Ministry of Tourism and Culture says it is waiting for the Ministry of Justice to vet the drafted Memorandum of Agreement which will facilitate the take over of late Bingu wa Mutharika's Mpumulo wa Bata Mausoleum in Thyolo. 

 

This follows a meeting between the ministry and the Mutharika family some two months ago ordered by President Lazarus Chakwera on government's intention to take over the caring of his resting place. 

 

Monument and culture director Dr Lovemore Mazibuko says they are treating the matter with urgency.

 

But  Mazibuko indicated that the agreement is needed because the mausoleum stands at a private land and is in the hands of a private entity, Bineth Trust.

 

"Now on the way forward, right now we are in the process of Memorandum of Understanding that has to be entered between government and the Mutharika family. This is to put in place mechanisms on how best we can collaborate in managing that facility. 

 

"So I can say that we have the agreement and shared it with the Ministry of Justice to vet it before we sign it," Mazibuko said. 

 

After government's intention on the matter, former president Peter Mutharika who is Bingu's brother welcomed the move and held discussions with Minister of Culture and Tourism Michael Usi.