Lawyers in the country are today expected to elect new leadership of the Malawi Law Society (MLS) to run the affairs of their body for the next two years.
The ushering in of a new president and his team will mark the highlight of the society’s two-day annual general meeting (AGM) and conference taking place in Mangochi.
About 20 lawyers are contesting in various positions with seasoned legal practitioner Davis Njobvu and Mercy Chijere battling it out for the position of president.
Whoever wins between the two will take over from Patrick Mpaka who has served his two terms, having been first elected as president in 2021.
On the position of vice-president McHarven Ngwata will go unopposed while Oscar Asima Taulo and Francis Ekari M’mame will challenge each other on the position of honorary secretary.
The position of treasurer will go to Kizito Sonkho Kumwenda who is also going unopposed,and replaces Phatuma Amasi Mataka.
Mataka has also served her two terms, she was first elected treasurer for the society during the period 2021-2023 before being re-elected to serve on the same position from 2023-2025.
Outgoing vice-president and honorary secretary Tusume Mwabungulu and Gabriel Chembezi have both not defended their positions citing personal reasons.
Eight people will compete for three positions of committee members, and these include Grace Thindwa, Chikondi Duke, Shakeera Banda Utila, Zaida Khan Msisha, Felisters Francisco, Innocent Sophie Kazembe Chirwa, Mwayi Banda and Samuel Kanyika.
In an interview, Chijere said should she be given the mantle by the members, she will ensure MLS is more responsive to issues, especially at this critical time when the country nears elections. She also talked about promoting professionalism and inclusion in society.
With 12 years of experience as private practice lawyer, Chijere said she was inspired to contest by the current state of affairs in the country like lawlessness and abuse of power by those in authority and the state of the country’s justice system.
“I believe that Malawi Law Society has a critical role to play to ensure that there is law and order in the country as well as professionalism amongst lawyers,” said Chijere, a partner at Kalekeni Kaphale Lawyers.
On his part, Njobvu, who has been practicing law for 24 years mostly in litigation, said he believes the experience he has gotten over the years puts him in a position to try and address some of the challenges facing the profession.
“I feel am better suited to try and contribute because ultimately it is also service to the profession as it is a service to my country for me to offer my experience and skills and everything that have built my practice,” he said.
Njobvu said once elected he would want to see a legal profession which has equity, opportunity, and justice in perfect harmony.
“It is about creating a profession where all lawyers, regardless of gender, disability, age, or other characteristics have equal opportunities to succeed,” said Njobvu.
Outgoing president Mpaka said as he leaves the stage, he would love to see a leadership that understands and consistently enforces the oath or affirmation of admission, “that all legal practitioners take to protect and defend the rights and interests of the people that they serve and to do so faithfully, diligently and with integrity.”
