By Burnett Munthali
A group of women from the Zokonda Amayi program, hailing from Malawi’s southern region, narrowly escaped a bus accident in Balaka district on Wednesday night. The women were returning from the annual Zokonda Amayi Macheza event, which took place in Mzuzu city.
Catherine Sankhula Banda, the secretary of the Blantyre Chapter of Zokonda Amayi, confirmed the incident, explaining that the accident occurred near Salima Turn-Off, at a place called Chisoni, when the bus failed to ascend a hill.
However, Banda refuted circulating rumors on social media claiming that many women had been severely injured. She clarified that while the accident did take place, it was not as serious as some reports suggested.
Chisomo Mwamadi, a journalist from the state-run broadcaster Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), stated that Ulemu Bus Service, the owners of the bus involved in the accident, dispatched another bus to transport the women.
Additionally, Mwamadi reported that 16 women were taken to the hospital for check-ups, but none were admitted as the injuries were minor.
The incident, though concerning, fortunately did not result in any critical injuries or fatalities.
