2 soldiers on Chakwera’s convoy killed in an accident in Blantyre

“I don’t understand why vehicles on the presidential convoy travel on such supersonic speed.”

A cruising armed Malawi Defence Force (MDF) military police officers on President Lazarus Chakwera’s convoy has been involved in a fatal road accident in Blantyre and two soldiers have died.

The police in Blantyre has confirmed that two soldiers have and several others have been seriously injured.

The accident happened Monday afternoon at Grace Bandawe Conference Centre next to Blantyre Girls Primary School near the Henry Henderson Institute (HHI) and out of the two one died on the spot.

Several others are reportedly seriously injured.

MDF acting Public Information Officer Major Emmanuel Mlelemba has confirmed the death of the two soldiers.

Mlelemba, however, said other wounded soldiers were rushed to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital where they are being treated.

Mlelemba could not be drawn to give further details on the matter.

Information Minister, Gospel Kazako said the President is saddened with the accident and death of the two soldiers.

“Said Kazako: “The president is saddened by the death of the two soldiers and he has sent his deepest and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.”

According to an eye witness, the army vehicle, which is known as the ‘CROWD’ was carrying officers and was cruising on a high speed and the last vehicle on the presidential convoy skidded from the road and hit a brick fence.

The eye-witness said the driver of the Army armoured vehicle lost control and skidded away from the road then slithered and swerved side to side before lounging into a brick wall.

“The car was driving at a high speed and it looks like the driver lost control in the process. Two soldiers, a man and woman, jumped off the car as it skidded off the road. It was so terrifying. One soldier died on the spot and had lost a lot of blood. I have learnt that three others have also have died.

“I don’t understand why vehicles on the presidential convoy travel on such supersonic speed. Why do they rush? Such accidents can be avoided.

“If it something to do with the security of the president that his convey should be over-speeding, then the president is better off using a helicopter as it is convenient, faster and safe for the president,” said the eye-witness who opted for anonymity.

This is not the first time that the ‘crowd’ has been involved in a fatal accident.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
24 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Banda
Banda
2 years ago

Very sad, very neglectful of the MDFsecurity detail. Land Cruisers are very unstable vehicles worse under load are not made for high speed or sharp turning. But made for slow 4 wheel off roading and driving through wet swampy areas. May the MDF re-evaluate choice of vehicle in the future as a result of this tragedy.

Khima
Khima
2 years ago

My condolence to the bereaved families. On every incident we learn something. First kodi ndikoyenela president kumayenda such long distances lero alikuno mawa uko? palibe njira ina yachangu and more safer? The speed ya convoy is already a death trap and risk to the President himself considering long distance they travel. The car those military police guys use and a fatal risk already as they are actually panja peni peni mwina amakhala amanga malamba koma anything to the car ndekuti ndi direct hit.

Nyirenda Tobious
Nyirenda Tobious
2 years ago

RIP, may God intervene and protect their families left out here!!

APM and Zameer in K145 million Scam

Kamuzu was using either a jet or helicopter when traveling everywhere in the country. Yet that was between 70s and 90s. Was Malawi richer that time than now? The president travels with a convoy of more than 20 cars cruising at 140 km/h and what are the chances of accidents? Where are those planes. Joyce Banda sold one out stupidity and trying to appease fellow stupid people. Bingu was using choppers as well. This country has been taken backwards by thieves. Please make a budget for choppers or repair those Pumas or you can trade in with new ones. The… Read more »

phiriwaphiri
2 years ago

KOMA SPEED IMENEYI, WHAT ARE OUR PRESIDENTS AFRAID OF? MALAWI IS NOT A WAR TORN COUNTRY THAT ONE CAN BE SPPEDING LIKE THAT, MISEU YAKE ITI?

Alungwana
Alungwana
2 years ago

The convoy yesterday was cruising too much.
I’m saying too much.
I saw it .
In town they normally reduce speed but yesterday it was not like that.
This must be checked out

Erik P
Erik P
2 years ago

Meh. Maximum Safe Velocity, means should be safe. Drive crazy and you crash. Saw a police car yesterday swerving between cars at high speed, and sure that guy will have an accident. Last week a car overtook forcing other car on to reserve where pedestrians were walking and had to jump out of yhe way. Given that the traffic cops are everywhere (taking cash) you’d think driving here would be safer.

Ndafera Nkhande
Ndafera Nkhande
2 years ago

These are the end times when speeding for fame or morale will wipe us. Anyway MTSRIP and hope the president will review his security details for the sake of safety of our soldiers.

Boy
Boy
2 years ago

My deepest condolences to the bereaved families n wish those injured quick recovery. Those responsible for the Presidential convoy should consider revisiting the travel arrangements because this is a tragedy n should have been avoided

Apolitical
Apolitical
2 years ago

Am yet to understand the essence of that speed for presidential convoy

Read previous post:
ICT firm commits to changing lives in Malawi

A local firm, takenoLAB, on Friday launched an information and telecommunication technology (ICT) Academy and Tech Hub Center at Dzaleka...

Close