Malawi: Bishop dies in car accident

Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza

Mgr Joseph Mukasa Zuza, bishop of the Diocese of Mzuzu and President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, died in a car accident last Thursday, 15 January. He was 59. Bishop Zuza was critical of corruption in his country and very concerned about social issues. During the last ad limina visit in November 2014, he reported that "in Malawi, people are dying due to lack of medicine and health care, because there are not enough funds to be allocated to health care."

Bishop Zuza said this was one of the most terrible consequences of the so-called "cashgate", the scandal that engulfed much of the state administration and policy of Malawi, caused by the embezzlement of funds donated by the international community covering 40% of the state budget.

"Because of cashgate our international partners have stopped sending additional funds, until they are sure that the money they give is properly used. The sector most affected by the lack of support of our donors is health. Some drugs are becoming increasingly expensive and there are no resources to purchase them. There are people dying for lack of care."

At this difficult time, he said: "the Church does what it can to help those most in need, but we are dependent on foreign aid and we cannot meet all the needs, since the State itself is not able to do so."

Source: Fides