Mother to Malawi’s former president Bakili Muluzi, Gogo Che Nalikusika passed on peacefully in her sleep in the wee hours of Saturday, family members have confirmed.

It is believed that she had died due to old age. She was 92.

This has happened while former president is receiving treatment in South African hospital.

Speaking in a telephone interview from Cape Town , where he is recuperating following an operation on his back problem, Muluzi said he was “devastated” with the death of his beloved mother.

“I’m saddened by the death of my mum. I am devastated. I loved her so much,” the grief sounding Muluzi said.

“To me at 92 she is too young to die,” added Muluzi.

“She could have died at a better time than now.”

Malawi’s Leader of the Opposition John Tembo and his wife Ruth, who are currently in South Africa, visited Muluzi at Stellenbosch Hospital Saturday moning to console him.

According to the family members, burial arrangements would take place on Monday, which coincidentally is the mother’s day in Malawi.

The former president will not attend the burial as advised by doctors. He had to undergo a gruelling 5-hour operation in a Cape Town Clinic last week.

Muluzi has been having a back problem since 2001 when his disc on his spinal column dislocated causing severe back pain.