Chief Justice wants Malawi courts opened

Chief Justice Anastasia Msosa says she prays that the Executive’s threat to seal off courts—should the Judiciary support staff fail to return to work by tomorrow— will not come to pass.

In an exclusive interview for the first time since the Judiciary support staff started the strike, Msosa said the Judiciary and the Executive were discussing to resolve the matter amicably.

“I would like to see the courts operating normally and serving the public that has been affected. I am doing all I can to ensure the matter is resolved.”

Msosa expressed regret about the strike which she said has inconvenienced ordinary citizens who have failed to access justice.

She hoped such a scenario would not continue after the public holiday.

The Chief Justice disclosed that another meeting between representatives of the Judiciary and the Executive was scheduled to take place last Friday.

Treasury spokesperson Nations Msowoya also confirmed about the meeting on Thursday, but declined to provide sticky issues it sought to resolve.

Judiciary spokesperson Mlenga Mvula also confirmed in a separate interview on Friday that the meeting was taking place, and hoped it would resolve the impasse.

Chief Secretary to the Government George Mkondiwa threatened that the Executive would seal off the courts should the striking staff fail to return to work by tomorrow.

The Executive, which is viewing the strike as illegal after it sought an opinion from the Attorney General (AG), has also threatened to withhold salaries of the striking staff.

The Judiciary staff spokesperson, Linley Herbert , said they would not be cowed by the threats, challenging the Executive to go ahead.

Mvula is also on record to have said the stand-off would not be resolved by threats, but cordial discussions.