/ 13 January 2011

Arrested Malawian reporter released on bail

A journalist for a newspaper the Malawian government had tried to ban was released on bail after being accused of threatening a Member of Parliament.

A journalist accused of threatening a Member of Parliament was released on bail on Wednesday after a magistrate heard evidence another man had sent mobile phone messages in an attempt to blackmail the politician.

Kandani Ngwira, a reporter for a newspaper the government had tried to ban, was arrested on Monday after the politician went to police to say he had sent the messages threatening to publish details about an alleged scandal linked to her husband.

Ngwira’s lawyer said on Wednesday police had traced the messages to a mobile phone belonging to Harold Kaumphawi.

Kaumphawi, according to court documents, had in recent months impersonated Ngwira and demanded 50 000 kwacha (about $300) from an Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi official in exchange for suppressing a story about corruption allegations.

Kaumphawi, who had been given a suspended one-year sentence in the civil servant’s case, was arrested on Wednesday in the politician’s case. But the prosecutor said he also wanted to continue investigations into whether Ngwira played a role. Ngwira was released on bail of 3 000 kwacha (about $20).

Ngwira’s year-old Weekly Times is known for reporting on scandals involving the powerful and famous. A court recently overturned a government attempt to shut it down. — AP