Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Deputy Publicist Ken Msonda has called for the inquiry into the military plane crash that claimed the lives of former Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others to be prematurely brought to an end, arguing that the evidence presented so far has already settled the matter.

Speaking in an interview, Msonda said continuing with the proceedings would only amount to a waste of taxpayers’ money, insisting that Malawians now have a clearer understanding of what transpired on the fateful day.

“The evidence that has been presented has already answered many of the questions surrounding the tragedy. There is no need to continue spending public resources on an inquiry whose findings are already apparent,” he said.

Msonda further claimed that public opinion has shifted significantly since the inquiry began and accused some political players of exploiting Chilima’s death for political gain, including securing positions in government and seats in Parliament.

He alleged that certain individuals deliberately sought to turn Malawians against then former President Lazarus Chakwera and former Cabinet Minister Richard Chimwendo Banda following the June 10, 2024 crash, which occurred when the MCP was in government.

According to Msonda, testimonies from members of the Kasambara family, close associates of the late Vice President and officers from the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) have sufficiently explained the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

He, however, said the government should act on issues that have emerged during the inquiry, particularly concerns over the state of the country’s military aviation resources.

Msonda has since called for increased funding to the Malawi Defence Force and urged authorities to procure safer and more reliable aircraft for use by the President, Vice President and Cabinet ministers to prevent a similar tragedy in future.