Media allowed to cover Mphwiyo’s PAC meet
Malawi journalists have finally been allowed to cover the hearing of Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo’s side who will appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament at the Capital Hill scheduled for Tuesday in Lilongwe.
The long-awaited meeting between PAC and Mphwiyo is set to take place soon after the budget director’s family pleaded for privacy and dignity from the media who have been seeking his side of the story in the on-going investigations into looting at Capital Hill.
PAC had ealier indicated that the media will be allowed to take pictures of Mphwiyo before and after the meeting, but would not be accorded that opportunity during the meeting with Members of Parliament (MPs).
But Malawi Parliament publicist Ian Mwenye informed on Monday that journalists will be allowed to cover the meeting.
“All journalists covering meetings of parliamentary committees are kindly reminded to adhere to routine protocols notably dress code and time. It is advisable to check with the PR office for sitting arrangements,” Mwenye informed.
Mwenye said the committee is meeting stakeholders on ‘cashgate scandal’ and Mphwiyo’s meetings is expected to take place at Parliament Building from 9:30am.
PAC chairperson Beatrice Mwangonde said gun-shot survivier Mphwiyo has suffered trauma and could not be subjected to an intimidating environment.
Mwangonde said the Chief Secretary to the Government, Hawa Ndilowe asked for a “controlled environment”.
“This is a sensitive matter and you know the matter concerning his shooting is in court,” said Mwangonde.
Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter chairperson Anthony Kasunda said media should be allowed unfettered access to the budget director to allow them communicate the information to Malawians.
Mphwiyo will be queried on the role he played in the Capital Hill cashgate as budget director as it has been revealed that large sums of illegal payments were made between July and September, when he was shot at the gate of his Area 43 house in Lilongwe.
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