In a tragic incident on June 10, 2024, Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others, including ex-first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, lost their lives in a military plane crash amid adverse weather conditions in northern Malawi. The aircraft, a Dornier 228-202K, went missing on Monday morning and was later discovered completely wrecked in the Chikangawa Forest, as reported by President Lazarus Chakwera the following day.
Chilima, who was seen as a potential candidate in the upcoming presidential election, had recently returned from South Korea where he attended the Korea-Africa summit. At the time of the crash, he was en route to the funeral of Malawi’s former justice minister in Mzuzu. The aircraft left Lilongwe at 9:17 a.m., but due to poor visibility, was unable to land at Mzuzu airport. It was then instructed to return to Lilongwe but lost contact with air traffic control and disappeared from radar.
President Chakwera shared in a national address, “I am heartbroken to announce that this has ended in a dreadful tragedy. The search and rescue team located the aircraft near a hill, completely destroyed with no survivors.” He confirmed that all passengers died on impact and their remains were being transported back to the capital by the military.
Despite the aircraft having a solid track record and the crew being experienced, something went awry during its return flight to Lilongwe, resulting in the fatal crash.
Chakwera eulogized, “Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima was a good man, a dedicated father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his nation with distinction, and a formidable vice president.”
Images circulating online showed security and rescue personnel at the crash site, with wreckage strewn around the plane’s tail.
Chilima, 51, was the former director of Airtel Malawi and leader of the United Transformation Movement party. He later joined forces with Chakwera to form the ruling Tonse Alliance and served as his running mate in the 2020 elections. Nevertheless, as the 2025 presidential election approached, tensions between the two emerged, with Chilima expected to challenge Chakwera.
In 2022, corruption allegations led to Chilima’s arrest. However, the charges were dropped the previous month when the director of public prosecutions filed a notice to discontinue the case. Throughout the proceedings, Chilima consistently proclaimed his innocence.
In honor of the deceased, President Chakwera declared a national day of mourning. The remains of Chilima and the other victims were transported back to Lilongwe.
International support played a crucial role in the search and rescue operations, with countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, and Norway offering specialized technologies. The U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe expressed deep concern over the crash and pledged to provide all possible assistance, including a Defense C-12 aircraft.
The incident has plunged Malawi into a state of mourning, with many expressing their grief and condolences. According to reports from AFP news agency, “Dr. Chilima was widely loved, particularly among the youth.”
Chilima is survived by his wife, Mary, and their two children, Sean and Elizabeth.