Violence against the elderly continues to claim lives across Malawi, prompting warnings from rights groups. According to data from the Malawi Network of Older Persons Organisations published by the Mail & Guardian on April 15, 11 older individuals were killed over witchcraft accusations in the first four months of 2026. This rising death toll puts 2026 on track to easily surpass the 22 witchcraft-related murders recorded in 2025. Despite the passage of the Older Persons Act in 2024, advocates state that the legislation suffers from a lack of police enforcement.
In court news, the Second Grade Magistrate's Court in Mzimba has acquitted primary school teacher Lumbani Chagala of indecent assault charges involving a pupil, Nyasa Times and Face of Malawi reported on April 16. The presiding magistrate ruled that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case, citing inconsistent witness accounts and a lack of direct evidence. During the trial, the defense revealed that community policing personnel had unsuccessfully attempted to entrap the teacher by providing the complainant with a mobile phone.