Fredokiss arrested for “financial crimes"-police

The national police spokesperson said Kalua "is being held at Blantyre Police Station."

Malawi: Malawi police have arrested Penjani Kalua, also known as Fredokiss, for “financial crimes”, according to national police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Peter Kalaya.

“Yes, we have arrested Mr Penjani Kalua, through our Fiscal Police Section. He has been arrested on financial crimes. It is a case we are still investigating and we hope to arrest more. He is being kept at Blantyre Police Station,” Kalaya told AfricaBrief.

The national police spokesperson said Kalua "is being held at Blantyre Police Station."

Following the resignation of now-rights activist Bon Kalindo, Fredokiss now serves as an acting youth director in the country's vice president party, United Transformation Movement (UTM).

The young Kalua, the son of firebrand politician Kamlepo Kalua, is mobilising young people to march on the streets of Blantyre on Thursday, September 22, to present a petition to government, asking Malawi leader Lazarus Chakwera to pardon the boy, who is currently serving a prison sentence.

Mussa John, a 19-year-old boy, was recently convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison by Magistrate Court for being found in possession of Indian hemp, also known locally as "Chamba."

Following the sentence, there was widespread public outrage from all segments of society, with many describing the verdict as "harsh" on poor Mussa.

The case file was then admitted to the High Court for review.

On September 1, the jail term was reduced to three years by High Court judge Vikochi Chilima.