Nsanje District Commissioner, Dr. Medson Matchaya, says the Senior Chief, real name Tiferanji Vizyalona, died today morning at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe.

“Arrangements are underway to repatriate the remains to Nsanje for burial. Details of burial will be communicated later,” he said.

According to a relation to the deceased, King Norman Rudi, Senior Chief Mbenje has succumbed to Covid-19.

“He was tested positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago. He was seeking medical treatment at Dr. Kalanda’s hospital in area 18 and thereafter transferred to KCH yesterday where he breathed his last this morning.

“We are arranging that we bury him today at his headquarters at Sorgin in Nsanje Lalanje Constituency,” he said.

He said Senior Chief Mbenje will be greatly missed.

“He was a vibrant person. He held a bachelor’s degree in education from Chancellor College and was installed Chief Mbenje some few years ago,” he said.

According to Rudi, Mbenje has died at the age of 44. He is survived by a wife and two children.

Until his death, Senior Chief Mbenje was Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP) Program Manager for Health.