Malawi Law Society probes K300m payment to MEC’s South Africa lawyers
Malawi Law Society (MLS) says it has set up a special committee to probe allegations that the South African lawyers were paid K300 million, half the amount of the agreed law fees before they worked for it.
The South African lawyers —Dumisa Buhle Ntsebeza and Elizabeth Makhabani Baloyi-Mere of Mboweni Maluleke Inc Attorneys—were hired by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) in the presidential election appeals case.
MLS honorary secretary Martha Kaukonde said the special committee would advise the body on the allegations.
The government, through the Attorney General’s office is said to have made the payment before the lawyers started working.
Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda on Monday objected to the decision by the South African lawyers to represent MEC from South Africa through video link.
Nyirenda argued that the lawyers would not have been physically present in court, as they were unable to travel to Malawi because of coronavirus travel bans.
Kaukonde said MLS will also seek court direction on allegations that the Public Finance Management Act was flouted when the government hired the foreign lawyers..
“The procuring entity appears not to have complied with the Public Procurement Act when engaging the foreign counsel,” she said.
The lawyers charged the government USD$788,500 which is ZAR14,800,000 (Fourteen Million Eight Hundred Thousand Rands) or MK600 000.
But the Malawi Law Society blasted the fees as “exorbitant” and questioned the rationale for choosing foreign over local lawyers.
The hiring of the South African lawyers — who were set to charge 788,000 rand (around $43,000) for their services — had caused uproar among Malawian citizens and opposition parties.
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Justice is expensive and democracy is expensive. MLS needs to fuc* off.
Mutu wanu sukoka akulu
But mukamalemba ma comments use your common sense please. Is there a sane person to support the idea of hiring foreign lawyers as normal? And an advance payment of 300 million ok? My people…
Yes. Justice is expensive and democracy is expensive too. An election re-run would be in billions. Paying K300 million to save K50 billion is better.
Exactly, very good point, unless some1 is sick in the head would justify 300 mil for this rubbish n stupidly of the highest order
MLS should stop being STUPID. The lawyers already did ground work. They wanted to work in Malawi according to their contract. The foolish Chief Justice refused. So, leave them to pocket the K300 million
I hope your father is alive. Look at him and compare him with justice Nyirenda.
Justice Nyirenda is another overrated Tumbuka judge who got his degree from Mzuzu Corner.
Agenda, compare first your father with Nyirenda. I hope he is not foolish as this judge
Tembo you are very stupid
He is very stupid indeed, these are the APM bootlickers
Stupid headless chicken. Useless cadet. Uchira pompano
Idiot
This can only be described as open day thievery by MEC, in all fairness this is complete absurd. All that money for services not delivered and on a case to be argued in few days if not hours! i know justice has to be pursued and its not cheap,but rationale and merit need to be religiously observed in the course. This is taking the citizenry for granted , we deserve better.
Malawi is rotten to the core