men, 18 women, and 15 children — on a chartered flight to Johannesburg as part of a broader immigration enforcement campaign. 

It was Ireland's fourth chartered deportation operation of the year, amid a sharp rise in deportation orders.Among the 42 deported, two individuals held prior criminal convictions in Ireland.

The irony is hard to ignore.

When undocumented Zimbabweans, Mozambicans, Nigerians, Congolese, or other Africans seek opportunities in South Africa, they are often blamed for crime, unemployment, and social problems. Some have even faced xenophobic violence.

Yet when South Africans migrate and overstay visas or live without proper documentation in Europe, many expect understanding, compassion, and recognition of the economic pressures that drove them there.

The lesson is simple: migration is a human reality, not a uniquely African problem or a uniquely South African one. People move in search of safety, dignity, opportunity, and a better future for their families.

If undocumented migration is wrong in Johannesburg, it is also wrong in Dublin. If compassion is deserved in Dublin, it should also be extended in Johannesburg.

Perhaps it is time to replace xenophobia with consistency, and hypocrisy with empathy.

-UnitedStatesOfAfrica-

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TAY GRIN SPARKS DEBATE AFTER CALLING SIGELEGE BEACH RESORT "BORING"

 Amaryllis Boss Ramy Waheed Hits Back  

A Facebook post by Malawian artist Tay Grin describing Sigelege Beach Resort as “boring” has ignited a heated debate online, drawing a strong response from Amaryllis Hotels Boss Ramy Waheed.

The controversy began after Tay Grin posted on Facebook, labeling the Lake Malawi resort as boring. While the full post from the artist was not shared, the comment quickly generated mixed reactions from fans and industry players.

Ramy Waheed, Managing Director of Amaryllis Hotels, responded directly to the artist in a public Facebook post. In the 4-point message, Waheed criticized Tay Grin’s approach and defense of the resort:

1. On spelling & respect: “First, learn how to spell the name of the Resort correctly before you go public with nonsense. Basic respect!” 

2. On the claim: “Second, Sigelege Beach Resort IS NOT BORING. Get your facts straight!” 

3. On rules: “Third, you’re acting like being a Well known artist puts you above rules and policies. It doesn’t. Rules apply to everyone, including you!” 

4. On professionalism: “Fourth, attacking a stakeholder publicly like this shows a serious lack of communication skills and common sense. That’s not how professionals handle issues!!!!!”

Waheed concluded: “You didn’t just embarrass yourself. You’ve made a whole sector unhappy.”