Police arrest 1 for inciting violence over Covid-19 vaccine

Malawi Police in Balaka have arrested a 37-year-old man for allegedly inciting people to beat up ministry of Education officials who were visiting a school, suspecting they wanted to forcibly vaccinate children against Covid-19.

Police have identified the suspect as Joseph Mkwanda who allegedly inciting violence at Chitimbe Primary School in Balaka.

On the material day around 09:00 hours, Malawi Institute of Education (MIE) officials from Domasi were assessing their ‘leadership skills’ student at the school.

Their presence rattled the pupils who fled away to their homes, thinking that the visitors were to immunize them with Covid-19 jabs.

Being misled by their children, Mkwanda led fellow parents to storm the school and beat-up the visitors and some teachers thereby causing havoc at the school.

Phalula police rushed to the scene where they calmed the situation and arrested Mkwanda.

He comes from Tsite Village, Sub Traditional Authority Phalula in the district.

Police are warning communities against chaos and mob justice.

Ministry of Health says schools are not vaccination centres for Covid-19, and that the vaccine is not meant for people below 18 years, hence many primary school learners do not qualify.