Minister of Information and Digitisation Moses Kunkuyu yesterday said government will continue operating during the 21-day mourning period in honour of fallen Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others who perished in a plane crash last week Monday.
The minister’s remarks follow uncertainty over what activities will be suspended during the mourning period that President Lazarus Chakwera authorised last week.
In an interview yesterday, Kunkuyu said government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will continue operating, but with the flag flying at half-mast to honour the vice-president.
Said the minister: “The government will remain functional to ensure that we can deliver critical and essential services to Malawians. But we still have to do that while honouring the memory of Chilima, who liked helping people whenever he could.
He, however, urged Malawians to refrain from conducting activities that would show an overly celebratory mood.
The local conditions for a mourning period are in keeping with what happens in other countries.
However, when Queen Elizabeth II of Britain died in 2023, the UK Government did not suspend business and entertainment activities.
The situation was similar in the US when were mourning former president George W. Bush.
President Chakwera declared a public holiday on Monday when the government held a State funeral for Chilima, who until his death, was the leader of the UTM Party, a key partner in the governing Tonse Alliance which also comprised the Malawi Congress Party and seven other parties.
Chilima has been hailed for his commitment to serving people with humility and compassion.
