Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Aggrey Massi led thousands of Malawians on Tuesday in paying their last respect to the departed former Inspector General of Police Mary Nangwale.

Nangwale, the only female IG died on the wee hours of Sunday at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in the commercial capital Blantyre after a long battle with kidney failure.

Speaking at the funeral, Massi said government is shocked with the death of Nangwale.

“Mary Nangwale was a record-breaker. She was the first woman to be the Inspector General of police, so she showed the other female police officers and the girls in the country that it was possible to rise in the police. He was very hard-working officer. She initiated 977 police rapid response,” he said.

One of the family representatives said Nangwale’s death is a big blow to the family, saying to them she was more than a mother.

Nangwale was appointed as IG in 2004 by late Professor Bingu wa Mutharika but Parliament failed to approve her appointment.

The development forced the then President to replace her with Peter Mukhitho who was described as the finest IG ever.

Nangwale hailed from Siula Village, Traditional Authority Mtwalo in Mzimba and is survived by two children and four grandchildren.