Malawi Law Society says Chaponda sets bad example in defying court order: CSOs request Germany to cancel suspended minister’s Visa
Outraged civil society organnisations in Malawi are requesting the Germany embassy in Lilongwe to cancel Visa for Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda, who is currently on forced leave of office following an injunction granted by the High Court restraining him from performing official duties after he sneaked out to Germany on official duties.
Ms. Khadi Camara, who is German-African Business Association (Gaba) project manager for Southern and Eastern Africa, confirmed Chaponda’s arrival in Berlin.
Chaponda’s trip could be in direct contravention of the High Court order granted by Justice John Chirwa restraining him from carrying out his duties until findings of a commission of inquiry into the controversial purchase of maize from Zambia are concluded.
Robert Mkwezalamba, board chairman of Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) said the CSOs will be commencing legal action for contempt of court on Chaponda.
“We want the Germany embassy to help us by canceling his visa so that he should be coming back as soon as possible. Germany cannot allow a person who disregards the law in his country to stay there,” Mkwezalamba said.
He said lawyer Wesley Namasala will be knocking on Mzuzu High Court doors seeking action on Chaponda for disobeying a court order.
Malawi Law Society (MLS) honorary secretary Khumbo Soko said if Chaponda is on official duties, then the minister is guilty of contempt of court.
German Ambassador Jurgen Borsch confirmed that Chaponda had had a long-standing invitation from the German Government through the German Minister of Agriculture in December last year for a conference in Germany.
But speaking on Times Debate program on Times Radio, Soko said: “It does not matter if the trim was organised befofe the court order but it it has been effecred while the order us existing, they (Chaponda and officials who facilitated his trip) are on the wrong side of the law.”.
He added: “We know that such a trip cannot be without the approval of the highest authority. So, whoever approved this trip while thay are aware of the court order, has violated the the law.”, either the President or other seniors in the office of President and Cabinet, because no on eis above the law.”
President Peter Mutharika and Chaponda are all law experts.
Law society boss said the Mutharika-led government us sending wrong message to Malawians on court orders as people might follow its steps and start disrespecting orders from the courts.
“This is clearly contempt of court,” said Soko.
Principal Secretary for Agriculture Erica Maganga told parliamentary inquiry into the manner in which Admarc procured maize from Zambia that she approved and facilitated the trip but said the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has the final determination.
In a post on Facebook, Chaponda said his trip was sanctioned by the Head of State.
Livingstonia Church and Society Programme coordinator Moses Mkandawire, whose organisation was one of the civil society groups that petitioned the courts on the injunction said the group will “ move the courts” against “executive impunity” which he said is a threat to democracy and rule of law.”
Civil rights activist Gift Trapence, who is also executive director of Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) said a case of contempt of court against Chaponda will be lodged in the courts.
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A majority of Malawi as a nation is composed of fools. We saw during the academic freedom saga that APM was too much of an imbecile who could not make any decision to resolve the stalemate and yet come presidential elections we chose him. Fools will always elect their fellow foolish counterpart. We chose a multi party democracy in 1993 through Refrendum knowing full well that Democracy is a system of government of the foolish majority at the expense of a wise minority (who, unfortunately don’t matter in society). If the leaders are stupid it is a reflection of the nation in a democratic dispensation. What Chaponda has done disrespecting the court order is a big test to the judiciary. This is the time judiciary must prove its independence as an arm of government. Failing to act decisively will set a very bad precedence that will make adherence to court rulings extremely difficult.
As for impeachment, Bingu uja anthu andale a UDF anangodana naye. Comparatively Bingu was far less impeacheable than otherwise.
Malawi is a failed and lawless state. Let’s accept it and find a way to reverse this. Otherwise, okhoyo Take Cover…
Tiye nazoni.
I guess court contempt cases are handled by the court themselves, let them take Chaponda head on to prove their worth. This contempt of court issue is straightforward; arrest him or stop bothering us!
a lomwe alibe nzeru. they only know how to steal
fire him fire him fire him. This devil has contributed a lot to the destruction of Malawi
zanu zimenezo…. inu simumaba? wosaba ndani mwa inu nonse…… Nsanje basii…
@ Wakuphiri, Chaponda sitikumuopa koma watinyasa chifukwa watibera. Besides, his accomplice in crime, APM, the most clueless and headless chicken has kept quite on a clear matter that even a lunatic would easily act on. So we have concluded that adyera limodzi. Koma zimenezi agalu amenewa azisanza mpakani.
Mukhala choncho Makape inu !! You are just making DPP more popular every day. Ngato mwadya za wina mwauponda. Mukhansule visa ya a Manu !!
kwenikweni Chaponda mukumuopa chani? every day Chaponda. we are sick and tired of you noise makers please give us a break.
Santana, it is clear that you don’t live in the north. You say APM has support where? Maybe in the South and Centre, but certainly not in the north. Ku north support ya akulu anuwa inachita expire kalekaaaaaaale! Wait for proof in 2019.
MUNENA MUTOPA DPP CHIPANI CHATHU PAKANAPAKANA MULIRA CHIFUKWA CHAMWANO WANU MULUNGU SANGAKUDALISENI ZILIRANI.
Ine ndafuna ndipereke ma dandaulo anga. Boma ili la DPP limakonda kundigwiritsa ntchito ngati kondomu. Pano ndikugwira ntchito yayikulu campagning for DPP. The benefits am accrueing are minimal. I am risking my life, i sold my integrity and a soiling up my CV. A DPP please mundionjezere malipiro apadera mumandiptsa aja.
Malawi is legally pathetic and distrustiful. By all means arrest Chaponda or else all is nothing in our justice system. Why only the less previledged face justice stiffly while the like of Chaponda are left to smile???
IS ANYBODY ABOVE THE LAW? WHY ISNT THE PRESIDENT ACTING ON THIS? WHATS THE MEANING OF YOUR SILENCE ON THIS MR PRESIDENT? LEARN TO WALK THE TALK PLACE!!!
Keep on talking. APMs votes are just kept in the village waiting for another DPP victory. Chaponda can not be replaced by any party in his constituency. If not Chaponda , then it could be another DPP member not any party. So your noise on Chaponda will not affect him politically. On APM, be it known that whatever the smear on him no Lomwe will vote for Chakwera. APM has all the chances of winning the 2019 elections and has all the support from the whole south and a good part of centre and north. He did it while in opposition, what more while on the seat? Mukuchepera.
@ Santana.
You are such a pathetic human being. Ndiwe munthu ovetsa chisoni kwambiri. Kodi anthu akumudziwo mumawatenga ngati ndi zitsiru kuti sakudziwa uchisiru umene DPP ikupanga. This is an insult to the rural mass . You think you can be stealing and those guys in the village will not mind that you are stealing. Stop this nonsense. Ndimwano waukulu wamva. Ndinu opusa kwabasi mwamva
@Santana, I follow your comments and I have concluded that the reason why this country continues to suffer in abject poverty is because of hand clappers and boot lickers like you. You are so entrenched in tribal politics to the extent that you would vote for a dog as long as it originates from the so called LHOMWE belt. Shames on you that in the 21st century you still think like a man in the stone age. Wash your face buddy and begin to see how your colleagues from the same belt have come to realise that your APM and his concubine Chaponda are nothing but economy parasites. The way I see it you would still clap for APM and Chaponda even when they snatch and fuck your wife.
SCOs WHO SENT AND ON BEHALF OF WHOM?
chaponda and mutharika are not legal experts but rather law scholars
I think Mr Chaponda is trying to give an opportunity to be investigated by PAC on his absentee. pano a PAC thamangani gwilanani ntchito Chaponda asanabwele.
Your under curse because at at least every body in Malawi is complaining about you.
A bunch of cells that never cares of court orders. Its a disgrace to the country.
This is serious.An admnistration that has no respect for the courts is exhibiting fascism.This is crossing the red line as far as the rule of law is concerned.We obey court orders not because we agree with the decision but because we respect the constitution.What these guys are doing is dangerous….this is lawlessness.An admnistration that breaks the law has no place in democratic political era.
Get a conviction then he can no longer hold a public office.
Idiot Chaponda, thinks he is above the law? mxiiii
This is mwano of the highest order. Kodi mukuzitenga ngati dziko lino ndi lanu. DPP is the worst government ever in Malawi. Dont take Malawians for granted. U r temporarily there and u will come down and meet. Malamulo agwire nthito apa. The president should be impeached as well for his approach and taking Malawians for granted.
Uku nde timati kulamula! Ma CSOs muzaziwona mukazalowa kuSanjika. Bawuwani!
Our political leaders should learn to respect us. What Dr Chaponda has done is simply demeaning and underrating existence and functions of judiciary.
Is being a political leader the same as being super human or angel.
1. This is obviously contempt of court and Chaponda must bd arrested upon arrival.
2. Peter Mutharika must be impeached for sanctioning the court of court
He is now getting on our nerves
Akumupatsa matama Chaponda ndi Pitala. Know that both of you your days are numbered