Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has accused police of harassing immediate-past president Lazarus Chakwera after armed police officers yesterday descended on his residence in Area 10, Lilongwe.
When news of the police invasion filtered through, MCP legislators abandoned Parliament business during tea break yesterday and dashed to Chakwera’s residence.
During a visit to the house yesterday, The Nation observed heightened activity with motor vehicles parked along the street outside the premises while armed security personnel were seen guarding the entrance.
Vehicles could be seen going in and out of the compound and MCP supporters, some clad in the party’s regalia, were seen leaving the premises.
The gathering followed reports of frequent and aggressive police patrols at the former head of State’s home over the past two days.
In an interview at the site, MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila described the incident as “dubious and very suspicious visits”.
“Imagine in one day you get five visits from the police, and they come here in Land Cruisers, with dogs on tour, and using very, very unpalatable language,” she said.
Kabwila accused the police of treating Chakwera, who is also MCP president, with disrespect and of orchestrating the visits to intimidate him.
She said the frequency of the police visits was meant to intimidate the former president.
Kabwila further dared the authorities to bring any charges against Chakwera, saying party supporters will not tolerate their leader being treated with such mundane behaviour.
She said the party’s patience should not be mistaken for weakness, stating: “Our leader always says don’t fight back. Now what we are seeing is we are being taken for a ride. So we are very annoyed.”
National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo said police were expected to issue a statement last evening. However, by press time at 9.30pm, it was yet to be issued.
Meanwhile, MCP legislators were conspicuously missing from the afternoon session yesterday as they did not return from the health break.
The development was noted as debate on the Mid-Year Budget Review Statement continued with only government and independent members of Parliament (MPs) participating.
Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Esther Jolobala, who presided over the proceedings, noted the absence and described it as surprising.
“I have not been notified by MCP leadership about this. My office will investigate the matter and treat it with the seriousness it deserves,” she said.
When contacted for comment, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Simplex Chithyola Banda, who claimed he missed the sitting to attend a relation’s funeral, said he had no information on why his fellow MCP members were absent.
MCP deputy chief whip Monica Chang’anamuno, who was earlier seen in the House, could not be reached for comment.
Leader of the House Jappie Mhango also expressed surprise, saying the government side had not been informed of any reasons for the absence.
Chakwera, who lost to Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Peter Mutharika in the presidential race of the September 16 General Election, last week broke his silence with his first public engagement when he announced that he had accepted a Commonwealth appointment to help mediate Tanzania’s post-election unrest on a mission that woukd see him visit the neighbouring country from November 18 to 21.
