Thousands of Malawians gathered at Mifuno Cemetery in Zomba to witness the burial of Colonel Owen Lewis Sambalopa, who died in a plane crash.
Minister of Defence Harry Mkandawire represented President Dr Lazarus Chakwera at the funeral.
It was a sad mood from the time the casket bearing the remains of the late Colonel, described as one of the finest army Officers by MDF Deputy Commander Alexander Jafu, arrived at Nsanjama Primary School where a church service was conducted, all the way to Mifumo Cemetery where burial took place.
Visibly, everyone at the funeral looked shocked, touched and there were even more tears as his wife and children laid their wreaths.
“Kwatha amuna anga kwatha”(this is the end, so long my dear husband) was the only thing that the wife of the late Colonel could utter while being escorted to lay her wreath.
MDF soldiers gave a 21 gun salute in honour of their late colleague.
Late Colonel Sambalopa has left behind a wife and four children (two daughters and sons).
Born on September 30 1969, he joined the MDF in March,1999.
By Solister Mogha MANA
