BRAVE PROFLIGHT PILOT, OTHERS HONOURED
has honoured three Proflight staff for saving the lives of 15 passengers from a near air disaster that occurred on March 24, 2018 when a seal on the door raptured leading to immediate loss of speed and pressure. And six immigration officers were also honored yesterday for tracking and arresting three Zambian masterminds in human trafficking and 15 illegal immigrants in a dangerous operation carried out in the bush and cold weather.
President Lungu made the honours at a colourful Africa Freedom Day commemoration held at the State House grounds yesterday. A total of 16 people were recognized for bravery and other recommendations.
President Lungu also honoured Cuthbert Chishimba an instructor with the Zambia Correctional Facility for saving the life of a fellow worker who wanted to commit suicide by climbing an 80-meter tower in Kabwe. In the Proflight incident, the three members of staff under the guidance of Captain Dalisto Phiri managed to land the plane safely at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) after the door raptured 20 000 feet above sea level and the plane dropped speed to 10,000 within minutes.
Captain Phiri was able to guide the plane after it lost pressure 30 minutes after take-off from KKIA, as it lost speed, and dropped to 10 000 feet within minutes. With 15 fear stricken screaming passengers, the Captain calmly turned the plane around and went back to the airport where he safely landed the aircraft. The other Proflight employees who were honored were Chanda Katongo and Christofa Kaira. And the immigration officers were honoured for braving the cold and jungle to track down human traffickers and in the process arrested three Zambian mastermind and the 15 illegals.
In the Kabwe incident, Mr Chishimba climbed the 80 meter tower despite threats from the co-worker, a warder that he was going to push him down, so that they die together.
He managed to climb and
persuade the other person to go down with him, saving him from committing suicide.
Zambia yesterday joined the rest of the continent in commemorating this year’s Africa Freedom Day under the theme ‘Winning the fight against corruption: A sustainable path for Africa’s transformation.
In Lusaka, the celebration was preceded by the laying of wreaths at the Freedom Statue by President Edgar Lungu followed by Service Chiefs and diplomats. And in his homily Chaplin General Brigadier General Vincent Mwenya said it was possible to end corruption in Zambia if there was change in mindset.
General Mwenya said ending corruption must start with an individual, urging Zambian to resist the corruption temptations.
Meanwhile, Fourth Republican President Rupiah Banda has called on society to embrace freedom fighters and appreciate their contribution to the peace and unity enjoyed.
Speaking In an interview with the Daily Nation, Mr Banda said freedom fighters need to be appreciated with proper health care considering that most are of old age across the country as a way to making them feel that the young generation is grateful for their contribution.
The Former Head of State also said the development of the country requires that all people work together regardless of their political party differences by commentating such days in unity.
Others honored were chiefs Kafula Maxwell Mucheleka, Graham Kanyama, Isaiah Kaach (Posthumously), Luka Liwoyo (Posthumously), Luciano Kalamenti Malunga and Teddy Kalimanshi.