Demonstrators & Police Crash in Lilongwe.

Demonstrators and police officers have crashed during the protests in Lilongwe.

The scuffle prompted the police officers to fire teargas to disperse the demonstrators.

Then Malawi Defence Force Soldiers intervened and the protestors proceeded peacefully.

Speaking after the demonstrations chairperson of Human Rights Defenders Coalition HRDC Timothy Mtambo said “we are disappointed with police officers who fired tear gas.”

Mtambo has asked the police to arrest people who attacked demonstrators and HRDC member Billy Mayaya during last week’s demonstrations in Blantyre.

The demonstrations will also take place tomorrow until Friday

Meanwhile, Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed application by attorney general to stop demonstrations organized by the Coalition

Judge Lovemore Chikopa said the attorney general applied for declaration that the demonstrations are illegal, the organizers not be allowed to hold them and injunction restraining calling for resignation of chairperson of Malawi Electoral Commission.

In his submission the attorney general said was not against demonstrations but violence and criminality that accompanies them.

The respondents emphasized that they organize violence free and unarmed demonstrations.

Judge Chikopa said banning demonstrations especially by unilateral executive action is most likely legally untenable.

However, he said the demonstrators must ensure that there is no violence during demonstrations.