By Mercy Matonga:
The government says it will outline the next course of action on the report of the plane crash that killed former vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight others before Parliament concludes its meeting in April.
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 Malawi Air Force plane
Progressive Party promised to review the issue
Minister of Information, who is also government spokesperson, Shadric Namalomba, said this Wednesday in Parliament following a request by Member of Parliament for Lilongwe Mude Constituency Mphatso Boti, who asked the government to shed light on progress of the review of the plane crash report.
Responding to Boti through journalists, Namalomba said the government had made some strides in relation to the report and that feedback would be presented to Parliament soon.
- Advertisement -
“I am proud to say that the review has been done and what we are waiting for is direction and, very soon, within the same [august] House, you will see developments taking place where we will put the matter to rest,” Namalomba said.
However, Namalomba refused to disclose details on the action the government was considering, saying there was a procedure to be followed.
“I would not want to pre-empt what action will be taken, but let me assure you that you will see it in this House because there is a recommended procedure that will be followed and we do not want this matter to be seen as political,” Namalomba said.
Speaking in Parliament, Boti said he lost friends in the crash and would like to have closure on what happened.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
“My major concern is on civil aviation. We had that accident and there was a report that was produced and was disputed, probably for political reasons, and the Democratic Progressive Party promised to review and clear the issue soon after resuming power,” Boti said.
He added that if the problem lied within civil aviation, it would help the country to change laws to ensure people’s safety.
In November last year, Justice Minister Charles Mhango told The Daily Times that he had completed reviewing the reports related to the plane crash.
The move followed President Peter Mutharika’s statement, during a September 2025 press briefing, in which he said the incoming minister of Justice would examine issues surrounding the crash.
