By Chisomo Phiri

President Dr.Lazarus Chakwera has described his Vice late Dr. Saulos Chilima as a distinctive man of honour, a great father and husband, as well as a great patriot who served Malawi selflessly.

Chakwera said this during a nation address on Tuesday June 11,2024  at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe when he was announcing the death of Chilima and nine others who died in a plane crash in Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba.

“I consider it one of my greatest honour to be deputised by him in the last four years,” he said

President Chakwera conveyed his condolences to the families of those who  died in the crash, and the entire nation.

“I can only imagine how much pain and anguish you all must be having at this point in time,” the President said.

Chakwera extended his heartfelt appreciation to the Malawi Defence Force and all parties involved in the search and rescue mission.

He also extended his gratitude to all former Heads of State for the support they have pledged during these trying times.

Among other individuals who were in the plane include Lucas Kapheni, Chisomo Chimaneni, Shanil Dzimbiri, Dan Kanyemba and  Abdul Lapukeni, whom the president described as great men and women of the nation and their death is a great loss to the people of Malawi.

Vice-President Chilima had been enroute to Mzuzu from Lilongwe, with plans to proceed to Nkhata Bay for a funeral ceremony of the late Ralph Kasambara.

Unfortunately, bad weather forced the plane, MDF aircraft, to attempt a return to Kamuzu International Airport(KIA) in Lilongwe, during which communication was lost and the aircraft crashed.

Following a search and rescue operation, the wreckage was found in Chikangawa Forest, and it was confirmed that there were no survivors.

The bodies of the deceased have now been transported to Lilongwe, and the nation is awaiting further information on funeral arrangements.

Saulos 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.