Tendered evidence against corrupt Lawyers, Judges may have been stolen at JSC office by break-in thugs
A break-in at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) office in Malawi has raised serious concerns about the safety and integrity of evidence related to corruption investigations within the judiciary. Thieves broke into the office in the early hours of Monday, making off with a laptop that belonged to JSC Secretary Irene Chikapa. The theft occurred at the Civil Service Commission (CSC) campus, where Chikapa’s office, which handles complaints against judicial officers, was specifically targeted.
What is particularly alarming is that the break-in appeared to be aimed at obtaining specific documents related to corruption cases. While the thieves also raided other offices within the CSC, including that of the CSC Chairperson and the deputy director, nothing was stolen from those spaces. However, Chikapa’s office, responsible for handling complaints against judges and lawyers, was thoroughly ransacked, and a computer containing crucial files was taken.
Chikapa confirmed the incident, stating that the theft was discovered when staff arrived at work on Monday morning, after which the police were alerted. Despite the theft, she downplayed the significance of the stolen laptop, claiming it only contained backup files, and assured the public that the complaints against judges were safe. “There is no crucial information in the laptop that has been stolen,” she said, adding that any affected complainants could be asked to resubmit their complaints.
However, many are skeptical of her reassurances. Human rights lawyer Alexious Kamangila, who has long accused the judiciary of corruption, argued that the break-in was part of a broader pattern of attempts to destroy evidence. “This is a textbook example of a corrupt system trying to eliminate evidence,” Kamangila stated, pointing to similar incidents of fires and break-ins used to erase crucial information. “They should know that the evidence is indestructible, and such efforts to hide the truth will ultimately fail.”
The Malawi Law Society (MLS), through its president Patrick Mpaka, has called for transparency, urging the JSC to provide a detailed report on the break-in, its impact on ongoing investigations, and measures to prevent future security breaches. “The public deserves a clear explanation,” Mpaka said, highlighting the importance of accountability in ensuring the integrity of judicial investigations.
This incident adds fuel to ongoing concerns about the effectiveness and transparency of Malawi’s judicial system. With allegations of corruption within the judiciary and this latest break-in raising serious doubts, the public is left questioning whether those responsible for investigating misconduct are themselves involved in efforts to cover up the truth.
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