HRDC accuses Attorney General of suffocating Malawi fresh elections

Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) says the sitting Attorney General (AG) Kalekeni Kaphale is the worst legal advisor to the government and the biggest deterrent to the entrenchment of democracy and good governance in Malawi.

Trapence (sitting second from left and gesturing) stressing a point during the press briefing in Lilongwe on Tuesday-.-Photo by Watipaso Mzungu, Nyasa Times
A cross-section of journalists that attended the briefing from different media houses–Photo by Watipaso Mzungu,, Nyasa Times

HRDC chairperson Gift Trapance has also condemned Kaphale for allegedly choosing to play partisan politics through the advice it supposedly gives to the government machinery.

Trapence made the remarks in Lilongwe on Tuesday during a media briefing where they announced the postponement of the May 28 nationwide demonstrations.

The protests were planned to force the former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah to resign from her position following the outcome of the Supreme Court of Appeal in the high profile presidentialeElections appeal case.

“HRDC feels our Attorney General has a hand in the tactics government is playing to delay the fresh presidential election. It’s sad that he is doing that because the courts already found him compromised and; thus, we are not going to allow that he should take this country at ransom,” said Trapence.

“The coalition will not entertain any delaying tactics for the upcoming presidential elections,” he vowed.

Billy Mayaya, who is the HRDC chairperson for the Centre, said Malawians need to be worried that Kaphale is evolving into another ‘Jane Ansah’ of the country.

Mayaya warned that should the AG continue ‘misleading the country’, coalition will not hesitate to mobilize citizens to go on the streets to demand his removal from the position.

In the meantime, the HRDC chairperson has asked President Peter Mutharika to honour his promise that Malawi will have a new MEC Commissioners by June 5 2020.

Trapence emphasized that should the President fail to do so, the coalition will mobilize to hold demonstrations at the State House.

“We feel the Mutharika administration wants to delay the fresh election so that he continues to rule this country beyond his mandate. They want to use a constitutional crisis the failure of holding the poll in 150 days will create to cling to power; and, we are not allowing that,” vowed Trapence.

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Richie
3 years ago

HRDC
You are not parliament

Hitler
Hitler
3 years ago

HRDC, MCP, UTM why do you want to do things using shortcuts? We have laws that govern everything. Its Parliament that is mandated to form laws of the land not individuals. And by saying Parliament we mean every elected member of that August House including your own members. Go to Parliament and set a date, deliberate until you reach a consensus. That’s it. Osamangofuna kupanga zachipwirikiti always ife tatopa nazo zopusa zanu za ma demozo

Noxy
3 years ago

Just go Parliament and set elections date period.

Nicholous
3 years ago

Ndipamene UN idzalowerepo uyutu azawona ngati za former president waku Gambia

VYOTO
VYOTO
3 years ago

KAPHALE IS AN EMBARRASSMENT NOT ONLY TO THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BUT ALSO TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION.HE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF HIS OFFICE.HE NEEDS TO BE FORCED OUT OF OFFICE LIKE JANE ANSAH.

444444No
444444No
3 years ago

No issues here,whether they delay or they do what its only 150 days.
If those days elapse know for Sure, Army is taking over,basi nkhani yatha

Malawi walero
Malawi walero
3 years ago

HRDC pa chiphwisi panu mwatumidwa ndi a opposition ganyu wakuvutani

Lego
3 years ago
Reply to  Malawi walero

Ndiwe osadzindikira iwe.Zoba + mbuli.

Pine
3 years ago

Why is it that the opposition HRDC, MCP, UTM are fearing parliament? The court rulings have constitutional implications which parliament has to debate and vote on. Judges dont make laws. Parliament does.

Hana
Hana
3 years ago

HRDC, MCP and UTM are used to bribing judges. The election date is a constitutional issue to be debated and voted by parliament not just Legal Committee with a bunch of fellow idiots imposing a date.

Juma
Juma
3 years ago

Please, read what Edge Kanyongolo, a legal expert has said. A committee of parliament is NOT parliament. Parliament is the whole house. The date for elections will be debated and voted on. The problem with HRDC is you think you know it all. Musova

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