According to our reliable sources, Mary Chilima was supposed to accompany the Vice President but she declined at the last minute because she had examinations to take.
Saulos Chilima, also did not want to travel but was pushed by some of his friends because Ralph Kasambara was a close friend.
He took a plane so that he could return in time to see off the President. Chilima returned home yesterday on Sunday and was very tired.
Mary Chilima
A good number of his close friends advised him not to travel because he was exhausted after a long flight.
The search is currently underway despite the bad weather in Chikangawa which is posing a challenge
The search for the missing plane that was carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima continues in the thick vast forest of Chikangawa. Chilima’s plane went missing earlier today when it couldnt be traced on the radar after it failed to land at Mzuzu Airport due to extreme weather conditions.
The government through the office of president and cabinet has confirmed the news and declared that search mission is underway.
Chilima was on his way to Mzuzu, where he was expected to connect to Nkhata Bay for the burial of the late Ralph Kasambala.
It is said that the plane, belonging to the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) was returned about 10 minutes before landing at the Airport.
“Yes, I can confirm that the plane did not land in Mzuzu and the matter is being looked into,” said Joseph Moyo the Airport commandant at Mzuzu Airport.
Felix Njawala who speaks for Chilima’s United Transformation Movement (UTM), but also Pilirani Phiri, who speaks for the VP, said they have yet to get information on the VPs whereabouts.
Major Kelvin Mlelemba, of the MDF said he was not aware of the matter.
The plane left Lilongwe around 10 am and as of 3:45pm there was still no communication and trace of the plane.
Centre for Human Rights, Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) has asked President Lazarus Chakwera to consider releasing some elderly inmates from the country’s prisons during the forthcoming Independence Day Celebrations on July 6.
In a statement, the organisation’s executive director, Victor Mhango pleads for the release of Chafika Ndege, George Billiat, Wyson Khululupi, Zathyoka Thalipezi and Bamusi Bendulo.
All the five were on death penalty before president commuted their sentences.
“These individuals do not pose any danger to the society. They are all first offenders and evidence points to their innocence,” reads part of the statement.
The statement further argues the five have medical conditions yet no adjustments have been made to accommodate their health concerns.
During recent Easter celebrations, Chakwera pardoned 49 prisoners across the country’s correctional facilities.
Photo shows some elderly inmates at Zomba Central Prison Elderly section.
Elderly inmates often experience challenges that their younger counterparts do not, such as health issues, difficulty accessing health care, a lack of programming, navigating an environment that is not designed for aging individuals, and challenges related to post-release, such as securing adequate housing.
People in prisons and jails are disproportionately likely to have chronic health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, and HIV, as well as substance use and mental health problems.
Make sure older inmates receive all medical, dental and mental health services. They require more assistive services than their younger peers. Get to know them. By doing so, you will be more likely to notice changes in behavior and appearance, which may be indicators of dementia and depression.
Some concerned DPP members have written to the Party President Peter Mutharika concerned with the party’s lukewarm response in helping with funds to repatriate the body of the late Hope Chisanu who died in America on June 1st.
In a letter that 247 Malawi has seen, the concerned members writes “As you are aware Hope Chisanu was an integral part of our party’ operations and a dedicated member who worked tirelessly to advance our cause . His contribution to DPP were invaluable and his passing is a significant loss to us all”
The late Hope Chisanu
Chisanu was known for political programmes that supported the DPP regime during his tenure at national broadcaster MBC
Since his passing in America ,the family has issued a call for assistance to repatriate the remains back to Malawi. A Go fund page has been set.
Malawi remember Chisanu as an actor in films such as Seasons of a Life, The Last Fishing Boat, The Road to Sunrise, The Boy who harnessed the wind, All We Have is Us and many more.
But he was also a renowned broadcaster having made his name as a presenter on public broadcaster at Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC). He was also a part time master of ceremony for various social and corporate events. At the time of his death, he had relocated to the United States.
So far only $2,842 USD has been raised of $25,000 target
Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara has described the late Raphael Kasambara as a person who was a mentor and patriot to many people in the country.
Hara was speaking this when the body of late Kasambara was arriving at Mzuzu Airport on Sunday
Gotani Hara
“Malawi has lost a powerful man who loved his country very much, he was well educated and he should have opted to stay abroad but he decided to come back home to help to develop his country.
“He was a man who willingly taught many people about laws, and we can’t talk about lawyers without mentioning his name.
“He was a giant in the legal fraternity, and we are here to mourn one of Malawi’s great sons,” she said.
Kasambara died on Friday in Lilongwe.
Before departing for Mzuzu, there was a memorial service at St. Montfort Catholic Church in Blantyre.
The late Kasambara once served as the country’s Justice Minister and the Attorney General before his arrest in 2013 for his involvement in the shooting of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo during Joyce Banda’s administration.
Mphwiyo survived the shooting.
In 2016, Kasambara was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment on the count of conspiracy to murder Mphwiyo while his accomplices, Pika Manondo and former Malawi Defence Force soldier Macdonald Kumwembe were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with hard labor.
But he was released on bail some years back.
His remains will be laid to rest today at his home village in Nkhata Bay District.
