President Chakwera Orders Full Military Honours for Late John Tembo
He was regarded as a source of wisdom and inspiration within the MCP.
Dedza, Malawi - In recognition of the significant contributions made to the nation by the late John Tembo, President Lazarus Chakwera has directed that he be accorded a burial with full military honours, writes Vincent Gunde.
The late Tembo, affectionately known as JZU, was a former cabinet Minister and a prominent figure in Malawian politics.
He was also a former Malawi Congress Party (MCP), a party that Chakwera is leading now.
JZU passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, and his final resting place will be in his home village of Kaphala, within the jurisdiction of Senior Chief Kaphuka in Dedza district.
The burial ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
Muvi wa Chilungamo, a political party in Malawi, has extended its condolences to the nation, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), and the Tembo family on the loss of JZU.
He was regarded as a source of wisdom and inspiration within the MCP.
Bantu Saunders Jumah, the President of the Muvi wa Chilungamo Revolutionary Party (MRP), expressed his views on social media, highlighting the mixed sentiments surrounding JZU's legacy.
Jumah suggested that the decision to grant JZU a burial with full military honors could be influenced by his affiliation with the MCP, and he questioned whether the same honor would be extended to a member of a different political party.
Jumah also referred to the unresolved mystery surrounding the deaths of four cabinet ministers – Aaron Gadama, Dick Matenje, David Chiwanga, and Twaibu Sangala – in Thambani-Mwanza, emphasizing the need for transparency and truth in such cases.
The MRP President called for a culture of openness and a willingness to expose the truth, asserting that a country without truth cannot achieve justice.
He urged Malawians to embrace a mindset change and advocated for the establishment of national shrines in the three regions of the country to honor those who have made a significant impact on the nation, not limited to politicians.
The discussion sparked by Jumah's remarks highlights the importance of open dialogue, transparency, and a collective effort to honor the nation's heroes and promote unity in Malawi.