Malawian police shot dead three people in riots in the capital, Blantyre, after the ruling party's candidate was declared the winner of presidential polls, a hospital official and a witness said on Monday.

As the United Democratic Front's Bingu wa Mutharika was sworn in, the opposition boycotted the ceremony to protest against the results of the elections.

The charges that at least three people had died following the riots added to Mutharika's worries - international observers have already said the vote was marred by "serious shortcomings".

In Blantyre, a hospital spokesperson said two people had been shot dead while an eyewitness said he saw how late on Sunday police officers shot dead an opposition supporter in Ndilande township, which the ruling UDF lost to the opposition in Thursday's elections.

Opposition leader Gwanda Chakuamba's Unity Coalition has rejected the outcome of the polls. - Sapa-AFP

• This article was originally published on page 4 of The Cape Argus on May 25, 2004

Published on the Web by IOL on 2004-05-25 10:25:00