Tag Archives: Fresh inquiry on Chikangawa forest plane crash

Human Rights

HRCC questions Parliament’s technical capacity in Chilima plane crash probe

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has expressed cautious support for Parliament’s planned investigation into the 2024 plane crash that claimed the life of vice President President Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others while warning that the process may fall short of public expectations without independent technical expertise.

Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine other people were killed when the military aircraft crashed in Chikangawa Forest on June 10, 2024 as they travelled to attend the funeral of former Attorney General Ralph Kasambara in nkhatabay.

In an interview with Maravi Post on Tuesday,HRCC board Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba said the decision to assign the task to Parliament may best be justified by the Executive, particularly given the highly politicised nature of the tragedy at the time it occurred.

He noted that parliamentary committees comprise members from both ruling and opposition parties, a factor that could enhance public trust and acceptability of the findings among Malawians.

“One consideration may be that parliamentary committees bring together all political parties, and therefore their findings may be seen as more balanced,” Mkwezalamba observed.

He stressed that despite the financial cost, undertaking the investigation is necessary to bring closure to the nation, as some critical details were not fully clarified in previous reports by the Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) and other inquiries.

However, Mkwezalamba questioned whether Parliament possesses the technical capacity required to uncover the most crucial aspects of the tragedy namely, what exactly happened and who may have been responsible.

“Malawians want to know whether this was a normal accident or it was deliberately caused,”

“Such findings demand a thorough technical analysis of the aircraft’s specifications, its navigational capabilities, and its condition at the time! Parliament does not have that expertise beyond what the BFU already provided,” he said.

According to HRCC, Parliament may be limited to reviewing existing reports and identifying possible administrative or procedural lapses. These could include actions by officials who managed the aircraft at the holding bay in Zomba, cleared it for take-off, coordinated the search and rescue mission, communicated information to the public and the then sitting President, or handled critical materials such as the aircraft’s black box.

Mkwezalamba said that, ideally, government should have engaged independent external experts to conduct a fresh inquiry whose findings could be compared with previous reports. Without such independent analysis, he warned, disagreements within parliamentary committees could undermine the credibility of the outcome.

“There is a real risk that Malawians may reject the findings if they do not align with what they were led to believe,” he said, referring to claims made during political campaigns that the crash was not accidental.

“If the conclusion contradicts those expectations, the investigation may be viewed as a costly exercise that failed to deliver what people anticipated.”

HRCC has since urged government to approach the matter strategically to avoid reopening divisions over a tragedy that many Malawians had begun to accept as a normal accident.

“As a nation, we must ensure that any further probe genuinely promotes truth and closure.

“Otherwise, we risk reopening wounds without resolving them,” Mkwezalamba said. “

Human Rights, Obituaries

Unpacking Chikangawa Forest plane crash fresh Commissions of Inquiry role

Burnett Munthali

A commission of inquiry is a critical mechanism used by governments to investigate matters of public concern, often involving allegations of misconduct, accidents, or systemic failures.

Commissions of inquiry are typically established to uncover facts, identify responsible parties, and make recommendations for improvement or corrective action.

In Malawi, commissions of inquiry have been used to investigate various high-profile incidents, including the Chikangawa plane crash, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in governance.

On February 24, 2026, President Arthur Peter Mutharika directed Parliament to institute a commission of inquiry into the Chikangawa plane crash, which tragically claimed the lives of Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima and others.

The investigation will include different experts to ensure a thorough and comprehensive inquiry, demonstrating the government’s commitment to uncovering the truth behind the incident.

The effectiveness of a commission of inquiry depends on its independence, credibility, and transparency, as well as the government’s commitment to implementing its recommendations.

A well-conducted commission of inquiry can help restore public trust in institutions, provide closure to affected parties, and inform policy reforms.

However, commissions of inquiry can also be criticized for being slow, expensive, and sometimes failing to deliver tangible results, underscoring the need for careful consideration and planning.

In the context of Malawi’s governance, commissions of inquiry have played a significant role in promoting accountability and transparency, but more needs to be done to strengthen their impact.

Ultimately, the success of a commission of inquiry depends on the government’s willingness to act on its findings and recommendations, making it a crucial test of leadership commitment to good governance.

African parliaments have also utilized commissions of inquiry to investigate crucial issues, promoting accountability and transparency.

First, South Africa’s Marikana Commission investigated the Marikana massacre, in which police killed 34 striking miners, highlighting systemic failures and recommending police reform.

Second, Kenya’s Goldenberg Commission* probed the Goldenberg scandal, leading to convictions and recoveries of stolen assets.

Third, Ghana’s National Reconciliation Commission investigated human rights abuses and corruption during military regimes, recommending reparations and institutional reforms ¹.

These examples demonstrate the potential of commissions of inquiry to promote accountability and transparency in African governance.

In conclusion, commissions of inquiry are a crucial tool for promoting transparency and accountability in governance.

Obituaries, Politics

Opposition MCP legislators afraid of fresh Chilima plane crash probe

MaraviPost


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.