…Mhango wants Kasambara probe, family says no
A delayed funeral, a terrifying flight carrying Ralph Kasambara’s body and renewed questions over the final days before the Chikangawa tragedy dominated the first day of the parliamentary inquiry.
Emotional testimony from family members mixed with government explanations and political scrutiny as the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee began unpacking the circumstances surrounding the June 10, 2024 plane crash that killed former Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others.
The late Ralph Kasambara’s brother, Charles Kasambara, revealed that mourners waited for about 30 minutes before starting the funeral service because they expected Chilima to attend.
He said he repeatedly consulted government officials after the Vice President failed to arrive, with even the presiding priest becoming concerned over the delay.
“Even the priest, father Chunda was also abit agitated by the delay and he thought the vice president may not come. So I consulted further to say can we start the service in his absence,” Charles told the committee.
According to Charles, officials later informed him that the aircraft carrying Chilima had failed to land in Mzuzu because of poor visibility and had returned to Lilongwe, prompting the family to proceed with the service.
The committee also heard that transporting Ralph Kasambara’s body to Mzuzu involved lengthy discussions over whether to travel by road or hire an aircraft.
Charles said the family eventually secured a plane for about K9 million after consultations involving Brigadier Dr. Dan Kuwali and Wapona Kita, with the aircraft expected to remain overnight in Mzuzu before flying back to collect Chilima for the funeral.
He further disclosed that the flight carrying the body experienced turbulence that frightened family members, forcing some passengers to hold the casket in place.
“My wife told me that it was not comfortable. At some point the family members had to hold the casket and my young brother made a joke that we will go together,” he said.
The inquiry also shifted to government procedures, with Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet Justin Saidi distancing the OPC from decisions on the Vice President’s travel.
Saidi said the Office of the Vice President is solely responsible for planning trips and choosing the mode of transport, while the OPC only processes requests for presidential approval when military aircraft are required.
Adding another twist, Minister of Justice Charles Mhango urged the committee to examine whether there could be any connection between Kasambara’s death on June 7, 2024 and the plane crash that claimed Chilima’s life three days later.
He argued that a full investigation into the Malawi Defence Force aircraft crash should go beyond the immediate incident and also consider the wider circumstances, including corruption-related cases previously linked to Chilima that were later discontinued.
Mhango also questioned why the military aircraft was reportedly not being tracked by radar during the Lilongwe to Mzuzu flight, saying Malawians deserve answers on whether the two incidents were linked or simply a coincidence.
However, Charles pushed back against Mhango’s call for an investigation into Ralph Kasambara’s death, insisting the family does not want any further probe into the matter because they have accepted his passing and have personal reasons for letting the issue rest.
“We resolved that no to an inquiry. We have personal reasons and I would ask if we would keep it that way,” said Charles.
The Committee has scheduled public hearings from 15 June to 1 July 2026, during which a range of witnesses will be called to assist in its inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the June 10, 2024 crash.
