Anne Muluzi body repatriated, burial tomorrow
The body of former first lady Anne Chidzira Muluzi arrived through Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe on Tuesday and will be buried tomorrow at Msinja in Malingunde, Lilongwe.
President Lazarus Chakwera and First Lady Monica Chakwera are expected to attend her burial this Thursday, according to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC). The OPC said Anne will be accorded a State funeral and will be buried with full military orders.
Anne, who was wife to former president Bakili Muluzi, died on December 28 at Aga Khan Hospital in Kenya after battling cancer.
Her body was repatriated on Tuesday and arrived at KIA around 9.50am and was welcomed by a number of dignitaries, including the First Lady Monica Chakwera, former presidents Bakili Muluzi and Joyce Banda as well as the clergy.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved family, Mike Chioko said the body would lie in state at the residence of the deceased’s son, Atupele Muluzi, in Area 3, Lilongwe before being taken to Msinja at 10am today.
The late Anne was a member of Kaning’a CCAP congregation, but a church service at the vigil home was presided over by Bwaila CCAP moderator the Reverend Francisco Kamwendo as Area 3 is within its jurisdiction.
Anne, who was the first woman to serve as the country’s First Lady in 1994, was born on June 18 1952 and is survived by her son Atupele. Her first-born daughter, Esme, died on December 12 2016 after being struck by lightning in Blantyre.
She separated with former president Bakili Muluzi in 1999 and lived a private life abroad before returning home.
