MP Chakwantha gets bail: Malawi WhatsApp coup plot

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Lilongwe North East Member of Parliament, Louis Peter Chankhwantha has been released on bail by police  after handing himself in on Tuesday and is charged with “treason” over a conversation on WhatsApp that purportedly talks about how President Peter Mutharika could be toppled.

Chankhwantha was remanded at Kanengo police station until his release at exactly 21:05pm.

According to his lawyer Gustav Kaliwo, who is also MCP secretary general, Chankhwantha is expected to report to police headquarters this Friday with accomplices MP Jessi Kabwila and Ulemu Msungama as one of their bail condition

Group of MCP supporters that included Kabwila, Msungama and youths held vigils at Kanengo police station waiting for the release of Chakhwantha who is the party’s legal advisor.

The police mounted a road block 100 metres from the gate of entrance blocking supporters and cars from going near the police

Some impatient supporters started collecting stones and others said to have petrol bombs  to launch at the station . It took the intervention of Kaliwo who addressed the gathering updating them on the status that police had assured that they will release Chakwantha before the day end and called for supporters calm and maintain order .

After Chakwantha’s release, supporters ere they chanted anti government songs and liberation songs, as they whipped up emotions and support for  their MP.

Police say the MCP members discussed how to conduct an insurrection similar to Egyptian revolt that brought down Hosni Mubarak after nearly three decades in power.

MCP  has rejected accusations by police that its members were part of a plan to topple the government by violent means.

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