Malawi’s hip hop artist Martse, real name Martin Nkhata has been laid to rest yesterday at Area 18 cemetery in Lilongwe.
The 28 year old artist, died on Monday, May 23, 2022 at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) where he was being treated for burn wounds.
Martse sustained the wounds on Friday last week after the house he slept in caught fire in Monkey Bay, Mangochi.
Speaking at the funeral ceremony at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe which was graced by thousands of music lovers in the country, a representative of Martse’s family, Uchizi Nkhata said Martse was on vacation in Mangochi as a celebration of his birthday when he met his fate.
According to Uchizi, Martse took his matress and went to the living room where he was charging his phone when he saw the fire and alerted his friends and they both went out successfully.
Then it is alleged that Martse made his way back to the burning house and locked himself in before people came t his rescue but it was too late as almost 50 percent of his body was already damaged.
Malawians booed disagreeing to this explanation.
Minister of tourism Michael Usi faulted the narration given by the family on how Martse lost his life in the fire accident, according to Usi there is more to be desired.
Usi added that Martse was not just a son to the Nkhata family but to the whole country hence a clear explanation of what really happened is needed.
When Minister of Youths and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda took to the podium to give his eulogy, conquered with Usi and called on the police to instituted an investigation into the death of Martse.