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Four arrested on treason charges in Malawi

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Nyasa Times Reporter 13 May, 2008 11:48:00

On instructions from Malawi President Bingu Mutharika, Police has arrested three United Democratic Front (UDF) national executive members on allegations of conspiring to overthrow the government.

Heavily armed police officers stormed the houses of Secretary General Kennedy, retired Army Commander Joseph Chimbayo and former regional governor John Chikakwiya.

Police have also arrested former Inspector General Joseph Aironi and they are currently being driven to Lilongwe Police headquarters and Maula Prison for interrogation before being formally charged with treason.

Meanwhile leader of the UDF in the National Assembly, Dr George Nga Ntafu told the House about the arrests and continued crack down on opposition UDF politicians.

Ntafu alleged the politically motivated arrests follow allegations by the President that former President Dr Bakili Muluzi was planning to take over the government.

"This confirms the arrest that we have been having during the talks with the State President that we could be arrested. These are the plans that the government is planning to undertake to silence and weaken the opposition," Ntafu told the House, amid silence on both benches.

Aironi confirmed of his arrest: "Yes, I have been arrested and am on my way to Maula Prison."

Information Minister Patricia Kaliati claims government has information that Muluzi indeed wanted to overthrow government upon his May 16 return.

"Government has information that Muluzi wanted to take over government on May 16. He had planned to meet Chief Jalasi and Chief Mazengera to help him with the coup," alleged Kaliati.

Mutharika told a rally at Chintheche in Nkhatabay that Muluzi was planning to wrestle power on his return from the United Kingdom where he is currently on a private visit.

Muluzi has since rebutted government claims saying they are aimed at destabilising the UDF from winning the 2009 general elections.

There was no immediate comment from the Police on the arrests.

When contacted for comment, UDF Deputy Secretary General, Hophmally Makande confirmed the arrests, but could not give details.

The arrests come against a backdrop of a tense relationship between government and the opposition in the National Assembly that so far failed to make ant remarkable progress.

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Comments (10 posted):

enoch on 13 May, 2008 01:19:59

Malawians!!!!!!!!!lets fight against this DICTATOR!!! we have been sleeping for so long. They cant get the case against Chilumpha going & now he wants to destroy our good opposition parties.His excellency DR BAKILI MULUZI please come lead us against this ******* demons!!!

Chimulikiti on 13 May, 2008 01:28:12

Let us wait & see whether the guys wanted to overthrow the government or not.

Mkwita on 13 May, 2008 02:26:57

next move will be a rule by decree and there goes all that we fought for.This man is using Mugabe'* playbook people.
Open your eyes and see.

Mbadwazenizeni on 13 May, 2008 04:17:00

Shame on Government and Bingu in particular

Zephah on 13 May, 2008 07:57:07

This is what happens when a one does not know who his real enermies are. * am not against the arrest, but * am not comfortable when the broom is used to clean only one corner of the the dirty house. Mai kaliati says there is evidence for the said coup. It was that same mouth which opened and said those same words on Chilimpha`* case. It is that evidence which is needed to end the suffering of our minds. Politics of hate will only help to create a society where revenge will be the system of rule. There were people like Hitler, Idi Amin,Stalin who silenced oppossition better that you are doing now, but they wre never spare the leash. Do you people know that there is someone beyond the clouds?

on 13 May, 2008 10:15:58

Tiyeni nazoni a violence engineer. Just know that what follows thereafter is the "beginning of your ending".

For sure Malawi doesn'* need this treatment to its people. Apparently we have a very small economy such that violence would put us completely down.

tchendelapusigama on 14 May, 2008 03:20:30

Malawi, you used to be a beautiful nation, with your people living in harmony and peace of mind. Now today look at what is happening, mps are boycotting parliament, there is a looming hunger in you, the political arena is so volatile, those that you entrusted into hot seats are leading us emotionally not rationally, the diplomatic ties you knot have no sense of direction, you support dictators (ZIM), REALLY YOU ARE ANOTHER MWENEMUTAPA KINGDOM.

tiya kalipinde on 14 May, 2008 05:50:10

ngati alibe umboni mlandu wa chilupha uwu umboni autenga kuti.malawians lets open our eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!this man is not well mdani wake wamkulu ndi anthu a opposition not njala

fieldmashal on 14 May, 2008 07:09:44

A bingu kumeneko ndiye kebwera!!Mangani onse owukira boma!Ife tikukodwa heavy!!!

mnyane on 15 May, 2008 03:03:50

malawians we are creating a dictator, lets wake up before its too late