LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Civil rights grouping the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has launched a blistering attack on Malawi’s top legal authorities, declaring that the rule of law has “collapsed” and demanding the immediate resignation of the Chief Justice and the Attorney General.
Addressing the new conference on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, CDEDI Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa says public trust in the Judiciary has reached its lowest point in the country’s history, arguing that confidence in the institution is fast eroding amid mounting allegations of corruption.
The organisation claims the Judiciary, one of the three arms of government, is losing legitimacy because public office rests on two key pillars, competence and trust.
According to CDEDI, once trust diminishes, authority becomes morally and legally unsustainable.
At the centre of the storm is Rizine Mzikamanda, who CDEDI accuses of failing to act on concerns reportedly raised by the Malawi Law Society (MLS) and the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) regarding alleged misconduct within the Judiciary.
CDEDI argues that in action in the face of such serious complaints has fueled suspicion and weakened confidence in the country’s judicial leadership. If urgent steps are not taken, the grouping warns, the Judiciary risks losing the moral and legal authority it commands.
Namiwa goes further to allege that powerful cartels may have “hijacked” what was once considered an independent and functional judicial system, a claim likely to intensify debate over the integrity of Malawi’s courts.
Citing Section 12 of the Republican Constitution which states that public officers exercise delegated authority derived from the people CDEDI says it is invoking “people power” to mobilise citizens to push for the resignation of the Chief Justice and other senior judicial officers.
The organisation maintains that stepping aside would be the “noble” course of action for Justice Mzikamanda and his senior colleagues, arguing that new leadership is necessary to sanitise the Judiciary and restore public trust.
As part of what it calls the “anti climax” of the alleged collapse of the rule of law, CDEDI has also faulted the Supreme Court of Appeal over a payout demanded in favour of the defunct Finance Bank, saying such a move would burden taxpayers and strain the already fragile public purse.
The grouping further alleges that correspondence between the FIA and Justice Mzikamanda points to an abdication of constitutional responsibility, which it claims undermined efforts to combat financial crimes and indirectly contributed to the loss of public resources meant for essential services such as medical supplies.
CDEDI also criticises the Attorney General, Frank Mbeta, accusing him of failing to address allegations questioning his fitness to hold office. The organisation argues that stepping down would help preserve the integrity of the Attorney General’s office.
Namiwa has given both Justice Mzikamanda and AG Mbeta seven days to “respectfully and responsibly” vacate their positions or risk being forced out through public mobilisation.
The group has also called on Members of Parliament to amend the law to require judges to retire at 60, aligning them with other public servants, saying current events offer no moral justification for special treatment.
Both Mzikamanda and Mbeta are yet to react to CDEDI resignation calls.
