Gagging! Malawi Police summons reporter Chimjeka over ‘ stories’

Malawi Police in administrative capital Lilongwe on Wednesday summoned award winning Nations Publications Limited (NPL) reporter Rabecca Chimjeka reportedly over some stories she has been doing pertaining to cashgate and widespread timber business involving some Cabinet Ministers.

Chimjeka, a former Nyasa Times senior investigative reporter, was summoned to Central Region Police Headquarters in Area 3, according to inside sources.

“She was summoned this morning, on issues to do with cashgate. Some individuals are restless with her aggressive reporting on the matter.

“It is believed the police just wanted to silence her by intimidation. Rabecca was visibly shocked; but reading in between the lines, I could tell that she was indirectly told off the case as it seems things were going to expose some real big fish out there,” said the source privy to the development.

There was no immediate comment from the journalist while her Lilongwe Bureau Chief Sam Chunga, who apparently accompanied her to the Police, could neither deny nor confirm the development.

Chunga declined to comment on the matter when contacted on Wednesday .

National Police spokesperson Rhoda Manjolo, who is currently in Blantyre, expressed ignorance of the development.

“I don’t know anything, in fact am still in Blantyre and I haven’t received any update or communication,” said Manjolo.

Rabecca recently reported on timber sales involving some Cabinet Ministers, a development that is said not to have not gone down well with some prominent figures, who alleged to have threatened to deal with her, according to sources, who asked for anonymity.