Calls for investigation into crash that killed Tenthani: Tributes pour in for Malawi prominent journalist
A cross section of Malawians are calling for an investigation into the car crash that killed prominent journalist Raphael Tenthani, but Malawians are being urged not to jump to conclusions about the cause.
Speculations that the crash that killed Tenthani was not an accident were inevitable given the history of political murders in the country for fierce critics.
Tenthani, 44, and author of Muckraking column in the Sunday Times, died after the car his relative Brother Joe was driving, overturned near Kamwamba in Ntcheu on Saturday evening.
His two sons -Raymond and Raphael-sustained injuries and were admitted at Queens Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, while Joe and Amos Phiri, his pal, also survived.
They were returning from visiting Tenthani’s mother in Ntcheu.
Tenthani’s younger brother Kizito Tenthani of Centre for Multiparty Democracy said they cannot talk of foul play “until it has been proved what has really transpired.”
The family called for an investigation.
Tenthani’s death comes only two months after Malawi lost another top journalist Edward Chitsulo. It is also coming at a time when Malawi needs more critical journalists like him.
He was Malawi correspondent for the BBC, Associated Press, Pana and Nyasa Times.
His ‘Muckraking’ column which was published in The Sunday Times, Nyasa Times and other online outlets, was most influential and popular.
Meanwhile, tributes for Tenthani are pouring in.
State Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima said through his spokesman Pilirani Phiri: “This is not only a great loss to his family and the media fraternity but also to the entire nation.”
Chilima said Tenthani was a “great journalist, activist, and columnist who wrote with style, pace and [precision.”
Former Malawi president Bakili Muluzi described Tenthani’s death as “terrible loss” to the nation.
“Malawi has lost one of the most respected and influential journalist. I will miss his Muckraking column, may his soul rest in peace,” said Muluzi.
Tenthani’s colleague Felix Mponda of AFP, said he was “in a class of his own and I will miss both his column and journalism work.”
Facebook was awash in tributes to Tenthani.
Economist Association of Malawi president Henry Kachaje wrote: “Many times I hear of death, and I tell myself, ‘it was written that one day we will all die’, and I am reminded that I will not be here forever hence I need to do all the good I have the potential to do while I still have my breath. But the death of my great hero in writing, Raphael Kinn L. Tenthani, has shocked me to the bones. Every Sunday, I wake up looking forward to buy the Sunday Times just because of his column. I was actually honoured to have had my own column placed side by side with his.”
Kachaje said Malawi has lost extremely rare jewellery”, saying Tenthani was an “objective” journalist who loved this country and wished it well.
“I can say without any fear that the President of Malawi, has lost probably the most objective and fearless advisor in Mr Tenthani. He was a true patriotic, a genuine Malawian who believed in a better Malawi,” wrote Kachaje.
Award winning columnist and editor for Times Group, Graciun Tukula wrote: “I won’t even attempt to say anything. Raphael Kinn L. Tenthani. I simply can’t.”
Presidential advisor on communication and strategy, Bright Malopa posted: “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. You leave behind , a society Muckraked by your death. RIP Ralph Raphael Kinn L. Tenthani.”
Journalist and cartoonist Deguzman Kaminjolo wrote: “ “Death of a friend, hero and mentor. …First time I knew Raphael Kinn L. Tenthani was in ’93 at the Independent newspaper. He had spiked my cartoon because I had done a sketch of a soldier with a beard ‘Unless in combat, a beard for a soldier is a punishable indiscipline’ he said. I was young and struggling to break through. So much I owe to Ralph Tenthani, from our days at the Independent, Sunday Times, International jobs, and also when he privileged me to be part of a milestone book project for a then head of state.”
Human rights activist Billy Mayaya called Tenthani’s death as “ the most devastating news.”
Media manager Charles Simango wrote: “Raphael Tenthani on my mind. Just don’t know what to say.”
Tenthani will be buried at his Sharpe Valley village in Ntcheu on Monday, according to his brother Kizito.
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whichever way we look at it, death is irreversible. what we should accept is that one day, we are all going to go. just do your best whilst you are alive. i knew Ralph thru my Late friend jorno – Chipiliro Matiya. iam very sad but life has to go on. stop the blame game and grow up. focus on God and the good things that you can do for others always.
i love people and wherever iam i make somebody smile and appreciate life. take one day at a time and praise the Lord in everything including the sad moments. God has a reason for everything that happens.
kumalawi kukhulupirira ufiti. how can you relate an accident of a vehixle that was driven by down to earth drunken people as a foul play? simunaonepo ngozi. stupids
SO MORE OF THESE TYPE OF DEATHS ARE EXPECTED DURING DPP ADMINISTRATION.WE NEED ANOTHER DEVINE INTERVENTION ON THESE WITCHCRAFTS……ONLY TIME WILL TELL. UNFORTUNATELY THE LIKES OF ATCHEYA HAVE CROSSED THE FLOOR THIS TIME AROUND.
Before going to Ntcheu, he was seen at Chichiri Shopping mall accompanied by a friend who might be on of the victims. They were heavily loaded with alcohol. It is time! RIP our mentor.
Zako izo Pena kumazitenga ngati shasha mulungu amangokuyang’ana ndizimenezo. Show God that you were perfectionist on your bulshit mucker whatever you called it. Machendeakonso RFC
Thank God, Joe the driver and Tenthani’s own children have survived this accident. Azatiuza chomwe chinachitika. I am hurting guys. Why link my DPP with this accident? Tenthani was good and we all know and love his writings.
Nakhumwa akudziwa bwino. Ngati amanena kuti Bingu did not die a natural death after a year long, nthawi yonseyi anali kuti? Amadikira chiyani? Ndiye uyu dzuloldzuloli analemba zomwe anayankhula Nakhumwa ku Ndata. Most of us suspect fowl play. This is nothing but DPP at work to silence itscritics. Zifufuzidwe basi tidziwe chilungamo. Iyaaaaa!
Folks, what can you say about Bishop Zuza death, they are alike, so why politicizing
these are the works of DPP!!!!
Ask the one who was driving them! Simple investigations, Inu mumafuna afe ndani? I don’t see any foul play here. May His Soul Rest in Peace.
Ndiye kuti tatsala ndi madeya a majournalist? kikikikiki
Mukuti anthu sayembekezele kuti waphedwa poti imfa ndi imfa, ambiri mukuziwapo kanthu nanga bwanji Nankhumwa akuti Bingu anaphedwa chonsecho anagwa ulendo waku chipatala. Za ngozi ndi zomveka koma musayiwale andalenu mumaphelana njira zake zomwezi. I hope Namkhumwa will tell the nation the truth coz he’s a big investigater when it comes to questionable death,
Folks, most people who are over 50, I one of them, are not betrayed by this staggered looks of one RT. Was he a drunkard or chain smoker? If he was a drunkard, why question the cause of his car accident? Koma fans enanu ndi odabwitsa zedi. Mumafuna wina wa DPP afe kenako muzichita ma party ndi jezebel wanu wa PP ndi wina wa MCP uja? Why can’t you allow his soul to RIP?
A Challenge to all Journalists in Malawi. Let somebody take over the good works that the late Raphael Tenthani was doing. A country of more than 10million people, surely somebody somewhere is able to continue the legacy of this brilliant Journalist. May his Soul Rest in Perfect Peace.
Guys, can you go to your village in a new car, not even with a proper number plate, and expect mfiti from your village to leave you alone? I have 3 cars but always go to my village in a matola, here I am, 50 years and going strong!!! Osamaziyambadala zinazi guys. RIP
Very bad,when somebody dies,it is supposed to be a sad time not time for political fingure-pointing. May the LORD receive his soul and give it rest in PARADISE.
the Sunday times had tenthani’s column on nankhumwa’s speech at ndata
Let us not rush or make wrong conclusions on the accident that has claimed the great writer. I don’t believe that today anybody can plan to kill somebody through an accident. Let those thinking foul play give details otherwise blaming or considering to implicate others in this accident is not good at all. This stretch of the road is well known for accidents. They are not man made.
Kodi ndi angati anafa pa ngozi ku malawi? tisalowetse ndale apa ayi.
Anali ndi ana komanso abale so you mean DPP can do this without being noticed? Kodi ndi angati anafa pa ngozi komanso dzina loti ngozi linafika bwanji? Anthu kusowa chonamizila basi nde kuti anali wamuyaya? Aliyense adzapita ngakhale sitidziwa mayendedwe ake so samalani inu amene mumakonda kuyipitsa mbiri ya anzanu.
Creating hatred where there is peace, who will leave forever on this earth? Leave the spirit of Ralphael Tenthani to leave in peace otherwise you are just mocking yourselves.
May the soul of mr tenthani rest in peace, the injured get better soon – we can not blame death, we need to embrace it and make do with it – idzatipezabe no one is clever if it comes to death.
I was one of the person who liked the man even if I did not meet him, his writing was very informative and educative to young people like myself and others, we will remember him.
My advice to the family and the government, if all his writing especially the muckraking to be published in the form of a booklet – it can generate money for the family and the country.
Number 61(Mlembi)
The column was there, so I don’t know what you are talking about.
The time he was dying am sure the paper was already being printed/printed.
SOME MALAWIANS ARE VERY STUPID BECAUSE HIS BROTHER WAS THERE AND HE KNOWS ALL WHAT HAPPENED.HOW CAN YOU BE SO STUPID TO CONNECT HIS DEATH WITH POLITICS.WHO WAS HE THAT PEOPLE CAN SUSPECT A FOUL PLAY ON HIS DEATH.WHO KNOWS MAY IT WAS DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE OR SPEEDING.WHY ARE YOU JEALOUS OF DPP.MIND YOU THE PARTY HAS COME TO STAY WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT WITH OR WITHOUT RAPHAEL
No need to investigate. We know the cause of the accident
KOmanso guy dont make conclusions as if DPP is involved. Amachokelatu kumudzi kwawo, nde mudziwenso zimenezo. Mmmidzi muli ndani amafunila mzake zabwino, anamuona wapititsa sugar……
TAMANENANI, DETSANI MBIRI YA DPP PA IMFA YOKUTI NDIYACHIMVEKERE ZIFUKWA ZAKE. ANTHU ANALIMO ANGAPO, TENTHANI WATISIYA ABALE AKE APULUMUKA. NGATI WACHITA KUPHEDWA, BWANJI ABALE AKEWO ALIMOYO? NDIYE TINGANENE KUTI DPP INAWATUMA ABALE AKEWO KUTI AMUPHE? UMBULI BWANJI ANTHU ENANU? NJIRU NDI DPP BAASI? IMENEYITU IKULAMULIRANI MPAKA INU MIKOZO WAWAWA!
The hate of DPP has grown in me.
If the accident that claimed Tenthani’s life happened Saturday evening one would have thought The Muckracker had already scribed his Sunday piece; accordingly I was looking forwarding to reading Tenthani’s last journalistic contribution..but alas nothing appeared in Sunday Times. Does anyone know whether or not Tenthani had already written his Sunday piece?
Kalindekafe was also involved in an accident when he hit alorry near Songani but he sustained minor injuries. Should we say it was planned. Malawians should stop speculating on everything.
Kammamba wasandukanso liti kukhala ku ntcheu? Si pompa yapa jst few kilometers from zalewa trading center
kkkkkkkk funny and touching! Funny because all you anti-DPP zomvies have a pathological hatred for this party such that you now hate the sky for being blue! And can even accuse The Creator of siding with DPP! Touching because you are all hypocrites! Let me explain this one…. ONE; you did not love RKTenthani herein after referred to as RKT. You relished his relentlesss criticism of DPP! Period! RTK’s criticism of DPP fed your deep rooted hatred and anger at DPP. You know the reasons! TWO; its touching because you are so miserable at the loss of your fuel of your hatred of DPP, RKT’s criticism. Consequently, you are in a state of denial that RKT is gone and so is the fuel of your hatred for DPP! THREE; its so touching that even in death, RKT continues to be your tool or weapon of hate against DPP! Its not TKT the man that you miss! Its RTK the critic, sometimes mercenary journo who oozed criticism at DPP. It was a specialty with that guy! Not that I hated him, NO, he was constructive mostly but some of us could see some political leanings in his writings. Couldn’t blame him! RKT is dead and gone! We all mourn him. He had class and style! He was precise and sharp. That was RKT! Just like Jika and Chitsulo, he is gone. They were all human, we all knew that, and so, had to die. What bothers me is some embiciles to suggets that RKT was murdered! Foolish grief and selfish wishful thinking! Is it by design that we are not being given the details of the accident? Is someone being economical with the truth so we can all look the other way? So we can believe this anti-DPP conspirancy theory? Give us the details and let the people judge! Talk to the survivors! DPP must have an excellent killing machine to be able to select a target from an accident with such bullet precision! This even surpasses the murderous MCP! All am saying is, it ain’t adding up! And one wonders what kind of death should government critics have….. Did you expect him to ride up to heaven in a chariot of fire? Or was the guy immortal? When hate becomes a religion, people greet each other with curses and accusations. People see what they want to see and all goodness is lost!
‘Do not drink and drive’, we all become aware of the works of alcohol – unnecessary accidents, deaths, marriage breakouts, poverty, job loss, +++. The guy has survived so many alcohol related accidents before, they were driving under influence of alcohol. It was both home visit and social, with some alcohol stop-overs in the way. People die every day, all in different ways. Drink responsibly. RIP.
TEKETEKE,
YOU SOUND UPSET OF OTHER PEOPLES OPINION, THAN GRIEF. TRUTH HURTS, IS NOT IT?
BIG TESTICLE,
YOU REMEMBER WHAT ONE WROTE WHEN CHISULO DIED,THAT TENTHANI WAS GOING TO BE NEXT. THIS IS IT. JUST HAPPEN THE WAY HE WANTED IT TO BE DONE. TELL US MORE THEN. YOU CAN NOT BLAME PEOPLE TO THINK THE WAY THEY ARE THINKING. EVEN MYSELF AM ASKING,WHO EVER WROTE THAT MUST HAVE KNONE SOMETHING WAS COMING FOR TENTHANI.
ANYONE REMEMBER WHEN CHISULO DIED, SOMEONE POSTED THAT TENTHANI WAS NEXT.
HOT DEBATE.
Though this is a sudden death I agree strongly with Henry Kachanje that we are not here forever. Yes its a shocking death but we should not forget that all deaths are also shocking especially to those dying we knew very well. There is no foul play . Many people have died in road accidents and that is common every where. Malawians we should stop jumping into conclusion. Where we like it poor, rich, educated , uineducated, short or tall young or old all of us one day we shall die and our death will be different. Even those who died during the flood they didn’t expect. God knows why He has allowed Tenthani to go. The Children and those who survived will say what happened. WE are glad to hear that some survived this is Gods plan for them to give testimony. Lets stop jumping into unnecessary conclusion TENTHANI RIP
Stupid Malawians!
chipani chakupha ntchito zawo zayambiraso kuwachitira umboni
amalawi kupusa. palinso zoti mufufuze apa? anthu apanga ngozi plain and simple. dikilani amene apulumuka mungozimo akuwuzani kuti anali atayaka apo ayi ng’ombe/mbuzi inawasokoneza driving.
we have to move away from this culture of kusakana if we are to progress. ine i suspect pint koma timva bwino-bwino kwa anthuwo akachila.
who is going to investigate?Is the reporter fund the investigations? If yes then let him go ahead.
me personally don’t believe that there was any foul play in this accident. good people, accidents happen, being at the wrong place at wrong time. may tenthani was in that place and time. let us stop speculating on serious things like these. from the statement above, there were at least five people on board this vehicle. could all people survive and only tenthani die if the accident involved foul play?? I think all could have died, or at least two. it could also be that ralph was very drunk during this time and couldn’t control himself properly( tho I’m not saying this with certainty). so lets get pure truth from the survivors then we can start speculating on this very serious incident
we must be alert coz might be our turn anytime
Very bad period for the Malawi media, losing two senior and fine scribes within two months is unpalatable. I will miss his great works. May the bereaved family look up to God for guidance during this trying period.
RIP Rafael…”. chilichonse chomwe chinalawa moyo chidzalawanso imfa “
“Death is Death” JZU Tembo
Why has the road accident that Ralph Kasambara and Hophmally Makamde got involved in been reported? These guys rolled a Toyota Fortuner two weeks ago close to LL from BT and we have not heard of what they were doing in the wee hours of the night.
Tatiuzeni bwino apolisi.
Iiii pafunikanso afufuze imfa ya cindele cakufikapo bishop zuza, imga ya william lunguzi, imfa ya ……kkkkkk
gone too soon, Rip mr tenthani
let DPP cadets wash their hands here if they never lay a hand on the killing of Mr. Tenthani
Imfa kutenga anthu ofunika pabanja,ntchito,mudzi ,dziko …………what a loss
The police must investigate the car itself. They should find out the last repair/service done on it. Who did it and
Malawian repoter go to school please u mean tenthani analengedwa kuti sazamwalira hw special was he. Malawian reporters ndinu mbuzi anthu akumafa daily bwanji simunena afa bwanji? Aliyense mulungu adamukonzera siku la imfa may his soul rest in peace when u die ntchitto zako zimakusatira
For my part, there’s no foul play, its an accident, if it was foul play, the children should have been part of it, because it should have been the best opportunity to finished with his generation, but its God’s time, allow his soul to rest in perfect peace, bible says, there’s time to be born, and time to die, this is his time, God loves him best, sweet dear rest in the LORD, I love you, you have worked for your country, bye, princess.
You brood of vipers how can you how are evil say anything good? for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
If Satan ever laughs, it must be at hypocrites they are the greatest dupes he has, they serve him better than any other and receive no wages.
Malawi is full of them.
Was there alcohol involved?
Too many people die on the roads of Malawi every single day and while not rushing to judgement as to who or what caused Tenthani’s accident, his demise on the very turf that has already claimed thousands of lives needs to be a big wake-up call to all commuters and an urgent, disturbing statistic to the authorities. When is this going to stop?
Stupid reporter u want to instigate what? The bible says tizafabe it did not state how n when ..was tethani immortal? Nosense
Am very shocked with his untimely death. Only God has the answer. RIP.
My heart goes out to the family of Ralph at the devastating news of his untimely death. At 44 he was in the prime of his life.
I have known Raphael from when he first entered the media world and have followed his career and progress. It is a sad day for the media and an even sadder one for Malawi.
May his soul rest in peace.
Very sad indeed. May His Soul Rest in Peace
I’ve received this sad news with great shock! It is shocking! I don’t see even one journalist to replace this great son of Malawi Tenthani, He was courageous, could never be bought, always reporting the true. If any foul play, let it be known, through investigation as soon as possible. May his soul rest in peace.
The Voice for the voiceless has been silenced.
Mumtengo mudali angelo!muzatiuza
R.I.P
Pepani.
My condolences to Mr. Tenthani’s family.
I too have notices an increasing number of ‘strange’ anomalies the past weeks buzzing around me.
Obviously peter and his useless muluzi mafioso are afraid of their fate.
Tick, tock….his brother died ‘pants down’ with a smile on his face…they should be so lucky…tick, tock…tick,tock…
Inunso a nyasatimes musayambe kunama kuti anthu aziti ndi APM wamupha….kkkkkkkk, sindikuona chifukwa chomuphera apa…iyo ndi ngozi
It pains me, when i recall good services of these fallen scribes, late Horace Somanje, late Chinyeke Tembo, Late Vic Kasinja, late Hara, late Edward Chitsulo and now late Raphael Tenthani. Who will go for us and tell the king at the palace that systems are failing on the ground.
MALAWI and my fellow Malawians!!!!! Sad to loose an intelligent journo but , but why should we suspect foul play. Was Ralph such a threat to authority. Nope, . Sometime we tend to build a mountain out of an anti hill!!!!
I have few basic questions which the investigators should consider?
ONE–was the vehicle road worthy?
TWO- what was the state of the driver , SOBER, VERY SOBER, DRINK or PARTIALLY DRUNK?
THREE- Did they stop anywhere to partake intoxicating stuff, like at Balaka Market etc?
FOUR- What time did they leave Ntcheu , the home village and what time was the accident?
It is important to let the SOUL of Ralph Ten rest in peace than starting these biased investigations. And these questions can be answered by the driver and the elderly passenger who was in the car.
MHSRIP
This one is suspicious not one were doctors certify that it is cardiac arrest.
Malawi politicians are uncivilised bruts like Al shabab or Boko Haram they can kill just to preserve their jobs. It only happens in one SADC country, Malawi
A great loss to the nation,may his soul rest in eternal peace
I always blame gorvment of this death this is really plot from nankhumwa and his ally . As all we know that nankhumwa spoke about bingu that his death is not naturely death mean he know very well how to kill people all we know how tethani acted to bingu his one who called bingu big kahuna. We dont need to go far of this death is gorvment response.
Yes, as Mr Kachaje has commented, everyone including myself but deaths are different that’s why sometimes people will say it was better for this other than the one gone, if it was replaceable we could seek for replacement but the guy was just too smart in his writing, no match. If indeed a foul play is involved let the doers be done.
It is only a fool as stupid as you, Mboga Matoga, who can celebrate death like you did when Bingu died. And you can see that you don’t belong to State House per se, hence your imagination is misconstrued… It belongs elsewhere.
Journalists can write all they want, a determined leader never gets off-track because of that, he’s only made aware and hence adjust to accomodate views if necessary. Like they say, dogs shall always bark but a caravan shall never change its way. It’s only your big mama who was seen to fret about what’s written in papers!
Mr. Tenthani’s sudden death is grieved across Malawi and nobody can celebrate while in grief.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Raphael was a journalist of rare class! And any reader who developed the taste for his writing will find it difficult to accept this loss. He inspired and persuaded a wider audience than most journalists. May his soul rest in peace… AMEN
Sad indeed to lose such a patriot @ a critical time like this, when de country has slowly but surely gon to the dogs!
Aliyese azafa nthawi yake inakwana. RIP !!
Muckracking on calls to investigate Tenthanis crash. Why not call for an investigation into the crash that occured in Nyambadwe earlier
Is this the way how an accomplised journalist looks like? Please put a better picture here. Otherwise akuwoneka ngati waujeni…
May your soul rest in peace..u will be missed
Very sad indeed.MHSRIP
Very sad, RIP.
Sad yhe country has lost Tenthani. However, many people perish in road accidents, unless of we hear from eye witnesses and those that survived the accident suggesting foul play, then calls can be made for a thorough investigation.
In the meantime, it would be in order to allow the family, media fraternity and the nation to mourn the sudden demise of Mr Tenthani.
If we practice something closer to democracy, we need personalities like late Raphael Tenthani who have balls of steel to not take sides on any subject matter but will praise you where you done good and will criticise where things are not right.
Rest In Peace Raphael Tenthani
utter nonsense! with due respect the guy was also aguru in alcohol consumption.let it be known that we met and chatted at luscious bands sister place just before chingeni. guess what they were consuming?how many road accidents had he been involved in before?he is am author of his only demise.
Basi anthu kumangofa choncho ku Malawi! so sad!
R I P
Well, words fail me of this death. What a tragedy. MHSRIP
So much agree with Mbonga Matoga above. All Malawian journalists are fake, easy to be manipulated and/or bought. Makes me sick. All i know for sure is that “Ntchito za manja a DPP zikwachitira umboni….”. What will I look forward to now on Sundays? #pissed!
May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace and Glory. Ali yense adzafa. Bingu died. Bishop Zuza died. Tenthani is gone. My three sons of Malawi.
Whether the accident was real or fake, all I know for sure is that someone will definitely be celebrating his death at Ndata farm or Kamuzu palace tonight.
There is no journalist left in Malawi who has solid balls to take on the current regime without fear or favour.
Mr Tenthani has indeed left very big shoes that will take a decade to fill.
Why do people project onto others what they themselves feel.
Nyasatimes please give us his todays piece. Just wanna get his last opinion before we continue paying tributes. I guess it was already prepared by the time of the “accident”. MHSRIP. Investigations must indeed be done and done thoroughly….not cosmetic ones.