Update: Zomba's Senior Chief Malemia, whose real name is Clement Lloyd, was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Friday by the Senior Resident Magistrate's Court. The traditional leader was convicted of having sexual relations with a minor and aiding in an abortion. According to Nyasa Times and Malawi24, the court originally ordered the sentences to run consecutively for a total of 30 years but reduced the active time to 21 years because of the court's jurisdictional sentencing cap. The sentencing proceeded despite drama in the courtroom when Lloyd's defense lawyer failed to appear for the hearing.
Update: Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa was arrested in Lilongwe on charges of publishing false news and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. According to Nyasa Times and Malawi24, the activist was detained following his demands for lifestyle audits and corruption allegations against Minister of Lands Chimwemwe Chipungu and the First Lady's Beautify Malawi Trust. Opposition leaders, including UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe and UDF leader Atupele Muluzi, visited Namiwa at Lingadzi Police Station, condemning the arrest and alleging that the activist had been denied food, water, and legal access while in custody.
In an international law enforcement operation, the Malawi Police Service assisted in the extradition of suspected human trafficking kingpin Adnew Bashaw Wudamo to Ethiopia. According to the Addis Standard and FanaMC, Wudamo was apprehended in Malawi following a joint operation involving Interpol and the Ethiopian Federal Police. He was formally handed over to Ethiopian authorities on July 29 to face charges of fraud, extortion, and severe human rights abuses linked to a syndicate that smuggled Ethiopian youth to South Africa.