Court allows MCP witness new document in Malawi poll case: Source to remain shielded

The Constitutional Court in Lilongwe has allowed witness for Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential hopeful Lazarus Chakwera, Richard Chapweteka, to file new document on electoral materials packing list from printer in Dubai.

Chakwera’s lawyers and senior counsels, Modecai Msisha and Tutus Mvalo interacts outside court-Photo By Lisa Kadango, Mana

Friday morning, MCP lead counsel Mordecai Msisha applied before a panel of five-judges hearing the May 21 Tripartite Elections case presidential results that Chapweteka received documents from an anonymous  “well wisher” which he intended to file so that it should be used during his cross examination.

Msisha said the document has original information that will support Chapweteka in court.

However, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) President Peter Mutharika’s lawyer challenged the application citing that time for filling fresh documents was over.

Private practicing lawyer Tamando Chokotho, who is representing Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), also argued against the filing of the document, saying it is already filed under the sworn statement of their witness, Samuel Alfandika.

“So it will be irrelevant for the second petitioner to apply to file the same document which is already before this court,” he said.

Chokotho further asked for the disclosure of the said ‘well wisher’ who sent the document.

It its ruling, the court said the witness is entitled to introduce the documents which he believes is the original packing list.

“The court is convinced that there is need for witness to file this document,” said Justice Mike Tembo on behalf of the panel.

On the identity of the well wisher, the court also upheld MCP’s stand to have the identity of the well wisher hidden.

“We hold the view that the sworn statement in support reveal that the source of the said document is a well wisher who sought strict confidentiality. It is courts views that ordinarily this would not suffice for purposes of identification. However, we are mindful that we have ea duty to ensure these proceedings are dealt with justly in view of overriding objective of CPR 2019 order 1 rule 5,” said the judge.

“Considering the peculiar circumstances and sensitivity, the court reckons that some witnesses in the absence of effective witness protection regime, they might seek anonymity as is the case in the present case. Thus the court has allowed introduction and use of the documents,” he said.

The judge however said they are not creating a procedural precedent, saying each case should be dealt with its peculiar stand.

Chakwera, who is second petitioner in the case, is alongside UTM Party president Saulos Chi lima (first petitioner), challenging the re-election of President Peter Mutharika, alleging that the presidential results in May were marred by irregularities and fraud.

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Igwe
Igwe
4 years ago

I think if the evidence are not proper let the judges do their work. The question is why could MEC not produce the original ones?

Jeff Mpotazingwe
Jeff Mpotazingwe
4 years ago

Justice is for sale and the rich shall continue to oppress the poor..The Jordan audit firm BDO report states that 273 forms tippexed (corrected with white corrector fluid), 65 forms manually amended, 45 forms with no signatures and 66 forms missing political parties signature. Ku khoti komanso ku parliament ndi mabwalo a nkhani (debate) sikuti chilungamo (logic) chimapezekamo. Most politicians are failures and have a disgruntled past and took every single opportunity to bribe someone for their progress…but progress must be moral and mutual ngati tibela zisankho nkulekeranji chuma cha dziko. Courts must be impartial and exclusively independent otherwise opanda… Read more »

Igwe
Igwe
4 years ago

Very true and to the point.

Mbwiyachi
Mbwiyachi
4 years ago

That we’ll wisher is from MEC he has all info on how they manipulated the results

Ndede
Ndede
4 years ago

Ukadzaona yemwe akuimba mlandu mzake akufuna kuonjezera umboni, just question the first evidence if it is convincing enough to present the case fully. I suspect the evidence has been torn so much that the case will not be in favour of the petitioner. Maybe the new evidence from the well wisher, maybe. BUT, where was this wellwisher since June? Food for thought. Let wait and see.

Kangaroo_Court
Kangaroo_Court
4 years ago
Reply to  Ndede

Ana a adadi inu, kupusa kumaombera mmanja anthu okuba. Akutibera misonkho yathu inu kumasekerera zimenezo!

Noxy
4 years ago

Chapweteka by his name will be heavily bruised again by AG Kalekeni Kaphale and Counsel Frank Mbeta with his own evidence from well wisher kkkkkkkkk.

Jane Madando 147
Jane Madando 147
4 years ago

This is the way forward to shame the devil.

Toka
Toka
4 years ago

Moto kuti buuuuu!!!! The court will be surprised to see that the packing list Alufandika filed is fake. This well wisher has an original packing list….MEC and DPP lawyers accept defeat before wasting court’s time please. Prepare to meet the costs.

Machendekhwepe
Machendekhwepe
4 years ago

The court is trying to be fair though they know that Chapweteka fouled Chakwera with his unprofessional parallel tally centre. An agronomist cum IT expert

tung'ande
tung'ande
4 years ago

This court is hypocritic. Even the fines they imposed on UTM< MEC and MCP were made to save face and cover them from hypocricy. We all know MCP and UTM rushed to court without evidence and they are manufacturing the evidence now and they court has been allowing them because all the judges favour the petettioners. In all the 22 ruling they have made they have favoured the petetioners in 85%.

Kangaroo_Court
Kangaroo_Court
4 years ago
Reply to  tung'ande

Ndiwe wa DPP iwe, ukudziwa chani? Anthu ofoira jumangokakamira zoti sizikuthandzani,why still u want Peter to rule the country? Tsegulani maso muone.

Ashamed Cadet
Ashamed Cadet
4 years ago

Let justice flow like water!! The devil is a liar……

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