Malawi Police clears Minister on Rumphi arrests: ‘Herbalist made complaint’

Malawi Police Service have justified the arrest of late Tasokwa Msiska’s children and cleared Minister of Information, Jappie Mhango of any wrong doing.

Three of late Msiska’s sons, Harris, Christopher and Adrian were arrested on November 10, 2015 hours after the burial of their father- a former Rumphi North Parliamentarian.

Reports claim that Mhango- a Parliamentarian for the area- was behind the arrest after he was chased from attending Msiska’s funeral ceremony.

The issue attracted an uproar in Parliament on Tuesday as opposition legislators queried government to clarify the arrest.

But Malawi police on Wednesday dismissed the reports, saying the three have been arrested on alleged assault and unlawful wounding charges.

National police deputy Press and Public Relations Officer, Nicholas Gondwa told Nyasa Times, the three would appear in court following complaints from two Rumphi residents.

Gondwa disclosed that Christopher and Harris were arrested after a herbalist, William Msiska complained of being unlawfully wounded by the two.

The herbalist hails from Village Chidiwo T/A Kachulu in the district.

”The incident occurred on November 10, 2015 around 12:00 noon before the arrival of the honourable minister,” said Gondwa.

He added: ”Another complaint was made by MacDonald Msiska of village Chawatira in Chief Kachulu against Christopher and Adrian Msiska for the offence of Assault Occasioning Actual bodily Harm”.

The second incident occured on the same day at around 9pm.

”Currently the three suspects are appearing before Rumphi Magistrate Court today November 18, 2015. People are encouraged to patronize the court session to get truth of the matter,” said Gondwa.

The three have been charged with Unlawful Wounding and Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm contrary to Section 241 and 254 of the Penal Code respectively.

Gondwa disclosed that as police they did not receive any complaint from Mhango regarding the alleged chasing, saying ”as such we cannot effect any arrest where there is no complaint”.

Mhango was chased from attending Msiska’s funeral by irate villagers who did not want his presence at the funeral.

Mhango succeeded Msiska as the legislator for Rumphi North and it is alleged that there was bad blood between the two with some unconfirmed reports alleging that the Minister might have had a hand in Msiska’s death.

The two also once faced each other in Malawi Congress Party’s primary elections during 2014 Tripartite Elections and late Msiska emerged victorious.