Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima was buried on Monday in his village south of the capital following a state funeral at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. President Lazarus Chakwera, who attended the funeral alongside other dignitaries, called for an independent investigation into the plane crash that killed Chilima and nine others in Mzimba last week.
The plane, on a flight from Lilongwe to Mzuzu, lost contact after air traffic controllers advised against landing due to bad weather. The wreckage was discovered after a 24-hour search. Chilima’s family also demanded an independent probe. A 19-gun salute and military honors were rendered as the body was laid to rest, with wreaths laid by Chakwera, former presidents, and Chilima’s family.