By Burnett Munthali
In an exclusive interview with this publication, seasoned journalist and social media commentator Vincent Gunde has spoken out for the first time following backlash over a controversial story suggesting that Dr. Elias Chakwera had withdrawn from the primary elections rerun in Dowa-Ngala Constituency.
Gunde clarified that the story in question was not originally his own creation, nor was it a deliberate act of misinformation as some critics have claimed.
“The story that Dr. Elias Chakwera pulled out of Dowa Ngala constituency was written and published together with his picture—not by me,” Gunde explained.
He emphasized that the piece had been published in a vernacular language, which may have added to the confusion and misinterpretation of its original intent.
According to Gunde, his involvement in the story was based on prior reporting that had already circulated in printed media, not a personal vendetta or baseless fabrication.
“I wrote it basing on the printed media reports,” he stated firmly.
He expressed surprise at the timing of Dr. Chakwera’s response to the story, questioning the delay in addressing what has now become a heated debate on social media and political circles.
“From the date of the story’s publication to his hitting back at me, how many days have passed and what was he thinking?” Gunde asked rhetorically.
He suggested that had Dr. Chakwera been truly aggrieved by the contents of the article, he should have responded directly and swiftly, rather than through intermediaries or veiled references.
“It is better for Dr. Chakwera himself to come out that he hasn’t pulled out from the race and not through Adolf Hitler,” Gunde added, referring to the inflammatory pseudonym used in the rebuttal post defending Dr. Chakwera.
In a tone that remained both firm and conciliatory, Gunde made it clear that the door remains open for clarification and correction—provided it comes from the source himself.
“Dr. Chakwera is free himself to hit my inbox and I will rewrite the story,” he said.
This statement implies that while Gunde stands by his reporting, he is not above making amendments if new, verified information emerges directly from the individual concerned.
Despite the backlash, Gunde doubled down on the integrity of his original post, asserting that it was not a work of imagination or personal bias.
“I still stand with what I wrote and it was not coming from my head but through printed media reports,” he reiterated.
In a political climate already teeming with suspicion, tribalism, and factionalism, Gunde’s comments offer a unique perspective on the complications journalists face when covering sensitive political developments.
This interview not only gives voice to Gunde’s side of the story but also highlights the broader issue of responsible journalism, media ethics, and the need for clear, direct communication from political leaders in an era dominated by rapid-fire social media narratives.
As the Dowa-Ngala primary election rerun approaches, this controversy serves as a reminder that clarity, accountability, and respect for journalistic boundaries remain essential pillars of a healthy democratic process.
Whether or not Dr. Elias Chakwera will respond directly to Gunde remains to be seen, but what is certain is that the battle for truth in the digital age is far from over.
