Politician Bon Kalindo has been arrested for publishing a false statement contrary to section 60 (1) of the Penal Code, Malawi Police Service (MPS) Public Relations Officer James Kadadzera confirms in a statement.

According to Kadadzera, on 9 October whilst addressing a crowd gathered for demonstrations, he published a false statement to the effect that late Clement Chiwaya, Former Deputy Speaker, was murdered at Parliament Building in the City of Lilongwe.

“Kalindo deliberately published this false statement since there are credible official findings that the Late Clement Chiwaya committed suicide. A false statement alleging murder of a prominent member of the Society is likely to cause fear and alarm to members of the public especially the community to which the deceased belonged and is as such an offence under section 60 (1) of the Penal Code,” reads the statement in part.

Police further disclose that Kalindo’s arrest follows the publication of a false statement in relation to a statement he recently made in Mzuzu alleging that the Government was aware of those behind the gruesome murders of Persons with Albinism.

“Similarly, falsely alleging that the Government is aware of those perpetrating murders of Persons with Albinism is likely to cause fear and alarm to members of the general public especially Persons with Albinism who already live in constant fear of being murdered,” reads the statement.

Police assure the public that it remains committed to respecting the right to freedom of assembly and peaceful demonstrations and the right to freedom of expression and as such this arrest is not connected to the ongoing demonstrations. At the same time, the Service is duty-bound to fulfil its constitutional mandate of investigating crimes including those occurring during peaceful demonstrations.

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