Malawi govt to challenge Minister Chaponda suspension: Attorney General says court order has ‘fundamental error’

Malawi government will challenge the High Court ruling in suspending Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Minister Dr.
George Chaponda from discharging his ministerial duties.

Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale confirmed the development in an interview with Zodiak Radio immediately after the ruling was
delivered at Mzuzu High Court by Judge John Chirwa on Thursday morning.

Kaphale said upon being served with the court order, they will go through it and counter argue.

He however admitted that as a law abiding government, they will at the meantime follow the court order once they are served with the
documents conceding that Chaponda has been relieved from his duties.

Kaphale nonetheless  faulted lawyer representing the Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) and Youth Activist Charles Kajoloweka on the matter for failing to thoroughly enlighten the judge on some other issues including the limits court are supposed to follow when giving out rulings.

He argued that courts cannot rule on issues to do presidential appointments but rather only administrative issues.

“We believe a fundamental error has been made,”said Kaphale.

The CSO’s have been protesting against President Peter Mutharika’s sole appointment of the members of the Commission of Inquiry
instituted to investigate the suspicious Maize purchase by the Malawi government from the Zambian government.

They went on to ask Mutharika to fire or suspend Chaponda to pave way for smooth investigation but Mutharika refused claiming he cannot act on mere allegations and rumours.

Apart from the Commission of Inquiry, Malawi Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) are also running parallel investigations.