The police have told former President Peter Mutharika and his wife, Gertrude, off the case of their son, Tadikira, who was arrested in Lilongwe last week over the discovery of a mass grave in Mzimba in which 30 bodies were recovered.
Tadikira and four others were last Friday subsequently charged with murder and aggravated trafficking in persons.
His arrest came days after Mutharika accused the government, at a press conference on 11 November 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 victimising innocent people because of politics as the arrest was not justified by the facts.
But Malawi Police Service spokesperson Peter Kalaya has 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 were exhumed from a mass grave located in Mtangatanga Forest Reserve in Mzimba.
Police say all victims were male aged between 25 and 40.
