By Dorica Mtenje
LILONGWE (MaraviPost): The Citizens for Justice and Equity Network has strongly criticized recent remarks made by Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) Director Sylvester Namiwa, who called for the dismissal of Malawi State House Chief of Staff, Prince Harvey Kapondamgaga.
Namiwa on Tuesday suggested that President Lazarus Chakwera should fire Kapondamgaga following the latter’s name being mentioned in an ongoing bribery and corruption trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in the United Kingdom. The case involves British national Zuneth Satta, who is facing multiple charges of corruption and bribery.
In response, Citizens for Justice and Equity (CJE) spokesperson Agape Khombe told The Maravi Post in an interview on Wednesday that Namiwa’s remarks were prejudicial, lacking legal basis, and posed a threat to individual rights and reputations.
“While we recognize the importance of closely following corruption-related matters, we urge all stakeholders, especially fellow civil society actors, to avoid making prejudgments It is unfair and legally unsound to assume that the mere mention of someone’s name in a foreign court automatically implies guilt or warrants dismissal.”
Khombe emphasized that Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had previously investigated and cleared Kapondamgaga of any wrongdoing in connection to the Satta case. He stated that it was on this basis that President Chakwera reinstated Kapondamgaga as Chief of Staff.
According to CJE, since the reinstatement, there have been no new investigations or developments from the ACB or any other oversight institutions suggesting Kapondamgaga’s involvement in any corruption-related activities.
“It is unjustifiable and amounts to character assassination to continue questioning Mr. Kapondamgaga’s role based on unproven allegations,such actions are not only irresponsible but may border on criminal defamation,”
“We must remember that rights come with responsibilities. Let us act with fairness, patriotism, and respect for due process.” said Khombe.
CJE has dismissed the call for Kapondamgaga’s dismissal as baseless and lacking legal merit. They have urged President Chakwera and the Chief of Staff to disregard such demands, calling instead for unity and responsible civic engagement.
He therefore said It is deeply concerning that, as Malawians often struggle to distinguish the clear lines that define sovereign states and the institutions that govern them.
Highlighting that The United Kingdom is a sovereign state—just as Malawi is. Each has its own laws, institutions, and systems of governance, operating independently under their respective constitutions.
