Mutharika hits back: attacks media, opposition

A healthy looking Malawi President Peter Mutharika has this afternoon hit back at the media and opposition parties for spreading reports that he was seriously sick, saying he has more than nine lives and the “health of a 30 year-old”.

The president who was holding a press briefing at where he arrived waving both arms also likened himself to Harry Houdini, a 20th century American magician known for his escape acts and magic.

Over the past weeks, speculations were rife that Mutharika was sick while other reports claimed that he had died.

The rumours intensified when Mutharika arrived back from the United States of America while using only his left arm.

But speaking today at the press briefing, the 76 year-old said doctors in America have given him a clean bill of health and have told him he has the health of a middle aged man.

“The only problem I have is Rheumatism on the shoulder. It was injected last week and due to the injection my shoulder got numb and I was advised not to shake hands with people. That is why last week I was only using my left arm to greet people but now I am 80 percent fine,” Mutharika said while raising his arms.

Mutharika further blasted the opposition saying they wanted him dead so they could face a weak candidate in the 2019 general elections.

“I know that opposition parties were at forefront of spreading this false information…Ndikukuuzanu kuti 2019 ndikunyenyani,” Mutharika warned.

Throughout the press conference Mutharika also attacked the media for starting rumours of his death. He singled out Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) and advised the media house to change its slogan from “Zikachitika mumvera kwa ife” to “Mabodza mumvera kwa ife”.

Additional reporting by Archangel Nzangaya.