MISA Malawi has given Deputy Minister of Transport, Charles Mchacha up to 17th February, 2020 to offer a public apology for verbally attacking and intimidating a Nation Publications Limited journalist, Bobby Kabango during a telephone news interview.

Last week the social media was awash with a recorded audio of the conversation between Mchacha and Nation Publications Journalist Bobby Kabango.
In the audio, Mchacha screamed various expletives at the journalist. He also called him a “dog” and “monkey”

In the statement, MISA Malawi Chairperson Teresa Ndanga said Mchacha’s insults could be construed as a deliberate attempt to silence journalists in the country.

“We expect exemplary conduct from Cabinet Ministers including Honourable Mchacha,” says Ndanga.

Ndanga also called on Information Minister, Mark Botoman to make a public assurance of President Peter Mutharika’s commitment to media freedom and freedom of expression.

Kabango was pursuing a story on how Mchacha allegedly acquired public land in Limbe, Blantyre.