(MISA/IFEX) – On 16 September 2003, police in Blantyre arrested Frank Namangale, a reporter with the “Daily Times” newspaper, on charges of “publishing false information likely to cause fear and alarm to the public”. Namangale was released on bail later the same day. Police publicist George Chikowi told MISA’s Malawi chapter, Namisa, that Namangale was […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 16 September 2003, police in Blantyre arrested Frank Namangale, a reporter with the “Daily Times” newspaper, on charges of “publishing false information likely to cause fear and alarm to the public”. Namangale was released on bail later the same day.
Police publicist George Chikowi told MISA’s Malawi chapter, Namisa, that Namangale was arrested following his 12 September article, published in the “Daily Times”, in which he alleged that police had arrested President Bakili Muluzi’s son, Evance Muluzi, his nephew and three others in connection with an armed robbery. The article quoted Senior Police Commissioner for the South Often Thyolani as confirming the arrests and that some of the suspects answered to the name Muluzi.
On 15 September, however, the newspaper published a follow-up story in which Chikowi said Evance Muluzi was an adopted son of President Muluzi’s late brother. He added that police recovered an AK-47 assault rifle and two rounds of ammunition from Evance Muluzi.
Namangale’s lawyer, Chimwemwe Kalua, said his client was given unconditional bail and ordered to report to police on 19 September.
Meanwhile, Namisa condemned the arrest, saying there was nothing in the story that could cause “fear and alarm to the public.”
