By Burnett Munthali
Mzuzu residents took to the streets for demonstrations on Tuesday, 11 March 2025.
The protests were fueled by frustrations over the rising cost of wholesale goods, which vendors say are negatively impacting their businesses.
As anger grew among the demonstrators, they brought down a billboard along the road that displayed an image of President Lazarus Chakwera.
The destruction of the billboard symbolized the protesters’ discontent with the government’s handling of the economic crisis.
The demonstrators marched through the city, chanting and demanding immediate action from authorities to address the rising prices.
Police were deployed to control the situation as tensions escalated among the protestors.
To disperse the crowd, law enforcement officers fired tear gas in different parts of the city.
However, the use of tear gas only fueled more outrage among the protesters, who became more aggressive.
The situation in Mzuzu remained tense as people continued to express their frustration over the worsening economic conditions.
Some individuals took advantage of the chaos and began vandalizing property, including shops that sell prepaid electricity units.
The destruction of business premises further intensified concerns among residents about the safety of their livelihoods.
Eyewitnesses reported that police officers were engaged in running battles with demonstrators across several locations in the city.
Some protesters vowed to continue their demonstrations until their grievances were addressed by the authorities.
Many vendors complained that the high cost of goods in wholesale markets has made it difficult for them to sustain their businesses.
They argued that without government intervention, small-scale traders would be forced out of business, worsening unemployment in the city.
The protests in Mzuzu reflect the broader economic struggles facing many Malawians who are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living.
As tensions remain high, authorities are being urged to engage with vendors and find long-term solutions to the crisis.
The demonstration is the latest in a series of protests that have erupted across the country as Malawians demand better economic policies.
The government has yet to issue an official statement addressing the concerns raised by the demonstrators in Mzuzu.
