By Vincent Gunde
One of the country’s courageous journalist who fought tirelessly through his pen for change of leadership from MCP to DPP Jones Gadama is reporting for his Police bail fortnightly from Blantyre to Lilongwe despite the availability of police stations in Blantyre causing unnecessary financial and psychological strain.
On 5th December, 2025 police officers travelled from Lilongwe to Blantyre where they arrested Maravi Post contributor Gadama allegedly at the instigation of an MBC employee Ms. Barbara Mwandira for two documents relating to allegations of misconduct by Barbara Mwandira including that she had victimized fellow MBC employees following a regime change from the MCP to DPP.
Upon seeing the documents posted, Barbara Mwandira bypassed all editorial engagement and rushed to the Malawi Police Service (MPS) demanding the arrest of Maravi Post administrators and editors for authorizing the document to be posted.
A police officer (Mr. Chimwemwe Magawa) summoned the Maravi Post Country Manager Mr. Lloyd M’bwana for questioning regarding the post who referred the officer to the publisher for editorial resolution but the officer refused this, he started issuing threats of arrest, this escalated into intimidations and pressure to produce staff members.
In a letter to Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito signed by Elwin Mandowa (Publisher) and Lloyd M’bwana (Country Manager), the Maravi Post says the arrest of contributor Jones Gadama has raised grace concerns for freedom of expression, freedom of the press and the professional independence of journalists in Malawi.
In the letter, the Maravi Post has expressed its grave concern that Jones Gadama was transported overnight from Blantyre to Lilongwe, detained at Lingadzi Police Station, denied communication and has his mobile phone confiscated (which remains in police custody).
The Maravi Post has described the arrest of Jones Gadama as occurred without prior summons and without editorial engagement expressing fears that if journalists can be arrested, transported at night, and silenced on the instruction of a junior public employee, then no journalist in Malawi is safe.
“We are deeply troubled by reports that Ms. Barbara Mwandira is said to be a former police officer, this is raising serious questions about undue influence, conflict of interest and manipulation of law enforcement processes by a junior staff member at a public broadcaster,” reads the letter in part.
The Maravi Post has finally appealed for independent review of police conduct, immediate intervention to halt police harassment, and a clear guidance to police on constitutional media freedoms- journalists across the country should enjoy in the course of their everyday work.
In 2024 under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) administration, the Maravi Post faced similar police intimidation following a report posted on alleged Fraud at the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), arrests were made.
