By Burnett Munthali
Tensions flared at Lilongwe Market as vendors engaged in violent clashes over money received from government officials at Parliament. What was meant to be financial assistance to support small-scale traders quickly turned into chaos, as disagreements over the distribution of the funds led to physical altercations.
According to eyewitnesses, the conflict began when members of the vendors’ committee attempted to allocate the money among traders. However, some vendors accused committee leaders of corruption and favoritism, claiming that the distribution process was neither transparent nor fair. Frustration escalated into heated arguments, which soon turned into physical fights, causing panic among other traders and customers at the market.
One of the vendors, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed anger over how the funds were handled. “We were told that the government had given us money to help our businesses recover, but now some people are trying to take more than their fair share while others are left with nothing. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Security officers stationed near the market intervened to break up the clashes, but not before some vendors sustained minor injuries. Some traders lost their merchandise in the commotion, further deepening the frustrations at the market.
Government officials have not yet released an official statement regarding the incident. However, leaders within the vendors’ association have called for an emergency meeting to address the grievances and restore order. Many vendors are now demanding a more structured and accountable system for disbursing financial assistance in the future to prevent such conflicts.
The incident highlights the growing challenges surrounding the distribution of public funds in informal sectors. As the government continues its efforts to support small businesses, there is an urgent need to establish transparent and fair mechanisms to ensure that financial aid reaches the intended beneficiaries without causing disputes and unrest.
