Matemba hints on Malawi Supreme Court judge as suspect in bribery case

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Reyneck Matemba on Tuesday found himself inadvertently hinting that a member of the Judiciary was under investigations in connection with the alleged bribery attempts on five-judges of the High Court who are yet to make a determination as  Constitutional Court in landmark presidential election case.

Matemba: We will get to the bottom of the issue

He told a news conference in the capital Lilongwe that one of the people involved “is a senior member of one of the arms of government” and “another one is from the private sector.”

Social media has been awash with a name of the Supreme Court Judge  and Matemba gave a clue.

While responding to a question from a journalist,the ACB chief revealed that “a supreme court judge” was “involved,” a speculation that has already been rife in the public domain.

“If that was the case  [to arrest suspects before investigations are concluded]. The Chief Justice coul also have proceeded with discipilinary proceedings against the member of the Judiciary,” said Matemba .

Matemba, flanked by his deputy Eliah Bodole,  held steadfast that he would not reveal the exact names of the suspects as it was illegal.

Said Matemba: “The Chief Justice [Andrew Nyirenda] asked us to investigate. He would have disciplined this judiciary Officer himself.”

Nyasa Times understands that the Chief Justice had names the senior judicial officer and a prominent businessperson as accomplices in seeking corruption justice.

Former Malawi Law Society president John-Gift Mwakhwawa has since said the bribery allegations might not have affects on the proceeding of the case, saying the revelations reflect the independence of the Judiciary.

He said by reporting the matter to ACB, the Judiciary has shown that they were independent and that the other arms of government should take the allegations seriously.

Said Mwakhwawa: “These allegations are coming from the head of one arm of government and they should be taken serious.”

He also asked ACB to release names of individuals who attempted to bribe the judges, saying, so far, there was no legal justification to conceal their identities.

Said Mwakhwawa: “Malawians need to know the people behind the attempt to bribe the judges.”

During the news conference, Matemba also lost his cool when a question about his integrity arose.

“May be you don’t know. I turned down the appointment of Director General of ACB before. In fact, I was not appointed by President Peter Mutharika, I was appointed by former President Joyce Banda,” said a visibly agitated Matemba.

He added: “In fact my contract is coming to an end this year and I will not renew it. I am going. Maybe Malawians will get a Director who will have their trust.”

But journalist and commentator Idriss Ali Nassah had reservations on Matemba turning emotional at the press briefing.

“It is utterly disgraceful for the Director of the country’s Anti-Corruption Bureau to turn this very grave matter into something about himself: [like that] I went to Chancellor College, I was appointed by Joyce Banda, I wont be jobless….and so?” wrote Nassah on his Facebook wall.

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Mandado@147
Mandado@147
4 years ago

It doesn’t take a genius to suspect that the supreme Court Judge is the same one that has caused you pain trying to correct that scheme.

Chilipa Thako
4 years ago

kkkkkk nkhani iyi ndi yabodza , ali yense amene anabapo akudziwa kuti nkhani iyiyi ndi yabodza ,Akuluakulu ndalama ikutchulidwayo si yochepa kapelekedwe kake sikangakhale kachibwana ngati mmene ikumvekeramu ,nkhani ya bribery CJ sangangomuuza DG just like that kuti there is this complaint from akutiakuti ndiye can you pliz investigate, nkhani yiyi ikupepuka kwambiri ,nawonso atolankhani ku press briefing kuja ku chita kuyimika tsumba ngati zenizeni chifukwa cha nkhani ya zii ngati imene , tidikire tione mapeto ake

E-Soldier
E-Soldier
4 years ago

Clue-less Mutharika has since captured Supreme Court of Appeal judge (Jane Ansah), Chief Secretary & High Court judge (Llyod Muhura), the Anti-Corruption Bureau Czar (Mr. Matemba) (to do his bidding) and we know he deals with Parliament as he pleases. This is complete capture of the state by clue-less Mutharika. Mr. Matemba is doing clue-less Mutharika’s bidding, you can be certain that before leaving for UK clue-less Mutharika got assurances from Mr. Matemba that nothing will change (Mr. Matemba will not reveal the names of those who attempted to bribe the judges). Mark my words, Mr. Matemba will not reveal… Read more »

Concerned citizen
Concerned citizen
4 years ago
Reply to  E-Soldier

True my friend. Matemba cannot reveal the names coz iyenso ndalamazi anadyapo akuopa Kaya. Ndi mbava zonsezi. Wina akanthidwa ndi Chauta. Watsala pang’no.

Chilipa Thako
4 years ago

Follow the procedure my friend atolankhani ndi ausiru kwambiri

MNENERI WA MALAWI
MNENERI WA MALAWI
4 years ago

Matemba yamukulira

Timo Clouds
Timo Clouds
4 years ago

The judges should have received the bribe and present the same as evidence! They have no evidence just talk and hearsay from the CJ. kkkk

Mika Kunda
Mika Kunda
4 years ago
Reply to  Timo Clouds

You think judges can be careless as you think..they presented all the evidence and I have good knowledge of this

Mandado@147
Mandado@147
4 years ago
Reply to  Timo Clouds

They’re studied law they’re more educated, more experience than your sorry ass!! They judge people based on evidence all the time so you think they would go by hear say on their allegations?

BigMan
BigMan
4 years ago

You mean the current Chief Secretary to the president and former judge?

Digging Deeper & Deeper for Mother Malawi
Digging Deeper & Deeper for Mother Malawi
4 years ago

It is alleged that the Chief Justice has been made aware that a ‘Judge’ has received bribes from a business man. Therefore whether proven or not, that particular Judge has to be at the very least suspended by the CJ and not seat in judgement until proven innocent. As for the business man involved, looking at the huge sums alleged to have been involved, he should be held in custody until such time that the matter has been fully investigated and he has been proved innocent. If indeed a judge on the penal hearing the elections case, is involved then… Read more »

chataika
chataika
4 years ago

Being emotional is what characterizes a person. Many journalists ask questions while they have answers already like what is happening with the elections case that people have already made their judgements as they are experts of law, very shameful indeed. If am not an expert in soccer how can i make judgement on soccer issues? I should leave it to the experts! So Matemba was not wrong since Malawians you are always to deal with someone thats all. Matemba had sked them(journalists) to mention anyone in opposition who was quickly arrested when allegations were made againast him/her? No journalist provided… Read more »

Beam
Beam
4 years ago

Mwana wachepa uyu!

peter k
peter k
4 years ago
Reply to  Beam

quiet all of you .Wait and seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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