MISA Malawi has expressed concern over the beating and harassment of journalists during demonstrations held yesterday in Lilongwe, and has called on President Lazarus Chakwera to intervene.

MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga said this was not the first time journalists had been attacked, describing the incident as particularly troubling since it occurred in the presence of security agents. He argued that there was an urgent need for the head of state to step in to protect the country’s democracy, which he warned was under threat.

“This is sad in a democratic nation like Malawi,” Matonga said. “During our meeting with President Chakwera this year at the MISA Malawi event, I raised the security concerns affecting journalists, including the issue of masked men, but to date nothing has been done.”

One of the assaulted journalists, Aubly Kuyelele of Zodiak, reported that a group of unknown masked men, who were attacking members of the crowd assembling for the march, also turned on him and other journalists.

“When I, with some other journalists, was busy performing our duties, some masked men attacked us and hit me with a machete in the process. I am wounded,” he said, showing an injury to his shoulder.

Another journalist, Mercy Matonga from Times Group, was also attacked and harassed when the masked men tried to snatch her phone.

“When I was busy taking pictures of the demonstrations, some masked men surrounded me and held my arms to grab my phone, while others were searching my pockets,” she said.

The demonstrations, organised by Citizens for Credible Elections, were aimed at pressuring Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja and Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi to resign.

MISA Malawi has since issued a statement condemning the attacks and calling for urgent action to safeguard press freedom in the country.