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.”
- Maruti Suzuki’s Mini Range Rover 2025 Combines Premium SUV Look, Smart Hybrid Engine and Compact DimensionsMaruti Suzuki is again in the headlines with its latest compact SUV, which seems to be getting a lot of…
- Navicha dismisses health rumors about Former President Mutharika as fakeBy Burnett Munthali Amid growing social media reports suggesting that former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is unwell, senior Democratic…
- Indonesia donates medical supplies towards Mpox pandemicMinister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, has expressed gratitude to the Indonesian government for donating assorted laboratory medical supplies to…
- Chakwera mourns deputy minister Joyce ChitsuloPresident Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and First Lady Monica Chakwera have expressed deep sorrow over the sudden death of Deputy Minister…
- Chakwera directs SKC Memorial service at Chikangawa forestBy Vincent Gunde Minister of Information and Digitalization who is also Chief Government Spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu says President Dr. Lazarus…
- Chakwera prays for Joyce Chitsulo’s legacy unite MalawiansBy Vincent Gunde President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has prayed for the departed Mwanza West parliamentarian Joyce Chitsulo’s legacy to ignite…
- Ministers buying houses in Dubai while Malawi sinks, says KenaniMalawian social media influencer and governance activist Onjezani Kenani has accused government ministers of prioritising personal wealth accumulation, buying luxury…
- Mpox Outbreak Escalates to 19 Cases as Public Health Expert Calls for Urgent ActionBy Burnett Munthali Public health expert Professor Adamson Muula has raised a red flag following a surge in Mpox cases,…
- What Next for the Opposition? Legal Avenues After MEC Rejects Independent AuditBy Burnett Munthali The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC)’s rejection of the opposition’s call for an independent audit of the Election…
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.
