By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, June 12, Mana: Deputy Chief of Protocol for the Office of the Vice President, Adbdul Lapuken, who was one of the victims of the tragic plane crash which occurred on Monday in Chikangawa Forest Reserve in Mzimba District has been laid to rest at Chapola Village in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Chimwala in Mangochi District.

Lapuken was killed in a plane crash which also claimed lives of State Vice President, Dr. Saulos Chilima and eight other citizens on June 10, 2024.

Representing President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo said the President is in deep sorrow for the loss of nine great lives that government had invested in to help in transforming Malawi into a better nation.

“The President sends his heartfelt condolences to the Lapuken family and all traditional leaders in Mangochi. We are all sorry for the loss of Lapuken, the Vice President and all citizens who were on board a plane which tragically crashed on Monday,” Tembo said.

She described Lapuken as a patriotic citizen who served the nation wholeheartedly, noting that he was always available for government services whenever called to duty.

“We have lost an important person whom the late Vice President trusted; hence, a decorated citizen,” she said.

Member of parliament for Mangochi-Nkungulu, where the burial took place, who is also Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Aisha Adam, said she is saddened by the sudden death of a humble ‘brother’ who contributed to the development of the area.

“He was the one who was reminding me what our area was lacking and contributed to the electrification of the Chapola Village and surrounding areas. I am speechless,” she said.

Jiwayi Ladu, a representative of the bereaved family hailed government for the moral, physical as well as financial support to the family during the difficult moment.

Amongst the notable faces to the burial ceremony included Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola, Deputy Minister of Health, Halima Daud; Vice President of Democratic Progress Party (DPP) in the Eastern Region, Bright Msaka; Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) Secretary General, Twaibu Lawe; MAM Publicity Secretary, Sheikh Dinala Chabulika, Advisor to the President on Religious Affairs, Hashim Abbasi, senior chiefs Chowe and Chimwala.

Lapuken, born on March 8, I968 is survived by a wife and six children.