The family of multiparty freedom fighter, Chakufwa Chihana, has turned down a proposal by government to transfer his remains from old Katoto Freedom Park to the newly established Mzuzu City Council hero’s acre.
Government through Mzuzu City Council established a hero’s acre close to the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) regional warehouse in Mzuzu. Late Rose Chibambo was the first to be buried at the site.
Speaking with The Daily Times on Monday, Enoch Chihana said the family members refused to buy government’s idea because it is against their cultural beliefs.
He added that government is delaying to implement its promise to build the tombstone.
“We are saying transferring the remains of my father to where government established the hero’s acre will not change anything to my father’s status. If people recognise him as a hero, we are happy, if not, there is nothing we are losing. Transferring my father to somewhere is nothing to us. We cannot allow and it will never happen,” Chihana said.
He then faulted government for deliberately playing tricks to construct a tombstone for Chihana as one way to sabotage the deceased families and people in the north at large.
“We said we have raised K9 million towards the construction of the tombstone. However, people just pledged. We do not have cash for the project as we planned. However, this will not force us to bow down to government’s idea of transferring the remains to somewhere. If government wants to construct the tombstone it’s up to them,” Chihana said.
He said the family members will follow up the pledges people made towards the project because it is their responsibility to construct the tombstone.
Spokesperson to the Treasury, Nations Msowoya, said the current budget has no allocation for the construction of Chihana’s tombstone including the nine people who were killed during July 20, 2011 national demonstrations.
Msowoya said Ministry of Sports and Culture is responsible to explain the reasons why money was not allocated for the projects.
Spokesperson in the Ministry, Christopher Mbukwa, asked for more time to respond to the matter.
Chihana died on June 6, 2006 at Garden City Clinic in South Africa.
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