Vuwa Kaunda’s case raises a few questions
Something is not adding up in the re-arresting of MP for Nkhata Bay Central Symon Vuwa Kaunda who is answering charges relating to the death of former president, the late Bingu wa Mutharika, and the transfer of power that followed.
Did he knowingly attempt to defy his bail conditions barely two days since they were imposed on him?
You would ordinarily expect a person of Vuwa Kaunda’s standing in society to know what he needed to do if he were to leave the country without violating the provisions of his bail. The least you would expect him to do was to consult his lawyer on the steps that he needed to take before packing his bags on his way to Kamuzu International Airport. One wonders, therefore, if the former minister sought that legal advice in the first place.
If, as it is alleged by the police, Vuwa Kaunda decided to leave the country without seeking permission from the right authorities, then one has to question the naivety of the legislator. With allegations of the arrests being political, it is not fair for anyone to test the system by doing what every reasonable person would consider offensive.
If, however, we have not heard the full story and Vuwa Kaunda did everything by the book but has nonetheless been prevented from travelling, then the police need to answer a few questions on why they have acted extrajudicially against a citizen who should be presumed innocent unless otherwise determined by a competent court of law.
The case in question has a very high profile and is a huge test for everyone concerned to show their maturity and professionalism. No one should cut corners.
