By Vincent Gunde
President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika on Thursday proved to his critics that he was not hospitalized in South Africa when he hosted the World Bank Director for Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe Dr. Nathan Belete who was accompanied by senior management of the Bank at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre.
In the week, there have been fabricated false news about Professor Mutharika that he is hospitalized at one of the very expensive private hospital in South Africa and his health condition has deteriorated, incapacitated, not fit to run the country.
Social commentator Ben Chiza Mkandawire rang the bell aloud of the whereabout of President Professor Mutharika labelling him as the missing President and this was a subject of discussion among social media users.
Mkandawire claimed to have received an entail from well wishers that Professor Mutharika arrived at Donald Goldon Private Hospital in South Africa in silence wondering why the Malawi Government is treating his hospitalization in silence and what are they are afraid of.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) media developed strong muscles by writing in various social media platforms that Justice Dr. Jane Mayemu Ansah SC (RTD) is likely to take over government as memories are still fresh with Dr. Joyce Banda who took over the Sword of Command with many senior members of the DPP against her.
Writing on his Facebook page, Professor Mutharika said the World Bank Director Dr. Belete paid a courtesy farewell visit as he assumes his new role at the regional office following his promotion.
“I congratulated Dr. Belete on this achievement and expressed Malawi’s deep appreciation for the support extended under his leadership which has advanced several development projects across the nation,” reads Mutharika’s writings on the wall.
He appealed for continued World Bank support, particularly as the geopolitical tensions in the Gulf add strain in the country’s economy and he was greatly encouraged by the World Bank’s willingness to assist Malawi through Rapid Response financing options, which will help stabilize the economy and place it firmly on track towards full economic recovery.
