Call for Malawi Law Society president to step aside from election matters over credibility concerns
A governance expert Makhumbo Munthali has called on president of Malawi Law Society (MLS) Burton Mhango to step aside from election case and matters arising, saying MLS is facing collateral damage by virtue of him being a brother to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legal advisor Charles Mhango.
Munthali told Nyasa Times in an interview that: “While Malawi Law Society president is a brilliant and professional gentleman the very fact that he is related to DPP legal advisor may raise credibility concerns of Law Society and conflict of interest.”
The governance commentator said Mhango should step aside from the election case and let his vice or other executive member lead.
“While there is no indication of any inappropriate action, Malawi Law Society should lead by example to avoid any suggestion of collusion or conflict of interest.
“The election case is a sensitive one and public perceptions matter in this. It would do him more good as well as the MLS for him to step aside from the case,” said Munthali.
Munthali clarified: “I am not saying he should resign but rather only step aside from the case based on his relation to DPP legal advisor and the principle of conflict of interest.”
Further, Munthali said MLS president should also step aside on all post-election related matters.
“Otherwise, MLS is in my view currently struggling with public trust issues on post-election matters largely because it’s president is a brother to DPP director of legal affairs.
“And as such any statement or intervention from Law Society on the post-election crisis is largely viewed by the public not based on merits or demerits but rather with suspicion of the president being a brother to DPP legal affairs director.”
Munthali pointed out that the danger is that Burton may be a victim of circumstances in this highly sensitive issue, and the earlier he steps aside on the issue the better
“He has a legacy and reputation to protect,” he said.
MLS recently issued a letter which has painted a gloomy picture of the country’s economy due to the political impasse following the announcement of the May 21 Tripartite Election results.
The Law Society said its position is based on the fact that Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah is refusing to resign.
UTM Party and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) are disputing the May 21 presidential election results while Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) is continuing with demonstrations until MEC chairperson Ansah resigns for allegedly mismanaging the results.
Last month, MLS issued another letter, urging political parties, including President Peter Mutharika, to prepare their followers for the outcome of the case which may go either way.
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uR exposed kape iwe!
Iwe munthali you are stupid. Kodi nanuso a nyasa times munamutola kuti uyu? He is very stupid.
Mr Munthali is a die hard MCP cadet, we cannot trust you either because your brother too is a member of MCP!
Yes,he is a brother to Maurice Munthali.
Mr Munthali also appears to be an MCP cadet, we cannot trust you as you are always biased . Munady chibhanzi chaChakwera inu
Makhumbo Munthali should be the first to stay away from commenting on the electoral matters as you are as well related to Reverend Maurice Munthali who is the secretary general of MCP. Mwambi walero ndi uwu: “ukakhala nyumba yamagalasi osagenda miyala”.
Makhumbo Maurice Munthali, son to Rev Maurice Munthali stop speaking that Burton is a kinsman to Lawyer Charles Mhango…your father is MCP publicity secretary and your expert judgement is biased towards MCP
This man is a utm supporter . Should we ask him to stop giving his opinions on politics because he will be favouring utm.? Mhango is independent , he can choose which party to support, but that can prevent him to hold a public office or chair an organisation. The organisation had trust in him. Why can’t you ask Mtambo and a Trapence to resign because they are opposition sympathisers too and not independent. You don’t criticise them because they tow the same line which you are towing too. I don’t see anything change in you as you are not independent too in the way you conduct your duties. If Burton Mhango was to be seen lining with utm or MCP there was no problem. Malawians no wonder we cannot move forward, indeed we need mindset change.
Burton Mhango is another Cadet planted in Malawi Law Society so the best thing for him is not to step aside from all matters of political in nature but for him to resign as a president.
I rest my case.
Iweyonso makhumbo munthali you are son to Maurice Munthali the Reverend and MCP publicity secretary your opinions and judgement often favors MCP, step aside from commenting on MCP petition to annul elections…. don’t remove a speck from your brothers eye…..
Its a grouping of unmatured ,inexperienced young lawyers who are researching way of Malawian lives.we have judges and two sets of lawyers in the court ndiye away?
i totally agree he is in a compromised position, he needs to recuse himself
I wouldn’t be surprised to find that he won the MLS elections for the very reason that he’s bright to Charles. My legal friends once told me how this DPP once ferried every Jack and Jill working in the govt’s legal sector to MLS elections in order to influence the outcome.
Same with Jane ,we question the credibility of the election results,because Jane is the EX of Peter Munthalika.
Why should he resign? anyone who seems to be questioning MCP/UTM is deemed to be a chigawenga to be deported out of Malawi? You are demanding that Ansa must resign, now its Mr Mhango of Law Society what a confusion? You want to intimidate and threaten all Legal institutions in Malawi to work in fear? Please spare us our peace and take your nosense elsewhere Mhango is going nowhere
Have we all understood this article? Maybe if put in other languages. React with a calm mind. Don’t just be on opposing side to every articles. Watch your comments
@ Drake, When there’s conflict of interest (which has been explained in this article), the person is supposed to recuse himself/herself. Your comment is a clear indication how ignorant you are when it comes to legal matters. It will save your face to comment on issues you have knowledge about. Being a DPP cadet does not give you a pass to some issues, you are better just being a cadet that you are.
I haven’t seen the word ‘RESIGN’ here ! mind you, Don’t rush in making your comments ! You don’t need to ne nervous in your write ups ! All I read is ‘ STEP ASIDE’
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Kikikiki. If he says he should step aside , it means he should not lead, he should resign.
MLS is another bunch of thieves in town .They defend their fellow lawyers when client money is swindled
anthu nde mwasimidwa kenaka timva kuti ballpoint iyi ichoke chifukwa inagwiritsidwa ntchito ndi auje. looking for reasons all over. mwatikwana ife.
Everyone should resign and let Makhumbo Munthali appoint the right ones
Nanu a Munthali, brilliant lawyer mumamudziwa? Maybe you are just trying to be diplomatic. Your call for him to step aside is sensible though he could still be pulling blue strings from the backdoor.
Kkkkkkkk iwe 6 August, Mesa munthu ukamamunyengelera umamupaka sugar kkkkkkkk
I do believe that Mhango is tuned by this nonsense u call it DPP. He has to resign.za chamba tatopa nazo
ife tikuziwa kuti acharles mhango ndi MLS ali mbali ya dpp these they must step aside other wise they will there lives in danger
Brothers in crime!
Aaaaah kani mkuluyu?, that’s why MLS was too soft on these issues, timadabwatu enafe. He has a legacy and reputation to protect. I find this statement so professional. He must set himself aside koma ngati akufuna kupanga “RESIGN” ife Amalawi ndi ayani kuti tikane