Kondwani Nyondo

  Explosives retrieved in Lilongwe as police probe cross-border origins By Kondwani Nyondo Police in Lilongwe have retrieved 19 explosive devices within Area 23 Township following reports from community members who discovered the deadly objects in different locations, including a graveyard and scrap metal collection points. The explosives — a mix of exploded and unexploded mortars — were voluntarily surrendered to Kawale Police Station by residents over the past seven days. Authorities have since launched investigations to establish how the items found their way into the densely populated area. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Davie Chilalire, the discoveries were made possible through the vigilance of community members who promptly alerted the police. “We commend the people of Area 23 for their cooperation,” said Chilalire. “These are not ordinary metals — they are dangerous explosives that could have caused loss of life if mishandled.” Police have since orga...

 Lilongwe’s sanitation crisis in primary schools By Kondwani Nyondo  each morning, pupils at Ngwenya, Kaufulu, Biwi and Kaliyeka primary schools arrive in neat uniforms and bright smiles. But behind the walls, a silent crisis brews: broken latrines, no water, and foul-smelling pits that threaten children’s health and dignity. National data show that only 4,412 of Malawi’s 7,117 primary schools have change rooms for girls  leaving nearly a third without private spaces for menstrual management. Across the country, less than half of the population uses safely managed sanitation, and schools mirror that failure. In Lilongwe, many toilets are full or roofless, taps are dry, and soap is scarce. Pupils cope by waiting until they get home or relieving themselves in the open. These conditions fuel absenteeism and expose children to diarrhoeal and cholera outbreaks. Girls suffer most. Without private, clean, and lockable toilets, many skip class during menstruation. Teachers r...

Illegal sand mining persists at Senga Bay By Kondwani Nyondo  Illegal sand mining continues to ravage Senga Bay, threatening the once-pristine golden beaches of Lake Malawi that the country proudly markets to international tourists. Despite being designated a protected zone under Malawi’s land laws, sand extraction continues openly, degrading the shoreline and undermining livelihoods that depend on the lake. According to the National Land Policy , any land within 50 metres of the lake is classified as public land and a protected zone. The Mines and Minerals Act further stipulates that all minerals  including sand are vested in the President on behalf of the people of Malawi. Similarly, Section 47 (1) of the Environment Management Act (2017) mandates authorities to safeguard river and lake basins from harmful human activities. Interviews with community members and local authorities suggest that much of the sand mining is allegedly sanctioned by traditional leaders. Ho...