By Twink Jones Gadama
In a move widely seen as a politically motivated crackdown, police in Lilongwe have arrested four high-ranking members of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), including Member of Parliament Joseph Mwanamveka. The arrests, which were confirmed by lawyer Kalekeni Kaphale, also include former Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) CEO Collins Magalasi, former Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Lloyd Muhara, and former secretary to Treasury Cliff Chiunda.
According to Kaphale, Mwanamveka and Chiunda are currently being held at Area 3 police station, while Muhara and Magalasi are giving statements to fiscal police at Area 6. While the police have yet to comment on the arrests, sources close to the matter suggest that the arrests are related to issues concerning the Greenbelt Initiative.
The Greenbelt Initiative, a brainchild of former President Peter Mutharika, aimed to boost agricultural production and improve food security in Malawi. However, the project has been dogged by controversy, with critics accusing the previous administration of mismanaging funds and failing to deliver on its promises.
The arrests of Mwanamveka, Magalasi, Muhara, and Chiunda have sparked widespread outrage, with many seeing the move as a blatant attempt to intimidate and silence the opposition. The DPP has been a vocal critic of the current administration, and the arrests are likely to be seen as a crackdown on dissent.
“This is a clear case of political persecution,” said a senior DPP official, who wished to remain anonymous. “The arrests are meant to intimidate us and silence our voices. But we will not be cowed. We will continue to speak out against injustice and fight for the rights of Malawians.”
The arrests have also raised concerns about the independence of the police and the judiciary. Many Malawians have expressed fears that the police and the courts are being used as tools to settle political scores.
“This is a dark day for Malawi,” said a civil society activist. “The arrests are a clear indication that we are sliding back into authoritarianism. We urge the authorities to respect the rights of all citizens and to refrain from using the police and the courts to persecute political opponents.”
As the drama unfolds, one thing is clear: the arrests of Mwanamveka, Magalasi, Muhara, and Chiunda have set the stage for a major showdown between the opposition and the government. The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of Malawi’s democracy.
