Following criticisms of the statue of late Bingu wa Mutharika by Malawians that it does not resemble the former leader, a South African sculptor Jean Doyle behind the construction of the statue has come out of her cocoon to defend her work.

Doyle said the statue is a true reflection of the late president based on photographic information and approvals from government delegation and members of the family who supervised the works in South Africa.

Speaking to the press after the unveiling ceremony at Parliament building in the capital Lilongwe, Doyle said she is proud of what she has constructed.

“They gave it the go ahead. They liked what they saw,” she said.

Doyle’s work in Malawi includes the statue for founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda.

President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika attended the unveiling ceremony of the statute also marking 7 years since the death of the former president.

Late Bingu died of Cardiac arrest in 2012 and his death led to Joyce Banda, People’s Party (PP) President taking over the mantle.