By Burnett Munthali
During the mass prayers held at Nsipe Catholic Ground for the late Vice President Saulos Chilima, significant criticism was directed towards the leadership’s response to the tragic plane crash that claimed Chilima’s life. An audio recording from the service, which has been widely shared on social media, reflects on the perceived shortcomings of the government.
In the prayers, the Catholic Church’s message questioned if the death was truly part of divine will and criticized the indecisiveness of leadership. “Several hours passed after the plane crash in Chikangawa Forest before any action was taken,” the priest noted. He contrasted the slow response with the urgency typically shown in emergencies, saying, “If someone falls off a bike, you rush to save their life.”
The sermon highlighted a perceived failure in the leadership’s response, emphasizing that “humanity tells us to help each other,” which, according to the priest, was not demonstrated on the day of the crash. The priest further criticized the lack of prompt action, drawing an analogy to searching for a missing relative, which should not be deferred.
Reflecting on past incidents, the priest recalled a previous crash involving cabinet ministers and compared it to the recent military aircraft accident, attributing both to the same political party. This historical context was used to underline concerns about consistent leadership failures.
The mass concluded with a call to action for the 2025 elections, urging voters to choose leaders who can act decisively and effectively. “It will be up to us to vote for a future of light or darkness,” the priest said, urging that the mourning for Chilima should inspire a demand for better governance.
The service not only served as a tribute to Saulos Chilima but also as a platform to reflect on and critique the current leadership, stressing the importance of choosing capable leaders in the upcoming elections.