Kamphangala Praises Namiwa for Timely Resignation from Commission of Inquiry

Rodgers Kamphangala, supporter of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) from Mvera in Dowa district, has commended Sylvester Namiwa, the Executive Director of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), for his prompt decision to resign from a presidential Commission of Inquiry just two days after being sworn in.

The commission was established by President Lazarus Chakwera to investigate the plane crash that tragically claimed the lives of Dr. Saulosi Chilima and eight others in Chikangawa Forest.

Kamphangala expressed that the commission lacks the support of Malawians, including the families of the deceased, suggesting it was created to protect those responsible for the tragic event rather than seeking truth and justice. He praised Namiwa for demonstrating patriotism and for prioritizing the interests of Malawian citizens, who still have numerous unanswered questions surrounding Dr. Chilima’s death.

Kamphangala encouraged other commission members to follow Namiwa’s example, warning that Malawians would likely reject the commission’s findings if its proceedings remain hidden from the public.

He emphasized that Malawians would see those involved in the closed inquiry as opposing truth and justice.

“To those who doubted Namiwa’s intentions in joining the commission, he has returned to CDEDI, standing firmly with the Malawian people,” said Kamphangala.

In a resignation letter dated October 30, 2024, addressed to President Chakwera, Namiwa expressed disappointment that his proposal for public testimony of witnesses was dismissed by the commission from the outset. He questioned what the taxpayer-funded commission sought to conceal from the public, given the many unanswered questions surrounding the crash.

“As a firm advocate of transparency and accountability, I regret to inform you, Sir, that I cannot continue as part of this commission,” wrote Namiwa.

Namiwa cited Malawi’s democratic values, pointing to the public hearings during the 2020 election case, where citizens had access to information on matters of national significance.

In closing, Kamphangala urged Malawians to demand an independent and credible commission of inquiry that includes representatives from the families of the deceased, the UTM Party, church organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs), and activists. He recommended that this new commission be sworn in at the Parliament Building in Lilongwe rather than at the State House.