Brigadier General Kuwali distances himself from aircraft decision in Chilima crash inquiry

Malawi's parliamentary inquiry into the military plane crash that killed Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others has revealed significant concerns regarding fragmented command procedures, informal requests, and impractical travel plans within the Malawi Defence Force (MDF). Brigadier General Dan Kuwali, appearing before Parliament's Ad hoc Committee, distanced himself from operational decisions concerning the ill-fated aircraft, asserting his role was strictly administrative and facilitative. His testimony highlighted a breakdown in formal protocols, including unclear authorisation chains and the alleged bypassing of established procedures for VIP travel. The inquiry underscores critical issues of accountability, institutional governance, and adherence to military and aviation regulations within state institutions, with potential implications for future reforms and legal actions.

The tragic military plane crash on June 10, 2024, that claimed the lives of Malawi's Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others, has prompted a parliamentary inquiry, shedding light on profound systemic issues within the Malawi Defence Force (MDF). The ongoing proceedings before Parliament's Ad hoc Committee have begun to unravel a complex web of fragmented command procedures, informal requests, and potentially compromised travel plans that preceded the fatal flight. This inquiry is not merely an investigation into an aviation disaster; it represents a critical examination of governance, accountability, and the rule of law within Malawi's state institutions.

The crash, which occurred while the Dornier 228 aircraft was travelling from Lilongwe to Mzuzu, led to immediate national mourning and widespread calls for a thorough investigation. In response to public demand and concerns over 'gaps and inconsistencies' in previous investigations, including those by a presidential commission and international experts, the Parliament of Malawi established an Ad hoc Committee in March 2026. This committee, mandated to review previous findings and address identified gaps, derives its powers from the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act (Cap 2:04 of Laws of Malawi), and the Standing Orders of Parliament, granting it the authority to summon witnesses and compel the production of documents.

Brigadier General Dan Kuwali's testimony before the Ad hoc Committee has brought into sharp focus the alleged procedural irregularities preceding the crash. Kuwali, then Chief of Policy, Strategy and Plans for the MDF, maintained that his involvement was limited to relaying a request for a military aircraft for a funeral and verifying its feasibility with the Air Force, explicitly denying operational or command responsibility for the aircraft's deployment. He recounted informing the then Deputy Commander, Lieutenant General George Alexander Jaffu Jr., about the charter request, noting that authorisation would need to come through the Joint Force Headquarters. Kuwali further testified that he declined to facilitate travel arrangements for Vice-President Chilima, citing an 'operationally unachievable' itinerary and making it clear he would not participate in such arrangements.

The ongoing parliamentary inquiry into the Chilima plane crash serves as a critical juncture for institutional reform and accountability in Malawi. For legal practitioners, the revelations of fragmented command procedures and informal requests highlight the paramount importance of strict adherence to statutory and regulatory frameworks, particularly within sensitive state organs like the military. The Malawi Defence Force Act (Chapter 12:01) and the Civil Aviation Act (Chapter 70:01) provide clear guidelines for operations, command, and aviation safety, and any deviation can have severe legal and public consequences.