Chakuamba hospitalised in South Africa

Malawi’s veteran politician, Gwanda Chakuamba, is reported to have been airlifted to Johannesburg South Africa where he is receiving treatment for heart problem at Milpark Clinic in South Africa.

Chakuamba was airlifted to South Africa following the heart problem which he has been experiencing but he is said to be in good spirits.

He is placed in the highly dependence ward (HDU) after being discharged from the Intensive Care Unit.

Nyasa Times  sources said the problem reached at a very critical situation two weeks ago and this is when the family after “grave concerns” decided to evacuate him to South Africa for medical attention.

Born on 4 April, 1934, Chakuamba has been regarded in Malawi politics as giants of the Lower Shire Valley in the Southern Region of Malawi.

From 1964 to 1980 Chakuamba was a key figure in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and fearless opponent of former MCP President John Tembo.

Chakuamba was released from jail in 1993 soon after the multiparty politics and immediately joined UDF and quickly dumped it for MCP where he became its Secretary General.

Former President Bingu wa Mutharika at one time appointed Chakuamba   as Minister of Agriculture and  was president of New Republican Party (NRP).

Chakuamba is one of founding members of  DPP  but broke ranks with Mutharika.

He was later convicted by a court for inciting acts of violence against the Lhomwe tribe in the country.

He was found guilty for proposing hatred towards tribal groups, the Mulhako Wa Alhomwe in particular.

First Grade Magistrate Fred Chilowetsa spared the sectegenarian from conviction due to his old age.

Chakuamba uttered words at a political rally inciting people to beat up Lhomwe people because they were pompous and arrogant.

He has lately been backing former president Joyce Banda’s Peoples Party but retired from front line politics.