Lilongwe, Sunday — Moments ago
Malawi’s political landscape has been thrown into fresh turmoil today, Sunday, after police in Lilongwe arrested former Cabinet Minister Sosten Gwengwe, in what the opposition describes as a continuing crackdown by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) against former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) officials.
The arrest, which took place moments ago, has sent shockwaves across political circles, deepening tensions between the ruling DPP and the opposition MCP.
Confirming the development, MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila told Shire Times that the party is still struggling to understand the reasons behind Gwengwe’s sudden arrest.
“We have just been informed of his arrest,” Kabwila said. “At this point, we have not yet been told what charges he is facing. What we know is that he is being held at Lumbadzi Police Station.”
The lack of immediate information surrounding the arrest has raised serious concerns among MCP leaders and supporters. They argue that the arrest fits a growing pattern where former MCP officials are picked up by police without clear explanations, only for charges to be announced later or not at all.
Gwengwe’s arrest follows a string of similar incidents involving senior MCP figures. Richard Chimwendo Banda, Ezekiel Ching’oma, Moses Kunkuyu, Jessie Kabwila, and Vitumbiko Mumba have all been arrested in recent weeks. The MCP maintains that these cases are based on trumped-up charges, accusing the DPP of using state institutions to silence political opponents.
Political analysts warn that the trend is dangerous for Malawi’s democracy. While the government insists that the law must apply to everyone equally, critics say selective enforcement risks turning law enforcement into a political weapon.
“This kind of situation creates fear,” one analyst said. “When arrests happen without explanation, especially moments before the public can understand the charges, it undermines confidence in the justice system.”
As of now, former minister Sosten Gwengwe remains in police custody at Lumbadzi, with no formal charges publicly disclosed. The nation is watching closely, waiting for authorities to explain the basis of the arrest.
This is a developing story, and Shire Times will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more details emerge.
