Kunkuyu surrenders to police amid legal dispute over arrest
By Michael Martin//MALAWI
Outspoken former Minister of Information, Moses Kunkuyu has surrendered himself to police on Tuesday morning at the Area 30 Police Headquarters in Lilongwe.
His lawyer, Jivason Kadzipatike, confirmed the development, saying Kunkuyu voluntarily presented himself after hearing reports that police were looking for him.
According to Kadzipatike, Kunkuyu was on his way to Parliament to carry out official duties as a Member of Parliament when he passed through the police headquarters.
The lawyer has since accused the police of acting unlawfully, arguing that law does not permit the arrest of a sitting Member of Parliament while they are performing parliamentary duties.
Kadzipatike emphasized that at the time of the incident, Kunkuyu was engaged in matters related to the National Assembly and should therefore have been protected by parliamentary privilege.
He explained that after Kunkuyu arrived at Area 30 Police Station, officers took him into custody and later transferred him to Kanengo Police Station.
Kunkuyu is currently being held at Kanengo Police Station as police prepare to formally charge him.
Police suspect that Kunkuyu made statements that could potentially incite violence during a funeral ceremony of former speaker of Parliament, Madalitso Kazombo.
The statements are also said to be linked to the arrest of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Secretary General, Richard Chimwendo Banda.
Chimwendo Banda was at the time in police custody over allegations related to an attempted murder case.
Kunkuyu, who also serves as the Malawi Congress Party’s Director of Campaigns, is believed to have commented on the arrest during his speech at the funeral.
His lawyer, told us that Kunkuyu arrived at the police station in the morning hours and has since been answering questions.
Kadzipatike added that police are questioning his client over several statements allegedly made during the funeral proceedings.
Meanwhile, National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo said he could not comment on the issue at the moment.
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