9 journalists probed for kickbacks

Chitsulo: I felt a lump in my throat

NINE journalists are being probed by the Media Council of Malawi for allegedly receiving “kickbacks” to cover the opening of the SACCO Supervision and Monitoring Workshop at Sunbird Lilongwe Hotel on September 22 this year. 

A quarter-page advert posted in the The Nation newspapers by the Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives Ltd (MUSCCO) exposed Bwanali Makote and Bernard Ndege of Television Malawi; Dumbani Mzale, an intern at the Nation; Eunice Ndlovu of MBC, Joseph Chavula of Blantre Newspapers, Wycliff Njiragoma of Zodiak and Yvonne Sundu of Joy Radio. 

Capital FM Radio had two reporters covering a single event - Isaac Kambwiri and Sylvester Namiwa. 

A document sourced by Nyasa Times from Muscco indicates that the journalists were each paid K5, 000 for doing work they are supposed to be paid for by their employers. 

The transaction translates to K45, 000 given to the journalists as “thank you” and another K35, 600 paid to the Nation newspapers for the advert that exposed the corrupt team of news gatherers. 

Calling it the advert “Vote of Thanks”, MUSCCO applauded the journalists for “their presence and coverage” which they said “helped us to create the much needed public awareness about our services and programs.” 

Signed by MUSCCO Chief Executive Sylvester Kadzole, the advert thanked the reporters for helping it to bear testimony of the organization’s rising clout and influence in co-operatives beyond the borders of Malawi. 

Added Kadzole: “MUSCCO cherishes and greatly values the important role the media plays in strengthening democratic values and articulating the development agenda of our country.” 

Commenting on the issue on the Namisa eforum discussion forum, Nation Publications Limited Editor Edward Chitsulo said: “When I saw this advert, on one hand I said these are normal human beings, real Malawians. On the other, I felt a lump in my throat on how we would deal with Muscco in case there is a case against them that the media is pursuing. 

“I remember the first Ombudsman James Makoza Chirwa who gave us a good meal at Ryalls years back? He thanked us with some "brownies" on top of the meals when he was briefing the media about his trip to West Africa and his office. 

It turned out the fellow wasn't delivering and it took the nerve of journalist Chinyeke Tembo who rose above the clouds and a) talked about the VIP treatment at Ryalls and b) the inefficiency. 

A few days later, Makoza was on the streets.  

Media Council Chief Executive Baldwin Chiyamwaka said he found a lot of professional wisdom in the reaction of Chitsulo who he said had a natural reflex reaction “and then his rational consideration. Sometimes I wonder what kind of fibres he is made of. I'm just making an observation without attaching any value judgements here.”