(MISA/IFEX) – On 29 January 2005, “Daily Times” reporter Collins Mtika was beaten up by supporters of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), a party that is a member of the ruling coalition. Mtika told MISA-Malawi that he was attacked when he went to cover a press conference at AFORD leader Chakufwa Chihana’s house, in the […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 29 January 2005, “Daily Times” reporter Collins Mtika was beaten up by supporters of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), a party that is a member of the ruling coalition.
Mtika told MISA-Malawi that he was attacked when he went to cover a press conference at AFORD leader Chakufwa Chihana’s house, in the northern city of Mzuzu. At the press conference, Chihana challenged a decision by certain executive members to dismiss him from the party on allegations of poor governance and fraud.
Mtika alleged that Chihana’s nephew Jeremiah Chihana ordered the beating, accusing the journalist of “reporting ill about [his] leader.”
“I sustained a swollen left eye and I have general body pains,” Mtika said.
Meanwhile, MISA-Malawi (also known as Namisa) publicly condemned the beating as “barbaric and retrogressive.” In an interview with local media, Namisa Chairperson Lewis Msasa demanded an apology from AFORD and asked police to arrest the culprits.
