* When pastors make prophesies about election results, you create problems for us and this must be avoided — we must all work towards ensuring that there is peace
* We plead with chiefs and candidates to tell their people and party supporters about the importance of peace in elections
By Wanangwa Tembo, MANA
Malawi Police Service (MPS) has warned faith leaders against making prophesies about the September 16 General Election outcome, saying the practice is one of the triggers of electoral violence.
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Central East Police Region conducted prayers at its Kasungu Headquarters on Monday asking God to grant peace, harmony and security in the run up and aftermath of the elections.
Rev. Superintendent Martin Nkhoma from National Police Headquarters, said making prophesies about election results is recipe for trouble: “We plead with chiefs and candidates to tell their people and party supporters about the importance of peace in elections.
“For pastors, when you make prophesies about election results, you create problems for us and this must be avoided. We must all work towards ensuring that there is peace.”
Nkhoma asked all electoral stakeholders to be diligent and committed to peace building. He also challenged journalists to refrain from portraying the police as enemies of peace, but that they should consider writing about “the good things the police is doing”.
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In his sermon, MPS Deputy Director of Spirituals, Rev. Senior Superintendent Julius Siwinda, called for unity and collaboration amongst police officers so that they succeed in repelling threats against the polls.
“The police is an important stakeholder with key responsibility in ensuring that there is a peaceful electoral process,” he said. “To achieve this, we must remember the need for interdependence in all aspects, collaboration and proper sharing of responsibilities.”
Commissioner for Central East Police Region, Rhoda Manjolo called for love and tolerance amongst all electoral players, noting that the prayers were important for the country in general and the region in particular.
“We must talk peace regardless of where we come from or our political party affiliation,” she said.” Police officers are also God-fearing people, so it was important to invest some time seeking divine intervention for the work we do and praying for the elections.”
Rhoda Manjolo
Apostle Isaac Vilimunthazi Nkhoma, of Assemblies of God, agreed that pastors must help to lead a peaceful electoral process by refraining from making public the prophecies about polls.
There have been pockets of elections-related violence across the country as the nation prepares to elect President, Members of Parliament and councilors in September this year.
Meanwhile, as part of its prophetic responsibility, Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP)-Blantyre Synod informs congregants that the Synod has designated July 10, 2025 as Special Day of Prayer at the Multi Purpose Hall of St. Michael’s & All Angels Church at HHI in Blantyre ahead of the September 16 General Elections.
A statement from Blantyre Synod’s Deputy General Secretary, Rev. Baxton Maulidi issued today, says September 16 is “a significant time when we, the citizens will exercise our constitutional right to elect leaders at various levels of Councillors in Wards; Members of Parliament in Constituencies, and the President as Head of State”.
Rev. Baxton Maulidi
“In light of this important national event, the CCAP-Blantyre Synod is calling upon all its members to set aside special time for prayer for our nation during this period,” says Maulidi in his statement.
He added that the primary purpose of these prayers “is to seek Gods grace and blessing for a free, fair, peaceful, and transparent electoral process; let us also earnestly pray for God’s guidance in the election of leaders who are ‘after His own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:13; Acts 13:22).”
He adds that the prayers at Multi Purpose Hall from 08h00-15h00, will be led by the Synod Moderator, Rev. Dr. Humphreys Zgambo and the Synod’s vice-moderator, Rev. Annie Kapinda — with support from the Department of Missions, Training and Evangelism as well as all Presbytery moderators.
“We further urge all our members to remain peaceful, hopeful, and to trust in the sovereign goodness of Gods during and beyond this electoral season.
“We are calling all to patronise this very important occasion. May the good Lord bless Malawi and His people,” says Rev. Maulidi in the statement.—Additional reporting by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
