Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Malawi have expressed outrage over an injunction obtained by 11 plastic manufacturing companies to stop the government from enforcing a ban on thin plastics.
The CSOs have vowed to support the government’s efforts to implement the ban, which is aimed at reducing plastic waste and promoting environmental sustainability.
The thin plastics case started in 2021 when Golden Plastics Limited filed a judicial review challenging the legality of the thin plastics regulations.
The High Court vacated the injunction in May 2021, allowing the government to enforce the ban.
However, Golden Plastics Limited appealed the decision, and the Supreme Court granted a stay order pending the appeal.
In June 2024, Golden Plastics Limited withdrew its appeal, and the government was set to implement the ban.
However, the 11 plastic companies obtained a fresh injunction to stop the government from enforcing the ban.
“We are shocked and disappointed that these companies have resorted to legal action to frustrate the government’s efforts to protect the environment,” said Julius Ng’oma, National Director for the Civil Society Network for Climate Change.
“We will not stand idly by while these companies continue to pollute our environment and harm our citizens. We will support the government in its efforts to implement the ban on thin plastics.”
The CSOs have also called on the government to take immediate action to vacate the injunction and ensure that the ban on thin plastics is enforced.
“We urge the government to take all necessary steps to ensure that the ban on thin plastics is implemented without delay,” said Dorothy Tembo Shema, Program Director for the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust.
“We cannot afford to wait any longer to address this critical environmental issue.”
In a new development, two former Attorneys General, Kalekeni Kaphale and Chikosa Silungwe, have offered to join the government’s legal team to fight the injunction obtained by the plastic companies.
“We have decided to offer our services pro bono to support the government’s efforts to protect the environment,” said Kaphale.
“We believe that this is a critical issue that requires our expertise and experience.”
The government through Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda has since welcomed the support of the CSOs and the offer of the former Attorneys General.
