Police arrest 5 more PP officials in Zomba

Five more members of People’s Party (PP) were arrested on Thursday in connection with clashes involving supporters of their party and Malawi’s ruling DPP at a funeral in Zomba.

The five arrested are Catherine Misoya, George Kunje, Dorothy Kambuku, Deliyo Matiki and Fabiano Tewesha and are being held at Zomba Police Station allegedly on charges of conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

Eastern Region Police deputy public relations officer Thomeck Nyaude confirmed the arrests in an interview on Friday, but declined to divulge more on the matter.

PP deputy publicity secretary John Chikalimba said the five PP members who were arrested on Monday have since been transferred to Zomba Central Prison due to congestion at Zomba Police Station cells.

“We have engaged lawyers on the matter,” Chikalimba said.

The first five PP members were allegedly charged with three counts namely theft, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The two parties clashed at a funeral of PP district governor  Alex Chilewe Kanyela on Monday at Mandala Village, T/A Mwambo in the district.

According to police, DPP Member of Parliament for Zomba-Chisi Peter Chizalo Mangulenje went to attend the burial where he found PP members clad in the party orange cloth.

Nyaude said Village Head Mandala is alleged to have said only DPP officials would be allowed to speak at the funeral.

He said the development angered PP supporters and a fracas arose between supporters of the two parties.