What had been supposed to be a far-off event became a somber reality as the 46-year-old Assistant Commissioner of Police’s remains arrived for burial at around 3 p.m., bringing cabinet ministers and other mourners to tears.
Simplex Chithyola Banda, the Minister of Finance and a local member of parliament, stated that it was impossible to comprehend that a vibrant young man who they had spent a week with in Korea had passed away.
“On Thursday, we will be burying a committed young guy with whom we served together in Korea, where we discussed issues related to boosting our economy. It’s hard to think Kapheni is no longer with us after exactly one week.
“We weep for a young guy who gave his country honorable service. But we look up to God and we cry with hope that he is in control,” Chithyola remarked.
According to Senior Chief Santhe, the village lost a productive son with a promising future.
“We are grieving the loss of our son, Lucas, here in my area, in addition to the loss of Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima, so it’s a trying time for us,” she stated.
“As parents in the village, we look forward to our children working and supporting us in the city. We are heartbroken to have lost our beloved, young, and productive child.”
In a statement on behalf of President Lazarus Chakwera, Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda said that the nation is inconsolable over the plane tragedy that claimed the lives of nine individuals, including the Vice President.
This week, we are burying our loved ones in a number of locations. As a nation, we are going through a challenging time. We have to turn to God in these dire times for solace,” she remarked.
As a manager in the Malawi Police Service, Kapheni was a hardworking man who was moving up the career ladder, according to Chiponda.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Madalitso Kazombo, Minister of Transportation Jacob Hara, Members of Parliament, senior police officers, chiefs, government officials, and representatives of other political parties were also present.
Nine people, including the vice president, perished on Monday when a military plane carrying them to a burial in Nkhata Bay crashed near Mzimba due to what appeared to be inclement weather.
Four children and a woman survive Kapheni.
