Malawi Mourns: VP Chilima Killed in Plane Crash
Malawians pay their last respects to Vice President Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash last week, with thousands attending his funeral at the national stadium. President Chakwera announces an independent investigation into the crash, amid demands from Chilima's party for a thorough and impartial probe.
The vice president, Saulos Chilima, was killed in a plane crash last week, and tens of thousands of Malawians turned out for his funeral at the national stadium.
Chilima (51), a passionate advocate and brilliant public speaker, was well-liked by Malawians, who make up over half of the country's youth.
President Lazarus Chakwera announced during the ceremony that he had requested assistance from other countries and that a thorough inquiry into the crash's cause will be conducted.
President Chakwera had earlier claimed that terrible weather-related poor visibility was the reason the military aircraft crashed, but Chilima's UTM party has demanded an exhaustive and impartial probe.
President Chakwera had previously stated that terrible weather-related poor visibility was the reason the military aircraft crashed, but Chilima's UTM party has demanded an exhaustive and impartial probe.
The president stated that while the Malawian military will conduct an inquiry, an additional, independent one was also required.
A section of the crowd at the packed Bingu National Stadium, which was filled to its 41,000-seat capacity with many more people gathered outside, booed President Chakwera and other government officials, expressing their discontent.
The service featured a full mass, as Chilima was a devoted Catholic.
On Monday, which has been designated as a public holiday, he will be laid to rest at his hometown of Ntcheu, 180 kilometers (112 miles) south of Lilongwe.
The red, green, and black flag of Malawi was draped over his coffin.
Vice-President Chilima tragically passed away on Monday while en route to Nkhata Bay in the north, where he was headed to attend the funeral of a former cabinet minister, traveling by plane.
Tragically, all on board, including former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, as well as the entire crew, lost their lives in the plane crash.
Before venturing into politics at the age of forty, a move deemed risky by many, Chilima had built a successful career in the private sector, holding various high-profile and lucrative positions, showcasing his impressive professional trajectory.
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