Business people in Mzuzu City have expressed fear over the planned vigils on July 4 against Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) Chairperson Justice Jane Ansah.

The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has announced that it will hold fresh vigils if Ansah does not succumb to pressure to resign from her post.

On June 20, people across the country also demonstrated to force Ansah to resign for allegedly presiding over non credible elections.

In Mzuzu, shops like Sana and Bata, including other small businesses were vandalized during the Thursday June 20th demonstrations.

In Bata, shoes were stolen and the shop was damaged.

Most of the business people who spoke to local press said they are not against the demonstrations but the conduct of some of the demonstrators who take advantage of the situation to disrupt and damage their businesses.

“We are scared that some people will take advantage of this to further destroy their businesses.”

Meanwhile the Malawi police service says it is yet to make an assessment of the damage caused by the demonstrators on 20 June.

No arrests in Mzuzu have been made in relation to the same issue.