Gift Trapence on MBC’s neck
By Rebecca Chimjeka:
The family of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) Vice Chairperson Gift Trapence has demanded that Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) either apologise or risk legal action for allegedly tarnishing the family’s image.
The family accuses MBC of alleging that Trapence failed to take care of his then ill father who has since died.
Lawyer for the family, Wesley Mwafulirwa, confirmed the development but MBC officials were, as we went to press, not available for a comment.
“I can confirm that we have written MBC concerning the subject and we have since delivered the said letter via email and by hand at MBC Kaning’ina Mzuzu Studios,” Mwafulirwa said
He said they were contacted by Patrick Trapence who represents the family, who informed them that MBC through its employees and agents, has since September 3 2019, been scandalously reporting on its website, radio, television and social media the death of Mr Harrison Trapence, the family’s patriarch.
“Mr Gift Trapence is a reputable human rights defender in this country working as a vice chairperson for the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC). The story published by MBC on its website, radio, television as well as on social media has greatly affected his standing and reputation in the eyes of the right-thinking members of the society,” the letter reads.
The letter says the deceased was, until his death, on a medical scheme courtesy of Gift Trapence.
The letter says the Trapence family believes MBC is being used by the Executive arm of the government to fight him for his human rights work
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