Malawi Congress Party (MCP) supporters yesterday flocked to former president Lazarus Chakwera’s Area 10 residence in Lilongwe amid reports that police were set to arrest him.
During a visit to the premises yesterday afternoon, scores of MCP supporters were seen inside the fence of the residence under tight security provided by both official guards and party loyalists. The security stopped The Nation crew from taking any pictures.
Two supporters, who asked not to be named, said they rushed to the residence after hearing reports of an imminent arrest of the former president.
MCP secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda confirmed hearing about the gathering, but said he was outside Lilongwe and could not provide further details.
He referred inquiries to party publicity secretary Jessie Kabwila and director of legal affairs George Kadzipatike.
Kabwila could not immediately be reached for comment, but Kadzipatike said the party had received assurances from government that Chakwera would not be arrested because he had committed no offence during the events of Kamuzu Day.
“We have been assured by the government that the former president will not be arrested because government is as convinced as we are that the former president did not commit any offence on 14 May 2026. Our hope is that the government is being sincere,” he said.
action: Chimwendo Banda.
| Nation
National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo referred inquiries to his deputy Alfred Chimthere, who declined to comment, saying he was in a meeting.
The developments come just days after police fired tear gas to disperse MCP supporters and officials marching towards the Kamuzu Mausoleum during Kamuzu Day commemorations on Thursday.
Police mounted roadblocks near Lilongwe City Council Civic Offices and Bingu International Convention Centre junction, preventing supporters from reaching the mausoleum where Chakwera, who was part of the procession, was expected to lay a wreath.
As crowds surged from the nearby MCP headquarters, police fired tear gas, forcing supporters to flee into surrounding streets and abruptly halting the procession.
The march was organised after the MCP complained that Chakwera had been sidelined from the official State function, allegedly over protocol disputes.
In January, President Peter Mutharika held talks with Chakwera following the arrests of senior officials from the previous administration, insisting the arrests were not politically motivated.
