By Khumbo Kamaliza:
President Arthur Peter Mutharika has dismissed claims of politically motivated arrests, saying his administration is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all cases are handled fairly and expeditiously.
The President made the remarks following a telephone conversation with former president Lazarus Chakwera, who raised concerns over recent law enforcement actions.
In a statement signed by Presidential Press Secretary Cathy Maulidi, Chakwera initiated the call and linked the arrests to what he described as political targeting.
According to the statement, President Mutharika said that during Chakweras administration there were numerous high-profile arrests of opposition figures which appeared to lack credible evidence and resulted in few successful convictions.
He stressed that under the current administration, law enforcement agencies operate independently and effect arrests only where there is clear and credible evidence.
The era of political arrests has ended, Mutharika said, adding that suspects will not be left to languish in the justice system, as government is committed to swift and fair trials for all.
