Malawians said they were protesting against persistent fuel and foreign exchange reserve shortages, and bad governance. Demonstrations took place in the commercial center of Blantyre, in the capital and in other major towns across the southern African country. Protesters also looted several shops belonging to ruling party officials and allies of President Bingu wa Mutharika.

As protests became violent, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators. A north regional police spokeswoman, Norah Chimwala, said a man had died, but she could not confirm if he had been killed by police. She said several others, including police officers, had been injured. Mezuwa Banda said he picked up two people in the northern town of Mzuzu who had been shot by police with live ammunition.