Police, Limbe vendors in running battles

Police yesterday fired tear gas to disperse irate stone-throwing street vendors in Limbe following disagreements with Blantyre City Council rangers on patrol.

The misunderstandings erupted earlier in the day as police and the rangers were conducting routine street patrols when vendors ambushed them and started pelting their vehicle with stones from all angles.

The fracas, which left one officer seriously injured, triggered police fury who engaged the mob in running battles while firing tear gas, forcing traders to close their businesses.

The crowded commercial town remained deserted for the better part of the day as scores of armed police held the fort to maintain peace and order.

Limbe Police Station spokesperson Aubrey Singanyama in a telephone interview said the use of tear gas was inevitable as the people became aggressive following the disagreement with the rangers.

“It is unfortunate the people decided to do things their own way because the officers from the council were conducting their usual street checks,” he said.

Singanyama also disputed social media claims that an officer, who was hit with stones while in the city council vehicle, had died.

Blantyre City Council chief executive officer Dennis Chinseu confirmed that one of his officers sustained injuries and, as we went to press, he had been admitted to a private hospital.

He said: “The officer was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital for treatment, but the council issued an instruction to have him receive medical attention at a private hospital.

“But let me say that people need to appreciate that everyone is currently complaining about our streets as regards security and street connected kids.”

As police fired tear gas, scores of disgruntled onlookers were overheard chanting and shouting insults at the Tonse Alliance administration while denouncing the leadership of being insensitive to the citizenry’s current sufferings.