The Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee investigating the plane crash that killed former Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others is expected to hear testimony from senior police and military officials next week.
Committee Chairperson Walter Nymilandu Manda said the inquiry engaged a wide range of stakeholders this week, including representatives from the private sector, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), Airtel and other organisations.
The committee also heard from eyewitnesses.
Manda said the inquiry continues to receive new information as its work progresses.
“The engagements are very diverse. We keep getting new information. So the journey continues until next week,” Manda said.
He said the committee is scheduled to hear from senior officials in the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Defence Force next week.
According to Manda, the committee is also expected to meet both the former and current Inspectors General of Police on Monday. A detailed programme for the week is expected to be released on the same day.
The inquiry will later move to Mzuzu, where the committee plans to meet some of the individuals who took part in the search and rescue operation.
Manda said conducting part of the inquiry in Mzuzu would also help the committee manage its expenses.
The committee chairperson further acknowledged that several names have emerged during testimony, particularly following evidence presented by former Inspector General of Police General Valentino Phiri and Mr Mwanga.
However, he said the committee was not necessarily expecting a significant increase in the number of witnesses, noting that some of the individuals mentioned were secondary witnesses.
Manda said the committee had also opened a hotline to allow people with relevant information, particularly those from the Ntungwa area, to come forward.
He added that the committee would assess the information received before deciding whether additional witnesses should be summoned.
The inquiry continues as the committee seeks to establish a comprehensive account of the circumstances surrounding the plane crash and the subsequent search and rescue operation.
