LILONGWE, Malawi — The Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Chikangawa plane crash that killed former Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others has heard accounts from witnesses who were in the Nthungwa area when the aircraft went missing on June 10, 2024, writes Steria Manda.
The committee first heard from Colred Nkosi, a resident of Nthungwa, who said he was working in his garden near Kasangadzi when he heard an unusual aircraft noise.
Nkosi told the committee that he later saw the aircraft flying overhead and subsequently observed it again with its landing gear deployed.
He said the aircraft appeared to be moving abnormally and seemed to be circling in one area before he lost sight of it.
Nkosi said he later learned that evening that the aircraft carrying Chilima and other passengers had gone missing.
He told the committee that he immediately contacted police and other government offices to report what he had seen and provide information about the aircraft’s direction of travel.
Nkosi also said he joined search teams looking for the missing aircraft and was later contacted by soldiers seeking information about where he had seen it.
When the wreckage was eventually located, Nkosi said he witnessed soldiers obtaining tools, including axes, to assist in removing bodies trapped inside the aircraft.
He told the committee that he had previously given evidence to two investigations into the crash and had also spoken to the media about his observations.
Nkosi further said police visited his home on June 17, 2026, to question him following reports circulating on social media that he had died.
After Nkosi completed his testimony, the committee heard from three other witnesses from the area where the aircraft crashed, including area councillor Victor Muva, Wongani Ngoma and Mike Chirwa.
Muva told the committee that he was in Mzimba on council business on the day the aircraft disappeared when he received a phone call asking whether he had seen a missing aircraft.
He said he subsequently contacted people in his area to establish whether they had seen or heard anything and was informed that an aircraft had been heard and seen travelling towards Nthungwa.
Muva said he later learned through the internet that the aircraft carrying Chilima and others had disappeared.
He told the committee that later that day, at Raply, he met police officers and informed them about reports from Nthungwa.
According to Muva, the officers told him that other people were directing them towards Kawandama, where there had also been reports of a loud noise.
During questioning, Lilongwe Mude legislator Mphatso Boti asked Chirwa whether he knew Flora Mkandawire of Nthungwa and whether he was aware of her reported involvement with the police special committee and alleged questioning by police.
Chirwa said he knew Mkandawire and that she was part of the local police structure but said he was unaware of the other details because he was frequently away at camp for work.
He also told the committee that giving evidence about the crash was difficult because witnesses could be concerned about possible consequences arising from what they say they saw.
At the close of the session, Chirwa and Muva thanked the committee for allowing them to present their accounts.
Committee Chairperson Walter Nyamilandu assured the witnesses of their safety and said the committee would remain available should they feel threatened or encounter security concerns.
