Deputy Speaker questioned over rifles

First Deputy Speaker of Malawi Parliament Jones Chingola was on Wednesday questioned by Area 3 Police in the capital, Lilongwe over four assault rifles that were found in his personal office.

Lilongwe Police Station spokesperson Ramsey Mushani said in an interview Chingola was summoned to be interrogated after being found in possession of four assault rifles at his City Printers offices in Mchesi Township in the capital city.

Said Mushani: “The guns are two AK-47 rifles with 41 bullets, a Jamatic rifle with 11 live ammunition plus a pistol.

“We were just interrogating him and if anything, he will be arrested for suspected in possession of firearms illegally.”

However, Chingola, in a separate interview, said the rifles were found in the office of one of his tenants.

He said: “Some police officers came to my office this morning, saying they have received a tip-off that I am keeping K100 million suspected to be from [the Capital Hill] cash-gate. After searching my offices, they also invaded those of my two tenants and it is in one of these offices where they found the guns in the ceiling.

“Unfortunately, the tenant who is in surgical business, has been away for some time and I do not have an idea where he is. I was at the police and made a statement as the building owner.”