Mangochi municipality mayor dies

Mangochi Municipal Council has announced the death of mayor Edina Yusuf Jose.

In an interview yesterday, the council’s chief executive officer Abubakar Nkhoma said Jose died yesterday morning at Mangochi District Hospital.

Nkhoma said the late Jose was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) two weeks ago and was admitted to the facility for treatment.

Her burial is expected to take place later today at Mgundaphiri Village in Senior Chief Mponda in the district.

The late Jose, who was elected as a United Democratic Front councillor for Mwasa Ward in Mangochi North East Constituency, was elected mayor in 2021.

Meanwhile, several people, including councillors have expressed shock over the death of Jose, saying she was development conscious person.

Mwikoma Ward councillor Haroon Kaunde said they have lost someone who had the passion to transform the municipality.

“During full council meetings, she was on record pushing the secretariat to accept critical projects and ensure a robust oversight role,” he said.

Kaunde cited an under-five clinic at his ward and a police unit at Nkanamwano Ward as some of the projects the late Jose championed.

Amina M’dala, a community member from Mwasi Ward, where the late Jose was coming from, said they have lost someone who could have elevated girls’ education in the area.

“She created her own bursary to pay school fees for vulnerable girls. This motivated many girls to go to school,” she said.