By Burnett Munthali
Bantu Saunders Jumah, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Muvi wa Chilungamo Revolutionary Party (MRP), has issued a strong demand for a Commission of Inquiry into the death of Dr. Saulos Chilima and eight others. Jumah argues that without justice and transparency surrounding the circumstances of their deaths, the nation will not achieve peace.
Jumah has criticized the recent German report on the plane crash, emphasizing that it only investigated the accident itself and does not address the broader questions surrounding the incident. He has urged Malawians to recognize that the German report, which examined the crash that occurred on June 10, 2024, does not provide answers about the true causes of the deaths or the possible underlying factors.
To ensure a comprehensive investigation, Jumah advocates for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry composed of the victims’ families, representatives from the United Transformation Movement (UTM), clergy, legal experts, and Paramount Chiefs. He asserts that this commission is essential for uncovering the full truth behind the tragedy.
Jumah has publicly criticized President Lazarus Chakwera, accusing him of dishonesty regarding the events of June 10. According to Jumah, President Chakwera’s statements that the plane, which was reportedly traveling from Lilongwe to Mzuzu, had to return due to adverse weather conditions and subsequently crashed in Chikangawa Forest, are inconsistent with the findings of the German report. Jumah claims that the report indicates the plane did not reach Mzuzu and lacked crucial communication equipment, such as the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder.
The MRP President contends that the death of Dr. Chilima was part of a meticulously planned plot, questioning the safety measures in place for the Vice President’s flight. He cites a communication from the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) to President Chakwera about the missing plane as evidence supporting his claims.
In light of these concerns, Jumah supports the notion that the families of the deceased should consider exhuming the bodies for further investigation outside Malawi. He recalls having previously advised the UTM against burying Dr. Chilima’s body until all truths were fully established and now insists that it is imperative for the truth to come to light.
Jumah has urged the families to report any obstructions to their efforts to exhume the bodies to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) if they encounter resistance from local authorities. He emphasized that the MRP and the people of Malawi are committed to seeing justice served and ensuring accountability, regardless of the time it takes. The party’s stance is clear: the deaths of Dr. Saulos Chilima and the other victims must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must face consequences.
