The Mzuzu Resident Magistrate Court has convicted four former Ministry of Lands officials of abuse of office in a land fraud case, reports Malawi24. Khwima Mkandawire, Adiel Tsambewe, Richard Sumaili, and Chisomo Chawanje were found guilty on June 3 for illegally selling an already-owned plot in Mzuzu for K1.8 million. The Anti-Corruption Bureau originally arrested the officials in 2021. Sentencing is scheduled for June 15, with the bureau stating that the conviction highlights its focus on prosecuting public officers who misuse their positions.
Update: Mob violence continues to be a deadly issue in the southern districts of Chikwawa and Nsanje, where eight people have now been killed by crowds targeting men falsely accused of magically causing male private parts to disappear, according to Nation Online. Authorities and community advocates are urging traditional chiefs and faith leaders to intervene immediately to dispel the rumors and restore order. Police stress that mob justice is illegal and warn that participants in the killings will face prosecution.
In a separate court matter, a Nkhotakota man has been sentenced to three years in prison for bestiality, according to Malawi24. The convict admitted to the charge in court and requested a lighter sentence, blaming uncontrollable urges. State prosecutor Sergeant Mussa Samuten opposed any leniency, arguing that the offense required a strict penalty to serve as a deterrent. The court ultimately sided with the prosecution and handed down the three-year term.
Update: Following recent audit announcements, the Ministry of Finance has formally frozen payments on all government agreements and guarantees signed between September 2023 and September 2025, reports Nyasa Times. Secretary to the Treasury Cliff Chiunda ordered the suspension to allow for a thorough review of potential financial liabilities. Government departments will not receive funding for the affected projects until the review concludes, a measure that economists say will help identify inflated costs and protect public funds.