Muluzi, Mwakhwawa appear before Bingu’s inquiry
Malawi former president Bakili Muluzi on Tuesday appeared before a Commission of Inquiry into the death of former president Bingu wa Mutharika in Blantyre.
The commission which was set to establish the date and place of death plus roles played by different individuals in managing the transition of power to President Joyce Banda, met Muluzi at his BCA Hill residence in Blantyre.
Muluzi declined to disclose what he told the commission, saying he took an oath of secrecy “not to reveal what I said.”
The commission sources said they quizzed Muluzi on the news conference he held on April 8 calling for Constitutional order – allowing vice president to ascend to presidency following the death of Mutharika.
Among several issues surrounding the death of Mutharika were the uncertainties over the actual date and place of death. There were also reports of alleged attempts by some of the top Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members to hand over power to Mutharika’s young brother, Professor Peter Mutharika, by-passing President Banda who was then Mutharika’s alienated Vice-President.
The Commission which is led by retired Supreme Court judge Elton Singini also interviewed Malawi Law Society president John Gift Mwakhwawa on Tuesday.
It also questioned Ms Joyce Lungu related to the prophecy of Nigerian’s TB Joshua on Mutharika’s death.
Earlier, the family of late Mutharika opposed the inquiry into the death of their relation, charging that its intentions are satanic and political rather than in the interest of the family.
But the commission sources said the Mutharika family have now “appreciated” the role of the inquiry, saying some of them were keen to know the cause of death; medical attention available at the time immediately preceding his death.
Bingu’s brother, Peter Mutharika, widow Callista Mutharika have all appeared before the inquiry including Lilongwe legislator Agnes Penemulungu who was in a meeting with the former president when he collapsed in his office .
Mutharika, 78, died suddenly on 5 April after suffering a cardiac arrest.
It was reported that his transfer from office to Kamuzu Central Hospital in the capital was chaotic, with nobody alerting the public hospital that a VIP patient was being brought in. The hospital also reportedly lacked the required drugs to aid the resuscitation efforts.
The commissioner in the inquiry includes Dr Charles Dzamalala, retired Inspector General of Police Joseph Aironi, Dr Tiwonge Loga, Dr Elizabeth Sibale, Father Joseph Mpinganjira, Brian Nyasulu, Esther Chioko, lawyers Jabbar Alide and Pacharo Kayira who is the Secretary to the Commission.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
