Police nab 4 for MEC break-in

Police have arrested two of its officers and two guards in connection with the break-in of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) offices at Area 3 in Lilongwe this week.

National Police spokesperson James Kadadzera said in an interview yesterday the police had arrested the four for questioning, but he could not be drawn to reveal their names.

He said: “We arrested police officers and guards because they were on duty when the incident happened at MEC offices. We are questioning them over the matter.”

Vice-President Saulos Chilima, who is also UTM Party torchbearer in the May 21 Tripartite Elections, claimed at a rally in Chitipa on Wednesday that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) broke into the offices and stole some CCTV cameras, an allegation DPP officials have denied.

While confirming the break-in, MEC director of media and public relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa said no cameras were stolen.

Kadadzera, too, said in an interview that no item was stolen from the office.

During the Chitipa rally, Chilima also accused the DPP of having been behind the burning of MEC offices in 2014, leaving some questioning why he did not reveal the matter all along.

But UTM Party director of communications Joseph Chidanthi Malunga said in an interview yesterday Chilima took time to gather facts before speaking on what happened in 2014, when MEC offices were burnt following Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP) protest of results.

“For us, what Chilima said is true. He has evidence. You always have facts when you have gathered enough information. That is why DPP is finding it difficult to challenge him,” he said.

Malunga warned that Chilima is likely to make more revelations when he finishes gathering information on some issues.