By Vincent Gunde
A Malawi Congress Party (MCP) diehard of Mvera in Dowa district Mr. Rodgers Kamphangala, has dismissed claims made by the DPP in its statement released on the 17th February, 2026 that UTM supporters are choosing to politicize the tragic loss of Dr. Saulosi Chilima and eight others.
In the DPP statement signed by its Spokesperson Shadric Namalomba, the party has called on all parties to rise above partisan accusations that the DPP has abandoned the death of Dr. Chilima and eight others, advising parties to channel their energies into collectively advocating for a transparent and effective process that will finally bring closure to this painful chapter in the nation’s history.
The DPP said it believe that any inquiry must be credible, independent, and legally bound- not a media circus designed to score cheap political points saying its position is clear supporting any genuine effort to uncover the full truth about the plane crash and is standing ready to contribute constructively to that goal.
In the statement, the DPP said it has noted with dismay a publication by 247 Malawi. Com of 16th February, 2026 that UTM supporters are accusing DPP of exploiting Dr. Saulosi Chilima’s death for votes describing the allegations as false, reckless, and deserve unequivocal rebuttal.
The party said the suggestion that it has abandoned the cause for the late Dr. Saulosi Chilima is a deliberate distortion of facts saying their respect for the late Vice President is not transactional – it does not begin and end with elections.
“The DPP has not abandoned anything, it’s commitment to justice for Dr. Saulosi Chilima, his family, and the nation remain ironclad regardless of political calendars,” reads the DPP statement in part.
Kamphangala said it is not only UTM supporters choosing to politicize Chilima’s death but Malawians including MCP supporters on the claims that Dr. Chilima was the country’ Vice President and his loss, was a loss not only to his family but the nation.
He said one of the reasons Malawians overwhelmingly voted for Professor Arthur Peter
