Malawi parliamentary inquiry faces scrutiny over fatal plane crash investigation

A parliamentary inquiry into the June 2024 military plane crash that killed Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others is facing scrutiny over political composition and contradictory evidence. The ad hoc committee is investigating the circumstances of the accident, including conflicting accounts regarding visibility conditions at the time of the crash.

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) has come under fire for providing inconsistent testimonies regarding its role in the search and rescue mission. Specifically, officials were questioned about the availability of a mapping aircraft intended to support the Malawi Defence Force. While Dodma officials claimed the aircraft was ready for deployment, their accounts contradicted previous reports regarding when the aircraft was actually utilized and its availability during the critical initial response period.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the independence of the inquiry. The Malawi Congress Party has questioned the committee’s composition, alleging political bias. Critics argue that for the investigation to effectively improve aviation safety, it must rely on technical data, weather records, and specialized expertise rather than political disputes.