Many social media platforms in Malawi were awash with the health status of President Lazarus Chakwera. Rumours indeed circulated like bush fire that either he was critically taken ill to Garden City in South Africa or he was summarily no more.
Such unfortunate rumours were gradually taking the intended shape when the Malawi Government chose to remain mute about it. Fortunately, diabolical rumour mongers felt ashamed when President Chakwera publicly appeared splinting and performing push-ups in Blantyre to ward off the falsehood that he had a paralysed arm.
Unfortunately, it has become the norm to some Malawians to create fake stories about the demise of notable politicians and celebrities. Former President Bingu wa Mutharika, Comedian Izeki and Musician Lucius Banda just to mention a few became victims of such rumour mongering before their actual death.
Even the surviving Malawi’s ex-presidents Peter Mutharika and Bakili Muluzi have had their equal share of being victims to death mongering.
By the way, what actually motivates a rumour monger to embark on such insidious acts?
For starters, much as perpetrators of such vices feel that they may not be traced, they also get entertained when even the elite and self-imposed critical thinkers start believing such cheap propaganda.
Furthermore, indolence emanating from unemployment due to scarcity of jobs has coerced the youth to indulge in delinquency and rumour mongering.
Additionally, history has caught man that some Malawians tend to quench their dissatisfaction with a political regime by creating such unfortunate rumours.
Unfortunately, political propaganda of such nature plunges the country into unnecessary public panic.
For instance, it is widely believed that the genesis of tension between former President Peter Mutharika and his erstwhile vice president, late Saulos Chilima ensued as an aftermath of rumour mongering. It is further alleged that Saulos Chilima instituted his own cabinet believing the rumours that his state President Mutharika had died abroad.
As a matter of fact, propagating such diabolical rumours shows lack of sympathy and empathy. It is heart breaking to immediate family members to hear about the demise of their beloved relative and mentor.
The paradox of disseminating fake death news is that the victim eventually enjoys more publicity and popularity thereafter than ever before. In fact, fake death dissemination has an adverse effect contrary to the intention of the rumour monger because human nature usually sympathises with an innocent victim. This explains why President Chakwera was recently welcomed with ululations and jubilations in Blantyre.
In conclusion, all Malawians are cordially urged to refrain from creating and disseminating fake death news. It is a myth to believe that perpetrators of such rumours cannot be traced because there are technological arsenals that can do the needful.
Furthermore, Malawians must responsibly exercise their freedom of association and expression without infringing on the rights of others.
Lastly, Malawians are looking forward to object political campaigns without castigating political opponents. May the best presidential candidate win the 2025 elections! Viva Democracy!
