Copyright faceofmalawi
Former Times Group radio and television presenter Mirriam “Mimie” Ntambo has opened up about her alleged experience of sexual harassment, workplace victimisation, and institutional silence during her time at the media giant. In a lengthy Facebook post titled “When Women Protect Predators: My Story of Harassment and Silence in Malawi’s Media Industry,” Mimie detailed how she was allegedly punished after reporting a sexual harassment case involving a senior manager at Times Group. According to her post, she was later summoned for disciplinary hearings over what she described as “minor issues,” such as taking photos and videos in the studio something she claimed other presenters continued to do freely. “I was also told I dressed ‘inappropriately’ in a studio with no air conditioning, yet I was simply wearing a spaghetti top because it was summer,” she wrote. Mimie alleged that these actions came shortly after she reported her harassment complaint to management, claiming that instead of support, she faced retaliation. “I was stripped of my shows, banned from TV appearances, and sent to Lilongwe,” she said, adding that female colleagues “chose to protect their jobs instead of standing with her.” She further claimed that similar patterns of sexual harassment were also present at major entertainment events such as UMP Festival, where she alleged that some top officials targeted young women and models. “Those who refused were sidelined, and again, other women helped push the narrative that ‘amaziputa dala,’” she said. Ntambo revealed that the ordeal pushed her to the brink of suicide, saying a colleague found and rescued her during that time.“Let me be clear I left Times because I was sexually harassed and punished for reporting it,” she declared. “Even the top boss knows this. Two men tried to protect my job, but most people turned away.” She also shared direct quotes she allegedly received from HR and management, suggesting she was being urged to “drop the matter” to keep her job. In her post, Mimie challenged both Times Group and UMP Festival to take her to court if her claims are false, insisting she has proof including emails, texts, and letters to back her statements. The former presenter concluded by calling on government and women’s rights groups to take the issue of sexual harassment in Malawi’s media and entertainment industries more seriously. Times Group and UMP Festival are yet to issue official responses to the allegations.
