By Suleman Chitera
A Toyota Land Cruiser carrying People’s Party (PP) members was left dangling precariously on the Kamilang’ombe Bridge in Traditional Authority (T/A) Nthalire, Chitipa, after part of the newly constructed structure collapsed yesterday.
Vehicle Dangling After Sudden Collapse
According to Prisca Yapereka Kayira, the team was on its way to a political rally when the concrete slab of the bridge suddenly caved in, leaving their vehicle hanging dangerously over the edge. Locals rushed to the scene and spent hours rescuing the trapped passengers by sliding logs and sand beneath the car. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported.
K167 Million Bridge Already Condemned
Shockingly, the bridge — worth K167 million — had only been completed last month under the government’s Rural Roads and Water Infrastructure Project. Reports reveal that the structure had already shown visible cracks and had been condemned before the accident.
Contractor Blames Poor Supervision
The Chitipa District Council has since ordered the contractor, Wotazs Group Construction, to redo the project. In a rare admission, the company’s Managing Director, Bob Banda, conceded to substandard workmanship but shifted part of the blame to poor government supervision during construction.
Community Outrage Over Substandard Infrastructure
The incident has triggered outrage among locals, who question how such a costly project could fail within weeks of completion. Many are demanding accountability, citing misuse of public funds and risks to human life.
Call for Accountability
As investigations continue, pressure is mounting on both the contractor and supervising authorities to ensure that taxpayers’ money is not wasted on poor-quality infrastructure. The collapse of the Kamilang’ombe Bridge adds to growing concerns over Malawi’s public works projects and the safety of rural communities relying on them.
