The Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Chikangawa Plane Crash that claimed the lives of former Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others will begin public hearings next week as it intensifies efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
The hearings are scheduled to take place at Parliament Building from June 17 to June 26, 2026, marking a significant phase in the Committee’s fresh inquiry into one of Malawi’s most devastating aviation tragedies.
According to the Committee, the hearings will focus on establishing key facts surrounding the flight, particularly the pre-flight arrangements and decision-making processes that preceded the ill-fated journey.
The development follows the completion of site inspections conducted by the Committee, which provided members with critical technical and contextual insights expected to inform the next stage of the investigation.
Committee Chairperson Walter Nyamilandu Manda said a range of witnesses has been invited to provide testimony, including family members of the deceased passengers, representatives of the Malawi Defence Force, officials from the Office of the Vice President, and personnel from the Office of the Secretary to the President and Cabinet.
The Committee will adopt a hybrid hearing model, with some sessions held in camera while others will be open to the public. The nature of each hearing will depend on the category of witness and the sensitivity of the information being presented.
The inquiry seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the events leading to the crash and contribute to ongoing efforts to establish accountability and transparency surrounding the tragedy.
Chilima and eight others lost their lives when the military aircraft they were travelling in crashed in the Chikangawa Forest on June 10, 2024, sending shockwaves across the nation and prompting calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the accident.
