At least 16 people have been arrested in Chitipa for looting shops  during demonstrations organized by concerned citizens.

Confirming the arrests, Chitipa district police public relation officer Gladwell Simwaka said the sixteen suspects will answer charges of theft.

However the protests became violent as protestors broke into shops and went away with assorted items.

Among the looted shops, were Chipiku Kulima gold and Farmers world.

On Friday citizens in the district held demonstrations demanding the closure of Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) offices at Mbilima border in which the citizens are accusing it of fueling corruption.