Tag Archives: AG Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda

Human Rights

MISA Malawi demands Journalist Gondwe’s protection from MDF, AG Nyirenda

Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-MISA Malawi has penned Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander Paul Phiri and Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda seeking protection for Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) Director Gregory Gondwe amid his life threats and intimidation.

The journalist Gondwe on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, issued a message expressing his distress while hiding after receiving tip that he was being hunted by MDF following this week’s story he wrote about the army entered into contract agreement with business tycoon Zunneth Sattar despite restrictions order from Malawi Government as he is under probe.

Journalist Gondwe disclosed alleged that top
government officials confided with him that the MDF intended to ‘arrest’ me for allegedly ‘endangering
state security’—a vague and ominous accusation.

”Given the potential for my situation to be ‘accidentalised’ with a seemingly plausible explanation
posthumously, I’ve heeded the advice to protect myself. In this line of work, death can be
disguised as an accident, and no hospital can revive a life once lost,” Gondwe wrote on his
Facebook Page.

In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, February 1, 2024 and signed by MISA Malawi Chairperson, Golden Matonga stated that the body is deeply concerned with threats on Gondwe.

Matonga said MISA engaged the MDF Commander Phiri and AG Nyirenda on the matter and the duo have assured the media body of Gondwe’s protection while disputing claims of plans to arrest the journalist or intimidate him for writing the story.

“We hope and trust that these assurances are true and sincere.

“This isn’t just about legal threats, which I was prepared to face head-on,” worried Matonga.

He however reminded President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance administration and government agencies and all citizens that threats on journalists are
retrogressive and a threat to democracy.

“We believe that if MDF or any other concerned parties have an issue with the media, they should
use proper channels to raise such issues, but military interrogations and threats are not among
those channels.

“The threats on Gondwe’s life have a chilling effect on journalists and the media fraternity. As a
democracy, Malawi should not slide back to the era of heavy-handedness on media and critical voices,” urges Matonga.

He therefore assured the media fraternity that MISA will continue to engaging MDF leadership AG office and to ensure the safety of Gondwe and a free and conducive media operating environment.

Law and order, Malawi

Is it really necessary for Chakwera’s Tonse to increase retirement age for judges?

Maravi Post Reporter

By Thandie Chadzandiyani

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Through the current sitting of Parliament, the government through Courts Act Amendment Bill is proposing to increase the retirement age for judges from 65 to 70.

Claims plans to push for a bill to amend the Court Act to create Financial Crimes Court among others.

Judges of the Supreme Court who affirmed the decision of the Constitutional Court

The development comes as the country’s courts continue to be overwhelmed with cases and delay in the prosecution of some financial and corruption cases.

Attorney General, Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda, says by increasing the retirement age for judges will enhance the delivery of justice in the country.

However University of Cape Town Law Professor Danwood Chirwa has shown the worst to come out of this bill through his post, he claims that increasing judges’ retirement age would be irresponsible since there are some corrupt judges in the Malawi Judiciary.

“We have many corrupt judges in the Judiciary. Retirement is the only way of getting them out of the system,” he wrote.

Chirwa has continued that the disciplinary process is non-existent in the Judiciary or has never been used, he suggested reducing the retirement age so that the Judiciary should be cleaned of corrupt judges.

“If the proposed bill passes it would be one of the most irresponsible things this government will have done, Unless of course a parallel bill was introduced at the same time to reform the removal process of judges,”.

Law and order, Malawi

Malawi AG Thabo Nyirenda’s leaked legal opinion hunts ACB, media

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Office of Attorney (AG) cleared Malachite FZE that the company be paid for supply of eight anti-riot water cannons to Malawi Police Service.

According to AG’s leaked legal document in our possession, approved the payment privately which was sent to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

AG Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda argued that the decision was arrived on basis that the restriction order by ACB had become ‘academic’ following the earlier termination of the contract by his office.

Gondwe out of police probe

The Attorney General defended the move, saying his advice was in line with the law.

“Therefore, it is incorrect to suggest that in public my office terminated the contract but in private asked the Police to pay, the legal opinion to ACB implies that the company can only be paid for the water cannons that he supplied successfully, and Malawi Police took delivery of the same. This is within the law, as per the contract signed, but anything coming after the termination of the contract is what can be regarded as illegal,” said Nyirenda.

Consequently, after the leaked legal document particularly from ACB office, Nyirenda warned for hard decision towards any person involved in the action.

This is the reason, Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) is also under probe for accessing leaked document.

On Tuesday, April 5, 2022 Malawi Police Service stormed PIJ offices and seized phones and computers as part of raid on legal leaked ACB document.

In a statement made available to The Maravi Post, National Police Publicist James Kadadzera confirmed Gondwe’s under the law enforcers probe not arrest.

“Malawians should always know be in the know that the service has the mandate of inviting individuals deemed important to help in an investigation and such a scenario, it does not always mean that the interviewee is arrested.

“It has to be put in a right context therefore that when the interview session is over, Mr. Gregory Gondwe will be allowed to return home. MPS assures Malawians of professional standards by police officers in crime investigation,” reads part police statement.

PIJ leader Gondwe released on Tuesday evening, April 5, 2022 upon interrogated.

Initially, AG advised the ACB against directly cooperating with the National Crimes Agency of the UK without his office involvement.

The AG has also pushed for ACB investigations of businessman Karim Batatawala, whose case is currently in court.

Human Rights, Law and order, Malawi

Two Mzimba families demand MK450m compensation for Malawi Police’ negligence

Maravi Post Reporter

By Thandie Chadzandiyani

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Two families from Enyizini area in Mzimba have written Office of Attorney General (AG) and Malawi Police Source (MPS) demanding MK450 million compensation for alleged police negligence.

The families are of Linda and Maria Mvula and Penjani and Mable Chisi who claim their houses and property were burnt by angry villagers.

In the letter dated October 5 and signed by their lawyer Christon Ghambi, the families claim they informed police at Enyizini, Ekwendeni and Mzuzu police stations that villages were planning to set their houses on fire because they were granted bail after communities were suspecting them of practising witchcraft.

The families said police did not come to villages to calm the situation despite being informed about the locals’ plan to set their houses and property on fire.

“Village members of Enyizini gathered at the house of Group Village Head Wilson Moyo to plan to burn the houses and the property of the two families. Our client reported the matter to police at Enyizini but they were not assisted. Later, they reported at Ekwendeni Police Unit who referred the matter to Mzuzu Police Station but still police did not show up in time,” reads part of the letter.

Ghambi confirmed writing the AG and MPS, saying police failed their duty and they deserve prosecution.

“Police were informed about the planned incident a day before. Even in the morning during the day of the incident, police were informed.

“The families even went in person to Mzuzu Police Station to inform them about what was happening but police went to the scene hours after the incident. We feel this is negligence and the compensation demanded is equal to the damage,” Ghambi said.

Efforts to speak to AG Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda proved futile as his mobile phone went unanswered after several attempts.

National Police Public Relations Officer James Kadadzera asked for more time to consult before responding to the matter.

Among other property burnt were vehicles, furniture and maize.

According to Witchcraft Act, it is a crime to call somebody a witch or calling a witch-doctor to condemn witches in a village.