A parliamentary inquiry in Malawi has heard forensic evidence pointing to a high-impact crash in the June 10, 2024 plane crash that killed Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others. Pathologist Steve Kamiza led the team that conducted a post-mortem on the victims, revealing that the bodies had extensive fractures and deep cuts consistent with a high-impact crash.
According to Kamiza, the victims appeared to have been seated and strapped into their seats when the aircraft hit the ground. This disputes suggestions that they had been moved around or involved in a hijacking incident. The pathologist told the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee on Chikangawa Plane Crash that some bodies had soil and vegetation embedded deep in their wounds, while others were covered in jet fuel.
The condition of the victims' bodies was consistent with the damage reported on their mobile phones. Kamiza said the body of Chilima was full of oil, adding that he would be surprised if the phones were intact with these kind of injuries. Committee chairperson Walter Nyamilandu Manda questioned whether Kamiza's findings represented the only possible scientific interpretation, or if other pathologists would reach the same conclusions.
Kamiza said he expected other pathologists to establish similar findings, although differences in interpretation could arise from variations in experience, training, and knowledge. He also stated that he was interested in seeing the findings of pathologists engaged by the committee. Some committee members, however, challenged Kamiza's comments on hijacking, questioning whether he was drawing conclusions beyond his medical expertise.
Mwanza Central MP Felix Njawala argued that pilots familiar with the aircraft were better placed to explain its movements and assess claims of hijacking. He also cautioned against drawing conclusions about the damaged phones, saying committee members had not witnessed their recovery. Kamiza maintained that he was relying on the physical evidence from the bodies, not knowledge of how the aircraft was operated.
The committee also heard testimony from police informant Dziwani Jassi, who expressed doubts that the crash was accidental. Jassi's testimony prompted committee member James Mpunga to call for further investigations. The committee chairperson said they would summon officers Jassi mentioned to give their side of the story, while some members expressed reservations about accepting Jassi's account without further scrutiny.
The pathologist had advised families against viewing the bodies due to severe disfigurement, which could have caused further trauma. Kamiza also addressed concerns raised by Lapukeni's widow about the condition and identity of her husband's remains, stating that the body was badly disjointed and part of Lapukeni's remains were found after other remains had already been taken from the mortuary.
Key points
- The parliamentary inquiry heard forensic evidence pointing to a high-impact crash in the June 10, 2024 plane crash.
- Pathologist Steve Kamiza's findings were questioned by some committee members.
- The committee also heard testimony from a police informant who doubts the crash was accidental.
