Malawi vice-president arrested for treason

Malawi’s embattled Vice-President Cassim Chilumpha was arrested on treason charges tonight, after a court prevented the government from firing him, his lawyer said.

Chilumpha is accused of holding meetings at his official residence in the commercial capital, Blantyre, at which members of his United Democratic Front party conspired to topple President Bingu wa Mutharika’s government, solicitor Fahad Assani said.

“This is the continuation of political vindictiveness,” Assani said.

“There were no such meetings at Mudi House. The meetings that took place there were normal political meetings … There is nothing wrong for a leader to meet his officials.”

Police spokesman Willie Mwaluka confirmed Chilumpha’s arrest, but declined to comment on the reasons.

The President and Vice-President, once allies, have waged a political feud since wa Mutharika resigned from the then-governing UDF to found his own party, accusing his former party of trying to blunt his clampdown on corruption and his moves to modernise the economy.