Chief Justice (CJ) Rizine Mzikamanda, Attorney General Frank Mbeta and Malawi Law Society president Davis Njobvu gathered before
the Supreme Court of Malawi in Blantyre yesterday—not to argue a case, but to pay tribute to fallen law practitioners.
Mzikamanda, flanked by his deputy Justice Lovemore Chikopa, led seven Supreme Court justices in a memorial sitting to honour Justice Duncan Tambala , six magistrates and 11 lawyers who have died since 2023.
Shortly after 10am, the CJ walked into the courtroom in his red robe and a judicial wig, just like the other judges of the day. He then led the court, including family members of the deceased, in a one-minute silence in their honour.
The silence was followed by tributes to the former court officers who, according to Mzikamanda, made immeasurable contributions to the advancement of the rule of law.
In his speech, the CJ said they contributed to the advancement of democracy, the protection of the Constitution and the principle of judicial independence on which the country’s democracy is anchored.
He said: “They knew that as officers of the court they had to protect the independence of the judiciary which is a constitutional imperative and a public good.
“They had to advance the course of the law. They executed their responsibilities as officers of the court with due diligence, humility, courage and commitment
Before the CJ’s speech, Mbeta and Njobvu also addressed the court, highlighting how those departed contributed to the legal profession.
Mbeta det a i l ed the individual contributions of the 18 departed legal practitioners to the administration of justice
in the country.
In an interview after the session, he said there was need to emulate their example, noting that the tributes reflect the spirit in which lawyers, magistrates and judges are expected to perform their
duties in the interest of justice and the development of the law for the benefit of the nation.
“So, it is incumbent upon our status to emulate a good example, the selflessness, the integrity, the dignity and hard work in which our fallen colleagues discharged their duties,” said Mbeta.
Njobvu and High Court Registrar Chisomo Msokera also reiterated in interviews that the examples set by their fallen colleagues should be followed.
Those honoured included magistrates Taziona Munthali, Soka Banda, Mtunduwatha Mpasu, Godfrey Nkhudzule, Andrew Chikhodzole and Maria Mkandawire.
The lawyers are Gauton Doctor Kainja, Kandako Mhone, We zi K ay i ra , Raphael Kasambara, Ngeyi Kanyongolo, Dalitso Upile Mtambo, Tony Lumecha, Peter Minyale, Chikumbutso Harawa, Ian Kumpita and Ronald Kuchipanga.
The last memorial court sitting was held in August 2023.
