Mzuzu City came to a standstill on Wednesday as people left their offices and businesses to salute Malawi’s late president Bingu wa Mutharika whose body was flown to the North for continued public viewing.
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Vice-President Khumbo Kachali led people in paying last respects to Mutharika at Mzuzu State Lodge.
The viewing ceremony started with a mass at around 10am whose main celebrant was chairperson of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi Bishop Joseph Zuza of the Mzuzu Catholic Diocese assisted by bishops Emmanuel Kanyama of Dedza Diocese and Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese.
Religious leaders who attended the service, included Anglican Bishop Fanuel Magangani, Livingstonia CCAP Synod moderator the Reverend Clifford Baloyi and his general secretary the Reverend Levi Nyondo.
Chiefs from Mzimba, Karonga and Nkhata Bay, led by Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa IV, were also present.
Other notable people included ministers Goodall Gondwe, Peter Mwanza, Henry Mussa, Nicholas Dausi, the Reverend Christopher Ngwira, Catherine Gotani Hara and Chimango Mughogho.
Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo, Speaker Henry Chimunthu Banda, State residences director general Edward Sawerengera and DPP officials such as Francis Mphepo, Hetherwick Ntaba and Ken Zikhale Ng’oma also attended the mass.
Viewing continues this Thursday before the body is flown to Blantyre for a similar ceremony.
