By Burnett Munthali
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Minister of Local Government and National Unity, Richard Chimwendo Banda, demanding an explanation regarding his alleged exclusion from the army aircraft that tragically claimed the life of Vice President Saulos Chilima and others.
In a statement, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa called on the minister to clarify the circumstances under which he was reportedly barred from boarding the ill-fated flight. Namiwa’s demand stems from information reported by Times Television, which claimed that Chimwendo Banda was prevented from flying because the plane was at full capacity.
“We are giving Minister Chimwendo seven days to come out in the open and explain himself on where he got the information that the plane was full to capacity,” Namiwa stated. “He should either name the person who prevented him from flying in the said plane or take Times Television to task for misinforming the nation.”
Namiwa emphasized the importance of transparency, given the gravity of the incident, and expressed disappointment over the minister’s silence on the matter. He noted that, as a senior cabinet member, Leader of Government Business in Parliament, and Secretary General for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Chimwendo Banda has a reputation to uphold.
“His apparent silence on the matter means that Times Television told the grieving nation nothing but the truth,” Namiwa added, stressing that the public deserves to know the facts surrounding the tragedy.
The call for answers follows the release of an interim report by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (FBU) and a subsequent public outcry over the unresolved questions surrounding the plane crash. CDEDI is seeking further clarity on the sequence of events, particularly concerning the exclusion of Chimwendo Banda from the flight, which could provide crucial insights into the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.
With emotions still running high following the incident, Namiwa urged Minister Chimwendo Banda to address the issue promptly, saying that failure to do so would further erode public trust and raise suspicions about the circumstances surrounding the accident.
