Gwanda, Ngongoliwa in India for medical treatment

Vetaran politician Gwanda Chakuamba has been sent to India for media treatment, the government has confirmed.

Foreign Affairs minister Francis Katsaira confirmed on Friday that Chakuamba is in India on government sponsorship on unspecified sickness.

It is alleged Chakuamba has cancer.

The government decision to send him to India comes at a time when it cancelled references for ordinary Malawians for foreign treatment because of cash flow problems at Capital Hill which has led to most government departments downsizing its operations.

The veteran controversial politician was unveiled at the ruling DPP rally in Ntchalo, Chikhwawa recently as the new catch for the rulng party propaganda elite and thanked the government for sending him to South Africa for medical attention.

Chakuamba, in his late 80s, is the only remaining politician in Kamuzu Banda’s 1966 historic cabinet and remains a political force to reckon with in the Lower Shire.

It is not known how much the tax payer will foot for his medical bill in India.

He has of late being living a begging life and last year President Peter Mutharika gave him an envelope full of money although it was not made public how much he was given.

Meanwhile, at the same Indian hospital  government is also paying for Senior Chief Ngongoliwa of the Lhomwe ethnic grouping who is receiving treatment.