By Wendy Mkandawire
Malawi Defence Force former Commander General Major Paul Valentino has called on Parliament to allocate more resources to the MDF in the national budget, arguing that a well-funded military is essential for national stability in the face of emerging security threats.
Valentino made the remarks on Tuesday when he appeared before the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee investigating the June 10, 2024, military plane crash that killed former Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others in Chikangawa Forest.
He said accidents can happen and must not be overlooked, but he stressed that the country’s long-term security depends on investment in the defence force.
He stated that Malawi needs to recruit and train more soldiers, an exercise that requires increased funding from the national budget.
The MDF Former Commander warned that Malawi is facing rising threats, including human trafficking and illegal immigration, which he said are fueling criminal activity across the country.
He cautioned that if the MDF cannot maintain and improve the current security situation due to resource constraints, national stability will be at risk.Committee Chairperson Walter Nyamilandu Manda said the inquiry is of national importance, noting that the country lost its Vice President in the tragedy.
He stated that the committee’s requests for information and cooperation from state institutions are aimed at establishing facts and preventing future occurrences.
The June 10, 2024, crash involved a Malawi Defence Force Dornier 228 aircraft that went down in Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba District, killing all nine people on board, including former Vice President Saulos Chilima, former First Lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, and seven MDF officers and crew.
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Wendy Mkandawire is a journalist for Leyman Publications based in Lilongwe, Malawi. |
