Police have arrested six more suspects in connection with political violence and the disruption of demonstrations in Lilongwe during the previous administration, bringing the number of suspects to 15.
Nine suspects who were earlier arrested and granted court bail have also been re-arrested on fresh charges, according to police.
National Police deputy spokesperson Alfred Chimthere confirmed yesterday that six more were arrested, including suspected ringleader, 37-year-old Bruno Munlo Makina from Mponda Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Nsamala in Balaka District.
Munlo was arrested in Lilongwe alongside two others, namely Erick Phakamisa, 40, of Undi Village, T/A Kaphuka in Dedza and Hanif Banda, 23, of Wimbe Village, T/A Wimbe in Kasungu.
Police identified the other three as Rahim Jonathan, 52, of Chulu Village, T/A Mponela in Dowa, Alphonso Chiphwanya, 49, of Chinkhali Village, T/A Mponela in Dowa and Esaya Bwanali, 35, from Chidothi Village, T/A Mponela in Dowa. This trio was arrested on October 30 in Mponela, Dowa.
In an interview, Chimthere said: “We have arrested the suspected ringleader of the panga-wielding gang that has been behind a series of violent attacks in Lilongwe and surrounding areas. Munlo Makina is believed to have been coordinating the gang’s criminal activities.”
He said the 15 are expected to appear before court today to be informed of their charges.
Chimthere said investigations are still in progress and that more arrests are expected.
The nine suspects earlier arrested and re-arrested are: Alfred Dalla Kadula, 43, of Batulen Village, T/A Chiseka in Lilongwe; Joseph Tilibe Gideon, 50, of Sadya Village, T/A Mbwatalika in Lilongwe; Lameck Mandowa, 42, of Yoyola Village, T/A Kapeni in Blantyre; Lester Hanieck Aaron Kanjunga, 38, of Zidana Village, T/A Kwataine in Ntcheu; Howard Hamuza, 27, of Dothi Village, T/A Mbwatalika in Lilongwe; Mabvuto Njuchi, 27, of Ngozi Village, T/A Neno in Neno; Davie Malamula, 35, of George Village, T/A Kadewere in Chiradzulu; Issa Saidi, 31, of Lulanga Village, T/A Makanjira in Mangochi; and Rodgers Fakiri, 33, of Makwala Village, T/A Mulolo in Nsanje.
In a separate interview, defence lawyer Christopher Kambalame faulted the police for making “piecemeal arrests” for offences allegedly committed over four months ago.
“The police have all records regarding the allegations. It is only proper to effect an arrest at once and bring all charges at once,” he said.
Kambalame said the defence will make another bail application and challenge what he termed an unfair process.
“Why do they obtain warrants of arrest for people already in custody? The police are acting illegally and unfairly against our clients. This is abuse of authority. The piecemeal approach is meant to punish the accused persons with long detentions before trial,” he said.
The first nine suspects earlier pleaded not guilty to six charges, namely one count of acts intended to cause grievous harm, two counts of robbery, two counts of arson and one count of demanding property with intent to steal.
They are accused of assaulting human rights activist Sylvester Namiwa and others, burning two vehicles and stealing property during the alleged attacks. Namiwa was assaulted in full view of State security agents in Lilongwe as he alongside others planned to start a peaceful demonstration to protest against the Malawi Electoral Commission and other State agencies.
