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President Chakwera seeks international support in plane crash investigation

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President Chakwera seeks international support in plane crash investigation

By Chisomo Phiri


President Dr.Lazarus Chakwera has appealed to foreign governments and international agencies for support in the investigation of the military plane crash that killed Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others near Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba on Monday June 10, 2024.

Chakwera made the appeal on Wednesday June 12,2024 when over 20 Heads of Missions and international agencies visited him at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.

Chakwera arriving at Shanil Muluzi Dzimbiri funeral



“As the Malawi Defence Force begins its investigation into the cause of the crash today, I am aware that some of your governments have expertise in this area, and so I ask you to render your support,” he said.

Chakwera also expressed gratitude to foreign governments that quickly supported the search and rescue operations immediately after it was reported that the aircraft carrying the Vice-President and eight other passengers was missing.

He said Chilima has left an indelible legacy of energetic and active patriotism and dedication to public service and to Malawi’s welfare.

On her part, Nancy Saungwema, Dean of the Diplomats and Ambassador of Zimbabwe said most countries are willing to assist with the inquest.

The late Chilima will be laid to rest on Monday next week at his home village in Ntcheu.

AFORD president Enoch Chihana calls on UN, SADC,AU to investigate VP Chilima’s fatal plane crash

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AFORD president Enoch Chihana calls on UN, SADC,AU to investigate VP Chilima’s fatal plane crash

By Chisomo Phiri

Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) President Enock Chihana has called on the United Nations(UN), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) to support the investigation of the military plane crash that killed Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others near Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba on Monday June 10, 2024.

In a statement addressed to UN Secretary General
António Guterres,Chihana is requesting the above mentioned international bodies to  declare the plane crash site as a crime scene, and therefore, protected from
contamination through internationally delegated military personnel,do a thorough forensic investigation into the
events surrounding the plane crash and the death Chilima and
others, and establish an urgent constitution of an internationally managed process of the Commission of Inquiry that
should form part of the information gathering related to the late Chilima’s
travel and other related arrangements.

Rea

Chihana and Mtambo joined in the search for the plane

ds the statement in part :”As AFORD, we feel obliged to call for the above urgent actions for Malawi is under a period of
speculation on the events surrounding the death of Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and the
other distinguished eight passengers.

“As a peace abiding political party, it is within our duty to support a
process that hinges toward peace and prosperity for our beloved Malawi.

“Our call for a fully
internationally supported and managed action as presented above, is key for the nation of Malawi to
have full confidence of closure on the plane crash accident.”

It adds:”The AFORD, its entire National Executive Committee, and all its structures in all
Regions and Districts of Malawi, together with many peace-loving Malawians, fully support this call for
urgent international community support.

“AFORD, through its delegated representatives,is open to avail
itself of this internationally managed action with information on areas of concern surrounding the plane
crash, the search operation, and how the communication to the nation was managed.
We look forward to your response to our urgent call to action and assure you of our highest
considerations.”

The late Chilima will be laid to rest on Monday next week at his home village in Ntcheu.

Malawi Law Society says Chakwera to appoint new VP by June 19

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Malawi Law Society says Chakwera to appoint new VP by June 19


By Chisomo Phiri

The Malawi Law Society (MLS) has told President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to appoint a new Vice President by June 19, 2024 to replace the late Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash alongside others near Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba on June 10, 2024.

According to Section 84 (2) of the Constitution, the president is required to fill the vacancy in the office of the First Vice President within seven days from the date the vacancy arose.

MLS President Patrick Mpaka said they expect the President to uphold the rule of law during this time.

Patrick Mpaka



Mpaka explained to reporters :”The Malawi Law Society advises the general public that under sections 84 and 88 of the Constitution, as read with section 45 of the General Interpretation Act, His Excellency President Lazarus Chakwera is required to appoint a replacement Vice President within seven days after the death of the Vice President and in computing the seven days from the date of death, Sundays or Public Holidays should be excluded.”

The late Chilima was expected to attend the burial ceremony of the former Minister of Justice and prominent lawyer Raphael Kasambara in Nkhata Bay on Monday.

But the military plane carrying him and eight others could not land at Mzuzu Airport due to bad weather.

On return to Lilongwe, the plane crashed near Chikangawa Forest where he and eight others perished .

The late Chilima, who also served as president of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) party, was known for his previous affiliation with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and contested in the 2019 elections as a presidential candidate.

After legal challenges, the 2019 elections were nullified, and Chilima formed an electoral alliance with the Malawi Congress Party(MCP) together with other parties.

Former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri to be laid to rest tomorrow in Balaka

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Former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri to be laid to rest tomorrow in Balaka

By Chisomo Phiri

The body of former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri who died in a military plane crash alongside vice president Saulos Chilima and seven others near Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba on Monday June 10, 2024, will be laid to rest tomorrow Friday June 14,2024 at her home village, Chimpikizo, Traditional Authority(TA) Cham’thunya in Balaka district.

This was disclosed yesterday in Lilongwe by Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu.

Kunkuyu added that the government  will accord the late Shanil Dzimbiri a befitting burial, in recognition of her role as former First Lady of Malawi.



“We assure the family that late Dzimbiri will be honoured accordingly,” Kunkuyu said.

Shanil Dzimbiri was born on September 25,1964.

She served as the country’s First Lady from 1999 to 2004.

A teacher by profession, the late Dzimbiri also served as Member of Parliament(MP) for Balaka west constituency, from 2014 to 2019.

She did not make it for a second term, and Chilima took her on board as his adviser on women affairs, until her death.

Dzimbiri had five children with former president, Bakili Muluzi.

MBTS Postpones World Blood Donor Commemorations amid 21 days of National Mourning

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MBTS Postpones World Blood Donor Commemorations amid 21 days of National Mourning


By Durell Namasani


Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) on Wednesday announced the postponement of this year’s World Blood Donor Day Commemoration which was slated for this Saturday, June 15, 2024.

On 14 June every year, the World commemorates the World Blood Day to celebrate all the  blood donors across the world but here in Malawi the event was scheduled to take place on 15th June and preparations for the event in all MBTS Centres, were already at an advanced stage.

Chilima donating blood

But in a brief statement signed by the organisation’s Marketing and Public Relations Manager Janet Katonda, MBTS arrived at the decision following the death of the country’s Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima and eight other distinguished men and women who were working with him.

“We regret to communicate that due to the national mourning declared following the tragic loss of Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight other distinguished men and women ,the World Blood Donor Day commemorations have been postponed to a later date. However, the dates for the commemoration events will be communicated in due course,” reads the statement in part.

Chilima and former First Lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri who also died during the aircraft crash in Chikangawa Forest in Mzuzu, were among MBTS’s regular blood donors.

Using their influential positions in government, the two did their best in helping mobilising others to become regular blood donors as well.

Meanwhile, the body of the former first lady is expected to be laid to rest this coming Friday in Balaka while Dr Chilima is expected to be laid to rest at Nsipe, Traditional Authority Champiti in Ntcheu district on Monday, June 17.

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