/ 4 May 2002

Malawi police arrest fugitive MP over driver’s murder

MALAWI police said on Friday they had arrested a fugitive member of

parliament (MP) wanted on charges of killing his driver and possibly also

his wife, after a five-week manhunt.

Nasser Kara, an MP for the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) in the

central district of Dowa, was arrested late on Thursday in the commercial

capital Blantyre as he was trying to hitch a ride, said police

representative George Chikowi.

Police did not know where Kara was heading, Chikowi said. He had been sought

since late March.

Kara’s wife and two of his bodyguards were still missing,

Chikowi said.

”He will charged on Monday for murder and the (disappearance) of his wife,”

Chikowi said. Kara disappeared after the mysterious death of his driver,

identified as Alex Mbewe, who was killed on March 6 as he drove to the

northern city of Mzuzu, police said.

Police believe Kara was helped by his bodyguards, named as Phillip Singo and

Charles Kulemeka. The motive for the killing is not known.

The driver was stabbed in the neck and his body was dumped in a swamp, where

it was later discovered by fishermen.

Kara’s wife has been missing since Mbewe’s death. – Sapa