MALAWI: UTM Pledges New Investigation Into Vice President Chilima Plane Crash

By Smile Hamilton, Malawi

Dalitso Kabambe, the presidential candidate for the United Transformation Movement (UTM), has vowed to institute a fresh investigation into the June 2024 plane crash that killed Malawi’s former Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima and eight others if the party assumes power.

Speaking on Tuesday, during a candlelight memorial ceremony held at the crash site in Nthungwa, Nkhata Bay, Kabambe said Malawians still need closure and answers regarding what exactly led to the fatal incident. He emphasized that a UTM-led government would prioritize truth and justice for all Malawians.

“No nation can move forward while its citizens are still grieving unanswered questions,” Kabambe said. “Our promise is that we will dig deeper to establish the facts surrounding the tragic crash and bring full clarity to the public.”

The ceremony was attended by UTM supporters and members of other political parties who joined in honouring the lives lost in the crash. Party flags, candles, and symbolic flowers decorated the location as part of the remembrance event.

Kabambe added that the goal of the fresh probe would not be to accuse anyone but rather to provide a fair, thorough, and transparent process that satisfies the public’s right to know. He said families of the victims and Malawians at large deserve the truth.

The gathering was solemn, marked by songs of hope and prayers offered by religious leaders. Many attendees expressed emotional reflections about Dr. Chilima’s legacy and called for national unity in his memory.

In his speech, Kabambe described Dr. Chilima as “a leader of vision, courage, and action,” whose death left a significant gap in Malawi’s political and developmental path. He said UTM remains committed to carrying forward the values Chilima championed.

As the memorial came to a close, participants lit candles and observed a moment of silence. Kabambe reiterated UTM’s commitment to truth, justice, and leadership with integrity, promising that the investigation would begin within the first 100 days of their administration.