Police, supported by helicopters, fired teargas at waves of demonstrators attempting to move on the capital from the south-western township. In spite of the heavy police presence, the rioters managed to smash shops, offices and vehicles along the way.

Countless shops have been looted in the southern districts. As expected the police were waiting for renewed demonstrations, which began on Monday in protest against a decision by commercial milling companies to increase the wholesale price of the staple maize by 21%, the third increase in four months.

At the height of Monday's rioting in the city centre, the Minister of Commerce and Industry announced that the government had moved to stop the increase, adding that a review of all basic commodity prices would be undertaken. But the demonstrators appear to have the bit between their teeth, and have not been deterred by reports that several people have been wounded by police during the rioting.