As the New Year draws near, FaceofMalawi highlights some of the tragic moments that has resulted in the country losing some of the productive citizens who contributed positively toward the development of the country.
In August this year, the country was in a shock to learn the untimely death of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Maxoni Mbendera.
Mbendera collapsed during a meeting in Lilongwe with Auditor General Stephenson Kamphasa and was pronounced dead hours later.
The death of Mbendera came barely two months after the death of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Member of Parliament for Mchinji West Billy Kanjira Banda.
The MP collapsed while attending a church service in the capital Lilongwe.
Kanjira Banda was sent out of the National Assembly by Deputy Speaker Esther Mcheka Chilenje over his alleged claims that Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) MPs of being involved in corruption.
Late this year, road accident also claimed the life of Road Authority (RA) Board Chair Jackson Gomani.
Gomani was involved in road accident at Nathenje while on his way to Lilongwe to attend board meeting and the meeting was postpone to a later date.
As this was not enough, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) also lost Secretary General Eckleni Kudontoni through the same fate.
The accident occurred at Bua as Kudontoni was travelling to Kasungu for a funeral ceremony of his relative.
Kudontoni was thrown out of the car through a windscreen.
On December 12, 2016, a dark crowd also engulfed the family of former President Dr. Bakili Muluzi following the death of his daughter Esmie who was struck by lightning together with her friend in Mpemba.
Esmie Malisita Muluzi who until her death was Managing Director of Joy radio and TV was laid to rest on December 16 at Kapoloma Village in Machinga.
Just after this shocking news, the country also learned of the untimely death of first Cashgate convict Triza Namathanga Senzani, former Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourisms.
Namathanga was released in prison for demonstrating a good conduct.
Turning to the religious front, 2016 saw the gruesome murder of the Malawi’s top evangelists, Shadreck Wame.
Wame was murdered by his houseboy in October who later stole two bags of Maize.
More details to come……………………………..
