Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) rights group Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa, denounced the report as a "sham" and labelled the inquiry a waste of taxpayers' money.

During a media briefing in Blantyre on Tuesday, Namiwa expressed his outrage at the way the Commission was handled, raising concerns about the credibility of the process and questioning President Lazarus Chakwera’s involvement in the inquiry. "Malawians have been left without the answers they deserve, and this report does not offer closure to the families or the nation," Namiwa said.

The tragic plane crash, which involved a chartered flight from Lilongwe to the northern city of Mzuzu, left the nation reeling. The event shocked the country, and for months, citizens had been demanding answers. However, Namiwa argued that the government's response, particularly that of President Chakwera, has been inconsistent and insufficient.

"The Commission was established six months after the incident, following widespread public outcry and protests. Many Malawians believed the appointees to the Commission were too closely aligned with the current administration, which led to doubts about the independence and objectivity of the inquiry," Namiwa continued.

Namiwa pointed out that the Commission's failure to hold public hearings or allow for transparency has compounded the disappointment. He was particularly critical of the lack of media coverage during the inquiry process, which he believed was essential for ensuring accountability. "We had the opportunity for public hearings, as seen in other high-profile cases, but that was not allowed here. Malawians deserve to follow the investigation in real-time and have their questions answered," he said.

The CDEDI Director further questioned the findings of the report, suggesting that there were numerous red flags and unanswered questions surrounding the crash. "We were told the flight was delayed due to bad weather, yet reports from German experts suggest otherwise. The response from the military and government officials, including the delay in locating the wreckage, only deepens the suspicion," Namiwa said.

Despite the report's conclusion, which did not address the cause of the crash or the whereabouts of critical evidence like the black box, Namiwa maintained that the Commission's findings were neither credible nor satisfactory. He called for a more transparent and thorough investigation to restore public trust.

As the controversy surrounding the plane crash inquiry continues, CDEDI is calling for greater accountability and a full review of the Commission's findings.

--ChannelAfrica--