President Lazarus Chakwera has disclosed that some people are “forcing” him to speak about the plane crash that claimed the lives of former vice president Saulos Chilima and former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri.
Chakwera, who addressed chiefs from Chitipa, Karonga, Rumphi and Nkhata Bay districts when they consoled him on the deaths at Mzuzu State Lodge Wednesday, said he had chosen not to respond to attacks that are being directed at him in relation to the death of Chilima.
The President said he was waiting for a report on the issue.
The report of the accident is yet to be released.
Others that died in the accident, which occurred in Chikangawa Forest on June 10 this year, are Lucas Kapheni, Chisomo Chimaneni, Dan Kanyemba and Abdul Lapukeni.
Also on board were Colonel Owen Sambalopa, Major Flora Selemani and Major Aidin, who were Malawi Defence Force (MDF) personnel who were operating the ill-fated plane.
He added that Malawians and people from across the globe should know that only God knows what caused the plane crash, adding that Malawians need to accept God’s plan.
Chakwera said he, as leader, knows that people speak a lot when someone dies, adding that he is not ready to control them.
“People are forcing me to speak about things I don’t know. I avoid them because I do not want to sin against God. No one can challenge God, who knows everything about that accident. So, I will remain quiet until I am given the report,” Chakwera said.
Speaking on behalf of fellow chiefs, Paramount Chiefs Kyungu of Karonga, Chikulamayembe of Rumphi and Senior Chief Nyaluwanga of Nkhata Bay encouraged Chakwera to concentrate on developing the country rather than attending to people who are attacking him.
Kyungu later told The Daily Times that it was unfortunate that some Malawians were saying things that had the potential to spark violence in the country.
“People must know that we only have one president at a time. What people are saying about Chakwera is disrespectful.
“So, we have encouraged the President to remain quiet on issues related to Chilima’s death because we want peace to prevail in the country,” Kyungu said.
On his part, Defence Minister-cum-Malawi Congress Party (MCP) deputy president Harry Mkandawire said Chakwera already told MCP members not to respond to speeches that connect Chakwera to the Chikangawa fatal crash.
However, Mkandawire said MCP members feel offended by the attacks, “only that we take heed of the President’s advice”.
“Otherwise, we feel annoyed when our President is being accused of having a connection to the plane crash,” Mkandawire said.
However, chiefs from Mzimba were not part of the meeting.
Mkandawire was quick to say the traditional leaders were not in attendance because they already met Chakwera in Lilongwe.
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