Sapitwa News Agency

01/04/2026

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The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority has announced an increase in fuel prices.

Petrol prices have been hiked by 35% which means MK6,672 per litre now.

On the other hand, diesel prices got a 35% fuel hike to MK6,687.

According to a statement signed by MERA board chair Lucas Kondowe, the conflict in the Middle East is exerting upward fuel prices on the world markets.

Reported by UKATIULODZWE PHIRI

26/03/2026

Today, the United Nations made history.
123 countries voted to officially declare the transatlantic slave trade “the gravest crime against humanity.”

Three countries voted no. The United States. Israel. Argentina.

The UK and EU abstained.

Ghana’s President John Mahama brought the resolution to the floor on March 25, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery. It was backed by the African Union and CARICOM.

The numbers behind this vote are staggering:
12.5 million Africans were abducted and sold over 400 years. Over 2 million died before they even reached land. Jamaica alone received 1.5 million enslaved Africans. Only 300,000 were alive at Emancipation.

The resolution calls for formal apologies, financial reparations, the return of stolen artefacts, and education funding. It is not legally binding, but it carries the political weight of a global majority.

The African Union has declared 2026 to 2035 the Decade for Reparations. CARICOM’s 10-point reparatory justice plan is now part of a unified front between Africa and the Caribbean.

The US said it does not recognise a legal right to reparations for historical wrongs. The Caribbean and Africa disagree.

This is not the end. This is the beginning of a conversation the world can no longer ignore.

Reported by UKATIULODZWE PHIRI

19/03/2026

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Mvula yochuluka ikupitilira kugwa madera ambiri m'dziko muno kwa masiku angapo motsatana.

Padakali pano anthu okwana 13 afa kutsatira ngozi zomwe zagwa chifukwa cha mvulayi.

Maiko a Zimbabwe, Mozambique ndi Kenya nawoso akumana ndi vuto longa ili.

Wolemba UKATIULODZWE PHIRI

18/03/2026

18/03/2026

Morocco have been declared the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result of their final defeat to Senegal.

A statement from CAF said that Senegal are "declared to have forfeited the final match" with the "result of the match being recorded as 3–0 in favour" of Morocco.

Reported by UKATIULODZWE PHIRI

17/03/2026

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The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has announced that it will on Friday 24th April 2026 introduce into circulation K50 and K20 coins that will gradually replace the existing K50 and K20 banknotes.

The RBM Governor Dr George Partridge made the announcement during a press briefing at the RBM Head Offices in Lilongwe on 17th March 2026.

Dr. Partridge highlighted that the shift from paper to coin is part of the Bank’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality, durability, and cost‑effectiveness of Malawi’s currency. He noted that K50 and K20 banknotes undergo heavy daily use, causing them to wear out quickly and driving up replacement costs—while coins last significantly longer and are more economical for everyday transactions.

The Governor encouraged all Malawians to confidently accept and use both the new coins and the existing banknotes, as all are official currency issued by the Reserve Bank of Malawi. He called upon the media to disseminate the right information on the legitimacy of the coins.

RBM Director of Currency Management Muopeni Ngwalo advised that RBM will soon embark on targeted sensitization exercise of the public on the features of the new coins as well as engage further on the acceptance of coins as legal tender. He assured the public that this move is a cost effective and durability measure and thus allayed fears that the introduction of coins does and should not in any way signal devaluation.

Reported by UKATIULODZWE PHIRI

17/03/2026

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Maiko ochuluka komaso amugwirizano wa European Union akana pempho la Mtsogoleri wa dziko la America a Donald Trump loti maikowa athandize America ndi Israel potumiza atsilikali ankhondo ku Iran.

Iran inatseka njira ya pa nyanja "Strait of Hormuz" yomwe pamadutsa mafuta ochuluka kwambiri pa dziko lapansi.

Nkhondo ya America mothandizana ndi Israel ku Iran tsopano yalowa sabata yachitatu.

Wolemba UKATIULODZWE PHIRI

16/03/2026

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Aphungu a nyumba ya malamulo ayambiranso zokambirana zawo zandondomeko yachuma ya 2026/27, zokambiranazi zitaima kwa sabata ziwiri pomwe makomiti anyumbayi amaunikira ndondomeko yachuma yomwe nduna ya zachuma a Joseph Mwanamvekha anapereka ya ndalama zokwana K10.978 trillion.

Sipikala wa nyumbayi, a Sameer Suleman, wauza aphungu kuti mtsutso wa ndondomeko yachuma uchitika kwa masiku asanu, kuchokera lero Lolemba.

Mkulu wa aphungu ambali yotsutsa a Simplex Chithyola Banda, ati ndi zofunika kuti maina a anthu omwe akutchulidwa mu kafukufuku wa malonda a hotela ya Amaryllis ndi thumba loona zandalama za pension za ogwira ntchito m'boma, kuti ayambe aima kaye pantchito.

Koma phungu wa dera la Dedza Kasina, a Joshua Malango, wapempha sipikalayu kuti achitepo kanthu pa chitetezo cha mamembala a komiti yomwe ikufufuza nkhani ya malonda a hotelayi, ponena kuti akuopsezedwa ndi anthu ena.

Poyankhapo, a Suleman ati ofesi yawo ikudziwa zankhanizi ndipo ikulumikizana ndi komiti ya Public Accounts Committee pa zonse zofunikira.

Wolemba; UKATIULODZWE PHIRI

14/03/2026

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President Peter Mutharika says he has been closely following the ongoing inquiry by the Public Accounts Committee of Malawi into issues surrounding the procurement of the Amaryllis Hotel.

Mutharika says the inquiry demonstrates the country’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the rule of law, emphasizing that oversight institutions must be allowed to operate without interference.

He has also reaffirmed his stance against corruption, stressing that public office is a responsibility entrusted by Malawians and should not be used for personal gain.

Mutharika further says the Public Accounts Committee has his full support in carrying out the investigation, adding that no individual involved in corruption should be protected.

Reported by UKATIULODZWE PHIRI

13/03/2026

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Brian Banda has been appointed as the new Director General for the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation.

In a notice signed by Board Chairperson Benson Tembo, the appointment is seen as a step towards strengthening leadership and advancing MBC's mandate to deliver credible, public-interest broadcasting services.

Tembo has since encouraged management and staff to cooperate with Banda as he assumes the role, saying the Board looks forward to working with him to advance MBC's mission and values.

Banda, who joins MBC from Times Group, is expected to take full executive responsibility for the Corporation's management and strategic direction.

Reported by UKATIULODZWE PHIRI