The Malawi Law Society (MLS) has underscored the need for authorities to pursue the truth and offer to the public a clear, timely and trustworthy sense of direction with objective and dependable answers to the many questions arising from the 10th June 2024 tragedy.
In a statement, MLS Chairperson Patrick Mpaka urges all members of the public to seek such or provide answers when called upon in accordance with the rule of law.
It says the death of a serving Vice President and the eight other officials under the circumstances so far disclosed, triggers a legal obligation upon all authorities from across the political parties or groupings and State officials.
“Part VII of the Civil Aviation Act in section 48-49 and Division 22 of the Defence Act provides a detailed guideline to facilitate and guide air accident and incident investigation which we recommend must promptly be resorted to by all stakeholders in order to timely and legally address the legitimate questions arising from this plane crash”.
“MLS calls upon the President and all holders of legal and political authority at all levels across the political divide and in the Military and Aviation space as well as the people of Malawi generally to uphold the constitutional framework and the rule of law and to act timely and transparently in order to achieve the peaceful and lawful purposes of the Constitution, the Defence Act, the Civil Aviation Act, the General Interpretation Act and any other laws as may be relevant.”
On 10th June 2024, Malawi lost its Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others in a tragic plane crash at Chikangawa forest in Mzimba.
