Government has pledged to console bereaved families whose relatives were killed by police during the July 20, 2011 anti-government protests in Mzuzu, offering each family K5 million as a starting point for compensation.
The commitment was announced Sunday by Principal Secretary for National Unity in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Dr. Elizabeth Gomani Chindevu, during a commemoration event held in Mzuzu under the theme “20 July Lives On: Reflect, Heal and Reject Violence.”
Speaking on behalf of President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, Chindevu acknowledged the pain and grief endured by the bereaved families.
“On behalf of the President, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, let me acknowledge the pain, loss, and enduring grief you continue to carry. I extend heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy. Your perseverance in honoring the memory of your loved ones is a powerful testament to the strength of family and the enduring value of life,” said Chindevu.
She added that the government is in ongoing discussions with the Church and Society of the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia and representatives of the bereaved families to find a meaningful path toward closure.
Chindevu emphasized that July 20 remains etched in the nation’s memory as a day of sorrow, when lives were lost in anti-government demonstrations in Lilongwe, Blantyre, and Mzuzu.
She said government is committed to supporting income-generating activities for affected families, facilitating scholarships for children of the deceased, and constructing a perimeter fence and memorial monument at the site.
Mercy Mbezuma, speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, said past governments have made promises but failed to deliver support.
“I therefore ask this government to ensure that it provides consolation in terms of compensation to each family so that we are relieved of the challenges we are going through due to the death of our breadwinners,” she said.
One of the protest organizers, Undule Mwakasungula, urged government to heed the voices of the people and avoid similar tragedies in the future.
“These people were killed by the Democratic Progressive Party-led government. However, this does not mean that the current government should ignore the bereaved families’ requests.
“Government does not change, only political parties do. We organized the protests in good faith and never anticipated that lives would be lost. This should serve as a lesson that government must listen to citizens,” he said.
Chairperson of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Network for the North, Edward Kuntuseya, and Rev. Chipasi Chirwa of the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia joined other stakeholders, including politicians, religious leaders, and government officials, in calling for unity and peaceful engagement to avoid a repeat of such a tragedy.
