Malawi launches fresh investigation into Chikangawa military plane crash that killed former Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others in June 2024, citing gaps in earlier probes.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango on Tuesday announced a new, comprehensive review of the Chikangawa crash after a government audit found previous inquiries did not provide clear, conclusive explanations for the accident.
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The minister said a government review of earlier findings — including the national Commission of Inquiry and a report by Germany’s Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation — revealed inconsistencies and gaps that, in his words, undermined their credibility and left important questions unanswered.
The June crash, which killed nine people including Chilima, intensified scrutiny of air safety practices within the Malawi Defence Force and produced sustained public calls for accountability. Mhango said the shortcomings in earlier reports had shaken public trust and that a more transparent, authoritative process was required to restore confidence and bring closure to the bereaved families.
- What happened: A military aircraft crashed in Chikangawa in June 2024, killing former Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others.
- Why a new probe: Government review identified gaps and inconsistencies in previous inquiries, including a national Commission of Inquiry and a German investigation.
- Areas of concern: Credibility of earlier findings and broader questions about air safety in the Malawi Defence Force.
- Next steps: Officials said details on the scope, mandate and leadership of the fresh investigation will be announced in the coming weeks.
Officials provided no immediate timeline for the re-investigation or a list of investigators, but said the new review would aim for higher transparency and stronger evidentiary standards than past efforts. International investigators or technical advisers could be invited, Mhango indicated, though he stopped short of naming any agencies or countries.
Family members of the victims and civil-society groups have repeatedly called for an independent, technically rigorous probe. Observers and legal experts said a credible new investigation could help resolve lingering doubts about the cause of the crash and whether any institutional failures contributed to the deaths.
The announcement comes amid heightened public sensitivity over military oversight and aviation safety in Malawi. Analysts say the government faces a narrow window to design a process that will be seen as impartial and thorough: failure to do so could deepen mistrust and fuel political tensions ahead of key national debates.
Mhango said the government was aware of the political and emotional stakes and pledged to publish the results of the review in full once the work was complete. Details on whether the investigation will have prosecutorial powers, subpoena authority or protection for witnesses were not disclosed.
For now, families and the public await the formal terms of reference and the identity of the lead investigators. Officials said the forthcoming announcement will set out the timeframe, evidence-handling procedures and the mechanisms for releasing findings to the public.
As Malawi prepares for the new review, the broader questions it raises about military aviation standards and accountability are likely to remain central to public debate until a credible, definitive explanation is delivered.
By News-room
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
