Malawi civil society slam police, govt for the arrest of Mayaya over blackout match

Civil society groups in the country have condemned the arrest of Billy Mayaya the organiser of Tuesday protests, saying this was unlawful.

Mayaya was arrested at Area 18 roundabout where the protest match against persist and never ending blackouts and water shortages, was supposed to start.

The police rounded up Mayaya and two others, bundled them in a police vehicle and whisked them away as other protesters showered the police with ridicule and insults.

The protests were later called off.

Mayaya could not be reached for comment but on Monday he said he had duly given notices of the match to Lilongwe City Council and the police.

He said he gave the notices on Thursday.

However he said he was told to cancel the protests match because the police had another assignment but he refused.

National Police headquarters spokesperson James Kadadzera said Mayaya and the other two people have been charged with holding a demonstration without consent.

Kadadzera alleged Mayaya did not give notices to Lilongwe City Assembly on the match.

Dan Msowoya, activisit, condemned the arrest, saying this was unlawful.

He said Mayaya, an experienced protest match organiser, had followed the law to the latter before taking up to the streets.