A parliamentary inquiry revealed widespread extortion at public hospitals across Malawi. Patients at facilities such as Kamuzu Central Hospital are forced to pay up to K90,000 for legally free services like endoscopies and tooth extractions. According to Nyasa Times and allAfrica, Secretary for Health Dan Namarika testified before the Parliamentary Committee on Health about the crisis. The corruption involves hospital staff issuing fake receipts, demanding bribes, and stealing medical drugs for private sale.
Update: The government has begun rationing diesel to protect essential services during the ongoing fuel shortages. Malawi24 reports that Minister of Energy Jean Mathanga announced the prioritisation of fuel supplies for hospitals, water utilities, and security agencies. Mathanga stated that authorities are collaborating with the National Oil Company of Malawi to improve distribution and build additional long-term storage.
In public sector news, the Ministry of Justice has launched the Companies, Registrations and Intellectual Property Centre to replace the Department of the Registrar General. Nyasa Times reports that Minister Charles Mhango officially opened the semi-autonomous agency to improve business registration efficiency. Effective June 1, applications for stamp and estate duties will migrate to online platforms to increase government revenue collection.
Meanwhile, Zambia and Malawi have agreed to strengthen military cooperation to combat cross-border crimes. According to Malawi24, Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele met with Malawi Defence Force Commander General George Alexander Jaffu in Lilongwe on Thursday to discuss intelligence sharing and border security systems.
In economic developments, the Malawi Stock Exchange has lost nearly K5 trillion in value over the past five months. Nyasa Times and Nation Online report that the market value dropped from K33 trillion in December 2025 to K28.3 trillion in May 2026. Panic selling driven by foreign exchange shortages and inflation continues to weaken investor confidence.