Police arrest 80 protesters over anti-Judiciary demos in Lilongwe

Police in Lilongwe have arrested 80 people as looting and violence went late in the evening on Wednesday following flopped protests against the Judiciary after a court injunction was issued to organisers to stop the demonstrations.

The Human Rights Ambassadors (HRM) organised demos are said to have caused damages estimated K80 million property damages and looting.

Spokesperson for Lilongwe Police Hastings Chigalu said most of the arrested people are from Kaphiri, Area 36 and Malangalanga.

Chigalu has also told us that they have deployed enough police officers in all the areas that were affected with the demonstrations.

According to Chigalu the group will answer three charges unlawful assembly, contempt of court and inciting violence.

Some of the notable faces arrested include Kingsley Mpaso, Phunziro Mvula, Billy Banda, Jonathan Phiri, Victor Nyenyeliwa, Harale Aubrey, Edward Kambenje and Chimwemwe Mphepo.

Meanwhile, Chigalu has dismissed reports that a police officer has been killed during the protests.

In the evening, Malawi Defence Force soldiers joined the police in dispensing demonstrators in Lilongwe.

They are chasing anyone who is found loitering in the road.

The running battles between the police and the demonstrators started in the morning.

Currently some demonstrators have looted shops in area 22, 24, 36 and other surrounding areas.

Government spokesperson, Gospel Kazako described Wednesday’s demonstrations as an act of lawlessness because there was a court injunction against the same.

While distancing government from having a hand in the injunction, Kazako said the government did grant permission, but it is other concerned citizens that sought legal intervention.

But Political right activist Bon Kalindo said the government should stop blocking demonstrations in the country as they found power through the same.

According to Kalindo, demonstrations played a vital role for President Dr Lazarus Chakwera to get to the presidency office.

He has since demanded the immediate release of people who have been arrested in Lilongwe over delayed justice delivery system.

MCP spokesperson, Maurice Munthali is yet to comment on Kalindo’s allegation.