This follows futile attempts by Mtumodzi to link the leaking
correspondence to several people including UDF officials and the former
head of state Dr Bakili Muluzi.
Government insiders said the spokesperson was quizzed by Mutharika to
explain how the letters which he had handled at some point found
themselves in the hands of journalists.
It seems he failed to convince the president, said one source, adding
that instead, Mtumodzi promised the president to diffuse the tension
that had arisen as a result of the tone of the letter from Mutharika to
Muluzi, which among others threatened the former president with arrest.
Mtumodzi alleged on state-controlled Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation
(MBC) on Friday that he had information that UDF director of research
Humphrey Mvula was the one who leaked the documents in question.
He asked the police to arrest Mvula and The Nation newspaper
journalist, Maxwell Ng'ambi, for publishing stories on the letters.
Speaking on MBC last week Mtumodzi said using some techniques' on the
computer he had discovered that the author of the response from the
former head of state is Mvula.
He said he will hand over the evidence'' to the Director of Criminal Investigation (CID) for their action.
Commenting on Mtumodzi's actions, Mvula said he is tired of what the
state house spokesperson has been doing in trying to destroy his life.
I am tired with Mr Chikumbutso Mtumodzi's persistent attacks on my personality, he told Nyasa Times.Â
I kept Mr Mtumodzi in my house as my baby, I gave him shelter, food everything; what else does he want from me?Â
He said he has been arrested 11 times and has information that five of these arrests were engineered by Mtumodzi.
I want to inform Mr Mtumodzi that I am not Dr Muluzi boy' as he
claimed on MBC. I am a highly accomplished man. I neither work for the
office of the former head of state nor do I stay in his house, Mvula
said.
He said correspondence from the state house have leaked before even
during the past regimes, wondering whether anybody was blamed for such
developments.
Mvula said Mtumodzi should always remember that there is tomorrow
after today and that when the sun rises, it must set, apparently
suggesting that today may be Mtumodzi's turn to harass others but it is
bound to go at some point.
The leaked documents have attracted criticism with civil society,
specifically accusing the President of using derogatory language
against the former president.
Malawi Watch executive director Billy Banda said what the two leaders
are doing is a catalyst for trouble especially this time when the
country is preparing for elections.