SKC plane crash inquiry begins information gathering

The Commission of Inquiry into the June 10, 2024, Malawi Air Force aircraft accident involving a Dornier 228 (MAF-T03) has started collecting information from the public as it seeks to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.

The crash, which occurred at Nthungwa in Nkhatabay, resulted in the death of Malawi Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and 8 others.

Justice Jabbar Alide, Chairperson of the Commission has in an interview with Capital FM outlined the inquiry’s mandate, objectives, and the process for gathering information from individuals who may have witnessed or have knowledge of the accident.

“The Commission is mandated to inquire into the circumstances of this tragic accident and to gather detailed information from anyone who might have relevant insights or evidence,” Justice Alide said.

“The Commission is inviting members of the public to come forward and share any information they may have, with options to provide either oral or written testimonies. Submissions can be made in any language, and people can present their accounts in person or submit written statements with their contact information,” said Alide.

“We encourage anyone who knows or has heard anything about the incident to assist us by providing details to the Commission by Monday next week,” added Justice Alide.

According to Alide, the Commission has scheduled sessions across various locations in Malawi and will start on 4 November. The inquiry sessions will take place as follows:

Mzuzu: November 4-9, 2024
Blantyre: November 13-14, 2024
Balaka: November 15-16, 2024
Lilongwe: November 18-23, 2024

The Commission also announced that it would release further details on the specific venues and times for these sessions.

“We aim to conduct the inquiry thoroughly, and we will keep the public informed on any adjustments to our schedule,” Alide emphasized.

The Commission of Inquiry was appointed by President Lazarus Chakwera on October 25, 2024 and it will among others, gather a comprehensive understanding of the causes and contributing factors of the accident that led to the Vice President’s tragic death.

“We are committed to uncovering the facts of this tragedy, and we urge anyone with information to assist the Commission in its mandate. Your contributions are essential in helping us bring clarity to this unfortunate event,” he concluded.

The findings of the Commission are expected to be shared with the public once the inquiry process is complete.