Police in Malawi are investigating how four police dogs went missing from a presidential palace in the capital, Lilongwe, during the political transition in September.

Godfrey Arthur Jalale, who served as State House deputy chief of staff under former President Lazarus Chakwera, has been arrested in connection with the theft of the four German Shepherds. He denies the charge.

Chakwera vacated the palace after losing the elections to President Peter Mutharika.

Late on Wednesday, police denied reports that Chakwera had been arrested but confirmed securing a search warrant for his residence after information suggested the stolen dogs were being kept there.

Chakwera, who came second with 33% of the vote in the September election, is facing numerous allegations of public resources mismanagement, especially during the handover.

His Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has accused Mutharika's administration of "harassing and intimidating" the former leader. Chakwera has not commented.

Local media have reported the theft of state property from two presidential residences - the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, and Sanjika Palace, in Blantyre, the country's second biggest city.

The four dogs, valued at $2,300 (£1,700), were taken out of the palace between 19 September and 4 October, according to the state prosecutors.

In a statement on Wednesday, police said they had "intensified investigations following reports of property looting" from Kamuzu Palace.

"The Malawi Police Service assures the public that the investigation is progressing smoothly," it added.

MCP MPs boycotted parliamentary sessions on Wednesday and camped out at Chakwera's residence in Lilongwe amid reports that he faced arrest following a heightened police presence, local media reported.

Chakwera, a pastor before entering politics, accepted defeat and has kept a low profile since the election.

He made his first public appearance last week when he announced that he had accepted a Commonwealth appointment to help mediate in Tanzania's post-election unrest.

Mutharika, who first served as president between 2014 and 2020, campaigned on a pledge of a "return to proven leadership" - which resonated with Malawian voters.

He returned to power in a country that is in deep crisis, with a severe shortage of fuel and foreign currency.

The former law professor was rarely seen in public during the campaign, in contrast to Chakwera who held numerous rallies across Malawi.

As a result, speculation about Mutharika's health is rife and there are questions about whether he has the stamina to lead Malawi again at the age of 85.