Malawi in tragedy over soldiers death, says Mutharika
President Peter Mutharika says Malawi is in tragedy following the death of 21 Malawi Defense Force recruits and instructors in a horrific accident that happened Thursday at Luwawa in Mzimba.
Remains of 15 of the soldiers who were from the central and southern parts of Malawi were on Friday taken to the MDF headquarters Kamuzu Barracks in Lilongwe en route to their respective homes for burial.
Most of the deceased were recruits who had just finished their final exercises and maneuvers and were heading back to Malawi Armed Forces College (MAFCO) in Salima where they were expected to undergo a pass out ceremony in three weeks time before being deployed to designated units.
A somber mood engulfed the Wilson Court at the barracks. Tears from wailing mothers, brothers and sisters were a sorry sight to see as no one could comprehend what they were witnessing.
Families and friends of the fallen soldiers on the day experienced the worst nightmare of their lives when instead of witnessing the scheduled passing out ceremony for their children; the world crushed onto them as they collected the remains of their children for burial, together with all the hopes they had in them.
The seemingly heartbroken Mutharika, who is also commander in chief of the MDF said the families of the deceased, the MDF and the country as a whole has experienced a tragedy not easy to digest.
“Losing one person brings about huge grievances, but losing 21 people at the same time is difficult to comprehend. We hear of grave disasters that befall other countries every day. But never in my life did I think of this happening in Malawi.
“This is a national tragedy and the nation is in mourning. These are people who have committed their lives to serve and protect the nation but the nation has lost them. Let us come together through prayer in this difficult time,” said Mutharika.
Mutharika who went to pay his last respects to his fallen troops said memories of the fallen soldiers will always remain in the memories of every Malawian.
He subsequently called upon all Malawians to observe all safety requirements when travelling on the roads of Malawi.
“Let us not over speed. Let us make sure that the vehicles we are travelling in are roadworthy in all aspects from brakes to tyres because many of the accidents that are happening on our roads are due to unsafe vehicles,” said Mutharika in his brief speech.
Lieutenant General Clement Namangale who is acting defense force commander in his remarks said the MDF has never in recent times experienced such a devastating lost.
He said the lost soldiers who were given a minute silence in honor of their memories were set to add value to the defense force.
“When we conduct our trainings, you cannot compare them to any other professions. Recruits have to endure extensive trainings in order to put on a uniform.
“That is why in the MDF, we highly value a soldier. We were happy to be adding on to the numbers of soldiers we have but before they even started their work; we have lost them together with very experienced instructors.
“The Last Post (trumpet) that was played here is played in battle during evening times as the sun is setting. But we have played it here to show that a dark shadow has fallen over us,” said Namamgale.
He subsequently said the MDF would observe three days of mourning during which all of their flags will be at half mast.
Several government departments including the ministry of health and the department of disaster management (DODMA) have come together to assist the MDF in this trying time.
The office of the President and cabinet has helped the families of the deceased with K300 000 each while DODMA which is under vice president Chilima has provided each family with K200 000. Several other departments have made monitory contributions.
In attendance of the ceremony were minister of information and communications Technology Nicholas Dausi, Home Affairs minister, Cecilia Chazama, minister of Agriculture and water development Joseph Mwanamvekha among others.
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Sad indeed.
Its really a great tragedy not only on MDF but Malawi as a Nation. Please BWANA Munthalika there should be an independent investigation which should involve more ununiform men so that the nation will know that the new MDF administration is a failure. Reports getting us say
1. that before Spoon left for South Africa he visited the training field and was angry with the performance and irregularities that were there. But he went back and left the country even after hearing about the tragedy he could not cancel and rush back home
2. That they started the training without enough resources for the training, of which Spoon as Commander would have advised the Head of state and the minister but spoon amafuna athamangitse course kuti naye atulutse ASILIKALI ake. Incompetence komanso kumva zayekha, selfishness, kupanda nzeru. This includes onse omusatila 2 empty deputies especially the one responsible for operations and training , who never even took time to see the progress of this military training. The same Spoon appoints the Commandant responsible for this crucial training to go and attend other matters outside the country when he actually saw that there was no control or displine.
3. These are senior management or minkhwantha ya Malawi Defence Force yomwe ikukakamila kuti after 60 years they should not retire when there is new fresh blood behind them. They want to be in those positions till they reach 65 years.
4. My question to the President, Cabinet Ministers , Aphungu ndi a Malawi a nzanga do we really need these old bunnies after 60 years of there service. The top 3 of MDF have brought nothing but shame to the Nation, this accident could have been avoided. Why was the vehicle carrying these soldiers on its own? Where we’re the other vehicles of over 800 soldiers? Why was the driver of this vehicle left behind kuti mpaka azikathamangila magalimoto ena?malamulo ku nkhondo amati aziyendela pamodzi pa convoy, none of this would have happened. Mwapha ana ang’ono because of your poor planning and stupid management or stupid administration ya Spoon, how many more are you going to kill Spoon, early this year one Major died because you were forcing officers to go for morning run that those that have big tummies you will force them to retire and no promotion thats discrimination based on people’s size or shape.
5. If justice is to be served the Commander, the Commandant for salima college, the Deputy responsible for operations and training, the chief of MDF training muzipita kwanu , muchostedwe ngati simuchoka nokha. A Griffin Spoon mumayesa kulamula ndi masewela.
Results of accepting low standards. Construct better roads and make rigorous check on conditions of vehicles. Driving tests should be improved
so sad and shocking may their souls rest in peace
Its a tragidy of high grade. Young ambition young men who dreamed to serve Malawi dies before start of thei job. President says in hos speach. People should travel in roadworth vehicles. Vehicles should have good brakes. I think the president knows very little about military vehicles. Look At their tracks. Iam sure they are from colonial time. On my way to Lilongwe from Nkata Bay lake shore road, met military lorry full of soldiers. The road from Salima there is the worste tree bridge. I was in a small car. I have never been afraid than day to pass over the bridge. Then came a big lorry full of soldiers I wondered how they will pass over. Muzimba road is very stepy and not first time soldiers have died On the road of Malawi. The vehicles are too old and bad served.
It is not true that the vehicles are from colonial times. Before the imposing of Tata vehicles on these service men by “yellow” politicians against their will many years back, these guys used trucks designed in UK at the outset with protective measures suiting delivery of personnel and cargo. Mostly were Bedford vehicles of different models. The most popular models that have been in service for many years with less accidents and isolated fatalities are the Bedford RL; Bedford TK; Bedford MK; and Bedford TM. Supplementing these were Mercedes–Benz trucks; Land Rovers; Toyota Land Cruisers; and a series of articulated Ford D trucks.
When Bedford RLs were disposed off, Bedford TKs and MKs replaced them. Bedford vehicles were in fact an internationally lorry brand. Magazines on trucks document that the brand was retired in 1991 and subsequent commercials were branded as either Vauxhall or Opel, depending on the market.
When Napolo hit Bokosi Village in Chiradzulu District, army Bedford MK trucks were used in the of delivery relief items. Bedford MK vehicles are not longer in service. The Tata vehicles you see were imposed on these guys by “yellow” politicians against their will. Yet, in terms of durability and versatility, the entire service men’s preference ranged from Bedford trucks; Renault trucks; Mercedes Benz trucks; to and Rheinmetall MAN tactical trucks. Similarly in the UK the British Army expressed a preference to continue the trusted relationship with Bedford trucks. Unfortunately Bedford failed to win a contract to manufacture the trucks for the British forces. The market elsewhere proved less profitable. The guys still yearn for trucks that can rival Bedford not Tata.
It will take some of us a very long time to accept this loss as a fact, especially considering that we knew some of the deceased soldiers. One of them was with us here at Chilumba a few months ago, and we have been expecting him to come back shortly. The thought that he will not come is not easy for us to digest. May the Lord God Almighty grant these brave sons and daughters a place at His right hand. May His hand hover over Malawi at this difficult time.