President Mutharika laid to rest

region and heads of regional and multilateral organisations viewing the body of Dr wa Mutharika which lay in state at the farm house.
New Malawian President Joyce Banda welcomed other leaders.

The leaders also signed a book of condolences at the house.
Body viewing was punctuated by singing by choirs from the Roman Catholic Church and other denominations.
Dr wa Mutharika was Catholic.

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The body was then carried to the front of the mausoleum where thousands of mourners gathered.
Speakers gave their eulogies followed by a funeral mass conducted by a Catholic priest.
President Banda said Dr wa Mu-tharika left the nation a legacy of self belief, independence and hard work”.

“I will do all my best to follow what he wanted us to do to move this country from poverty to prosperity,” said President Banda.
Dr wa Mutharika’s brother Professor Peter Mutharika described him as a loving “brother, father and grandfather” who shall be dearly missed.

“I know sometimes he made mistakes as we all do. But if he made mistakes it was out of misjudgment and not evil,” said Prof Mutharika, who is Foreign Minister in the Malawi government.

He vowed to continue his brother’s legacy and pledged to ensure the Democratic Progressive Party survives.
President Banda formed her own People’s Party after being fired from DPP.

President Guebuza, who spoke on behalf of Sadc leaders, described Dr wa Mutharika as a career economist who had contributed to the development of the region, Africa and the world.

“The tragedy that befell this great country, SADC and the continent defies description,” he said.
The Dean of Diplomatic Corps in Malawi and Zimbabwean Ambassador Mrs Thandiwe Dumbutshena said Dr wa Mutharika left an indelible track of achievements.
“We have lost a President who was highly visionary and committed to human centred development,” she said.

After the mass the hearse and mourners moved across to the former Malawian leader’s final resting place as the Malawi Defence Forces honoured him with a 21 gun salute.

President Banda led the laying of wreaths followed by President Mugabe, Amai Grace Mugabe and the other African leaders.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai also attended the funeral.
President Mugabe flew back home last night and was met at Harare International Airport by Vice President Joice Mujuru, Cabinet Ministers, service chiefs and senior Government officials.