A tragic accident marred the funeral convoy of the late Malawi Vice-President Saulos Chilima, resulting in the deaths of four people, including a pregnant woman.
The incident occurred on Sunday night as the convoy was transporting Mr. Chilima’s body from the capital, Lilongwe, to his home village for burial.
In addition to the fatalities, twelve people were injured and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
The accident followed clashes between local people, the police, and soldiers who were escorting the late Vice-President’s funeral convoy.
Thousands of people had lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the coffin.
As the procession passed through areas near Mr. Chilima’s home, tensions escalated.
Some mourners began throwing stones at government vehicles and officials.
Amid the chaos, one vehicle veered off the road and hit a group of mourners, leading to the tragic loss of lives.
A spokesman for Mr. Chilima’s UTM party explained that the tension arose because mourners demanded that the procession stop so they could see the coffin.
After the mourners were calmed down, the convoy continued. The party condemned the violence and urged supporters to avoid further disruptions.
Mr. Chilima, aged 51, died in a plane crash a week ago along with eight others. On Sunday, tens of thousands of Malawians attended a funeral service at the national stadium to pay tribute to him.
Mr. Chilima had a special connection with the youth and was considered a refreshing presence in Malawian politics.
His party had formed a coalition government with President Lazarus Chakwera’s party after winning the 2020 elections as alliance partners.
The nation mourns not only the loss of Vice-President Chilima but also the innocent lives lost in this unfortunate accident.
The incident has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a somber and respectful farewell to a beloved leader.
The government and Mr. Chilima’s party are now calling for peace and unity as the country navigates through this period of grief.
This tragic event underscores the high emotions surrounding Mr. Chilima’s untimely death and the profound impact he had on the people of Malawi.
As the nation continues to mourn, there is a collective hope for healing and a commitment to honoring the legacy of the late Vice-President in a manner befitting his contributions to the country.
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