Malawi President Peter Mutharika left for South Africa on Tuesday on what the government described as a private visit, renewing public speculation over the 87-year-old leader’s health amid continued official silence on the purpose and duration of the trip.
In a brief statement, Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Adack Saidi said Mutharika departed through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe for South Africa.
The statement did not disclose why the president was travelling or when he is expected to return.
The lack of detail has fuelled fresh questions about Mutharika’s health, which has been the subject of growing public debate in recent months.
Mutharika, who first served as president between 2014 and 2020 before returning to office in October 2025, has faced recurring public questions about his health due to his advanced age and frequent travel to South Africa, a regional hub for specialised medical care.
This is the third private visit Mutharika has made to South Africa since returning to power.
Reports in Malawi have repeatedly linked some of the trips to medical consultations although the government has consistently described them as private visits.
Opposition politicians have previously called on the president to publicly demonstrate his fitness for office amid persistent rumours regarding his wellbeing.
JN/APA