There are massive calls for the release of journalist Gregory Gondwe who has reportedly been detained by the Malawi Police Service in Blantyre.
Several human rights groupings have issued statements in which they are stating that they feel the move by police is meant to suppress press freedom.
Police have also reportedly, confiscated Computer and Phones for Gondwe who is Managing Director for Platform for Investigative Journalism PIJ forcing him to disclose source of documents for the story of Attorney General.
The story which was published on 30th March 2022 on PIJ website indicated that the government through the Attorney General terminated all Sattar’s contracts but privately paid him about 1.3billion kwacha.
Speaking to MIJ Online, Gift Trapence Chairperson for HRDC expressed shock with Gondwe’s detention.
He has since said they are now demanding the immediate release of the journalist.
Another grouping, Centre for Democracy Watch-CEDWAT, has described the arrest of Gondwe as an indication of state capture.
“This is undoubtedly a deliberate ploy by the Tonse government to silence and capture the remaining critical media houses so that its lukewarm approach to corruption fight is swept under the carpet.” reads part of the statement signed by Levy Luwemba, the Center’s National Coordinator.
Media body following up on arrest of journalist Gregory Gondwe
And in Parliament, Mark Botoman Zomba Chisi member of Parliament has asked government to come up with a statement on the arrest.
Speaking when he rose on a point of order, Botoman described the arrest a threat to media freedom.
Additional reporting by Cathy Maulidi-