Muluzi donates K1m for Chihana tombstone
Former president Bakili Muluzi has donated K1 million (about $2 000) towards the upgrading of the grave site of former second vice-president Tom Chakufwa Chihana who died in June 2006. Muluzi, who twice appointed Chihana as second vice-president between 1994 and 2004, made the donation in response to the Chihana family’s appeal for assistance to facelift the site at Katoto in Mzuzu as government is yet to construct a planned K400 million mausoleum for the fallen freedom fighter.
Chihana’s son Enock Chihana, who is Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president and member of Parliament (MP) for Rumphi Central Constituency, confirmed in an interview on Monday that the family is working on a budget to meet costs of facelifting the grave site.
He said the current state of the grave does not befit a hero that fought for democracy in the early 1990s and served as the country’s second vice-president.
Chihana said the family has also ordered a tombstone from South Africa valued at K3 million and that the unveiling of the upgraded grave will be done during his memorial day next year.
The young Chihana said the family cannot wait on government commitments as Capital Hill has many priorities.
The administration of former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika pledged to construct a mausoleum. And after Bingu’s death, his successor, Joyce Banda also said the structure would be built.
