The family of Malawi’s former president, the late Bingu wa Mutharika, has asked President Joyce Banda to stop the inquiry into the death of their relation, charging that its intentions are satanic and political rather than in the interest of the family.
But government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu has defended the inquiry, saying as a former head of state, Bingu’s inquiry is beyond a family affair. He said Malawians are the ones that are demanding to know circumstances surrounding the death of their leader.
‘We are satisfied’
In a strong worded statement released after the end of the mourning period at the late president’s private farm at Ndata in Thyolo, the family said they were satisfied with the details of Bingu’s death and do not need an inquiry.
“We want to put it on record that we, the bereaving family, did not at any point request a commission of inquiry, why would we do that when we know all the facts surrounding the death of our late beloved [relation],” reads the statement quoting John 8 verse 32.
‘We were not consulted’
The family says it was not consulted on the establishment of the commission of inquiry into Bingu’s death. It said the late president was a father, husband, grandfather and a lot more to the family and it would not be party to a process that undermines traditional rights and authority as custodians of the late president’s self-respect and memory.
“It is our sincere prayer that the late president’s name and dignity will not be dragged into political duplicity that has nothing to do with establishing “the truth”. This Christian clan will not be party to any satanic machinations that seek to use our beloved relation’s death to advance personal and political agendas,” reads the statement dated Thursday.
Opportunity to learn about Bingu
The statement also announced that the clan will soon be making arrangements with relevant public institutions to provide an opportunity for scholars, students and researchers to study how Mutharika lived his life, his philosophies and what he really stood for.
President Banda appointed an inquiry into the death of her predecessor which is chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge Elton Singini and was sworn-in on Monday.
