Eye of the Child has expressed shock over the death retired Child Justice Magistrate Esmie Tembenu who once served as Eye of the Child Board Chairperson.
Tembenu died on Friday at Garden City Hospital in South Africa where she was airlifted for surgery following a car accident she was involved in two weeks in Nsanje.
Magistrate Tembenu and four others were involved in a road accident just after Mtowe in Nsanje District.
In a statement released on Sunday signed by Eye of the Child Board Chairperson Carol Botha said the death of Tembenu is a brawl to the organization.
“It is with complete shock and disbelief for Eye of the Child Board of Directors, members, partners and staff to receive the news of the sudden demise of its former Board Chairperson which occurred on Friday 10th December 2021, in the Republic of South Africa. On behalf of the Eye of the Child Board of Director, members, partners and Secretariat and on my own behalf, allow me to offer most profound condolences to the family, friends and the Board members and staff of Family Rights, Elderly and Child Protection Trust for the passing on of H/W Esmie Tembenu (Retired).
“Indeed, the late H/W Esmie Tembenu (Retired) played a big role in promoting good governance and transparency as a board member and advocating for the organisation to put more efforts in prevention of children from exploitation, violence and abuse. She didn’t see much wisdom for the organisation to wait for children to be harmed before taking action but rather focused more on prevention. The late H/W Esmie Tembenu (Retired) was a woman of great intellect, vision and courage who contributed immensely to the development and cause of Eye of the Child in Malawi and globally,” reads in part the statement.
Added the statement: “Today we mourn the passing of a great daughter of the Republic of Malawi who has left behind a powerful legacy of humility, simplicity and dedication in our struggle for Child Protection.
“Our Organisation share with the bereaved family, Board members and staff of Family Rights, Elderly and Child Protection Trust, the feelings of great loss at this moment of deep sorrow.”
Meanwhile, funeral program is not yet out.
