KAFWAYA — WHAT A WAY TO DIE
KAFWAYA — WHAT A WAY TO DIE
I still cannot bring myself to terms with the fact that Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya is gone — and under circumstances that are deeply disturbing.
Kafwaya was much more than a political ally to me. He regarded me as his Uncle, having been brought up for most of his adult life by my elder sister, Ethel Kamanga in Kalulushi, together with my nephew and his close friend, Robert Longwe.
He was a devout Christian, an easy going guy and, even when he served as Minister in the previous Government, he never hesitated to introduce me as his Uncle. He would speak with great pride about my sister and the good mother she had been to him.
What makes this loss even more painful is that shortly before his death, Hon. George Chisanga, Kafwaya and I held a joint press briefing at the party Secretariat. We then sat down and shared what has now become our last meal together.
Today, I struggle to understand how Kafwaya — a Christian, a former Cabinet Minister and a man I knew personally, could end up dead in such circumstances.
And now, questions are being raised linking Kafwaya, Hon. George Chisanga and Bishop Trevor Mwamba to terrorism.
I simply cannot reconcile the men I knew with such allegations.
But ultimately, only Almighty God knows the complete truth. And only He will judge both Kafwaya and those responsible for his death.
I never imagined a time when Zambia would record what can only be likened to summary execution.
Kafwaya deserved to face the law if there were allegations against him.
He deserved a fair hearing.
He deserved due process.
He did not deserve to die like this.
Rest in peace, my nephew Kafwaya.
May God comfort your wife, children, my sister Bana Scotch, the entire Kafwaya family, and all those who loved you.
And may the truth, no matter how painful, ultimately come to light.
What a way to die!
By Elias Kamanga