Police search DPP cadet’s home

Over 15 armed police officers searched for guns at the home of Malawi’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Central Region youth director Lameck Malimba on Friday morning.

The development has irked the former ruling party, which has dubbed Home Affairs Minister Uladi Mussa as “extremely incompetent.”

But, in an interview on Monday the minister has defended the police action, saying he personally saw ‘some DPP cadets’ with shot guns when he was in opposition and the party should apologise for the terror that included buying pangas and guns for its cadets.

Malimba on Monday confirmed the search, but referred the matter to DPP secretary general (SG) Elias Wakuda Kamanga who claimed police were acting on orders from Mussa “to harass, intimidate and embarrass DPP officials”.

Malimba, also referred to as ‘Ayishoshe Ayiwone’, lives in Area 22. He told the newspaper the police officers, who arrived in two vehicles at about 5am, told him they had come to search for guns which they had been tipped to be in the house.

Claimed Malimba: “They searched and did not find anything. I know the President has no hand in this, but those that know we know how evil they are trying to paint us black. I reported to the secretary general who can speak better as I am still in a shock that as Malawians, we are still trying to intimidate each other.”

Kamanga said the party is not amused by police action, arguing it reflects how Mussa is operating—trying to divert attention from rising crime in the country which indicates his failure to handle security issues.

Alleged Kamanga: “This is coming from Mussa. He is extremely, extremely incompetent. How can a security minister tell the whole world that DPP is having guns and not investigate and arrest those with guns?”

Mussa said his track record as a minister is perfect.

“Police went to search based on information they had. I said the DPP ran a reign of terror and gave guns and pangas to the youth cadets.

“Personally, when I was in opposition, I saw a cadet with a gun at the Road Traffic [offices]; that is a fact. For the pangas, everyone saw them [on July 19 2011],” said Mussa.

National Police spokesperson Dave Chingwalu said he needed more time to find out reasons of the search.