A 25-year-old man Yohane Phiri, of Utali village Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka District has been arrested in Zomba for breaking into a custody office and stealing K2c rifle number K008944 with its eleven live ammunitions and two cellphones for police officers on duty.
This follows a serious investigation conducted by a special team of Khanga Zaona together with Zomba CID team.
Police managed to recover the stolen rifle with nine live ammunitions at his house at Mpindimule village where he was hiding.
According to information from Zomba Police, investigation are still underway to arrest other suspects who were together with Phiri as they broke into the custody office.
The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has issued a statement demanding the immediate release of Investigative Journalist Vitusi Gregory Gondwe. This follows news that Police raided the offices of Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ, where they confisticated computers and arrested Vitusi,taking him to unknown location.
In a statement signed by HRDC director Gift Trapense, HRDC has learnt with great shock and serious concern the alleged arrest and intimidation by police officers of journalist Vitus-Gregory Gondwe, the Director of the Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) and seizure of computers and phones over a document PIJ used for a recent story.
“HRDC strongly condemns any harassment and intimidation of journalists and media houses. Journalists and media houses must be allowed to report freely, without fear of reprisal or hostility. We, therefore, call for the immediate and unconditional release Vitus Gregory Gondwe and the return of all the confiscated items.”
“The media plays an important role in providing effective channel for the flow of information between citizens, duty bearers and other stakeholders in the development process. Therefore, it is our view that any attack or harassment of journalists or media houses is not only a violation of the media’s freedom to seek and share information, but is also an infringement on the citizens’ democratic right to seek, receive and share information through their preferred media channels. The Constitution of Malawi clearly provides for and guarantees media freedom. Section 37 of the Constitution states that all citizens have “the right of access to all information held by the State or any of itsorgans at any level of Government in so far as such information is required for the exercise of his rights”. We, therefore, remind the Malawi Police Service and other state agents that they have a constitutional obligation, to protect journalists, not to hinder them from doing their work.”
Journalist Vitusi-Gregory Gondwe, arrested
Police in Blantyre today morning stormed offices of Platform for Investigative Journalism in Malawi and seized some gadgets belonging to its journalists.
Police demanded Gregory Gondwe to reveal where he got his information which he used in one of his investigative pieces against Zuneth Sattar.
In that Story, the Platform for Investigative Journalism exposed how government recently paid Zuneth Sattar’s entities despite Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda issuing a ban on the same.
Gondwe’s colleague Golden Matonga has told us that the police put Gondwe under arrest and took away his phones. He said that currently his whereabouts are unknown.
Rapper ‘Phyzix’ says his much anticipated song expected be released on Thursday April 7, is a special dedication to hip-hop music for the great role it played in changing his life.
Speaking in an interview with 247 Malawi on Saturday, the rapper said he thought of releasing the song, titled “Show me the way” as one way of celebrating his 16-years of friendship with hip-hop duo “The Daredevilz”.
Phyzix
But writing on his Facebook page on Monday, the artist said apart from celebrating his friendship with the duo, “Show me the way” is also a Thanksgiving song to hip-hop for changing his life.
He wrote, “I was a very rebellious teenager! Always in fist fights. My environment was not very inspiring. I found my inspiration to be a better person from Hip Hop music and my late Mother. I will always honor my Mother and Hip Hop music.”
He further said after conducting a memorial service for his mother, he also thought it wise to honor his other greatest inspiration which is hip-hop music.
“We honored my late Mother last week in a Church Service dedicated to her. This week, The Daredevilz and I will honor Hip Hop music on Thursday at 12:00hrs.Happy Hip Hop Week!!!
Phyzix, real-name Noel Chikoleka, came in the limelight with the release of his most successful single “Cholapitsa” in 2006.
In 2008, the rapper established his own record label and media company; “Bantu Records”, which he later rebranded to “It’s Only Entertainment” (IOE).
He released his first studio album, “The Lone Ranger LP” in 2009 which had the successful singles “Gamba” and “Usodzi.
Prior to that, the multi-award winning rapper released three mixtapes which also helped to cement his position in the industry.
Some of the awards that Phyzix has won so far include; Artist of the Year (Male), Album of the Year (Gamba Season) and Song of the Year (Makofi) at the 2020 Malawi Hip Hop Awards.
He also won Best Hip Hop Act and Album of the Year (Gamba Season) at the 2020 UMP Awards and last year, he won Album of the Year (Flaws) at the MASO Awards.
This year, Phyzix has released a number of songs which are still enjoying massive airplay in different places across the country.
These songs include ‘Chikondi’ which he featured Macia, ‘Legends’ which he featured various artists and ‘Stable’ which he released just a couple of weeks ago.
Silver Strikers has been held to a 1-1 draw in a fiercely contested TNM super league derby match against city-rivals Civil Service United at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe
The central bankers were the first to score just 7 minutes into the game through Chawanangwa Kaonga with an assist from Blessings Tembo.
The civil servants equalised at 22 minutes through former Nyasa Big Bullets striker Patrick Phiri after Young Chimodzi Junior failed to clear a Damiano Kunje’s corner.
Civil Service United
In another match played on Sunday, rookies Dedza Dynamos continued to shine in the top flight as they came from behind to beat Kamuzu Barracks 2-1 at Balaka Stadium.
Henry Misinjo and Charles Chipala were on target for the Dynamos while Horace Mchoma scored KB’s consolation from the spot.
In Blantyre, Wakawaka Tigers and Mighty Wanderers played out to a goal-less draw at Mpira Stadium as Sable Farming FC and Ekwendeni Hammers drew 1-all at Mulanje Park.
The visitors were the first to score through Wongani Lungu but Emmanuel Lino scored Sable’s equaliser.
Blue Eagles remain top on the log table with 9 points from three games followed by Dedza Dynamos who have now accumulated 7 points from the same number of games. Red Lions are perched on third position with 7 points but Dedza Dynamos have a better goal difference.
Nyasa Big Bullets recorded their second successive victory in the TNM Super League as they won 3-1 against Ekwendeni Hammers at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday and move to third on the log table.
The People’s team drew first blood 32 minutes in the first half with a goal from MacFallen Mgwira.
In the second half, the Ndirande outfit continued to pressurise with Precious Sambani, Chimwemwe Idana and Lanjesi Nkhoma exchanging beautiful passes.
This in turn forced the visitors to commit an error in the box and Babatunde Adepoju capitalized to give Bullets a 2-nil advantage in the 55th minute.
The Nigerian could have claimed a brace in the 65th minute but his connection missed Chancy Mtete’s goal post by a whisker.
The visitors then pulled one back in the 67th minute through Joseph Mbewe but it was Hassan Kajoke who finished off the northern region side with a brilliant finish in the 83rd minute after receiving a pass from Chimwemwe Idana
In another match played on Saturday, a lone goal from Chikondi Mvula gave Blue Eagles a vital away win against Mzuzu-based-soldiers Moyale Barracks at Mzuzu Stadium.
The result means Blue Eagles are on top of the log table with nine points after winning all their three games this season.
In Lilongwe, Red Lions continued their fine run of form as they claim a 2-nil away win against fellow soldiers Mafco FC at Civo Stadium.
Chikoti Chirwa and Ronald Pangani were on target for the Lions.
Red Lions have now moved to second on the table having won all their two matches this season.
