Testimonies Continue on Chikangawa Plane Crash

By Wendy Mkandawire

As families of the victims and authorities of the Chikangawa plane crash continue giving testimony to the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee investigating the 10 June 2024 crash, the committee is expected to host former secretary to the president and cabinet, Colleen Zamba, this afternoon.

According to the parliament committee it’s important to seek and gain knowledge on the authorization of the plane and management prior to and post-plane crash.

Several witnesses have so far appeared before the committee to share their experiences that would lead to the establishment of the cause of the crash that killed all nine passengers on board, which includes former Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima.

Appearing before the committee on Tuesday, some spouses said they had not received autopsy reports and still have no clear explanation of what killed their loved ones.

Efines Kanyemba, widow of the late Dan Kanyemba, who was a medical officer to the late Vice President, and Martha Kapheni, widow of the late Lucas Kapheni, the Vice President’s guard commander, both told the committee they remain confused, with many questions unanswered.

Chisomo Chimaneni’s wife recalled their final moments before the fatal flight. She said Chimaneni had just returned from South Korea and told her he would attend the funeral of the late Kasambala the next day, asking her to prepare his clothes.

She said what troubled her most was that, unlike on previous trips, Chimaneni did not send his usual message to confirm his safe arrival. She learned through social media that the aircraft carrying her husband and the Vice President was missing.

Kapheni told the committee she has still not received an autopsy report for her husband and continues to live with unanswered questions, particularly about how he died.

The Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee said it will continue hearing testimony from more witnesses as it seeks to establish the full circumstances surrounding the Chikangawa crash.