Mulanje Bale legislator Victor Musowa (Democratic Progressive Party-DPP) was yesterday granted bail after he was arrested in the morning on the charge of proposing violence.
In his ruling granting bail to Musowa, Blantyre chief resident magistrate Paul Chiotcha said the State did not provide good reasons to justify further detention of the suspect.
the court yesterday. | Macmillan Mhone
“There is no explanation as to why the accused person was arrested before investigations were finalised and why investigations cannot continue while the accused is on bail,” he said.
The legislator was released on bail after he paid a K1 million bond and produced K5 million non-cash surety.
He is also required to be reporting to South West Region Police Headquarters once in every three weeks until the end of the matter.
According to National Police deputy spokesperson Harry Namwaza, Musowa was summoned to Police South West Region Headquarters yesterday morning where he was charged with proposing violence at an assembly contrary to Section 87 of the Penal Code following remarks he made at a rally in Ndirande in Blantyre on December 15.
The legislator was taken to Blantyre Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court which is a stone’s throw away from the Police South West Region Headquarters.
After Musowa was formally charged, his lawyer Felix Tambulasi applied for bail, arguing that the legislator is a person of good standing and a law abiding citizen as demonstrated by his willingness to appear before police when summoned.
But the State asked the court to allow police to detain Musowa for seven more days, saying the police wanted to finalise their investigations.
South West Police Region prosecutions officer Superintendent Damiano Kaputa argued that Musowa could use his influence in society to interfere with witnesses and jeopardise investigations.
In an interview after adjournment, Tambulasi said the defence will now wait for the prosecution to serve them with whatever evidence the police have against Musowa.
Musowa’s remarks, which sparked condemnation from various civil society organisations were made at a DPP rally in Ndirande Township on December 15 where he told party supporters in the area not to entertain those found chanting the “Kwacha” slogan which is associated with the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
Speaking outside the court yesterday, Leader of Opposition in Parliament George Chaponda described the arrest of Musowa as evidence of selective justice and he asked the police to be fair in whatever they do.
“Worse incidences have happened in Lilongwe where people were beaten at Mbowe and demonstrators were attacked but nothing happened,” said Chaponda.
In a recent interview, political analyst George Chaima called on leaders of political parties to condemn members of their parties who engage in political violence ahead of the 2025 General Election.
In September this year, Machinga Central East legislator Daudi Chikwanje (DPP) was also arrested over allegations that he encouraged his party members to set on fire anyone found in MCP regalia at Nsanama in Machinga.
