By Priscilla Phiri

Lilongwe, June 11, Mana: UTM’s Secretary General, Patricia Kaliati, has expressed concern regarding the search of the missing plane boarded by the Vice President, Dr Saulos Chilima, who is President for the party, together with his entourage on June 10, 2024.

She said this during the Party’s press briefing that took place at UTM office in Area 10, Lilongwe on Tuesday with aim to address Malawians on the missing UTM President.

Kaliati said that the party was concerned over the delayed communication by the authorities at the time that the plane was reported missing to the party officials.

“As you know the plane went missing around 10 am and the search began at 3 pm and this is a worrying situation on our account. We had 12 Malawi Defence Force (MDF) personnel in the search operation when it was called last night so this too is a serious worry for us,” she said.

The Secretary General explained that the aircraft carrying the Vice President did not have a transponder, a device used to trace and track aircrafts which has further worried the party.

“We hope answers will be provided by the right authorities to Malawians regarding this issue and as a party we proceed to encourage different parties and partners to help us in tracing to locate and rescue our party President and all the Malawians that are in the aircraft,” she said.

Kaliati highlighted that government has provided the party with access to information regarding the search from the responsible authority and further mentioned that the party was working tirelessly in its search ensuring that no stone is left un turned in finding the Vice President.

“We have expanded our search area to include Dwambazi, Kasungu, Nyika and Mchinji this is to tell you how serious our party is taking this situation and we are pleading with all UTM members as well as members of other parties to join hands in the search of the missing plane with his entourage and the entire crew,” Kaliati added.

She urged media houses to be sensitive in their dissemination of information by providing valid information shared by the responsible authorities as the country is under distress.

In his address, President Dr Lazarus Chakwera during a Presidential National Address at Kamuzu Palace on Tuesday night assured Malawians that he would not spare any available resources to ensure that the Vice President and the people he was travelling with are found.

He said that the MDF has been instructed to continue with the search and rescue mission until the plane is found and appealed to the nation to join hands and pray for those who boarded the plane.

Meanwhile, President Chakwera is yet to address the nation from Kamuzu Place this afternoon on the current situation of the search.

Also present at the press briefing was former United Democratic Front (UDF) President, Atupele Muluzi and officials from Alliance for Democracy (AFORD).