Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM have described government’s arson allegations as ‘ridiculous’.

Minister of Homeland Security Nicholas Dausi, Information minister Mark Botomani and Local Government deputy minister Esther Majaza claimed the two parties together with the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) are planning to set ablaze markets starting with the southern region.

The officials claimed that the joint arson is one way of overthrowing the Peter Mutharika led administration.

But in a press statement, UTM publicity secretary Joseph Chidanti Malunga demanded that government should bring forward its evidence against the party on the matter.

Malunga urged president Mutharika and his entire cabinet to desist from fabricating propaganda and attempting to instill fear in Malawians.   

MCP through its spokesperson Reverend Morris Munthali also dismissed the accusations as childish.   

Meanwhile, a political expert has described arson claims by government as irresponsible and immature to the country`s already volatile political situation. 

A Livingstonia based political scientist George Phiri told YFM that it is surprising that government has all the investigative agents but is failing to bring suspected perpetrators to book.