Malawi: Chakwera Signed Off Chilima's Fatal Flight, Mkandawire Testifies

Malawi: Chakwera Signed Off Chilima's Fatal Flight, Mkandawire Testifies

The parliamentary inquiry into Malawi's June 2024 military plane crash on Monday opened with a stark claim: former president Lazarus Chakwera authorised the use of the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Dornier aircraft that later crashed, killing vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight others.

Malawi Defence Force laments equipment shortages

Former Malawi Defence Force (MDF) commander Paul Valentino Phiri and his successor George Jafu Tuesday raised concerns over shortages of critical equipment and materials in the military, saying the gaps are undermining its efficiency and effectiveness. This emerged during the inquiry into the Chikangawa military aircraft crash, where Jafu revealed that some recommendations made by German investigators and two other inquiries to improve the safet…

Ex-MDF chief, successor recount June 10 events

Former Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander General Paul Velentino Phiri (retired) and his successor General George Alexander Jaffu Junior yesterday outlined timelines of events leading to the ill-fated June 10 2024 military flight and general challenges. Making his appearance before the Ad-hoc Committee of Parliament on the Chikangawa Plane Crash that killed Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others, Phiri told the inquiry at Parliament Bu…

General Phiri In Another Contradictory Statement To Chilima's Tragic Death

By Vincent Gunde Former Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander General Dr. Paul Velentino Phiri, says he told President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera at 10:35 a.m that the military plane which took the former Vice President Dr. Saulosi Chilima failed to land in Mzuzu and that all efforts are being made to communicate with the crew members […] The post General Phiri in another contradictory statement to Chilima’s tragic death appeared first on Malawi Freedo…

“MDF chief told me Chakwera approved use of military aircraft for Chilima’s trip”-says ex-defence Minister

“MDF chief told me Chakwera approved use of military aircraft for Chilima’s trip”-says ex-defence Minister By Burnett Munthali LILONGWE- (MaraviPost)-Former Minister of Defence Harry Mkandawire has told a commission of inquiry into the military plane crash that a senior Malawi Defence Force officer informed him that former President Lazarus Chakwera had approved the use of […] The post “MDF chief told me Chakwera approved use of military aircraf…

Plane Crash Inquiry hears testimony on search operation, flight request for late VP Saulos Chilima

This article was originally published on Malawi24, Malawi's #1 independent news platform. A special committee investigating the Malawi military plane crash heard testimony on the scale of the ground search and the circumstances surrounding the flight request for late Vice President Saulos Chilima.   Former Malawi Defence Force Commander General Valentino Phiri told the committee that he received a request on 8 June 2024 from Lucky Sikwese, who […