NewsMalawi mourns Vice President Chilima after fatal plane crash

Malawi mourns Vice President Chilima after fatal plane crash

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 15: Saulos Klaus Chilima, Malawi deputy president during the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour at Durban International Convention Centre on May 15, 2022 in Durban, South Africa. During the week of 15 to 20 May 2022, the Government of South Africa will host the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour to share good practice and to push for accelerated action.(Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Images source: © GETTY | Gallo Images

Radosław Opas

11 June 2024 13:01

Vice President of Malawi Saulos Chilima died in a plane crash along with his wife and eight other people, the Malawian government announced on Tuesday.

The Malawi Defence Forces plane disappeared from the radar on Monday during a flight from the country's capital, Lilongwe, to Mzuzu, located about 370 kilometres to the north. Since then, contact with the crew has not been established.

According to the BBC, Vice President Saulos Chilima was travelling to Mzuzu to represent the government at the funeral of former Minister Ralph Kasambara, who passed away three days earlier.

Mourning announced

On Tuesday, the Malawian government announced that Saulos Chilima died in a plane crash along with his wife and eight other people.

In a statement, it was conveyed that "unfortunately, all those on board died." President Lazarus Chakwera declared Tuesday a day of national mourning.

In June 2022, Saulos Chilima was suspended from office due to a corruption scandal involving government contracts worth £120 million. In May of this year, a court in Malawi cleared the vice president of the charges.