20120609
AFP
The family of Malawi's ex-president Bingu wa Mutharika on Friday rejected an inquiry into his death, saying facts around his death after a heart attack were already known.

"We want to put it on record that we the bereaved family did not at any point request for a commission of inquiry," said a statement issued by the family.

"Our position is that there is no need for an inquiry... we have not seen the terms of reference for the inqury neither were we consulted".

Last month, the new President Joyce Banda announced an inquiry to probe the circumstances around the controversial leader's death on April 5, including the medical attention he received.

"Why would we do that when we know all the facts surrounding the death of our late beloved," said Mutharika's brother Peter.

He added that the probe was an "unjustified satanic mechanisation to advance personal and political agendas".

After suffering a heart attack, Mutharika was flown to South Africa and pronounced dead on arrival at a military hospital, officials revealed after days of confusion over his condition.

Mutharika had groomed Peter, the former foreign affairs minister, as his heir apparent, even though Banda, as vice president, was next in line to succeed him on his death.

Banda was not sworn in until April 7 after two days of backroom dealing.

Banda, who is southern Africa's first female president has taken over an economy hobbled by shortages of fuel and foreign currency.

Since taking office, Banda has moved to reverse many of Mutharika's policies.