CDEDI presses for exit of Chief Justice, Attorney General Mbeta

By IOMMIE CHIWALO
The seemingly compromised judiciary and uncalled for corrupt footprints in the justice delivery system has forced Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) to press for an exit of Chief Justice and the country’s Attorney General.

Addressing the Press in Lilongwe, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa, says time has come to clean the mess in the Judiciary emanating from negligence.
While demanding the resignation of Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda and Attorney General Frank Mbeta, the two officials have only been given seven days or else will face it through peaceful demonstration.

Asking about the actual thing warranting the stepping down of the two, Namiwa has cited an increasing volume of alleged corruption cases circulating in both mainstream and social media, saying the claims are just voluminous.

He said, for instance, the alleged failure by Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda to act on concerns raised by the Malawi Law Society (MLS) and the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) has automatically contributed to sudden loss of trust and confidence in the Judiciary.

The CDEDI Chief, further argued that the recent payout ordered by the Supreme Court of Appeal to the defunct Finance Bank Malawi says it all about the rot in the Judiciary since the ruling does not serve public interest, as it effectively compels overtaxed Malawians to compensate an entity that no longer exists.

Namiwa also stated that Attorney General Frank Mbeta’s alleged failure to adequately respond to concerns regarding his fitness and suitability to hold office, amid allegations of corruption, is sufficient ground for him to step aside.
“His silence is raising more questions than answers. We demand him to step down a pave way for investigation. We are giving seven days only, failure which, will come with the next course of action only aimed at having sanity in the Judiciary,”