Military honours for Annie Muluzi

Former first lady Annie Muluzi, who died on Tuesday last week, will be laid to rest with military honours.

Information Minister Gospel Kazako confirmed the development, saying she has a place in the country’s history.

“The former first lady, Madam Anne Muluzi, will be accorded a burial with military honours. She is part of the important history of this country as the country’s first first lady,” he said.

Kazako, who is government spokesperson, added that President Lazarus Chakwera would attend the funeral ceremony.

“The State President, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, will make an appearance at the funeral. Very strict Covid measures will be observed,” he said.

Writing on his Facebook page, Atupele Muluzi –who is son to the departed first lady— said the funeral house in Kenya was not able to secure the death certificate as anticipated on Friday December 31 2021, expressing hope that the certificate would be secured today.

He said efforts were being made to secure a flight on Tuesday, January 4 2022.

Muluzi said the body would then be taken to Msinja, where it would lie in state and burial would take place on Thursday, January 6.

He, however, said, in case a flight is not secured tomorrow and the body departs on Wednesday, the whole programme would be shifted by a day.

Tributes have been pouring in for the former first lady, with Chakwera, Vice President Saulos Chilima, former president Joyce Banda, Democratic Progressive Party and the United Democratic Front offering condolence messages to the bereaved family.

Born on June 18 1952, Muluzi became the country’s first first Lady when former president Bakili Muluzi ascended to power in 1994.

However, in March 1999, Muluzi announced officially that they were, after 30 years of marriage, parting ways.