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.
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.
