President Lazarus Chakwera has declared 21 days of mourning following the death of State Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others, who died in a plane crash on Monday.
Their bodies and the wreckage of the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) plane were recovered Tuesday.
Others who have died are Lucas Kapheni, Chisomo Chimaneni, former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, Dan Kanyemba and Abdul Lapukeni. The plane was being operated by Colonel Owen Sambalopa, Major Flora Selemani and Major Aidin of the MDF.
A ‘Declaration of National Mourning’ statement reads: “His Excellency Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, has directed that the nation observes a period of 21 days of mourning commencing today, Tuesday, 11 June 2024, to Monday, 1 July 2024, in honour of the late Right Honourable Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, and eight officials whom we lost in a tragic plane crash on Monday, 10 June 2024, near Chikangawa, Mzimba.
“His Excellency the President has also directed that all flags be flown at half-mast throughout the period of mourning. Further details regarding funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course,” Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba says in the statement.
