While the government is preparing to hold a memorial service at Nthungwa in Chikangawa Forest, located in Nkhatabay District, on June 10 this year, with President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera expected to preside over the event, Nthanda Times has learned that the family of the late Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima has planned a separate memorial service in Nsipe, Ntcheu District.
Both the government and the late Chilima’s family have confirmed the development to the media.
Government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu stated that President Chakwera holds the late Vice President and all crash victims in high regard, which is why he has decided to lead the official memorial at the crash site in Chikangawa.
However, Kunkuyu also revealed that the government would be meeting with the Chilima family on Tuesday to discuss the matter.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Ben Chilima acknowledged the government’s plan but confirmed that the family has already made arrangements to hold a memorial service in Nsipe, the late Chilima’s home area in Ntcheu.
“As a family, we made preparations two months ago to honor SKC in a manner that reflects his values. He was a deeply religious man, and we want to honor him in that spiritual context,” said Ben Chilima. “Yes, we will be meeting government officials today to hear their perspective, but our plans are already in motion.”
Meanwhile, the United Transformation Movement (UTM) — the party founded by Dr. Chilima — has shelved its earlier plans to construct a memorial tower at Nthungwa in Chikangawa, citing overlapping efforts by the government.
“Yes, we have cancelled our plan because the government has proposed a similar initiative,” confirmed UTM spokesperson Felix Njawala.
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