MCP, Kamuzu Banda Era Blamed as Zimba Dies Without Justice

Rodwell Zimba, who spent 28 years pursuing justice over unpaid salaries and benefits following his detention under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) regime of former president Hastings Kamuzu Banda, has died before his case could be concluded.

Zimba’s death highlights the lasting consequences of detentions during the one-party era and raises questions about the delays that prevented him from obtaining a final resolution to his claim against the government.

His son, Gerald Zimba, confirmed his death, saying his father’s condition deteriorated on Tuesday while he was being taken to hospital.

“He has been on and off for some time. But things got worse yesterday and he was taken to the hospital. It seems he died on the way because when we arrived at the hospital, the doctor said he had already passed on,” Gerald said.

He said Zimba would be buried at HHI Cemetery on Thursday.

Zimba was arrested during the rule of Kamuzu Banda, when the MCP governed Malawi under a one-party political system. He was accused of tribalism and, after interrogation by then Special Branch head Focus Gwede, was sent to a detention centre in Zomba.

At the time of his arrest, Zimba was serving as an under-secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture.

Following the introduction of multiparty democracy, Zimba took the government to court, seeking payment of his withheld salary, allowances, pension and gratuity.

However, despite spending 28 years pursuing the matter through the courts, the case remained unresolved at the time of his death.

Zimba’s death leaves behind a troubling question about accountability for injustices committed during the MCP’s one-party rule and the ability of affected citizens to obtain timely justice in democratic Malawi.

After nearly three decades of waiting, Zimba has died without seeing the conclusion of his legal battle.