By Goliva Mathias Msendero- Contributor
The statement issued today by the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (CDEDI) demanding the resignation of Chief Justice (CJ) Rizine Mzikamanda and Attorney General (AG) Frank Mbeta collapses under scrutiny.
It is clear that the organisation has failed to present any arguable case to justify such drastic calls. The issues they cite, the Finance Bank of Malawi Court order and the sale of Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre to Public Service Pension Trust Fund, are matters the AG found already in progress when he assumed office. In the Amaryllis Hotel case, his role was limited to providing legal advice; he did not authorise the sale.
To hold him accountable for decisions he did not make is both unfair and misleading. Similarly, the Finance Bank matter was a Supreme Court order, not an act of the AG. He cannot override judicial rulings, and blaming him for compliance with the law is a distortion of his mandate.
For the Chief Justice, the Constitution is explicit: removal can only be pursued through impeachment for serious misconduct. CDEDI’s statement does not provide evidence of such misconduct, only vague allegations of “loss of trust.” Trust, however, is subjective and can be manipulated by propaganda. It is not a constitutional ground for resignation.
If there were genuine evidence of gross misconduct, the proper course would have been to urge Parliament to initiate impeachment proceedings, not to demand resignation under public pressure.
The language and tone of CDEDI’s statement betray its true intent. Rather than presenting a reasoned argument, it reads like a commissioned attack, designed to erode confidence in specific individuals.
Those familiar with Sylvester Namiwa, CDEDI’s Executive Director, will recognise the hallmarks of a paid for advocacy piece. From the wording to the conduct, the campaign smells suspiciously of external influence. It is not about protecting the rule of law; it is all about undermining it by weaponising public opinion against individuals without evidence.
In the end, this is nothing but a paid up job to take down the two, especially the AG. There is no justification whatsoever for their resignation. The approach is illogical, constitutionally unsound, and destined to fail.
