The United Transformation Movement (UTM) says it will proceed with its planned Central Executive Committee meeting today in Lilongwe despite the arrest of its Secretar General, Patricia Kaliati.
Party spokesperson Felix Njawala stated this morning that the decision to proceed was agreed upon during a late-night session of the Central Executive Committee, where members resolved that the pre-convention meeting would continue under the leadership of the party’s Women’s Secretary-General.
“This decision was made in consultation with all members. It’s not just the deputy secretary-general’s decision; it’s a consensus from the entire NEC, including the president. So, we’re moving forward as a united team,” said Njawala.
Asked about the meeting’s agenda, Njawala kept a tight lid, citing the confidentiality of the topics to be discussed.
“This meeting is an internal discussion, so some of the issues cannot be shared publicly. We’ll be discussing party strategies and operational plans, and it’s not appropriate to disclose the details,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Kaliati spent the night in custody at Lingadzi Police Station in Lilongwe.
Her lawyer, Khumbo Soko, confirmed that she had yet to be formally charged.
National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya declined to comment on when Kaliati might appear in court, leaving her legal team and supporters in limbo.
In a related incident this morning, police used tear gas to disperse a crowd of UTM, Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), and United Democratic Front (UDF) supporters who had gathered at Area 30 in Lilongwe to show solidarity with Kaliati.
Kaliati was arrested Thursday afternoon in Lilongwe on allegations of conspiracy to commit a felony, with police indicating that two additional arrests could follow as part of the investigation.
