‘Mutharika targeted in alleged phone hacking’

The Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court has heard that former Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) Chief Executive Officer Collins Magalasi allegedly targeted President Peter Mutharika’s telephone number in a phone hacking case.

Magalasi has been charged under the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act for allegedly unlawfully accessing the President’s phone number.

The prosecution alleges that Magalasi, together with Lovemore Chikoma, unlawfully accessed the telephone numbers of President Mutharika and several senior government officials.

According to the State, the alleged incidents occurred between June and August 2026.The court was further told that other alleged targets included Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito, Deputy Homeland Security Minister Norman Chisale, and Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga.

The allegations are yet to be proven in court, and the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.