The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has denied assaulting a farmer who complained to President Lazarus Chakwera about poor prices during the opening of this year’s tobacco market at Kenengo Auction Floors in the capital Lilongwe.

On Wednesday afternoon the social media was flooded with a video clip showing police officers assaulting unknown man.

Many people speculated that the man in the video was farmer, Msayiwale Zakaliya.

But the Malawi Police Service (MPS) has denied the claims.

“Malawi Police Service (MPS) wishes to inform the public that it’s officers used appropriate and proportionate force to contain a violent man who acted savagely by forcing his entry at a restricted gate and manhandled a police officer during a presidential function at Kanengo Auction Floors on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

“MPS further wishes to clarify that the man it’s officers wrestled with, as seen in a video clip that has gone viral on social media is not the tobacco farmer who spoke on behalf of others to the Head of State at the function as alleged by some social media reports including the one by Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (CDEDI),” reads in part the statement.

Added the statement: “The name of the farmer is Mr. Msaiwale Zakaria while that of the man seen in the viral video clip is Mr. Dala Kadula.

“To this effect, MPS implores on Civil Society Organisations in the country to make sure that they investigate and gather all facts on issues before they comment on.”