Crackdown for Malawi opposition, Lunguzi marked for arrest: MP says ‘am straight forward person’

Malawi government is launching a crackdown on opposition members  with arrests galore looming that will see among others  the arrest of Dedza East Member of Parliament, Juliana Lunguzi who has been critical of government in parliament.

Lunguzi, who is a member of Malawi Congress Party (MCP), has been subject of smear campaign on regime propaganda machinery on social media platforms.

But Nyasa Times understands that she is also being marked for arrest.

Sources at Malawi Police where Lunguzi’s late father Mac William Lunguzi was its chief year back when it was an effective service, told Nyasa Times that the arrest has been instigated by  Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Grace Chiumia.

“The Minister instructed Inspector General Lexten Kachama to investigate and arrest Lunguzi,” Police sources said.

Lunguzi  in parliament called the Peter Mutharika cabinet of comprising ministers who are  all thieves.

But Chiumia told the House that Lunguzi is no holier and that she has “evidence” of wrongdoing which she handed to police.

Chiumia said Lunguzi “ knows what she is doing and I have evidence about what she wrote through the phone.”

Accoridng to Chiumia, Lunguzi “sent information through WhatsApp and she was requesting Honourable Members that are interested in illegal immigrants business  she can assist them because she knows the man called Abdul.”

Said the Minister: “Mr Speaker, Sir, I forwarded the message to the Inspector General of Police.  This is not an allegation.  The last part that she wrote reads, tisamale, aboma asadziwe zimenezi.  I got that message and the Inspector General has it as well.  So, what type of thieves are we talking about here?  This is very sad for the nation.”

Lunguzi told parliament that she is being targeted for being critical to government but challenged that  she is “ a straightforward person.”

“ If the Honourable Minister wants to tarnish my image because I take these people to task, bring it on. I am ready,” she said.

Meanwhile,  MCP  deputy secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka  has said plans of arresting political competitiors is just the latest sign of increasing repression in Malawi and shielding “thieves in government”.

He said ruling Democrtaic Progressive Party increasing intolerance of any dissent should be strongly condemned.