Atupele’s arrest warrant issued , Police search yields nothing
Malawi security forces stormed the residence af presidential aspirant Atupele Muluzi in Lilongwe in the early hours of Monday and yielded nothing.
Police sources at the National Headquarters told Nyasa Times that they have issued a warrant of arrest for the opposition MP, who was not at the house during the search.
“A warrant has been issued against Atupele Muluzi on charges of inciting public to engage in violence and destroying property,” said the source.
This follows an incident on Sunday when angry residents in Lilongwe’s Area 24 suburb attacked a police station after the security forces tear gassed a crowd of hundreds who gathered at a political rally of United Democratic Front (UDF).
Atupele was prevented from speaking as police fired a volley of teargas canister when he was about to address the mammoth crowds.
Angry residents torched police station and two vehicles of the state spy agency. They also beat up officers with one cop reportedly in “critical condition.”
Police spokesman Dave Chingwalu claimed Atupele did not have permission to hold the gathering.
But the UDF deputy leader in parliament insisted he had permission to hold the rallies.
“The law says we need to inform police if we want to hold any political meeting which we did,” said the England trained solicitor.
Concern that President Bingu wa Mutharika is intolerant of criticism and violating human rights has led to protests and strained relations between Malawi, among the world’s poorest countries, and its foreign donors. At least 19 people were killed by police when anti-government demonstrations last year degenerated into looting.
