By Pemphero Malimba:
The Parliamentary Ad hoc Committee investigating the Chikangawa forest plane crash that killed then vice president Saulos Chilima and eight others has engaged two forensic pathologists from South Africa to begin the forensic pathology phase of its inquiry.
Committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu Manda announced the development in a statement released Wednesday.
He identified the experts as Dr Robert Gabriel Ngude and Dr Wilson Sibusiso Ntsele.
- Advertisement -
Nyamilandu Manda said the engagement was intended to agree on the scope, feasibility, requirements and plan of action for the forensic assignment.
- Advertisement -
“In a nutshell, the preparatory phase will involve the following: review of existing post-mortem reports and medical records, identification of gaps in evidence and chain-of-custody documentation and respectful family engagement,” he said.
He added that the preparatory phase would also include assessing Malawi’s capacity in DNA, toxicology, radiology and mortuary services, as well as planning for equipment, protective gear and secure facilities.
Nyamilandu Manda further said this stage of the forensic pathology inquiry will proceed in phases, beginning with the collection and review of existing evidence.
“…followed by stakeholder engagement and, subject to legal clearances and family consultations, possible exhumation and re-examination of selected remains,” he said.
- Advertisement -
Nyamilandu Manda added that the experts had indicated that the sensitive assignment would be conducted systematically, lawfully and with strict confidentiality.
“The process aims to produce an independent and defensible forensic record that will assist the committee in establishing facts surrounding the crash,” he said.
The development follows the conclusion of the first phase of the inquiry.
Over nearly two months, the committee heard testimony from serving and former government officials, serving and former Malawi Defence Force officers, lawyers and family members of the victims.
Former National Intelligence Service director general Dokani Ngwira and former Malawi Defence Force deputy army commander John Msonthi were the final witnesses to appear before the committee during the first phase last week.
The plane crashed in Nthungwa-Chikangawa Forest on June 10, 2024, as Chilima and his delegation were travelling to Mzuzu on their way to the funeral of former Cabinet minister Ralph Kasambara in Nkhata Bay.
