ACB czar urges ‘soul-searching’ for Malawi Judiciary
Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Reyneck Matemba has told the Judiciary to take stock of itself over questionable and suspicious court judgments as well as long delays to give out rulings.
“I would urge the Judiciary, I am not attacking the Judiciary but this is the time for them to do soul searching. We cannot have a questionable Judiciary,” said Matemba.
He said the country has a questionable executive and legislature.
“Those are politicians. But we can’t have a questionable judiciary,” he said, saying this was not the first time that a court has made questionable order.
He was referring to the decision by Zomba resident magistrate Benedicto Chitsakamile to make a dubious ruling at midnight.
Chitsakamile dubiously cancelled a warrant of arrest for finance services business tycoon Thomson Mpinganjira.
“There was a time a whole High Court judge stopped the ACB from investigating and prosecuting a person. What is that? We have a law? Our mandate is to prosecute.
“A whole judge tells us not to prosecute a person. What is that? We have appealed against that decision but up to now the decision has not been made,” he said.
He said this was the sort of thing ACB faces everyday but they don’t talk about it.
“But it is sad and disgusting,” said Matemba.
High Court registrar Agnes Patemba said these were isolated cases.
She says the Judiciary would probe whether he made his decision under the influence of corruption or it was just a mistake.
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I very much agree with Mr matemba he is very much light brother , ma judge ku Malawi akumapanga zopusa ngati kuti mwina , ife ndiopusa tizichita kuwanyengelela chifukwa Cha rulling kuti apeleke, I think matemba ukunena zoona ndipo sukunama , osabwelela mbuyo baba matemba
Chakwera no mention about Mpinganjira arrest???Times also very careful???The Zomba magistrate saw something.??????
Matemba should be careful with his emotional outburst. Much as the decision by the magistrate was questionable, Matemba fueled the frustration of people with I’ll advised words. A position like he has demands a strong character who is not moved or acts by what people say about him but rather someone actuated by principles. I fear Matemba is trying hard to exonerate himself from what people spoke about him before the arrest saga. I fear his actions are not out of principle but egoistic in nature to improve his public image. This is not the time to speak evil of… Read more »
Lets take you were in Matemba’s shoes what action you could have take?To my understanding Matemba is right to be frustrated as every justice loving Malawian is.Just some few weeks ago they arrested Jessie Kabwila,her lawyers tried to apply for bail but they could not grant her a bail on a mere speech but Mpinganjira who wanted to bribe the Judges was given a midnight bail.As its not the only thing,Mpinganjira was arrested in Blantyre and he was suppose to appear in Blantyre’s magistrate court not in Zomba,so did the case went to Zomba for another magistrate who was not… Read more »
Do u know the number of cases Matemba had sat on despite all the clear evidences of corruption. From whence cometh his frustrations when he himself is a frustration
You are very stupid Muheni, hope you are DPP strong Cadet, every one can get frustrated. With some of these judiciary questionable desions, you have to know public funds are being used,
Keep quite trouble. Weren’t you the ones who were spitting fire in him dzulodzuloli when Matemba was refusing to disclose names of those involved. And just one act today u say he is a good person. Tima emotions topanda nato nzeru.
A Mtambo titani?
Sindimasilira inu amene mumabwera pa bar kuyala mowa kupanaso pompo. Ine ndi magula umodzi umodzi basi, kenako wa pa den….
and what is now delaying the issue which you brought to court about Thom’s arrest. it’s two day now no news
Madam Patemba Agnes, with due respect, this is NOT a mistake but under influence of CORRUPTION. Think of the lawyer who went there, do you in your rightful senses take that lawyer as a lawyer or devil? He defends a devil knowingly that he is dealing with a devil but because of monetary influence. so its DOING BUSINESS WITH THE DEVIL IN ORDER TO GET MONEY.
Mr Matemba you could be very right! When late judge M Mbendera tried to speak out against the corruption that most likely helped to put the DPP govt in power in 2014 he ended up paying with his life same with Njaunju. Now you’re speaking out against system that has made and continue to make your delicate work extremely difficult and dangerous. May the God of divine justice protect you. You’re up against a very powerful and dangerous mafia elite.But I can sense truth will eventually prevail and the days of the mafia in Malawi are numbered now!
A few more days. And WE will hit them.
Let me agree with Matemba…..We can’t have a Questionable Judiciary …..