‘Judge shopping’ warning from Malawi Chief Justice

Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda says Malawians should not shy away from reporting misbehaving judges to authorities whenever there are questionable judgements.

Chief Justice Nyirenda
Chief Justice Nyirenda

Speaking in an exclusive interview with MBC, the chief justice said judges should be professional all the time because Malawians watch them constantly.

“The more they pervert their opinions, the more unprofessional they become,” said Nyirenda.

He, however, said in the absence of official complaints, there is nothing the judiciary can do to stem out the malpractice.

He said Malawians are fond of complaining in silence, saying this culture can make judges work with impunity.

“People don’t come to complain with they have issues with the judiciary, probably for the fear of the unknown,” said Nyirenda.

Nyirenda nonetheless said the judiciary cannot work on anonymous tips.

The Chief Justice also said courts will in two to three months time use new technologies as they move away from old colonial era case management. He also said it will soon be engaging the public on feedback.

The chief justice said he was happy to take over for the mantle well respected in the world for its independence although he bemoaned lack of human resource and financial resources as the major setback.

He gave an example of the country having only 4 chief magistrates against hundreds of magistrates they supervise in the country.

Nyirenda said he was happy that issues of judge shopping has drastically been minimised at the institution.

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Mufwa Mkandawire
8 years ago

Much as he said, Andrew Nyirenda did not give the populace a leeway (appropriate channel) where they can complain their concerns. You need to give people Toll free numbers where they can courageously report their grievances. Do you expect me to walk into the office of the Chief Justice without being turned way by the Secretary and guards?

Mr. CJ you need to give us the appropriate channels otherwise I am not convinced by your explanation.

Secondly, there is no substance to compare CJ and Justice Kenyatta as both of them follow the rules of natural justice when making determiniations.

Backilie Buluzi
8 years ago

Can you please solve the problems or clean the mess at the industrial relations court which stopped hearing cases long time ago? How do you expect unfairly dismissed Malawians to survive after losing their jobs. The cases are rotting and some complainants dying. Please clean up the mess. The case have stalled in the last 4 to 6 years.

Backilie Buluzi
8 years ago

Can solve the problems or clean the mess at the industrial relations court which stopped hearing cases long time ago? How do you expect unfairly dismissed Malawians to survive after losing their jobs. The cases are rotting and some complainants dying. Please clean up the mess. The case have stalled in the last 4 to 6 years.

titus Scoti
titus Scoti
8 years ago

Andrew Nyirenda is not the same persin as Kenyatta Nyirenda of General Elections. Chulungamo palibe pa dziko. Mlandu woba nkhuku nkulangidwa zaka 7 koma woba K62.0 million kumangidwa 3 years. What justice is this? Mudzafa infa yowawa. God will judge justly inu ninse na judge omwe mukupereka zilango zolakwika

Kenkkk
Kenkkk
8 years ago

Andrew Nyirenda and Kenyatta Nyirenda are two different people. So please do not taint Andrew with that stupid misfit elections Kenyatta.

Vwapuvwapu
Vwapuvwapu
8 years ago

Chauta akuwona zonse.

GROUP VILLAGE HEADMAN KHWETEMULE
GROUP VILLAGE HEADMAN KHWETEMULE
8 years ago

A Nyarenda musatinamizepo apa.There is no Justice in Malawi.I am not suprised when I hear that Kamuzu sidelined you.You are a bunch of fools.You Sustainened The Patron Saint of Corruption Bakili Muluzi for ten years where he plundered the wealth of the nation like nobody business.It was only Dunstainand Late Chimasula Phiri that stood up to him to protect the downtroden while you dined with the wicked.We are suffering now because you voted for this toothless,clueless Bwampini by twisting our Laws.Just zip up your mouth.

mr fair comment
mr fair comment
8 years ago

Komadi zimadabwitsa all the patties to a case ali ku Blantyre koma muona one of the lawyers goes to commence it in mzuzu or zomba and serve the documents on his friend in Blantyre chifukwa akuziwana ndi judge wa ku mzuzu or zomba a cj help us on judge shopping and fixing of judges to habdle certain cases

Mwethu
Mwethu
8 years ago

Sometimes the CJ shouldn’t wait for anybody to complain, especially when even a baby can see that apa pali judge shopping or chigamulo chachitika sichachilungamo. Afterall the suffering that most malawians do in silence is not because they want to but most are ignorant of the law so inuyo ophunziranu mukuyenera kumawathandiza anthu sometimes. There is a lack of pro bono work amongst most of malawian lawyers who could assist such people when justice seems not to be served.

Analyst
Analyst
8 years ago

I have no respect for Kenyata Nyirenda for what he did on his election judgement. What he did to the Malawi nation is unforgivable.

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