Malawi lawyer calls for private trial of cash-gate suspects
Malawian law expert Professor Danwood Chirwa has suggested private prosecutions of all suspects in the plundering of the public resources at the Capital Hill.
The professor of law who has been living and working in South Africa made his proposal through his Facebook page.
Chirwa has since fellow Malawian lawyers to respond to his appeal and first work pro-bono (voluntary) until resources are available.
“I’m seriously giving thought to the idea of instituting private prosecutions of senior members of Joyce Banda’s government for their involvement in the cash-gate and other forms of pillage of government property.
“I need lawyers who can work pro bono until we get sufficient funding,” wrote Prof Chirwa.
The lawyer is also welcoming ideas from interested people and information that can lead to the successful prosecution of the cash-gate and similar crimes suspects as well as volunteers with different professional backgrounds such as journalists, IT technicians and accountants to work on the case.
“Anyone with relevant information can get in touch with me. Other professionals, e.g. IT technicians and accountants who understand public accounting systems in Malawi and the banking industry are also welcome to volunteer their services. So too are investigative journalist needed to be part of this effort,” he said.
The lawyer also said would soon set up an email account for correspondence with people to send their evidential information documentary and other forms of testimony including possible eye witnesses related to the matter.
According Prof Chirwa, participants in the legal battle exclude active politicians and those planning to become politicians anytime soon.
“In order for a person to participate actively in this legal battle, he or she must not be an active politician or aim to become one in the near future. Secondly, only those who are willing to dedicate their time and skills to this effort will be allowed to take part.
“We can no longer condone the daylight- let alone covert- looting of state resources. The [red] line was crossed long time ago but that boundary has not yet been enforced,” wrote Prof Chirwa on his Facebook page which has since gone viral with endorsements and likes.
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