Govt must tread carefully on ‘coup plotters’ -PAC

Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has advised the government to ensure that it has concrete evidence against people arrested in connection with the report of the inquiry on the death of former president Bingu wa Mutharika, to avoid losing public resources.

The state on Monday arrested at least ten people, including current and former cabinet ministers, DPP and government officials.

The government had in years lost a lot of money due to compensation paid to people, who had been accused of treason and sedition charges.

Of late, the government is believed to have used tax payer’s money to pay out-of-court settlements following terminated contracts for public officials.

PAC executive director Robert Phiri said the committee’s board was yet to meet to analyze the issue and is watching closely the developments as they unfold.

‘Riots’

Police fired teargas canisters at scores of the Opposition DPP sympathizers who were waiting for the party’s interim President Peter Mutharika at the Lilongwe Magistrates Court, where was expected to appear to enter plea.

His lawyers and those of the other of the suspects were also expected to apply for bail.

The party’s Treasurer General George Chaponda told the media a short while ago that Mutharika and the other suspects were still but will be proceeding to court soon.

Earlier this morning, there were running battles between the DPP sympathizers and the Police at Lumbadzi Police Station over the vehicle the suspects were supposed to use.

The supporters were against the usage of the Police Van preferring luxury vehicles.

Two supporters were severely injured during the riots.