botswana: Reporter arrested
Police in Blantyre arrested Frank Namangale on September 16. Namangale, a reporter with the "Daily Times" newspaper, was arrested on charges of "publishing false information likely to cause fear and alarm to the public". Namangale was released on bail later the same day.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - MALAWI
17 September 2003
Reporter arrested
SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek
(MISA/IFEX) - On 16 September 2003, police in Blantyre arrested Frank
Namangale, a reporter with the "Daily Times" newspaper, on charges of
"publishing false information likely to cause fear and alarm to the public".
Namangale was released on bail later the same day.
Police publicist George Chikowi told MISA's Malawi chapter, Namisa, that
Namangale was arrested following his 12 September article, published in the
"Daily Times", in which he alleged that police had arrested President Bakili
Muluzi's son, Evance Muluzi, his nephew and three others in connection with
an armed robbery. The article quoted Senior Police Commissioner for the
South Often Thyolani as confirming the arrests and that some of the suspects
answered to the name Muluzi.
On 15 September, however, the newspaper published a follow-up story in which
Chikowi said Evance Muluzi was an adopted son of President Muluzi's late
brother. He added that police recovered an AK-47 assault rifle and two
rounds of ammunition from Evance Muluzi.
Namangale's lawyer, Chimwemwe Kalua, said his client was given unconditional
bail and ordered to report to police on 19 September.
Meanwhile, Namisa condemned the arrest, saying there was nothing in the
story that could cause "fear and alarm to the public."
For further information, contact Zoe Titus or Kaitira Kandjii, Regional
Information Coordinator, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street,
Mailing Address; Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232975,
fax: +264 61 248016, e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected],
Internet: http://www.misa.org/
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of MISA.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.
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