By Chisomo Phiri
Lawyer George Kadzipatike, representing the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and three of its Members of Parliament(MPs) who obtained a court injunction stopping the relocation of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) headquarters from the capital Lilongwe to Blantyre, has warned that he will commence contempt of court proceedings if outstanding rent for the commission’s premises is not paid within the court-ordered timeframe.
The warning comes after MEC was given five days to settle about K885 million in warehouse rental arrears for its Njewa premises in the capital city or risk having its property seized and sold through a notice of distress issued by the Sheriff.
Kadzipatike argues that failure to settle the arrears could be a deliberate attempt to force MEC’s relocation to Blantyre despite the High Court’s injunction.
He maintains that the Chief Secretary to the Government and the Minister of Lands are already parties to the case concerning MEC’s tenancy arrangements, and that the court had suspended their decisions on the non-renewal of the commission’s leases.
He says failure to comply with the notice of distress within the stipulated period would amount to disobeying the High Court order, adding that he is prepared to seek contempt proceedings against the two public officials.
Earlier,MEC Director of Media and Public Relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa said the commission is engaging relevant government authorities and the landlord to resolve the outstanding administrative issues and regularise the lease agreement.
The dispute stems from the government’s decision earlier this year to relocate MEC’s headquarters from Lilongwe to Blantyre.
The move was challenged in court by the MCP and three of its legislators, who argued that relocating the electoral body ahead of the 2026 General Election could disrupt its operations.
The High Court subsequently granted an injunction stopping the relocation pending the determination of the case.
