This is President Peter Mutharika’s fifth visit to South Africa this year
Malawi’s opposition has called on the government to clarify President Peter Mutharika’s prolonged absence from the country as citizens grapple with fuel scarcity, electricity disruptions and worsening economic conditions.
The 86-year-old leader departed Malawi on October 6 for what authorities described as a personal trip to South Africa.
His latest journey marks the fifth time he has visited the country this year, with little information provided about the purpose of his previous travels.
The opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) says the country urgently requires decisive leadership to tackle its growing difficulties.
Speaking to reporters in Lilongwe on Thursday, MCP campaign director Moses Kunkuyu stressed that his party was not challenging the president’s freedom to undertake private journeys.
However, he urged Vice-President Jane Ansah to address the nation and reassure citizens about the management of national affairs.
Kunkuyu argued that Malawians deserved clarity on who was overseeing government business while the head of state remained abroad.
He further urged the administration to present concrete measures to resolve persistent petroleum shortages, recurring power outages, inadequate medical supplies in public hospitals and limited access to foreign exchange.
Information Minister Shadric Namalomba rejected suggestions that the president’s absence had left the country without effective leadership. He maintained that Mutharika continued to exercise presidential authority regardless of his location.
Responding to questions about the purpose of the South African visit, Namalomba insisted that private travel did not require public disclosure.
The minister also accused the opposition of attempting to capitalise on national hardships that he claimed originated during its previous tenure in government.
Mutharika regained the presidency in October 2025 after defeating former leader Lazarus Chakwera. He previously held the position between 2014 and 2020.
Meanwhile, the president has continued delegating official responsibilities during his absence.
On Thursday, he assigned the trade minister to represent Malawi at a summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) in Zimbabwe.
Earlier this month, government officials dismissed online reports suggesting that Mutharika had travelled from South Africa to India for medical care.
Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi confirmed that the president remained in South Africa and cautioned the public against circulating unverified claims.
Mutharika has also previously rejected rumours concerning his health, describing them as unfounded and insisting that he was in good condition.
The controversy comes as Malawi confronts a serious foreign exchange shortage that has hampered petroleum imports and pushed up transportation expenses.
Motorists have endured lengthy queues at filling stations, while unreliable electricity distribution and dwindling medical supplies have intensified public dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the economic crisis.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong