Malawi police charge man over fake Mutharika leave statement

November 3, 2026 Mwelu Phiri, Nyasa Times Be the first to comment

A 39-year-old man has been arrested after police said he created a fake press release bearing the forged credentials of the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC).

Chiwaula: Emmanuel Soko faces charges under the Penal Code and cyber law over a bogus statement that Malawi’s government had dismissed

Emmanuel Soko, from Maliwa Village in Traditional Authority Munjala, Kasungu District, is suspected of producing the bogus document, police said.

He is expected to appear in court in due course.

The statement, signed by Senior Public Relations Officer Gladys Chiwaula, did not name the  press release which claimed that President Peter Mutharika was due to take 10 days’ leave.

The OPC later dismissed that statement as false.

Police say Soko is believed to have breached sections 60 and 50 of the Penal Code, as well as section 91 of the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act.

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