State House confirmed on Wednesday that the 86‑year‑old President would leave Kamuzu International Airport for South Africa, offering no details on the purpose of the trip and its duration. First, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation reported that Mutharika was heading out on another private visit — then abruptly scrubbed the story. State House has now confirmed the trip, but not the confusion. Why has the President made four private trips to South Africa in such a short space of time? If the trip is genuinely private, State House could simply say so and provide basic clarity.