| Vitus-Gregory Gondwe | |
| Birth Date: | 1974 |
| Birth Place: | Mulanje, Malawi[1] |
| Occupation: | journalist |
| Years Active: | 1993–present |
| Correspondent, columnist | |
| Credits: | BizCommunity, BiztechAfrica, CNN, AP |
| Url: | https://www.investigativeplatform-mw.org/ |
Vitus-Gregory Gondwe is a Malawian journalist, editor and media consultant.[2] He also runs his own social, music and business analysis blog. He is known for his investigative stories. He also writes on business news. He has been a contributor to several newspapers in Malawi, and has worked for the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation as correspondent. He is a Malawi correspondent for the Associated Press,[3] [4] as well as a regular correspondent for BizCommunity and BiztechAfrica.[5] He has contributed to a number of news sources worldwide since 1993.[6] [7] He also regularly writes about freedom of press and the media industry.[8]
Until February 2016 he was the chief reporter as well as the bureau chief for Times Media Group, which owns Blantyre Newspapers Limited (BNL Times), having been promoted in April 2014 from the position of senior reporter. His speciality is investigative and exclusive stories.
He is currently studying with the University of Malawi where he is pursuing a BA in Journalism. He has a diploma and an intermediate certificate in journalism.[2] He started journalism in 1993 and has since made contributions to African News Dimension network, CNN, and Southern Times (Namibia), The Nation, The Daily Times, Malawi News, and The Weekend Nation.He was a reporter for The Chronicle newspaper in Malawi until 2005.[5] He worked as Regional Editor and Northern Region Bureau Chief for Zodiak Broadcasting Station from 2007 to 2010.[7] [9]
Gondwe became the target of national (and international) interest during the journalistic crackdown during 2011-2012 when President Bingu wa Mutharika was in his final term. Minister of Information Patricia Kaliati threatened him over the phone due to an article he wrote that included her. Kaliati attacked a cabinet minister assessment published b The Daily Times that he had written about.[10] She called him over the phone to warn him not to write about her again in a negative light or face unspecified consequences.[11] [12] This led the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) to release a statement in his favor asking the Minister to address the organization directly with reporting discrepancies.[12] The World Media body also wrote to Bingu wa Mutharika with regards to this threat. This case was cited in protest letters against press freedom to Bingu Wa Mutharika.[13] [14]
In October 2021 Zuneth Sattar, a Malawian-born, UK-based businessman was arrested by the UK government on allegations of corrupt business deals in Malawi14. The case involved three contracts with the Malawi government in which companies with connections to Sattar were involved in contracts worth tens of millions of dollars. In early April 2022, the Malawi Police arrested Gregory Gondwe in Blantyre and confiscated his ICT equipment following an article he published in Platform for Investigative Journalism on 30 March 2022.[17] In the publication Gondwe revealed that government continued dealing with Sattar by paying K1.3 billion for a contract belonging to businessman despite the contract still being under a restriction order by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for possible corruption.[18] During the arrest, his computer and phone were taken by the police. The officers allegedly forced Gondwe to reveal the source of the confidential legal documents he posted online.[19] [20]
Gondwe went into hiding following another expose[21] on 29 January 2024 in which it was revealed that Sattar was still dealing with the government of Malawi despite corruption allegations levelled against Zuneth and his associates.[22] In this article, Gondwe posted contractual and payment details between Malawi Defence Forces and companies with close links to Sattar. Gondwe said that MDF officials were after his arrest. He posted on MISA Malawi Whatsapp page; "I wanted to inform you that I am currently outside the country on a temporary basis. I deeply appreciate your support and the encouraging words you've extended to me during this time,"[23]
However, Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda and MDF Commander General Paul Valentino Phiri said that the journalist would not be arrested.[24]