JB to make statement on Bingu death inquiry

Malawi President Joyce Banda will make a statement on the report into circumstances surrounding the death of former president Bingu wa Mutharika, which was released on Wednesday, State House  has said.

The report, among other things, exposed the hypocrisy and underhand planning among Cabinet ministers, DPP heavyweights as well as some top government officials.

Presidential press secretary Steve Nhlane said on Friday the President will inform the nation on the next move on the report.

“I will not comment on that. HE [Her Excellency] should comment directly on that. Her Excellency will make a statement on the way forward,” said Nhlane.

Attorney General Anthony Kamanga said he needed time to read the report before commenting on the way forward.

Malawi Law Society (MLS) treasurer John Banda said the institution would give a comprehensive response to the issues raised in the report.

Meanwhile, the Medical Council of Malawi on Friday said the late president’s physician, Dr Dan Namarika, risks disciplinary action because of the unprofessional conduct he demonstrated during Mutharika’s death.

“Our committee will interpret the report, but for sure this will not go without reprimand because he lied to the nation that he acted professionally. He may be suspended from the practice,” said registrar of the council, Abel Kaonga.

Namarika told the commission that Kamuzu Central Hospital director, Dr Noordeen Alide, was not informed about the emergency because he did not have his number.

He also said Alide is an administrator, and it would have been necessary to call him after stabilising the former president. The hospital was, therefore, not made aware that the president was being rushed to the institution.

According to the report, Namarika did not have his emergency kit at the time Mutharika collapsed.

This is the second time the council has swooped on Namarika. In June 2012, Kaonga said the doctor was under probe for removing Mutharika’s file from the hospital and handing it over to the late president’s family.

Kaonga said this constituted unprofessional conduct because the file was the property of the hospital. In Friday’s interview, he said the council has not finished the investigations.

Kaonga said the probe will now be based on the report because it has been overtaken by events.