This is an open letter addressing Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito and entired President Peter Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration on how The Malawi Police is being used to intimidate the press including THE MARAVI POST EDITORIAL TEAM in Malawi.
The Peter Mutharika administration must take seriously the Malawi Police officers’ misconduct against freedom of the press in Malawi.
Here is the full letter:
Emails: news@maravipost.com, editor@maravipost.com
Subject: Seeking Intervention on Police Intimidation and Abuse of Journalistic Freedom Against The Maravi Post Editorial Team
TO: Hon. Peter Mukhito, MP
Minister of Homeland Security
COPIED TO:
- Hon. Paulos Norman Chisale, Deputy Minister
- State House
- Civil Society Organisations
- United States Embassy, Lilongwe
- Malawi Human Rights Commission
- DPP Administrative Secretary
- Chief Secretary to Government
- MISA Malawi
- Ministry of Information
- Malawi Parliament
RE: POLICE MISTREATMENT AND INTIMIDATION OF THE MARAVI POST EDITORIAL TEAM
(Barbara Mwandira vs The Maravi Post Administrators)
We write to formally seek your urgent intervention regarding what we believe is systematic police intimidation, abuse of process, and violation of constitutional freedoms against The Maravi Post editorial team, allegedly instigated by Ms Barbara Mwandira, a junior producer at Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC).
This matter raises grave concerns for freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and the professional independence of journalists in Malawi, which are birthrights of all citizens under our Constitution.
Background
On 13 November 2025, The Maravi Post Facebook platform published two documents circulating in the public domain.
These documents related to allegations of misconduct by Barbara Mwandira, including claims that she had victimised fellow MBC employees following a regime change from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
One of the documents was a formal letter authored by MBC reporter Mayeso Chinkhadzula, addressed to MBC management, alleging misconduct by Ms Barbara Mwandira.
This letter had already found its way onto social media prior to our publication.
The publication in question was not an editorial article, but a reproduction of documents already circulating in the public interest.
Editorial Structure of The Maravi Post
The Maravi Post is a registered and credible online publication with a clearly defined editorial hierarchy comprising editors, managers, reporters, contributors, correspondents, and administrators, headed by the Managing Editor/Publisher.
As per professional journalistic practice, any editorial concern or grievance must first be referred to the Publisher, not individual staff members.
Abuse of Police Powers and Intimidation
Upon seeing the documents posted, Barbara Mwandira bypassed all editorial engagement and instead rushed to the Malawi Police Service, demanding the arrest of Maravi Post administrators and editors.
She alleged cybercrime, selectively focusing on one document while deliberately ignoring the Chinkhadzula letter, which was central to the matter.
Unprofessional Conduct by Police (Cyber Crime Unit)
A police officer, Mr Chimwemwe Magawa (+265 993 55 20 52) summoned The Maravi Post Country Manager, Mr Lloyd M’bwana, for questioning regarding a post he neither authored nor approved.
When Mr M’bwana reasonably referred the officer to the Publisher for editorial resolution, the officer refused and issued threats of arrest, an action wholly inconsistent with professional policing and media-law standards.
Despite assurances of a “formal chat”, police actions escalated into intimidation, including repeated phone calls, threats, and pressure to produce staff members, even after the matter had been committed to court.
Arbitrary Arrest of Contributor
On 5 December 2025, police officers travelled from Lilongwe to Blantyre, where they arrested contributor Mr Jones Gadama, allegedly at the instigation of Ms Mwandira.
Mr Gadama was transported overnight, detained at Lingadzi Police Station, denied communication, and had his phone confiscated (which remains in police custody).
This arrest occurred without prior summons, without editorial engagement, and while the post in question had already been temporarily removed in good faith.
Such conduct bears the hallmarks of police overreach and intimidation, not lawful investigation.
Coercive and Unlawful Conditions
Following intervention by MISA Malawi, Mr Gadama was released on bail subject to conditions dictated by Barbara Mwandira, including:
- That Maravi Post administrators present themselves to police
- That the publication disclose its sources
- That Maravi Post pay all Ms Mwandira’s travel and police-related costs
These demands are legally untenable, violate journalistic source protection, and amount to private control of state law-enforcement mechanisms.
Continued Harassment and Fear
Despite the matter being before the courts, police officers—particularly Mr Magawa—continue to threaten arrests of Maravi Post staff.
Mr Gadama is compelled to travel fortnightly from Blantyre to Lilongwe to report for bail, despite the availability of police stations in Blantyre—causing unnecessary financial and psychological strain.
This raises a fundamental question: Is this lawful policing, or punishment by inconvenience?
Constitutional and Legal Framework
We respectfully remind your office that:
- Section 35 of the Constitution of Malawi guarantees freedom of expression
- Section 36 guarantees freedom of the press
- Journalists have a constitutional right to protect sources
- Police powers must not be weaponised to silence the media
- Freedom of expression and press freedom are not privileges—they are birthrights in a democratic society.
Wider Concern: Pattern of Abuse
This is not an isolated incident. In 2024, under the previous administration, The Maravi Post faced similar police intimidation following reporting on alleged fraud at the National Intelligence Bureau. Arrests were later deemed unjustified.
The recurrence of such incidents suggests a systemic problem in police handling of media-related matters.
Grave Concern
We are deeply troubled by reports that Barbara Mwandira is said to be a former police officer, raising serious questions about undue influence, conflict of interest, and manipulation of law-enforcement processes by a junior staff member at a public broadcaster.
If journalists can be arrested, transported at night, and silenced on the instruction of a junior public employee, then no journalist in Malawi is safe.
Our Appeal
We therefore respectfully request:
- Immediate intervention to halt police harassment of The Maravi Post
- Independent review of police conduct in this matter
- Protection of journalists from intimidation and abuse
- Clear guidance to police on constitutional media freedoms
Yours faithfully,
Elwin Mandowa
Publisher
The Maravi Post
Cell: +1 678-592-7551
Email: emandowa@maravipost.com
Lloyd M’bwana
Country Manager
The Maravi Post
Lilongwe, Malawi
Mobile: +265 0884 235 871 / +265 0999 612 496
Email:lloydmbwana.4@gmail.com /
erambwana@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.maravipost.com