MCTU on Chiumia’s neck for ordering police to arrest NRB officials

Malawi Congress of Trade Union (MCTU) has demanded an apology from Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Grace Chiumia for ordering for the arrest of 14 National Registration Bureau officials over a meeting they had at Shoprite in Mzuzu.

Chiumia last week ordered the police to arrest NRB officers holding a meeting in Mzuzu to demand arrears dating back to May 2017.

The officers were charged with unlawful assembly and conspiracy to commit a felony. They were later granted bail by police.

The arrest attracted condemnination from all corners with the latest being MCTU through its General Secretary, Denis Kalekeni.

Speaking in a press conference held yesterday, Kalekeni described the arrest as uncalled and gave Chiumia until 30 September to make public apology or else the body will report the government to the Committee of Experts on Freedom of Association an arm of ILO.

“We want government to condemn these barbaric acts, or else, MCTU shall have no option but to include these actions in our report to the Committee of Experts on Freedom of Association for government to appear before the committee next year in June during the International Labour Conference,” said Kalekeni.

Meanwhile NRB officers are demanding MK140 million from the Minister as compensation over unlawful arrest.