The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has released on bail Journalist Macmillan Mhone working with Nation Publications Limited (NPL).

Malawi Police Service (MPS) and lawyers representing Mhone have both confirmed the development.

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter has since welcomed the released Mhone, pending investigation.

“MISA Malawi welcomes the development and reiterates its position for authorities to drop all charges against the journalist.

“While we admit that journalists are not immune to investigations, we stand by our position that those aggrieved by a publication should seek civil redress for any reporting deemed to have injured their reputation or image of their institution,” said MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga.

Mhone was arrested and detained at Blantyre Police Station in the morning of Monday, April 8, 2024 over a story about businessman Abdul Karim Batatawala that an online news site Malawi24 published in August 2023.

On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, Police transferred Mhone from Blantyre to Malawi Police Service Headquarters in Lilongwe.

Mhone has been charged with three counts namely; Publication of false news likely to cause fear and alarm to the public, Cyber Spamming and Extortion.