Chief Lukwa’s family condemn DPP-MCP fracas at granny funeral

Chief Lukwa’s family has come out in the open to condemn the fracas that erupted at the funeral of the chief’s mother as the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) battled with the opposition Malawi Congress Party  (MCP) for supremacy in the MCP stronghold.

Spokesperson for the family Group Village Headman Chilumiko said this was the very reason people in the area banned politicians from speaking at funerals.

“We only allow politicians who want to deliver messages of condolence money to do so,” he said.

This means Kasungu central MP Amon Nkhata had the blessings of the family and traditional leaders to speak, a move which irked the DPP district governor Oswald Chirwa who forcebly grabbed a microphone from Nkhata, causing the fracas.

Group Village Headman Chilumiko said it was sad the politicians brought dishonour to the funeral service as the clergy failed to deliver a sermon.

At least five people were injured during the violence and VIPs at the funeral, including presidential aide Hetherwick Ntaba, were whisked away by security agents as the situation worsened.