Kaphuka served as Deputy Minister of Education, Home Affairs and Agriculture in Dr Bakili Muluzi's Government.

“We are dealt a devastating blow at your departure, variant comrade. You were a brave warrior, a consummate entrepreneur, a trail blazing educator and a reliable comrade and leader,” said Chilima on his official Facebook page.

In July 2019, Kaphuka who is also the former Member of Parliament for Blantyre West, joined UTM.

In business, he was a proprietor of Kaphuka Private Secondary School.

Born on February 23 1951, Kaphuka was from Gwaza Village, Traditional Authority Makwangwala, in Ntcheu.

He will be buried today at Michiru in Blantyre.