DPP postpones Zomba rally: Ministers to attend burial of Kampepuza accident  victims

Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has postponed its political campaign rally initially scheduled to take place on Saturday  at Gymkana Club in Zomba whichwas to be hosted by Vice President for Eastern Region Bright Msaka.

In a brief statement, Msaka said the postponement is aimed at giving a chance to party members to attend to the burial ceremony of victims of a tragic accident that happened on Friday 22nd March 2019 at Kampepuza Trading Centre in Ntcheu claiming over 20 lives and leaving scores injured.

A truck rammed into a crowded market at Kampepuza in Ntcheu on Friday   killing 20 people, 17 of them on the spot and injuring nearly 31 others.

Police said among the dead are four children—one as young as four—and two men, but 13 are women who had thronged the market to sell or buy merchandise at the open-day market.

“Following the tragedy at Kampepuza yesterday, our rally has been postponed to Sunday 24th March 2019,” said Msaka.

Msaka himself was expected to attend the funeral ceremony of victims from Ntcheu districts.

Meanwhile, the party says the venue and time for the rally remains intact.

Minister of Civic Education Everton Chimulirenji, who is the outgoing Ntcheu North East legislator, speaking when he visited the victims at Ntcheu District Hospital after the accident, said government will assist the bereaved families as well as the injured.

He said government will provide coffins and money for funeral arrangements of all the victims. The bereaved families will get K150 000 each while those that have been admitted to hospitals will receive K50 000.

“This is a great tragedy for us as a nation. Let me, on behalf of the President, send condolences to all bereaved families,” said Chimulirenji.

Minister of Information and Communications Technology Henry Musa, in a statement seen by Nyasa Times, said government is trying to establish the cause of the accident and will release details in due course.

The Ntcheu road carnage is coming at a time when Malawians are still trying to come to terms with the devastating heavy rains, resulting in floods that has killed 56 people.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!