By Jones Gadama
Chaos erupted at Mzuzu CCAP Primary School on Tuesday when four learners fainted after three teargas cannisters exploded within the school premises.
The incident occurred during a demonstration that was taking place in the area.
According to eyewitnesses, the teargas cannisters were fired by police who were attempting to disperse the crowd of demonstrators.
However, the cannisters landed and exploded within the school premises, causing panic and chaos among the learners and staff.
“We were in class when we heard a loud explosion,” said one learner, Penjani Gondwe.
She added,”We didn’t know what was happening, and then we saw the teargas spreading everywhere. Some of my friends fainted, and we were all screaming and running out of the classroom.”
The school’s administration quickly responded to the incident, providing first aid to the affected learners and calling for emergency services.
“We are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of our learners,” said the school’s headteacher Dan nyanguru who adding that , “We urge the authorities to take responsibility for their actions and to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future.”
In addition to the learners who fainted, three teargas cannisters also landed and exploded in the offices of the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia Secretariat in Mzuzu.
The incident caused significant damage to the offices and disrupted the work of the secretariat.
The Mzuzu demonstrations were part of a nationwide protest against the government’s handling of the economy and corruption.
The protests were peaceful, but the police response was heavy-handed, leading to the incident at the school.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for the police to be held accountable for their actions.
The government has also been criticized for its handling of the protests and the incident at the school.
As the situation continues to unfold, the safety and well-being of the learners and staff at Mzuzu CCAP Primary School remain a top priority.
