Mutharika warns arsonists, tours gutted Lilongwe market

President Peter Mutharika on Wednesday toured Tsoka Market in Lilongwe, where fire has destroyed property worth millions of kwacha.

Earlier in the day Malawi Police fired teargas to disperse vendors who demanded that the market be closed and no trading should take place in the market.

President  Mutharika said he learnt with sadness that there is a spate of fire gutting public places and warned against suspected arsonists, saying they will be punished once caught as he claimed to know the plot behind the fire.

“I know that there are some people who are doing this, but once they are caught, through the investigations currently underway, they will suffer the consequences,” Said Mutharika.

Mutharika also said government will give relief  package to the affected traders.

He noted that there is need to improve the market building blaming the  type of construction which was used for Tsaka market  such as woods and plastic sheets.

“I will make sure that once we have some funds, we should use cement only,”said Mutharika.

Speaking earlier Minister of Local Government Transizius Gowelo said the ministry will carry out extensive assessment to determine the damage.

Gowelo said  currently the ministry cannot say how much is lost until such assessment  is done.

Tsoka market was gutted down on Tuesday. The fire started at around 9 PM.

Earlier in the day ward councilor of the area Mrs Zainab Omar toured the market to access the damage.

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