By Watipaso Mzungu
Governance and Human Rights Advocates, Undule Mwakasungula, has delved into the contents of the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the cause of the plane crash that claimed the life of the former State Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others on June 10, 2024.
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera instituted the Commission in October following calls from families and the public to have an independent probe into the accident.
In his press statement released on Monday, Mwakasungula described the report as comprehensive, addressing all the key areas outlined in the Commission’s Terms of Reference.
But the fearless human rights fighter faults the opposition for trying to politicize the report, observing that the report provides an in-depth analysis of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, which claimed the lives of Chilima and eight other Malawians.
“While some may agree or disagree with its findings, it is undeniable that this report offers a foundation for moving forward as a nation,” says the Malawi’s most celebrated and revered human rights defender and governance expert.
According to Mwakasungula, the release of the Commission of Inquiry report on December 14, 2024, marks an important moment for Malawi, and that citizens must collectively acknowledge its contents, whether or not we agree with its conclusions.
He said the value of the report lies not only in its findings, but in its role in facilitating healing and closure for this painful chapter in our nation.
Among its key findings, the report concludes that the aircraft accident resulted from a combination of environmental factors, such as adverse weather conditions, and human factors, including pilot misjudgments.
These findings shed light on the tragic events and provide clarity on the causes of the accident.
The Commission has made several important recommendations to address systemic gaps and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
These recommendations include implementing policies and procedures, as well as enhancing the capacities of various government ministries and departments such as the Office of the President and Cabinet, the Army, Police, Civil Aviation, Health, and others. These lessons are important for safeguarding the lives of Malawians and ensuring such an incident does not happen again.
However, Mwakasungula laments the conduct of some opposition parties who, while receiving financial support from the government, they were at the forefront of spreading false rumours and implicating the government as the cause of the tragedy.
“This hypocrisy is unacceptable and must be condemned unequivocally. However, a notable gap in the report is the lack of a clear timeframe for implementing the recommendations. Given the magnitude of the loss especially the Vice President and eight other Malawians, it is critical for the government and relevant institutions to act with urgency to address the identified gaps. Without a defined timeframe, there is a risk of inaction, which could lead to a recurrence of similar tragedies. We must ensure that the lessons from this tragedy translate into swift and effective action to prevent history from repeating itself,” he says.
“Ultimately, this report should serve as a means for national closure. Whether or not we fully agree with its findings, we must resist politicizing this tragedy and instead use the report as a tool to move forward as one nation. The pain of this event will always be with us, but through reflection and action, we can honor the lives lost and ensure that their legacy leads to a stronger and safer Malawi.
“Let us approach this moment with resolve and a commitment to learning from the past, so that we may build a future free of such tragedies. The release of this report is not the end of the journey, but a step in our shared pursuit of healing and progress as a nation,” concludes the statement.