By Staff Reporter

Lilongwe, Malawi — Police in Lilongwe have arrested Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda in what is fast becoming a dramatic day for the former ruling party.

National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo confirmed the arrest in an interview with Nation Online, but declined to reveal the charges or disclose where the MCP official is being detained.

“More details will come later. We cannot share more information now to avoid jeopardising the investigation,” said Chimtembo.

Chimwendo Banda’s arrest comes just hours after police picked up former Minister of Trade and Industry Vitumbiko Mumba, who served in the previous MCP-led administration. Like Chimwendo Banda, details surrounding Mumba’s arrest also remain unclear.

The back-to-back arrests have sparked heightened public interest and political speculation, with many keenly watching to see what direction the investigations will take.

Police have indicated that further information will be released once ongoing inquiries allow.

This is a developing story.