Well known business man Alex Chimwala who is also Shadow Member of Parliament for South Lunzu Constituency has official re-joined the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ahead of September 16, 2025 polls.

DPP Vice President for the South Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha welcomed Chimwala at a rally held at Nancholi ground in Blantyre.

Speaking at the rally Chimwala said he has re-joined the DPP to help Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika in returning to power.

“The people of Machinjiri where am coming from are suffering and are now comparing the poverty which was there then and now and have told me to join DPP if I want their support. The MCP government has done nothing in Machinjiri, Machinjiri has no proper market place, proper courts and youth centre where youths can be doing their training.

“Machinjiri is being neglected by the current regime and because of these things have decided to return to DPP,” said Chimwala.

On his part Mwanamvekha said the party is pushing for a strong DPP block in the Southern region and the strategy is on track.

“UTM, MCP and other political parties are all gone here in the South. The only party remaining in the South is DPP and I can confidently say DPP will win the polls come September 16, 2025,” said Mwanamvekha.

Mwanamvekha also said that the party is ready for primaries in all constituencies and wards across the country.

High Court Financial Crimes Division has failed to commence the trial of former finance minister, Joseph Mwanamvekha and others today, who are suspected of embezzling billions of Kwacha from Salima Sugar Company.

Defence lawyer Wapona Kita, representing accused Shrieesh Betgiri, argued that the trial cannot proceed until they are furnished with all necessary documents.

Director of Criminal Litigation Dzikondianthu Malunda, representing the state, assured that the disclosures would be provided.

The court has since adjourned the case to April 23, 2025, when all accused persons are expected to take their plea.

Former secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Lloyd Muhara, Former MERA Chief Executive Officer, Collins Magalasi, Cliff Chiunda – Former Treasury Secretary are among the accused in the case.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Spokesperson on Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha says the decision by the government to remove tax exemption for the president, vice president, ministers, and other officials on the procurement of vehicles is ill-timed.

Mwanamvekha says most of the elected officials that are targeted already bought their vehicles as they remain with less than a year before general elections.

He is also surprised that the government wants motorcycle taxi operators to register their motorcycles in a voluntary window, saying that would simply disturb their businesses, which are already struggling due to the challenging economic environment.

Mwanamvekha is also of the view that the government should reduce external travels for the president and cabinet ministers, which he said require a lot of foreign currency.

Source:ZBS

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the South Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha has quashed rumours hovering on the social media claiming that he has resigned from the post.

Writing on his official facebook page Mwanamvekha described the rumour as baseless.

“I, Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha, Vice President for the Southern Region, categorically deny the malicious rumors circulating about my resignation. These rumors are entirely false and baseless. I have not resigned and have no intention of doing so.

“As a founding member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), I remain committed to our shared vision and ideals. My loyalty and dedication to the party and its leadership are unwavering. I am proud to have been part of DPP’s formation and will continue to work tirelessly for its advancement,” wrote Mwanamvekha.

He added: “My relationship with our esteemed President, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, remains strong. He is not only my leader but also my mentor and father figure. I hold him in the highest regard and would never take any action that would disappoint him.

“I urge the public to disregard these baseless rumors and focus on the positive work we are doing to improve our region. Let us work together to build a better future for all.”

Leader of opposition Dr.George Chaponda has accepted defeat and conngratulated the newly elected Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the South Joseph Mwanamvekha.

The two were competing on the post of DPP Vice President post at the elective conference which has ended this morning at Comesa Hall in Blantyre.

Mwanamvekha amassed 1562 votes and Chaponda got 714 votes.

Writing on his official facebook page Chaponda said he will support Mwanamvekha as Vice President for the South.

“I want to extend my warmest congratulations to Hon. Joseph Mwanamvekha on his victory as Vice President for the Southern Region.

“Although I had hoped for a different outcome, I accept the will of the delegates and the democratic process.
I am proud to have been part of this contest, and I am committed to supporting our party’s leadership and moving forward together. We have a common enemy to defeat, and we cannot afford to be divided,” wrote Chaponda.

He added: “Let us put aside our differences and unite behind our party’s vision for a better Malawi. I will continue to work tirelessly for the DPP and our leader Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and for the people of Malawi.

“Thank you to my supporters and team for your hard work and dedication. Let us keep pushing forward, together!”

Former President Peter Mutharika and former first lady Gertrude Mutharika have just arrived at Nsipe parish ground for the funeral ceremony of Vice President Saulos Chilima.

Mutharika was welcomed by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters and other sympathisers.

Others DPP officials who have arrived at the scene are Leader of Opposition in Parliament George Chaponda and former minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha.

Vice-President Chilima died in a plane crash in Mzimba last Monday.

More details to follow…

Two Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials, Leader of Opposition in Parliament George Chaponda and Joseph Mwanamvekha, former Minister of Finance, have arrived at Nsipe Ground where the funeral ceremony of Vice President Saulos Chilima will be held.

Currently, protocol officers are laying the red carpet in anticipation of the arrival of President Lazarus Chakwera and the funeral procession.

DPP leader Arthur Peter Mutharika is yet to arrive at the scene.

Vice President Saulos Chilima died in a plane crash in Mzimba last Monday.

More details to come…

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has restored charges against former minister of finance Joseph Mwanamvekha who had his case discharged earlier this year.

The state through its director of criminal litigation asked the magistrate court in Lilongwe yesterday to commit the accused to the High court where he will be charged with offences relating to financial misreporting to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) between 2018 and 2020.

According to Malunda the decision to restore the charges has been necessited following a thorough analysis of the evidence before hand.

Source:ZBS

The newly appointed spokesperson on Finance for the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Joseph Mwanamvekha has hinted the that party is set to kick out President Dr.Lazarus Chakwera in the forthcoming 2025 polls.

Mwanamvekha said this when responding to the National Budget presented by Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda two weeks ago.

“I would like to assure this house and all Malawians that DPP is coming back in 2025 to take Malawians out of Bagamoyo and lead them into the real Canaan!”

“Next year, I am going to stand here as Minister of Finance presenting a people centred budget! I thank you”, said Mwanamvekha.

Turning to the budget statement, Mwanamvekha said the current budget is Dead on Arrival, adding it is not aligned to Malawi 2063 as it has not allocated enough money to the three pillars of Agriculture, Industrialisation and Urbanisation.

The former finance minister further argued that the government has for the past three years been spending above the approved figures; a development he says puts to question the credibility of the 2024/25 national budget.

Mwanamvekha said in 2020 when the DPP was moving out of government, the budget for State Residences was K4 billion and that this year the budget has shot to K42 billion which demonstrates government’s non-commitment to cut on expenditure.

The High Court in Lilongwe has discharged former minister of finance Joseph Mwanamveka from a case in which the former minister, former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM)Governor, Dalitso Kabambe and Henry Mathanga are accused of giving wrong information to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to make the IMF believe that the government of Malawi was meeting conditions of the $108 million Extended Credit Facility (ECF) which led to the IMF cancelling the facility.

According to a copy of the ruling made on Tuesday by Judge Redson Kapindu, the State has conceded that it was going to be unrealistic to convict Mwanamkeka for lack of evidence.

In his application for discharge, Mwanamkeka submitted among others that he was not working at RBM when the alleged charges were committed, as he was a minister of Agriculture.

Reads the ruling in part: “In the present case, given the affidavit in response filed by the State, this Court concludes that the prosecutor (the State) is both unable and unwilling to proceed with the case against the 1stAccused person, in terms of section 247(1) of the CP and EC.”

Source:NPL

The body of late Sister Clotilda Makweya was on Tuesday laid to rest at Nantipwiri Montfort family Cemetery in Thyolo.

Reverend Sister Makweya died on Sunday at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital where she was admitted after a short illness.

Until her death Sister Makweya was serving one of the top officials at Mlambe Mission Hospital in Lunzu.

The burial ceremony started with a mass which was presided over by Archbishop Thomas Luku Msusa of Blantyre archdiocese together with Bishop Afred Mateyu Chaima of Zomba diocese.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Secretary General Eisenhower Mkaka and the then Minister of Finance under former President Peter Mutharika, Joseph Mwanamvekha were also in attendance.

The Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Lilongwe has adjourned to Friday , a case involving former Homeland Security Minister Nicholas Dausi, Joseph Mwanamvekha and three others to give chance to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to present a letter seeking consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before committing it to the Financial Crimes Court.

Initially the prosecution team wanted to commit the case to the High Court, but the defence counsel objected this citing lack of evidence.

Defence lawyer Cassius Chidothi says they want a proof of the purported letter to the DPP, otherwise they see no basis of commiting the case to the High Court.

The five are answering charges of abuse of office in the procurement contract worth K18 billion between government and One Guard FZE for the supply of uniforms and equipment for the Malawi Prison Services.

Source:ZBS

One of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential aspirants Joseph Mwanamvekha on Tuesday cheered cyclone Freddy victims at Mataka and khuzumba in Machinga Central Constituency.

He donated various humanitarian aid like eggs, soap, maize flour among others.

Mwanamveka is the former Minister of Finance in the DPP administration.

He has been to Phalombe, Chiradzulu before heading to Machinga.

Mwanamvekha is vying for the post of DPP President in the forthcoming elective conference set for July this year.

He will face leader of opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa, DPP Vice President for Eastern region Bright Msaka, former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) governor Dalitso Kabambe.

The Democratic Progressive party has challenged government to consider addressing the issue of the public debt and unemployment rate in the upcoming 2023/2024 national budget for the financial year.

This comes as Minister of Finance Sosten Gwengwe is set to present the national budget in the august house this afternoon.

However, Fomer finance minister and DPP legislator, Joseph Mwanamvekha has urged government to bring in new measures that will ensure the country deal with increasing public debts and reduce unemployment rate.

According to Mwanamvekha government should also make plans that will help in increasing local production as the country is losing more Forex due to increase  in importation of various goods which is leading to high cost of living among Malawians.

He also stressed on the need for the government to consider cutting unnecessary costs, improve on exports and empower the youths as some of the factors that can help improving the country’s economic status on borrowing.

Mwanamveka has also indicated that is not expecting realistic budget as has been the case all along from the Tonse Alliance leadership.

Meanwhile the last ending 2022/23 budget, pegged at 2.84 trillion has lauded by experts saying that is has failed to meet the inspired hope to Malawians due to Ukraine-Russia war and pandemics including Cholera and COVID-19.

Last national budget saw the Education sector going away with a lion’s share of K462. 24 billion, representing 16.3 percent of the total budget, seconded by Agriculture sector which got K447. 66 billion, making 15.8 percent of the whole budget and Health sector came third with about K283 billion share.

The budget among others saw Constituency Development Fund CDF being increased from 40 to 100 million kwacha and it also saw value added tax on some essential goods such as cooking oil, tapped water and sanitary pads being struck-off.

As pro-poor as the budget looked; cost of living has risen, teachers recruitment has been a concern, development has staggered and hunger continues affecting many households in the country.

Former President Peter has asked people who are bringing confusion in the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to leave the party.

Mutharika said this during this year’s Mulhakho wa Alhomwe 2022 cultural celebrations at Chonde in Mulanje.

In his speech Mutharika challenged those rushing to take over leadership of the party to wait to be elected legitimately at a convention in 2023.

Turning to his political future, Mutharika said he is consulting family members on the calls to represent the party or not in the forthcoming Presidential polls.

He said he wants the party to elect an educated candidate who will be able to turn around economy of the country.

He said the party has finished developing new convention guidelines which will be endorsed at the party’s National Governing Council meeting on December 4, this year.

Senior Resident Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda has granted bail to Former Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha.

Mwanamvekha, was arrested today by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

The case involves unlawful procurement of Malawi Prisons uniforms worth $18.37 million, a contract that was awarded to One Guard FZE of United Arab Emirates.

Mwanamveka is being accused of neglecting his duties and abuse of public office when he authorised the funds without verifying the urgency and importance of the purpose.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has come out of the cocoon to reveal reasons for the arrest of former Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha who is also member of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

According to a statement signed by ACB principal public relations officer Egrita Ndala, Mwanamvekha has been arrested over allegations that he abused his office by approving about $18.4 million (about K18.4billion) for the unlawful procurement of uniforms and equipment for Malawi Prison Service.

The statement further says, the arrest follows an investigation which established that Mwanamvekha abused his office and neglected officials duties among other things.

“The ACB conducted investigations which established that Mr Joseph Mwanamvekha abused his office and neglected official duties by among other things approving the disbursement of funds to the Ministry of Homeland Security without verifying the urgency and importance of the procurement,” reads the statement in part.

Mwanamvekha be charged with abuse of office and neglect of official duties contrary to Section 258 (1) and Section 121 of the Corrupt Practices Act and the Penal Code respectively.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Malawi’s former finance Minister Joseph Mwananvekha.

Mwanamvekha is yet to confirm on his arrest.

ACB on its part is also yet to release an official communication confirming the arrest.

More details to follow.