Minister of Information Malisoni Ndau denies of lying to Malawians over Mutharika’s health

Minister of Information and Communications Technology Malisoni Ndau has denied claims by some quarters accusing him of lying to Malawians for saying that President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika was in robust health while in the United States of America.

On Friday President Mutharika admitted during a media briefing held at Kamuzu Palace in the capital Lilongwe that he was suffering from rheumatism.

Mutharika’s admission exposed some loopholes in the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration considering the fact that Minister of information earlier told Malawians that the President was in robust health.

Other Malawians went further by demanding an apology from Ndau for lying.

Speaking in a Views Triangle programe aired on Sunday night at Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS), Ndau said he will not apologize.

Ndau said the disease was minor and there was no need for him to come on air to tell Malawians that Mutharika is ill.

He said Mutharika as head of state is bound to privacy as any other Malawian.

On his part, Chancellor College Political analyst Dr. Boniface Dulani commended President Mutharika for clearing mist surrounding his health status.

Turning to how Mutharika handled the briefing, Dulani blamed government for politicizing the event, saying journalists were not free to ask questions.

Reacting to the claims, Ndau admitted that the environment was not free and he said next time things will not be the same.

During the briefing President Mutharika faulted the media especially Zodiak radio of spreading false stories of his health.

Mutharika went further by calling on all media houses in the country to join his government is report stories professionally.