The body of Captain Fungai Majakwara (50), the Zimbabwean pilot who tragically died in a plane crash in Malawi on Tuesday, is expected to arrive in the country today, his father, Captain Jonathan Majakwara, has confirmed.
Mourners are gathered at Plot 2, Xenia, Mazowe River Road, Christon Bank, awaiting the arrival of the body. Captain Majakwara will be buried on Sunday in Harare.
“Tomorrow, we are expecting the body to arrive at 1.15pm at Robert Mugabe International Airport, and the burial is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Glen Forest,” his father told The Herald.
The crash occurred in the Nkhotakota District, approximately 200km northeast of the capital, Lilongwe. The plane, a Cessna C210 aircraft, with registration number 7QPFU, belonging to the Malawian company Nyasa Express, was carrying three people: the pilot and two passengers. The aircraft, which can typically carry six people, departed from Tongole Airfield in Nkhotakota at 1406hrs, en-route to Liwonde Game Reserve.
Fresh details have emerged about the tragic incident, revealing that Captain Majakwara suddenly collapsed at the controls moments after take-off, leaving the small plane to fly on autopilot for several miles before plummeting into Lake Malawi.
Captain Majakwara, a former Southern Africa Development Community Civil Aviation Authorities representative at the International Civil Organisation, was a seasoned pilot with a demonstrated history of working in the aviation industry, skilled in airline, corporate and charter flying. He was also the managing director at Nyasa Express.
“Yes, he passed away. According to the post-mortem report, he was in good health. However, the information we are receiving from the Malawian authorities, after speaking to the survivor, suggests that there was a 15-minute blackout mid-air. The Malawian authorities are still investigating the cause of the blackout,” said his father, Captain Jonathan Majakwara.
Malawian authorities have confirmed that investigations into the cause of the crash are already underway, with prior findings revealing that the pilot lost consciousness mid-air during the flight from Nkhotakota to Liwonde township.
Zimbabwean Ambassador to Malawi, Dr Nancy Saungweme, has sent condolence messages to the family of the late pilot.
“I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and Zimbabwe at large, for the untimely death of Capt Majakwara. I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of Capt Majakwara, whom I have interacted with during several business meetings we held here in Malawi. During our engagements, he expressed his willingness and commitment to work with us at the Embassy and assist us where the need arises.
“Capt Majakwara shared with me his vision and the direction he wanted to take the aircraft business in the region. He was a man with a vision, but sadly, it was cut short. We, as the Embassy, had also pledged to work and assist him towards achieving his business endeavours.”
Dr Saungweme also sent a condolence message to the family of the other passenger who died in the crash.
Captain Majakwara’s father expressed his deep sorrow at his son’s passing. “My son was a well-cultured and disciplined individual who cared deeply about us, his parents,” he said. “I am now beginning to realise the extent of his connections, as people from all over the world – including Europe, Rwanda, Malawi, Botswana and other parts of the world are sending their condolence messages.”
He added that he was glad his son had decided to follow in his footsteps.
