By Chisomo Phiri
The newly elected United Transformation Movement (UTM) Party President, Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, has vowed to establish a new commission of inquiry into the plane crash that claimed the lives of the party’s founder and former Vice President, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, and eight others on June 10, 2024, if elected as the country’s president in the September 16, 2025 elections.
He said this during a memorial mass in honor of the late Chilima at Nsipe Catholic Church in Ntcheu.
Kabambe expressed dissatisfaction with the findings by an inquiry established by President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, which ruled out foul play and attributed the cause of plane crash to bad weather and human error.
He said:” We promise that when we form a new government next year, we will establish our own commission of inquiry to fully investigate what caused the tragic plane crash that killed our beloved party founder.We are not satisfied with the recent findings.”
On his part, the memorial mass presiding priest Father Athanasius Manyenga called on the people gathered not to lose heart but believe in God and live a holy life.
He said the late Chilima had a strong faith in God, was always at church and did many charity works that is why he is mourned by many people as he left a lasting impression.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Chilima’s cousin Joshua Valera thanked the people that gathered to honour him, saying they feel comforted.
“From our hearts, we say thank you so much for honouring Dr. Chilima. May God be with you,” he said.
After the mass, there was laying of wreaths on the grave of late Chilima, and the first to lay a wreath was his wife Mary Chilima and her daughter Elizabeth.
The others who followed include; Inkosi ya Makosi Gomani V,Kabambe, MP for Ntcheu Bwanje North Nancy Chaola Mdooko and late Chilima’s brothers as well as other family members.
The event was marked by prayers, songs of comfort and a call for holy living.
