By Mercy Matonga:
The body of State Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima, who died in a plane crash alongside eight others last Monday, left the administrative capital of Lilongwe for good at 3:30pm Sunday.
That is when the remains were taken to Ntcheu District, the final resting place.
He had made Capital Hill, the seat of the government in Lilongwe, his office since being sworn in—alongside President Lazarus Chakwera—on June 28 2020.
Chilima had been to that Capital Hill Office before, as he also served as vice president in president Peter Mutharika’s regime, which spanned from May 30 2014 to the day Chakwera and Chilima were sworn in on June 28 2020.
He did not go without ceremony and pomp, though, with a memorial service for the departed vice president being held at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe.
As early as 6am, Malawians of all ages, social class, religion and political affiliation— joined by representatives of foreign governments and institutions—started trooping into BNS.
As the day went on, the stadium became a sea of people.
And as the body of the departed vice president entered the stadium via military transport, grief struck those in it.
Women clad in Chilima’s UTM party cloth sang songs of praise and worship.
On her part, UTM secretary general Patricia Kaliati said they would continue advancing the agenda that Chilima was advancing, observing that he had taught them hard work and the essence of time management.
“Chilima was a humble Vice President, such that he could serve us food whenever we visited him at his Capital Hill office. He never allowed a visitor to serve himself or herself. He was the epitome of humility and human service,” Kaliati said.
On his part, Kenya’s former prime minister Raila Odinga said the people of Kenya condoled with the people of Malawi on the untimely “loss” of Chilima.
He said Kenyans recently experienced a similar tragedy when an army commander died in a plane crash.
Former attorney general Chikusa Silungwe, who is Chilima’s long-time friend, called for a special inquiry into circumstances that led to the death of the nine people last Monday.
He said Malawians deserve answers because rulers rule on trust, such that they are under obligation to report back to Malawians on crucial issues.
United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Rebecca Adda-Dontoh conveyed a message of condolence from UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres.
She said Guterres was saddened by recent events in Malawi.
Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba described Chilima as a man with a good work ethic.
She said Chilima always followed up on issues, such that he kept people, including her, on their toes.
Taking his turn Chakwera, who spoke before Catholic clergy— among them Lilongwe Archdiocese’s Archbishop George Tambala and Mangochi Diocese’s Bishop Montfort Stima—said he was still at pains to accept that Chilima was no more.
The President praised his departed vice, describing him as a calm presence and principled man.
Chakwera then announced that there would be an independent investigation into the incident, as the Malawi Defence Force could not investigate itself in this situation.
