By Kondanani Chilimunthaka
President Lazarus Chakwera has appealed for calm and patience among all Malawians as investigations surrounding the plane crash in Chikangawa forest tha claimed the life of the country’s Vice President, Saulos Klaus Chilima, former First Lady, Madam Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, and Seven others will be carried out.
Chakwera told the nation that he is aware that the nation is going in pains with broken hearts following the death of Chilima, but urged the nation to be calm and mourn in peace
Chakwera described Chilima as a husband and father who was also instrumental in politics, culture, and the church, who always led by example.
Speaking during the memorial service of the late Vice President at Bingu National Stadium on Sunday, 16th June 2024, President Chakwera said in the tears of Malawians lies a prayer to know exactly what happened for the plane to go missing and subsequently crash on Monday 10th June 2024 in Chikangawa forest.
“I want to assure all Malawians today that this tragedy will be investigated without hiding anything and in a special way.
I have already requested some foreign countries to help us with investigations. I know that the Malawi Defence Force have their own ways of finding out what made their plane crash, but that investigation is not enough, we need independent investigation so that all Malawians including myself find satisfactory answers to this fatal incident” said President Chakwera.
However, President Chakwera in his eulogy called on all Malawians to be calm and patient as the investigations will be conducted.
Said President Chakwera; “What I can humbly appeal to you is to give them a chance and time to come and do this investigation thoroughly. Let us keep peace for this investigation to give us proper answers to the cause of the tragedy”
Chakwera whose eulogy was full of humbleness and hope in God, accepted to shoulder any blame and insults on the death of the nine Malawians, saying as a leader he is ready to face insults, but urged Malawians of good will not to pay back for evil that others are doing in the name of mourning, *_’Nkhondo simanga mudzi’_* said President Chakwera.
Late Vice President, Saulos Klaus Chilima will be laid to rest today at his home in Nsipe, Ntcheu district.
