NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 18: Peter Mutharika President of Malawi speaks on September 18, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Riccardo Savi/Getty Images for International Commission on Financing Global Education Opportunity)
A top-secret document linked to what it describes as a parallel and illegal intelligence operation based in Lilongwe’s Area 6 details an alleged clandestine political project targeting several senior political figures and influential individuals perceived as threats in the race to determine who succeeds President Peter Mutharika as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate for the 2030 General Election.
According to the secret document in our possession, the alleged operation involves a coordinated campaign of propaganda, digital surveillance and, where possible, political elimination.
Among other activities, the team intends to target selected politicians and influential figures by hacking their official social media accounts, breaching their electronic devices, and placing their vehicles, homes and offices under surveillance.
The document states that some of these activities have already been carried out.
The document identifies several prominent figures as alleged targets, including Vice President Jane Ansah, Second Vice President Enock Chihana, Cabinet ministers Peter Mukhito, Ben Phiri and, to some extent, Joseph Mwanamveka.
Other politicians allegedly targeted include opposition figures Simplex Chithyola Banda, Sam Kawale, UTM President Dalitso Kabambe, Patricia Kaliati, Steve Malondela and Henry Chimunthu Banda.
The operation also extends to prominent business figures accused in the document of secretly meddling in political affairs, including Shepherd Bushiri and Thom Mpinganjira.
The leaked document further alleges that a media and communications team has been established to coordinate online messaging, influence public opinion through propaganda and social media manipulation, and support the wider operation.
It also claims that safe houses have been established for the clandestine activities.
Among those allegedly playing key roles in the operation are Minister George Chaponda, who has previously been reported to have approached Vice President Jane Ansah urging her to resign, Chief Secretary Justin Saidi, Roza Mbilizi, who is alleged to receive instructions from a powerful figure within the Presidency and threatening fellow cabinet ministers in a social media forum and several Chinese nationals.
According to the document, the operation has been code-named “Operation Rat Trap” and is already underway.
It is expected to continue until a candidate is chosen to succeed President Peter Mutharika in the 2030 elections.
Cables published of a parallel intelligence body conducting its operations in Longwe a week ago .
We have been monitoring their operations and we shall continue to expose each and evil details aimed at bringing political unrest in the country.
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