MBC reporter faces transfer over gay question

Taxpayer-funded Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) television reporter Peter Makawa faces disciplinary action for asking President Peter Mutharika a question on gay men who were recently arrested in Lilongwe.

State House had organised the news conference to allow Mutharika tell the nation his whirlwind tour of Malta, London and South Africa on official duties.

Tradition has it that the state controlled MBC journalists strictly ask the issue at hand, they are not allowed any other questions unless mentored before hand by State House.

However, on this day, Peter Makawa, who works for MBC television in Lilongwe asked the unsuspecting Mutharika the position of government on gay issue following the arrest of Cuthbert Kulemeka and Kelvin Gomani.

At first, Mutharika looked uncomfortable, then annoyed before he answered that he would be meeting Justice minister to chart the way.

Sources at MBC said Makawa has since been recalled at head office in Blantyre on “relief.”

Nyasa Times sources said management is contemplating of either sending him to Mzuzu where moderate ‘disobedient’ workers are warehoused or to “Siberia,” a training department where worst ‘disobedient’ workers are dumped as employees there virtually do nothing because no training takes place.

Makawa is currently anchoring news at Kwacha MBC studio in Blantyre. During the press conference where Makawa asked the gay question, Zodiak journalists were not invited allegedly because last time Tereza Ndanga grabbed a microphone and asked Mutharika the needful questions.

However Mutharika is said to have been angered by the decision of press secretary Gerald Viola who had connived with his blue eyed boy Silvester Namiwa to sideline Zodiak radio.