By Mphatso Nkuonera
Lilongwe, July 1, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has asked newly sworn in justices of the Supreme Court of Appeal to render services professionally and with great courage to deter corruption in the country.
The President made this appeal at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Friday when he presided over the swearing in ceremony of four new justices of the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal.
The four justices who took oath of office and oath allegiance include, Sylvester Kalembela, Rowland Mvundula, Dorothy Nyakaunda Kamanga and Dingiswayo Madise, who was one of the five justices who sat at the Constitutional Court that nullified the 2019 presidential elections.
The president told the justices to serve impartially and with courage to protect and promote the constitution.
“The work of the Supreme Court is not for the faint hearted, but for the brave and just, and my encouragement to you, is to have the courage to let nothing but the Constitution move you in your determinations on the bench. It’s only the constitution that has authority over you in discharge of your duties.
“Your pledge is being made to the Constitution, the supreme law of the land. And as long as you make that your standard against all odds, your court will continue being worthy of being called ‘Supreme,” emphasized the president.
In reference to 2022 Report by Human Rights, the president decried incidences which explicitly undermine the independence of supreme courts like in Afghanistan, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina, among many countries on the globe.
He also reminded the judges of the nullification of the Presidential elections in Malawi and Kenya as very outstanding examples and proof of professionalism in the justice system service delivery which has seen the Malawi Judges being recognized and awarded internationally.
Chief Justice, Rezin Mzikamanda said the coming in of the four Supreme Court of Appeal Judges will help in expediting justice delivery in courts.
“The four judges who have been sworn in today make the staff at the Supreme Court of Appeal complete as it adds to the required figure of eleven judges and it will also help us in clearing up the backlog at the Supreme Court.
Mzikamanda has since appealed to Government to continue closing up vacancy gaps for the judiciary to enhance service delivery by the judiciary.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Titus Mvalo, the Attorney General, Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda were among the many notable faces in the justice rendering systems available at the event.
