For the second time in a fortnight, armed police and an unidentified group of masked men wielding pangas yesterday assaulted unarmed protesters and foiled their planned protest march in Lilongwe.
During the ugly scenes, police officers fired teargas at the protesters while the masked assailants hurled stones and brandished knives, sticks, and iron bars in full view of law enforcers.
The protest march, led by civil rights group Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi), was scheduled to start from Lilongwe Community Centre Ground in Old Town. By around 8am, some protesters had gathered carrying placards with some messages reading ‘Government is clueless’ and others calling for the resignation of Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola and Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) chief executive officer Henry Kachaje.
But before they could set off on their march, which was supposed to go through Mchesi via Kamuzu Central Hospital roundabout, to Ministry of Energy offices at Capital Hill, thugs wielding pangas appeared on the scene.
In a telephone interview, Cdedi executive director Sylvester Namiwa condemned the actions of both the police and the armed civilians.
He said: “We are all guilty as citizens. We seem to have accepted the State’s decision to take this dangerous path where the police are protecting criminals at the expense of voters and taxpayers’ constitutional rights.”
Namiwa also urged President Lazarus Chakwera to clarify whether the Constitution has been suspended, warning that if such police actions continue, Cdedi will mobilise Malawians to stop paying taxes.
Before firing tear gas canisters, police engaged in discussions with some of the demonstration organisers, but the talks failed as protesters insisted on their right to protest, claiming they had notified the right offices as required by law.
Running battles ensued, with protesters scattering as police chased them towards Falls residential area and Biwi Township.
However, not long after, probably after washing off the teargas from their faces, the protesters regrouped, only to face at least 80 masked young men armed with pangas, sticks and iron bars.
The masked group chased the protesters as far as the Lilongwe Bus Depot, creating scenes of chaos and tension.
The armed men later set up camp at the demonstration venue after dispersing the protesters.
A group of police officers stationed about two football fields away at Biwi junction on the M1 set up an ad-hoc roadblock and continued to fire teargas at the regrouped protesters around Falls and Biwi Triangle.
The M1 became a battleground and was impassable for about 30 minutes, with thick teargas smoke filling the air.
Undeterred, the protesters burned tyres on the road, showing no signs of backing down.
Vehicles heading into Old Town were diverted, causing traffic disruptions and leaving commuters stranded.
Amid the chaos, newly-elected UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe joined the protesters at Biwi Triangle wearing a black UTM-branded golf shirt, matching cap and pair of trousers.
He said Malawians would not be deterred from exercising their right to demonstrate and voice their concerns, despite facing intimidation from unidentified groups wielding pangas.
Said Kabambe: “It is very sad because Malawians, [from] 1992 to 1994 said no to dictatorship and oppression.”
Efforts to reach Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng’oma for comment on the police’s actions towards the protesters and their inaction against the armed civilians were unsuccessful.
But in a short WhatsApp response, National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya said: “I am yet to receive a report on what transpired in town today. I will comment when I get a full report.”
Meanwhile, Namiwa has said the group will continue to advocate for Malawians’ right to peaceful demonstration.
