Malawi’s Government says it has arrested at least 10 former top government officials for allegedly plotting a coup to stop then Vice-President Joyce Banda from becoming President after the death of former President Bingu wa Mutharika last year.
The arrests on Monday set off violence in the commercial capital, Blantyre, as supporters of Mr. Mutharika’s former ruling party protested in the streets. Police fired tear gas shells to break up the crowd.
Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu said the arrests were carried out on the basis of evidence in a report on the death of Mr. Mutharika in April. The report, presented to Mr. Banda last week, concluded that top officials at that time conspired to try to prevent Mr. Banda from assuming power.
