Kaphale ‘sorry’ to court over losing his cool in Malawi election case

Attorney General (AG) Kalekeni Kaphale offered his apologies to a five-judge panel in the Constitutional Court hearing the historic presidential election petition case for making remarks that were deemed unprofessional.

Kaphale, joined by other lawyers, is representing MEC, being government’s chief legal adviser.

During Cross-examination of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential hopeful Lazarus Chakwera, Attorney General who is representing Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) in the matter, threatened to stop questioning Chakwera, saying his legal team was over protecting him.

He also incensed the judges while tussling with Chakwera’s lead lawyer Mordecai Msisha a senior counsel, when he suggested that the bench was protecting the second petitioner in the witness stand.

One of the judges, Dingiswayo Madise, reprimanded Kaphale for the remark and ordered him to withdraw it. Kaphale obliged.

Kaphale was also admonished by one another judge, Redson Kapindu, over remarks that were deemed unprofessional. The Attorney General also withdrew and later on repeated the same.

At the end of the proceedings on Thursday, Kaphale offered an apology in his concluding remarks for “one or two things” he said in the heat of cross-examination.

He said he was sincerely sorry for his actions, blaming it on “stress due to cross examination.”

Chairperson of the bench, Justice Healy Potani said they accepted “candid apology.”

Earlier, Chakwera’s lead lawyer Msisha  in his opening statement, said the MCP leader’s petition would focus on fundamental questions on whether Malawi Electoral Commission breached its duties under Section 76 of the Constitution and whether the electoral body injured the political rights of the country’s citizens.

Chakwera continue to face Kaphale in cross-examination this Friday morning.

The MCP presidential hopeful  asking the Constitutional Court to direct MEC to organise and conduct a fresh Presidential Election in strict conformity with the Constitution and Presidential and Parliamentary Election Acts .

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Mbanga
4 years ago

It’s only Ralph Kasambala who got an LLB with distinction during their time awa akaphalewa mapass omwewa

Mwinithako
Mwinithako
4 years ago

What most commentators have said here is a sign of jealous of Kaphale and his team.We can vote again but still Pitala will win these elections.The Con court can decide on the case after it is done and for all.Its them to give judgment ,Lets wait and see.Modecai Msiska ndimanyi akale osanunkha kkkk!!Being SC does not mean he is a god in law. Others there have expert as well.Bright Theu is very evil indeed.He has personal hatred to Kaphale kkkk.

Mesimadzi
Mesimadzi
4 years ago

Kaphale ndi wa nzeru, amene sakukhulupira awafunse atumbuka onse omwe anaphunzira naye Ku chancellor college. Atumbuka amaposedwa ndi mkulu ameneyu Mayeso Ali ONSE.

Corrupt Khaphale
Corrupt Khaphale
4 years ago
Reply to  Mesimadzi

Dr. Raphael Kasambara ndiamene amamangira in their class. By the way, Kaphale is a mere Mr. A genious without a phd,,,Hehehehehe,,,

Hatton
Hatton
4 years ago

Kaphale, you are great. Ngati odandaula akulephera kupeleka umboni ndiye amadandaula chiani? A kumpoto anadzolowera kuonera Mayeso, siizi Amati adzibweretsa umboni mlandu ulu mkati. Thanks Kaphale for showing Chakwera’s reliance on hearsay.

Corrupt Khaphale
Corrupt Khaphale
4 years ago

Let us not cheat each other. There was no candid apology from Kaphale and all judges knows it. The candid apology was a figment of imagination from a Mulhako judge. Kaphale disobeyed the ruling that Chakweras’ conduct or character should not be cross-examined but he went ahead and asked the questions in a show of open defiance of the court. His behaviour was a testament of MEC as a whole which acted in a clear biased manner. If MEC was a neutral referee Kaphale would not have had any reason to act in a way he acted. He is serving… Read more »

Keen Observer
Keen Observer
4 years ago

Kaphale is taking it personal cos he knows that if by any chance the ConCourt decides to nullify the election results then him as well, will be the biggest loser that’s why he has taken this war as personal.

nompumelelo khuzwayo
4 years ago

umadziwona ngati ndiwe joker wanya nayo, kaphwala!!!!!!!

Moto kuti Ziii
Moto kuti Ziii
4 years ago

The problem with Kaphale is that he was bent on embarrassing our handsome president instead of focusing on real issues. This is a challenge when you get advice from cadets.

Nzika
Nzika
4 years ago

Koma Kaphale ndi phale lenileni ndithu! Nkhope kuipa chomwechi ngati mapwala a nkhumba? Komatu sikuyerekedwa kwake ngati adakongola! Tiye nayeni amve madzi!

chataika
chataika
4 years ago
Reply to  Nzika

Thats not good comment i think its time now that whoever makes comments to despise someone should be fined heavily to curb such malpractice

Kaitano
Kaitano
4 years ago
Reply to  chataika

Za ziii, because you are now going down?

Mr Truth Pains
4 years ago

Wakumana nazo Kaphale umayenda mumbali, u thought u will out shine Chakwera and Modecai Msiska then u were wrong.

These two are not of your level, they are more advanced in knowledge than u Kaphale.

U thought they will be trapped in your lower level of thinking ?

Expect more stress than u think.

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