Mutharika caught pants down on Bingu’s death

President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has contradicted the commission of inquiry instituted by former President Dr. Joyce Banda on circumstances leading to the death of late Bingu wa Mutharika in April 5, 2012.

On Saturday on arrival in Mzuzu, Mutharika accused his in law Calista Mutharika whom he called by her maiden name of Chapola of lacking moral standard relating to how she behaved during Bingu’s illness, and subsequent death.

“I want to warn Callista Chapola. She is not a person who has no moral Authority.

“I want to tell you what happened. On April 5th 2012 at around 10 o’clock I received a call from Mr Edward Sawerengera that my brother had collapsed and was taken to Kamuzu Central Hospital.

“I arrived at Kamuzu Central Hospital at 10:15am, at 10:20am the then Chief Secretary Bright Msaka arrived at the hospital, at 10:25am, Hon. Bintony Kutsaila arrived at the hospital followed by former Intelligence Director Peter Mukhito.

“By 11 am all Children and grandchildren had arrived. Callista arrived at the hospital at 4:30pm. For six she was busy collecting materials from State House to her friend in Area 10 and that’s the kind of a woman she is,” said Mutharika.

But this is contrary to a testimony given by Dr. Hetherwick Ntaba to the commission of inquiry instituted by Banda, saying on the morning in question, he rushed to the hospital as soon as he heard that the president had collapsed.

Upon reaching the hospital, he went straight to the Intensive Care Unit where he found the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Jean Kalirani.

He found her escorting the First Lady, Madam Callista Mutharika, to the side room in the ICU wherethe President was. When the First Lady and Hon. Dr. Kalirani came out of the side room, he noted that the First Lady was very distressed and was in tears.

Dr. Ntaba told the Commission that he and Dr. Kalirani left the ICU together and headed for the Hospital Director’s office. On the way, Hon. Dr. Kalirani briefed him that the President’s state was hopeless.

She further told him that it was doubtful if the resuscitation efforts going on would bear any results.

The contradiction has attracted mixed reactions with many accusing Mutharika of diverting facts on Bingu’s death to tarnish Callista’s image.

Meanwhile debate continues on the matter.