Police have arrested Malawi Congress Party (MCP) parliamentary candidate for the June 30 by-election in Lilongwe City Bwaila Constituency, Precious Kabambe, for alleged fraud and money laundering-related charges.
National Police deputy spokesperson Alfred Chimthere confirmed the arrest in an interview yesterday. He said Malawi Police Service Fiscal and Fraud Division carried out the arrest on Wednesday night.
He said Kabambe is expected to appear in court today to be formally charged and may apply for bail.
Said Chimthere: “He was arrested over offences allegedly committed in Blantyre and Lilongwe.
“The charges include fraud other than false pretence contrary to Section 319(A) of the Penal Code, contravening Section 43(1) of the Competition and Fair Trading Act, and money laundering contrary to Section 42 of the Financial Crimes Act.”
He said further details surrounding the case would be disclosed once Kabambe appears before the court.
MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila referred queries on the matter to the party’s secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda, who was not immediately available for comment yesterday.
The arrest comes amid heightened political tension surrounding the Lilongwe City Bwaila Constituency ahead of the June 30 by-election.
Recently, MCP dismissed reports that it intended to replace Kabambe as its candidate with Chimwendo Banda maintaining that the party would retain him as its torchbearer.
Malawi Electoral Commission nullified the parliamentary election results for the constituency after establishing irregularities in the handling of void votes during the September 16 2025 General Election.
