Undule Fires Back Namiwa: ‘CSOs Must Stop Playing Judge and Jury Over Kapondamgaga’
Renowned governance and human rights advocate, Undule Mwakasungula, has lashed out at civil society organizations (CSOs) demanding the removal of State House Chief of Staff, Prince Kapondamgaga, over corruption allegations linked to the Zuneth Sattar scandal.
Kapondamgaga is among several high-ranking Malawian officials named in documents presented before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court in the United Kingdom in a corruption case involving UK-based businessman Zuneth Sattar. This prompted the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) to write President Lazarus Chakwera, calling for Kapondamgaga’s immediate dismissal.
But Mwakasungula has dismissed the CSOs’ demands as premature, reckless, and dangerous for Malawi’s democratic integrity. He accused them of abandoning due process and dangerously assuming the roles of complainant, prosecutor, and judge.
“I fully understand and respect the watchdog role of civil society in democracy. But we must also respect the law. Kapondamgaga has not been convicted of any crime. The matter remains under legal consideration in a foreign court,” he said, warning that public condemnation based on allegations alone undermines justice and sets a troubling precedent.
He emphasized that the fight against corruption must not become a witch-hunt driven by political expediency. “How we fight corruption matters. If we start crucifying people on the basis of foreign documents and without convictions, then tomorrow anyone can lose their job on mere suspicion,” Mwakasungula warned.
He reminded the CSOs and the general public that the Malawian Constitution presumes innocence until proven guilty and grants the President exclusive powers to hire or fire his staff. Pressuring the President to remove Kapondamgaga without a legal conviction, he said, would be not only unconstitutional but politically reckless.
Mwakasungula also cautioned against importing legal conclusions from foreign jurisdictions without considering their compatibility with Malawi’s legal framework. “Just because someone’s name appears in a UK court document doesn’t mean they are guilty under Malawian law,” he said.
He defended Kapondamgaga’s continued presence in the President’s inner circle, arguing that dismissing him now—barely three months before a general election—would be political suicide for the President. “Kapondamgaga is central to the President’s re-election efforts. Removing him now would destabilize the campaign,” he added.
While acknowledging the need to remain vigilant in the anti-corruption fight, Mwakasungula called for balance, fairness, and fidelity to the rule of law. “We are making progress. High-profile figures are being prosecuted. Let’s not derail this by politicizing justice or criminalizing association. Let’s defend democracy—not weaken it in the name of activism.”
Komaso this Namiwo thing is going too far. It is relieving money from Khadeti paymasters to be making useless noises about anything in Malawi. He started with plane crash, he cashed on it and came smartmatic he cashes on it as well and now he is on another
Undule is right. Let’s not rush to crucify people before the courts do their job. Rule of law must guide us and not political agendas.
Namiwa nde wanyalatu
Akulimbana Chakwera wina alira
Kupempha kuchotsedwa kwa Kapondamgaga pa ntchito chifukwa cha zomwe zawonekera ku UK popanda umboni wochokera ku khoti la Malawi ndi chiopsezo kwa demokalase yathu. Undule akuchita bwino kukamba momveka bwino kuti tiyenera kutsatira malamulo a dziko lino. Chilungamo sichingayende bwino ngati anthu akuchotsedwa ntchito kapena kunyozedwa chifukwa cha mawu okha. Tiyeni tipitilize kuthandiza Boma kuti likwaniritse zolinga zake osati kulisokoneza chifukwa cha ndale zogawanitsa anthu.
Ndikugwirizana kwambiri ndi zomwe a Undule akunena. Tiyenera kulemekeza malamulo ndi mfundo ya kuti munthu ndi wosalakwa mpaka atapezeka ndi mlandu ndi khoti. Kupempha kuti Kapondamgaga achotsedwe ntchito chifukwa cha zolemba kuchokera ku dziko lina popanda umboni wokwanira kapena chigamulo cha khoti la Malawi, ndikuphwanya malamulo a dziko lino. Tikamachita zinthu motere, timakhumudwitsa demokalase ndi ufulu wa aliyense waku Malawi.
Namiwa’s behavior is questionable and strange, his criticism is far away from its recommended duties, now he’s no longer an activist but a politician, he has not even at once appreciates the effort the government is doing to restore economy of this country
Namiwa mutu wake udajama apenga ndithu. He always use things abusefully over his age and his community standards amalankhulapo posafunikila kulankhula amakhala chete posafunika kukhala chete. Ukadeti umupha.
Alibe nthanana ofunika phala lasoya
Namiwa is now overlated. The so called activist who never knows what he really wants, instead he just undermines other people’s efforts. And his credibility is questionable coz I feel like he still have pain in his heart that he wanted to continue embezzling funds and abusing journalists the at Kamuzu palace.
Mwakasungula cautions against directly applying conclusions from foreign jurisdictions,such as the UK’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court,to Malawi’s legal framework.He argues that just because Kapondamgaga’s name appears in UK Court documents does not mean he’s guilt under Malawian law.This point underscores the importance of jurisdictional sovereignty and the need for allegations to be substantial within Malawi’s legal system.
Mwakasungula highlights that the Malawian Constitution grants the President exclusive powers to appoint or dismiss his staff. Pressuring President Lazarus Chakwela to fire Kapondamgaga could be seen as unconstitutional and an overreach by CSOs.
Mwakasungula’s argument supports due process, ensuring that decisions are based on evidence and legal outcomes rather than public or political pressure.
Given the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s (ACB) thorough investigation and conclusion that there were no grounds for arrest, it’s reasonable to question the timing and motivations behind CDEDI’s call for Prince Kapondamgaga’s removal from office. The fact that Kapondamgaga surrendered the vehicle and cooperated with the investigation suggests that he may have acted in good faith. Moreover, we should respect the rule of Law. It is wrong to paint bad picture of our fellow citizen whome the ACB has declared a free man.
This is completely wrong to suspend him of his work as the guy already handed over cash + the car to the ACB which shows he is innocent. We can also say someone is guilty after he is proven by Court so let the judges do their work not the civil society organizations pressurizing the government to do what they want. Currently we cannot say Kapondamgaga is guilty unless the court says so. He is also a Malawian he needs to have the same privilege’s as we all Malawians have so we can say he is innocent unless the court proves he is guilty.
The case has already been decided
Ndipo Mwakasungula wanena momveka bwino ndithu and tiyeni tizingoyangana Kwa azunguwo kuti zitha bwanji coz nkhaniyi idalaki mkhoti and olakwa sanapezeke. Namiwa yambani kutsata mamalulo kuooa pa mmawa
Kapondamgaga shouldn’t be removed based on unproven allegations. Due process is crucial. Namiwa’s push for removal seems suspiciously politically driven, possibly influenced by opposition ties rather than genuine concern for the people. CSOs should prioritize verifiable evidence and let investigations run their course.
It is not right for CDEDI to demand that President Chakwera remove Kapondamgaga before the court decides if he is guilty or not. In a democratic country like Malawi, everyone has the right to a fair trial, and being accused does not mean someone is guilty. Taking action now, without evidence from the court, would be unfair and could damage a person’s reputation without reason. The best thing is to let the legal process continue and only take action if the court finds him guilty. This would show that the government respects justice and the rule of law.