President Chakwera appointed Namiwa, and 18 others to be part of the commission of inquiry investigating the circumstances surrounding the aircraft accident involving the Malawi Air Force Dornier 228 on June 10, 2024.

The aircraft crashed in Chikangawa, killing former Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima and eight others on board.

Chilima’s family, CDEDI, and others demanded a commission of inquiry to provide an overview of what really happened on that fateful day.

In a letter addressed to President Chakwera, Namiwa stated that, contrary to their Terms of Reference (TORs) and the Commissions of Inquiry Act, the commission has rejected his proposal to conduct the inquest in public.

Namiwa expressed concern that the commission, which is standing on a thin line of trust, is taking such a route.

“It is therefore strange that the commission, which is standing on a thin line of trust, should take this kind of approach. This begs the question: what is it that this taxpayer-funded commission intends to hide from the public, which has so many unanswered questions?” he wrote.

Namiwa has since thanked Chakwera for trusting him and appointing him to be part of the inquiry.

Meanwhile, Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Colleen Zamba stated that the commission of inquiry established to investigate the Chikangawa plane crash is expected to submit its report to President Chakwera before November 24, 2024.