Kaliati threatens Malawi journalists
Munthali: I can not dignify people who are not supposed to be dignified
Malawi Minister of Information Patricia Kaliati has accused journalists Kondwani Munthali for Nation Publications Limited and Joy Radio Limited reporters saying they are behind stories that exposes government of Bingu Mutharika on Nyasa Times online publication.
A highly charged Kaliati made the allegations when she addressed a news conference at Centre Office of Information in Lilongwe where she issued a stern warning against the journalists.
She addressed the media together with head of Security Intelligence Services, Clement Kapalamula and rebutted a story which was posted on Nyasa Times a week ago that Mutharika’s government is set to clear weapons for Zimbabwe coming from China.
However, in an interview with Nyasa Times, Munthali said he cannot make any comment on the issue but only said he was not surprised.
"I cannot comment anything right now because am in Mangochi. I have just been told by people who were at the conference about the said warning by the minister," said Munthali on the line from Mangochi.
"I don't want to comment now because I will end up dignifying people, who are not supposed to be dignified," said the Harvard University trained journalist who quit state radio MBC in preference for professional work at Nation publications.
Munthali however wrote on his Facebook social network profile: " [I] will be arrested anytime on false allegations. The Minister of Information has told a press briefing this morning. Be ready for more news."
Nyasa Times failed to get a comment from Joy Radio.
Malawi Watch executive director Billy Banda deplored the Information Minister for holding a joint news conference with security agent to sew panic in journalists.
"Is it wrong for anybody to write for Nyasa Times?" wondered Banda.
The human rights campaigner said government should desist from intimidating and threatening journalists and asked authorities to be reminded of the freedom of the press as enshrined in the republican constitution.
Nyasa Times reported that Malawi government sent a top three man national intelligence experts to Angola to look at ways of helping Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe clear the weapons aboard the beleaguered Chinese ship that was docked in Luanda, Angola.
The Malawi team comprised of Clement Kapalamula - Head of Secret Intelligence Services (SIS), George Masinga - Acting Director of Foreign Relations (Intelligence) and a Mr Matanga - Technical Engineer (Intelligence).
The delegation, which has, since returned home went to Angola to assess the means of clearing the arms in disguise as if the Chinese Defence Forces have donated them to Malawi.
The Malawi team also met Emerson Mnangagwa, the man in charge of Zimbabwe's terror campaign through the Joint Operations Command in Angola.
Zimbabwe Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga has since claimed that the controversial shipment of arms from China was now in Zimbabwe.
"In any case that shipment is already in Zimbabwe," Matonga said during a panel discussion on Iranian sponsored 'Press TV' 'Four Corners' programme.
The Chinese ship 'An Yue Jiang' was carrying 3 million rounds of ammunition for AK-47's, 1500 rocket propelled grenades and 3000 mortar rounds and tubes.
But Kaliati denied Malawi involvement after mounting pressure to clarify their stand on the underhand tactics aimed at aiding Mugabe’s terror campaign to secure his hold on to power.
"The problems that are in Zimbabwe are Zimbabweans themselves and not Malawi and no leader like Bingu would assist Zimbabwe to get the weapons," said Kaliati.
Kaliati also claimed that Munthali talked ill about government in the parliament's media gallery where members of the intelligence were present and they reported him to the authorities.
"On 4th or 6th May while at the press gallery Kondwani Munthali was saying when we approach the elections we will see weapons from China, that's being stupid," said Kaliati.
The media gallery is supposed to accommodate members of the media during parliament's deliberations and it is not known whether the gallery is also supposed to accommodate members of intelligence service as well.
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Comments (17 posted):
MALAWI WOYEEE
then Government has a right to warn those reporters with a habit of reporting false reports to media outlets. Please note that whether one is a professor or Harvard trained or from prestigious Eaton college does not matter, what matters is good reporting without due influence from powerful rich barons. * stand to be corrected , but * feel the article was bad and destructive to the Nation.
The truth is you were waiting for your men to return from Angola so that you parade them when holding the conference. You should have done that atleast on the day the article came out because we know you have some you stoogies in your office whose duty is just to read Nyasa Times every minute and report to you whats has been written. Let me tell you Chemwali that these stories are leaked by the same people you trust and plant as spy from State House to govt offices. Do you think Nyasa Times reporters can just wake up one morning and cook up a story against govt or Bingu? That is not on. Your own people give Nyasa Times information, this is according to my own observation because all the stories * have read on Nyasa Times have turned out to be true in the end. Remember the Katopola, First Lady etc. Let me lift Nyasa Times high for their investigative journalism, we enjoy it but a caution is that investigate anyone even Tembo and Muluz and not govt officials only.
* must state that * agree with the comments most of the writers have made especially that of Dr. Pulikani Makani.
* would like to give a free advice to Patricia Kaliati. You outbursts (verbal diarrhoea) and irrational actions have turnished your image (if it was good at all) among the well meaning Malawians including those in DPP. DPP will not remain a "ruling" party forever. People are watching you and you should know that you will pay for your actions one day. If you care about your future you should consider these things. If you have respect for and you are able to discuss freely with your husband, one day you should sit down with him and find out how likes or dislikes your behaviour. If your husband is honest and has the guts, he will tell you the truth.
Today you are enjoying molesting other people tomorrow it will be you. You have to take the best example of hounarable J. Malewezi who when he was in government he was not so notorious as you are.Today he is a free man in his country because he was not talkative as you are. He was not even corrupt as we held about you. Ukayenda siya phazi koma ukasiya mulomo ukutsata...2009 is just around the corner
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