A fresh parliamentary inquiry into the deadly June 2024 plane crash that killed Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima is now underway, after President Peter Mutharika ordered a reopening of the case more than a year and a half after the tragedy.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango told parliament in February 2026 that earlier investigations had failed to satisfactorily answer key questions about the military aircraft accident, prompting the need for a new probe.
The crash occurred on June 10, 2024, when a Dornier 228-202K aircraft carrying Chilima and nine others disappeared from radar and was later discovered completely destroyed in the Chikangawa Forest in northern Malawi. Former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri was among those killed. President Lazarus Chakwera announced at the time that the wreckage had been located near a hill with no survivors.
Chilima, 51, had just returned from South Korea, where he attended the Korea-Africa summit. He was heading to Mzuzu for the funeral of Malawi’s ex-justice minister when the aircraft departed Lilongwe at 9:17 a.m. Low visibility prevented landing at Mzuzu airport, and the plane was turned back toward Lilongwe before losing contact with air traffic control and vanishing from radar screens.
In a national address, President Chakwera delivered the devastating news to his country. “I am heartbroken to announce that this has ended in a dreadful tragedy. The search and rescue team located the aircraft near a hill, completely destroyed with no survivors,” he said. He confirmed that the military had started bringing the victims’ remains back to the capital.
Two separate investigations followed the crash. The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation released its report in May 2025, concluding that the Dornier 228-202(K) struck rising terrain under marginal weather conditions with poor visibility, leaving those on board no chance of survival. The report also noted that radio communications between the flight crew and air navigation service units in Lilongwe were not recorded. A commission established by then-President Chakwera reached its conclusions in December 2024, finding no evidence of foul play and pointing to human and environmental factors — but neither report satisfied many Malawians seeking answers.
By late March 2026, Parliament acted on Mutharika’s directive. Speaker Sameer Suleman formed a 13-member Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee with representatives from across the political spectrum, led by chairman Walter Nyamilandu Manda. The committee’s creation sparked controversy when the Malawi Congress Party initially pulled out over concerns about impartiality, but later rejoined after the Speaker mediated. The committee has been given 90 days to complete its work and report back to Parliament.
The committee wrapped up its preparatory work by late April 2026, having drafted terms of reference, outlined the scope of the inquiry, and created a detailed investigative plan. Full investigations are scheduled to launch by mid-May 2026, following three simultaneous paths: a health, safety, security, and environmental audit; a forensic audit; and autopsy and post-mortem examinations. More than 150 witnesses are expected to testify, and the committee has urged the public to share any relevant information.
“The Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee established to conduct a fresh inquiry into the Chikangawa Plane Crash has successfully concluded its preparatory work and is now ready to commence investigations,” Nyamilandu said. He promised the investigation would proceed with fairness, professionalism, and transparency. Chilima’s United Transformation Movement party has expressed support for the new inquiry, joining many Malawians who have long demanded conclusive answers about the crash that stunned the nation nearly two years ago.
Chilima had been a rising political figure who previously served as director of Airtel Malawi before entering politics as leader of the United Transformation Movement party. He joined forces with Chakwera to create the ruling Tonse Alliance and served as his running mate in their victorious 2020 election campaign. As the 2025 presidential election drew closer, their alliance showed signs of strain, with Chilima widely expected to run against Chakwera.
Corruption charges were filed against Chilima in 2022, though the Director of Public Prosecutions later dropped the case by filing a notice to discontinue. Chilima maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
Chakwera paid tribute to his vice president following the tragedy. “Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima was a good man, a dedicated father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his nation with distinction, and a formidable vice president,” Chakwera said.
Online images from the crash site showed security and rescue personnel amid scattered aircraft debris surrounding the tail section of the plane.
The crash sent Malawi into deep mourning. News reports indicated Chilima was especially beloved by young Malawians. President Chakwera declared a national day of mourning to honor the victims, and the remains of Chilima and the others were returned to Lilongwe.
International assistance was vital to the search and rescue mission. The United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Israel provided specialized equipment. The U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe expressed deep concern about the crash and offered all available aid, including a Defense C-12 aircraft.
Chilima left behind his wife, Mary, and their two children, Sean and Elizabeth.
