Corruption fight gets Judiciary boost
The country’s fight against corruption and financial crimes has received a big boost following Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda’s appointment of three judges to set up the Financial and Economic Crimes Court.
The three judges are Redson Kapindu, who will head the new division as judge-in-charge as well as Violet Chipao and Anneline Kanthambi.
The court, a new division of the High Court of Malawi, is expected to expedite the handling of financial-related crimes, according to Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo.
In an internal memo issued on Tuesday, High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal registrar Kondwani Banda said Judge Kenani Manda has been moved from judge-in-charge of the High Court Commercial Division at Lilongwe Registry to Blantyre. He said Manda will replace Judge Michael Mtambo who has retired this month.
On the other hand, High Court Judge Chifundo Kachale, who is also Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson, has been moved from judge-in-charge of Lilongwe Criminal Division to replace Manda.
Meanwhile, Malawi Law Society (MLS), Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee and seasoned prosecutor Kamudoni Nyasulu have hailed the appointments, stating they expect increased efficiency in justice delivery at the High Court divisions.
MLS president Patrick Mpaka, in an interview yesterday, welcomed the appointments, saying most of the appointees are well experienced for their positions.
He said: “We expect increased efficiency in justice delivery at these High Court of Malawi divisions with the appointments.
“We must, however, acknowledge that what is happening is simply stretching the same human resource into various places.”
But Mpaka urged government to consider giving the judges human and financial resources they need to be effective as courts.
Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament chairperson Peter Dimba said he was particularly excited that the Financial and Economic Crimes Court has become operational.
“Our expectation is that this will result in expeditious prosecution of corruption-related cases so that this vice that has bedeviled our nation for decades could be dealt with decisively and quickly,” he said.
On his part, Nyasulu said in an interview yesterday that the onus is now on prosecutors and investigating officers to ensure that the new division is kept busy as it will be starting from scratch.
He said: “Having a new court division is smart because it means specialised cases will go to that court, but we will see how much it’s going to contribute to justice when cases start going there.
“So, it will depend on how cases are prepared because there are now three judges just to handle financial crimes. That is a big change and a big help for financial crimes.”
When contacted yesterday, Mvalo said the Bill on the new court is yet to be sent for consent to President Lazarus Chakwera, but hoped that such will be done once the President returns from the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
He said: “Parliament passed the Bill establishing this court and it is one of those Bills that is subject to consent by the President. You are aware that the President is away so a number of Bills have not yet been submitted to him for consent.
“The law says if the President has to consent, he has 21 days
