By Pemphero Malimba:
Police Monday released Rumphi East lawmaker Kamlepo Kalua on bail while human rights activist Bon Kalindo is still in their custody.
The two were arrested last week on alleged cybercrime-related offences.
They are suspected of publishing content on social media through voice notes which the police deem to be criminal.
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The two were scheduled to appear before court on Monday afternoon in Lilongwe.
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However, they were yet to arrive at the court by 4pm.
In a telephone interview, Kalua’s lawyer Lusungu Gondwe said there were some changes which led to his client’s release.
“As we speak, he has been released on police bail and we will be informed on when he will be asked to go to court,” Gondwe said.
Kalindo’s lawyer Khwima Mchizi said his client is expected to appear before court on Tuesday as the police did not bring him to court on Monday.
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“He will appear before the Principal Resident Magistrate Court on Monday morning,” Mchizi said.
National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya said investigations on Kalua’s case are underway.
“We have released Honourable Kamlepo Kalua on police bail as we continue our investigation into his case. He has been very cooperative throughout our investigations. We have again today arrested Reverend Kondwani Chimbirima Gondwe of Zolozolo CCAP on similar offences,” Kalaya said.
He said Gondwe will appear before court on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation Executive Director Michael Kaiyatsa has condemned the arrests.
“Instead of arresting people, the government should focus on finding answers to the plane crash that killed nine people, including vice president Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima and former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri,” he said in a statement released on Monday.
