MISA Malawi concerned with continued assault of journalists

MISA Malawi would like to condemn the assault of Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) Cameraman David Chapita by suspected Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) supporters at the Lilongwe Magistrates Court yesterday.

Chapita was at the Court to cover bail hearing of former President Peter Mutharika’s guard Norman Chisale.

“I felt very hopeless. They hit me in the head for some time. Some of them grabbed the camera I was holding. It had to take the intervention of well-wishers for the attackers to let me go and return the camera. Some of the attackers were wearing yellow face masks,” Chapita told MISA Malawi in an interview after the incident.

Chapita suffered body pains and had to be referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital for medical attention.

Minutes before the attack on Chapita, DPP Secretary General Grezelder Jeffrey allegedly mobilized party loyalists present at the Court to beat up Nation Publications Limited (NPL) journalist Golden Matonga.

Jeffrey told Matonga that ‘they would beat him up’ and Matonga had to run for his life by jumping over the fence on the Central West Education Division offices side of the court premises.

“I was coming out of the courtroom to take pictures when Jeffrey said they would assault me. I quickly left the place when I saw her mobilizing some fierce-looking party youths,” Matonga said.