Tampers flare in Malawi

As Mutharika, the younger brother to late Bingu wa Mutharika was being held at Lumbazi Police station, he was visted by Dr Mzumara of Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), Lumbazi Police station Head of CID a Mr Gumbo and his deputy a Mr Nkuka to check on his health – if he was fit and well.

According to Mutharika’s personal assistant, Ben Phiri and another aide, Louis Ngalande, the trio was roughed up by some DPP supporters and Mulhako wa Alhomwe members who were within the police station.

“When the three were asked they claimed to have been sent by government to treat Mutharika. But the police officer in-charge refused to grant them permission to do so and Mutharika himself denied to have asked for doctors. They were using a police vehicle,” Phiri told Nyasa Times.
Phiri said Mutharika who was expected to be formally charged on two counts of soliciting to break the law, which is contrary to section 124 of the penal code as well as perjury (that he) is in good health.

“There is nothing to worry about despite those medical government agents who came at night with their wild plans. Professor Mutharika is in good health, and his family relations and other well wishers are coming to see him,” said Phiri.
According to Ngalande: “The supporters got suspicious and started quizzing the three who later started running away but were caught in a nearby bush, and were beaten up. The supporters burnt down the car they were using. And one of them was found with a pistol”.

Police National Public Relations Officer, Rhoda Manjolo said she was not in office each time we contacted her.
“We have Dr Heatherwick Ntaba and Dr Chimwemwe Chipungu who are our official doctors, so there is no way for government to impose their doctors on our party members. We fear, they might be sent to poison our leader,” added Ngalande.

The three are also said to have wanted to check up on the health of former ministers Symon Vuwa Kaunda and Patricia Kaliati who had complained of being ill.
The former ruling party supporters on Monday also roughed up police officers at the Southern Region Police Headquarters in the commercial city of Blantyre in protest against the arrest of their interim president, Peter Mutharika and others.

Malawi Police on Monday arrested 11 ex-ministers and top government officials after the Commission of Inquiry report on the death of late president Bingu wa Mutharika revealed a plot to circumvent the Constitution and stop then Vice President Joyce Banda from ascending to power.

DPP treasurer general Dr George Chaponda, one of Malawi’s highly trained lawyer said the arrests were ill-timed and designed to divert people’s attention from economic problems facing the country due to free market economic policies such as the 49 percent devaluation of the kwacha and its subsequent floatation. – Nyasa Times.