Anti-government demonstrations that politician-cum-activist Bon Kalindo led in Mangochi Thursday turned violent following running battles that ensued between the police and the protesters.
Kalindo has been organising the demonstrations to force government to address the socioeconomic challenges triggered by the 44 percent devaluation of the Kwacha and to fulfil its campaign promises.
Thursday’s march appeared to have started on a peaceful note before some people went on rampage, destroying public and private property such as vehicles, mobile money booths and hawkers’ stalls.
The rioting started after Kalindo had presented the petition to Mangochi District Commissioner (DC) Smart Gwedemula.
The protesters apparently wanted to stick around the DC’s offices, a development that compelled the police to start using force to disperse them.
In the process of dispersing, the demonstrators started stoning vehicles and other property.
The police then fired teargas canisters at the rioters but the action only worsened the situation, as it appeared to make the protesters angrier.
The teargas spread into homes and offices within Mangochi Town, almost bringing business to a standstill.
The rioters targeted some shops and looted whatever they could lay their hands on.
Another breakaway group pounced on the district’s education offices where they damaged government vehicles and others belonging to employees.
At least 11 vehicles and one motorcycle at the office were smashed.
Mangochi Police Station spokesperson Amina Daudi said the law enforcers had made “several arrests” in relation to the chaos.
“We will release the details after the assessment and the arrests are completed,” Daudi said.
Kalindo was not available to comment on the vandalism.
On Wednesday, he led largely peaceful demonstrations in Mzuzu after the march in Zomba, which also turned ugly and resulted in police arresting several people.
