Extract from Mwanza Road Accident Report: A Cautionary Tale for Governments

By Burnett Munthali

The Mwanza Road Accident Report of 1994 serves as a powerful reminder of the inevitable reckoning that awaits any government which, in its moment of power, believes its authority is unassailable. On Page 85 of the Commission of Inquiry report, dated December 23, 1994, a stark warning is delivered:

“This Inquiry should also serve as a warning to all governments that however strong and unchallenged their authority may seem to be at a given moment in time, life is dynamic and things change, and that one day the meekest of the meek will be in a position to rise and question their deeds, and that the truth cannot be suppressed completely and forever.”

• Jumah urges Malawians to destroy chains of hostage
  By Vincent Gunde The Revolutionary and patriotic citizen of Malawi Bantu Saunders Jumah, has urged patriotic Malawians living in diaspora…
• Concerned Moslem accuses Salima Sheikh of bringing politics into Islam
  By Vincent Gunde A Concerned Moslem has accused Sheikh Sosola of Salima of taking Malawi Congress Party (MCP) politics into…
• Mpinganjira’s family dismisses fake competition allegations
  By Burnett Munthali The family of Thomson Mpinganjira has refuted claims circulating on social media that it is sponsoring a…
• STA Mbera of Balaka dies
  Death has been announced of Sub Traditional Authority (STA)Mbera of Balaka. STA Mbera real name Wailesi Mbwana died in the…
• Government sets target for Ntcheu Stadium
  Government has set 30th June, 2025, as a deadline for Ntcheu Stadium to commence some of its operations. Deputy Minister…
• The Rise And Fall Of Tonse Alliance
  Table of Contents Part 1: The rise of the Tonse Alliance Part 2: Governance under the Tonse Alliance Part 3:…
• Patel calls on Muslims to show mercy to the underprivileged
  By Dean Chisambo The Chairperson of the Sunn Foundation, Aamir Patel, has urged Muslims to show mercy and extend support…
• Malawians must wake up: a call to reject manipulative leadership
  By Allan Ngumuya When Malawians say “Chakwera is arrogant,” that is exactly how he behaves—in government and in church. Mr.…
• Dyilo forms new armed group to overthrow DRC government
  By Burnett Munthali A notorious warlord known as Thomas Lubanga Dyilo has formed his own armed group in the Ituri…

This profound message emphasizes the transient nature of power and the inevitable shift in societal dynamics that allows the once-silenced to demand accountability. It cautions those in positions of authority to act with integrity, knowing that their actions today may one day be scrutinized by those they once considered powerless.

The Mwanza road accident, which claimed the lives of several political figures, has long been regarded as a pivotal event in Malawi’s political history. The inquiry that followed was not just an investigation into the immediate cause of the accident but also a deep reflection on the broader implications of unchecked governmental power.

This passage highlights a central theme of the report: the idea that governments cannot suppress the truth indefinitely. Even in moments when their authority seems unquestioned, societal change will eventually force the truth to surface. It is a warning for those in power to act ethically, for the future will hold them accountable for their actions.

The extract from the report continues to resonate, not only as part of Malawi’s history but also as a universal lesson for governments around the world.