Doctors confirm Malawi president’s death over stroke

Doctors have confirmed that Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika has died of a heart attack, but the government is yet to make a statement on his death.

The doctors who treated Mutharika said on Friday that the 78-year-old leader died on Thursday and his body was later flown to South Africa, the Associated Press reported.

The doctors requested to stay anonymous as they were instructed not to speak to reporters.

It is not yet clear that who will succeed Mutharika in the impoverished southern African country.

Malawi’s government has issued a brief statement via the state media, saying the president was unwell and was taken to South Africa for additional treatment. It did not say that the president had died.

A cabinet minister, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said an announcement on the president’s death required taking careful political steps. He did not elaborate, but it is thought that the government is hoping to buy time for politicians who may be wrangling over the succession.