The Malawi Police Service has assured the public that the Karonga–Chiweta Road will remain open, warning that it will not tolerate any individual or group attempting to block the highway and disrupt the movement of people and goods.
The assurance comes after the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) announced plans to stage a road blockade on 1 July as part of efforts to pressure the government into commencing reconstruction works on the deteriorating Karonga–Chiweta Road.
In a statement released on Friday, the police said the road will remain accessible throughout the planned protest, emphasizing that law enforcement officers are prepared to take appropriate legal action against anyone who attempts to unlawfully obstruct traffic.
According to the statement, blocking a public road is contrary to the country’s laws and poses a threat to public safety, economic activity, and the free movement of citizens.
The police have therefore urged motorists, traders, and members of the public not to panic or alter their travel plans, assuring them that security personnel will be deployed to ensure the road remains open and that normal traffic flow is maintained.
The planned demonstration has drawn national attention as concerns continue to grow over the poor condition of the Karonga–Chiweta Road, a key transport corridor that connects northern Malawi and serves as an important route for cross-border trade and the movement of goods.
