UTM wary on its President’s whereabouts, demands answers

UTM says it wants search efforts in locating the missing plane which carried its President Saulos Chilima on board to Mzuzu Airport intensified.

The party’s Secretary General Patricia Kaliati described the current efforts as not adequate enough and appealed to chiefs to help in mobilising communities to be involved in the exercise.

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Among others, she expressed concern with the fact that the plane wasn’t on the radar of the Malawian airspace and does not reflect on the list of planes which flew on Monday according to their expert source.

As a party, it wants to know where the plane is; insisting they have camera evidence which shows that the plane carrying the Vice President wasn’t showing on the radar.

Kaliati expressed discontent over the time it took for search efforts to commence after authorities were made aware of the plane’s disappearance around 10 am but that search efforts only started later in the evening.

The party has extended the search locations as directed by experts hence called for more players to take their different roles in the exercise.

UTM disclosed it has intensified search on the ground and reached out to by other well-wishers noting it’s not a party issue but a national one.

Asked if there is a situation room for proper coordination of information, the officials said it is not sure about that but that as a party they have their own fed by its different teams on the ground.

Felix Njawala indicated that the incident came to their notice around past 10 of Monday morning from party officials at Mzuzu Airport who were waiting for Chilima’s arrival but the plane was directed to Kamuzu International Airport (KIA).

The National Publicity secretary said when it didn’t land, they started checking with other smaller airports for verification which didn’t come through.

Kaliati was however hopeful that the VP and the other members who are on the plan are okay whenever they are. UDF leader Atupele Muluzi also present at the presser which took place at UTM’s office in Lilongwe’s Area 10.

UDF leader Atupele Muluzi also present at the presser which took place at UTM’s office in Lilongwe’s Area 10.