On 10 July 2008 immigration authorities raided Joy Radio premises, searching for foreigners allegedly employed by the station. The incident happened barely a day after State House Press Officer Chikumbutso Mtumodzi warned the station against what he termed "embarking on a disinformation crusade, airing libellous and slanderous programmes and playing derogatory songs" against President Bingu wa Mutharika.
Mtumodzi, a former journalist, has also alleged that the station's manager Peter Chisale is a Zambian national and threatened to deport him. However, Chisale has refuted the State House's claims, arguing his station abides by the code of conduct as stipulated in the Communications Act and that he is a bonafide Malawian citizen who only stayed in Zambia in exile, just like other Malawians, including President Mutharika and some of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's senior officials. Chisale said he holds a Malawian passport number MW233354 issued in Blantyre, and challenged Mtumodzi to cross check with immigration.
Chisale confirmed that immigration authorities went to the station looking for foreigners. He further said the authorities had also said they wanted to verify his (Chisale's) citizenship.
"Yes, indeed, immigration people came here at around 4 p.m. but they did not get me. I understand they said they wanted foreigners working at our station, but they were told there were no foreigners. They then demanded to verify my citizenship, but the people they talked to told them I was not around. I understand they said they would come back but I have not seen them," said Chisale.
According to Chisale, the authorities also went to his home village on their verification exercise. When contacted, immigration Public Relations Officer Prudensia Makalamba asked to be called later.
In a 9 July press statement, Mtumodzi also accused the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), its chairperson, former president Bakili Muluzi, and Chisale of being architects of the alleged disinformation campaign against the president and ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Mtumodzi alleged in the statement that Chisale is not Malawian but Zambian. "We wish to inform Malawians and the international community that President Mutharika has always been a firm defender of press freedom and the right to freedom of speech and association. However, the President likewise firmly believes, as Mr. Muluzi and the UDF may be aware, that freedoms go with responsibilities. Suffice to put it on record today that the station manager at Joy Radio - one Peter Chisale - is behind the chaotic, savage and politically offensive material aired on Joy Radio. We are warning Chisale and a number of Zambian nationals employed by Joy against meddling in politics because they risk being deported at the stroke of a minute," read the statement in part.
Joy Radio Vice Chairperson Tony Mita has issued a statement condemning Mtumodzi, arguing his station handles issues in a balanced and professional manner.
"By threatening the radio station, State House wants to intimidate, and deny it the freedom of expression which Malawians fought for and got through the democratic change in 1994, which ushered into Malawi multiparty politics. (. . . ) Finally, with due respect again, we would like to request State House to honourably desist from muzzling the independent radio and interfering with other arms of government - that is what democracy demands," reads Joy Radio's statement in part.
MISA Malawi chairperson Martines Namingha also condemned State House for intimidating Joy Radio, explaining that Mtumodzi is aware of institutions such Media Council and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), which are mandated to handle complaints against the media.
He said State House should have complained to such institutions instead of issuing threats.
BACKGROUND:
Joy Radio, which is linked to former President Bakili Muluzi, has on several occasions clashed with the government and operates under constant threat of closure by the government.
Recently, at the signing of the media code of conduct for the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, Information and Civic Education Minister Patricia Kaliati ordered MACRA to revoke the station's licence, arguing the Communications Act does not allow politicians to own radio stations. She also accused the station of being anti-government.
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Malawi ex-leader faces legal challenge to presidency bid
Malawi's former president Bakili Muluzi will learn later this month whether he will be allowed to stand again as a candidate in next year's general election, the country's highest court said on Tuesday.
Judge Edward Twea, head of a three-man panel sitting at the Constitutional Court, said he would deliver a ruling on July 25 on a case brought by one of Muluzi's own party supporters arguing that he cannot run for a third term.
Muluzi was recently chosen by the main opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) as its candidate against incumbent President Bingu wa Mutharika in what will be only the fourth general election in the former British colony.
"According to the Malawi constitution, the defendant (Muluzi) is not eligible to stand as a national presidential candidate in the forthcoming general elections," said lawyer Christopher Chimphwanya.
"The ambit of the summons are to seek to move this court to find out if the defendant is illegible to be nominated by the party as the party's presidential candidate," he added.
The case has been brought by a junior functionary in Muluzi's own party called James Phiri who did not appear in court.
Muluzi ruled the impoverished southern African nation from 1994 to 2004 before handing over power to his chosen successor Mutharika.
The former president wrestled power from dictator Kamuzu Banda in 1994, but failed in his bid before the 2004 polls to amend the constitution to allow him to stand for a third term.
Mutharika has been at odds with his one-time mentor since he ditched the UDF to form his own party.
Muluzi did not appear in court, but Kalekeni Kaphale, one of his team of nine lawyers, urged the judges to deliver a swift judgement before Twea announced when the ruling would be made.
"The UDF does not want to wait for nomination day as the party may not have the capacity to appoint an alternative," Kaphale said.
All presidential aspirants will present nomination papers to the country's electoral commission in January, four months before scheduled polling on May 19.
The country's solicitor-general Antony Kamanga, who represented the government as an "interested party" in the case, told the court the issue about Muluzi's candidacy was "premature as we are not yet there."
Muluzi was recently arrested but not charged over claims by the government that he plotted to overthrow Mutharika, helped by a former head of the army.
Judge Edward Twea, head of a three-man panel sitting at the Constitutional Court, said he would deliver a ruling on July 25 on a case brought by one of Muluzi's own party supporters arguing that he cannot run for a third term.
Muluzi was recently chosen by the main opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) as its candidate against incumbent President Bingu wa Mutharika in what will be only the fourth general election in the former British colony.
"According to the Malawi constitution, the defendant (Muluzi) is not eligible to stand as a national presidential candidate in the forthcoming general elections," said lawyer Christopher Chimphwanya.
"The ambit of the summons are to seek to move this court to find out if the defendant is illegible to be nominated by the party as the party's presidential candidate," he added.
The case has been brought by a junior functionary in Muluzi's own party called James Phiri who did not appear in court.
Muluzi ruled the impoverished southern African nation from 1994 to 2004 before handing over power to his chosen successor Mutharika.
The former president wrestled power from dictator Kamuzu Banda in 1994, but failed in his bid before the 2004 polls to amend the constitution to allow him to stand for a third term.
Mutharika has been at odds with his one-time mentor since he ditched the UDF to form his own party.
Muluzi did not appear in court, but Kalekeni Kaphale, one of his team of nine lawyers, urged the judges to deliver a swift judgement before Twea announced when the ruling would be made.
"The UDF does not want to wait for nomination day as the party may not have the capacity to appoint an alternative," Kaphale said.
All presidential aspirants will present nomination papers to the country's electoral commission in January, four months before scheduled polling on May 19.
The country's solicitor-general Antony Kamanga, who represented the government as an "interested party" in the case, told the court the issue about Muluzi's candidacy was "premature as we are not yet there."
Muluzi was recently arrested but not charged over claims by the government that he plotted to overthrow Mutharika, helped by a former head of the army.
Muluzi in Malawi re-election bid
Lawyers for former Malawian leader Bakili Muluzi are due in court to argue that he should be able to seek re-election as president next year.
Mr Muluzi wants to stand in the elections against President Bingu wa Mutharika, his chosen successor with whom he has subsequently fallen out.
The constitution says a president cannot run again if he has served for two consecutive five-year terms.
Mr Muluzi has served two terms as head of state - from 1994 to 2004.
His lawyers argue that the constitution allows him to seek re-election after a gap of for example five years - as Mr Muluzi has done - after the two consecutive five-year terms.
I cannot fail to deflate a tyre I personally inflated
Bakili Muluzi about his successor
"We are ready to fight," said one of his lawyers, Jai Banda.
He is being challenged in his bid by a member of his own party, James Phiri.
Mr Phiri's lawyer Christopher Chiphwanya said that it would be against the spirit of the constitution.
"It will be a defeat for democracy to allow Dr Muluzi to stand again as that will encourage life-presidency which Malawians rejected already," he said.
Mr Muluzi ended Hastings Banda's 30-year rule in 1994, winning the country's first multi-party elections.
Bingu wa Mutharika
Mr Mutharika says his anti-corruption drive upset his former allies
Correspondents say his attempted come back is motivated by personal differences with President Mutharika.
Mr Muluzi has publicly vowed to unseat President Mutharika.
"I cannot fail to deflate a tyre I personally inflated," he said, implying that he was solely responsible for making Mr Mutharika president.
In May, Mr Muluzi was arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow Mr Mutharika's government.
The month before, Mr Muluzi won a contest to be named the presidential candidate of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in next year's polls.
President Mutharika was elected as the UDF candidate in 2004 but soon afterwards fell out with Mr Muluzi and formed his own party.
He said his former political associates were opposed to his anti-corruption drive.
Mr Muluzi wants to stand in the elections against President Bingu wa Mutharika, his chosen successor with whom he has subsequently fallen out.
The constitution says a president cannot run again if he has served for two consecutive five-year terms.
Mr Muluzi has served two terms as head of state - from 1994 to 2004.
His lawyers argue that the constitution allows him to seek re-election after a gap of for example five years - as Mr Muluzi has done - after the two consecutive five-year terms.
I cannot fail to deflate a tyre I personally inflated
Bakili Muluzi about his successor
"We are ready to fight," said one of his lawyers, Jai Banda.
He is being challenged in his bid by a member of his own party, James Phiri.
Mr Phiri's lawyer Christopher Chiphwanya said that it would be against the spirit of the constitution.
"It will be a defeat for democracy to allow Dr Muluzi to stand again as that will encourage life-presidency which Malawians rejected already," he said.
Mr Muluzi ended Hastings Banda's 30-year rule in 1994, winning the country's first multi-party elections.
Bingu wa Mutharika
Mr Mutharika says his anti-corruption drive upset his former allies
Correspondents say his attempted come back is motivated by personal differences with President Mutharika.
Mr Muluzi has publicly vowed to unseat President Mutharika.
"I cannot fail to deflate a tyre I personally inflated," he said, implying that he was solely responsible for making Mr Mutharika president.
In May, Mr Muluzi was arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow Mr Mutharika's government.
The month before, Mr Muluzi won a contest to be named the presidential candidate of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in next year's polls.
President Mutharika was elected as the UDF candidate in 2004 but soon afterwards fell out with Mr Muluzi and formed his own party.
He said his former political associates were opposed to his anti-corruption drive.
IMF ups loans to Malawi as fuel costs squeeze
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund increased funding to Malawi by $16.9 million on Monday, approving a total disbursement of $24.7 million to help the country cope with soaring fuel and fertilizer prices.
The disbursement to the southern African country is the final payment by the IMF under a three-year $62.1 million loan program agreed in 2005.
IMF Deputy Managing Director Takatoshi Kato said the increased funding was approved because of concerns over Malawi's low levels of international currency reserves and the threat that posed to financial stability and food security.
"Rising fuel and fertilizer prices are increasing the downside risk and adding inflation pressure," Kato said in a statement. "Further consolidation of government net domestic debt will facilitate the further accumulation of international reserves without jeopardizing growth and crowding out the private sector," he added.
The IMF said financial help from donors would help smooth the adjustment.
The disbursement to the southern African country is the final payment by the IMF under a three-year $62.1 million loan program agreed in 2005.
IMF Deputy Managing Director Takatoshi Kato said the increased funding was approved because of concerns over Malawi's low levels of international currency reserves and the threat that posed to financial stability and food security.
"Rising fuel and fertilizer prices are increasing the downside risk and adding inflation pressure," Kato said in a statement. "Further consolidation of government net domestic debt will facilitate the further accumulation of international reserves without jeopardizing growth and crowding out the private sector," he added.
The IMF said financial help from donors would help smooth the adjustment.
MF raises Malawi development program loan by $17 mln
WASHINGTON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will increase its assistance to Malawi under the three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program by some 17 million U.S. dollars, bringing the total to 79 million dollars.
The decision came after the IMF Executive Board completed its sixth and final review of Malawi's economic performance under the program, an IMF press release said Monday.
The increases funds are expected to help the country meet a larger balance of payments need brought about by higher fuel and fertilizer prices.
The completion of the review enables the release of 24.7 million dollars, which will fully disburse the total amount available under the arrangement.
The three-year PRGF arrangement for Malawi was approved on August 5, 2005 -- originally for a total amount of 62.1 million dollars to support the government's economic program for 2005-2007.
"Helped by favorable weather and debt relief, growth (in Malawi) has been robust, poverty has been reduced, inflation has fallen to single digits, and the debt situation has improved," an IMF official said.
The PRGF is the IMF's concessional facility for low-income countries. PRGF loans carry an annual interest rate of 0.5 percent and are repayable over 10 years with a 5.5 year grace period on principal payments.
The decision came after the IMF Executive Board completed its sixth and final review of Malawi's economic performance under the program, an IMF press release said Monday.
The increases funds are expected to help the country meet a larger balance of payments need brought about by higher fuel and fertilizer prices.
The completion of the review enables the release of 24.7 million dollars, which will fully disburse the total amount available under the arrangement.
The three-year PRGF arrangement for Malawi was approved on August 5, 2005 -- originally for a total amount of 62.1 million dollars to support the government's economic program for 2005-2007.
"Helped by favorable weather and debt relief, growth (in Malawi) has been robust, poverty has been reduced, inflation has fallen to single digits, and the debt situation has improved," an IMF official said.
The PRGF is the IMF's concessional facility for low-income countries. PRGF loans carry an annual interest rate of 0.5 percent and are repayable over 10 years with a 5.5 year grace period on principal payments.
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