Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera on Thursday led thousands of Malawians in paying homage to the departed veteran politician Gwanda Chakuamba.

The ceremony started a mass which was conducted by Seventh Day Adventist Church where late Chakuamba was a member.

Apart from Chakwera, former official hostess Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira and cabinet ministers were among the people who stormed Comesa Hall to pay their last respect to Chakuamba.

At exactly 11.00am Chakuamba’s casket was closed marking the end of a two-day public viewing of his body.

The body of late Chakuamba has since been taken to his home village, Chinyanje in Nsanje where he will be laid to rest with military honours on Friday.

He died on Monday at Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Blantyre after a long illness.