Shooting off the hip: The case of one spin doc in Malawi

A spin doctor is defined as a political press agent or publicist employed to promote a favourable interpretation of events to journalists. So traditionally party or government spokespersons have donned the title of spin doctors. Others have been more successful at it, making an almost lifelong career out of it. But today we have a special spin doctor to discuss, one Kondwani Nankhumwa, spokesperson of the Malawi Government by virtue of being the Minister of Information.

On 9^th May, 2015, President Peter Mutharika (APM) led a memorial service of his brother Bingu, who died in office (in rather controversial circumstances) in April 2012.

Traditionally before the President takes to the podium, a few mkupamames must speak and say various things to the gathering, as well as to the President. So in a bout of excitement, Kondwani pulls out a tabloid called The Eye Witnesswith the headlines “Bingu to die before 2014 Veep”.

Now veep is a well-known short form for the vice, in this case vice president. The Vice President just before Bingu’s death was Joyce Banda, popularly known as JB. Now Kondwani did not stop there but claimed to be in possession of a document entitled “JB Project”.

Now you do not need rocket science to draw the direct inference that Kondwani was making here. The fact that JB was not mentioned by name is non consequential. The inference in the minds of all right-thinking people is that it was JB who was behind the death of Bingu. And yes, for it to be murder there would have to be a motive. The implication here being that JB would have a good motive to take over as president!

Now I hope Kondwani understands the law of defamation properly. Innuendo is as much defamation as calling a person by their name. So by referring to an alleged statement made by a “Veep” and in the same sentences throwing in the JB acronym, the damage is done.

Now if Kondwani must know, he is not the only one that had questions about the death of our former President. I also have mine. I am sure so do many others. I have questions about the role of a certain prophet in all this. I recall Nicholas Dausi also raised these questions. But does that mean Bingu was murdered? No it doesnot. It may raise questions about his death and makes it controversial.

But that is not the same as murder. Does Kondwani know the full implication of his call to ‘investigate the matter?’ It would require exhuming the body of Bingu and carrying out tests to see if they was any foul play. Does he really want to subject Bingu to this? Does Bingu deserve this?

Let Bingu rest. He deserves at least that in his death.

• This is an abridged version. For the full version visit: http://sunduzwayo.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/shooting-off-hip-part-2-case-of-one.html

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