Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman has named a 13-member ad hoc committee to investigate the 2024 military plane crash that killed former Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others.
Making the announcement in Parliament in Lilongwe yesterday, the Speaker said the team is expected to report back to the National Assembly within 90 days.
The Speaker’s announcement followed an earlier nod by President Peter Mutharika for a fresh investigation after Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango reviewed two previous probe reports and noted some gaps.
Suleman said the committee should meet immediately to draw up its terms of reference (ToRs) and a clear roadmap for the inquiry, emphasising efficiency, independence and transparency.
“The mandate of the committee will expire upon reporting to this August House,” he said.
The Speaker said the ToRs should be broad enough to interrogate previous findings, close gaps and inconsistencies flagged by the Ministry of Justice and ultimately help bring closure to the matter.
Leader of the House Jappie Mhango said the Business Committee, which comprises House leadership and prepares business to be discussed in Parliament, deliberately imposed a 90-day time-frame to ensure urgency on an issue of national interest.
The committee reflects a cross-party composition, having four members from the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), three from the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP), three Independents and one each from UTM Party, United Democratic Front and People’s Party.
Parties were expected to submit nominations by close of business yesterday.
MCP chief whip Moses Kunkuyu said the timeline places pressure on the committee to deliver credible results.
UTM Party spokesperson Felix Njawala welcomed the committee’s formation, describing it as progress despite the party’s push for additional representation.
Previous reports ruled out foul play, attributing the crash in Viphya Plantation, Mzimba, to bad weather and human error.
