Police in Blantyre on Saturday arrested two men, Yonah Green Malunga and Stone Mwamadi, on suspicion of intimidating Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Director General George Kasakula.
The arrests followed reports that the two confronted Kasakula over critical comments he had made about President Peter Mutharika during the recent campaign period.
Preliminary reports suggest Malunga and Mwamadi forced the Director General to record a public apology that was aired on MBC television, accusing him of insulting the President.
Southern Region Police deputy spokesperson Beatrice Mikuwa confirmed the suspects were taken into custody and stated they would appear in court once necessary legal procedures were completed.
However, barely hours after their arrests, both Malunga and Mwamadi appeared in public, prompting confusion and signalling they had been released from custody.
When contacted for comment on the sudden release, Mikuwa asked for time to inquire from authorities, but no immediate confirmation was provided.
The confrontation is said to have caused palpable fear among some MBC staff, who reportedly witnessed the incident and described it as “intense and humiliating.” Authorities are investigating the possibility that the two suspects were acting on behalf of political sympathisers angered by Kasakula’s commentary.
Meanwhile, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets immediately suspended Mwamadi, who serves as the club’s national chairperson for supporters, for his alleged involvement in the attack.
In a statement, Bullets confirmed Mwamadi’s suspension was appropriate even as the matter remained under official investigation. Chingeni Gumbala Kadam’manja has been appointed acting chairperson for the National Supporters Committee and Mwamadi has been summoned by the club for a formal hearing on Monday.
The incident has stirred intense public debate with many Malawians condemning the act as a direct attack on media freedom and independence.
As investigations continue, police have assured the public that justice will prevail and that any form of intimidation against media practitioners will not be tolerated, highlighting once again the fragile balance between politics and press freedom in Malawi.
