(MISA/IFEX) – An Anglican priest has been demanding that the Lingadzi Police, in the capital city of Lilongwe, arrest Charles Masapi, a freelance journalist and correspondent with the “Daily Times.” According to MISA, the priest’s request is attributed to an article by Masapi, which appeared in the 20 April 1998 issue of the “Daily Times” […]
(MISA/IFEX) – An Anglican priest has been demanding that the Lingadzi
Police, in the
capital city of Lilongwe, arrest Charles Masapi, a freelance journalist and
correspondent with the “Daily Times.” According to MISA, the priest’s
request is attributed to an article by Masapi, which appeared in the 20
April 1998 issue of the “Daily Times” under the headline “Simbazako
arrested.” According to the “Daily Times”, the priest is alleged to have
quarreled with Simbazako (a herbalist) over an unpaid balance of K300, after
a charm transaction deal.
A police officer at headquarters in Lilongwe confirmed the story. He said
the priest went to the police station accusing Masapi of having defamed him
and demanding his arrest. The priest also requested that Simbazako (who was
at that time free on bail) not be taken to court, as that would mean he (the
priest) would have to testify in a court of law, which he did not want to
do. Instead he demanded that Masapi be arrested.
When contacted, Masapi said: “Of course I was told by one of the policemen
at police headquarters that the priest was demanding my arrest…but I was
told not to fear anything … they did not issue a warrant of arrest.”
The “Daily Times” could not reach the priest at his residence, but the
newspaper will follow-up the matter.