Malawi police give nod to national demos, caution on riots

LILONGWE, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Malawi Police Service (MPS) have given the nod to national demonstrations organized by the civil society organizations in Malawi on Friday to protest against poor governance and other issues.

The police have assured all Malawians intending to participate in the demos that there will be maximum security across the country.

Some Civil Society Organization's in the country have organized the demos to present their petition to government in protest of various issues, including persistent power blackouts, dwindling of education standards, high level of corruption and high rate of unemployment.

In a statement signed by MPS spokesperson James Kadadzera, the police acknowledge that the constitution of the Republic of Malawi accords every citizen the right to assemble and demonstrate with others peacefully and unarmed, hence Malawians are free to do that peacefully.

"Every citizen participating in the demonstrations is required, by law, to desist from destruction of property, causing injury to people, unnecessary obstruction of traffic, acts of hooliganism and use of words that propagate hatred against a group of people," reads part of the statement.

The police have also warned that it has information that some unpatriotic people are planning to "advance their selfish and criminal interests during the demos but police officers are ready to deal with any unlawful act during the demonstrations." Enditem