Tag Archives: Chimwemwe Magawa

Human Rights, Law and order

State fails to furnish court with disclosures in MBC’s junior producer Barbara Mwandira’s “cooked cyber claims” case against Maravi Post Contributor Gadama

Maravi Post Reporter

...Court adjourns to March 10, 2026..

….This is the second time for state fails to furnish the court with disclosures of the case..

….Barbara Mwandira fails to show up at the court…

...As Maravi Post awaits Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito’s respond on Police abuses of power, intimidation, arrests threats


By Vincent Gunde

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The state has failed to furnish court with disclosures in the case in which Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) junior producer Barbara Mwandira is accusing The Maravi Post’s Contributor Jones Gadama of cybercrime

Eventually, the Magistrate court in Lilongwe on Tuesday adjourned the case the to March 10, 2026.

Gadama is being accused of writing a story on allegations of misconduct by Mwandira, an employee of the public broadcaster-MBC including claims that she had victimized fellow MBC employee Mayeso Chikhadzula following a regime change from the MCP to DPP.

The alleged story found its way for publications in the Maravi Post online and upon seeing the document posted, Barbara Mwandira reported the Maravi Post to Malawi Police Service (MPS) demanding the arrest of the Post administrators and its editors.

A Police officer Mr. Chimwemwe Magawa summoned the Maravi Post Country Manager Lloyd M’bwana for questioning regarding Jones Gadama’s published story who referred the police officer to the Publisher for editorial resolution.

The Police officer refused and started issuing threats of arrests, intimidations and pressure to the Maravi Post administrators to produce staff members behind the publications of such an article and this resulted to Jones Gadama’s arrest.

On 5th December, 2025 Police officers travelled from Lilongwe to Blantyre where they arrested Gadama (Maravi Post Contributor) allegedly at the instigation of Ms. Barbara Mwandira, transporting him over night, detained him at Lingadzi Police Station.

While in the hands of Police, Gadama was denied communication to his family, friends, relatives and fellow journalists through various media platforms to alert them but this did not happen, his mobile phone was confiscated and it is still in the hands of police.

Appearing in court on Tuesday, the case was not heard due to State’s failure to furnish the Defence Team with the disclosures of the case hence to adjourn the case to 10th March, 2026 at the Magistrate Court in Lilongwe.

Speaking to fellow journalists from Lilongwe who went to the court to sympathize with him, Jones Gadama said he is praying for the truth to come out at the right time lamenting that he spends K50,000 one way travelling from Blantyre to Lilongwe translating to K100,000 transport expenses to honor his bail condition.

“In Lilongwe, I spend a night at a lodge, I am very thankful to Mr. Elwin Mandowa, Maravi Post Managing Director who supports me in meeting some of my expenses to travel to Lilongwe and back to Blantyre,” he said.

The Maravi Post has since written a letter to Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito on its grave concerns for freedom of expression, freedom of the press and the professional independence of journalists in Malawi.

The Publication has complained to Mukhito that despite the matter being before the courts, police officers particularly Mr. Magawa is continuing threatening arrests of Maravi Post staff and its Contributor Jones 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.

The Maravi Post has also engaged Malawi Civil Society Organisations, Ministry of Information, MISA Malawi, Human Rights Commission (MHRC), America Embassy-Lilongwe Office for intervention over Malawi Police Service’ Cyber Crime Unit unprofessional Conduct and abuse of process and power against the online’ editorial team…

Human Rights, Law and order

Maravi Post contributor Jones Gadama in court over MBC employee Mwandira’s “cooked cybercrime” claims

Maravi Post Reporter


By Vincent Gunde

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-One of the country’s courageous journalist who fought tirelessly through his pen for change of leadership from Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Jones Gadama is reporting for his Police bail fortnightly from Blantyre to Lilongwe despite the availability of police stations in Blantyre causing unnecessary financial and psychological strain.

On 5th December, 2025 police officers travelled from Lilongwe to Blantyre where they arrested Maravi Post contributor Gadama allegedly at the instigation of an MBC employee Ms. Barbara Mwandira for two documents relating to allegations of misconduct by Barbara Mwandira including that she had victimized fellow MBC employees following a regime change from the MCP to DPP.

Upon seeing the documents posted, Barbara Mwandira bypassed all editorial engagement and rushed to the Malawi Police Service (MPS) demanding the arrest of Maravi Post administrators and editors for authorizing the document to be posted.

A police officer (Mr. Chimwemwe Magawa) summoned the Maravi Post Country Manager Mr. Lloyd M’bwana for questioning regarding the post who referred the officer to the publisher for editorial resolution but the officer refused this, he started issuing threats of arrest, this escalated into intimidations and pressure to produce staff members.

In a letter to Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito signed by Elwin Mandowa (Publisher) and Lloyd M’bwana (Country Manager), the Maravi Post says the arrest of contributor Jones Gadama has raised grace concerns for freedom of expression, freedom of the press and the professional independence of journalists in Malawi.

In the letter, the Maravi Post has expressed its grave concern that Jones Gadama was transported overnight from Blantyre to Lilongwe, detained at Lingadzi Police Station, denied communication and has his mobile phone confiscated (which remains in police custody).

The Maravi Post has described the arrest of Jones Gadama as occurred without prior summons and without editorial engagement expressing fears that 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.

“We are deeply troubled by reports that Ms. Barbara Mwandira is said to be a former police officer, this is raising serious questions about undue influence, conflict of interest and manipulation of law enforcement processes by a junior staff member at a public broadcaster,” reads the letter in part.

The Maravi Post has finally appealed for independent review of police conduct, immediate intervention to halt police harassment, and a clear guidance to police on constitutional media freedoms- journalists across the country should enjoy in the course of their everyday work.

In 2024 under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) administration, the Maravi Post faced similar police intimidation following a report posted on alleged Fraud at the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), arrests were made.

Human Rights, Law and order

Maravi Post seeks Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito’s intervention over police intimidation, arrest threats, process abuses

Burnett Munthali

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Maravi Post, a prominent online publication in Malawi, is calling for urgent intervention from the Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito over allegations of systematic police intimidation, abuse of process, and violation of constitutional freedoms.

The controversy began on 13 November 2025, when The Maravi Post published documents circulating in the public domain, alleging misconduct by Barbara Mwandira, a junior producer at Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC).

Mwandira, instead of engaging with the publication, reportedly rushed to the police, demanding the arrest of Maravi Post administrators and editors.

The police, acting on Mwandira’s complaint, summoned The Maravi Post Country Manager, Mr Lloyd M’bwana, for questioning, threatening arrest when he referred the matter to the Publisher.

Open letter to Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito seeking intervention on Malawi Police intimidation, abuse of Journalists’ freedom against The Maravi Post Editorial Team

This was followed by the arbitrary arrest of contributor Mr Jones Gadama, who was transported overnight, detained, and denied communication.

The conditions of Gadama’s release, dictated by Mwandira, are being challenged as coercive and unlawful, violating journalistic source protection and amounting to private control of state law-enforcement mechanisms.

The Maravi Post alleges that the police actions are part of a systemic problem, citing a similar incident in 2024, and are calling for an independent review of police conduct, protection of journalists, and clear guidance on constitutional media freedoms.

The publication’s appeal to the Minister of Homeland Security highlights concerns about undue influence, conflict of interest, and manipulation of law-enforcement processes by a junior public employee.

Homeland Security Minister Mukhito is yet to act on The Maravi Post’ complaint letter which was sent on Sunday, January 9, 2026.

The letter has attracted general public interest on how the Minister will deal with unprofessional Conduct of some police officers.

Some police of officers are Cyber Crime Unit are reportedly abusing the office for personal interests than of public while muzzling the press in Malawi.

Human Rights, Opinion

Open letter to Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito seeking intervention on Malawi Police intimidation, abuse of Journalists’ freedom against The Maravi Post Editorial Team

MaraviPost

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:

  1. Hon. Paulos Norman Chisale, Deputy Minister
  2. State House
  3. Civil Society Organisations
  4. United States Embassy, Lilongwe
  5. Malawi Human Rights Commission
  6. DPP Administrative Secretary
  7. Chief Secretary to Government
  8. MISA Malawi
  9. Ministry of Information
  10. 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).

Barbra Mwandira victiming those deemed to be former regime (MCP) sympathisers at 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.

Mayeso Chikhadzula letter complaining to MBC Administration over Barbra Mwandira misconduct

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:

  1. That Maravi Post administrators present themselves to police
  2. That the publication disclose its sources
  3. 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:

  1. Section 35 of the Constitution of Malawi guarantees freedom of expression
  2. Section 36 guarantees freedom of the press
  3. Journalists have a constitutional right to protect sources
  4. Police powers must not be weaponised to silence the media
  5. 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:

  1. Immediate intervention to halt police harassment of The Maravi Post
  2. Independent review of police conduct in this matter
  3. Protection of journalists from intimidation and abuse
  4. 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