By Burnett Munthali
Government has declared 21 days of mourning in honour of the vice president the late Saulos Chilima and nine other officials who died in a plane crash in Chikangawa Forest on Monday 10 June 2024.
Malawi is currently observing a period of national mourning following the tragic death of Vice President Saulos Chilima. Chilima, along with nine others, died in a plane crash on June 10, 2024, while en route to attend the funeral of former government minister Ralph Kasambara. The Dornier 228 aircraft carrying them went missing over the Chikangawa Forest Reserve, and the wreckage was confirmed on June 11, 2024.
Chilima had a significant impact on Malawian politics and business. Before entering politics, he was instrumental in the growth of Airtel Malawi, significantly boosting its revenues. Politically, he served as vice president since 2014 and was known for his advocacy against corruption, although he faced his own legal challenges, including corruption charges that were dropped in May 2024.
The national mourning reflects the country’s respect and recognition of his contributions.
Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima was killed in a plane crash along with nine other people on board, President Lazarus Chakwera has announced, after searchers found the wreckage of the aircraft in a fog-cloaked forest.
