Chakwera hits at DPP over failure to resolve Malawi Judiciary strike: ‘Don’t use force’
Malawi Congress Party (MCP)president and leader of opposition Dr Lazarus Chakwera has expressed disappointment with how government is handling the ongoing Judiciary support staff strike, saying there is a “Constitutional Crisis” that needs urgent attention.
The striking Judiciary support staff, who include court clerks, court marshals, drivers, interpreters, court reporters as well as those working in the administration and human resource department, went on a nationwide strike on July 31 to force government to commit to resolve their grievances, including housing allowances as is the case with judicial officers, namely magistrates and judges.
Speaking during a news conference which he called at the MCP headquarters in Lilongwe , Chakwera urged the DPP led Government to resolve the impulse now.
Chakwera said the importance of functioning courts in a democratic society cannot be overemphasized.
“Over the years the DPP led executive has failed to competently deal with recurring labour dispute with members of staff in judiciary involving both judicial officers and support staff. The frequency with which out courts are shut down due to these disputes is reflecting of systematic failure to properly define the manner in which remuneration for members of staff of the judiciary,” said Chakwera.
He said his party is greatly concerned and dismayed with the failure of the Executive to make a firm decision on how it intends to deal with the grievances and bring thee industrial action to an end even though the issue isn’t new as it was aware of it way back before the injunction which was sought by Attorney General refusing the staff to go on strike was lifted.
“The importance of the courts in a democratic society cannot be overemphasized. The judiciary is mandated by our constitution with the task of interpreting, protecting and enforcing the Constitution and laws of the land. Indefinite closure of our courts has an adverse impact on rule of law, good governance and enjoyment of human rights by all Malawians as guaranteed by the Constitution”, he said.
He, however, warned the Executive to avoid using force as a way of ending strike.
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