Bingu’s death 4 years on, Malawians remember his death quietly

Former head of state Bingu wa Mutharika suddenly died of heart attack four years ago today, April 5, his death put Malawi on huge political cross roads as his party kept the death under lock and key in fear the presidency would slip into the hands of the then deputy.

However, Malawians can hardly remember that this was the day Mutharika passed on except for some posts on social media and a few news items on private radio stations.

The person who took power after his death, Joyce Banda is away in self imposed exile.

Malawians are currently  struggling to make ends meet due to high cost of living due to a fast falling of the economy.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the party Bingu founded after leaving the United Democratic Front in 2005 is back in power after losing it to Joyce Banda’s Peoples Party and at the helm is his brother, Peter, whom he had called from the US to be groomed in order to take over the presidency after his planned retirement in 2014.

DPP publicist Francis Kasaira said the party is consulting with family members on how best to commemorate his death.

“The former president was a family man so the government and party cannot just organise the remembrance events without their authority and guidance,” said Kasaira.

He described the fallen leader as inspirational, saying he had a vision for Malawi and said he was in his own class when it came to planning and implementing development agenda.

Founding president Ngwazi Kamuzu Banda is always remembered on his death anniversary with a memorial event.