Chilima Plane Crash Ad-Hoc Committee to Wind Up Investigation by End of October

The Parliamentary Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the death of former Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others in a plane crash is expected to conclude its investigations by the end of October 2026.

Committee Chairperson Walter Nyamilandu Manda confirmed the development during an interview with journalists on Monday.

Nyamilandu said the committee had held lengthy discussions to scrutinise and finalise the list of witnesses for the third phase of the investigation, which will focus on the search-and-rescue operation following the crash.

«“Members wanted to ensure that the list was exhausted and that every relevant witness was included. We have adopted the list, and today, we did justice to our witnesses. We are resuming tomorrow for the search and rescue,” Nyamilandu said.»

He said the committee will travel to Nthungwa next week to hear from witnesses who were at or connected to the crash site.

The committee will then take a one-week break before returning to Nthungwa and subsequently Parliament to complete Phase Three of the investigation.

Nyamilandu said the committee expects to hear from four witnesses on Wednesday as it works to complete the witness programme efficiently and gather relevant information.

Since the investigation began, the committee has heard from Malawi Defence Force pilots and technicians, eyewitnesses from Nthungwa, meteorological officials, ICT experts and other stakeholders involved in the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The Dornier 228 aircraft carrying Chilima and eight others crashed in the Chikangawa Forest on 10 June 2024, killing all nine people on board.If you want, I can also give it a stronger Malawi Guardian-style headline and opening paragraph to make it more punchy without becoming sensational.