BLANTYRE, Malawi – One person was killed and several others were injured as demonstrations against the government turned violent across Malawi on Wednesday and police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters, police said.
Malawians said they were protesting against persistent fuel and foreign exchange reserve shortages, and bad governance. Demonstrations took place in the commercial centre of Blantyre, in the capital and in other major towns across the southern African country.
Protesters also looted several shops belonging to ruling party officials and allies of President Bingu wa Mutharika.
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As protests became violent, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators.
A north regional police spokeswoman, Norah Chimwala, said a man had died, but she could not confirm if he had been killed by police. She said several others, including police officers, had been injured.
Rev. Mezuwa Banda said he picked up two people in the northern town of Mzuzu who had been shot by police with live ammunition.
“I don’t know whether they will survive because they were shot badly,” he said. “One was shot in the stomach and the bullet came out the other side, the other had his liver and bowels out.”
A nurse at Mzuzu Central Hospital told The Associated Press, “We have more than ten people in the hospital right now, some are in a serious condition.” She spoke on condition of anonymity because she was not permitted to speak to the press.
Opposition politicians told the AP they had also been assaulted by police.
Last week, Britain indefinitely suspended aid to Malawi, expressing concern about economic management and a crackdown on rights.
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