By Burnett Munthali
The widow of the late Malawi Vice President, Saulos Klaus Chilima, Mary Chilima, has made an emotional appeal for the establishment of a special commission of inquiry to investigate the tragic Chikangawa Forest plane crash. The accident, which occurred on June 10, 2024, in Mzimba District, claimed eight lives, including her husband’s.
During a visit to the crash site on September 29, a day that would have marked their wedding anniversary, Mary Chilima urged all well-wishers and concerned citizens to join her in calling for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
“September 29th was our wedding anniversary. I’m urging all concerned people to help me establish a special commission of inquiry into what happened between June 10 and 11,” she said during her commemoration visit. In her native Chichewa, she added, “Ndikupempha nonse okhudzidwa kuti mundithandize kumema kafukufuku wapadera, kuti timve tsatanetsatane wa zomwe zinachitika pa 10 mpakana pa 11 June.”
Her appeal follows the recent endorsement by the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), which also called for a thorough investigation. Widow Chilima hopes that a special commission will bring clarity to the circumstances surrounding the crash, offer closure to the families of the victims, and ensure accountability.
Saulos Klaus Chilima, a key figure in Malawian politics, served as Vice President and played an influential role in shaping the country’s political trajectory. His untimely death has left the nation in shock, raising unanswered questions about the cause of the crash.
With her heartfelt plea, Mary Chilima aims to secure justice for her late husband and the other victims of the tragedy, while also pushing for preventive measures to avert similar disasters in the future. As the nation mourns its loss, her call for an inquiry has become a rallying point for those seeking truth and transparency regarding the fateful accident.
