Breaking: Malawi Opposition members arrested for treason: Ulemu Msungama detained, Kabwila still on the run

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Ulemu Msungama
Ulemu Msungama
Msungama facing treason charges

One of the senior member of the opposition Malawi Congress Party, Ulemu Msungama, has been arrested and is currently detained at Kanengo Police Station.

Ulemu Msungama posted on his facebook earlier without clarifying  that he was at Area 30 Police station.

A source very close to Mr. Msungama confirmed Msungama’s arrest.

Msungama is reportedly facing sedition and treason charges over a WhatsApp thread in which people expressed dismay over President Peter Mutharika’s governance on the face of a the current economic crisis. It is claimed people on the thread included Jessie Kabwila, Ulemu Msungama and MCP’s legal adviser and parliamentarian, Peter Louis Chakhwantha. The whereabouts of the other two MCP members remain a mystery.

Msungama is however the first to be arrested following claims by a pro-government news publication that MCP was working with the US government to oust President Mutharika. The US ambassador, Virginia Palmer, downplayed the claims as false.

MCP deputy spokesperson Ezekiel Chin’goma also confirmed Msungama’s arrest, saying he has been charged with treason.

Before Msungama’s arrest, armed police officers stormed the residence belonging to Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Jessie Kabwila.

Her mother, Valesha Kabwila, confirmed what she described as terrifying scenario. However, the MCP spokesperson who had asked President Mutharika to resign during a Public Affairs Committee stakeholders’ conference was not at the house.

Parliamentarian for Dedza East, Juliana Lunguzi, expressed dismay at the developments. She also confirmed that Msungma has been charged with treason.

The Malawi Police and government spokesperson were yet to comment on the arrests and charges against Msungama and the other two MCP parliamentarians.