Ex-Malawi justice minister accused of attempted assassination

Police in Malawi said they arrested former Justice Minister Ralph Kasambara as a suspect in the attempted assassination of budget director Paul Mphwiyo. Mphwiyo, a treasury official known for his efforts to fight corruption, was shot in the face Sept. 13 and was airlifted to a hospital in South Africa where he was still receiving treatment, the Nyasa Times reported Friday. Police said they believe Kasambara, whose home they raided last week, masterminded the attempted killing. "I can confirm about the arrest of Kasambara last [Thursday] night because he is a suspect and we want to establish his involvement in the shooting incident," national police deputy spokesman Kelvin Maigwa said. "Kasambara is being kept at Kanengo Prison and is suspected to have taken a part in the shooting of Mphwiyo." Three other suspects -- McDonald Kumwembwe, Robert Kadzuwa and Dauka Manondo -- were already arrested in the incident.