Funding challenges have stalled operations of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) with newly-appointed commissioners yet to take their oaths, further delaying implementation of judicial reforms.
President Peter Mutharika reconstituted a new JSC on May 6 2026 after a year without the key supervisory entity of the Judiciary. The move raised hopes that implementation of pertinent issues that stalled, including operationalisation of the Judicial Service Administration Act, will now move.
In an interview yesterday, JSC secretary Edwin Wochi confirmed that new members were yet to be sworn in, but could not explain the reasons for the delay while referring the matter to the Chief Justice.
On funding, he said Treasury was yet to disburse money for the commission. He said in the 2026/27 National Budget, the JSC has received K316 667 as funding for April and K158 333 for May 2026.
Said Wochi: “You can do the arithmetic. To get that kind of funding for two months against the budget balance. For example, members would need allowances for travel and accommodation to attend meetings.
“We have raised this matter with Treasury. It will take much longer for things to start moving at the commission.”
JSC was allocated K5.6 billion in the 2026/27 National Budget.
When queried on the delays to administer oaths to the JSC members, Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi asked for more time to consult on the matter.
Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs spokesperson Frank Namangale and Treasury spokesperson Williams Banda were yet to respond to our queries by press time.
However, Malawi Law Society president Davis Njobvu yesterday said they will engage the relevant authorities on the matter.
“We will have to discuss the issues with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Chief Justice,” he said.
Last month, MLS and other stakeholders challenged the newly reconstituted JSC to hit the ground running by resuscitating stalled judicial reforms and accountability issues.
