Letter-writer arrested in Malawi

Muluzi prefers fan-mail to petitions

By Raphael Tenthani in Blantyre

A Malawian businessman and opposition activist who frequently writes critical letters to President Bakili Muluzi has been arrested.

Nelson Wilfred Shaba was detained on Monday evening in the eastern town of Zomba, some 68 kilometres from the commercial capital, Blantyre.

When they turned up certain correspondence with the president, they charged him with sedition

Viva Nyimba
Lawyer

His lawyer, Viva Nyimba, told BBC News Online that he had been charged with sedition.

"They first searched his house for conduct likely to cause breach of peace but when they turned up certain correspondence with the president, they charged him with sedition," he said.

Inconsistent

Sedition used to be a serious offence during the rule of former president-for-life, the late Hastings Kamuzu Banda.

But the sedition law was watered down when its last victim, opposition Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) leader Chakufwa Chihana, formed a brief coalition government with the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) after the 1994 general elections.

Musician Matafale died in police custody

Mr Shaba's lawyer said sedition is inconsistent with the spirit of the new Malawi Constitution which guarantees freedom of opinion, expression and the press.

"The law is used by dictatorial regimes to gag criticism," he said.

The businessman, using a grouping known as "Concerned Citizens", has been writing to President Muluzi expressing disquiet on a number of issues.

In his letters, which he delivers as signed petitions, Mr Shaba and his group attacks Mr Muluzi's leadership and Malawi's deteriorating democratic standards.

Afraid

Mr Shaba has written more than 100 critical letters to the president on issues ranging from police brutality to MPs conduct in Parliament.

On a mobile phone from a police cell in Zomba, Mr Shaba told journalists that he has been arrested for speaking openly on behalf of the people.

My letters have been advisory to the president and his government

Nelson Shaba

"My letters have been advisory to the president and his government," he said.

Mr Shaba said he fears for his life.

He was referring to a recent incident where a popular reggae star, Evison Matafale, died in police custody.

Matafale was arrested after writing a critical letter to the president