Muslim Women Organisation (MWO) National Chairlady Fatima Ndaila yesterday condoled the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika.
President Bingu wa Mutharika passed away on Thursday April 5, 2012 at Kamuzu Central Hospital after suffering from a cardiac arrest.
His body is expected to arrive this coming Saturday and the burial is scheduled to take place on 23rd March at his Ndata Farm in Thyolo.
“All Muslim women in the country are very saddened with the death of our president and sincere offer our deepest condolences to the Mutharika’s family, Her Excellency Joyce Banda and the Malawi Government,” said Ndaila.
However, MWO also sent a congratulatory message to Her Excellency Madame Joyce Banda for being elected as Acting President of the Republic of Malawi. MWO believes that Madame Joyce Banda will deliver despite being a woman.
On Saturday April 7, 2012 Joyce Hilda Banda (who was Bingu’s Vice President) was sworn in as Acting President for Malawi as per Malawi’s constitution requirement. Section 83 of Penal Code says if the President dies or incapacitated his or her vice president should take over.
The swearing in ceremony was held at Parliament Building in Lilongwe and was administered by the Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo. Diplomats, Members of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers and Joyce Banda’s People’s Party supporters amongst others were present.
Joyce Banda who remained the Vice President despite being expelled from Mutharika’s ruling Democratic People’s Party (DPP) has become the first female President in the history of Malawi and SADC region. She also becomes the second female President in Africa after Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
