Tens of thousands of Malawians gathered at the Bingu National Stadium to honour Vice-President Saulos Chilima, who tragically died in a plane crash last week.
Chilima, 51, was celebrated as a dynamic figure in Malawian politics, particularly revered by the youth for his eloquence and energetic campaigning.
President Lazarus Chakwera, addressing the mourners, pledged a comprehensive investigation into the crash’s cause and mentioned seeking assistance from foreign governments.
“I also have the same questions that Malawians have,” he stated. Despite earlier attributing the crash to poor visibility due to bad weather, Chakwera acknowledged the need for an independent investigation alongside the military’s probe.
The service, which included a full Catholic mass, was marked by moments of tension as President Chakwera and other officials faced boos from some attendees, with calm only restored through the intervention of Catholic priests.
Chilima’s coffin, draped in Malawi’s red, green, and black flag, was carried into the stadium by a guard of honour.
Chilima, a devout Catholic, will be buried in his home district of Ntcheu on Monday, a day declared a public holiday.
Tributes flowed from his family, with his son Sean describing him as a loving, competitive father who always made time for his children. His brother Ben expressed gratitude for receiving Chilima’s personal belongings from the crash, including his watch and rosary.
Chilima’s sudden death occurred while he was en route to attend the funeral of a former cabinet minister in Nkhata Bay. The crash also claimed the lives of the entire crew and other passengers, including former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri.
Chilima’s political journey began after a successful private sector career. He became vice-president in 2014 under President Peter Mutharika, later forming his own party, the UTM, following a fallout with Mutharika. Despite coming third in the 2019 elections, Chilima joined forces with Chakwera in the 2020 election, leading to a victory for their coalition.
As the 2025 elections approach, tensions had been simmering between Chilima and Chakwera, with speculations of a potential political fallout, despite their public appearances suggesting otherwise.
