By Memory Kutengule Chatonda
BLANTYRE-(MANA)-President Lazarus Chakwera has advised public officers to desist from compromising their integrity in the delivery of public services to Malawians for personal enrichment.
Chakwera made the remarks on Wednesday in Blantyre during the official opening of the High Court, Commercial Division Principal Registry building.
“There are naive people in this country who think that it takes an evil person in the judiciary to accept a bribe in exchange for a favourable judgment in court, or that it takes an evil person at the Roads Authority to cut corners.
“Or that it takes an evil person at the Department of Immigration to print passports for non-citizens and issue diplomatic passports for non-officials. Or that it takes an evil person at the Malawi Revenue Authority to let goods pass through our borders without paying tax,” he added.
The president, therefore, advised people serving as public officers to lead by example in abiding by the country’s laws, regulations and job ethics without compromising integrity in the line of duty.
He said his administration is committed to ensuring that the judicial system provides greater access to justice for Malawians.
Chief Justice of the Republic of Malawi, Rizine Mzikamanda, hailed the president for his political will, which he said has led to the completion of the court building since work started in 2010.
He added that the new court building will bring huge and immediate savings in taxpayers’ money that was spent on rented premises.
Mzikamanda therefore stated that the judiciary will continue to deliver free, fair, and efficient justice to Malawians.
Speaking earlier, Minister of Justice, Titus Mvalo described commercial courts as a critical and crucial component for trade and investment confidence for economic growth, saying the commercial court offers efficient resolution of business disputes and enforcement of contracts on top of offering protection of business interests and property rights.
“This is important in raising the profile of a country as a destination for private investment, which brings about much-needed job and wealth creation, as well as foreign exchange to facilitate goods and services generated in a business environment,” he added.
The High Court Commercial Division in Blantyre is a specialised court within the Malawi Judiciary that handles commercial disputes.
It has original jurisdiction to hear and determine civil or criminal proceedings related to commercial matters under any law, and it also reviews laws and government actions for constitutional compliance.
Prior to the function, president Chakwera inspected some sections within the court building, such as the registry, and a courtroom where daily court proceedings will be held.