Senior United Transformation Movement (UTM) officials have strongly condemned remarks allegedly made by Deputy Minister of Homeland Security Norman Chisale, who was recorded threatening to "whip" opposition members over their political activities, according to Nyasa Times. UTM senior official Dr. Matthews Mtumbuka rebuked the threats, stating that Malawi's political environment in 2026 should be defined by democratic debate rather than the intimidation tactics of the 1980s, Malawi24 reports.
Following the circulation of the video, UTM Secretary General Williet Kalonga demanded a public apology and called on President Peter Mutharika to remove Chisale from his ministerial position, Malawi Cables Online reports. Kalonga argued that a government official entrusted with national security should promote unity rather than inflame political tensions.
Update: Following earlier coverage of former President Lazarus Chakwera seeking rule changes within the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), the party has restructured its internal geography during a National Executive Committee meeting in Lilongwe, according to Nyasa Times. Expanding its political map from six to nine regions, the party split the Southern and Central Regions into three zones each and filled several vacant leadership roles. However, the committee reportedly bypassed discussions regarding Chakwera's future leadership of the party.
In immigration enforcement, the Central Region Immigration Office deported 13 foreign nationals through Kamuzu International Airport on Wednesday, Malawi24 reports. The group, which included 12 Ethiopian nationals and one Nigerian, had been convicted of breaching immigration laws by illegally entering or unlawfully residing in the country.