The body of Ecklen Julius Kudontoni, who until his death was ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Secretary General, will be laid to rest today at Kambwiri village, Traditional Authority Kalonga in Salima.

Kudontoni died after being involved in an accident at Kasese around Bua roadblock in Dedza district while on his way to Kasungu.

According to Press statement from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) signed by Mgeme Kalilani, says President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika will attend the burial ceremony.

The President is expected to arrive at the venue at 13:30 hrs.

Meanwhile United Democratic Front (UDF) and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokespersons have expressed shock over the untimely death of Kudontoni.

Kudontoni, who came from Salima, served as Member of Parliament for Salima Central for UDF from 1999 until 2004 when he lost the seat to a Malawi Congress Party candidate.

He contested again in 2009 as an independent candidate but he lost out to a DPP candidate.

Kudontonit served in UDF’s Central Region executive committee for a long time but he left after the 2009 elections to join DPP.

He was appointed DPP secretary general by President Peter Mutharika after the elected holder of the post, Minister of Gender, Jean Kalirani was unceremoniously removed.