Justice in Malawi elections case ‘by any means necessary?’
Friday June 21 2019, Malawians eagerly awaited the ruling by the Constitutional Court on a request by President Arthur Peter Mutharika to throw out the case brought by Lazarus Chakwera (MCP) and Saulos Chilima (UTM), two opposition party candidates who were crushed at the polls on 21st May 2019, challenging the results of the presidential polls claiming that they were “rigged” and that they have the evidence to support their accusations. The court had originally stated that it would make an announcement at 1500 hours local time but it was way into the night before the announcement that the court had ruled for the case to proceed was made.
The above decision had the opposition members on cloud nine and sent them into jubilation and in their eyes, the rule of law had prevailed and this ruling by the judges was indeed justice. Now, delay by the High Court in making the announcement of its decision by several hours and doing it in the night when the towns and cities across the nation had shut down business, most people were safely at home and streets largely deserted and quiet was no accident but rather a well calculated move, and probably from the advice from the higher ups at the security institutions.
Ever since the presidential results were announced, we have seen the main opposition leader Chakwera and major disappointed SKC, form an alliance whose ultimate goal it seems is to unseat our democratically elected President by any means necessary, because their oversized egos cannot take being defeated by who they saw as an unpopular president and party whose time was up.
According to MCP and UTM’s ‘research’, “Malawians were finally fed up and ready to boot DPP out of power on May 21st”. They have been mobilizing hundreds of protesters, mainly in Mzuzu and Lilongwe, to participate in what they term “peaceful demonstrations”, but as evidenced by events last week, these demonstrations are far from peaceful. There were numerous acts of vandalism (against both public and private property) and assault of law enforcement officers perpetrated by these opposition supporters. One wouldn’t be too far from the truth to conclude that they are trying too hard to provoke law enforcement officers to react with force.
Now, Chakwera is a very, very desperate man, because MCP’s constitution will not allow him to contest for the presidency again, thus his lust for power has blinded him from all logic and in his mind, this election was stolen from him and he is prepared to go the length to get the results annulled. This is probably why someone whose grey matter is functioning accordingly, unlike Chakwera and SKC, thought it wise for the court to make their announcement at a late hour, because believe you me, if the judges had ruled to have the case thrown out all hell was going to break loose and opposition supporters were going to riot in kinds of manner.
In Chakwera and SKC’s eyes the only form of real justice is a ruling in their favour, anything else is an abomination. If the ruling had been against them, their desperation would have seen anarchy in this country because as demonstrated by his words and actions, Chakwera is so power hungry he would result to destabilising this nation and allowing for his supports to run free vandalising properties and terrorising innocent Malawians, whom he claims to represent and care for. Not once has Chakwera spoken against the chaos that his supporters are causing. Shops are being looted and roads blocked and motor vehicles smashed. Chakwera’s silence is too loud.
The case is set to commence on the 26th of June and I can’t even imagine what the reaction is going to be if the court rules in favor of MEC and DPP. My one question is: why then go to the court if you are not going to respect it’s decision? This panel of 5 well experienced judges, let us respect them, the court and the constitution of Malawi by going with whatever the outcome of the case is going to be. There is life after politics after all.
Masile Une Wawo,
Mdyomba Che Ambute.
abale,kodi wowina ndi oluza ayenera kuopa ndani,ngati DPP inawina osawasiya otsutsawa atibulidweso pa chi sankho chachibwereza bwanji.akuwopa chani?
.Mutharika like Chakwera and Chilima, has alleged that there was rigging which deprived him of votes. Unlike the two presidential candidates, he has not blamed MEC for flawed results. Why not? MEC delivered flawed results for all the three candidates. I think Mutharika’s position in this case is odd. Mutharika is not suing MEC but sits with MEC as the first respondent. MEC was not in consultation with Mutharika to use tippex. Ansah reportedly does not know who authorized tippex as part of election inventory. Does the first respondent know?
What you should know is that whatever the outcome of the court case, whether the court rules against or in favour, timphwanyanabe basi. Titibulanabe basi. Because we as Malawians, we love tippex and we love kuba and we love being mediocre. Sorry, I have to go and maintain my pit latrine. See you later.
Stupid story, wasted my time reading it
Yes, there should be life after politics. Indeed.
But oChakwera with MCP’s “2 strikes and you are out” principle, and with Chilima in a hurry, these two will not let up until their supporters get tired out. Which may be sooner than later.
Are you trying to get us all worked up?
He is not democratically elected.
Useless Nyasatimes Muthalika is not democratically elected. If democratically elected why Kaphale appeals the case before hearing starts tomorrow what are you fearing, what are you hiding please tell us stop fooling Malawians. We know you wanted to rule on fraudulent vote no no no God has refused and Malawians have refused and Courts will deliver justice for Malawians
don’t rush and start attacking innocent people I think my question what is the coarse of the whole saga
zolemba izi ndi za chidyombadi.
Why labeling Chakwera as power hungry yet everyone can clearly see that MCP was robbed of victory. Learn to see things from all the angles so that you can up with a balanced and objective piece of writing. Again, why is MEC, just like DPP so interested in seeing the courts scrap off the case. Doesnt this tell you that they are afraid of being exposed? Malawians wont be fooled forever. Malawi ndiwa ife uyu. enafe tinayamba kuvota pa referendum yet many of these thieves kunalibeko nthawi imeneyo, anali akudyelera kunja.
THIS CASE THOUGH DPP AND MAKE CAN BRIBE IT WONT WORK GOD IS ANGRY THE WRATH OF GOD IS FOLLOWING THEM
The author is a stupid cadet. This time well meaning Malawians will not allow you steal the elections. we will fight on. You are the people why Malawi will never develop. Just to beef up your brain gaps, there are some of us who support neither MCP nor UTM but we are able to see that the elections were flawed to a greater extent. We have therefor chosen to stand up for Malawi, we are not standing up for any political party. Systems must work. The election procedure left a lot to be desired. Any sane malawian must accept this
If the so called DPP is sure that they legally won election and indeed respect court ruling why are they making a peal against the constitutional court judgement to proceed with the case so that all parties should furnish the court with evidence to prove their innocence right their at the court and let the court come up with the fair conclusion of the case . from my low understanding by DPP trying to force court to throw out the the case before it is heard and now a pealing against the judgement to proceed is a clear indication that the DPP , MEC and the so called legally elected president knows something about how the election was handled and they dont want it to known at the court and fear that the court ruling might be against them .if they are really innocent why wait and defend themselves at the court and prove their innocence their pati bi pali minga ndipo pafuka utsi pali moto tiziona
He has spoken many times against violence. Ask your president to give th nation the much needed evidence about the so-called plans to bomb him. Please. Meanwhile Muli is patiently waiting for another pay day of MK8,000,000,000.00 after bagging MK3,000,000,000.00 for doing nothing. My Malawi my country.
Join the discussion…Utm and mcp go on until justice prevails
Adya banzi andyomba…
I think the problem here is you the author of this article cos I wonder if you’re truly a Malawian. Chakwera said that he respects the courts. If Mutharika really won fairly why was there a rush to be sworn in?????? Why even before the announcement of the results why there were preparations for inauguration or swearing in ceremony????? One can fool the people some time BUT you cant fool all the people all the time.
Keen observer, there is a problem in your support of Chakwera. If Chakwera respects the court, he would not allow his supporters including you to go out Rooting, harassing of innocent people and destruction of property. Any insane man would have condemned it and advise his followers to wait for judgement to be effected. To show that doesn’t respect the court, he has gone in protesting demanding Judge Ansah to resign. Any person who respect the rule of law knows that a person is innocent until proven guilty by the court of law. What we see is judgement being passed to Ansah before the court. The man who respect law should know that what he and his supporters are doing is threatening the judges who are doing their job. You may say it is the rights of people to demonstrate, but what about harassment of innocent people, looting and destruction of property of innocent people.
Chakwera never send people to root he asked for peaceful protests against fraud election results about the rooters thus the job of the security agents to ensure property and life safety. He has ask for calm if you watch TV, Calling for Jane’s resign has nothing to do with courts but any person with integrity she can step aside actually pave way for investigation and if found not in the wrong she can actually take back her position or step down with honor cause trust has been broken either way for her to run another election. Crowd control thus the police duty which they dont do it well MDF has proven better! People are free to go to court if they want its their right.
Shupiti zako
TIPPEX ANSAH MADANDO PITALA JANE 147
WAKUTUMA IWEYO !!
The subject matter and the content are not talking to each other.
Give me tippex
Trash of a political article. Keep supporting your DPP but don’t write trash for others to read and comment. You call Peter Mutharika a democratically elected president with Tippex covering the original figures?
Chakwera has blood in his hands. He is the WORST leader of MCP. He has been organising violence since he lost the elections and has not seen any sense to condemn the violence. For Chilima, he is a useless politician who should never have become state Vice Presdient – SHAME on Chakwera and MCP, the nasty party.
Ambute, this is half-baked analysis. Your assertion that Chakwera has a big ego is misplaced. APM and DPP electoral criminals led by Ansah are the ones who have big ego, that’s why they can’t accept defeat. We will continue to protest and demonstrate because it’s out constitutional right that no zinjathropus can take away from us, not even Peter.