Tinaye Agere
Zimpapers Politics Hub
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has sent a message of condolence to his counterpart Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera following the death of that country’s Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others in a plane crash on Monday.
President Chakwera announced the death of Dr Chilima on Tuesday afternoon after the wreckage of the plane which was also carrying former Malawian First Lady Ms Shanil Muluzi nee Dzimbiri, was found in the thickly forested mountains of Chikangawa.
Dr Chilima and his entourage were on their way to the burial of a prominent lawyer in the south of the country in Mzuzu when their plane crashed due to poor weather.
“It is with a profound sense of shock and sadness that I received the devastating news on the fatal aircraft crash that claimed the lives of the Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, Honourable Saulos Klaus Chilima, as well as the former First Lady of Malawi, Ms Shanil Muluzi nee Dzimbiri, amongst other deceased Malawian patriots,” said President Mnangagwa.
“On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and, on my own behalf, I wish to extend to you, and, through Your Excellency, to the Government and the people of the Republic of Malawi, as well as the families of the deceased, our heartfelt condolences and deep sorrow. We wish you fortitude on your road to recovery from this tragedy.”
President Mnangagwa said Dr Chilima will forever be remembered for his selfless efforts in promoting bilateral relations between Malawi and Zimbabwe.
The plane crash victims’ bodies have since been transported by ambulances from the crash scene to Lilongwe.
The Malawian government says Dr Chilima will be honoured with a state funeral and has declared 21 days of mourning.
Online Reporter