Fresh from persecuting journalists suspected of working for the opposition at the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and hounding into exile investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe, the Malawi Police has pounced on yet another Journalist in its reign of terror on Journalism.
Journalist Macmillan Mhone has been arrested by the Malawi Police as allegations surface of collusion between the Malawi Police and corruption suspects aimed at muzzling the media.
In a recent move to intimidate reporters, the police arrested Macmillan Mhone, a former journalist for Malawi24, over a story that reported on allegations against Abdul Karim Batatawala, a tycoon who is facing various corruption and fraud charges. The story detailed how Batatawala, despite being barred by the court, allegedly set up proxy companies to continue doing business with the Malawi government.
Ironically, the alleged fraudulent deals also reportedly involved the Malawi Police despite a court orders stopping the Malawi government from engaging with Batatawala.
The officer who contacted the journalist is named Chikumbutso Doba, from the Cyber Crime Division and demanded that Mhone reports to the nearest police station “for questioning”.
Mhone, who is currently employed by the Nation Newspaper, was arrested and detained upon his arrival at Wenela Blantyre Police this morning, in what is being criticised as a misuse of the Cyber Crimes Act.
The contentious story, which Batatawala and some of his alleged proxies demanded be deleted, was published in August last year and cited the tycoon’s son-in-law. The son-in-law alleged that Batatawala was using proxy companies to continue his dealings with the Malawi government, despite a legal prohibition.
When approached, Batatawala refused to discuss the matter with the director of Malawi24, suggesting instead that the said journalist should speak with the Malawi Police.
The Malawi police then informed Mhone that they are detaining him because of a complaint that had been filed by the fraud and corrupt suspect, Mr Abdul Karim Batatawala.
Our attempts to speak with the Malawi Police proved futile as of press time. The National Police Publicist, Peter Kalaya, could not pick up our phone calls or respond to our WhatsApp message. Similarly, Blantyre Police Publicist, Peter Mchiza, did not answer our calls, while his deputy, Mary Chiponda, asked for more time, stating she was not in the office.
Macmillan is the second journalist to be arrested under the regime of Lazarus Chakwera. The first one was Gregory Gondwe for Platform for Investigative Journalist in Malawi (PIJ Malawi).
Here is the full story which Malawi24 had published in August:
Batatawala Accused of Operating a Network of Proxy Companies to Evade the Law and Secure Government Contracts
“Details have emerged about how fraud and corruption suspect Abdul Karim Batatawala is allegedly evading the law to secure contracts with the Malawi Government.
According to inside sources, Batatawala has established a network of companies allegedly registered through proxies to continue winning government tenders despite legal restrictions against him.
Read Full Article on Malawi 24
