Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine other passengers have been confirmed dead following a tragic helicopter crash on Monday.
In a statement on Tuesday, Colleen Samba, the president’s secretary, confirmed the sad news, noting that rescue operation was initiated immediately after the plane went off the radar.
Additionally, Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera ordered all resources to be poured into locating the aircraft.
Following hours of searching, the missing plane was located in Chikangawa Forest, with all its occupants dead, Times Now reported.
“The aircraft, which was carrying the Vice President, the Right Honourable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, and nine others, was found this morning in the Chikangawa forest. Unfortunately, all on board have perished in the crash,” the statement read.
Who was Saulos Chilima?
Chilima was born in 1973. He holds a PhD in knowledge management from the University of Bolton, which he earned after completing his undergraduate studies in business administration at the University of Malawi.
Before entering politics, Chilima had a successful corporate career, serving in leadership positions at Airtel Malawi, Unilever, Coca Cola and Carlsberg.
His extensive experience in the private sector has been invaluable in his role as Vice President, where he has been instrumental in driving economic development and growth in Malawi.
Chilima’s background in business has also allowed him to bring a unique perspective to the government, as he has been able to apply his knowledge of the private sector to inform policy decisions and drive economic growth.
Political career
Chilima has been Malawi’s Vice President since 2014.
Prior to his political career, he was a prominent figure in the private sector.
His extensive experience in corporate leadership has been valuable in his role as Vice President, where he has been instrumental in driving economic development and growth in Malawi.
Chilima’s political career began when he was appointed as the running mate to President Lazarus Chakwera in the 2019 presidential elections.
He has been a key figure in the government, playing a crucial role in shaping policy and driving economic development.
Chilima’s experience in the private sector has allowed him to bring a unique perspective to the government, as he has been able to apply his knowledge of the private sector to inform policy decisions and drive economic growth.
Corruption allegations and arrest
In November 2022, Chilima was arrested by the Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on allegations of receiving bribes from a British businessman, Zuneth Sattar.
The ACB accused Chilima of receiving $280,000 and “other items” in exchange for awarding government contracts.
The allegations were made public after a lengthy investigation by the ACB, which had been monitoring Chilima’s financial activities for several years.
The arrest and subsequent charges against Chilima sent shockwaves through the political landscape in Malawi, with many calling for his immediate resignation from office.
Chilima was taken into custody and attended several court sessions, but the trial never commenced.
On May 7, 2024, the High Court of Malawi announced the discontinuance of the charges against Chilima, citing a notice of discontinuance filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The reasons behind this decision remain undisclosed, but critics have questioned the timing and the potential involvement of President Chakwera in the decision.
The discontinuance of charges has sparked widespread controversy and debate, with many calling for an explanation from the government and the DPP.
