Death has been announced of Ellock Maotcha Banda, a former member of Parliament for Machinga Central East constituency who served under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) from 2004 to 2009 has died.

Maotcha-Banda who at his time of demise was a United Transformation Movement (UTM) party member also served as deputy minister of trade during the administration of the late Bingu wa Mutharika.

UTM general secretary, Patricia Kaliati has confirmed of the death this morning, saying Maotcha Banda has died in the wee hours of Thursday at Machinga district hospital.

Kaliati has described Maotcha Banda as a hardworking politician who was committed to the party, adding, his death has left a vacuum.

Source: Zodiak