* June 3, 2023 autopsy report by forensic pathologist and clinical forensic physician, Dr. Charles Dzamalala indicated that Nomsa died of respiratory failure due to acute poisoning
* The report said she fell suddenly ill after eating the food that was prepared by housemaid, who was arrested alongside Taulo on suspicion that they were connected to the poisoned food
By Duncan Mlanjira
Paul Limbani Taulo, the man who was arrested in 2023 on suspicion that he was connected to the sudden death of his wife, Nomsa Mkandawire, has been appointed by the Board of Trustees of Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) as chief executive officer with effect from June 1, 2026.
Advertisement
In July 2023, the media quoted an autopsy report that Nomsa Mkandawire-Taulo, a journalist who had just arrived in the country from South Sudan for a long holiday working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a communications specialist, died from food poisoning.
The media reported that Police in Lilongwe then arrested Taulo along with housemaid, Mary Khumbanyiwa, and were put on remand at Maula Prison for almost two months in connection with her death from poisoning and were later granted bail.
However, Central West Region Police did not identify names of the arrested two but the media confirmed it was Taulo and the housemaid while investigations were zeroing on a third suspect only indicated as a woman.
When contacted by Maravi Express today, June 4, 2026, the Police in Lilongwe indicated that “the matter is still before Court and has not yet been disposed of”, and added that they could not respond further as it “would contravene the ‘sub-judice rule’, which prohibits public commentary on pending court matters”.
Nomsa’s uncle, Mylord Jere, told the media in 2023 that he was summoned by police as part of the investigations, where he was told of the arrest of the maid who allegedly prepared the food Nomsa soon after arrival, who ate before she collapsed and died.
The autopsy report, dated June 3, 2023, by forensic pathologist and clinical forensic physician, Dr. Charles Dzamalala indicated that Nomsa died of respiratory failure due to acute poisoning.
The report said she fell suddenly ill after eating the food and “she eventually went into the bedroom toilet and collapsed.”
Late Nomsa Mkandawire
Nomsa previously worked with Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Save the Children before picking up the job with the UNDP in Juba, South Sudan as communications specialist.
MBC Online reported in 2023 that people from all walks of life, went to bid farewell to Nomsa at Manja Township before she was laid to rest at HHI Cemetery in Blantyre — and in their eulogies, most speakers indicated that Malawi has lost someone who worked hard to country’s development agenda — having worked for MBC for eight years before she joined the international organisations.
In a statement by the Board’s chairperson, Prof. Moses Kwapata, touts that Taulo “brings extensive senior leadership experience to SFFRFM having held strategic and executive roles in the public and private sectors”.
“He holds an MSc in Supply Chain (University of Boston), an MSc in Oil and Gas with Energy Management (University of East London), and a BComm in Finance Investment Analysis (Arnity University).”
Advertisement