Conflict over Chakuamba’s burial site

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Gwanda Chakuamba

Tension ensued on Tuesday in Nsanje between the bereaved family of Gwanda Chakuamba and Traditional leaders in the district over the site where the Lower Shire Valley political heavyweight should be laid to rest.

While the chiefs wanted the body to be buried at Nsanje Boma near the district council’s offices, the family members demanded Chinyanje in the area of T/A Mlolo as a very good final place.

Gwanda Chakuamba
Gwanda Chakuamba : To b buried this Friday.

On the other hand, Traditional Authority Mlilima of Chikhwawa chose Capital Hill in Lilongwe as the best mpumulo wa bata for Gwanda.

However, long at last, the people chose Chinyanje as the final place for late Gwanda Chakuamba. Meanwhile, people from all walks of Malawi are expected to flock to “Zuwere Castle”, home of Gwanda Chakuamba, to pay their last respects.

Chakuamba ,the veteran politician who held several top government posts, died at Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Blantyre where he was receiving treatment after long illness.

Chakuamba Phiri was born on 4 April 1934. From the country’s independence in 1964 until early 2000s, Chakuamba was a key figure within the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) which was until late 1980s the sole legal political party.

During the rule of President Hastings Kamuzu Banda, he held many cabinet positions and was Commander of the MCP youth group Malawi Young Pioneers.

Chakuamba served in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) , United Democratic Front (UDF), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and was recently affiliated to the People’s Party (PP).