LILONGWE (MaraviPost)-In a dramatic turn of events during the demonstrations, a group of panga knife-wielding men unexpectedly came to the rescue of journalists who were being attacked by unidentified assailants attempting to steal from protesters.
Among the journalists targeted were Aubrey Kuyere from Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Mercy Matonga from Times Group, and Nation correspondent Faith Kaunde.
In an interview, with one of the Journalists who was at the scene on Thursday, June 26, 2025 but opt for anomity, recounted how the panga-wielding group intervened just in time to save Faith Kaunde when she was attacked by another group.
According to him, the leader of the gang ordered his members not to harm any journalists, recognizing that they were only there to do their jobs.
“We were warned not to take pictures of them because they feared being identified, but they protected us. It seems the panga-wielding group only targeted [Sylvester] Namiwa and his supporters,” he said.
He therefore emphasized the importance of journalists wearing clearly marked media jackets during demonstrations to ensure they are easily identified and protected.
Times journalist Mercy Matonga described a terrifying encounter while covering the recent demonstrations.
Matonga said she was trying to film some individuals fleeing the protest site when a masked man snatched her phone.
Another assailant grabbed her, while a third, armed with a panga, demanded to know why they were being recorded while other went through her pockets as she struggled to retrieve her phone.
She attempted to pass the phone to a nearby colleague, but another attacker struck him and took the device.
One of the attackers also threatened her, telling her to delete the video or cover his face.
“Fortunately, the situation was defused when another member of the group intervened, urging the attackers not to harm them, saying, “Don’t hurt them they are just media people,”said Matonga.
MIJ reporter Precious Katema also shared his harrowing experience, saying he was saved by a Zodiac vehicle after a masked man tried to snatch his phone right in front of Police and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) officers.
“I was attacked by one of the masked men who tried to grab my phone right in front of the Police and MDF. Luckily, the Zodiac driver came to my rescue by pulling me into their vehicle,” Katema said.
MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga however has strongly condemned the attacks on journalists, emphasizing that these incidents occurred despite government assurances of protection given during the World Press Freedom Day celebrations on May 3.
Matonga revealed that some journalists were forced to delete photos from their phones and called for the immediate arrest of those responsible for the violence, as well as the dismissal of officials who have failed in their constitutional duty to prevent such attacks.
Several stakeholders, including international donors, have since criticized security agencies for allowing protesters to be attacked in their presence, raising concerns about the safety of journalists and the general public during demonstrations.
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on President Lazarus Chakwera to fire Homeland Security Minister Ezekiel Ching’oma, Inspector General of Police (IG) Merlyne Yolamu and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) General Valentino Phiri for siding with thugs during the Citizens for Credible Elections demonstrations in Lilongwe.
