President Peter Mutharika departed for South Africa on Friday for a private visit, marking his third such trip to the neighbouring country in the past six months. According to a statement from Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi, the President left through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Insight News Network reports. The Democratic Progressive Party dismissed online speculation regarding Mutharika's health, maintaining that the travel is transparent and that the President is in excellent condition.
The frequency of the President's private travel has drawn scrutiny from political commentators. United Democratic Front leader Atupele Muluzi urged Mutharika to use his presence in South Africa to engage local authorities on the recent wave of xenophobic attacks targeting Malawians and other foreign nationals, according to Insight News Network. Channel Africa reports that hundreds of displaced Malawians are currently seeking refuge in South African shelters and awaiting voluntary repatriation.
In other government developments, Malawi has announced a $180 million national information and communications technology project in partnership with Huawei, according to TechAfrica News. Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba is currently in China to advance the initiative. The project focuses on developing a unified online portal for public services and deploying a high-speed communications network to connect all 28 districts in the country.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation will roll out the third round of a nationwide polio immunisation campaign from June 16 to 19, Nyasa Times reports. Deputy Minister of Health Charles Chilambula stated during a media briefing in Lilongwe that the repeated vaccination efforts are designed to build a strong immunity barrier and ensure all eligible children are protected against the virus.