Today, a comprehensive briefing was held by the Ministry of Information and the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) regarding the tragic incident involving the late Vice President, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima. Key details were shared about the circumstances and the response efforts following the incident.
Independent autopsy specialists conducted post-mortem examinations on all the bodies involved in the incident. The families had selected two specialists from Kamuzu College of Nursing (KCN), one from the College of North Carolina, and Dr. Charles Dzamalala to carry out the autopsies.
The Vice President’s casket has arrived from South Africa, and the official program for honoring him will commence tomorrow. His Excellency will lead a procession to St. Patrick’s Church in Area 18. The body will lie in state at the Parliament building from tomorrow until Sunday morning. The mass funeral ceremony, originally planned for Civo Stadium, has been moved to Bingu Stadium and will take place on Sunday. Condolence books have been opened in all city councils across the country for citizens to pay their respects.
Details were provided regarding the aircraft and its crew. The Vice President’s office had requested the use of the aircraft, which had its last inspection in March 2024. The next inspection was scheduled for July 30, 2024, when a flying nozzle was to be replaced. The crew consisted of Pilot Sambalota, Major Floress Seleman, and Aidin. Major Sambalota and Major Seleman were trained in South Africa, with Seleman holding two flying certificates, while Aidin received training in Zimbabwe.
Contact with the aircraft was lost at 10:10 am on Monday. The Civil Aviation Authority immediately began a search operation, initially checking with counterparts in Zambia, Tanzania, Karonga, and Likoma after failing to locate the aircraft. The weather conditions in the northern region on the day of the incident were described as foggy, with zero visibility.
In line with military protocol, an investigation was promptly instituted to determine the cause of the tragedy. This investigation is being conducted in partnership with aviation officials, with findings to be reported to the MDF and subsequently to government officials. Civil Aviation has the authority to conduct its own investigation or collaborate with international investigators if necessary.
The MDF urged citizens to avoid sensational reporting of the incident to prevent confusion and maintain public order.
The aircraft carrying the late Vice President lost contact at approximately 10:10 am, but the search efforts intensified around 4:00 pm, as it was not immediately clear that the aircraft was missing, according to Valentino Phiri, a representative for the Malawi Defence Force.