The family of Vice-President Saulos Chilima, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash along with eight others, has expressed its support for the commission of inquiry established by President Lazarus Chakwera to investigate the incident.
In a brief telephone interview on Saturday, family representative Dr. Ben Chilima stated that they welcome the commission, hoping it will provide clarity and answers regarding the circumstances surrounding the tragic crash. The family is seeking justice and accountability as they navigate this difficult time.
He said: “We are very happy that at last it has been appointed. We hope the commission will do the best job that is satisfactory to the family and the other families. We don’t want compromises.
Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu, who is the official government spokesman, on Friday night said the inquiry team will probe all circumstances surrounding and leading to the accident of the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Aircraft MAF-TO3.
Preliminary findings of German investigators show that, among others, the MDF plane had no cockpit voice recorder (CVR) or a flight data recorder.
According to the United States based National Transportation Safety Board, the CVR records radio transmissions and sounds in the flight deck to aid subsequent investigation should an accident or incident occur.
Apart from Chilima, those aboard the MDF aircraft who perished with him were former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, who was also his special assistant, his guard commander Lukas Kapheni, aide-de-camp Chisomo Chimaneni, medical officer Dan Kanyemba and deputy chief of staff in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abdul Lapukeni.
The flight was operated by Colonel Owen Sambalopa as the Pilot-in-Command, Major Flora Selemani Ngwilinji as the Second-in-Command and aircraft engineer Major Wellece Aidin.
Copied,NPL
