MHRC To Investigate Arrest, Release Of Seasoned Journalist Gregory Gondwe

MALAWI: The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has launched an investigation into the arrest and treatment of Gregory Gondwe, a seasoned journalist and the Executive Director of Platform for Investigative Journalism-PIJ.

Gregory was detained by police on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, for questioning in connection with a story published by PIJ in March.

His laptop and mobile phones were also seized by the cops.

The PIJ is comprised of seasoned journalists who have been at the forefront of uncovering corrupt practices involving some businesspeople and politicians.

According to a statement signed by the Commission's Chairperson Scader Loius and made available to AfricaBrief, the Malawi Police Service informed the Commission that Gondwe was arrested in connection with the aforementioned story, which the police are also investigating.

“The Commission has been informed that Gondwe was chosen for his role in the aforementioned investigations, which necessitated the seizure of his laptop and phones,” reads a portion of the statement.

MHRC says is however worried about the arrest.

“The Commission is closely monitoring the circumstances to guard against any unwarranted interference with the freedom of the press and the right to privacy in terms of Sections 36 and 21 of the country’s constitution,” it adds.

Meanwhile, the Commission has launched an investigation into how Gondwe was arrested and treated while in police custody, as well as the circumstances surrounding the confiscation of his equipment.

In a related development, the Political Science Association-PAS reminds the government to focus on governing the country rather than arresting journalists and critics in order to deal with what it calls an "organized axis of corruption involving some public servants, business people, and politicians."

Human rights organizations such as the Human Rights Defenders Coalition-HRDC, Youth and Society-YAS, and the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States have all spoken out against the arrest and urged authorities to unconditionally release Gondwe's equipment.