By Burnett Munthali
Newton Kambala, one of the UTM presidential hopefuls, has once again called for a commission of inquiry into the plane crash that tragically claimed the life of Vice President Saulos Chilima and others at Nthungwa on June 10, 2024. Kambala made the remarks during a visit to the crash site, where he was accompanied by other UTM party leaders and supporters.
During the visit, Kambala voiced his support for the peaceful demonstrations being organized by the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), which aim to pressure the government into establishing the commission of inquiry. He emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth behind the crash, a call also made by Mary Chilima, the widow of the late Vice President, who has been vocal about the need for an independent investigation.
“The visit to Nthungwa is in solidarity with the calls made by Mrs. Chilima for a commission of inquiry,” Kambala said. “Malawians deserve to know the truth about what really happened on that tragic day.”
Among those accompanying Kambala were notable UTM figures, including the Central Region Director of Youth Aaron Chiweza, Annie Nyadani Makuta, Mr. Saonda, and Mavuto Banda. Their presence underscored the party’s commitment to seeking answers and accountability for the crash.
Despite the government having assigned the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigations (BFU) to lead the inquiry, several civil society organizations, including CDEDI, have expressed concerns over the delay in the investigation and are pushing for more transparency in the process.
As calls for an inquiry continue to grow from both political and civil society circles, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to mounting pressure to act on the issue and provide clarity for the nation regarding the tragic incident that shook the country.
