The number of those arrested in Mzuzu protests has risen to 39, with reports indicating that one person was shot and injured as police engaged in running battles with demonstrators on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Malawi Police Service spokesperson Peter Kalaya said the injured individual was shot in both legs during Tuesday’s riots.
“The individual is receiving treatment at Mzuzu Central Hospital,” he said.
Kalaya said the victim was among rioters that were armed with metal bars and allegedly attempted to vandalise property at Mzuzu Airport.
On Tuesday, police arrested 25 individuals but the number increased to 39 after 14 more individuals were apprehended during Wednesday’s protests.
Heavily armed police officers were deployed to Mzuzu streets Wednesday to disperse a group of young protesters, mostly teenagers, who attempted to block roads.
Arriving in three vehicles, including an anti-riot truck, the officers removed burning tyres and other obstructions at Chibavi Turn-Off along the M1 Road to Karonga.
As tensions escalated, police fired warning shots into the air, declaring that they were loaded with live ammunition, unlike on Tuesday when they primarily used teargas to disperse crowds.
The standoff lasted about two hours, forcing shops and offices to close while people, including motorists, fled for safety.
Before police officers’ intervention, a group of vendors armed with pangas and other sharp objects confronted the protesters, threatening to attack them if they continued to disrupt their businesses.
The vendors eventually joined police in chasing away the protesters, with some bystanders cheering their efforts.
One of the vendors, who identified himself as Amasikini 1, said they could not allow the protesters to disrupt their businesses for a second day running.
“Wednesday, we did not act on the issue because we thought it would be good to respect people’s right to demonstrate. But, today, we have realised that they want to disrupt our business,” he said.
Another vendor, John Kalayeka, expressed concern that the protesters were deliberately targeting shops, supermarkets and hardware stores for looting
On Tuesday, Mzuzu City Flea Market Vendors Chairperson Alexander Sikwese distanced his group from the protests.
Sikwese said they were waiting for President Lazarus Chakwera’s response to grievances they presented to him during their recent meeting.
Among other things, the vendors want a remedy from the government to the high cost of goods and services in the country.
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