A military aircraft carrying Malawi’s Vice President, Saulos Chilima, has been reported missing after failing to land yesterday morning.
The government confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that all efforts by aviation authorities to contact the aircraft since it went off radar have been unsuccessful.
The plane, which departed shortly after 9:00 am local time (0700 GMT), was transporting the 51-year-old Vice President and nine other individuals.
The sudden disappearance of the aircraft has prompted an urgent response from President Lazarus Chakwera.
President Chakwera has ordered both regional and national forces to initiate an “immediate search and rescue operation to locate the whereabouts of the aircraft,” the government statement revealed.
In light of the situation, President Chakwera has cancelled his planned working visit to the Bahamas.
This development comes in the wake of a significant legal episode involving Vice President Chilima.
In 2022, he was stripped of his powers following his arrest and subsequent charges related to a bribery scandal involving a British-Malawian businessman.
However, last month, a Malawian court dropped the charges after Chilima attended several court appearances.
The disappearance of the aircraft has gripped the nation, with citizens and officials anxiously awaiting updates.
The government continues to reassure the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety and swift recovery of Vice President Chilima and the other passengers.
Further details will be provided as the search and rescue operation progresses.
The government urges anyone with information that might assist in locating the aircraft to come forward.
