Gregory Gondwe

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Vitus-Gregory Gondwe
Born1974
Mulanje, Malawi[1]
Occupationjournalist
Years active1993 - present
Notable credit(s)BizCommunity, BiztechAfrica,CNN, AP
TitleCorrespondent, columnist
Websitehttps://www.investigativeplatform-mw.org/

Vitus-Gregory Gondwe is a Malawian journalist, editor and media consultant.[2] He also runs his own social, music and business analysis blog. He is known for his investigative stories. He also writes on Business news. He has been a contributor to several newspapers in Malawi, and has worked for the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation as correspondent. He is a Malawi correspondent for the Associated Press,[3][4] as well as a regular correspondent for BizCommunity and BiztechAfrica.[5] He has contributed to a number of news sources worldwide since 1993.[6][7] He also regularly writes about freedom of Press and the media industry.[8]

Career[edit]

Until February 2016 he was the Chief Reporter as well as the Bureau Chief for Times Media Group, which owns Blantyre Newspapers Limited (BNL Times), having been promoted in April 2014 from the position of senior reporter. His speciality is investigative and exclusive stories.

He is currently studying with the University of Malawi where he is pursuing a BA in Journalism. He has a diploma and an intermediate certificate in journalism.[2] He started journalism in 1993 and has since made contributions to African News Dimension network, CNN, and Southern Times (Namibia), The Nation and The Daily Times, Malawi News, and The Weekend Nation.[citation needed] He was a reporter for The Chronicle Newspaper in Malawi until 2005.[5] He worked as Regional Editor and Northern Region Bureau Chief for Zodiak Broadcasting Station from 2007- 2010.[7][9]

Mutharika administration journalism attacks[edit]

Gondwe became the target of national (and international) interest during the journalistic crackdown during 2011-2012 when President Bingu wa Mutharika was in his final term. Minister of Information Patricia Kaliati threatened him over the phone due to an article he wrote that included her. Kaliati attacked a cabinet minister assessment published b The Daily Times that he had written about.[10] She called him over the phone to warn him not to write about her again in a negative light or face unspecified consequences.[11][12] This led the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) to release a statement in his favor asking the Minister to address the organization directly with reporting discrepancies.[12] The World Media body also wrote to Bingu wa Mutharika with regards to this threat. This case was cited in protest letters against press freedom to Bingu Wa Mutharika.[13][14]

Gregory Gondwe, Zuneth Sattar and Malawi Govcernment[edit]

Source:[15][16]

In October 2021 Zuneth Sattar a, Malawian born, UK based businessman was arrested by the UK government on allegations of corrupt business deals in Malawi14. The case involved three contracts with the Malawi government in which companies with connections to Sattar were involved in contracts worth tens of millions of dollars. In early April 2022, the Malawi Police arrested Gregory Gondwe in Blantyre and confiscated his ICT equipment following an article he published in Platform for Investigative Journalism on 30 March, 2022.[17] In the publication Gondwe revealed that government continued dealing with Sattar by paying K1.3 billion for a contract belonging to businessman despite the contract still being under a restriction order by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for possible corruption.[18] During the arrest, his computer and phone were taken by the police. The officers allegedly forced Gondwe to reveal the source of the confidential legal documents he posted online.[19][20]

Allegations in the UK case[edit]

  • That Sattar overpriced water cannons supplied to the Malawi Police Service
  • Shady procurement of armoured personnel carriers and food rations

Senior government figures named in the Sattar corruption case[edit]

  • Vice President Saulos Chilima
  • State House Chief of Staff Prince Kampongamgaga
  • Inspector General of Police George Kainja
  • Former Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director Reyneck Matemba
  • Lands and Housing Minister Kezzie Msukwa

Gondwe, Sattar and Malawi Defence Forces[edit]

Gondwe went into hiding following another expose[21] on 29 of January 2024 in which it was revealed that Sattar was still dealing with the government of Malawi despite corruption allegations levelled against Zuneth and his associates.[22] In this article, Gondwe posted contractual and payment details between Malawi Defence Forces and companies with close links to Sattar. Gondwe said that MDF officials were after his arrest. He posted on MISA Malawi Whatsapp page; “I wanted to inform you that I am currently outside the country on a temporary basis. I deeply appreciate your support and the encouraging words you’ve extended to me during this time,”[23]

However, Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda and MDF Commander General Paul Valentino Phiri said that the journalist would not be arrested.[24]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "AfricaNews - Profile of GregoryGondwe". Archived from the original on 16 January 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Gregory Gondwe's profile on Bizcommunity". Archived from the original on 18 January 2013.
  3. ^ [1] Archived 2018-09-06 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Gondwe, Gregory (2016-06-07). "Malawi sees surge in attacks on albinos; victims speak out". Bigstory.ap.org. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  5. ^ a b "Creating Linkages Between Research, Advocacy and Media : Regional Media Convening" (PDF). Southernafricatrust.org. 2011. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  6. ^ "Africa Interactive - Profile of GregoryGondwe". Archived from the original on 16 January 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Gregory Gondwe at Gondwe Online: Christian website & site for Gondwes, relations, & friends from Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, etc". Gondwe.com. 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  8. ^ "World Press Freedom Day 2011" (PDF). Unesco.org. 2011. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  9. ^ "Gregory Gondwe - The Chronicle Newspaper". Yatedo.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-01. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  10. ^ "Malawi: Information Minister Threatens Journalist, Confirms Espionage Within Media Fraternity". Allafrica.com. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  11. ^ "Minister Kaliati threatens journalist Gondwe - Misa Malawi - Malawi Nyasa Times - Malawi breaking news in Malawi". Nyasatimes.com. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  12. ^ a b "Protest campaign - Malawi, 22 March 2012". Wan-Ifra.org. 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  13. ^ "Protest letter to Mutharika on Malawi media crackdown: WAN-IFRA | Malawi news, Malawi - NyasaTimes breaking online news source from Malawi". Archived from the original on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  14. ^ "Southern Africa: Information Minister Threatens Journalist, Alleges Espionage Within Media Fraternity". Allafrica.com. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  15. ^ "WAR ON GRAFT: UK, MW's ACB ARREST BUSINESSMAN SATTAR, OTHERS". www.investigativeplatform-mw.org. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  16. ^ "Malawi still engaging UK on Sattar evidence – Capital Radio Malawi". www.capitalradiomalawi.com. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  17. ^ "GOVERNMENT PAYS SATTAR FOR 'RESTRICTED' CONTRACT UNDER ACB PROBE". www.investigativeplatform-mw.org. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  18. ^ Ndebele, Lenin. "Malawi journalist arrested for exposing top cop's alleged shady deal". News24. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  19. ^ "Govt to investigate arrest and detention of journalist Gregory Gondwe - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. 2022-04-05. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  20. ^ "Police detain journalist Gregory Gondwe". MISA Malawi. 2022-04-05. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  21. ^ "CHAKWERA STILL IN BED WITH ZUNETH SATTAR: TREASURY PAYS $4.98 MILLION FOR ARMOURED CARRIERS AMIDST CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS". www.investigativeplatform-mw.org. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  22. ^ "Malawi Journalist in Hiding After Exposing Government Corruption". Voice of America. 2024-02-02. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  23. ^ Voice, Malawi (2024-02-02). "Investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe flees Malawi after threats". Malawi Voice. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  24. ^ Voice, Malawi (2024-02-02). "Investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe flees Malawi after threats". Malawi Voice. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
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