By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, June 14, Mana: There were gun shots by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers at Chiwalo Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Nankumba in Mangochi on Friday as one way of paying their last respect to their fellow colleague in arms, the late Major Wales Aidini.

Aidini, an airplane technician, died together with the Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima and seven others in a tragic plane crash in Chikangawa Forest on Monday.

Speaking on behalf of the President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, Minister of Trade and Industry, Sosten Gwengwe said that Aidini is a fallen hero, who died while serving the country.

Gwengwe, who was accompanied by Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola, described the Chikangawa tragedy as a big loss to the country, as it has taken away very productive citizens.

“Personally, I have traveled in that plane for in so many occasions,” he said of the plane that remains a wreckage.

“Apart from that, I was with the Vice President and some of our departed friends in South Korea just a few hours before the accident. As such, I am very confused as it is so painful and difficult to believe that our colleagues are no longer with us,” the Minister said.

Gwengwe asked communities to exercise patience and restraint while waiting for the results of an investigation of what really happened leading to the plane crash.

“You will appreciate the fact that President Chakwera has made a directive on the launch of an investigation that will lead to the establishment of what really happened. As such, let us exercise patience while we are waiting for results of that investigation,” he said.

Land Forces Commander, Major General Chikunkha Soko said Aidini was a dedicated as well as committed soldier.

Soko said Aidini joined the military in 2001 and later did a number of Aircraft Engineering courses.

“Due to his hard work and education, Wales was promoted in 2017 as Captain and in 2020 as Major.” he added.

“He had four medals to his credit and worked under the United Nations in Ivory Coast and in DRC. We have lost an icon,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Mangochi-Monkey Bay, Ralph Jooma said he was lost with words at the death of Aidini, whom he described as a brother.

“Among the children we considered as educated in our area was Wales. It is so painful,” he said.

“I just received an invitation to their family function in the coming months. But as of now, he is no longer with us. With that, we are speechless,” Jooma added.

He commended President Chakwera for issuing a directive for an investigation into the tragic death of Chilima, crew and the other five passengers in Chikangawa on June 10, 2024.

In his eulogy, representative of the bereaved family, Omega Mlelemba said the deceased has left a gap as he was the bread-winner for the whole family.

“As a family, we are speechless for the passing on of our brother. We were all going to him to ask for support, as such, we have been left hopeless,” she said.

Born on February 16, 1981, Aidini is survived by a wife and five children.