…they tell us to keep the peace; why when our sons are dying
….Chilima, Mpasu and Matenje were our hope
Senior Chief Kwataine of Ntcheu has blasted authorities for asking Chiefs in Ntcheu district to keep “peace” over the death of vice president Saulos Chilima, saying the sentiments reminded similar instructions over the death of another prominent son of the district Late Dick Matenje in 1983.
The emotional Inkosi Kwataine speaking during a candlelight memorial ceremony at Ntcheu boma for the Late Dr Chilima, who hailed from the district, and eight others who were killed in a plane crash on 10th June. Inkosi Kwataine said there was fear in the district.
“I was not very young when the Late Matenje died. We were told Chiefs should not attend the funeral and should keep peace. We have been visited by strange people in our courts to tell us to keep the peace. During Matenjes funeral and this of Chilima, there were hundreds of Police and Army officers,” said Kwataine, cheered by those who attended.
“They tell us to keep peace while our children are dying. Matenje died in the same way, as did Mpasu and now Chilima. All these were our hope. Every time a son of Ntcheu rises, it ends up like this. You are asking us to keep peace when we are losing our children. That’s scary,” said Kwataine.
The Chief, who spoke in the presence of Inkosi Ya Makosi Gomani V, who presided over the candlelight ceremony, was visibly shaking as he delivered his punchy message, pointing fingers at “invisible hands” that are trying to stop people from asking questions.
“I know which government was in 1983 when Matenje died, and I know which Government was there when Dr. Chilima died,” charged the Chief.
Inkosi Kwataine concluded, “The few times Saulos spoke; he said not to mistake his silence for being foolish. Do not confuse our silence as being stupid.”
The Late Matenje was Secretary General of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and was killed alongside Regional Minister Aaron Gadama from Kasungu, an MP Twaibu Sangala from Dedza and another MP David Chiwanga from Chikwawa. The MCP administration claimed the four had died in a car accident.
A Commission of Inquiry held after the transition to democracy in 1994 found that the four politicians were murdered.
Mpasu, who was one-time Secretary General of the UDF, Minister of Education and Speaker of Parliament, was found dead in his house in Limbe. His death was never investigated.
President Lazarus Chakwera had a frosty relationship with the Late Chilima, and he has failed to name a Commission of Inquiry to probe the death, surprising many Malawians after he said in Lilongwe he was looking for the same answers. MCP functionaries have been hostile to the public questioning the deaths and several people have been arrested to scare the public into silence.
