By IOMMIE CHIWALO
The Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has given Cabinet Minister Richard Chimwendo Banda seven days to clear his name on the plane that killed Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others.
In a letter from CDEDI, the Minister has been linked to the saga due to the reports that show that he was barred from boarding the plane that was later crashed with only security and UTM officials.
“We, at CDEDI are of the view that your apparent silence ever since the announcement linking you to the ill-fated plane, means that Times told the grieving nation nothing but the truth. Therefore, you have two options to either name the person that prevented you from flying in the said plane or take to task Times television for misinforming the
nation,” reads the letter signed by CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa.
According to CDEDI, Chimwendo Banda as a senior cabinet minister, Leader of Government Business in Parliament, a Member of Parliament and more recently, Secretary General for the Malawi go Congress Party (MCP) has a reputation and image to protect.
“Since you have not disputed the said announcement, Malawians are of the view that you should help them exercise their right to know as contained in the republican constitution and fully backed by the Access to Information (ATI) Act by coming out in the open, to explain yourself on where you got the information which indicated that the plane was full to capacity,” he said.
The request by CDEDI is coupled with revelation that Dornier 228-202 has a passenger capacity of 19, meant that there was space in the military aircraft on one hand, while on the other hand, Malawians trust that Times Television did not misinform the nation.
The demand by CDEDI is part of following up on a press statement, dated September 3, 2024 titled THE ILL-FATED ARMY AIRCRAFT NEVER REACHED MZUZU ON JUNE 10, WHO TOLD THE PRESIDENT IT DID?
In the statement, CDEDI challenged public officers to justify their actions and sentiments in relation to the turn of events surrounding the whole incident.
It is the citizenry’s overwhelming response to the said statement stemming from the recently released interim report by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (FBU).
“One question has dominated the public’s reaction on credible online publications, pertaining to the repeated announcement that was made by Times Television during their live updates on June 11, 2024 that you Sir, were supposed to fly in the same ill-fated military plane but you were told that it was full to capacity. You may wish to agree with us Hon. Minister, that according to the initial
passenger manifest, the spouse to the fallen VeeP, Mary Chilima and her body guard were supposed to fly in the same flight but they never did,” Namiwa highlighted.
The letter has been delivered to Chimwendo Banda’s Office but is yet to respond to this publication to give his side of the story
