Malawi’s Vice President, Saulos Klaus Chilima, alongside nine others, including former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, lost their lives in a military plane crash amid adverse weather in northern Malawi on June 10, 2024. The Dornier 228-202K aircraft, reported missing on Monday, was found completely wrecked in the Chikangawa Forest according to President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tuesday announcement.
Chilima, who was seen as a potential candidate in the upcoming presidential election, had recently returned from South Korea where he attended the Korea-Africa summit. The crash occurred while he was heading to the funeral of Malawi’s ex-justice minister in Mzuzu. The plane left Lilongwe at 9:17 a.m., but due to low visibility, it couldn’t land at Mzuzu airport. The plane was redirected to Lilongwe but subsequently lost contact with air traffic control and disappeared from radar.
President Chakwera confirmed in a national address that the search and rescue operation had ended. “I am heartbroken to announce that this has ended in a dreadful tragedy. The search and rescue team located the aircraft near a hill, completely destroyed with no survivors,” he said. The military has begun transporting the remains of the victims back to the capital, he further confirmed.
Despite the aircraft’s established reliability and the crew’s experience, the flight to Lilongwe encountered a fatal problem leading to the crash.
“Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima was a good man, a dedicated father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his nation with distinction, and a formidable vice president,” Chakwera said, paying tribute.
Images shared online show security and rescue personnel at the crash site with aircraft debris strewn around the plane’s tail section.
Chilima, 51, was previously the director of Airtel Malawi and the leader of the United Transformation Movement party. He partnered with Chakwera to form the ruling Tonse Alliance and was his running mate during their successful 2020 election campaign. However, as the 2025 presidential election approached, their relationship faced tension, with Chilima expected to challenge Chakwera.
In 2022, Chilima was arrested over corruption allegations. However, last month, the charges were dropped when the director of public prosecutions filed a notice to discontinue the case. Throughout the legal process, Chilima asserted his innocence.
President Chakwera declared a national day of mourning to honor those who died in the crash. The remains of Chilima and the other victims were transported back to Lilongwe.
International support played a crucial role in the search and rescue operations, with countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Israel providing specialized equipment. The U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe expressed its deep concern regarding the crash and offered all available aid, including a Defense C-12 aircraft.
The crash has plunged Malawi into mourning, with many expressing their condolences. AFP news agency reports stated, “Dr. Chilima was widely loved, particularly among the youth.”
Chilima is survived by his wife, Mary, and their two children, Sean and Elizabeth.
