By Burnett Munthali
There was unrest at Lingadzi Police Station on Thursday, October 24, 2024, as a large crowd of UTM Party supporters gathered in a show of solidarity with their Secretary General, Patricia Kaliati, following her arrest.
Kaliati, who was taken into custody earlier in the day, is facing allegations of conspiring to commit a crime, although details of the case remain vague. Her arrest has sparked widespread concern among UTM members, leading to a spontaneous demonstration at the police station in Lilongwe.
Witnesses reported that the situation became tense as supporters chanted slogans demanding Kaliati’s release, accusing the authorities of political persecution. The gathering swelled in size as word spread, with UTM members voicing their discontent over what they perceive as an unjustified arrest aimed at disrupting the party’s leadership ahead of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Friday.
Police officers at the scene attempted to manage the crowd, but the supporters remained persistent in their calls for transparency and fairness. No major incidents of violence were reported, though the atmosphere was charged, reflecting the growing political tension surrounding Kaliati’s detention.
UTM leaders have appealed to their supporters to remain calm as legal processes take their course. However, the commotion at Lingadzi Police Station signals the deepening divide between the UTM and the authorities, with party members vowing to continue their demonstrations until Kaliati is freed.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the NEC meeting, which the party has confirmed will proceed as planned, with UTM Vice President Michael Usi set to chair the gathering.
