By Cathy Maulidi:
At some point in Ntcheu District, there was uncertainty on who, between Malawi Defence Force personnel and the civilian population, would really take Vice President Saulos Chilima’s body to the vigil house at Nsipe.
This is because as the convoy carrying the remains of Chilima snaked from Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe to the final resting place in Ntcheu District, some civilians demanded to take control of it so that they could take it to the house of the vigil in the district.
Indeed, as the convoy made its way towards Ntcheu Boma, crowds gathered along the road, with some blocking the path and refusing to let the vehicles pass.
The people also demanded to pay their last respects to Chilima, saying they would, after that, take the remains to Nsipe themselves.
The situation quickly escalated as frustrated people began pelting the convoy with stones, damaging several vehicles.
Despite the unrest, soldiers and Malawi Police Service officers rose to the occasion, such that the body reached its final destination—namely Chilima’s home village at Nsipe—as the sun bid bye to the horizon.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as vehicles on the convoy sped away, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
“I feared for my life,” said one bystander.
The violence also affected the Times Television and Times Radio live broadcast of the procession.
Leaving nothing to chance, police officers controlled the situation well, lining up in droves at Ntcheu Boma, Mlangeni and Adventist area, where the situation was initially becoming chaotic.
