By Rahim Abdul
Police in Blantyre have arrested two men, identified as Yonah Green Malunga and Stone Mwamadi, on suspicion of intimidating Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Director General George Kasakula.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday in Blantyre and has since attracted public attention due to its political undertones.
According to Inspector Beatrice Mikuwa, Deputy Police Spokesperson for the Southern Region, the two suspects were apprehended following reports that they confronted Kasakula over comments he allegedly made about President Peter Mutharika during the campaign period.
Inspector Mikuwa confirmed that the suspects are in custody and will appear in court once all necessary legal procedures are completed.
Preliminary reports suggest that Malunga and Mwamadi forced Kasakula to make a public apology on MBC television, accusing him of insulting the president.
The confrontation is said to have caused 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 certain political sympathizers angered by Kasakula’s remarks. Police say they are working to determine whether there are more individuals involved in the plot or if it was an isolated act of intimidation.
Meanwhile, the incident has stirred debate across social and political circles, with many Malawians condemning the act as an attack on media freedom and independence. Human rights advocates have urged the police to ensure justice is served and to protect journalists from political harassment.
Inside sources at MBC have described the environment as tense, with staff members expressing concern over safety and freedom of expression. Some employees have called for stronger security measures at the broadcaster’s premises, especially during politically charged periods.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Malawi) has since expressed concern, urging authorities to safeguard media professionals who play a critical role in informing the public. The organization emphasized that no individual should be forced or threatened into making public statements under duress.
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. The case has once again highlighted the fragile balance between politics and press freedom in Malawi’s democratic space.
