The funeral service for Saulos Chilima, Malawi’s vice-president who tragically died in a plane crash, is underway at the national stadium, with tens of thousands of Malawians gathering to pay their respects.
Chilima, known for his eloquence and energy in politics, particularly resonated with the country’s youth. As a devout Catholic, the service includes a full mass, reflecting his faith.
Chilima will be laid to rest in his hometown of Ntcheu, with the day of his burial declared a public holiday. The stadium, filled to its 41,000-person capacity, hosts moving tributes from his family, highlighting his role as a loving father and his competitive spirit.
“Dad was a hard worker who always made sure he got things done,” he said.
His brother, Ben, said the family was grateful to have been given the personal belongings he had on him at the time of the accident, including his watch and rosary.
The funeral service for Saulos Chilima, Malawi’s vice-president, was marked by moments of tension as some attendees booed government officials, including President Lazarus Chakwera. Calm was eventually restored with the intervention of Catholic priests.
Chilima tragically died in a plane crash while en route to attend a funeral in Nkhata Bay. The crash, attributed to poor visibility caused by bad weather, claimed the lives of all onboard, including former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri.
While President Chakwera cited weather conditions as the cause, Chilima’s UTM party has called for an independent investigation, a sentiment echoed by Archbishop Desmond Tambala of Lilongwe representing the Catholic Church.
President Chakwera announced plans to seek assistance from foreign governments and international agencies for a comprehensive investigation, emphasizing the need for impartiality given the involvement of the Malawi Army.
Saulos Chilima had a successful career in the private sector before entering politics at the age of 40. He served as vice-president under former President Peter Mutharika but later formed his own party, the UTM, after a falling out with Mutharika.
In the 2019 elections, Chilima ran for president and came third, but the results were nullified due to fraud complaints. In the subsequent 2020 election, he teamed up with Lazarus Chakwera, becoming his running mate.
It was agreed that Chakwera would serve one term, after which Chilima would run for president in 2025. While Chakwera has not publicly disputed this agreement, recent hints suggest he may seek re-election.
Despite appearing on good terms publicly, tensions have risen, with leaders of their parties openly endorsing both candidates for next year’s elections.
