By Durell Namasani
Malawi’s Minister of Justice, Charles Mhango, has been forced to deny the authenticity of a leaked document circulating on social media that allegedly declared the death of former Vice President Saulos Chilima required no further investigation. The purported memo, which suggested Mhango advised President Peter Mutharika that prior probes into the June 10, 2024 plane crash that killed Chilima and eight others were sufficient, sparked outrage before the minister swiftly dismissed it . Taking to his Facebook page, an emphatic Mhango wrote: “FAKE. It has come to my attention that this fake document is circulating on social media. Kindly note that this document is FAKE.”
The denial comes as the ruling Democratic Progressive Party faces intensifying public pressure to launch the fresh investigation into Chilima’s death promised during the September 16th election campaign . Many Malawians accuse the DPP of exploiting the tragedy to secure sympathy votes, though Information Minister Shadric Namalomba has previously rejected this notion . The government recently confirmed that a review of crash reports has been completed, with direction on next steps expected before Parliament rises in April .
Chilima, who died at age 51, had left the DPP in 2018 before forming the UTM and joining an alliance with MCP to oust Mutharika in 2020 . The nation continues to await concrete action nearly two years after the tragic crash.
