Mbayani residents run riot after man’s death
Irate residents of Mbayani Township in Blantyre on Friday battled with police and destroyed houses belonging to a businessperson over allegations that he had a hand in the murder of his friend.
In an interview yesterday, Blantyre Police Station spokesperson Peter Mchiza confirmed the incident, saying they have since arrested two individuals in connection with the protest.

He said: “The protests started after the victim’s burial. Some people started vandalising property of the accused person and his relatives.
“However, police contained the situation and maintained peace.”
John Moyeni, a witness, said the deceased allegedly borrowed K4 000 from the businessperson and when he failed to pay back, the accused person is alleged to have assaulted the man, who later died.
This resulted in tension as residents staged protests, calling for the businessperson’s arrest and justice for the victim.
The irate residents blocked the M1 passing through Chirimba to Kameza Roundabout.
Police officers from Kabula Police Unit moved in to quell the chaos but residents fought back by pelting the officers with stones.
This forced the officers to fire tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Mchiza said investigations were underway to find the cause of death of the victim and a hunt for the suspect, who is on the run, is also underway
Part of the destroyed house belonging to the accused. | Tafadzwa Musasa