The arrest of two supporters for DDP candidate for Mulanje West Patricia Kaliati on Thursday, was a reason enough for her to walk over 100 meters barefoot to Nkando Police Unit the following day to secure their unconditional release.
She also demanded closure of the facility arguing that it not serving the best interest of the area.
Southern region police spokesman Dave Chingwalu on Sunday confirmed the development but refused to comment on the minister's demand.
Kaliati who is also Minister of Information and Civic Education on Monday confirmed she ordered the release of Kolesi John, 48 and Patrick Mwahiwa, 47 who were charged with destruction of campaign materials for her rival John Saini, an independent candidate.
Nkando Police said they arrested the two following a complaint that they removed Saini's campaign materials at a political rally venue.
The police said an angry Kaliati walked to the unit on Friday and demanded the release of the suspects or be locked up in their place.
"They released the two but the major concern is that she is interfering too much into the operations and administrative issues of the police", said the source.
On the same Friday, she drove her official vehicle to Mulanje Police Station where she parked it and threw its key at a senior police officer and demanded that Nkando Police Station be closed or she would not collect the car.
But her driver collected the vehicle on Sunday in the company of district assembly officials. Kaliati told The Nation on Sunday she did not like the way police officers at Nkando handled suspect's case and that is why she dumped her vehicle at Mulanje Police Station.
"I have indeed asked the Mulanje Police officer in charge to close down the unit. It is not serving us properly", said Kaliati.
She claimed the Saini's supporters instead of hers deserved to be arrested for pulling down DPP campaign materials.
Source- Nation, Tuesday 12 May 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment