The Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has lifted a stop order imposed on Press Cane Limited over effluent spillages, after nearly five months of shutdown.
According to a letter dated 18 May 2026 signed by MEPA Director General Wilfred Kadewa, the reopening follows MEPA’s verification of progress made by the company in implementing environmental rehabilitation measures and compensation for affected communities in Chikwawa.
Kadewa said a verification exercise conducted on 15 April 2026 found that Press Cane had made significant progress in rehabilitating effluent ponds, decommissioning secondary ponds, raising embankments, managing sludge, and restoring affected environments.
“The verification exercise noted significant progress in the rehabilitation of effluent ponds, decommissioning of secondary ponds, raising of embankments, sludge management, environmental restoration activities, and installation of a fertilizer plant aimed at achieving zero effluent discharge,” reads part of the letter.
MEPA also confirmed receiving communication from the Chikwawa District Commissioner’s office on the handover of K895 million to the district council for compensation of people affected by the spillages.
The authority said the stop order issued on 26 January 2026 was meant to prevent further environmental damage while the company implemented corrective measures and addressed compensation and rehabilitation issues.
However, MEPA has maintained several conditions for the company’s continued operations.
Among them, Press Cane is required to continue rehabilitation works on all remaining effluent ponds and restore degraded areas, including community gardens identified by the District Commissioner, to conditions suitable for crop production.
MEPA has also directed the company to fund a water quality assessment to be conducted by the National Water Resources Authority to verify the condition of water in the affected catchment and control areas.
In addition, the authority said the fertilizer plant aimed at ensuring zero-effluent discharge management must be commissioned and fully operational immediately.
“There shall be zero effluent discharge from ethanol production processes. The only permitted discharge shall be wastewater generated from the washing of facilities,” reads part of the conditions.
Reacting to the development, Press Cane Chief Executive Officer Bryson Mkhomaanthu said the company has learnt important lessons from the incident and will strengthen its environmental protection measures.
“We are happy that the Stop Order has been lifted and that we can now start our operations after almost five months. We have learnt from the unfortunate incidents that happened and we will continue to operate and handle our waste management protocols so that we protect the environment,” said Mkhomaanthu.
He added that the company remains committed to complying with all regulatory conditions and engaging stakeholders in promoting environmental safety and community protection.
