Malawi Police Detain Three Senior Malawi Congress Party Giants

By Smile Hamilton Malawi

Police in Malawi have detained three senior figures of the Malawi Congress Party following a series of arrests carried out from Friday to Sunday, a development that has attracted widespread public and political attention.

Malawi Congress Party spokesperson Jessie Kabwira was arrested on Sunday and initially detained at Kanengo Police Station before being transferred to Lumbadzi Police Station. Information gathered indicates that the transfer was made to ensure that senior party officials who were arrested are not held at the same police station.

Malawi Congress Party Secretary General Richard Chimwendo-Banda, who was arrested on Friday, is currently being detained at Kanengo Police Station. Meanwhile, Vitumbiko Mumba, who stood as a running mate to the Malawi Congress Party presidential candidate during the elections and was also arrested on Friday, is being held at Lingadzi Police Station.

National Police Deputy Spokesperson Alfred Chimnthere has confirmed the arrest of Kabwira but declined to disclose the reasons behind her detention. “We can confirm that Jessie Kabwira has been arrested, but investigations are still ongoing,” said Chimnthere.

Chimnthere further said police will follow due process in handling the matter. “All suspects will be taken to court within the required legal timeframe, where charges will be formally communicated,” he added.

There is growing expectation that Kabwira, Chimwendo-Banda and Mumba will soon be taken to court as political observers, human rights groups and the general public closely monitor developments surrounding the arrests.