Malawi: President Banda “cleans house” – announces inquiry into activist’s death

Malawi President., Joyce Banda. PHOTO/File

Malawi’s new President Joyce Banda says she has opened an investigation into the 2011 death of an activist who had criticized her predecessor.

Banda’s Tuesday announcement of an official inquiry into the death of Robert Chasowa is one of several steps she has taken since being sworn in on Saturday that mark a sharp departure from her predecessor, who died April 5. The late President Bingu wa Mutharika had been accused of trampling on human rights in Malawi, while activists have welcomed Banda’s succession.

A day after Banda took over, she replaced the police chief, Peter Mukhito, who had been closely linked to crackdowns on anti-government protesters under Mutharika.

Monday, besides announcing the inquiry, Banda fired the minister of information and the head of state broadcasting.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.