Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-02-05 16:24:10
Investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe has been forced into hiding after exposing the Malawian government’s controversial plans to purchase 32 armoured vehicles from a company implicated in corruption. Gondwe, who works with the Platform for Investigative Journalism, fears arrest by the military for his involvement in uncovering the alleged corruption.
In a story published last Monday, Gondwe quoted unnamed military officials revealing that the Malawi Defense Force had paid a firm associated with businessman Zuneth Sattar millions of dollars for military equipment. Sattar is facing allegations of corruption, and the reported transaction involved a $4.98 million payment as part of a nearly $20 million deal for the procurement of the armoured vehicles. The leaked documents from the Malawi Defense Force (MDF), obtained by Gondwe, suggest that the deal contradicts the Malawi government’s pledge to combat corruption.
Sattar, based in the United Kingdom, is under scrutiny in Malawi for allegedly bribing Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima in return for government contracts. The Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Chilima in 2022, leading Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera to suspend the vice president’s powers. The government has stated that it has cancelled all business connected to Sattar.
Gondwe, speaking from an undisclosed location, revealed that he has gone into hiding after receiving a tip from military sources about plans to arrest him. This is not the first time Gondwe has faced arrest for publishing a story about the government’s dealings with Sattar. In 2022, Malawi police arrested Gondwe and confiscated his phone and laptop for publishing leaked documents exposing another secret government deal with Sattar. Gondwe refused to disclose his sources and was later unconditionally released after press freedom groups and the US and British embassies in Malawi expressed concern over his arrest.
The threats against Gondwe have been condemned by the Media Institute for Southern Africa in Malawi (MISA-Malawi), which stated that they have a chilling effect on journalists. A delegation from approximately 15 civil society organizations in Malawi held a closed-door meeting with Defense Minister Harry Mkandawire, expressing concern about alleged intimidation of whistleblowers such as Gondwe. The minister confirmed a payment of $5 million to Sattar’s company but stated that the payment had not been finalized and remains with the Reserve Bank of Malawi. He also clarified that the payment stems from a 2020 contract, payment for which had been delayed following investigations into Sattar.
Mkandawire and Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda assured the local media that there are no plans to arrest Gondwe over his story. However, Gondwe expressed distrust, referring to the 2022 arrest of Anti-Corruption Bureau Director-General Martha Chizuma, despite assurances from Malawi’s president not to punish her over a leaked audio scandal in which she accused the government of receiving kickbacks from Sattar.
Gondwe is currently working with his lawyers and other organizations to determine his next move and ensure his safety. The underlying message is clear – the fears of arrest and intimidation have not deterred Gondwe from his investigative work, and he remains dedicated to prioritizing his safety while continuing to expose corruption and hold those in power accountable.
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