We’ve sufficient number of judges for cashgate cases, says Malawi Chief Justice
The judiciary has enough judges in terms of numbers and judicial officers to ensure they dispense justice without delay for the cases implicating some civil servants and some politicians in the Cashgate scandal, Malawi’s Chief Justice Anastazia Msosa said Wednesday. 1 October.
The Chief Justice said the government has deployed judges from Blantyre and Mzuzu to conclude the cases as fast as possible in the capital Lilongwe.
“We have arranged for extra court space to handle cashgate cases,” said Msosa during what is known as ‘The Sherry Party’ a ceremony marking the end of a court session and the beginning of a new one.
Justice Msosa stressed that the country has “enough judges and magistrates to preside over the trials”.
The Chief Justice urged both the prosecution and defence in all cases to do their homework well before coming to court to avoid unnecessary delays in the conclusion of trials.
She then cautioned magistrates and judges to be efficient when executing their work following public concerns on the delayed and outstanding judgements in the country.
Justice Msosa said noted that the general public is “complaining bitterly” of delayed judgments.
“It is only fair that when, as a Judiciary, we ask government for resources, be material, financial, human or otherwise, we should also be able to demonstrate that we are performing,” she said.
She also disclosed that judiciary will set up a research unit as an intervention that would ensure delivery of judgements without delay.
Malawi Law Society of Malawi President Mandala Mambulasa said the delay in judgements was a concern to the society.
“The greater majority of our members hold the view that there has been little progress in far as the perennial problem of timely delivery of judgements and Orders is concerned.
“We shall not stop complaining until we see change,” said Mambulasa.
Sherry Party, a ceremony for both judges and lawyers marking the beginning of Judiciary’s New Year, was also attended by former Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo, former Justice of Supreme Court of Appeal James Kalaile, and Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale.
The sherry party draws together professionals in the justice system who includes, judges, lawyers both from public and private practice to review the past year and look ahead to the coming year.
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If judges were not corrupted and law could be the way it is in western world Malawi could have come up very far. The problem with Malawians is moral. They don’t have moral. Getting rich is number one priority number one. All Malawians are corrupted. They like bribe and deals. I applied for a land since 1994 and paid the fee but up to now no land has been issued to me. I have paid application fee every year. I refuse to pay someone who is employed and is doing his job money in order to get a land which… Read more »
I wish justice 2 prevail so that these rich bustterd there worth stolen from the poor pple construct roads whereby south Africa stopsinsulting us.Khumbo Kachali is 1 of them no dout.Sell there properties pls.
I hear that some of these castodians of justice are corrupt. Zoona munthu wa za malamulo kumalandira ma brown envelope okhuta ndi aloevera? Let us survive by the genuine sweat we shed. Eating clean money should be your pride. Good luck.
But are they credible?
It is not just about numbers ey, you guys also have to consider quality of your judges and magistrates! The problem with Malawi is we have very few prominent, well qualified and capable enough judges/prosecutors to handle such sensitive cases. I wouldn’t be surprised if most of the culprits walk free.
it is very sad to note that although the chief justice is challenging that they have enough judges and magistrates to handle the cash gate cases. it is very bad to see that cases at the industrial relations court are not held af all. some pple have had their cases just being postponed since they were brought to court all in the name that the panelists are not available. However cases of high profile people that have come to this same court have been held and judgement passed. Does justice only apply to high profile people? Chief justice you know… Read more »
What justice are these judges dispensing?
Why not to clear murder cases which are close to one thousand cases those which are still not yet cleared since the introduction of multiparty . I deliberately don’t to use the word democracy.