Former President Arthur Peter Mutharika has undergone an ear surgery at a hospital in Sandton, South Africa to address a chronic hearing problem, a close family source has confirmed.
The revelation comes amid growing national speculation and political tension surrounding the 86-year-old’s health and his continued silence just three weeks before the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is scheduled to receive presidential nomination papers from aspiring candidates for the September 16 general elections.
Speaking on strict condition of anonymity, the family member disclosed that the former President has been dealing with a persistent hearing issue affecting his left ear for several years, which worsened in recent months.
“He underwent a delicate surgical procedure on his left ear. He is currently recuperating in Sandton, under close medical supervision,” the source said.
If Mutharika proceeds to contest and eventually wins the presidency, he could become the first head of state globally with a significant hearing impairment, a historical development that raises questions about his leadership readiness.
Despite persistent reports about his absence and deteriorating health, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leadership remains conspicuously silent. The party has neither confirmed his location nor addressed concerns about his fitness to stand as a presidential candidate.
Efforts to get official confirmation from DPP and Mutharika’s spokesperson Shadric Namalomba and party secretary general Peter Mukhito have proven futile, with both avoiding media questions. Party vice president George Chaponda, who is acting president, also declined to comment when reached.
This silence continues even as the DPP is the only major opposition party that has yet to collect presidential nomination papers, heightening speculation about Mutharika’s capability to lead a presidential campaign or appear in person for nomination as required by MEC guidelines.
According to MEC, presidential candidates are expected to personally submit their nomination papers in Lilongwe between July 1 and 5, 2025. While the DPP reportedly wrote MEC on June 11 seeking clarification on whether a candidate can submit through a proxy, the electoral body has not yet responded publicly.
The latest developments in the run up to presentation of the nomination papers further complicate the opposition landscape.
All other major opposition parties have now collected nomination papers, signaling that prospects for a unified opposition front are virtually dead. Among those who have collected papers include UDF’s Atupele Muluzi, UTM’s Dalitso Kabambe, PP’s Joyce Banda, and PDP’s Kondwani Nankhumwa.
Sources within opposition circles say negotiations for a joint alliance fell apart due to unresolved disputes over who should lead.
“Everyone wanted to be the torchbearer. The talks collapsed before they even got serious,” one senior political strategist told this publication.
Political analysts and civil society actors are now calling on the DPP to be transparent about the health status of its leader, especially given the critical stage of the electoral calendar.
“If Mutharika is in a condition that limits his capacity to campaign or even govern, the DPP must come clean. This is not just about party politics, it is about national leadership and the right of voters to make informed choices,” said a political commentator.
The current scenario has stirred significant reaction across the country, with many Malawians expressing frustration over what they see as calculated silence and image management by the DPP.
“Mutharika’s body is clearly sending signals his mind refuses to accept,” one social media user posted in Chichewa, writing: “Mtima ukufuna koma thupi likukana”
As the deadline for nomination draws near and the country waits for the DPP to make its move, the lingering question remains: Is Mutharika still a viable candidate, or is the party holding on to a shadow?
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