LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Group of concerned citizens on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 challenged Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM’s claims of legal fees amounting to MK9.7 billion arguing that its unreasonable aimed at siphoning minute resources from public confers.
The grouping therefore challenged the court to justify how the legal fees were arrived.
MCP and UTM are claiming the legal fees following Malawi courts faulted Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) for mismanaging May 21, 2019 polls thereafter nullified for fresh elections.
Concerned Citizens’ Chairperson Philip Kamangirah told the news conference in the capital Lilongwe that two parties legal fees claims are illogical, uncalled for.
Kamangirah therefore urged the Treasury not be forced in any way to make or release any money on the same.
“We have observed with very disturbing notice on the claim by the Malawi
Congress Party and UTM in their illogical, uncalled for and crooked demand in
excess of MK9.7 Billion as legal fees following the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment on the 2019 disputed Presidential elections.
“The Judiciary through the Office of the Chief Justice should clarify as to why
this matter is not taken seriously as opposed to the MK600 million proposed
by the South African Lawyers for them to represent MEC. We are of the view that this should happen within the next 7 days”, commands Kamangirah.
He therefore assured the nation that the grouping will go to any level making sure that the legal fees not be released.
CONCERNED CITIZENS PRESS STATEMENT
DEMAND FOR AN EXPLANATION ON THE MK 9.7 BILLION LEGAL FEE CLAIM BY MCP AND UTM
Reaffirming our vision of a secure and prosperous Malawi whose people are health and manage their resources in an economically and socially sustainable and where citizens become active and owners of their destiny and development: Recalling our commitment to respect and protect human rights and other values of democracy and good governance:
We have observed with very disturbing notice on the claim by the Malawi
Congress Party and UTM in their illogical, uncalled for and crooked demand in
excess of MK9.7 Billion as legal fees following the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment on the 2019 disputed Presidential elections.
We find this necessary to bring our reason to the people of Malawi. We have
followed everything with purity of heart, yet we have seen a lot of things going the wrong way. We are saddened with the way how other serious matters would be left unattended to and yet they have grave negative implications on the economy of this country.
We are mindful of the recent case in which the outgoing MALAWI ELECTORAL COMMISSION had made an application in the High Court of Malawi seeking a legal representation from a Law Firm in South Africa.
This matter raised a big discussion considering the amount of money that was demanded by these South African Lawyers amounting to MK600 million.
We all understood the position of the Court as the application was never attended to by both the High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal.
We all accepted unconditionally that it was irrelevant for the country to spend MK600 million to foreign Lawyers at a time we are passing through a lot of financial crisis following the Political violence engineered by some unpatriotic Malawians dressed in Human Rights Advocates and yet are Politicians and the Corona Virus.
Amused with such unwanted behaviour and decision by some politicians who wish to be paid unrealistically the amount of MK9.7 billion using legal fee remedies is unacceptable and should be condemned in any way and by all means.
We find all such claims undemocratic and very unwelcome.
This is hypocrisy, This is Mediocrity, This is theft of the highest order
This is impunity, This is a fallacy.
We cannot afford to let selfish Politicians to fulfil their interests on the expense of poor Malawians;
Our Call
? If there are any attempts to proceed with any payment of the MK9.7 billion
as demanded by MCP, UTM should be suspended
? The Judiciary should come out clear in providing the justification as to how
these figures were arrived at
? The Treasury should never be forced in any way to make or release any
money on the same
? The Judiciary through the Office of the Chief Justice should clarify as to why
this matter is not taken seriously as opposed to the MK600 million proposed
by the South African Lawyers for them to represent MEC
? We are of the view that this should happen within the next 7 days
? Failure to do this, we shall have no any other option but calling for the
immediate resignation of the Chief Justice.
Conclusion
We call upon the people of Malawi to take this matter with all the seriousness required and that we safeguard our economy from being plundered by unpatriotic few individuals.
We call upon the judiciary to be patriotic in all the decisions they make in safeguarding its integrity and reputation. Therefore judiciary should uphold its independence in all manners of fairness. THIS IS THE LITMUS TEST
Signed:
Philip Kamangirah
Willard Mhone
Nathan Chabuka
Moses Chione