By The Nyasa Times (Joseph Banda)

Malawi Police on Wednesday released Blantyre Newspapers Limited senior journalist Kandani Ngwira saying he was a mistaken identity.

Police spokesperson Willie Mwaluka confirmed the release of Ngwira.

Mwaluka said Ngwira was arrested after a member of parliament went to police to say he had sent her threatening messages.

Police told the court that Harold Kaumphawi impersonated Ngwira and demanded 50,000 kwacha (about 0) from an Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi official in exchange for suppressing a story about corruption allegations.

Ngwira: Freed

Another police officer said the man claimed that he was Ngwira working for Weekend Times through a mobile SMS.

“He texted the woman that her husband was going out with a mistress and that it would be bad to write about him. The woman sensed some corruption and reported to us. We arrested Ngwira but we have discovered that he was not the one,” said the officer.

MISA Malawi also confirmed the release of Ngwira.

The journalist was arrested on Monday when he handed himself over to police  after the cops went looking for him at his residence in Blantyre. He was driven 360 kilometres away to Lilongwe “for questioning”.

Ngwira’s year-old Weekend Times is known for reporting on scandals involving the powerful and famous. A court recently overturned a government attempt to shut it down. 

http://www.nyasatimes.com/national/journalist-freed-police-say-%e2%80%98it-was-mistaken-identity%e2%80%99.html

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