Parliament Rebukes Former Police Director Over Conduct During Chilima Inquiry

Suleman Chitera
September 24, 2026
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By Suleman Chitera

Lilongwe, Malawi — September 2026

A Parliamentary committee investigating the death of former Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima has reprimanded former Police Director of Operations Commissioner Akis Muwanga over the manner in which he responded to questions during proceedings.

Muwanga appeared before the parliamentary inquiry yesterday as lawmakers continued examining circumstances surrounding the death of Chilima and eight other people in a plane crash in June 2024.

During the session, Muwanga at times responded to questions in Chichewa after experiencing difficulty expressing himself in English.

However, the use of Chichewa was not the main issue that prompted intervention from the committee.

The committee took issue with what its chairperson, Walter Nyamilandi, regarded as dismissive or disrespectful responses directed at Members of Parliament.

Nyamilandi reminded Muwanga that he was appearing before elected representatives and was expected to conduct himself accordingly.

“You are being questioned by Honourable Members of Parliament. They are Honourable Members, and you must answer them respectfully,” Nyamilandi told the former police director.

The intervention brought attention to the importance of decorum during the inquiry, which is examining events surrounding one of Malawi’s most closely watched national tragedies.

Muwanga’s use of Chichewa itself did not appear to be the central concern. Rather, the exchange focused on the manner in which questions were answered and the level of respect expected during parliamentary proceedings.

The committee is seeking information from individuals who may have knowledge of events surrounding the aircraft accident that claimed the lives of Chilima, former Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Reverend Silas Chilima, and other passengers and crew members.

The June 10, 2024 crash occurred in the Chikangawa Forest after the aircraft carrying the Vice President and others disappeared from radar while travelling from Blantyre to Mzuzu.

The subsequent investigation and questions surrounding the circumstances of the crash have continued to attract significant public attention.

Muwanga’s appearance before the committee therefore comes as lawmakers continue gathering testimony from officials and other individuals considered relevant to establishing a clearer account of what happened before, during and after the aircraft went down.

The committee’s rebuke also highlighted the formal nature of parliamentary inquiries and the expectation that witnesses cooperate with lawmakers while providing information relevant to their investigations.

With public interest in the Chilima inquiry remaining high, proceedings are expected to continue attracting close attention as the committee works through testimony and evidence relating to the tragedy.