Suzi-Banda re-elected Malawi Law Society president unopposed

Malawian lawyers have yet again entrusted youthful private practice lawyer John Suzi-Banda with the responsibility of overseeing the affairs of the Malawi Law Society (MLS).

He was re-elected unopposed  for another one-year term during the society’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in the resort town of Mangochi also attended by, among others, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Samuel Tembenu, Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale.

Also elected unopposed during the society’s elections were Mwiza Nkhata, a prominent law lecturer at University of Malawi’s Chancellor College as vice-president and secretary Khumbo Soko.

However Felister Jumbe, a lawyer with Malawi Housing Cooperation (MHC) had to defeat Gabriel Kambale to take custody of the society’s purse as former treasurer Chimwemwe Ngondoma did not seek re-election.

Committee members who have been roped in are Barton Mhango, Paula Caetano and Atiji Phiri.

The lawyers body held their AGM under the theme ‘Regulation of financial institutions and protection of consumers of financial services”.

Malawi Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima in his key note address when he opened the conference  said theme has come at “a very crucial time  as the government of Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is implementing various reforms, including those on financial regulation.”

He said: “Financial regulation and the protection of consumers of financial services is a very important element of the economy. Therefore, it is befitting that this AGM will provide an opportunity to deliberate emerging financial challenges rocking our country.”

According to Chilima,  under the current legal arrangement, financial institutions which exploit consumers should be held accountable.

He said a financial institution has an obligation to tell the borrower what their rights and obligations are in any credit arrangement.

“I urge you, therefore, as the Malawi Law Society to raise awareness through the mass media so that consumers of financial institutions are aware of the new arrangements that have been put in place to protect them,” he said.

In his remarks , Justice Minister Tembenu  said people who have little knowledge about legal, economic and social issues,  to restrain from commenting on issues, a point which was also raised by Chilima.