BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Judiciary says it will soon set dates to hear an appeal by the Attorney General (AG)Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda, to the Supreme Court regarding the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the role of Members of Parliament(MPs) in managing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
According to spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice, Frank Namangale, and Judiciary Chief Corporate Affairs and Public Relations Officer(PRO ), Ruth Mputeni,the AG has filed the appeal.
The Constitutional Court had ruled that allowing MPs to select, implement, and monitor local development projects was unconstitutional, as it undermines their oversight role and violates the separation of powers.
The court’s decision was in response to an application by the Malawi Local Government Association (MALGA) seeking a constitutional review.
The court found that legislators’ involvement in CDF activities is self-serving and contradicts their constitutional duty to provide oversight.
Additionally, the court determined that granting MPs voting rights in local councils distorts governance at the grassroots level.
CDF is the funding arrangement that channels money from central government directly to electoral constituencies for local infrastructure projects.
