Muluzi faces arrest

Malawi government has crafted a plan to arrest former President Dr Bakili Muluzi as he returns from his United Kingdom UK vacation, it has been uncovered.

Government strongman, Davis Katsonga, minister of presidential and parliamentary affairs told Nyasa Times that: “Malawians should allow the law to apply to everybody irrespective of their status.”

Muluzi on departure from Heathrow London, Wednesday via South Africa where he will connect his flight to Malawi on Thursday said he has heard of the impending arrest but was not shaken by the news.

“I have received a tip-off about the arrest, you are among a number of journalists who have asked me about the issue but I am not afraid. Malawi is my country, I can not be intimidated with threats of arrests to keep me away from my country, I am off to Malawi,” said Muluzi, before checking in at the airport via the VIP departure lounge.

“A warrant of arrest has been obtained from Lilongwe Magistrate Court with charges of criminal offences for Muluzi, the police have the duty to effect the arrest as Muluzi returns from UK,” government insiders disclosed to Nyasa Times.

Other government sources say President Bingu wa Mutharika issued an “arrest decree” to chief state advocate, David Nyamirandu before he left Monday for highly secretive meeting with Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe to seek wisdom over the current political impasse besides performing funeral rituals for his late wife Madame Mrs Ethel Mutharika buried at Ndata Farm in Thyolo.

“All cases government failed to prosecute Muluzi on corruption have been put forward to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to handle them under criminal offences other than the Corrupt Practices Act,” sources said.

Katsonga downplayed the arrest reports in a telephone interview.

“I am not aware of any warrant,” said Katsonga. “Yesterday, I was also telephoned by another UDF top brass (not named) who confronted me with similar news on why government is targeting him for an arrest, but I said I don’t have any news about that,” he said.

The Minister, nonetheless, said if Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has made an arrangement with DPP to arrest Muluzi, then he said it may be that they looked at whether there was enough evidence and legal merits to prosecute.

“If there is an arrangement between ACB and DPP to obtain a warrant of arrest, I hope they have followed a proper procedure of the law,” said Katsonga in calmness.

Government top prosecutor, Wezi Kayira could not be reached for comment.

Police spokesman kept a tight lid on the matter.

“I have no knowledge may be call me tomorrow I might be in a position to make a comment,” Willie Mwaluka, police spokesman, said.

UDF secretary general, Kennedy Mwakwangwala said the party was not surprised with the reports that government plans to arrest their leader.

“It has become a routine that government threatens our leader with an arrest as a scare tactic to our party to sew panic in the rank and file,” said Makwangwala.

He, however, said party members were geared up to give the former Malawi leader a rousing welcome at Chileka Airport.

UDF parliamentary chief whip, Leonard Mangulama also said he has got wind of the arrest news.

“I have heard of the same but I wonder why government would be doing that in the present political climate which require dialogue, tolerance than political persecution and witch-hunting,” said Mangulama.