Senior Chief Malemia of Nsanje District has died at the age of 68, authorities have confirmed.
Nsanje District Commissioner Dominic Mwandira said the chief died in the wee hours of Tuesday at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre after a short illness.
Mwandira said details on funeral arrangements will be communicated later.
Meanwhile, Village Head Nthukuso of the area has described the death as a loss to both Nsanje and the entire country as always Malemia was focused on development projects.
The late Senior Chief Malemia whose real name was Lameck Msamange, was installed as the Traditional Authority on June 5,2005 by former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika.
The Senior Chief is survived with seven children plus twelve grandchildren.