This archive report was first published on 9 October 2019.
Malawi has been gripped by a wave of protests since the disputed May election, with Msundwe being a hotbed of demonstrations.
On October 9, 2019, a policeman was stoned to death in Msundwe during clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters ahead of President Peter Mutharika's first public meeting since the election, police said.
According to police spokesman James Kadadzera, Superintendent Usumani Imedi was stoned to death and 'killed by rioters and criminals this morning.'
Anti-government protesters had blocked the main road in Msundwe to stop supporters of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party from traveling to Mutharika's first rally in the city since his poll win.
Police fired teargas to disperse the protests, but demonstrators 'kept regrouping and they fought back with stones,' an eyewitness said.
President Mutharika urged the country to unite at a rally in Lilongwe, the stronghold of the country's largest opposition, the Malawi Congress Party.
"This is our country. Let's not burn it down," Mutharika said.
