Law Society censure Mutharika
Malawi Law Society (MLS) has condemned President Peter Mutharika on his claims against the composition of the commission of inquiry into former president Bingu wa Mutharika’s death, describing them as nepotistic and unacceptable.
During a political rally he held at Masintha Ground in Lilongwe on Sunday, the President dismissed the treason charges he faced during his predecessor Joyce Banda’s administration as a concoction and “total rubbish”.
The President alleged that the chairperson of the commission retired Supreme Court judge Elton Singini and then Attorney General were from the same village.
Said the President: “The Attorney General, the chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry [into events surrounding the death of the late Bingu] came from the same village. It was a concoction and total rubbish.”
Reacting to the remarks, MLS has described the statement as disturbing which should not have come from the Head of State.
“We find the statements to be nepotistic and unacceptable in an open and democratic society where every citizen has the right to economic activity and work anywhere in Malawi regardless of their ethnic or tribal background.
“It s also important to appreciate that the persons mentioned were professional public officers duly appointed in their various positions by the then head of State,” said the statement released on Wednesday and signed by MLS president Mandala Mambulasa and secretary Felisah Kilembe.
MLS also warned the President against attacking members of the legal profession when carrying out their work.
Commenting on the commission of inquiry, MLS pointed out that it was duly commissioned and contained statements made by the witnesses summoned to give evidence to the commission and not the views or opinions of the commission members.
Further read the statement: “It is wrong for the President to attempt to impugne the statements made by some witnesses such as the former Army Commander, General [Henry] Odillo, at public rallies knowing too well that such witnesses do not have an opportunity to respond to such unnecessary attacks through the same podium.
“Such conduct has the undesired effect of making law-abiding citizens hesitate to give truthful evidence when summoned by duly instituted Commissions of Inquiry.”
During the same function, Mutharika also claimed that an assassination attempt was made on his life, but was blocked by his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters.
However, former Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Uladi Mussa dismissed the claims in an interview with The Nation, describing them as unfortunate and complete falsehood.
