By Wezzie Gausi:
The government has announced plans to institute a fresh inquiry into the Chikangawa military plane crash, with lawmakers calling for adequate funding and an independent process to ensure credible findings into the tragedy that claimed nine lives, including that of former vice president Saulos Chilima.
The others who died in the plane accident, which occurred on June 10, 2024, are former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, Lucas Kapheni, Chisomo Chimaneni, Dan Kanyemba, Abdul Lapukeni as well as Colonel Owen Sambalopa, Major Flora Selemani and Major Aidin, who are Malawi Defence Force personnel who were operating the plane.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Charles Mhango made the announcement in Parliament yesterday while responding to a question from UTM Member of Parliament Felix Njawala, who sought an update on progress made in establishing the cause of the accident.
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Mhango told the House that his review of earlier investigations revealed serious gaps that prevented the country from reaching a definitive conclusion.
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“I wish to report that this august House has been pleased to direct that, indeed, a fresh inquiry and investigation should be carried out into the accident that took place on 10th June 2024,” Mhango said.
He said reports produced by the Commission of Inquiry and Germany’s Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation were not conclusive, partly because key evidence and expert analysis were either incomplete or relied on findings whose credibility had been questioned.
“My review of the reports revealed several gaps in the investigations and findings about this particular accident,” he said.
Njawala, whose question prompted the ministerial statement, said the nation and bereaved families were still waiting for clear answers on what caused the crash.
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“This is something that the country would want to see closure on. The families and the nation at large want responses that truly reflect what happened,” Njawala told the House.
During debate on the matter, Malawi Congress Party Chief Whip Moses Kunkuyu called on the Minister of Finance to ensure the fresh inquiry is properly funded in the upcoming national budget.
“There must be sufficient resources in the budget for the carrying out of this investigation. The credibility of the process would depend on the level of support provided,” Kunkuyu said.
He said adequate financing would enable investigators and technical experts to conduct a thorough and independent probe that would be capable of restoring public confidence.
The Dornier 228 Malawi Defence Force aircraft crashed at Nthungwa Hill in Chikangawa Forest while flying from Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe to Mzuzu Airport in Mzuzu City, killing all passengers and crew on board.
The government says the new inquiry is expected to address outstanding questions and provide final closure to one of Malawi’s most tragic aviation disasters.
