The mood was sombre in Nsipe, Ntcheu District, as family, friends and well‑wishers gathered yesterday for the unveiling of a mausoleum for former Vice‑President Saulos Chilima who died in a military plane crash on 10 June 2024.
Speakers eulogised Chilima, popularly known as SKC, as an extraordinary public servant who served Malawi diligently and faithfully. His widow, Mary Chilima, and others renewed calls for the truth surrounding his death to be pursued.
Visibly tearful, Mary said she remains devastated and has struggled to find closure. In a moving tribute she recalled how, despite being victimised during his political career, including arrests, her husband remained hardworking and deeply patriotic.
“Strong people stood by me and the family when we demanded to know the truth surrounding his death,” she said. “Our desire is not vengeance, but truth, for it honours the living.”
While describing her late husband as a humble Christian who loved and cares for his family, Mary expressed gratitude to President Peter Mutharika for ordering a fresh inquiry into the tragic crash.
She said the family remains hopeful they will find closure with the fresh inquiry.
Mary said her late husband leaned on prayer and that it was not something he began doing when he joined politics, nor was he showing off.
She said Chilima inspired many Malawians, who had hope in his abilities as a public servant.
“He helped me to be the best version of myself and I was blessed to have been loved by him,” she said.
On his part, Chilima’s son, Sean, said the past two years have been characterised by confusion amid hopes to find answers to his father’s tragedy and seek closure.
“I guess everything happens for a reason,” said Sean. “I thought time would soften the blow we took as a family.”
Sean described his late father as a humble servant who worked for others behind closed doors. He said his father opened doors for many people, adding that his legacy will remain forever.
The late Chilima’s sister Tionge Phiri said the fallen Vice-President was a present and reliable parent extending beyond his immediate family.
She said: “Whenever he was home, he was not the Vice-President; he could go in the kitchen and cook, that’s how humble he was.”
Speaking on behalf of the family, Ben Chilima, said the family terribly lost in the death of Chilima.
“But the love people still have for him is what gives us comfort,” he said. “We sincerely ask all Malawians to be praying for us as a family so that we remain comforted.”
He said the family remains hopeful Chilima’s vision to see the country develop will be fulfilled.
Minister of Education, Science and Technology Bright Msaka was delegated to represent Mutharika at the event. Ironically, First Vice-President Jane Ansah was present.
All salutations also began by recognising Msaka, followed by Ansah, a retired Justice of Appeal.
In his speech, Msaka said: “This occasion confers an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable life of the son of Malawi whose exemplary life left an indelible mark on the nation.
“He served honourably and diligently under two successive Presidents’ of this republic.”
Msaka said the tragic events of June 10 2024 plagued the country into grief.
He said Malawians should learn to emulate Chilma’s hardworking leadership.
Msaka said the fresh inquiry by the Mutharika administration aims at seeking answers and providing closure that the family and Malawians deserve.
In his speech, UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe said the late Chilima carried the hopes of many Malawians.
He further said people must not construe the fresh inquiry into the military plane crash as politics, but as a quest to seek buried truth.
“The truth surrounding his death must be pursued; that’s not politics and to the family, you will never walk alone, we will always be with you,” he said.
Kabambe said UTM Party will always be grateful to late Chilima as founder of the party, which started as a movement, and that it is a movement that will never be stopped.
Chilima, alongside eight others perished in a military plane crash in Nthungwa, Chikangawa Forest, enroute to Mzuzu to attend the burial of former Minister of Justice Ralph Kasambara.
The others that were in the plane include former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, Chilima’s guard commander Lukas Kapheni, aide-de-camp Chisomo Chimaneni, medical officer Dan Kanyemba, Ministry of Foreign Affairs deputy chief of protocol Abdul Lapukeni, Colonel Owen Sambalopa who was the pilot-in-command, Major Flora Selemani who was the second pilot and aircraft engineer Major Wales Aidin.
Currently, there is ongoing fresh inquiry by Parliament after Mutharika approved Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango’s review of previous investigation reports recommended the need for another probe to close gaps.
A commission of inquiry established by former president Lazarus Chakwera concluded that there was no foul play and attributed the accident to adverse weather conditions and human errors.
Later in the afternoon, UTM Party held memorial celebrations at Ntcheu Stadium that included various performances and speeches.
Speaking during the commemoration, UTM president Dalitso Kabambe reiterated their wish to continue SKC’s vision to transform the country.
