By Joseph Dumbula
Experts from Germany are now in Malawi to probe circumstances that lead to the crash of a military plane that killed former Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others on June 10 this year.
Their probe responds to an order that President Lazarus Chakwera made following the deaths that drew the nation into disbelief.
Government had initially said the Germans will work independently and assured them that there will be no hindrance to their work.
Since the crash, there have been mounting calls from a diverse section of Malawi’s society for an independent investigation “whose findings would satisfy people’s curiosity for truth.”
“As the government, we would like these experts to help us establish the actual cause of this plane crash that claimed the lives of our sons and daughters, who included the country’s sitting vice president. We will provide these experts with support so that the truth can come out,” said Moses Kunkuyu, Minister of Information.
The plane was on a short flight from the capital Lilongwe to the northern city of Mzuzu when it went missing for over 24 hours.
Chakwera had said earlier that air traffic controllers had told the plane not to land in Mzuzu because of bad weather and poor visibility and to return to Lilongwe. Air traffic controllers then lost contact with the plane.
Chakwera described Chilima as a distinctive man of honour, a great father and husband, as well as a great patriot who has served the nation selflessly.
“I consider it one of my greatest honour to be deputised by him in the last four years,” he said.
Other individuals in the plane were Lucas Kapheni, Chisomo Chimaneni, former First Lad Shanil Dzimbiri who was an advisor to Chilima, Dan Kanyemba, Abdul Lapukeni, Colonel Sambalopa, Major Selemani and Major Aidin.
Chakwera described whom the president described as great men and women of the nation and their death is a great loss to the people of Malawi.
Chakwera extended his heartfelt appreciation to the Malawi Defence Force and all parties involved in the search and rescue mission.
