Inquiry team dates Zamba virtually, gets State security

Parliament’s Ad-hoc Committee investigating the June 10 2024 military plane crash will today hear the testimony of former Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Colleen Zamba to be delivered virtually.

Committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu yesterday confirmed that the inquiry team has arranged a virtual session with Zamba, who is reported to be in South Africa. He described her as a key witness in the investigation into the plane crash that killed Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others in Nthungwa Forest within Viphya Plantation.

Testifying today: Zamba.

| Nation

He said the committee hopes Zamba’s testimony will help to clarify events surrounding the authorisation of the military plane, communications before and after the crash and other issues.

Said Nyamilandu: “We have made a breakthrough. We will be interviewing her virtually. We appreciate the efforts that have been made to secure her testimony because she is a key witness. Parliament had previously tried to have her appear before it, but this time we have been successful.”

Last week, former Principal Secretary in the Office of the Vice-President Luckie Sikwese told the inquiry that he communicated with Zamba before and after the crash regarding the Vice- President’s planned trip to the funeral of lawyer Ralph Kasambara.

Meanwhile, Nyamilandu has announced that each committee member has been assigned a police officer until the inquiry concludes.

In an interview, he said the committee requested additional security because of the nature of the evidence emerging during the public hearings.

Said Nyamilandu: “We now have the assurance that we will not have fears about our lives, our families or our property. This matter affects a wide section of the population, and people have different views and sentiments based on the questions members ask and the comments they make.

“We are dealing with lives. We have already lost lives, and the last thing we want is to lose more because of negligence or inadequate security.”

President Peter Mutharika ordered a fresh investigation into the crash in February this year after an assessment of previous reports by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango indicated there were gaps.

Previous investigations, including a technical assessment by the aircraft’s German manufacturer and a commission of inquiry appointed by former president Lazarus Chakwera, concluded that the crash resulted primarily from adverse weather conditions and operational factors, and found no evidence of foul play.

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