Solemn funeral held for 9 police officers killed in presidential motorcade

December 8, 2014 Nyasa Times Reporter 121 Comments
Chibingu, Muluzi and officiers in sombre mood at the funeral
Chibingu, Muluzi and officiers in sombre mood at the funeral
Coffins of the police officrs killed on presidential convoy
Coffins of the police officrs killed on presidential convoy
The police car crashed on presidential convoy
The police car crashed on presidential convoy
Funeral ceremony
Funeral ceremony
Muluzi and officers at the ceremony
Muluzi and officers at the ceremony

Hundreds of people on Sunday attended the funeral  of the 9 police officers who died Saturday in a terrible accident in Balaka held at Police College in Zomba.

The officers, from Zomba, drove to Balaka to join the presidential convoy which was coming from Lilongwe to Machinga where President Peter Mutharika travelled for installation of Traditional Authority (T/A) Kapoloma.

In the solemn and mourning atmosphere, coffins of the cops draped in the flag of the Malawi Police Service were laid at the ground of the Police College in Zomba as they were accorded full police honour.

Sorrow prevailed among the families of the officers, whose deaths have left great pain behind.

The nine police officers were from Police Mobile Service (MPS) were Senior Superintendent Kasowanjete,  Inspector Namizinga, and Sub-Inspector Mhango, driver Sergeant Gondwe, Sergeant Njikho, Sergeant Mulenga, Constable Chimenya, Constable Sekelani Chilenje and Constable Triza Mphande.

“It’s a very sad day today to lose nine dedicated police officers,” Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Paul  Chibingu said.

He conveyed a message of condolence from President Peter Mutharika, commander-in-chief of the police.

“The President is deeply shocked and extends  his deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this fatal accident, the Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service, all Police Officers and Civilian Staff and the nation. Government pledges its support in this trying time to the bereaved families,”  Chibingu said.

Newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Paul Kanyama said: “It’s a terrible day for the Malawi Police Service. Our hearts are broken.”

The incident took place when the police officers were escorting  Mutharika to Machinga district where he was going to elevate a traditional leader to a senior position.

Mutharika had travelled by road from capital Lilongwe to Machinga, some 325 kilometres. The President’s vehicle was not involved in the accident.

Former president Bakili Muluzi attended the funeral ceremony in Zomba and said in an interview that he conveyed  the  condolences from the Kapoloma clan since the police officers died on their way escorting the Head of State where he went to crown Chief Kapoloma.

“The Kapoloma family requested me to represent them and convey a message of condolence. We are sending our thoughts, prayers and sympathies to the bereaved families and the national police service,” said Muluzi.

The Saturday accident occurred barely 12 hours after a lorry missed a road in Nkhatabay district and killed seven people on board and injured many.

The death of the sixteen people within 12 hours has saddened the nation and the police have since called on the public to drive safely, especially during the festive season.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Follow us in Twitter

121 replies on “Solemn funeral held for 9 police officers killed in presidential motorcade”

  1. Why did the president or vice president not attend this funeral service? Why travelling on a convey for 350 kms? Kamuzu used Helicopter? What happened, the way conveys go fast,in our narrow roads, why? Can we get answers?

  7. May their souls R.I.P. May the Almighty God comfort the bereaved families and take care of them.

  9. anthuni Peter atitha. Mulungu wakulanga ana chifukwa cha atate wao. ndithu anthu azifa chifukwa choti akutumukira chisatana chi peter. a police ndiye ndinu ojijirika, mutha pysiti. Mulekeni peter athe yekha. Mulungu akumukana

  10. A Police amalimbana ndi kugwira magalimoto a mzawo koma awo amaoneka kuti salibwino = Matayala akutha mawaya a mutayala kumaoneka koma kumayenda pa msewu popanda kugwidwa.

  11. I was especting the same too! I thought these guys died on national duty? Ooh plz bwana president we thought you could possibly attend….Why? U could do such a thing? We love you but u could have love us back! If it was me I could drop all busy schedule and attend Maliro a anthu omwe anafera ine ndemwe! Malawians I think now we can see properly how these politicians can simply use us! I can’t hold my tears for this mistake you have done Mr President! Am Deeply not in your line Sir!

  14. Bububu kumaliro wosapita koma apolisi afa poperekeza iyeyo ku campaign kwa a K apoloma.matchona shupiti

  16. Bt moya,wy u alws nt takng pat on funeros? u wana bury urself?Take exp atchea he was,he is & he will be woyenda mmaliro,osapha,kumtunda owinawina.

  17. The president managed to attend to the elevation of as usual good for nothing traditional chief and found hard to attend to the funeral of some members of his security detail. Disgusting

  18. The President manage to attend to the elevation of as usual good for nothing traditional chief and found it had to attend to the funeral of some members of his security detail. Disgusting

  20. Koma zoona APM, anthuwa mukanapita ku Maliro awo pa umunthu. This president is something else. Apolisi mukuona nokha. U work hard protecting this man and this is what u get. No respect at all. Komatu paja amati ukakwera pa msana pa njovu osamati kunja kuno kulibe mame.
    Apolisi smell the coffee. Paja this man talks about something and does the opposite.

  22. APM,KUMAKHALA NDI UMUTHU.ZOONA MWAONA ANA ANU 9 KUMWALIRA KOMA OSAPITA KU MALIRO? KAPENA MWAPHERA DALA? MUSAYAMBE SATARNIC.

  24. I personally expected the president to attend this event of seeing off the remains mainly because of 2 things (1) The accident happened while the officers were escorting the president (2) The magnitude of the tragedy. If things like these cannot move the President, are we surprised with what is happening in Malawi at the moment?

  25. so saddened. koma peter umunthu muli nawo? those pple have died for ur cause yet you did not go to attend their funeral ceremony. mwawagwiritsa ntchito ngati khasu longolima osadya nawo mukakolola. mxiew!

  26. The police has called the general public to careful on the road? I think the general public should be telling the police to be careful on the road.

  28. May 9 police officers who perished in Balaka RIP. We learn through mistakes & the president should avoid travelling long distances by road.

  29. I saw Kamuzu Banda using the roads at times but his convoy’s speed was not as horrific as what we see nowyears.He passed by majestically in his 6 door Rolls Roice,mpandadenga red benz,mpandadenga Landrover,and the green VW Combi,with Nicholas Dausi dressed in white and red perched on to the 8 cylinder State House Landrovers.Zinali za ulemutu.Ask Dausi himself if am lieing he is still alive!!!

  33. Mizimu yawo yimuze mumtendere,koma apresdent sanapite bwanji? Ndi aVice president omwe tadandaula pamenepo

  35. Kapumeni abale athu, kuntchito zolemetsa zapadzikoli, kuima mumsewu 8 am kudikila president wodutsa 3pm. Tikakupezani or tikakumana during judgement. Puman mumtendele.

  36. This is very sad! But Peter do something. I will repeat what I said last week. The houses of Police Officers in Limbe. Those you find after or before crossing Limbe River depending from which side you are coming. Are those houses for bachelors and spinsters. If married couples are living there, alas!

  40. In view of this fatal accident, the police is calling upon motorists in general, and those on presidential motorcade, in particular, to exercise caution when driving during ths festive season, otherwise next time galimoto imene ingadzagwe idzakhala ya munthu amene mukumutetezayo. Malawi is not yet ready for the death of another president amangwetu!

  41. wauh!!! so this guys can crush too,i thought they were immuned to crushing,the way they cruise at supersonic speeds.

  45. You have died in front of Service for the Nation,May your souls rest in eternal peace. To the bereaved families, we know this is hard moments,God has his own ways of sustaining us.

  49. Such a fuss for 9 police officers who died on the job. What has ever been done for the many families where children and cyclists have been killed by a speeding presidential convoy? Why is it against the law for the rest of us to drive fast, but fine for our leaders? Whoever you are SPEED KILLS. I hope this is a wake up call for the convoy to obey the law.

  51. The cause of this accident still remains hazy. Under normal circumstances, one would expect a full enquiry to be instituted to answer a few questions in many Malawians minds.
    For instance, how was it necessary for the officers to drive all the way to Balaka, when it is known the President was on a full convoy (security included) right from Lilongwe? Why did they not wait at Liwonde and join the presidential convoy as it made its way to Machinga?
    Issues like driver’s competence especially whether he was used to the speeds that are normally associated with vehicles on such convoys, the mechanical condition of the vehicle and carrying capacity, the road terrain.
    What actually caused the accident? Was it break malfunctioning, loss of control due to overspeeding or drunkenness, emergency breaking because of an obstruction on the road ahead, if they were on the convoy, at what position was the vehicle on the convoy, how many cars on the convoy stopped to attend to the accident, time taken to have the victims get medical attention and any such related questions need comprehensive coverage

  52. To our friends its over but to us its a lesson. Lets be responsible guys. These children’s care and support are in our hands as parents. So don’t cut their chance of becoming presidents, lawyers, doctors, e .t. c because of our selfishness. Tisaonjezere malamulo a pamsewu mwa ife tokha.chifukwa chofuna kusangalatsa munthu wina. Mulungu akuti uyambe wadzikonda wekha ndipomwe umakonda mnzako!!!

  56. Chandipweteka ine nchoti munthu amene amamuteteza mkumathamangitsa galimoto la kruzer pa 200km/h, pa maliro osaoneka. Umunthu wa a Chair a former President ndi awo anapezeka pa maliropo. The other thing maliro angozi oti anthu ena anachita kuduka mpaka patatu, ena pa wiri while on duty, mwambo wa mapemphero umatha around 3 pm zitanda zinayi zopita ku north. ziwiri ku Chitipa, ena ku Rumphi ena ku Mzimba. Maliro agona kale tsiku limodzi, no embalming yoti yakanthu since anthu ake amachita otoleratolera. Transport yonyamula maliro anthu amenewa kulowera ku mphoto kumeneku, galimoto la cruzer (ngati lomwelo lawaphalo). Anthu afera pa ntchito, instead of atsogoleri anthuwa kuwapepusa anzanthu a Police a IG ndi azipwawo polamula kuti maliro aku north ayende pa ndege za Keyala akasiye a Rumphi ndi Mzimba mu Mzuzu, then kukasiya a Chitipa komweko kuti akayikidwe dzulo lomwelo… koma ayi ndithu ndinena pano maliro a ku Chitipa sanafike. Koma Pitalaaaaaaaa

  57. K oma zikuonekakuti amathamangisa kwambiri plz taonani taluza anthu otiteteza chonchi sibwino plz.

  58. BASI REST IN PEACE, & LOVERY NICE JOURNEY , EXODUS THE MOVEMENT OF JAH PEOPLE REST MONGA MWA NTCHITO ZANU .

  59. It is very sad to lose life of 9 police officers on duty. May their soul rest in peace. On the other hand, police officers are generally exposed to risky conditions in the course of discharging their duties. Police vehicles drive at high speeds especially when on presidential escort. The tyres of the vehicle leaves a lot to be desired! Since there is none to check the police vehicles’ roadworthy, we are losing such young people. Many police vehicles are in “horrible” conditions and none takes it as a priority to ensure safety of officers on duty….. It should start with their own vehicles instead of punishing passengers with fines.

  62. Why did the president chose to travel on the road all that 325km? Where are our helicopters? Maybe gated-out?

  63. why APM dont go to funeral?
    this man dont respect their own people in his country?
    this man is horrible indeed and he dont know how to do things.
    those men died in his convoy he should respect them at least in funeral.
    this man is no lider for anything.
    stupid man

  66. It even pains more to read ‘the accident happened when police officers were escorting Muthalika to Machinga district where he was going to elevate a traditional leader to a senior position’. Really! This could have been avoided if this task was left to the DC or Minister of Local Government. That is what they r paid for. This stupid ceremony of elevating a good for nothing traditional leader has costed us again millions in these hard economic times where we still begging from donors. Secondly, it is high time we appreciate the fact that the presidential security detail is way too exaggerated. I am pretty sure this is imposed on our presidents as a way of making allowances to increase our income but to be honest it does us more harm than good as it puts the lives of not only policemen but also that of other road users at risk. Economically it wastes so much of our time waiting 30 to 40 minutes on the roadside for the presidential convoy to pass. By this time we should have borrowed a leaf from other countries and learn how presidential security is handled in a more efficient process. I wish someone could take heed.

  68. mr president nthawizina muzitumiza akumbuyokwanu kukakuimilirani molinganandi ntchito zake ndunazznu nthito ngati izi ngakhale DC kumene kuchokela kulilongwe ntunda eaitali magalimoto petro achitetezo malawansi chifukwa chazinthu zotimuthakungolengeza kuti mwakweza mfumu inumuliku office ndizotheka mukuziwakuti tilimunthawiyoipakwambiri kufunikakusamala taonani zabweresa chisoni mmabanjaambiri ngakhale mzikolathu tilindichisoni kuphatikiza pamwambapamavuto amene analipo PEPANI KWA MABANJA ONSE OFEDWA R I P

  69. Kd kumachinga amapitako kunalibe apolice omwe akanateteza mr president. Chotengera apolice kuzomba ndichani?

  76. WORSE STILL I REMEMBER DURIN BINGU CONVOY.SOME INNOCENT PEOPLE CIVILIANS WERE KILLED BY HIS SPEEDING CONVOY.APM MUST HAVE DELAGATED DUTIES.350KM JUST TO LINE U POLICE OFFICERS ALONG DE LENTH OF DE ROAD.APM HAS BAD ADVISORS.S. CHILIMA IS A BOOTLICKER

  78. Akanakhala amai Joice Banda akanapita kumaliro koperekeza,mpakana akanapita kwawo kwa mmodzi pokaika,kwinaku akanatuma a Khumbo kACHALI,koma anzathuwa ndazungu sapita kumaliro onse ndi mphwakeyu ndazungu anthuwa,ngozi yachitika chifukwa cha iwowo koma osaonetsa chisoni,kukhwima usabvi,ndimomwemu matchona koma ana,akazi awo abaleo,makolo mwaika pamavuto.Sukulu ana basi yasokonekera anzanu amakwera ndege,ause muntendere.

  79. And this heartless Lomwe idiot for whom these innocent souls perished was too busy to attend their funeral? Busy with wine or bedding the man Getrude NAC Thief Maseko? Cruel man

  80. am very touched with the losing of these police officers as it has contributed to loss of human resouces hence retarding development in this country.may they rest in peace

  81. Now that it shows Muluzi is fit,may his case continue please or shut up all the noise about cashgate and corruption.
    Guys in government ,tiyeni nazoni ndalama za bomazo zilibe eni ake,zidyedwe basi ! mulandu ukazayamba kuzanamizila kudwala basi ,
    asaaaas, usawi

  85. I think it requires someone with a human heart to attend to a funeral. Imagine someone is escorting you and die in the coarse of escorting you, and you leave him and proceeded with your way the later you don’t even attend to the funeral. Dzikoli lili mmanja …………………..

  89. Why was Kamuzu using the air? Safety and convenience. These new presidents are headless and deploy police all the way from the state house to the venue of activity. This is bad. Young men losing their lives to protect somebody already saying bye to life? Think about the chilren they have left behind. Will they be on police bulsary? Life is life.

    1. Ndi nthawi madala. machinga and zomba ndi pafupi kuli ena amayendera kukagwila ntchit zangovuta basi. Komanso akawera ndege si mumunenanso kuti matama? eish

  90. or atapita a Chakwera paja saoneka mmayesa pamakhala physical barrierAmatero mtsogoleri wa Alomwe.so pali nkhani apa?

  91. 1 May their souls rest in peace. 2 i would hv lovde if the Commander In-Chief to attend the funeral ceremony, but bcoz he is a busy man, anyway 3 To Nyasa Times, this format is somehow gud and also not gud, its fast interms of downloading but why do we have to read the story again when downloading the next page of coments and also its omitting the first words to the left.

  92. Can someone educate me. Is it MUST that the presidential convoy travels at these unrealistic speeds on our roads which are not good with cars which are also not in up to notch in their conditions. Souls of innoucent service men are lost leaving their families without bread winners, a things which could have been avoided.

  93. There are a lot of insensible stupid things that go on in this country and we just grin at them like zombies. The excessive presidential convoy escorts cruising unnecessarily fast is one of them. I am sure all this that speed and largesse is not necessary. This needs immediate review. Our Police is full of zombies who cannot decide anything in a sensible manner as can be testified by their irrational lines of thinking and behaviour at various Police stations.
    This is just one example that is showing how stupid and irrational this country is becoming.
    LETS WAKE UP AND CHANGE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!

  94. Ku phwando la ufumu Chakwera is not a top level leader, koma ku maliro. Amalawi, why? May God overshadow the bereaved families.

    1. What about all other accidents that do not involve the presidential convoy but occur on the roads of Malawi and also end with deaths every single day? It’s not just vehicles of the presidents convoys that get involved in accidents.

  99. Commander in chief of the Malawi Police Service losing 9 officers while in the line of duty, accident occurred due to over speeding, why over speeding? exagerrated security. SAD. When the accident happens, the president does not stop, what was so pressing for him not stop? Mwambo omwewo okaveka ufumu??? When funeral is being held for the 9 officers, neither the president or the vice is present, what is the problem with this Man not to attend the funeral service!!!!!????

    1. This simply shows that our leadership is interested with the Police when they are alive to provide them with security. They they (police) die…they become useless

    2. Be realistic!!

      If President or VP went there you need another convoy from Lilongwe, if not you will have presidential formalities pamalilo, is that what you are advocating?

      Mukadana ndi muthu, do not let your hatred make you lose sense.

  100. To elevate a local leader, the Head of State travels 365km by road!!! Funeral of 9 Police Officers who died on his cause, he delegates Minister of Home Affairs!!! What a joke!!! In fact he should delegated Minister of Local Government to elevate a TA, the accident could not have occurred!!!

  101. Mr President you as commander in chief, should have attended this ceremony, a Chakwera chimodzi modzi. This is a National tragedy. Losing 9 security officers at once is a great loss that requires mourning from top level.

  103. So sad amalawi tataya athu ofunika kwambiri m’ziko mopanda athu achitetezo simuwoneka bwino ndipepha tate wathu jehova athu awa awachitire chisoni so Reast internal peace

  104. why was peter absent at the funeral him being the causer of the accident and commander-ln-chief? kudzikonda eti!!? kapena sing’anga wanu told you not to kuti nyanga zingasukunuke?

  106. First of all, may their souls rests in eternal, peace.
    Secondly, chimene chinamulepheretsa Peter kupitako ndi chani? Anakakhala Bingu anakapitako. Ma advisors ake sanamuuze kuti umenewu si umunthu? Anthu okulira kunjawa…asazadabwe anthu akazapanda kupita ku yawo.
    Thirdly, a Nyasatimes Design yanu ili bwino kwambiri tsopano. Work well done. Keep it up.

  107. We need to value our security before we provide security to someone! May their soul continue to rest in peace! Father in heaven, comfort their families!

  109. Zambia is Zambia this is MW. Who is poor is u r saying dat imposing the Lawz 2 the poor.kodi aPolice ndiamene analemba Malamulo kapenakutsatila zomwe Mamulo adziko akunenel? Imfa sichinthu chosekana mawa its u and me. Tili ndi abale omwe zingathe kuwachitikila. Ngati ndinu olemela muli ndimagalimoto musakambe zonyoza imfa. Welenga buku lopatulika la Isaiah. Amene aja sianafune kufa but is the call of The almighty God.

  112. Presidents security is so much exagerated here in Malawi.Be realistic. Pa TZ and Zambia pompa,the presidential security is not as exagerated as in a poor Malawi.

  116. Come on!There are thousands of deaths taking place here in Malawi everyday so to say the nation is shocked with 16 deaths is a total fuckin lie!And who are advising to drive carefully on the roads yet it is a police car that massacred more lives?You the police could have been displaying a good example not just deploying corrupt traffic officers on the roads just to rob already economically challenged motorists.You even wish if it were a crime to drive a car with less than a quarter full fuel tank.

  117. Sad Indeed.These are the people whose work is not recognised.They live in poor conditions yet Politicians needs that kind of protections like they r small gods.
    It so risky cruising at a terrific speed while others are standing besides the landlover and one on top sometimes showing his rifle skills.Are all presidents protected like this?The police should review their security type of manner.Our hearts r bleeding for these Policemen and women.

Comments are closed.