Malawi Awaits Truth and Justice: Citizens React to Commission of Inquiry Report

EeBy Michael Martin//MALAWI

The long-awaited report from the Commission of Inquiry into the June 10 plane accident that claimed the lives of Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima and eight others has finally been submitted. As the nation prepares to receive the report, citizens from across Malawi are sharing their reactions and expectations.

In Ndirande, Blantyre, local resident, Emily Jere, expressed her desire for transparency and accountability.

She said: “We need to know what really happened on that fateful day. The report should provide us with the truth, and those responsible should be held accountable.”

In Zomba, University of Malawi (UNIMA) student, Chikondi Chiluzi, criticized the government’s handling of the situation.

“The report is long overdue. We’ve been waiting for months, and it’s unacceptable that it’s taken this long,” he thinks.

He said that the government should take responsibility for the delay and ensure that justice is served.

In Lilongwe, business owner, Felix Kaphuka, questioned the independence of the Commission of Inquiry.

“I’m not convinced that the commission was truly independent. There are rumors of interference from the government, and I fear that the report may be biased,” he said.

In Mzuzu, civil society activist, Linda Moyo, emphasized the need for good governance.

She said: “This report is not just about the plane crash; it’s about the state of our governance.

“We need to ensure that our leaders are accountable and transparent in their actions.”

Good governance expert Mabvuto Bamusi has also weighed in on the matter.

“The report should provide a clear and unbiased account of the events leading up to the crash,” said Bamusi.

“It’s essential that the government takes the recommendations seriously and implements them to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”

In his remarks, President Lazarus Chakwera said he has since instructed the Commission to present hard copies of the report to all bereaved families by close of business tomorrow, followed by a wider reach to the entire nation next Monday.

“Let me express deep gratitude to the Commission for carrying out its work with the dedication and honour this noble task deserved,” he said.

“The work you have done has exposed you to a lot of misunderstanding and abuse, not only because you have been investigating a politically sensitive subject that some will inevitably see as an occasion for political theatre, but also because the nation’s wounds from the tragedy have not yet fully healed.”

He further added that in the meantime, in his own reading of the report, he will be paying special attention to the recommendations they have made and he will make known his decisions on the findings and recommendations in due course.

As the nation awaits the full disclosure of the report, many are questioning President Chakwera’s involvement in the process. Some have accused him of attempting to control the narrative surrounding the crash.

The Commission of Inquiry’s report is expected to provide answers to the many questions surrounding the plane crash.

As Malawians come to terms with the findings, they will be looking to their leaders to ensure that justice is served and that measures are put in place to prevent similar tragedies in the future.