Malawi police take tough line against protests
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By Rex Chikoko
LILONGWE (Africa Review)- Malawi police chief Peter Mukhitho says Malawians have no “absolute right” to holding protests and has since asked donors for equipment to deal with demonstrators and rioters.
Tension in Malawi is mounting as the cost of living is escalating with prices of commodities going up almost on daily basis.
Opposition political parties and non-governmental organisations are pressurising government to spell out measures put in place that would see the country out of the economic crisis that is plunge into.
Malawi police have come under fire for their unprofessional handling of the July 20 protests that left about 19 people dead and scores injured. Police admitted using live ammunition against unarmed citizens citing lack of proper equipment.
Mr Mukhitho, talking to senior police officers in Lilongwe and in a veiled response to the accusations levelled against the police’s heavy handling of last year’s protests, said demonstrations are not an “absolute right” to Malawians and said security forces would do everything possible to maintain peace in Malawi.
Section 38 of Malawi Constitution stipulates that “Every person shall have the right to assemble and demonstrate with others peacefully and unarmed.”
Mr Mukhitho blamed a lack of equipment for the deaths during the protests.
“If the donors are serious with democracy they have to provide the police with necessary equipment. They come here, train our officers but do not provide us with necessary equipment,” he said.
IN THE STREETS: Malawi protestors on July 20, 2011
The police chief drew parallels to the way police in Europe handle protests saying their counterparts there are able to rate the response to protests because they have the right equipment.
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Ignorance and porverty is the issue in Africa don’t know that even protesters have rights to them leaders police is number one,,,,,Oooh my foot shit police