By Burnett Munthali
In an unexpected turn of events, the planned visit by the former President of Malawi and leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, and the former First Lady, Madam Gertrude Mutharika, to Mangochi District Hospital has been postponed.
According to a statement issued by Shadric Namalomba MP, Presidential Spokesperson for the DPP, the District Commissioner of Mangochi refused to grant permission for the visit after it was announced on social media.
The visit, which was intended to cheer up patients at the hospital, had been eagerly anticipated by many. The decision to block the former president’s visit has drawn criticism from some quarters, with questions being raised about the impartiality of local authorities.
In a surprising development, President Lazarus Chakwera announced that he will personally visit Mangochi District Hospital tomorrow, on the day initially reserved for Professor Mutharika’s visit. This announcement has fueled speculation about the motives behind the postponement of the former president’s visit and raised eyebrows among political analysts.
Critics argue that such decisions risk politicizing humanitarian acts, which should ideally transcend political affiliations. The move has also sparked debate over the role of district authorities in facilitating or hindering visits by political figures.
Shadric Namalomba expressed regret over the postponement, apologizing for any inconvenience caused to those who had been looking forward to the visit. He assured the public that a new date for the former first couple’s visit would be announced soon.
While hospital visits are typically seen as gestures of goodwill, the coinciding of these announcements has raised concerns about political maneuvering. With elections around the corner, every action by political leaders is scrutinized for potential campaign motivations.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the people of Mangochi will respond to these developments and whether future engagements by political leaders will avoid such controversies.
