BREAKING NEWS: MCP turns Its back on Chimwendo Banda

…as Supreme Court Hears Remand Appeal

The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is turning its back on its Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda as the Supreme Court of Appeal in Blantyre adjourns, for 30 minutes, an appeal challenging his 90-day remand order.

No senior MCP officials are present in court during the proceedings, a development that underscores growing political isolation around Chimwendo Banda.

The only person linked to the party in attendance is his brother, Wycliffe Chimwendo.

The court adjourns the matter after State lawyer Dzikondianthu Malunda objects to the appeal on technical grounds, arguing that the matter may not be properly before the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Presiding judge Justice Dorothy Nyakaunda Kamanga is addressing whether the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to preside over the matter before allowing the appeal to proceed.

Chimwendo Banda is represented by lawyer Khwima Mchizi.

The appeal follows a 90-day remand warrant issued on December 15, 2025, which is upheld by the High Court.

Chimwendo Banda is seeking a stay of the warrant, citing alleged irregularities in his arrest and claiming he fell ill while on remand.

Earlier, Judiciary spokesperson Ruth Mputeni says the Supreme Court of Appeal is expected to conduct an inter partes hearing on the application.

Chimwendo Banda is also awaiting a ruling on his separate bail application.

The matter remains before the Supreme Court of Appeal.