Fiscal Police in Blantyre yesterday arrested former Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) director general George Kasakula for issues linked to his tenure at the public broadcaster.
National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo confirmed the arrest in an interview last evening, but said he could not immediately provide full details because he was travelling from Lilongwe to Blantyre.
But in a separate interview at the Malawi Police Fiscal Division in Blantyre, Kasakula confirmed the arrest and said he had spent several hours being questioned by the police before they formally detained him.
He said the interrogation started at around 9am and lasted until about 5.30pm when officers informed him that he was under arrest.
formally charged. | Nation
“They [Fiscal Police] say the issues that led to my arrest are to do with my international trips, accommodations and how some funds were used. But I will get more details after being formally charged since I am yet to be formally charged. I also do not know when I will appear before the court,” said Kasakula.
Before he was taken to Blantyre Police Station at around 5.40pm, there was a misunderstanding between police and Kasakula on who would drive his personal vehicle. Police later ordered Kasakula to board a police vehicle which was parked at the Government Office Complex back car park.
Dressed in a purple golf shirt, a pair of blue jeans and black cap, Kasakula followed the instruction.
His arrest comes about three weeks after the MBC board dismissed him over allegations of gross misconduct.
The decision to dismiss him followed his appearance before the board’s Human Resources and Administration Committee on accusations that he had politicised the public broadcaster, a charge that has previously triggered debate over the independence of the State-owned media institution.
Kasakula was appointed MBC director general in 2021 and signed a new contract in June 2024 that was expected to run until 2027. However, he was suspended from his position in October last year pending investigations into the allegations.
His tenure was also marked by controversy as in October 2025, suspected Democratic Progressive Party cadets stormed MBC’s Kwacha Studios in Blantyre where they forced Kasakula out of his office and dragged him to a live television studio where he apologised to President Peter Mutharika and First Lady Gertrude Mutharika over remarks that were considered critical during the campaign period.
Under Section 117 (3) of the Communications Act 2016, the director general of the public broadcaster can be removed from office on several grounds, including incompetence, misconduct or involvement in active politics.
