12 years ago, Malawi lost another devoted soul, Professor Bingu wa Mutharika, today, another legendary figure perishes. A tragic end of life, Malawi has been covered by dark clouds.
Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima was announced dead on Tuesday afternoon by the State President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera who was sobbing while addressing the nation on the development.
“The wreckage of the plane that carried the Vice President and nine others has been found with no survivors. I can only imagine how much pain and anguish you all must be having at this point in time,” the President said.
A man who tells his family that he is going to attend the funeral ceremony in NkhataBay returns home as a funeral. People waited for the arrival of the Vice President before the burial ceremony of the former Attorney general, Raph Kasambara but they were told that Chilima would not be available as weather conditions impeded the landing of the plane.
A true son of the soil, and patriotic leader, his death announcement benumbed everyone in the country and maybe beyond political boundaries.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ralph Kasambara, SC – a renowned legal mind and a dedicated servant of justice.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, children, and family members during this difficult time. May the fond memories of his life and work bring you comfort and strength. Ralph, as he was fondly called, was a shining star in the legal community, and his contributions will be deeply missed. Our nation mourns the loss of a true patriot and a champion of justice,” Dr Chilima writes for the very last time on his Twitter handle.
Deeply saddened that I’m putting this into words while he is no more. The remains of Chilima and 9 others have been taken home, Capital City, through the Kamuzu International Airport.
Unverified information states that the former Veep used a plane without a transponder. The plane missed MDF’s radar around 10 am on 10 June 2024 but unfortunately, the search mission was constituted later in the afternoon.
After a long search, the remains of the legends were found unexplainable. The place is about a kilometer high up from the Thungwa area, where there are some people, reports Times 360 Malawi.
“According to the people we spoke to, they first heard a strange sound of engines above them yesterday mid-morning. That was followed seconds later by the sound of something hitting the ground. But they could not figure out what it was because of the dense fog. It was only when they heard media reports about a plane missing when they reported about the sounds they had heard,” reads the report.
Chilima, son of the soil who changes the face of politics
Late Dr Chilima was the man who changed modern politics in Malawi. Left his post at Airtel Malawi to join politics with the dreams of saving Malawians who have been in plight for years.
A dream which started brighter ended dimmer. He helped Professor Authur Peter Mutharika to outpower MCP, PP during the 2014 tripartite elections, he left DPP to establish his own party after some disagreements, UTM, the party that became popular in just two years.
Dr Saulos Chilima was indeed a patriotic soul who stood against a lot in his political journey, a man who has faced a lot but could always remain constant.
Malawi became the first country in Southern Africa to annull the results of presidential election in a decision announced in 2020. Chilima’s impact on the nullification of the 2019 Presidential Elections will remain historical. After finishing third behind DPP, MCP in that order, he suspected foul play and he, with others, worked on challenging the elections.
While delivering a 500-paged Judgement, Healey Potani said, “We are satisfied that the petitioners’ complaint alleging undue return has been made out both qualitatively and quantitatively.
“in every election there are irregularities. However, in the present case, the irregularities were widespread and systematic and affected the result. Consequently, we hold that the first respondent was not duly elected as President of Malawi. We order the nullification of the election.”
“We further order that a fresh election be held in accordance with the law and pursuant to directions we will make soon [based on Section 100(4) of the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act].”
President Peter Mutharika (above) was narrowly reelected in the May 2019 election after securing 38% of the vote. Runner-up Lazarus Chakwera secured 35% of the vote while former vice president Saulos Chilima came in third with 20%.
He led demonstrations leading to the stepping down of the then MEC Chairperson, Madam Madando, Jane Ansah, his presentation in front of judges during the hearing was mature and historical.
Malawi’s electoral commission confirmed that it received 147 reports of alleged irregularities, but both the commission and Mutharika said the irregularities were not enough to affect the outcome.
It was the first presidential election to be challenged in the courts in Malawi since the country’s independence from Britain in 1964. Chilima was the first petitioner, the first person to challenge the elections. Rest well Legend.
