admin
An unnamed diplomat also told Reuters news agency that President wa Mutharika’s condition was “very serious”.
Another source told AFP that President wa Mutharika collapsed at his official residence and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance.
First Lady Callista, his daughter Duwa, brother Peter Mutharika, the chief secretary to the president Bright Msaka, director of National Intelligence Services Bintony Kutsaira, Inspector General of Police Peter Mukhito and senior politicians from his cabinet, including Energy and Environmental Minister Goodall Gondwe, Health Minister Dr Jean Kalirani were among the people who visited him at the heavily-guarded hospital.
All roads leading to the hospital were also reportedly closed.
Other sources told Xinhua news agency that President wa Mutharika was undergoing second resuscitation and seemed to be pulling through, while medical sources told Reuters that preparations were underway to airlift him to South Africa as soon as his condition stabilised.
Under Malawi’s constitution, the vice president, currently Joyce Banda, takes over if the president is too ill to serve.
President wa Mutharika came to power in a 2004 election.
Soon afterwards, he dramatically abandoned his United Democratic Front party to form the DPP, after accu-sing leading UDF members of opposing his campaign against corruption.
He was re-elected with a large majority in 2009.
His presidency has seen a souring in relations with major foreign aid donors, especially the United Kingdom.
Last year, President wa Mutharika expelled the UK High Commissioner, Fergus Cochrane-Dyet, after a leaked embassy cable quoted the diplomat as saying that the president could not tolerate criticism.
The Malawian leader said he could not accept “insults” just because the UK was his country’s largest aid donor. — AFP/Reuters/Xinhua/Sapa/bbc.co.uk/Herald Reporters.
Online Reporter