By Everson Luhanga
Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera said on Tuesday there were no survivors from the plane that crashed carrying Vice-President Saulos Chilima and nine others.
“The plane has been found, and I am deeply saddened and sorry to inform you all it has turned out to be a tragedy,” Chakwera said in a televised address.
The military plane carrying Chilima, 51, and nine others disappeared on Monday after it failed to land in the northern city of Mzuzu because of bad weather and was told to return to the capital, Lilongwe.
The remains of the vice-president and the nine other victims are being transported to Lilongwe.
Chilima had been vice-president for 10 years, initially under former president Peter Mutharika, who picked him from the business sector for the second-most senior government post.
He was described as a “performer” and “workaholic,” but later defined as being at the centre of corruption allegations in government – first as an accuser and then as an accused.
Chilima had been arrested in 2022 after Malawi’s corruption watchdog alleged he was rewarded for helping two companies get government contracts.
He denied any wrongdoing, and last month, the charges were dropped for no reason given.
He was considered a potential candidate for next year’s presidential election.
Chilima was born on 12 February 1973 in Ntcheu district in central Malawi. He leaves behind his wife Mary, and two children, Sean and Elizabeth.
Pictured above: Malawi’s vice president Saulos Chilima.
Source: X
