Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Malawi police are investigating the disappearance of four police dogs from the presidential palace in the capital, Lilongwe, during September’s political transition.
Godfrey Arthur Jalale, who served as deputy chief of staff to the State House under former President Lazarus Chakwera, has been arrested for allegedly stealing four German shepherd dogs. He denies the allegation.
After Chakwera left the palace Lost the election to President Peter Mutharika.
Late Wednesday, police denied reports of Chakwera’s arrest but confirmed a search warrant had been obtained for his residence after information suggested that the stolen dogs were being held at his residence.
Chakwera, who came second in September’s election with 33 percent of the vote, faces numerous accusations of mismanagement of public resources, particularly during the handover.
His Malawi Congress Party (MCP) accused Mutharika’s government of “harassing and intimidating” the former leader. Chakwera has not yet commented.
Local media reported that state property was stolen from two presidential residences – Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe and Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, the country’s second city.
According to state prosecutors, the four dogs, worth $2,300 (£1,700), were taken out of the palace between September 19 and October 4.
Police said in a statement on Wednesday that they had “intensified investigations following reports of a robbery at Kamuzu Palace property”.
“The Malawi Police Service would like to assure the public that the investigation is progressing well,” it added.
CPM MPs on Wednesday boycotted a parliamentary session and camped out at Chakwera’s residence in Lilongwe, local media reported, amid reports that Chakwera faced arrest following increased police deployment.
Chakwera, who was a pastor before entering politics, accepted defeat and has kept a low profile since the election.
Last week, he made his first public appearance, announcing that he had accepted a Commonwealth appointment to help mediate post-election unrest in Tanzania.
Mutharika, who first served as president between 2014 and 2020, resonated with Malawian voters when he campaigned on a promise to “return to proven leadership.”
He returned to power in a country mired in crisis and suffering severe shortages of fuel and foreign currency.
The former law professor made few public appearances during the campaign, in contrast to the many rallies Chakwera held across Malawi.
As a result, speculation about Mutharika’s health has been rampant, with people questioning whether he has the stamina to lead Malawi again at the age of 85.
