Tag Archives: Gregory Gondwe

Human Rights, Opinion

Gregory Gondwe’s exile: A missed opportunity for Malawi media’s advocacy, solidarity

Maravi Post Reporter

By Twink Jones Gadama

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Gregory Gondwe’s decision to flee the country in the wake of his exposé on corruption within the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) raises several questions about the necessity of such drastic action.

While the work he did in uncovering the shady deals between the government and businessman Zunneth Sattar was commendable, his decision to go into hiding seems premature and unnecessary.

First and foremost, Gondwe had not committed any serious offense that would warrant such extreme measures.

The fact that he felt the need to flee the country indicates a level of fear and apprehension that may not be justified.

Reports from the Inspector General of Police and the Army Commander reassured the nation that there were no pending arrests in connection to Gondwe’s investigation.

This begs the question – why did Gondwe feel the need to run away when there was no immediate threat to his freedom or safety?

Furthermore, Gondwe’s decision to flee raises concerns about the underlying motives and implications of his actions.

By choosing to go into hiding, Gondwe may inadvertently be creating more suspicion and speculation around his work and the potential repercussions he may face.

It is important to remember that Malawi is a democratic state, and there are avenues for addressing any legal or safety concerns that may arise from his investigative journalism.

By running away, Gondwe is missing an opportunity to stand by his work and challenge any false accusations or threats against him.

Misa Malawi has also engaged with relevant authorities and received assurances that there were no imminent arrests or dangers to Gondwe’s safety.

The Chairperson of Misa Malawi, Golden Matonga, who also writes for the Platform for Investigative Journalism, has publicly supported Gondwe and encouraged him to return home.

Gondwe has a strong network of support within the country that would stand by him in the face of any challenges or threats he may encounter.

It is important to remember that Gondwe’s work as an investigative journalist is crucial to holding those in power accountable and uncovering corruption and malpractice.

However, fleeing the country in the face of potential threats only serves to undermine the impact of his work and the integrity of journalism as a whole.

If there are legitimate concerns about defamation or character assassination stemming from Gondwe’s exposé, then the appropriate legal channels should be pursued to address these issues.

Gondwe should have faith in the judicial system and the institutions in place to uphold the rule of law.

By going into hiding, he is not only compromising his credibility but also setting a dangerous precedent for other journalists and whistleblowers who may face similar challenges in the future.

Ultimately, Gondwe should consider returning home and facing any potential challenges head-on. The government and the military have the necessary intelligence and resources to ensure his safety and address any threats he may have received.

By hiding in exile, Gondwe is not only depriving himself of the opportunity to defend his work and reputation but also missing an opportunity to continue his important investigative journalism within the country.

In addition, by fleeing the country, Gondwe may inadvertently be giving more power to those who seek to silence him and suppress the truth.

By standing firm and continuing his work within the country, he sends a message that investigative journalists will not be intimidated or silenced by threats or intimidation tactics.

It is important for journalists like Gondwe to bravely face any challenges that come their way in the pursuit of truth and accountability.

Moreover, Gondwe’s decision to flee also has broader implications for the state of freedom of the press in Malawi.

If journalists feel that they cannot report on sensitive issues without fear of reprisal, it could have a chilling effect on investigative journalism and the ability of the media to hold those in power accountable.

By standing up to any potential threats and continuing his work within the country, Gondwe would be sending a powerful message about the importance of press freedom and the critical role of journalists in a democratic society.

It is also worth noting that Gondwe’s decision to flee may inadvertently play into the hands of those who seek to discredit his work and undermine the integrity of investigative journalism.

By removing himself from the country, Gondwe may be seen as admitting guilt or validating false accusations against him.

Gondwe needs to consider the broader implications of his actions and the potential impact on the credibility of his work and the media as a whole.

Additionally, by fleeing the country, Gondwe may be missing an opportunity to seek support and solidarity from fellow journalists, civil society organizations, and the international community.

By remaining in hiding, he is depriving himself of the chance to mobilize broader support for his cause and signal to those in power that his work will not be silenced or suppressed.

It is crucial for journalists facing threats or challenges to come together and show a united front in defense of press freedom and the right to information.

Furthermore, Gondwe’s decision to flee may also have personal and professional consequences for him in the long run.

By going into hiding, he may be limiting his ability to continue his investigative work and maintain his reputation as a respected journalist.

Gondwe needs to consider the impact of his actions on his career and future opportunities within the media industry. Journalists must weigh the risks and benefits of their actions and make informed decisions that align with their values and principles.

In conclusion, while Gregory Gondwe’s work in uncovering corruption and malpractice within the Malawi Defence Force was commendable, his decision to flee the country raises significant questions about the necessity and implications of his actions.

By going into hiding, Gondwe may be inadvertently undermining the impact of his work, compromising his credibility, and setting a dangerous precedent for other journalists facing similar challenges.

Gondwe must consider returning home and facing any potential threats head-on, while also seeking support from fellow journalists, civil society organizations, and the international community.

Press freedom and the right to information are fundamental pillars of a democratic society, and journalists like Gondwe play a critical role in upholding these values.

Gondwe needs to stand firm in the face of adversity and continue his important work in holding those in power accountable.

Malawi

MCM calls for Malawi’s media protection, professionalism

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s Media Council of Malawi (MCM) is calling for media practitioners’ protection while maintaining professionalism when executing daily duties.

The call comes amid reports that Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) Editorial Director Gregory Gondwe is hiding upon getting advise from sources after carrying an article that exposed Malawi Defence Force (MDF)’s payment made to businessman Zuneth Sattar, a fraud suspect under the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) probe.

In a press statement issued on February 2, 2024 signed by MCM Chairperson and Executive Director Dr. Jolly Ntaba and Moses Kaufa respectively condemns any form of violence or harassment against journalists who are performing their professional duties in the public interest.

MCM argues that any threats are not only a violation of the journalists’ rights but also a threat to the freedom and diversity of the media in Malawi.

“MCM is engaging relevant stakeholders, including the Malawi Defense Force, to ensure that the journalist in question is protected, thorough investigations are conducted, and that the perpetrators of the threats are brought to justice.

“MCM is also monitoring the situation closely and will provide any necessary support to Gondwe and the media outlet. We call on all stakeholders, including government, the media, and the public, to respect and uphold the principles of media freedom, independence, and responsibility,”reads in part MCM statement.

The statement adds, “MCM urges anyone who has any grievances or complaints against the media to use the established mechanisms, such as the Media Council of Malawi’s Complaints Committee, rather than resorting to violence or intimidation.

“MCM reaffirms its commitment to promoting and protecting the media sector in Malawi, following the provisions of the Access to Information Act of 2016 and other relevant laws of the land”.

MCM urgues, “The Council appeals to all journalists to continue working with professionalism, integrity, and courage, and to report on issues of public interest without fear or favor.

“The Media Council of Malawi values the role of the media in fostering democracy, accountability, and development in Malawi, and will continue to work with all stakeholders to create a conducive environment for the media to operate”.

MCM assures, “We stand in solidarity with journalists who are threatened and intimidated in the pursuit of truth. We will continue to work tirelessly to advocate for an environment where journalists can operate without fear, ensuring that their fundamental rights are respected and protected”.

Meanwhile, MDF authorities disputed claims that the army was planning to arrest journalist Gondwe.

Human Rights

MISA Malawi demands Journalist Gondwe’s protection from MDF, AG Nyirenda

Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-MISA Malawi has penned Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander Paul Phiri and Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda seeking protection for Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) Director Gregory Gondwe amid his life threats and intimidation.

The journalist Gondwe on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, issued a message expressing his distress while hiding after receiving tip that he was being hunted by MDF following this week’s story he wrote about the army entered into contract agreement with business tycoon Zunneth Sattar despite restrictions order from Malawi Government as he is under probe.

Journalist Gondwe disclosed alleged that top
government officials confided with him that the MDF intended to ‘arrest’ me for allegedly ‘endangering
state security’—a vague and ominous accusation.

”Given the potential for my situation to be ‘accidentalised’ with a seemingly plausible explanation
posthumously, I’ve heeded the advice to protect myself. In this line of work, death can be
disguised as an accident, and no hospital can revive a life once lost,” Gondwe wrote on his
Facebook Page.

In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, February 1, 2024 and signed by MISA Malawi Chairperson, Golden Matonga stated that the body is deeply concerned with threats on Gondwe.

Matonga said MISA engaged the MDF Commander Phiri and AG Nyirenda on the matter and the duo have assured the media body of Gondwe’s protection while disputing claims of plans to arrest the journalist or intimidate him for writing the story.

“We hope and trust that these assurances are true and sincere.

“This isn’t just about legal threats, which I was prepared to face head-on,” worried Matonga.

He however reminded President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance administration and government agencies and all citizens that threats on journalists are
retrogressive and a threat to democracy.

“We believe that if MDF or any other concerned parties have an issue with the media, they should
use proper channels to raise such issues, but military interrogations and threats are not among
those channels.

“The threats on Gondwe’s life have a chilling effect on journalists and the media fraternity. As a
democracy, Malawi should not slide back to the era of heavy-handedness on media and critical voices,” urges Matonga.

He therefore assured the media fraternity that MISA will continue to engaging MDF leadership AG office and to ensure the safety of Gondwe and a free and conducive media operating environment.

Human Rights, Opinion

My Take On It: Attack on journalists is an attack on an essential pillar of democracy 

Janet Karim

                                                 

“The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers and be capable of reading them.” –Thomas Jefferson, 1787.

What is the role of the press in a democracy? A free and independent press is a key mechanism of a functioning, healthy democracy. In the absence of censorship, journalism exists as a watchdog of private and government action, providing information to maintain an informed citizenry of voters. – Popular tenet on press freedom.

Gondwe out of police probe

This week the Malawi Police Service behaved like its predecessor the Malawi Police Force of pre-Democratic Malawi. A social media report by Sylvester Ayuba James showed how manipulatable and overzealous some members of the Police can still behave, even in a democracy.

A journalist was arrested and held under severe archaic, fear-mongering investigation tactics of old. And the killing stab, his cellphone, and computers were confiscated, Police demanded the supply of the source of an article and computer passwords! Investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe’s crime: a news article he and the Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) had published on an ongoing saga involving the government and heavyweight moneybags Indian businessmen.

Having survived as a journalist in the one-party state and even the misguided UDF first term rule, the news hit a raw nerve in me that reverberates still. During the 1960s and even during some years of the UDF rule (1994-1999), muzzling the press was the order of the day. The arrest of a journalist puts a check or a halt to society’s ability to hold the government and even some private citizens accountable for their actions, especially illicit or corrupt actions.

Sylvester wrote on Tuesday: “Being informed that Police have descended on PIJ Gregory Gondwe and seized all PIJ and Gregory’s personal computers and hand gadgets (cellphones). Apparently, they are forcing PIJ to reveal where it got the stamped document from the Attorney General pay out legal opinion.

“Very unfortunate that Indian businessmen have become a reason for our Government to start chewing its own children.

“More the reason to rally behind Citizens Against Impunity and Corruption in the next step that it will take in dealing with impunity if this journalist is not immediately released. In an age of Access to Information Act, we find this conduct to be retrogressive and against the ideals and aspirations of our Constitutional democracy.“

On its part, the Journalist Union of Malawi (JUMA) demanded the immediate release of Gondwe and furthermore a free and safe working environment, media freedom, and respect for access to information law. The Union also condemned the arbitrary arrest of Gondwe.

And weighing in, the Minister of Information and Digitalization, Gospel Kazako, affirmed that his ministry “is investigating the circumstances that led to the arrest of renowned investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe….” Describing the arrest as not a welcomed development.

While we thank the Minister of Information for stepping in here and icing his concern, as members of the press, we wish to let the Police Service, through the Homeland Security Ministry, know that the Police Service is a SERVICE to all Malawians, including media practitioners (journalists among them). It does not exist to do the bidding of a few choice heavy-armed individuals with money to burn and corrupt practices to hide.

Secondly, Malawi is a democracy, Police, and officers in governing sector (who are sustained by taxpayers’ revenue), must remain accountable to the citizens of the country. In the equation of democracy, accountability is inherently achievable through and by a press corps that is independent and vibrant, a press corps that operates in an environment that is free from coercion, threats, intimidation, and arrests based on flimsy and sometimes non-existent charges.

As I waxed lyrical on the tenets of this great pillar of democracy, Gondwe surfaced on social media and narrated scenes akin to what made James Hardley Chase a maestro of suspense and drama.

My fellow social media don, Nyengo commented that “if this a true narration of events – every rule of evidence gathering has been massacred; they endangered the life of a sister and her child; it all seems very amateurish!!” To which my reply was that the Police used a third person whose only crime (if a revelation of a crime can itself qualify as a crime), is that she is born in the family as the “suspected officer.”

Gondwe’s post: the Police erred on so many fronts, but I have stopped breathing; I am stuck on four painful atrocities against Gondwe, which is an affront to the work of the free media, we boast we enjoy in Malawi.

1.     Gondwe is being compelled to reveal his sources for his journalistic article.

2.     Gondwe asked for a lawyer, did not get one, police officers continued to use contradictory and intimidating tactics

3.     Polic ransacked PIJ offices, still without Gondwe’s lawyer present

4.     Police confiscated cellphones, laptops, and computers and demanded passwords – all these contain live investigations/operations of the PIJ

a.      These are PIJ’s instruments of production

b.     The act impedes the work of the media.

What the Police SERVICE must keep at the front of its mind, and gingerly remember, it is a service, not a force; the Police should be professional and cease being used by individual politicians or heavyweight moneybags, it should respect and look at media as its collaborators in maintaining our democracy. This is because had it not been for the contribution of a vibrant and free press, energetic social media, Malawi would not be a democracy, Malawi would not have averted from a third UDF term, Malawi would not have had its first female president, and most important of all, Malawi would not be in the Third Reich.

And lastly, to all people in positions of influence, come to grips with reality, when you do right, take accountability for your actions and decisions, you have no fear when they are recounted in the press; however, when you err and act in a corrupt manner, then fear the press you should!

To the Malawi Police Service and the Inspector-General, please return to Gregory Gondwe his instruments of production in their untampered form. Please apologize to the Media in Malawi!

All eyes are ON THE MALAWI POLICE SERVICE TO DO THE RIGHT THING!

Law and order, Malawi

Malawi AG Thabo Nyirenda’s leaked legal opinion hunts ACB, media

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Office of Attorney (AG) cleared Malachite FZE that the company be paid for supply of eight anti-riot water cannons to Malawi Police Service.

According to AG’s leaked legal document in our possession, approved the payment privately which was sent to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

AG Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda argued that the decision was arrived on basis that the restriction order by ACB had become ‘academic’ following the earlier termination of the contract by his office.

Gondwe out of police probe

The Attorney General defended the move, saying his advice was in line with the law.

“Therefore, it is incorrect to suggest that in public my office terminated the contract but in private asked the Police to pay, the legal opinion to ACB implies that the company can only be paid for the water cannons that he supplied successfully, and Malawi Police took delivery of the same. This is within the law, as per the contract signed, but anything coming after the termination of the contract is what can be regarded as illegal,” said Nyirenda.

Consequently, after the leaked legal document particularly from ACB office, Nyirenda warned for hard decision towards any person involved in the action.

This is the reason, Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) is also under probe for accessing leaked document.

On Tuesday, April 5, 2022 Malawi Police Service stormed PIJ offices and seized phones and computers as part of raid on legal leaked ACB document.

In a statement made available to The Maravi Post, National Police Publicist James Kadadzera confirmed Gondwe’s under the law enforcers probe not arrest.

“Malawians should always know be in the know that the service has the mandate of inviting individuals deemed important to help in an investigation and such a scenario, it does not always mean that the interviewee is arrested.

“It has to be put in a right context therefore that when the interview session is over, Mr. Gregory Gondwe will be allowed to return home. MPS assures Malawians of professional standards by police officers in crime investigation,” reads part police statement.

PIJ leader Gondwe released on Tuesday evening, April 5, 2022 upon interrogated.

Initially, AG advised the ACB against directly cooperating with the National Crimes Agency of the UK without his office involvement.

The AG has also pushed for ACB investigations of businessman Karim Batatawala, whose case is currently in court.