Muluzi claims libel: Malawi minister demands Daily Times newspaper apology

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Atupele Muluzi’s lawyer has sent a letter to a Daily Times newspaper demanding an apology and the retraction of an allegedly defamatory article published on Thursday May 28, 2015.

The paper published a report that the minister has been implicated in a case in which two people are answering a charge of defrauding a Lilongwe based businessperson Trevor Kandoje.

Lawyer David Kanyenda confirmed that he has been instructed by Muluzi seeking retraction and apology of the story which he said “falsely and maliciously” alleged that Muluzi is implicate in a fraud case in that he had allegedly instructed Steven Otieno and Imran Mlanga to hire four motor vehicles from City Transport Brokers and that terms were allegedly agreed.

“Our client [Muluzi] denies ever hiring the said four motor vehicles from City Transport Brokers or at all puts you to strict proof thereof,” reads Kanyenda’s letter to Times Group.

The lawyer said Muluzi “categorically denies any liability to pay for the said motor vehicles at all.”

Kanyenda said the article portrayed Muluzi as” untrustworthy and unscrupulous character” yet he is not involved in the issue at all.

“The article tends to lower our client in the estimation of right thinking members of the society generally,” Kanyenda tells Times Group.

He states that Muluzi has been “greatly injured” with the article in his credit, character and reputation.

“His name has been brought unto public scandal. Odium, ridicule and contempt,” reads Kanyenda’s letter.

Muluzi, through his lawyer, is demanding a retraction of the said article and an apology or he will commence court proceedings “designed to secure adequate compensation.”

According to the story Kandoje told court that in September 2014, Otieno and Mlanga approached Kandoje to help running an SMS campaign through Kempcall, a company for which he is the director.

Mlanga, believed to be a relation to the Muluzi family, is said to have been using the link to swindle people. He is currently at large and Magistrate Paul Chiotcha ordered the arrest of his surety, Esnart Katema but lawyer Gabriel Chembezi later obtained a stay order against the arrest of Katema.

The trio are also reported to have forged signature Collins Magalasi and stamps of First Lady Getrude Mutharika’s Beautify Malawi as they were using to link up with Nigerian singer Davido,

Of late there have been many tricksters in the country who have swindled businesses and individuals impersonating Presidential advisors and other top government officials including some posing as journalists.