BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Nearly two years after the military aircraft crash that claimed the life of former Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others, pressure is mounting on a newly established parliamentary inquiry to uncover what many Malawians believe remains one of the country’s most troubling unanswered questions.
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has challenged the 13 member ad hoc (Temporary) committee investigating the June 10, 2024 tragedy to deliver what it describes as the “full truth” behind the crash, arguing that previous efforts failed to provide closure to the nation.
Speaking on press briefing on Tuesday,in Blantyre, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa welcomed President Peter Mutharika and Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman for establishing the committee led by Walter Nyamilandu Manda.
Namiwa said Malawians expect the latest probe to succeed where previous investigations allegedly fell short, insisting that the country deserves a comprehensive account of the events that led to the fatal crash in the forests of Chikangawa.
According to CDEDI, the committee’s early decision to visit key locations linked to the accident has already inspired confidence among citizens eager for answers surrounding the deaths of the nine passengers aboard the ill-fated aircraft.
However, the organisation warned that the inquiry must go beyond examining the crash itself and explore events that preceded the journey including the circumstances surrounding the death of prominent lawyer Ralph Kasambara, whose funeral the delegation was travelling to attend.
CDEDI argued that questions surrounding Kasambara’s death, as well as the conduct of some senior government officials during his burial, remain unresolved and deserve closer scrutiny as part of efforts to establish a complete timeline of events.
The organisation also called for several key figures to appear before the committee including Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga, former president Lazarus Chakwera, former Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu and former Inspector General Merlyn Yolamu.
Among the issues raised are questions surrounding search and rescue operations, the handling of medical and forensic evidence, the certification of deaths, communication provided to the nation during the crisis and the reported whereabouts of the aircraft’s black box.
The democracy watchdog further suggested that family members, religious leaders and individuals directly connected to the victims should be granted an opportunity to testify before the committee to help establish a clearer picture of what transpired before and after the crash.
CDEDI also urged investigators to gather evidence from residents around Chikangawa, security personnel stationed in the area, police officers, military personnel and private sector officials who may possess information relevant to the inquiry.