By Jonah Phiri
The proposed Age Capping Bill, though not championed by the government or any political faction, has ignited the spirits of the three offspring of the venerable 85-year-old former president Arthur Peter Mutharika.
Mutharika, who is reportedly grappling with severe dementia and other age-related maladies, is being urged by his wife, Gertrude and senior members of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to represent the party in the upcoming presidential elections this September.
Mutharika’s daughters, Moyenda and Charlotte, alongside his son, Nicolplix, have conveyed through confidants in Malawi their profound gratitude to the individual(s) advocating for what is also referred to as the Age Limit Bill—a measure proposed to set an age limit for presidential candidates.
A source close to the family disclosed that the children have, in vain, endeavored to dissuade their father from pursuing such a demanding and enervating office.
“Initially, they conversed directly with their father, but when Gertrude realised her husband was under pressure from his children to abandon politics, she forbade him from taking their calls,” said a family member.
“For over a year, Gertrude has maintained strict control over her husband’s phones. Even senior DPP members must first liaise with her, and should the subject matter displease her, it goes no further,” she said.
The source also divulged that the relationship between Gertrude and the children soured over this very issue. When Gertrude seized control of the phones, the children implored her not to permit their father’s return to politics, citing his advanced age, but their pleas were met with dismissal.
Consequently, upon discovering that individuals are attempting to introduce the Age-Capping Bill to Parliament, they are elated. They understand that this could be the only salvation for their father.
They are gravely concerned that no one, not even his wife, is keen on safeguarding their father’s well-being, knowing that he is incapable of managing a strenuous campaign.
“The children are acutely aware that certain individuals merely seek to exploit their father for their selfish ambitions, using him as a figurehead while continuing to misuse public resources,” the source continued.
An insider from Page House, close to the former first lady, disclosed that Gertrude had not treated her husband’s children as her own, deeming her act of severing communication between the children and their father as nothing short of malice. The source asserted that a father of such an advanced age must maintain communication with his children.
Both Parliament and the Ministry of Justice have expressed ignorance regarding the bill.
However, an individual has openly declared on social media that he is the one pursuing the matter, independent of the governing Malawi Congress Party.