The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has said that the arrest of former Minister of Irrigation and Water Development Dr. George Chaponda will not affect his position as Vice President for the Southern Region.

DPP spokesperson Francis Kasaila who is also new Minister of Sports and Culture said this in an interview with the press on Thursday.

According to Kasaila, Chaponda will remain the Vice of the Party in the South up until 2019.

When asked on the rumours that the arrest of Chaponda has been effected to blindfold Malawians and donors that the ruling DPP is serious with curbing corruption in the country, Kasaila quashed the claims, saying the Party is serious with fight against corruption.

Chaponda was arrested on Wednesday together with businessman Rashid Tayub by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) over the roles in the dubious procurement and importation of maize from Zambia in an attempt to fight off a food shortage.

The two were released on bail by the Blantyre Magistrate Court after pleading not guilty to the charges leveled against them.

Meanwhile the case of the two is expected to start next month.