By Pemphero Malimba:
The Independent Complaints Commission (ICC) has commenced investigations into the leaking of pictures showing the scene of the plane crash that killed nine people, including former vice president Saulos Chilima, in June last year.
In its report, the Commission of Inquiry into the plane crash recommended that the ICC and the police investigate the leaking of the pictures and bring the culprits to book.
“Further, since the leakage may also have emanated from the police themselves, the commission recommends that the Director of [ICC] established under the Police Act (Cap. 13:01) should also commence investigations on the police accordingly,” the recommendation reads.
ICC spokesperson Happy Njalam’mano told The Daily Times Monday that investigations had commenced following the official receipt of the report.
“We have officially received the report from the commission of inquiry and we have gone through it and look at the recommendations and I can confirm to you that we have started our investigations on the matter,” Njalam’mano said.
He added the ICC had already met with some of the institutions crucial to the investigations.
“So far, we have already met with some of the institutions that we believe are critical for our investigations and I am glad to tell you that the institutions we have met are cooperative.
“They are forthcoming with information and we will continue meeting with other institutions on the matter,” Njalam’mano said.
He, however, could not provide a timeframe for the investigations.
“It is a process in which we may find evidence that is too technical, which could require more time. At other times, we may also find evidence that is straightforward, which would not require much time. Therefore, it is premature to specify when we will complete the investigations,” he said.
National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya requested more time before commenting on what the police were doing in adherence to the recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry.
The Commission of Inquiry into the plane crash, which was chaired by Justice Jabbar Alide, released its report on December 14, 2024.
In the report, the commission ruled out foul play.
The commission later submitted the report to President Lazarus Chakwera, the bereaved families and subsequently published it for public consumption.
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