Bail expected for arrested 11 ex-ministers today

Thousands of Malawi’s former ruling DPP supporters have gathered at the Magistrates Court in the capital, Lilongwe where DPP’s acting president Professor Peter Mutharika, fired Chief Secretary Bright Msaka and nine others including Economic Planning and Development Minister Goodall Gondwe are expected to appear in court for bail.

Malawi Police on Monday arrested 11 ex-ministers and top government officials after the Commission of Inquiry report on the death of late president Bingu wa Mutharika revealed a plot to circumvent the Constitution and stop then Vice President Joyce Banda from ascending to power.

All the 11 are being kept in Lilongwe and are expected in court this morning or later in the day.

Several lawyers that Nation Online talked to say they expect bail to be granted to all the 11.

Meanwhile, police in ant-riot gear are cordoning off the DPP supporters at the main entrance into the Court premises.