By Vincent Khonje:
Chiefs in Traditional Authorities Mkanda and Dambe are asking for a bridge or a river-worthy boat to be used to cross the Rusa River which recently became centre of attention after a boat accident claimed nine lives at Mwelekera.
On Wednesday, a boat carrying people from Mkanda going to a funeral at Chinyonga in the area of Senior chief Dambe sank on the Rusa River claiming the lives.
According to group village head Mwelekera, the people from his area find it difficult to cross the river to go to the other side especially when the river swells up.
“There is no place which we can use to cross when we want to go to the other side when there is a funeral and also when we want to access health services at Kapiri Mission Hospital,” said Mwelekera.
Concurring with his colleague GVH Chinyonga from TA Dambe said there is a need for a bridge as the river is too long and there are no places where people can use to cross.
“If we can have a bridge or maybe a befitting boat operated by the Council, we can really appreciate it. The people from the two sides of the river are one and visit each other a lot and also cross the river for other opportunities like piece work in estates,” said Chinyonga.
Rusa River originates from Mchinji Hills and stretches several kilometers all the way to Kasungu into the Bua River, in Mchinji there are only two bridges on the river.
According to Mchinji District Commissioner (DC) Fred Movete if a bridge has to be constructed on the river then it has to be big which cannot be possible for a Council like Mchinji to construct but Roads Authority.
“What we can only do as a Council is to have reliable boats which we can operate and help the people to cross the river,” said Movete.
A boat accident at Mwelekera claimed nine lives which included six women, two men and a baby boy. Six people survived.
Investigations by police and accounts from the GVH Mwelekera revealed that the boat had 15 passengers on board.
Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) sought help from Malawi Defense Force Monkey Bay Maritime for a search mission and provided coffins for the dead.
