State promises autopsy on Kamuzu Banda’s ‘son’ Jumani body

January 26, 2019 Owen Khamula - Nyasa Times 61 Comments

Malawi Police Service say they will soon conduct an autopsy on the body of a person who claimed to be  the biological son of the founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Jumani who died suddenly of heart failure on Friday at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.

Jumani: Kamuzu’s ‘son’ died suddenly

Police spokesperson at police headquarters in Area 30 in Lilongwe, James Kadadzera has confirmed of the development in the wake of social media reports accusing the Kamuzu family and the main opposition, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) of having a hand in the death.

“Both the police and the family have agreed to conduct the postmortem. In actual fact, this is the standard practice when there is a sudden death,” said Kadadzera.

Jumani’s death has been recorded as of that of a foreigner since he holds a foreign citizenship not Malawian and the doctors say he died of heart failure.

He died aged 45 as a Swedish Malawian after he made intriguing allegations how he had been prevented from returning to Malawi to ascertain his descent.

His birth certificate says he was born Jumani Kaunda at Ekwendeni Hospital in Mzimba but he took the country by surprise when he claimed that he was son to Kamuzu, the founding father of the nation whose private life remains a mystery to most Malawians.

Just a few weeks ago, Jumani said he had come to Malawi to reclaim the wealth of his father, Kamuzu Banda, a ruthless dictator who was deposed at the ballot box during the first multiparty democracy in 1994.

Jim Jumani Johansson said he believed some people were paid to conceal information about his father.

Banda, known fondly by his middle name Kamuzu, died in November 1997 aged 101 after ruling Malawi with an iron fist for 30 years.

He was officially unmarried and childless and rumours that his long time confidante and Official Hostess Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira was more than a civil servants and that the two had children have been refuted ferociously over the years.

Nonetheless, Kamuzu bequeathed most of his estate to Kadzamira, fondly referred to as Mama.

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61 replies on “State promises autopsy on Kamuzu Banda’s ‘son’ Jumani body”

    1. Katangale analiko but went unreported, remember journalism was highly censored and monitored by the regime loyalists. Ndani akanalimba mtima n’kumalengedza kuti boma la MCP laba ndalama, lapha anthu, likuzunza anthu? Ndani, ndani?. Anthu amaba ndalama ndalama zaboma koma amaopa kuzigwiritsa ntchito kuopa kufunsidwa.

  6. Can someone please educate me. What has MCP got to do with this unfortunate incident? Elsewhere people would have waited for results of a postmortem/autopsy beforehand making wild accusations which in some cases don’t make sense at all.

    1. We should not be naive and in self-denial with the fact that during the old MCP regime its critics would die mysteriously like that. And allegations of culprits could point to those close to the regime.
      Now some former relatives who (bizarrely) vehemently opposed DNA test, some of them are still influential people in MCP even now. It makes logical sense that in fact MCP should come out to condemn this suspicious death.
      Yes DPP are thieves and murderers too, but killing like this is equally as bad.

    2. When sudden death strikes, it is very normal for people to become suspicious unless results prove otherwise, mwamva a Mtete? So, leave people alone. Kumtundu kwanu kunayamba kwamwalira munthu mwadzidzi? Ena anati chani? Be mature!

  7. Nyasa Times it is not true that Jumani is son to Kamuzu Banda as your headline suggests. Iine the absence of DNA test results, the man is not yet Kamuzuz’s son and so the headline should have been written as such. Do not attempt to twist fact about Jumani – you can be sued and you will not be able to defend the case without clear evidence of your sensational reporting. We can all say Jumani is the son of Kamuzu Banda if the DNA results say so.

  8. Vuto A Malawi ufiti , mukukhala ku Malawi area 9, Ndalama za Cashgate munaba koma usiku uli wonse kukhalalira kuyenda mmakomo mwa anthu kufuna magazi . Kwanu mwamaliza anthu. Ndipo ndiwe opusa kwambiri. Ukungoziyalutsa… kumagula anthu Ali ndi moyo. Nde awauze anzako aku Chitedze wo ndi wa Ku Dowa yo Kuti akubwezele Ndalama zako kapolo iwe.

  9. MCP is bad party, they have killed an innocent man. You wont make it to Presidencey again.

    To join Malawi’s politic you need to ask God to protect you. Otherwise you lose life in the morning hours

  10. Why implicate MCP In this? Let the autopsy follow the trail or the forensic team do their job. It’s no time to be political about but mourn this soul.

  11. Countrymen, as a citizen of this great republic, I find this article a very pathetic piece of writing on a national figure of KAMUZU’s stature. It appears to me that the writer has preconceived conclusion of the autopsy that government is intending to carry out.

    My worry is that MALAWIANS and their government are treating a person holding a foreign citizenship more humanely than their own countrymen (KAMUZU family) and historical figures in the name of Dr. Banda and Mama Cecilia Kadzamira. This behaviour is not seen in the civilized world. It is lack of patriotism. Betrayal. I think Malawi really has a long way to develop if we continue behaving in this manner to fellow citizens and national figures – living or fallen. My take was that we would all wait for the autopsy to be done before we begin to read our personal opinions into the cause of death.

    Juman was human (with a human body) and with a history of hospitalization back in Sweden where his citizenship was being held. The media also has a lot of historical and biographical info about him such that linking him to KAMUZU and his family is a sign of utter intellectual ineptitude among us as a people.

    Besides, I, personally, fail to understand how the purported union of two black Africans as this article seems to suggest could have produced a “son” with features of a different “race” like the pictures of the deceased under discussion clearly show. It baffles me that even the DPP government, which previously deported Mr. Jumani Johanson Joggie when he first made his initial claims to KAMUZU’s paternity, turned around and allowed him to come back to Malawi (illegally?) to make similar media claims without immigration action.

    By the way, I found Jumani’s stance on the DNA test on KAMUZU or his living relatives confusing. The burden of proof of paternity lay on Jumani not on KAMUZU or his relatives. He claimed that Miriam and Joggie were his parents and refused to do a DNA test with both of them? His refusal to do a DNA test with his living parents (Miriam Kaunda and Muhammad Joggie) in whose house he was born and raised, was enough proof that he was a conneman.

    It, therefore, did not make sense that he pushed for a DNA test with third parties and yet he refused to do it with a man and woman in whose house he was born and raised. To me, it would have been logical if he had brought DNA proof with his “parents” before interfering with the Banda family. Doing it the way he wanted it would have created a wrong legal precedent that would have haunted the country in future.

    It is sad that Mr Jumani Johanson-Joggie has died. My heart goes to the Kaundas – the family I personally know – at this difficult hour. But I feel that government should have done better on this matter. Juman, legally a foreigner, should not have been allowed to make unsubstantiated claims against bonafide citizens of this country. Government played the traitor to its citizens.

    Kent Y.G. MPHEPO (0888435629)

    1. Why writing such a long article when he has died? Inutu mukudziwapo zambiri!!! Kamuzu was full of mystery and we need to scientifically prove his story right or wrong. We can’t depend on his distorted or propaganda history that we have on him currently. Who truly knows who jumanis mother was? Let’s see the autopsy results and take it from there.

    3. With all due respect, the treatment of this young man by Kamuzu’s family has been disgraceful. They have sowed the negative seeds and now they are reaping the disdain of Malawians.

      If this young man is indeed Kamuzu’s son then am afraid they have invited bad luck on themselves. They could have handled this so much better. Kandodo’s words where he warned of drastic measures are going to haunt him.

      1. @BigMan (formerly Mphwache)
        I agree with you only on this posting.
        The inheritors of the illegally acquired wealth by Kamuzu, the dictator, are only inviting minyama apa baasi.

    6. @Kent Y.G. MPHEPO
      You seem to doubt late Jumani’s claim, with disdain. Why is that?
      Do you have any skin in this game (between Jumani and those who inherited the illegally acquired wealth by Kamuzu Banda?)

    7. Mouthful in writing but a liar in this particular case. Why deny the most scientific and impartial way of knowing one’s (late Jumani) paternity heritage. It was his right, after all. How many times have we heard of some mothers lying about true biological fathers of their offsprings. Ndi azibambo angati analera ana asali awo, koma ongonamizilidwa?
      And with sophisticated tests, there’s no need to exhume Kamuzu’s body, forensic experts can amplify genetic material even from tiny hair collected from garments.
      What is it that people from Kasungu and Kamuzu’s family are very much afraid of?, Already our society is becoming more liberal and inquisitive. You can’t hide the truth forever.

    8. iwe nawe go to hell with your mama! that old ass has to come out and say something before she gives up her ghost. she has alot to tell us why is she keeping silent? she has to divulge information about kamuzu for the benefit of our beloved country. i tell you we are literally in the dark about the life of that man.

  12. Let the young man rest in peace. Govt is using this incident to clean its image of terror but the damage is already done. This smells like hell looking at the way the police have eagerly intervened.

  14. The reporter has an axe to grind with Kamuzu. You really hate the man. Shaaa!! “ruthless ruler” and “iron fist” Komatu. At least that’s your personal opinion. Now how does MCP come in this death? Njaunju, Chasowa who were murdered nobody is ready to do anything. Shaa!! Dziko lapansi.

    1. Koma amalawi ndife woipa UFITI wopsnda nawo nzeru nkhaza…… juman looks like kamuzu palibe kutsutsa mwamumupha inuyo nde ambewo osafa

    2. You mean you dont know that Kamuzu was a ruthless amd murderous dictator? Dont you know your history? How young are you?

      1. Yes Dr. Banda might have been a dictator but he left a development legacy worth pointing at than what the present thieving president has done to Malawi. Za ziii.

        1. Rubbish and irrelevant to governance and human rights issue; which is the major concern here
          Iwe, Ibu: Is your head screwed on right?

    3. Only those who do not know our history, as a country, can deny the accuracy and mendacity of the descriptions of Kamuzu Banda as dictator and everything that goes with that “title” like ruthlessness, murderer, inhumane.
      To defend Kamuzu Banda and his record should be made a crime in this country; much like idolizing Hitler in modern Germany. No two ways about this.

  15. This government never pushed for DNA test i wonder if they are really interested to uncover the truth or they are part of hiding the truth from malawians abt jumani, if its the later then the results will be doctored to dismiss and bury the truth. However if done genuinely and foul play is discovered then investigations should go all the way to DMA test

  16. Ngati munalidi ndi umboni kuti si mwana wa kamuzu mukanamulora ayezedwe DNA izizi zisanachitike,,,,,, imfayi yandinyasa kwambiri and its very suspicious,,, and kamuzu family threatened to deal with jumani, now the guy is dead

    3. This is the real sense. Why connecting this death to MCP. THETRUTH CAN NOT BE REVEALED HERE WE KNOW OUR MALAWI

  19. Kadadzera, what is the MPS standard practice when political thugs terrorise citizens and undress women of opposition parties. There has been so many easy to investigate sudden murders in Malawi (Njaunju and Poly Student) and day time gunning down 21 peaceful demonstrating northerners. What standards practice did MPS undertake? Their souls are waiting for their killers to escort them into the hottest part of Hell. My fellow Malawians why is that we have collectively traded the lives of these young and law abiding citizens now matyres with party clothes and money. Were their lives that cheap? Where are our morals and values

  21. This kamuzu thing is a headache to me he was like hiding everything…I don’t respect him because he is not typical of a gentleman he claimed to be .
    His adamant followers are enacting what he taught them and unfortunately on his own innocent blood.
    Please I beg that a serious investigation be done and that we should review the life of kamuzu and his remnants , their criminal capacity ,ability,execution ,underground activity etc and possibly ban them and MCP in particular….
    If this kamuzu whose life remains a mystery to Malawians has questions to answer let him be removed from his resting place and be nurtured among his linesmen in kasungu..
    Malawi needs serious People not thieves ..

    Surprisingly mama has not said anything of her true relationship with kamuzu …azimayi kkkk
    Meanwhile let’s do the DNA test…
    Including family members…
    If need be kamuzu should be nurtured in kasungu..not in Lilongwe …cause men who can risk lives of their own blood should not receive the honour befitting a statesman

    1. …. listern but hey are still using that useless dead mans picture on everything showing that they are still happy the way he killed and ill treated malawians.

    2. Not worth even starting to explain to you anything regarding Kamuzu Banda, the thief, and his connection to MCP.
      And the not-so-subtle monetary connections between them and his “family” or those who inherited the illegally and criminally acquired wealth.

  23. Zimenezi nde tchito za Kongolesi zimene timazidziwa ife. Comrades make no mistake, fish ndi fish sasitha. MCP is like a snake laying in grass waiting for opportune time to strike. Given the opportunity they will strike again.

    1. Can u share your research findings please which connect MCP to this death? Even the writer of this story leaves a lot to be desired, he is not writing how he is connecting MCP in his story.
      By the way ku state house amakafikako kuli Dr Laz? Uzani mtundu wa Malawi anthu anakumana nawo before kufa kwake osamango lemba za mmaluwa nkumati this one is connected popanda kuika poyera umboni wanu!

    1. Iwe luckson , amene amadziwa zabambo wake wa mwana ndi MAYI ake.
      So you trust that the man leaving with you is your biological father ? Maybe NDI INE !
      By the way , MAYI ako analibe toto …

    2. Bambo azimayi amanama, mwina inunso si mwana mwana akuti ndi bambo wanu pano. DNA is the most sure test to prove that. Why are Kamuzu’s relatives and some crazy (not all) MCP members bizarrely opposed to this Gold Standard of knowing one’s heritage? Anthu inu mukuopa chani?

      2. Kapena you would be happy with “possible son of first President, DICTATOR Kamuzu Banda eti”?
        There is no reason kumulemekeza that DICTATOR apa. He deserves no ulemu what so ever!!!

  26. I dont trust anything conducted by the Malawi police, whose leaders are Nicholas Dausi, Mchacha and Jose. It hurts me to say these men have no honor, and Dausi’s history with Kamuzu makes the whole thing even more suspicious.

      1. You think the police will not be part and parcel of the investigation? Its a potential murder case you clown.

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