Former First Lady Callista Mutharika, who went to the police station where her brother-in-law was being held, told agitated DPP supporters that she was disappointed with President Banda.

BBC: Malawi arrests over 'anti-Joyce Banda coup plot'

In June he suffered what should have been a devastating blow when much of his campaign staff resigned en masse, allegedly in protest at his decision to cruise the Greek islands with his third wife, Callista, instead of raising money and pressing the flesh in Iowa and New Hampshire.

ECONOMIST: After Mr Dopey and Mr (too) Friendly, Mr Grumpy gets his turn