Battle lines have been drawn
Chizuma-bone of contention
A tag of war has ensued between the government and the Malawi Law Society (MLS) over the controversial suspension of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Chief Martha Chizuma.
Last week the government interdicted Chizuma over the leaked audio, in a process that has been questioned by many and created debate in the legal circles.
Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Colleen Zamba authored and signed Chizuma’ interdiction letter, a development legal eagles have faulted.
In response, the MLS applied for a court order stopping the interdiction, as well as a judicial review on the same.
Monday High Court Judge Mike Tembo approved the MLS’ prayer for judicial review and put aside SPC Zamba’s 31 January decision to interdict Chizuma.
MLS honorary secretary, Chrispin Ngunde, indicated that the ACB top boss is at liberty to continue discharging her official duties and proceedings in her criminal case have been halted pending outcome of the review.
However in a twist of events, yesterday Tuesday, the attorney general applied to vacate the order obtained by the MLS.
The move has also turned heads, as questions are now rife in the public sphere as to why the government is insisting on hanging the ACB boss.
The AG has since sought the services of former AG Kalekeni Kaphale, George Jivason Kadzipatike and Chancy Gondwe to represent the defendants on his behalf in the judicial review case.
Chizuma was interdicted last month over a January 2022 leaked audio in which she can be heard discussing an ongoing corruption investigation with a third-party.
About The Author
