Former Malawian President Peter Mutharika and his wife, Gertrude visited their son Tadikira Mafubza Mutharika on Monday at the Maula Prison in Lilongwe where he is being held on charges of murder and aggravated human trafficking.
Following the discovery of mass graves of 30 Ethiopian immigrants in a forest in Mzimba, he was arrested last week
Mutharika and company arrived Maula prison at noon and on arrival they were welcomed by the DPP vice president for the eastern region Bright Msaka, party presidential aspirant Dalitso Kabambe and party executive member Ben Phiri, among other top party officials.
Former Minister of Homeland Security, Uladi Mussa and former Minister of Information, Henry Mussa also met Mutharika at the prison.
Uladi is serving a five-year jail term at Maula Prison while Mussa is waiting for his sentence.
Tadikira was taken from the prison cells to the administrative block of the prison to meet his parents and his recently-wed wife.
His arrest came days after Mutharika accused the government, at a press conference on November 11, 2022 in Mangochi, of lacking action on the issue.
“This issue of mass graves, over 20 people were found dead and unaccounted for.
“What’s interesting is, as far as I know, the government has made no statement on this.
“This is a matter of national concern, but also international concern.
“It is a serious matter anywhere in the world and the government should have shown compassion and concern and address this matter,” Mutharika said at the press conference.
Following Tadikira’s arrest, however, Mutharika, described the action as an act of political witch-hunting as the arrest was not justified by the proofs.
In response, Malawi Police Service spokesperson Peter Kalaya shot back, reiterating that the police will not be influenced by sentiments made by any interested party to the case.
“We are the ones investigating this case and through these investigations, we have gathered enough evidence that connects each one of the five suspects to the crime that was committed.
“The evidence will be presented in court at an appropriate time,” Kalaya said.
Magistrate Madalitso Khoswe Chimwaza on Friday committed the suspects to the High Court (Mzuzu registry) where their bail application will be made.
The suspects will remain in custody awaiting the process to commence at the Mzuzu High Court.
In October, the remains of 30 suspected Ethiopian nationals (all male aged between 25 and 40) were exhumed from a mass grave located in Mtangatanga Forest Reserve in Mzimba.
