President Arthur Peter Mutharika informed former leader Lazarus Chakwera via telephone call that the current administration has adopted a distinct approach to justice, differing from the previous administration’s stance.
According to a document released and signed by presidential press secretary, Cathy Maulidi, Chakwera made the first call, raising concerns that the arrests follow a pattern of “political arrests”.
The letter states that Mutharika informed the 6th president that although the previous administration oversaw several high-profile arrests, many seemed politically motivated and lacked sufficient evidence, leading to a notable lack of successful convictions, whereas his tenure adopts a distinct approach strictly adhering to the rule of law.
Mutharika further reminded Chakwera of the arrests of high-profile ranking members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) which were made during the previous tenure.
“The president assured the former leader that the current administration is guided strictly by the rule of law, law enforcement agencies now operate with full independence by ensuring that arrests are made solely based on clear credible evidence,” reads part of the document.
“The government is committed to ensuring that all cases are brought to trial swiftly, upholding the right to fair and timely administration of justice,” it reads.
The discussion between the two leaders follows the arrest of MCP secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda by police, who held him in custody without charge, along with spokesperson Jessie Kabwira, Vitumbiko Mumba, and others, including MCP’s campaign director and Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu, who is currently in police custody.
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