Malawi Police arrest fifth suspect in Mzuzu fracas

Police said on Wednesday that they have arrested the fifth suspect in  connection to the violence that erupted on  Sunday at a solidarity rally Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera held in Mzuzu city.

Police spokesman for the northern region, Maurice Chapola, revealed the suspect’s identity as  Thembisire Nkosi, 32.

“We have arrested a fifth suspect. He is Thembisire Nkosi, 32 from Nkosi village , Traditional Authority Nthwalo in Mzimba,” said Chapola.

He said Nkosi and other four suspects will answer charges of proposing violence which is contrary to section 86 of the penal code.

Other suspects are ; George Mwamtobe, 38, from Mwangukulu Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kilipula in Karonga; Lumbani Munthali, 29, from Matupi Village, T/A Chikulamayembe, Rumphi; Clive Nthakomwa, 52, of Malema Village, T/A Kyungu in Karonga; and, Frank Simwaka Kashololo, 30, from Kashololo Village, T/A Mwenewenya in Chitipa.

Despite  lawmaker Christopher Mzomera Ngwira being linked to have hired thugs on behalf of  former vice president Khumbo Kachali, police have not questioned the politician.

Chakwera, Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Enoch Chihana, PP third vice-president Kamlepo Kalua and other opposition members of Parliament (MPs) were subjected to attacks by panga wielding rough necks sat Chibavi Primary School ground in the northern city.

Mzimba West MP (PP) Harry Mkandawire who attended the rally, was forewarned by Mzomera Ngwira not attend because there was going to be violence.

Malawi Law Society is on record condemning political violence saying it “breeds political instability and this in turn affects a number of developmental issues, including investor confidence and respect for human rights.”