BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Malawians have reacted with anger to news that Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s daughter was blocked by Malawi Police at the Kamuzu International Airport from flying to Kenya for medical attention.
The child, who is in critical condition according to Bushiri’s spokesperson Ephraim Nyondo, was referred to the foreign hospital by a competent doctor in the country last week but government officials blocked an air ambulance that had come to airlift an 8 year girl
Reacting, prominent lawyer Ralph Kasambara has describe the act by government officials as terrible and a serious violation of human rights.
“Today I was horrified to read in Sunday Nation that some government officials blocked an air ambulance that had come to airlift an 8 year girl for urgent medical treatment in Kenya. I hear these charlatans have given no reason for such callous conduct.
“Needless to say the right to life of this young girl is now at risk as she is battling for her life on life supporting machine. One wonders how the chartered flight was cleared to land in Malawi and only to have it returned without it’s booked passenger.
“A country’s respect for human rights is judged by the way it treats it’s vulnerable ones. I cannot fathom a good reason for government to deny this kid medical treatment. Right to access ones medical care is accorded even to prisoners. What more so to a kid that cannot legally commit any offence. Let’s pray she is not a victim of having parents that some people do not like,” wrote Kasambara on his facebook page on Monday.
He has further called upon Malawi Human Rights Commission to follow up the case, and parents of the child to pursue the matter in court.
Speaking in agreement with Kasambara, another facebook user said “I completely agree with you RK, suffice to question that do we really need to wait until when those close to us have been abused? While those who have made that decision are sleeping comfortably, have they made an attempt to look and feel the pain of the parents of the little 1 without mentioning the real pain of the sick child?”
Prophet-Chikondi Ndhlovu expressed shock, saying what is happening is not what he was expecting of the Tonse Alliance administration.
“Malawi is better at oppressing its own people. But we thought with this administration things will change but it seems as if presidents do not know things happening in the country,” he said.
A passenger manifest form indicates that the prophet’s children Raphaela and Israela, cousin Esther Bushiri and mother-in-law Magdalena Zgambo were expected to depart from Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe last week.
The chartered plane, belonging to Phoenix Aviation, had landed at the airport and the four were checking in when they were stopped by airport security officials.
A statement released on Monday by the Prophet’s spokesperson, Ephraim Nyondo, indicated that the child was in critical condition and they pleaded with the government to allow the child to fly to Kenya for urgent medical attention.
