By President of South Africa H.E Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his condolences on behalf of South Africa to the Republic of Malawi following the tragic death of its Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima in an aircraft crash on Monday, 10 June 2024.
Dr Saulos Chilima was travelling with nine other personnel during the domestic flight to Mzuzu to the funeral of the former late Justice Minister. The plane left Lilongwe on Monday 10 June morning headed for Mzuzu, but when about to land, the pilot could not land the plane and the control tower instructed the plane to make a U-turn back to Lilongwe due to bad weather; following the instruction, the military aircraft turned around but shortly went missing.
A search for the plane then ensued after it went off the radar and communication was lost. According to Malawi’s President H.E. Lazarus Chakwera, the debris of the plane were located in a mountainous areas in the north part of the country in early hours of Tuesday.
“The search and rescue team have found the aircraft completely destroyed with no survivors, as all passengers on board were killed on impact,” said Chakwera.
President Ramaphosa has since communicated his deep condolences to the people of Malawi and President Chakwera.
“This is a moment of tragedy in which we are united with the people of Malawi as you mourn the passing of a youthful leader who advanced the aspirations of his country and of our youthful continent from his position in Malawi’s Presidency.
This is a loss felt across our country and region and we pray that the people of Malawi will be blessed with the fortitude and peace required in this moment of deep sadness and national mourning,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
