Tuesday, March 2, 2021
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Adverts
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home News National News

Celebrations end tragically in Thyolo

by Jacob Nankhonya
29/05/2019
in National News
3 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

What started as celebrations following Malawi Electoral Commission’s declaration of President Peter Mutharika as winner of the presidential election turned into a nightmare for three families who lost their children in Thyolo District on Monday night.

The children had joined Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters who were marching from Thyolo Boma to the popular Number One trading centre and back when they met their fate.

RelatedHeadlines

NGO asks chiefs to end child marriages

Govt rolls out Covid-19 safety net

We won’t give Up—Chakwera

minibus | The Nation Online
Children play on the burnt minibus yesterday

The three—Rachel Dickson, 11, a Standard Three pupil at Nachipere Primary School; Felix Steven, 12, a Standard Three pupil at Mwanya Primary School and Chikumbutso Kapesi, 12, a Standard Four pupil at Addolorata Catholic Primary School—were all buried yesterday at their parents’ respective home villages.

On the fateful Monday at around 7pm, the three children, upon hearing of the celebrants noises, rushed to the street where they joined the party supporters in the celebrations.

But a few metres after a junction that leads to Conforzi Plantations head office in the district, they met a speeding Nissan Vannette minibus which rammed into the crowd, causing the death of the three.

An eyewitness, identified as Mathews Lingoni, said in an interview yesterday that as the driver approached the crowd, he hit the three children and swerved on to the roadside where the minibus fell into the gutter.

He said: “A mob pounced on the driver while some rescued three women passengers who escaped unhurt from the minibus. The minibus was also torched by the mob. The conductor bolted and I rushed with the children to hospital. Two died on the spot while one died at the hospital.”

Lingoni’s sentiments were corroborated by another eyewitness, John Chikawa, who said some well-wishers also took the driver to Thyolo District Hospital after he fell unconscious due to the heavy beating by the mob.

When The Nation visited the accident scene at around 10am yesterday, children were seen playing on the shell of the burnt minibus.

A sombre mood also engulfed Thyolo District Hospital mortuary where family members went to collect bodies of the three for burial.

A heartbroken mother to Chikumbutso, Jane, said in an interview her son was hardworking and helpful with household chores.

“I will never see my son again, that’s what hurts the most because I never expected any of this to happen,” she said, tears rolling down her cheeks.

On her part, mother to Felix, Ellina, said: “I don’t know how I will face the reality of losing my child,” she said.

Leonard Kamwana, Rachel’s uncle, said the family was failing to come to terms with the death of their child.

Thyolo Police spokesperson Amos Tione said in a separate interview they were yet to formally charge the driver who, as of yesterday, was still hospitalised and could not remember what had happened the previous evening.

He identified him as Wizman Makanani, 26, from Giliyoti Village in Traditional Authority Bvumbwe in the district.

“The minibus belonged to him and he would routinely drive along the Thyolo-Bvumbwe route. However, we will still continue with our investigations,” said Tione.

Previous Post

Police teargas MCP offices

Next Post

Flames in Cosafa quarter-final after four years

Related Posts

ohrir | The Nation Online
National News

NGO asks chiefs to end child marriages

March 1, 2021
Masanjala: Money is delivered electronically
National News

Govt rolls out Covid-19 safety net

March 1, 2021
Chakwera: We will reach the promised land of Canaan
National News

We won’t give Up—Chakwera

March 1, 2021
Next Post
Precious Sambani

Flames in Cosafa quarter-final after four years

Opinions and Columns

My Turn

Tackling global slowdowns

March 1, 2021
People’s Tribunal

Burglary at the hill

February 28, 2021
Search Within

Perseverance landed, is alive and well

February 28, 2021
Emily Mkamanga

Tasting your own salt in politics

February 28, 2021

Trending Stories

  • Olela: We are excited

    K5bn Sunbird Waterfront hotel opens May

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Inside Chisale’s seized property

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • We won’t give Up—Chakwera

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Exclusive: RBM’s Mzuzu branch payment mess exposed

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Court declares Escom private company

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2021 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.