Govt. presents two witnesses against journo

Mahwayo, who works at Catholic media firm, Montfort Media, was arrested on 12 September 2011 for taking pictures of the multi-million kwacha palace belonging to Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika.

Lusungu Gondwe, the lawyer representing the Mahwayo, says two police officers will parade as state witnesses in a case whose hearing is expected to start Tuesday 25 October 2011, in the Dalton Road Magistrate courts in Blantyre, Malawi.

Police are of the view that Mahwayo should have sought permission before going to President Bingu wa Mutharika's Ndata Farm.

Mahwayo was doing a story for the Montfort Media's vernacular newspaper, Mkwaso, where his intention was to contrast the poverty present in people, surrounding the private estate of the president, and the wealth oozing from the recently developed property that also include his wife's multi-million kwacha mausoleum.

Mahwayo soon after his arrest pleaded guilty, changed his plea after staying for hours in detention and denied the charge before magistrate Anne Chikhadzula.

Currently on bail, Mahwayo in his court appearance on Wednesday 14 September 2011, submitted that he was changing his plea from 'guilty' to 'not guilty' through Gondwe.