Business came to a standstill on Saturday at Gateway Mall in Area 47, Lilongwe following heavy downpour which saw shops at the Mall being literally soaked due to some leakages.

The news angered customers who at the time of the incident were inside the Mall doing some shopping and got soaked in the process.

Emmanuel Chapo wrote after the terrible experience at the Mall: “I was in shoprite when the rains started, we struggled to come out. It was pouring heavily from the ceiling at the entrance. Water was coming out through bulb holders and smoke detectors fitted to the ceiling.

“Surrounding electronics shops had their merchandised drenched. The corridors had their fare share courtesy of the porous roofs. I have always thought the workmanship on this mall was less than average. Got the confirmation today. It’s a shame really.”

On his part, Human Right Activist Billy Mayaya described the whole situation as horrible.

“Sad really. The worst part is if the workmanship was so shoddy, imagine the risk of the whole structure collapsing one day,” wrote Mayaya.

In a statement conceding of the incident, MPICO Limited said the problem has been resolved business is back to normal.

“MPICO Limited would like to inform the public that its Gateway Mall in Area 47, Lilongwe experienced rain leakage following the heavy rains in the afternoon of Saturday 29th October 2016.

“A group of experts were immediately sent to the premises to assess the cause of the problem. Meanwhile the situation has been contained and the Mall will operate as normal on Sunday 30th October 2016,” reads the statement in part.

Added the statement: “MPICO regrets any inconvenience that may have been caused by this rainfall leakage.

“MPICO wishes to assure the public that it will do its best to address any cause of the problem.”

Meanwhile reports indicate that one person has been killed by heavy rains in Dedza while several others have been rendered homeless.