Malawi president looks into predecessor's death

BLANTYRE, Malawi – Malawi's new president says official investigators will look into her predecessor's recent death in office and alleged attempts to keep her from taking his place.

In her first state of the nation address Friday, President Joyce Banda said she was appointing a commission of inquiry to look into when and how Bingu wa Mutharika died, what medical attention he received, and the "activities of various individuals during and in managing the transition."

After Mutharika died April 5, the government took two days to confirm his death and allow Banda, his vice president, to step in. The delay had led to speculation that Banda's rivals were trying to prevent her from becoming president, even though the constitution decrees the vice president should take over.