Witnesses allege exclusion from plane crash inquiry

By Deborah Madeya:

Alleged first-on-scene eyewitnesses George Mtengo and Benard Yombe have told the Parliamentary Ad hoc Committee investigating the June 10, 2024 Chikangawa Forest plane crash that nobody called them to testify during the first inquiry.

Former State vice president Saulos Chilima and eight others died in the crash.

Others who were in the plane are former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, Ministry of Foreign Affairs deputy chief of staff Abdul Lapukeni, Chilima’s medical officer Dan Kanyemba, guard commander Lukas Kapheni, aide-de-camp Chisomo Chimaneni, as well as operators of the aircraft, namely pilot-in-command Colonel Owen Sambalopa, second-in-command Major Flora Selemani-Ngwinjili and engineer Major Wallace Aidini.

Testifying before committee members in Mzuzu City Wednesday, the two claimed that although fog covered the forest, they could see the wreckage of the plane on the mountain.

The duo said that around 9:30 on June 11, 2024, they tried to contact police on the issue pertaining to the plane’s whereabouts and then came across a police vehicle on the M1 Road, from where they led the officers to the wreckage.

They claim to be among the first group of not more than 10 people to reach the site and said they saw eight bodies before officers told them to leave the scene.

**LEADING THE INVESTIGATION – Nyamilandu **

The two said when they reached the site, the military leader of the day told the officers to take pictures of the scene and post them on social media platforms.

Meanwhile, committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu has said it was unfortunate that the first inquiry left out the duo’s testimony.

He informed the duo that the committee would need them again when its members visit the crash site.

Another eyewitness, Christopher Bulukutu from Machecheta in Mzimba District, told committee members that around 9:30am on June 10, he saw a plane with military colours flying at low altitude near Mzimba Turn-off.

He said the plane was headed towards Mzimba Boma.

He said the area where he lives does not usually experience weather-related visibility challenges, adding that the skies were clear when he saw the plane on the fateful day.

He compares the noise of the plane to that of a vehicle with a broken exhaust.

Meanwhile, lieutenant Obed Mwenebanda has told committee members that he took photos and sent them to the commanding officer.

He denied uploading them on any social media platform or giving a command for officers to do so.

He stressed that on that day, he was just following orders from his bosses, including an order to stop Police Criminal Investigation Department officers from taking pictures at the scene.