Mzikamanda tipped to be Malawi’s new chief justice

Justice Renzine Mzikamanda of the Supreme Court of Appeal is being tipped to be the next head of the Judiciary as Chief Justice as government is set to let Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda proceed to leave pending retirement.

Mzikamanda: Could be the next Chief Justice
Botomani: Common for justices to proceed on leave pending retirement in Malawi

Nyirenda had accumulated more leave days than the remainder of his working days until his retirement, due in December 2021.

Minister of Information and Civic Education Mark Botomani said on Tuesday that the Chief Justice has accumulated 572 leave days and must proceed to leave.

He said the Public Service Conditions for Judicial Officers do not provide for buying off or commutation of leave days, citing Section 12 (2b) of the Judiciary Conditions of Services that says  “the Judicial officer may opt to carry forward accumulated leave days towards retirement.”

The government spokesman said in a statement that the Chief Justice will not be the  first judicial officer to proceed on leave pending retirement citing former chief justices Lovemore Munlo and Anastansia Msosa.

“It is common for justices to proceed on leave pending retirement in Malawi,” Minister of Information said in the statement.

He said Chief Justice Nyirenda should enjoy his leave days with his family “ while still enjoying full benefits of his office.”

The second most senior justice in the country, Edward Twea, was also given notice to leave his post ahead of his retirement next year.

“Justice Renzine Mzikamanda  would be the one likely to carry the mantle of leadership of the Judiciary,” a source in the Judiciary told Nyasa Times.

Mzikamanda, a Chewa by tribe from Lilongwe district,  was appointed Judge of the High Court in 1997 after serving for many years in the Magistrate Court.

He was among the judges in the Supreme Court of Appeal who upheld the ruling of the Constitutional Court that  annulled last year’s elections, which saw a narrow win for incumbent president Peter Mutharika.

Mzikamanda was formerly head of the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) and known for his human rights judicial activism. Mzikamanda also chaired the Malawi Law Commission.

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Tentative Nomenclature
Tentative Nomenclature
4 years ago

The reason for this is obvious. Because dpp lost the election case, then they think the reason is Nyirenda. Because Nyirenda blew the whistle to resist corruption fearing to plunge Malawi into injustices.Dpp is used to corruption in nearly all sections. That is why it remains in power illegally, without stealing dpp cannot win.

Citizen
Citizen
4 years ago

What is it about politics that uneducated people like Botomani and Mutharika should be tossing around highly educated people like judges?

Joni
Joni
4 years ago

CJ, A Nyirenda alumbilitse kaye Chakwera next week asanachoke……..a DPP mukupupuluma bwanji?

Sizithekatu kuti azipita pano!!

Mr Truth Pains
4 years ago

The motives of the DPP team is to rescue Thom Mpinganjira coz the Chief Justice Nyirenda has evidence that Thom Mpinganjira wanted to bribe the Concourt Judges. They know that with Chief Justice Nyirenda heading the Judiciary then Thom Mpinganjira of FDH Bank is heading to Zomba Maximum Prison due to his involvement in bribe scandal . Look on the matter how it has unfold, after DPP administration fault the Chief Justice Nyirenda to leave office pending retirement then 2days later the Ant Corruption Bureau have announced that Thom Mpinganjira’s Case will commence on 30th June 2020. This is just… Read more »

Tentative Nomenclature
Tentative Nomenclature
4 years ago
Reply to  Mr Truth Pains

Mr Truth you are telling the PLAIN TRUTH indeed. You are a keen observer. I salute you.

Barristers United
Barristers United
4 years ago

Government wishes these two to go on full paid leave Yet HAS NO MONEY to REPLACE THEM. DPP is suggesting we have a Supreme Court BUT NO JUDGEs.

Vincent Namkhulupa
Vincent Namkhulupa
4 years ago

Useless article!! You have 4 days to go. Your leader is on a farewell tour. The next time some of his followers see him in person he will be in a casket during his funeral. Believe it or not

Mr Truth Pains
4 years ago

The timing is totally wrong wait untill we have new president then CJ will retire amicably .
He should defend our constitution first b4 he leave office .

Your sinister motives have been caught red-handed so cool down bottom man.

Tentative Nomenclature
Tentative Nomenclature
4 years ago
Reply to  Mr Truth Pains

Kkkkkk , he is SURELY bottom man. Because he is just accepting to say & do anything even if he knows that it is not in order.

SIBANDE
SIBANDE
4 years ago

I Dont think Nzikamanda will help you unless if you want justice too I asure you, you will never corupt this guy

Guta
Guta
4 years ago

Bye Bye Chief Justice Nyirenda. Munaukakamila mpando. Koma ayi mtima wanu woyipa mukafike. Mwalisokoneza dziko.

ERUTU
ERUTU
4 years ago
Reply to  Guta

Misonzi yankhalamba 😭

Flamingo
Flamingo
4 years ago

Tamva kale kuti he is ! aja amakakamila amafuna kuphwanya malamulo aja bringing in politics have come finally to their senses. They wanted to bring the judiciary into disrepute

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