By Staff Reporter
His Excellency, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, has assured Malawians that events sorrounding the tragic plane accident that killed the late Right Honourable Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others, will be thoroughly investigated to determine the cause.
He was speaking at Bingu National Stadium on Sunday where multitudes of gloomy faces had gathered for a State Funeral Ceremony for late Chilima.
In his remarks, the Malawi leader told the gathering that Government has asked foreign experts to assist in the investigation.
“Ine ndili ndi mafunso omwenso Amalawi Ali nawo kamba koti name sindikumvetsa chimene chinachititsa ngozi ya ndegeyi. ( I have so many unanswered questions just like all Malawians as to what really caused the plane crash),” he emphasized.
“Ndikukupemphani Amalawi tipitilize kusunga mtendere kuti kafukufuku wapadera achitike bwino. ( I ask you my fellow Malawians, to keep calm, so that special investigation related to the plane crash is carried out successfully).”
President Chakwera also assured Malawians that Government will take advantage of the outcome of the investigation to correct the anomalies and avoid repetition of the accident in future.
Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Collen Zamba said Chilima was a fighter who worked so hard to develop the country.
Philip Isdor Mpango, Tanzania Vice President described Chilima as an agent of unity and transformation of Malawi’s economy.
Archbishop George Desmond Tambala, who is also the President of Episcopal Conference of Malawi(ECM), said Chilima taught the country to believe in the impossible.
In his remarks, former Kenya Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Chilima stood with the people of Malawi and ensured that democratic principles are upheld all the times.
Representing the United Nations Secretary General, Rebecca Adda Dontoh says Malawi has lost a great leader who helped a lot in the development agenda of the country.
United Transformation Movement (UTM) Secretary General Patricia Kaliati said Chilima wanted Malawians to be self reliant.
Former Attorney General Chikosa Silungwe said Chilima performed perfectly well in the public service through his professionalism.
Son to the late Chilima, Sean said his dad was a leader with vision.
A family representative Ben Chilima thanked everyone that helped in the search for Chilima and others in Chikangawa Forest after the plan crashed.