Furore sorrounding decision on Chief Justice turns nasty: Muhara’s contract as Chief Secretary leaked into the public domain

By Duncan Mlanjira The furore sorrounding the decision to force Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda and Justice of Appeal Edward Twea to go on mandatory leave pending retirement, has now turned nasty as the author of the notice, Lloyd Muhara’s personal contract with government has been leaked into the public domain. His contract as Chief Secretary to the Government, that was signed for on December 10, 2016, expired on December 9, 2019 and renewed in January 2020. Muhara, a Judge…

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Lawyers plan to march on Wednesday in defence for judicial independence and rule of law

By Duncan Mlanjira Lawyers of Malawi have applied to the authorities of the four cities — Blantyre, Lilongwe, Zomba and Mzuzu — of their intention to hold peaceful demonstrations on Wednesday, June 17 “to push President Arthur Peter Mutharika and the Executive arm of the Government to respect the independence of the judiciary and rule of law”. Copied to the Inspector General of Police as well as police officers in charge and district commissioners in all the four cities,…

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Malawian athlete Chitedze and her SA colleague complete their 45km charity challenge; So far raises R4,510

By Duncan Mlanjira By midday on Monday, over R4,500 had been raised of the targeted R30,000 through the charity marathon challenge done on Sunday by Malawian long distance athlete, Gloria Chitedze together with her South African colleague Ntabaleng Tsusane. The two completed 45.5kms each on Sunday in a time of 4.59hrs in the Virtual Race of Legends challenge to raise funds to procure foodstuffs for children, whose parents have been affected by the COVID-9 lockdown due to job losses….

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Southern African Chief Justices’ Forum joins condemnation of action against Justice Nyirenda

By Duncan Mlanjira Southern African Chief Justices’ Forum (SACJF) has added voice in the condemnation of the action by the Malawi Government to force Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda and Justice of Appeal Edward Twea to go on mandatory leave pending retirement. In a statement issued on Monday, June 15, SACJF says it is deeply concerned about the recent developments in Malawi which appear to undermine the independence of the judiciary and individual Judges. SACJF joins concerned African legal and…

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Once a judge is appointed, Executive powers stop there

By Duncan Mlanjira Once a judge has been appointed by the State President, the executive arm of the government is not involved in the internal affairs of the Judiciary and all matters relating to welfare and discipline fall within the exclusive province of the Judiciary itself and the Judicial Service Commission as per sections 116 and 118 of the Constitution. This has been said by the Judiciary in a statement in reaction to Friday’s notice issued by the Chief…

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Concerned African organization jointly condemn ‘threats against independence of judges in Malawi’

By Duncan Mlanjira  Concerned African legal and civil rights organization have jointly issued a statement condemning what they have described as “threats against independence of judges in Malawi” following Friday’s notice issued by the Chief Secretary to the Government Lloyd Muhara in announcing that the Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda should go on leave with immediate effect pending his retirement.  The petitioners — 42 in total — take cognizance that a similar communication has been issued in respect of another…

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High Court orders Muhara from taking further action to force Chief Justice to go leave pending retirement

By Duncan Mlanjira The High Court has ordered Chief Secretary to the Government, Lloyd Muhara from taking further steps to implement the notice he issued on Friday, June 12 that is ordering the Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda to go on mandatory leave pending his retirement. The High Court has since granted permission to commence Judicial Review of this decision by the government done through Muhara. The Court also asks Muhara to furnish the petitioners copies of all correspondents between…

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Football, netball teams to import one bus duty free every five years

By Duncan Mlanjira In order to develop sports in the country, Government has introduced a Customs Procedure Code under the Customs and Excise (Tariffs) Order to allow top flight football and netball teams to import one bus, with seating capacity of 26 or more, duty free for every five years. This was announced by Finance Minister, Joseph Mwanamveka in his presentation of the 2020/21 National Budget in Parliament on Friday, June 12 in which he also said the duty…

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MISA Malawi applauds Govt for removing tax on radio and TV broadcasting equipment

By Duncan Mlanjira Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter has commended the government for removing tax on radio and television broadcasting equipment as was announced by Finance Minister, Joseph Mwanamveka in his presentation of the 2020/21 National Budget in Parliament on Friday, June 12. Mwanamveka said government had introduced a ‘Customs Procedure Code’ to allow duty free importation of television and radio eguipment in order to improve access to information and promote establishment of television and radio…

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Some critical electoral materials not yet delivered with just 10 days to fresh presidential polls

By Duncan Mlanjira Some of electoral materials deemed critical for the fresh presidential election have not yet been delivered with just 10 days to go to the polling day, June 23 and where absolutely necessary, MEC shall seek an extension to the date of elections if the challenges are not resolved timely. At a press briefing in Lilongwe on Saturday, new Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), chairperson Justice Dr. Chifundo Kachale disclosed that the total anticipated types of materials is…

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