SA pledges fuel help to Malawi

Part of the five million litres that Zambia has given to Malawi has already started off as South Africa has pledged to assist Malawi over its challenges, including fuel, ministers from the two countries have said.

South African minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane arrived in Lilongwe on Friday and met President Joyce Banda at her Area 12 residence, assuring her that the economic giant was ready to assist her administration.

“President Banda will be making the appropriate announcement on the details of our assistance to Malawi on the challenges you are facing, particularly fuel. But I came to condole you and at the same time thank all Malawians for peaceful transition as you have followed the dictates of your Constitution,” said Nkoana-Mashabane.

Nkoana-Mashabane, led a high profile delegation which included national chairperson of the ruling African National Congress and former deputy president Baleka Mbete and Correction Services Minister Maphisa Qakula.

Earlier, Zambian Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Christopher Yolamu told the press after meeting President Banda that part of the five million litres President Micheal Sata gave to Malawi was already on its way.

“I cannot say now if it is a grant or a loan, such details will be worked out after the mourning period. The fuel is part of Zambia’s own fuel, but we thought we could help to ease the mourning by helping people to move around,” said Yolamu.

Yolamu said Zambia was equally mourning the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika whose body arrives in the country on Saturday.