By Suleman Chitera

President Peter Mutharika has officially moved into Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, State House has confirmed.
State House Press Secretary Cathy Maulidi told Zodiak Online a short while ago that the President relocated to Kamuzu Palace this evening, after departing Sanjika Palace in Blantyre earlier this afternoon.
The development comes a day after President Mutharika returned to the country through Bakili Muluzi International Airport in Blantyre on Monday, following a private trip to South Africa. The President had left Malawi on 1st December, a trip that sparked widespread public debate due to prolonged government silence on its purpose.
Previously, government officials indicated that President Mutharika would only take up residence at Kamuzu Palace after completion of targeted maintenance works at the main residence.
There have also been reports that Kamuzu Palace was vandalised during the transition period between the outgoing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) administration and the incoming Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government, prompting the need for repairs before the President’s return.
State House has not yet disclosed further details regarding the extent of the maintenance works or the reported vandalism.