The Judiciary says delays by lawyer-cum-activist Alexious Kamangila to provide his new address have stalled progress in the defamation case between him and High Court of Malawi Commercial Division Judge Kenan Manda.
High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal senior deputy registrar Kingsley Mlungu said Kamangila was yet to comply with an order to file new address for service as ordered by High Court Judge Howard Pemba.
He said after termination of mediation, the matter was referred to Pemba for trial, but Kamangila’s ex-lawyer Gift Dick Chimowa applied to stop representing the defendant, an application which the judge granted on March 14 2025.
Said Mlungu: “In the order of discharge, Justice Pemba ordered Kamangila to immediately file a new address for service when served with the order of discharge.
“From that time, there has not been any activity from Kamangila, the activity being the filing of a new address for service. And so, the matter has stalled since then.”
Kamangila did not respond to our calls and questionnaire yesterday.
However, Manda’s lawyer Michael Goba Chipeta said in a written response yesterday that with Pemba assigned to the case, a scheduling conference would convene soon.
Meanwhile, Malawi Law Society (MLS) says it is currently considering Kamangila’s request on whether to represent him in the case or to offer him protection.
MLS honorary secretary Francis M’mame said in a written response yesterday that as a statutory institution, MLS is guided by powers and objectives under the Legal Education and Legal Practitioners Act.
In February, MLS urged the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to expedite its investigations into allegations of corruption involving Manda and other judicial officers.
The Judiciary granted Manda an extended leave earlier this year pending conclusion of his investigations into allegations of corrupt practices.
JSC started investigating Manda and other judicial officers on allegations of misconduct early February following the complaints received from the public.
The commission announced that the special investigative process would be completed within four weeks; however, seven months have now elapsed since the exercise begun.
In the case, Manda sued Kamangila for defamation over the lawyer’s Facebook posts accusing the judge of fraudulent conduct.
