Tension engulfs SKC memorial in Ntcheu
Tension and emotions rose high during former vice-president Saulos Chilima’s candlelight memorial in Ntcheu on Saturday evening with Senior Chief Kwataine stating that the Ngonis’ silence over the death should not be mistaken for foolishness.
The chief was commenting on the circumstances that led to the death of Chilima and eight others in a military plane crash in Viphya Plantation in Mzimba on June 10 2024.
He said the circumstances that led to Chilima’s death were similar to those of former senior government officials, including former Cabinet ministers Dick Matenje, Aaron Gadama and Twaibu Sangala as well as legislator David Chiwanga during the one-party State under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) on May 18 1983.
dying like this?
Said Kwataine: “We have been calm, but why are our children dying like that? How can we remain calm? Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima was our hope as the Ngonis and everyone in the country.
“So, we are not mourning Saulos Chilima alone, but also Mr Matenje and even Sam Mpasu who we were banking on.”
In his remarks, Ntcheu West legislator Simeon Salambula (UTM Party) said Chilima was a visionary leader and a caring and peace-loving citizen.
“What is needed right now, let us join hands and Chilima’s soul will rest in peace. We have lost him, but we will witness the birth of so many Saulos Chilimas,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V, Inkosi Makwangwala noted that Chilima’s death has not only shocked the Ngonis, but the world at large.
He said: “We are hearing that in Zambia people are mourning Biyeni [as Chilima was fondly called in Ngoni tradition]. In America, they are also mourning Biyeni.
“Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V is here to show you that he is still mourning his son [Chilima] and that all our tears we are dropping because of his death, will bear fruits.”
Besides the Ntcheu candlelight service, some Malawians living in United Kingdom also held a similar event on Saturday where former Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson Jane Ansah was among the speakers.
Since the death of Chilima and eight others, candlelight services have been held across the country’s cities of Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Zomba as well as districts such as Nkhata Bay, Mangochi, Mchinji and Dedza.
The others who died in the crash were 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.
Chilima was laid to rest on June 17 at his home Nsipe in Ntcheu.
