Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed the Book of Condolences at the Malawian embassy after the death of the country’s Vice President, Dr Saulous Chilima, in a plane crash on the 10th of this month.
Dr Chilima was travelling in a military aircraft with nine other people.
Their plane crashed in the Chikangawa Mountain Range in the northern part of Malawi.
President Mnangagwa signed the book of condolences at the Malawian embassy in Harare this Saturday, describing the crash as a tragic event.
He said Zimbabwe is mourning with the people of Malawi as they endure the loss.
“This was a tragic event which has stunned all of us in the region. We did not expect such a tragic event to happen which has resulted in the loss of the VP of Malawi and several other distinguished citizens of Malawi. We are deeply sorry and I have conveyed my condolences to the people of Malawi that the people of Zimbabwe mourn with them for the loss of their great sons and daughters,” said President Mnangagwa.
Dr Chilima who died at the age of 51 is expected to be buried on Monday at his home village in Ntcheu District, about 170 kilometres from the Malawian capital, Lilongwe.
Malawi President Dr Lazarus Chakwera declared 21 days of mourning.
