Member of Parliament for Mulanje West, Patricia Kaliati, says she believes the June 2024 plane crash that claimed the life of Vice President Saulos Chilima will be included in the national budget, adding she will confirm by Friday whether funding has been allocated for a formal investigation.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, the senior UTM Party member said budgeting for the probe would help establish the truth about how the accident occurred and bring closure to the nation.
Kaliati stressed that the government has a responsibility to determine what led to the crash, including whether the aircraft was fit to fly, and to ensure accountability if any wrongdoing is uncovered.
Describing Chilima as a “bona fide son of the soil,” she said a transparent investigation would send a clear message that Malawi does not tolerate impunity, particularly in matters involving national leadership.
She also raised concerns about the broader climate of insecurity before the tragedy, saying some political figures had experienced threats and surveillance, issues she believes authorities must not overlook.
Beyond the crash inquiry, Kaliati called on the Ministry of Information and Digitalisation to act against individuals cyberbullying Mary Chilima for publicly mourning her husband.
She said Mary Chilima has every right to grieve without harassment, adding that both the investigation and protection against online abuse are vital for accountability and national healing.
