Zimpapers Logo

Ulemu Chilapondwa

Blantyre — Two potholes which developed after heavy rains on the main runway of one of Malawi’s biggest two international airports forced authorities on Monday to close Chileka Airport in the commercial capital Blantyre.Transport Minister Ulemu Chilapondwa told reporters that the airport, about 20km outside Blantyre, was “unsafe to large planes . . . we have alerted all airlines that there will be restricted landing at the airport because of major repair works on the main runway”.

Large planes such as the Boeing 737 cannot land at the airport, he said. Despite hiring a contractor to fill the potholes, Chilapondwa said consistent heavy rains had caused “major damage underneath so much that once one pothole is filled, another develops immediately”.

The minister said maintenance work should take two weeks.

This leaves Malawi with one international airport in the administrative capital Lilongwe.

Meanwhile, Malawi’s president on Monday said clashes between opposition protesters and police that left two people dead following an election rally were “politically motivated” and called for a thorough investigation.

“My government will not tolerate such acts of political violence to destabilise the peaceful management of elections and to threaten the peace and security of our people,” said President Banda.  “This barbaric act was politically motivated. All those that are directly or indirectly involved should face the wrath of the law.”

Violence erupted on Sunday shortly after an election rally led by President Joyce Banda at Goliyati village in a stronghold of her rival Peter Mutharika of the former ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

A police officer was axed to death and a protester was shot dead in clashes with stone-throwing opposition activists after police fired tear gas to disperse the hostile crowd. – AFP