Malawi's vice president laid to rest as president calls for an independent probe into his death

Source: The Columbian

BLANTYRE, Malawi. -- Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima was laid to rest in his village south of the capital on Monday following a funeral where President Lazarus Chakwera called for an independent probe into his death in a plane crash.

Chilima and nine other people died in the plane crash last week in Malawi's northern region of Mzimba.

The state funeral was held at the Bingu Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday, where Chakwera and other dignitaries paid their final respects to the late vice president.

In his address, Chakwera called for an independent investigation into the crash.

"Our tears are about the desire to know what delayed the search for this plane. ... I would like to assure you, Malawians, that this accident will be investigated by an independent expert," Chakwera said amid boos and jeers from the crowd.