People of Nkhata Bay have renewed their call on government to hold the British government accountable for the massacre that happened on March 3, 1959 at Nkhata Bay Jetty which saw about 33 Malawians killed.
Speaking during the commemoration of the Martyrs’ Day in Nkhata Bay on Thursday, Member of Parliament for the Central Constituency Ralph Mhone wondered why government is so complacent in responding to the demand when the bereaved families continue to live in dire poverty.
“The martyrs died for a national cause and it’s unfair for their relatives to lead a miserable life. Bread winners for the households shed their blood in order for Malawi to attain the freedom we are enjoying today. That why we would like government to find a way to compensate these people, the British authorities should be held accountable for the 1959 atrocities,” said Mhone.
Mhone then asked government to bring the Mpasa ship in which some of the 33 Martyrs were detained in from Mangochi to Nkhata Bay jetty in order to complement the history of the place which also contains a memorial pillar erected in 1999.
“We would like government to assume full responsibility of the Kakumbi Mass Graveyard Site and the Memorial Pillar. There should be some money in the national budget allocated towards the care and rehabilitation of the two sites which are very critical to the country’s history,” he added.
Interim President for opposition People’s Party (PP) Uladi Mussa said government is failing to lead by example to portray to Malawians the significance of the day.
Mussa said failure by government to initiate the recording of the political events in the district into the country’s history books reflects badly on the value the country’s leadership attaches to the day.
“It is disappointing and worrisome that government is failing to demonstrate to Malawians on why and how to commemorate and dignify this important day. It is a pity that the Organising Committee always has to work on meagre budget and we come here to make pledges after they have struggled throughout the year to put the event together,” Mussa said.
Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe who was guest of honor at the event said in countries where people were compensated, issues were handled privately, hence government’s reluctance to take up the matter.
“Talk of Kenya, families there had to engage private lawyers to bring authorities to book for compensation. Government was not involved; so perhaps our brothers and sisters from the bereaved families may take same route and we can provide the technical support,” Gondwe said.
He added: “As a ministry we have no problem in making money available for the conservation of all the historical monuments and sites in as long parliamentarians give us the mandate.”
He then called for unity and harmony among Malawians. He said this was the only way the country can best honor and meet the intentions of the fallen heroes who revolted against the colonial masters.
The day was commemorated under the theme ‘Sacrificing Ourselves in Order to Develop Malawi’.
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