Chizuma arrested in response to complaint filed by DPP Steve Kayuni

Malawi: The arrest of ACB Director General Martha Chizuma was made in response to a complaint filed by the Director of Public Prosecution-DPP Steve Kayuni, according to the police.

Kayuni was harmed, according to National Police Spokesperson Peter Kalaya, by the contents of leaked audio in which Ms Chizuma was recorded speaking about the difficulties she faced in prosecuting corruption cases.

Last September, the High Court in Mzuzu dismissed a similar complaint in which one Frighton Phompho sought Chizuma's prosecution for the audio.

Judge Annabel Mtalimanja then stated that anyone who felt offended by the contents of the audio could file a complaint.

“Following that ruling by Judge Mtalimanja, the DPP alleges that he was injured by the contents of the audio and proceeded to lodge a complaint with the Police,” said Kalaya in the statement.

Ms Chizuma has since been charged with 'using speech capable of prejudicing a person against a party to judicial proceedings.'

Meanwhile, the drama continued in Parliament, with the leader of the house Richard Chimwendo Banda proposing a division to decide whether or not to discuss Ms Chizuma's arrest or suspend the house, but later withdrawing the motion.

The house was then adjourned until 2 p.m. today when the Minister of Justice is expected to make a statement on the matter.

In a related development, Victor Musowa, a member of Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, recounted in the House how Ms Chizuma broke down in tears as she explained her ordeal to the Committee when they visited her at Namitete Police.

Kondwani Nankhumwa, the opposition's leader, expressed disappointment over the arrest, which occurred just a few days before the nation observed National Anti-Corruption Day on December 9.