Economic Freedom Movement has expressed concerns over government’s decision to construct a K2.7 billion mausoleum for politician Gwanda Chakuamba, describing it as a misplaced priority.
Leader of the group Joseph Peshi in an interview last week said while the gesture is important, there are many ways government can honour the late Chakuamba without spending billions of taxpayers’ money.
Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture awarded the K2.7 billion contract to PMC Limited.
The mausoleum will be constructed in Nsanje District where Chakuamba came from.
Said Peshi: “As a group advocating for freedom, economic stability and transparency, we believe Malawi is not in a position to allocate K2.7 billion to honour our heroes.
“The Malawi Congress Party [MCP] administration is grappling with significant challenges, including a shortage of foreign exchange, leading to a fuel crisis and failure to procure fertiliser and maize for families suffering from hunger.”
He proposed constructing a health facility that would cost less than the proposed K2.7 billion or naming a health facility in Nsanje District after Chakuamba in recognition of his political contribution.
“Consider building the Gwanda Chakuamba Memorial Clinic to enhance healthcare services in the community or establishing a national secondary school to benefit everyone. Wouldn’t his legacy endure through such contributions?” he queried.
In its notice published in the local press from Monday last week, Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture said the decision to construct the mausoleum is part of its mandate to preserve and conserve Malawi’s heritage under the Monuments and Relics Act (1990).
According to a tender notice dated July 17 2024 which the Department of National Unity issued, the mausoleum will be constructed at Chinyanje Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mulolo.
But it did not specify the scope of works, including the notice of intent to award the contract number 03/2024.
Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture spokesperson Anjoya Mwanza on Friday promised to revert with answers to our questionnaire inquiring about the scope of works and justification of the allocated amount.
Chakuamba’s family failed to redeem a tombstone from Chirimba Township in Blantyre for an unfinished mausoleum the family has been constructing.
Chakuamba, one of MCP’s key figures, served in various Cabinet positions and led Mgwizirano Coalition in 2004.
He died in 2016 and was buried at Dogo Village in T/A Mulolo.
Apart from MCP, Chakuamba also served in Republican Party and New Republican Party.
The Lazarus Chakwera administration is on record to have promised to construct mausoleums for pro-democracy advocate Chakufwa Chihana and MCP founding president Orton Chirwa.
