MCCCI boss roughs up Malawi journalist for MIJ radio

What started as a normal radio interview ended up into assault as renowned economist and Malawi Confederation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) Chancellor Kaferapanjira beat up  Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ)  radio reporter Anthony Masamba.

Details of the story are that Masamba who is emerging to stardom with his hard hitting “The Melting Point” programme was assaulted by Kaferapanjira in the Capital Lilongwe when the two were doing an interview for the new radio interview programme. The incident happened in the presence of another journalist, Steve Chilundu of Capital Radio.

Speaking to Nyasa Times in a telephone interview, Masamba who spoke with difficulty but sounded calm said Kaferapanjira stopped the interview after he asked him about the January 17 demonstrations.

“It was a basic and honesty question but he started beating me up and snatched my recorder then broke it. He accused me of being paid by Mr. John Kapito ( Consumer Associon of Malawi executive director) to promote the demonstrations,” narrated Masamba.

Added he: “After the interview, I reported the incident to Lilongwe  police where I was given an authorization letter to go to the hospital and I was treated for the wounds and cuts I sustained.”

The reporter, who is known for no- holds-barred questions, further added that he is currently feeling better.

“I’m now feeling better after I was treated of injuries at Kamuzu Central Hospital, but as of yesterday [Saturday] I wasn’t feeling well,” added Masamba.

Meanwhile, National Media Institute of Southern Africa (Namisa) has since condemned Kaferapanjira’s conduct, describing it as unfortunate and uncalled for.

According to MIJ radio the media watchdog Misa-Malawi chapter has launched investigations into the issue.

Misa-Malawi Chairperson Antony Kasunda confirmed the development to the radio saying,” we will issue a statement as soon as we are through with the investigations, but in whatever circumstance beating a journalist in line of duty cannot be condoned.”

”Mr. Masamba has officially lodged the complaint with us and we will follow it up. We want justice to prevail because no matter how Mr. Kaferapanjira was provoked, he should not have acted that way. If he had any complaints, he was supposed to contact us. What he did is unfortunate and uncalled for,” said y Kasunga.

When contacted, Kaferapanjira refused to comment on the matter. Lilongwe police  said they were still investigating the matter.

Since the programme hit the airwaves few weeks ago it has aired very controversial interviews with people like former DPP northern region governor Rev. Christopher Mzomela Ngwira and businessman-turned-man of God Bishop Abraham Simama.

According to our sources, both interviews were conducted in rather heated atmosphere like that of  Simama the reported accused him of being a Satanist as he alleged that human body parts were found in his house. He also accused him of snatching his wife of 25 years from a Mr. Msiska of Karonga.

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