Malawians avoid commission of inquiry into Chilima’s death

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Citizens of the country are reportedly shunning the ongoing commission of inquiry into former Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others who died in a plane crash in Chikangawa forest on June 10 this year.

The commission’s latest update shows members of the public have not responded well to the inquiry’s requests for any information about the crash.

The commission’s chairman, Judge Jabber Alide, says only one person has voluntarily responded to the call, despite continued publicity about the ongoing investigation.

“Given the national interest and widespread debate that the plane crash sparked and the subsequent calls for an investigation on both social media and the mainstream media.

“The commission expected members of the public to respond to the commission’s call,” the update reads in part.

As such, the commission says it has completed its Phase 2 work in the Eastern region, particularly in the Malawi Air Force Base, Zomba Air Force Base and Zomba District Council.

“We are now embarking on Phase 3 in the south, specifically in Blantyre from 15 to 16 November,” the statement added.

The commission further reports: “During Phase 2 and Phase 1 in the Northern Region, we were able to conduct field visits to all locations relevant to the investigation.

“So far, the commission has interviewed and was able to obtain information from 55 witnesses.”

President Lazarus Chakwera created a commission of inquiry at the request of the public after Germany’s Federal Aviation Investigation Office failed to provide full information on the true causes of the plane crash.

President Chakwera has given a mandate to prepare a comprehensive report by November 30, 2024.

Chakwera told the commission not to shut anyone out in its work.