Six perish on return from Bingu’s burial, Mia honours pledge
After escorting their former leader, late Bingu wa Mutharika, to his final resting place in a dignified manner, it was time for the thousands mourners to return to their respective homes. But not all reached their destinations.
Nsanje District is today mourning the fatal departure of six members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) who were killed Tuesday morning in a car crash as they returned home from Ndata Farm, Thyolo after burying the departed Malawian President.
Late President Mutharika was the leader of the DPP, which he formed in 2005 after ditching the then ruling, United Democratic Front (UDF) of Bakili Muluzi, Malawi’s president from 1994 to 2004.
Nsanje Police Officer-in-Charge Tsekani Tembo said the six met their fate along the newly commissioned Khulubvi Highway, between Bangula and Nsanje Boma.
“Five of them died on the spot while the sixth person died upon reaching Nsanje District Hospital,” Tembo explained.
The police boss said the accident occurred early hours of Monday at Phukira Trading Centre after the driver of the government vehicle, belonging to PVHO in Lilongwe, lost control before overturning.
The vehicle, registration number MG 741 V and driven by 48-year-old Phillip David Mkwinyambale, had 51 passengers on board, including the driver. The vehicle also bore registration number SF (State Funeral) 554.
“It is believed that the driver was over-speeding and upon reaching the area he lost control of the vehicle,” she said adding that 26 passengers had been injured and were admitted to Nsanje District Hospital where they are receiving treatment.
The driver, who hails from Sasani Village, TA Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota District, has since been charged with an offence of reckless driving, according to Tembo.
Meanwhile, Minister of Transport and Public Works, Sidik Mia, who is also a Member of Parliament from Chikhwawa has condoled with the deceased families and supported them with financial and material assistance.
Mia went Marka to assit with K30,000 each and attended all six funerals.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
