Ex-Justice Minister Kasambara faces murder attempt rap – Malawi Police
Malawi police said Friday they arrested former Justice Minister Ralph Kasambara in connection to the failed assassination attempt of a corruption-busting treasury official Paul Mphwiyo in September.
The arrest of one of Malawi’s most influential and controversial lawyers comes barely a week after police stormed his residence at Area 10 in the Capital Lilongwe.
Kasambara, whose was arrested in Lilongwe, was dropped in October from cabinet by President Joyce Banda in what sources say was to pave way for investigations following the attempted murder of budget director Mphwiyo.
“I can confirm about the arrest of Kasambara last (Thursday) night because he is a suspect and we want to establish his involvement in the shooting incident,” national police deputy spokesman Kelvin Maigwa said.
“Kasambara is being kept at Kanengo Police and is suspected to have taken a part in the shooting of Mphwiyo,” Maigwa said.
Maigwa said Police are suspecting Kasambara “master minded” the shooting of Mphwiyo who escaped death with the gun shots.
Main suspecting to shooting saga Pika Manondo is also under police custody.
Mphwiyo, 37, was shot in the face outside his house in Area 43 on the night of September 13th 2013 and was airlifted to South Africa where he is still receiving treatment.
Last month a team of police investigators were sent to South Africa to question Mphwiyo and to hear his side of the shooting story.
Three other suspects McDonald Kumwembwe, Robert Kadzuwa and Dauka Manondo were already arrested.
President Joyce Banda has said the shooting of the budget director, was linked to his efforts to fight corruption.
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