Shock in Malawi after vice-president’s aircraft goes missing

by Mick the Ram

A plane carrying Malawi’s vice president Dr Saulos Chilima, has gone missing and a search and rescue mission was ordered immediately.

The Malawi Defence Force aircraft, which also had nine other passengers on board, “went off radar” after leaving the nation’s capital, Lilongwe, on Monday (10 May) morning, heading to the north of the country.

It had been destined for Mzuzu International Airport, a trip covering around 380 km (240 miles), which should have taken just 45 minutes.

Lazarus Chakwera, the Malawi president, was informed of the incident, after which he cancelled a scheduled trip to the Bahamas.

Local media reported that the 51-year-old Dr Chilima had been on his way to the funeral of Ralph Kasambara, a lawyer and former minister

After being arrested in 2022 following allegations by Malawi’s corruption watchdog that he was financially rewarded for helping two companies get government contracts, Dr Chilima – who denied any wrongdoing – saw the charges suddenly dropped just last month, with no reason given as an explanation.

Search and rescue on-going

Regional and national agencies were ordered to conduct a search and rescue operation after efforts by aviation authorities to make contact failed.

Authorities are keeping the public aware of the developing situation and have promised to issue updates as more of the facts are established in the on-going situation.

President pulls out of visit

The commander of the Malawi Defence Force, General Valentino Phiri, informed the president – His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera – of the incident, which saw the cancellation of his scheduled departure for the Bahamas.

Case dismissed

In May, the state prosecutor filed a notice for corruption charges against Dr Chilima to be dropped and the case thrown out. He had been alleged to have received money to influence the awarding of contracts to Xaviar Ltd and Malachitte FZE – two companies linked to the British businessman Zuneth Sattar.

Both he and Dr Chilima had strenuously denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer, Khumbo Soko, explained: “We do not know the reasons for the discontinuance, but suffice to say only parliament has the mandate to know.”

Potential to stand as election candidate

Nevertheless, the move had cleared a legal hurdle over his potential candidacy in next year’s presidential election. Dr Chilima had been a candidate in the 2019 Malawian electoral vote, but could only finish third.

However, on that occasion, after a win for incumbent Peter Mutharika, it was annulled by Malawi’s Constitutional Court, due to “irregularities”.

Dr Chilima then joined Mr Chakwera’s campaign as his running mate in the historic election rerun which took place in 2020, with the outcome being Mr Chakwera elected as president.