LILONGWE-(Maravipost)-Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) legislators are not happy with President Peter Mutharika’s directive for Parliament to probe the plane crash that killed Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others, calling for a professional, expert-led investigation rather than what they describe as a politically charged inquiry.
The call was made after a proposal was raised on Tuesday by Mwanza Central Member of Parliament, Felix Njawala, under Standing Order 69, and Lilongwe Mpenu MP, Elznower Mkaka, under Standing Order 14.
The legislators called on the August House to institute an investigation into the Nthungwa plane crash that resulted in the tragic deaths.
However, Mkaka was the first to object to bringing the inquiry before Parliament, arguing that the matter requires technical expertise and risks being trivialized if handled in a political forum.
Supporting the position, Dedza Mulunduli MP Moses Kunkuyu warned that debating the issue in Parliament could lead to its politicization, stressing that Parliament is inherently a political arena.
Meanwhile, lawmakers from the United Transformation Movement (UTM) Patricia kaliati and Felix Njawala pushed back against the MCP’s stance.
The party maintained that the matter is of national importance and deserves full transparency.
UTM leader of the house, Kaliati further alleged that President Peter Mutharika is aware that the individual who previously spoke about the whereabouts of the aircraft’s black box is a sitting member of Parliament.
Kaliati accused MCP lawmakers of hypocrisy, arguing that raising concerns while resisting a formal parliamentary probe undermines accountability.
Second Deputy Speaker Victor Musowa weighed in on the matter, emphasizing that it is within Parliament’s constitutional mandate to investigate issues of national significance.
Minister of Justice Charles Mhango also assured the House that Members of Parliament are fully capable of handling matters of national importance responsibly.
The debate highlights growing political tensions surrounding the circumstances of the fatal crash, with calls for transparency continuing to dominate public discussion.