Malawi’s immediate past President Peter Mutharika says he, the former First Lady Gertrude and the entire Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are deeply saddened with the passing of the Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others through Monday’s plane crash.
This is contained in a condolence message signed by the Presidential and Party Spokesperson Shadric Namalomba.
“Their Excellencies’ deep thoughts of sympathy go to Madam Mary Chilima and children, the families and loved ones of the nine others, His Excellency, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, the President of the Nation, Members of the UTM party and all Malawians of goodwill.
“May the entire nation find strength and comfort in unity as we mourn the lives of our true sons and daughters. May the memories of the departed continue to inspire us all” reads the message.
In a related development, Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Gotani-Hara has expressed deep sorrow and shock on the sudden demise of the Vice President and the eight talented and young Malawian officials who were killed on Monday.
Through a press release, she describes the scale, manner and impact of the tragedy as leaving the entire nation in unimaginable grief.
“Rt. Hon Saulos Klaus Chilima has left a legacy of hard work, patriotism, dedication and unwavering commitment to the nation which, for sure, will inspire us all in our efforts to build a better future for generations to come.
“As we gather together as a nation in mourning, let us also honour the memories of the departed and support their loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with the State President and his Cabinet, the bereaved families, and the entire nation”.
Meanwhile President Lazarus Chakwera has directed that Malawi observes a 21 day period of mourning in honour of the departed Vice President and the eight others killed in Monday plane crash in Chikangawa.
“His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi has directed that the nation observes a period of twenty-one (21) days of mourning commencing today, Tuesday 11 June 2024 to Monday 1 July, 2024 in honour of the Late Right Honourable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi and eight officials whom we lost in a tragic plane crash on Monday, 10 June 2024 near Chikangawa Mzimba” reads the press release.
Chakwera has further directed that all flags be flown at half-mast throughout the period of mourning.
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