Britain rejects compensation claims for pre-independence Malawi massacres

Britain has said the issue of compensation families of people who died during the March 3, 1959 struggle for this country’s independence does not arise, the United Kingdom (UK) High Commissioner to Malawi, Michael Nevin, has said.

Britain High Commissioner Nevin: No talks of compesation
Britain High Commissioner Nevin: No talks of compesation

Nevin comments comes after a Malawi legal expert Ralph Mhone has asked Malawi government press for compensation from UK, its former colonial master, to thousands of Malawians who were tortured during an anti-colonial uprising late 1950s.

Mhone, who is also the Peoples Party (PP) legislator for Nkhata-bay Central constituency, said Malawi is likely to get the compensation as was the case in Kenya where Britain compensates the families of the fallen Malawians the way it did with Kenyan victims of torture during the Mau Mau uprisings in the 1950s.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president and leader of opposition in Parliament Lazarus Chakwera also said during this year’s Martyrs’ Day on Tuesday, that they will take it upon themselves to ensure that Britain give the compensation.

But Nevin has dismissed compensation claims , saying though his government is saddened by the loss of life during the struggle, the issue of compensation does not arise as London has not held any discussion with Lilongwe on the matter.

“We are saddened by any loss of life. [But] we have had no discussion with the government of Malawi on this matter and do not consider the issues of compensation arise,” said Nevin as quoted in the Nation on Sunday.

Some chiefs and members of the bereaved families in Nkhata Bay are calling on London to compensate families for the killing of 31 locals at Nkhata Bay Jetty on March 3 1959 by federal forces.

“UK and Malawi enjoy a close and deep relationship that stretches back over many years and we look forward to that relationship continuing in the years ahead,” Nevin is quoted as saying.

Malawi’s former President Bingu wa Mutharika once asked the country’s law experts to investigate whether Britain compensated Malawi soldiers who fought in the two world wars.

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Zanga Phee!
Zanga Phee!
9 years ago

It is not too let compensation must be done come rain come sun,remarks made by the ambassador sounds baseless he said Lilongwe Meaning our capital never said anything no it’s up to Lilongwe to table this issue even at parliament,please don’t take a break.In real sense they know for sure they are entitled to this.I guess the president is also on the right channel committee must be there to go through this issue.Take them to ICC if the insist.No time to waist out grand parents suffered a lot. weather they will close their embassy we do not care but truth… Read more »

Zanga Phee!
Zanga Phee!
9 years ago

It is not too let compensation must be done come rain come sun,remarks made by the ambassador sounds baseless he said Lilongwe Meaning our capital never said anything now it’s up to Lilongwe to table this issue even at parliament,please don’t take a break.In real sense they know for sure they are entitled to this.I guess the president is also on the right channel committee must be there to go through this issue.Take them to ICC if the insist.No time to waist out grand parents suffered a lot. weather they will close their embassy we do not care but truth… Read more »

Peter Mvula
Peter Mvula
9 years ago

I agree that the Malawi is entitled to compensation for the wrongdoing of the British prior to independence. However will be prepared to offset all the aid received since independence and continously being received and for we are forever beg for as we are nothing more than a nation of lazy useless beggars. And more importantly after we have done the calculations and realise that the British has more than paid us back via donor aid, will be prepared to pay them back the surplus that they have already paid us and over and above that, stop begging. my God… Read more »

Achimidzimidzi
Achimidzimidzi
9 years ago
Reply to  Peter Mvula

The compensation is like Life Insurance or Pension for the deceased.

That money cannot be a condition for any loan,/aid because it is the government getting the not deceased individual.

Let them pay the families. Or we will go to Hague for war crimes or genocide hearing.

Nyani wa ku Mwananyani
Nyani wa ku Mwananyani
9 years ago

Note that the ambassador has not dismissed the idea of compensation outright! He has not presented even a preliminary argument against such claim(s). Not even a prima facie argument against the appropriateness of such claim(S). Smart envoy indeed! The Malawi government should get the hint here, and get some scholars, even senior civil servants, start working on this. Late Bingu would be pleased, to be sure. The analysis should look at the whole picture of colonization of our country buy Britain. Don’t be afraid that we will be antagonizing the British. NO WAY. This is simply about the economics of… Read more »

Alufeyo
Alufeyo
9 years ago

Chabechecker well done tell these uneducated fools who dont understand history what really happened. The British have been the worst abusers of human rights in the world worse than Adolf Hitler. They massacred red indians in millions, killed many africans in millions,committed rape and pillaged. A little country populated by thieves,rapists and murderers.

UDF + DPP ngozi kuphompho
UDF + DPP ngozi kuphompho
9 years ago

DPP yipereke compasation ku mawanja apa July 20 ndi imfa ya Robert Chasowa chonde muasazione zophweka izi.

chefourpence
9 years ago

kkkkkkkk atumbuka kususuka! Kukonda ndalama. Compensation? Zautsiru! Mumapanga matama ndi ma demo, muzifa choncho. Kkkkkkkk hahahahahah heheheheheh kodi anafwa angati?

Winston msowoya
Winston msowoya
9 years ago

Compasation for third March killings is comprehensible,but how about the brutal killings of innocent Malawians under the heinous regime of the former tin pot tyrant Hastings Banda in thirty years?

chomoncho
chomoncho
9 years ago

Ajoyici bwelelani msanga. Ralph muhone a yamba misala kuno.

Jacob Zuma
Jacob Zuma
9 years ago

We will beg for anything!
Malawians will always try and get something for nothing.
Thats the only thing we are good at and that is why why should be proud to be the poorest country on earth!

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