This is President Peter Mutharika's fifth visit to South Africa this year Malawi's opposition has demanded an explanation for President Peter Mutharika's prolonged stay in South Africa, as the country struggles with fuel shortages, power cuts and economic difficulties. The 86-year-old Mutharika left Malawi on 6 October, for what officials described as a private visit. This is his fifth visit this year, with limited information made public on each of these trips.