Malawi media mourns Chilima, others
Media Council of Malawi (MCM) and Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi have joined President Lazarus Chakwera and all Malawians in mourning the demise of Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others.
Chilima and eight others were found dead yesterday after a plane crash in Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba after the plane they boarded failed to land at Mzuzu Airport on Monday.
The nine were on their way to Mzuzu where they were expected to connect to Nkhata Bay for burial of the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General Ralph Kasambala.
In a statement issued yesterday signed by Misa Malawi chairperson Golden Matonga, the body described Chilima as a solid friend of Malawi media and passionate supporter of media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information.
He said Chilima has been providing untiring support to Misa Malawi advocacy work and the Malawi media as a whole, even before he became the Vice President.
Reads the statement in part: “Specifically, he was one of individuals who were always available to financially support the construction of Misa Malawi’s Mtolankhani House and Training Centre in Lilongwe.”
In a separate MCM statement, co-signed by its chairperson Jolly Ntaba and executive director Moses Kaufa, the media regulator said Chilima and eight others’ loss has left “a void” in the Malawi media.
