The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has demanded that the parliamentary inquiry into the June 10, 2024, Chikangawa plane crash broaden its investigations to include several individuals, institutions, and events linked to the death of former Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others.
Speaking during a press briefing in Blantyre on Tuesday, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa said the committee led by Walter Nyamilandu-Manda must deliver “nothing but the truth” and avoid repeating what he described as failures of the previous inquiry.
“Malawians do not expect another waste of time and resources through this probe,” said Namiwa. “This time around, Malawians expect nothing but the truth.”
Among its demands, CDEDI wants the committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of prominent lawyer Ralph Kasambara, saying police failed to pursue possible leads despite knowing the identities of people he was last seen with.
“It is strange that MPS questionably failed to develop interest leads pointing to foul play when, in fact, identities of those he was last seen with were known,” said Namiwa.
The governance watchdog also wants investigators to obtain video footage from Kasambara’s burial ceremony to examine what it described as suspicious conduct by Cabinet ministers present at the funeral.
CDEDI further proposed summoning former president Lazarus Chakwera, former Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu, former Malawi Defence Force Commander Valentino Phiri, MACRA Director General Daud Suleman, and Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga to appear before the inquiry committee.
“Since it is a foregone conclusion that Chakwera will appear before the committee to tell Malawians who told him that the ill-fated plane reached Mzuzu and why he opted to give four-hour updates when he formally informed the nation the news about the missing aircraft that was carrying the country’s Vice-President and eight others.
“Chakwera should also provide proof that there was a meeting of heads of State he was supposed to attend on this fateful day in Barbados,” he added.
The organization also called for members of the Justice Jabbar Alide-led commission of inquiry to be summoned to explain several findings in their report, including claims that the bodies of the deceased had no blood, urine, or saliva.
CDEDI additionally wants the committee to interview widow Mary Chilima, former St Patrick’s Parish priest Father Zulu, and relatives of the late pilot, while also examining medical reports, death certificates, and allegations surrounding the handling of bodies at Sunset Mortuary.
