Blantyre, Malawi — Chaos erupted in Ndirande Township on Friday, November 22, 2024, as Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu’s convoy was pelted with stones, forcing him to cut short his tour. The visit, aimed at addressing public concerns over ongoing national challenges, was disrupted by violent protests that escalated to police intervention with teargas.
While the exact trigger for the unrest remains unclear, a video circulating on social media suggests that local residents and market traders were angered by the minister’s unannounced arrival, which they claim disrupted business, the MaraviPost reports.
In the footage, a man identifying himself as the secretary for Ndirande Market accused Kunkuyu’s convoy of disrespecting the community.
“We just heard the minister is coming to the township, and people pelted stones at his convoy because it was disturbing us,” the man said.
He added, “We are the owners of this area, and politicians should respect that. They can’t disrupt us simply because they have money and power.”
Other residents joined the outcry, chanting and throwing stones at vehicles in the convoy, including police cars, as teargas was fired to disperse the mob. Traders lamented the loss of business due to the commotion and warned politicians against entering the township without consulting local leaders.
Minister Reacts to the Incident
Minister Kunkuyu, who called off the remainder of his tour to Limbe and Thyolo, condemned the violence, hinting at possible political motivations behind the attack.
“The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) does not tolerate violence, and the incident will not deter our efforts to help people in Ndirande and other areas,” Kunkuyu said.
Rising Political Tensions
This latest unrest comes just two weeks after armed hoodlums disrupted an opposition-led demonstration in Lilongwe. Protesters were rallying against alleged irregularities in voter registration ahead of the 2025 general elections, scheduled for September 17.
Political analyst Ernest Thindwa attributed the escalating violence to a lack of accountability and action by political stakeholders.
“Malawi has allowed this malpractice to persist for years, and unless urgent measures are taken, the violence will only worsen,” Thindwa warned.
As Malawi approaches a critical election, tensions continue to rise, with analysts cautioning that unchecked political unrest could destabilize the nation further.
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