MALAWI’S journalistic community reels as police apprehend journalist Macmillan Mhone for his role in an online corruption exposé dating back to 2023. The story, published during Mhone’s tenure at news outlet Malawi24, implicates a government conspiracy suspect, Abdul Karim Batatawala. Mhone’s current employer, the Nation Newspaper, stands in solidarity with him, denouncing what many see as an assault on press freedom.
Speaking on the arrest on Monday, Mhone’s lawyer, Joseph Lihoma, conveyed Mhone’s situation to VOA, stating, ‘Macmillan was arrested yesterday, but as of now, he hasn’t been formally charged.’ This uncertainty compounds the already alarming circumstances surrounding Mhone’s detention.
The charges brought against Mhone include accusations of ‘conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and public alarm,’ as outlined by the police. These allegations, seemingly stemming from Mhone’s investigative reporting, have sent shockwaves through Malawi’s journalism community.
The arrest of Mhone follows a worrying trend in Malawi, exemplified by the recent disappearance of investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe. Gondwe went into hiding after purported warnings from military sources regarding his exposé on corruption within the military.
Numerous press freedom advocates and human rights campaigners have voiced their dismay over Mhone’s arrest. Golden Matonga, chairperson of the Media Institute for Southern Africa in Malawi, passionately urged for Mhone’s immediate release, saying, ‘Malawi is one of the beacons of hope for democracy. To see this backsliding of our democracy is saddening.’
In a statement, MISA-Malawi echoed Matonga’s sentiments, stressing that Mhone’s story did not warrant the response it received. Pearson Nkhoma, director of the board at Malawi24, expressed bewilderment at Mhone’s arrest, emphasising, ‘If anyone has a screenshot indicating that Macmillan has the byline, then those people are basically lying.’
Attempts to obtain comment from the national police spokesperson went unanswered. The arrest of Mhone marks a concerning escalation in the targeting of journalists reporting on corruption in Malawi, raising profound questions about the state of press freedom and democracy in the country.