As the country approaches the general election slated for September 16 2025, the legal profession has been dared to hold the society together through consistent and principled application of law.
Economics Association of Malawi (Ecama) president Bertha Bangara-Chikadza cha l l enged t h e l ega l practitioners yesterday when she opened the Malawi Law Society (MLS) 2025 elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference in Mangochi.
In her keynote address, Bangara-Chikadza observed that the country’s stability depends on a legal system that is trusted, reliable, and dependable as such it is important that the law remains the glue that holds the nation together.
She said for a nation navigating complex social, economic and political transitions, judges and lawyers are not only practitioners but also custodians of order, mediators of conflict and guarantors of national cohesion.
“Lawyers, judges, and judicial officers are the guardians of justice, the arbiters of fairness, and the glue that holds our nation together in times of political contestation,” said Bangara-Chikadza in her speech titled, ‘Upholding the Rule of Law: The Legal Profession’s Sacred Duty, A Covenant of Legal Integrity.’
While urging the fraternity to reaffirm its commitment to professionalism, integrity, and impartiality, Bangara- Chikadza said systems in society work efficiently if justice gets delivered quickly and honestly.
“ For example , oftentimes, we wonder why it takes less time for divorce cases to be sorted out but matters of the economy, which are very important and could have benefited the whole society take years to be concluded,” she wondered.
Turning to polls , Bangara-Chikadza said elections are not just about ballots but the rule of law, dispute resolution, and public trust.
She observed that when disputes arise whether over voter eligibility, campaign conduct, or election results the legal profession must act as a neutral , dependable partisanship.
“History shows that elections can strain legal institutions. Allegations of bias, delays in justice, and political interference can erode public confidence. To prevent this, the legal profession must take proactive steps to maintain its credibility.
“A society governed by laws, not by the whims of individuals, is inherently more stable. This is because the systems in the society work efficiently, justice gets delivered quickly and honestly, investors and the society trust the systems and the society become stable,” Bangara-Chikadza said.
She challenged the legal profession to rise above division and act as the pillar of democracy while remembering that every fair ruling strengthens trust, every act of integrity rebuilds faith in justice and every ethical lawyer defends not just a client but the rule of law itself.
MLS president Patrick Mpaka said as the country faces the polls, lawyers may belong to different political groupings as such elections tend to be divisive, polarising and fill the air with political tension.
“You have already seen the pangas and violence that have become the currency of deliberations among political players.
“The question, therefore, is: At such a time as this how can the legal profession maintain its professionalism and remain trusted, reliable and dependable as administrators of the glue that holds the nation and communities together towards its stated national development goals?” he queried.Mpaka also said the country will not develop if there is no commitment by duty-bearers to good governance, transparency, accountability and effective institutions.
“Parliament has now passed a budget… What is the level of commitment to good governance in terms of funding does the budget show? What role can we, as lawyers, play to ensure that the key priority [i.e. good governance) is indeed prioritised?” he wondered.
Speaking in an interview, Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda said integrity and professionalism were an integral part of the legal profession and lack of them leads to loss of public trust.
He also said lack of integrity and professionalism among judges has the ability of eroding judicial trust and confidence.
“When people lose trust in the judges or Judiciary you know that people resort to the rule of the jungle and, of course, issues of mob justice come in.
“But it is not only about delivering the judgement but it is also about delivering it quickly and ensuring everyone whether the rich or the poor are able to access justice, the legal justice should not be the preserve of the few,” said Chakaka Nyirenda.
The conference being held under the theme ‘Maintaining Professionalism in Times of Socio-Political Divergence and Constant Public Criticism,’ has drawn together over 500 members of the legal profession and leaders of other professions.
