Kabwila, Msungama, Chakwantha appear before court over Whatsapp coup plot

Three Malawi Congress Party (MCP) officials on Thursday appeared before the High Court in Lilongwe over the alleged Whatsapp treason charge accusation.

The three namely Jessie Kabwila, MCP’s Spokesperson, Ulemu Msungama and the party’s legal adviser Peter Chakwantha were arrested in February for allegedly planning to overthrow President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s administration through Whatsapp conversation.

The officials were later released on bail pending police investigations and the last time the three reported to court was on April 29, 2016.

Lilongwe High Court extended further the bail of the three MCP officials to today June 30, 2016.

MCP officials were accompanied by their lawyer Gustav Kaliwo, who is also MCP Secretary General.

The arrest of the three officials attracted mixed reactions across the country with others accusing the DPP administration of trying to intimidate the opposition.