Drama ensued at the funeral of former First Lady Patricia Shanil Muluzi after some United Transformation Movement (UTM) women attempted to block former president Joyce Banda from speaking.
The women booed after the director of ceremonies invited Banda to take the floor.
It took the intervention of former president Bakili Muluzi for the women to let Banda speak, saying, “She [Banda] has been a member of our family and I have asked her to say something.”
In her speech, Banda commended the UTM women for their love towards the late Dzimbiri, stating, “Although you disagreed that I should speak you didn’t know we have been working together here.”
Late Shanil lost her life in a plane crash that also took the life of the vice President Saulos Chilima, who was also the leader of UTM, and 7 others.