Court halts MBC’s dismissal of reporters pending hearing

The Industrial Relations Court in Zomba has granted an urgent interim order stopping the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) from implementing its decision to terminate the contracts of a group of employees, pending further court proceedings. The order follows an application filed by Chawezi Tembo and others against MBC after the public broadcaster on May 30, 2026 terminated contracts of all district reporters recruited last year under three-year contracts, as well as several other reporters who had been employed on permanent terms. Additionally, sources alleged that MBC management argued some employees who were recruited on permanent terms were originally supposed to have been engaged as district reporters and were erroneously offered permanent positions, a development management reportedly considered irregular.

According to the court order, the applicants have been granted urgent interim relief staying the implementation of MBC’s decision. The court has further restrained MBC from continuing to enforce the dismissals until the matter is determined or until a further court order is issued. The court has also directed the applicants to file and serve an inter-partes motion seeking the continuation of the interim relief within seven days.

The order warns that any failure by MBC to comply with the injunction could result in contempt of court proceedings. “This Order compels you to comply with the injunctive relief herein. You have the right to consult a legal practitioner and the right to apply to vary or discharge this Order,” reads the court order.

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“I you, the Respondent, or any person acting under your authority, disobey this Order, you may be found guilty of contempt of court and may be imprisoned, fined, or your assets seized.” The matter is expected to return to court soon for further hearing as the affected employees seek to challenge the legality of their dismissals. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.Learn how your comment data is processed.

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