A dark cloud descended on the country’s largest opposition party, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), following the death of wife to the party’s former longtime leader John Tembo.
Mamarita Ruth Tembo passed on in the late hours of January 5 at Dae Yung Luke Hospital in Lilongwe where she was rushed after a sudden illness.
In his condolence message, Tembo’s successor Lazarus Chakwera described Mrs Tembo as a woman of great outstanding virtue not only to JZU, but to all in MCP and the entire Malawi nation.
“I convey our heartfelt condolences to Rt. Hon J.Z.U. Tembo, the children and the entire family both here at home and in Lesotho,” Chakwera said.
Chakwera appealed to members of MCP and Malawians to observe a period of mourning from January 6 until her date of burial.
There were further outpourings of condolences and grief on social networks over the passing of Ruth Tembo who they described as a humble and gracious woman who welcomed all visitors to the Tembo home with a smile.
The family was not immediately available with information pertaining to the burial arrangements.
Mrs Tembo is survived by a husband and four children.
