Malawi: Journalist Goes Into Hiding For Exposing Corruption

By Joseph Dumbula

An eminent investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe has admitted going into hiding following an exposé on a reported weapon procurement deal between corruption suspect Zuneth Sattar and the Malawi Defence Force.

The expose is against a statement that government made in January 2022, that it had cancelled of all contracts with firms associated with the named businessman, and also striped his companies from future involvement in public procurement in Malawi.

Sattar, who is based in the United Kingdom, is suspected of bribing Vice President Saulos Chilima in return for government contracts, a case that is running in courts.

In the publication, Gondwe revealed that authorities made a multi-million-dollar procurement of 32 Armored Personal Carriers.

Gondwe who runs PIJ Malawi has said following these revelations has been urged to go into hiding due to legal threats and alleged MDF's intent to 'arrest' him for endangering state security.

According to the journalist, the military suspects a leak of 'sensitive information', but Gondwe in his post argued that the real issue is the misuse of public resources.

Meanwhile Gondwe has said despite personal risks, the he remains committed to journalistic duties, emphasizing the non-negotiable commitment to truth in journalism.

So far, Media Institute of Southern Africa Malawi says it is deeply concerned about threats against the media.