Armed police officers helped vendors deliver a petition to Mbelwa District Council on Tuesday. The vendors want the government to cancel retail licenses for foreign business owners operating in Mzuzu City. They also demand three ministers step down for not helping Malawians.
Masked attackers carrying machetes and weapons appeared during the demonstration. These people work for the ruling MCP party and have caused trouble at protests before. Vendors saw the threat and armed themselves with machetes, stones and slingshots to protect against the masked group.
The vendors had to change their planned route to reach the district council offices safely. City residents saw masked troublemakers for the first time like those who have attacked people in Lilongwe. Alexander Sikwese leads the vendor group and made strong promises after delivering their petition.
Sikwese said vendors will stop paying market fees starting Wednesday. They will also stop repaying government loans until officials address their concerns. Foreign traders and people paying the attackers must cover the market fees instead.
Rodgers Kamphangala is a loyal MCP supporter from Dowa district who feels upset about the violence. He questions how masked people with weapons can walk freely near police and military bases. Kamphangala wants the Malawi Defence Force to protect peaceful protesters from political thugs.
Masked attackers carrying machetes and weapons appeared during the demonstration. These people work for the ruling MCP party and have caused trouble at protests before. Vendors saw the threat and armed themselves with machetes, stones and slingshots to protect against the masked group.
The vendors had to change their planned route to reach the district council offices safely. City residents saw masked troublemakers for the first time like those who have attacked people in Lilongwe. Alexander Sikwese leads the vendor group and made strong promises after delivering their petition.
Sikwese said vendors will stop paying market fees starting Wednesday. They will also stop repaying government loans until officials address their concerns. Foreign traders and people paying the attackers must cover the market fees instead.
Rodgers Kamphangala is a loyal MCP supporter from Dowa district who feels upset about the violence. He questions how masked people with weapons can walk freely near police and military bases. Kamphangala wants the Malawi Defence Force to protect peaceful protesters from political thugs.
