corrupt practices
Twenty-six third grade magistrates and one senior resident magistrate were sworn in in Lilongwe on Wednesday, bringing the number to 57 after 30 others took oath of allegiance in Blantyre on Monday.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the Commercial Court in Lilongwe, Chief Justice Anastasia Msosa urged the magistrates to be familiar
with the law for effective passing of judgements in the course of their work.
She said some of the magistrates will be deployed to rural areas where they will be working on their own.
“You have to be always familiar with the laws because, as you know there will always be such things as amendments and new laws put in place,” said Msosa.
She, however, said some of the newly sworn in magistrates had previously been working as court clerks, as such, she was hopeful they will bring a positive impact in the judicial service.
Msosa also warned the magistrates to desist from corrupt practices as they discharge their duties so that everybody has access to justice “without favouritism or preference”.
“Sometimes we have instances where some judicial officers are corrupt. It is, therefore, better to warn you against falling into the trap of corruption,” she said.
According to judicial development programme manager Godfrey Kapana, the magistrates were sworn in after undergoing a one-year DfID-funded training at Mpemba Staff Development Institute in Blantyre.
