UPDATED: Samute’s body to arrive Friday, burial in Zomba on Sunday

Veteran civil servant Willie Samute, the deputy chief secretary in the Office of President and cabinet, has passed away, government has confirmed.

He had suffered a short illness of heart problem  and died as South African hospital Wednesday.

Chief Secretary George Mkondiwa has since said the body of  Samute is expected to arrive in the country on Friday, August 21, through the Kamuzu International Airport.

He paid tribute to Samute as “an extraordinary individual.”

According to Mkondiwa, a Church Service will be held in Lilongwe on Saturday, before taking the remains to his home at Songani in Zomba District.

He will be laid to rest  on Sunday, August 23.

Meanwhile, mourners are gathering at his official residence in Area 10

Samute had a “distinguished” career in the civil service up to one point acting as Chief Secretary in OPC.

Meanwhile, Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima has paid tribute.

“On behalf of my colleagues in the Public Service Reform Commission, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to family members, civil servants and the people of Malawi on the passing on of Deputy Chief Secretary to the Government, Mr. Willie Samute,” Chilima said in statement.

He said: “A professional and career civil servant, the late Samute rose from humble beginnings to become one of Malawi’s most accomplished and dedicated civil servants, earning himself esteem from fellow civil servants and Malawians across the country.”

Chilima said late Samute was “a symbol of selfless humanity whose humility and dedication to public service served as an inspiration to many.”

Adding that late Samute’s “significant contribution to the ongoing public sector reforms will always be valued and remembered.”

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