…….Government confirms receipt of all three investigative reports into the tragic military plane crash that killed Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango has confirmed that his office has officially received all three reports related to the military plane crash that claimed the lives of Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima and eight others.
Mhango made the announcement on Monday, stating that the reports are now under review by the Ministry of Justice to determine the next steps in accordance with legal and constitutional procedures.
He, however, ruled out any conspiracy theories or claims of foul play, stressing that there is no credible evidence in the reports to support such allegations.
“The reports have been received and are being analyzed by my office,” Mhango said. “At this stage, I wish to clarify that the information contained therein does not point to any conspiracy. Speculation at this point is unnecessary and unhelpful.”
The minister’s remarks come amid growing public speculation and debate surrounding the true cause of the crash, which occurred in June 2024, killing Malawi’s vice president and eight military officers.
The tragedy shocked the nation and triggered widespread mourning, with many Malawians calling for transparency and accountability in the investigation process.
According to Mhango, the three reports were compiled separately by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF), the Civil Aviation Authority, and an independent international investigation team that was brought in to ensure objectivity and technical accuracy.
He emphasized that the government remains committed to full disclosure, but that any information released to the public must be factual and verified to avoid fueling unnecessary controversy.
“The loss of Dr. Chilima and his team remains one of the darkest moments in our national history,” Mhango said. “We owe it to their memory and to the Malawian people to handle this matter with the utmost care, transparency, and integrity.”
He also urged citizens and the media to exercise restraint and avoid spreading unverified information on social media, noting that such actions undermine public trust and disrupt the ongoing review process.
The Justice Minister said once his office completes the review, a consolidated report will be presented to President Peter Mutharika and then shared with the public through appropriate channels.
Meanwhile, families of the victims continue to seek closure and assurance that the government will take necessary measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The final findings of the review are expected to clarify outstanding questions about the cause of the crash and the recommendations for improving the safety of government and military flights in Malawi.
