MBC Director General George Kasakula Apologizes to Mutharika, Amid Claims of Coercion

The Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Director General, George Kasakula, has publicly apologized to State President Professor Peter Mutharika, admitting that his past remarks about the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader were inappropriate and disrespectful.

In a televised statement aired on MBC, Kasakula introduced himself before offering what appeared to be a heartfelt apology to Mutharika, who recently won the presidency.

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“My name is George Kasakula and I’m Director General of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation. I’ve come on TV to apologize to the State President, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, for all the things that I said and the kind of things I said about him and about his candidature,” Kasakula said.

“Malawians have voted for him — millions upon millions — so he needs our respect and loyalty. That’s why I’ve come on TV. Thank you very much to our viewers and listeners,” he added.

Kasakula had led several MBC programs that openly challenged the DPP leader’s credibility and policies, including the popular talk show Timvetse.

However, following his televised apology, speculation has surfaced that the MBC boss may have been coerced into making the statement.

Several unconfirmed reports circulating on social media suggest that Kasakula was manhandled and forced to record the apology live by unidentified individuals allegedly linked to the ruling DPP.

Meanwhile, DPP and Mutharika’s spokesperson, Shadric Namalomba has told Nthanda Times that the party has taken note of Kasakula’s remarks but will wait for the former president’s personal reaction.

“The apology does not come as a surprise since Kasakula is well aware of how deeply he disrespected the former president. Mutharika has been writing letters to MBC, MACRA, and MISA Malawi, asking that MBC, especially Kasakula, stop insulting him, but all those pleas were ignored. Mutharika has even complained publicly, emphasizing that what Kasakula and MBC were doing was wrong,” said Namalomba.

Namalomba further described the apology as an “open admission of wrongdoing”, calling for disciplinary measures within MBC.

“It’s only fair that the MBC disciplinary committee reviews his conduct and takes appropriate action,” he said. “As a party, we believe it’s too late to save Jerusalem. He did not perform his duties professionally.”

As of Friday evening, MBC officials had not issued a statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding Kasakula’s apology or addressing the allegations that he was forced into it.