By Burnett Munthali
The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has confirmed that its president, Peter Mutharika, is currently outside the country on a private visit to South Africa.
In a statement released today, the party’s Secretary General, Peter Mukhito, provided clarity amid growing public speculation.
He stated that Mutharika departed Malawi using a regular public flight from Chileka International Airport.
Mukhito also reassured the public that the former president is in good health and that there is no cause for concern.
The clarification follows a wave of reports and social media speculation suggesting that Mutharika was seriously unwell.
Some of the rumors even claimed that he had been rushed out of the country for medical treatment under secretive circumstances.
In response, the DPP has firmly dismissed the claims, labeling them as part of a broader misinformation campaign.
The party alleged that a senior government official is behind the effort to spread falsehoods through various media platforms.
According to Mukhito, the intention of this disinformation is to sow confusion and weaken the public’s confidence in Mutharika’s leadership.
He emphasized that the former head of state is simply attending to personal matters during his stay in South Africa.
Mukhito further underscored that Mutharika remains actively involved in party affairs and is fully committed to leading the DPP.
The party reiterated that Mutharika is preparing for the general elections scheduled for September 16, where he is expected to play a central role.
The DPP urged its supporters, and the public at large, to remain calm and ignore what it described as baseless speculation.
The statement also appealed to the media to uphold journalistic integrity by verifying facts before publishing sensitive information.
As election season approaches, the DPP’s swift and direct response is seen as an attempt to consolidate confidence in its leadership.
With political temperatures rising in the country, such rumors and counter-statements are likely to become more frequent and contentious.
For now, the party insists that there is no crisis and that its leader will return to Malawi soon to continue his political duties.
