The Malawis highest court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, today delivered its ruling on an appeal by President Peter Mutharika and the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on the disputed May 2019 presidential elections. The Constitutional Court in February nullified the 2019 elections which saw Mutharika narrowly re-elected citing irregularities.
The panel of judges in the case comprises Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda, Justice Rezine Mzikamanda, Justice Edward Twea, Justice Anaclet Chipeta, Justice Lovemore Chikopa, Justice Frank Edgar Kapanda and Justice Anthony Kamanga delivered the judgement in Lilongwe and described it as a “unanimous decision”
The Supreme Court has ordered a new presidential elections should proceed as ordered by the ConCourt but using the 2019 voters roll.
And only presidential elections who competed in 2019 are eligible to compete in the rerun.
“Elections defines lifeline and roadmap of the society,” said the Chief Justice reading a judgement which he said might carry some typos and errors but will be perfected later.
“We should therefore avoid at any cost ushering leadership through the process that is fraud because chances are that such a process will not reflect the will of the people,” he said.
Chilima and Chakwera at the court hearing
MEC and President Mutharika of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) challenged the February 3 2020 judgement of the five-judge panel of the High Court of Malawi sitting as the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) which nullified the presidential election, citing irregularities in the results management system.
The Supreme Court has also upheld the decision of the lower court which reverted the presidency—including the Office of the Vice-President—to the May 2014 election status of Mutharika as President and Chilima as Vice-President.
DPP secretary General Grezeder Geoffrey was also at the hearing
A magistrate’s court in Mangochi has punished a 50-year-old married man to pay his own wife K100, 000 cash or in default rot in jail the next 2 years for assaulting her.
The convict, Adam Kili, who was answering an offence of grievous harm, contravening Section 228 of the Penal Code is said to have bit the left ear of the wife in which she sustained a deep cut.
The court on 6th May 2019 heard through state prosecutor, Sub Inspector Maxwell Mwaluka that Kili, early April, left his wife at home and went to his girlfriend’s house where he didn’t return.
According to Mwaluka, the wife followed after a week on 17th April 2020, to take her money from the husband that she was given by her former husband to process a passport for her elder son but the two failed to agree on other issues.
“Whilst there, a fight erupted between them and the husband bit left ear of the wife in which she sustained a deep cut,” explained Mwaluka in the court.
He said the matter was reported at Makokola police unit that led to the arrest of the husband who upon appearing before the court pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against him and court found him guilty as charged.
In mitigation, Kili asked court for leniency saying he acted out of anger, whilst the state prayed for stiff sentence citing his conduct as unlawful.
Passing his sentence Second grade magistrate Mtunduwatha Mpasu concurred with the state and ordered him to pay the money as compensation or in default serve 24 months jail term.
Adam Kili comes from Nona Village in the area of Traditional Authority Nankumba in the same district.
There was drama Presidential Candidates nomination papers presentation ceremony when independent presidential candidate Phunziro Mvula shocked the commissioners by withdrawing his candidacy. At the event which took place at Mount Soche in Blanytyre, Mvula said he decided to pull out because the current Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Lack Credibility and will not deliver a fair election. He has so far endorsed MCP President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and the Tonse Alliance.
Speaking to reporters after his withdraw Mvula said MEC, lacks credibility and instead of helping and empowering Malawians, the Commission has become a shield for protecting the DPP government so that it can continue to oppress Malawians, sow the seeds of nepotism, tribalism, regionalism, and plundering of the resources collected from our taxes.
Phunziro Mvula- Endorses Chakwera
He said, in order for a credible Electoral Commission to exist, there must be a credible Chairperson and trustworthy commissioners who must inspire the hope that they can manage the Elections in a credible manner. Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and your commissioners, you have lost public trust. Malawians are asking you to resign.
A lot of people in Malawi have lost confidence in the electoral body because it is the same people that messed up the previous 2019 presidential elections and now they are running these fresh election. This making alot of people to question whether these elections will be free and fair. we have already heard claims backed with evidence that MEC is allowing minors to register, something very worrying.
Mvula then announced that he was endorsing Dr Lazarus Chakwera of the Tonse Alliance ” I am convinced that the country has a chance to rise again through the leadership of Dr Lazarus Chakwera. I have faith that his vision is sufficient for every malawian , including me, my family , my supporters and the lomwe belt poor people who are blindly following DPP” said Mvula
Mvula, an ex Malawi Army officer expressed that he was driven to seek the high office because he has a vision to improve the socio-economic lives of Malawian. He said this can only be achieved if the divisive and corrupt DPP government is removed.
He continued to say, the DPP government is endowed with vices that have destroyed our country, pointing out corruption, nepotism, fragrant tribalism, executive arrogance, and incompetence.
This morning a mammoth crowd descended to Mount Soche Conference center to witness the presidential nomination presentation. There was jubilation when Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi Congress Party was officially unveiled by Malawi Electoral Commission as the presidential candidate for the 2020 fresh elections, representing the alliance, a group of 9 parties led by MCP/UTM under the banner Tonse Alliance. Dr. Saulos Chilima was named running mate. The ceremony was witnessed by the alliance partners including the former President Dr. Joyce Banda and party officials in readiness for the 2nd July fresh elections.
When Dr. Chakwera was called by MEC Chief Executive Officer to deliver a speech, he made it known to all that were in attendance that he wanted Dr. Chilima to come and stand with him while he gives the speech. This demonstrated the start of new things, in terms of the relationship between President and Vice President as it showed that saving Malawi is not only a one-man battle but rather one that requires all of us to stand together.
Tonse Alliance Ticket; Chakwera and Chilima
Speaking to the audience, Dr. Chakwera said “we stand here before you because we have a date with destiny. Many forces have tried to prevent the election. For 26 years Malawi has been plundered, but God has given us this fresh election to change our destiny”.
He also pointed out how the past administrations have underutilized and abused the office of the vice president.
He said Dr. Chilima and him are not there just as President and his running mate, but as partners in bringing the more desirable change in Malawi.
Dr. Chakwera is leading an alliance of 9 political parties, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), United Transformational Movement (UTM), People’s Party (PP), Freedom Party (FP), Malawi Forum for Unity and Development (Mafunde), People’s Progressive Movement (PPM), Umodzi Party(UP), Alliance for Democracy (Aford) and People’s Transformation (Petra). All these parties have come together with the aim of building a new Malawi.
What we saw today demonstrate change, this is the first time we have seen politicians putting personal interest aside and unite to save Malawi. Alot of people in the country are saying change is imminent, and they want it now, most people are not happy with the current government. These frustrations can be seen everywhere you go.
The past five years have been the worst time we have gone through as a nation. The Democratic Progressive Party DPP has failed terribly to demonstrate to Malawians that they are capable of transforming people’s lives. They have presided over a disastrous government known for its careless handling of government resources – deeply embedded in hatred, nepotism, cronyism, regionalism, and rampant corruption.
These fresh elections give Malawians the last breath of hope and an opportunity to fix this broken nation. Malawi is a country that has what it takes to be a thriving economy in Africa, but because of bad leadership, we have been made into laughing stock in Africa. Some countries in Africa that have been at war has even overtaken us.
Based on other economic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which shows how a country is doing in terms of its ability to uplift its people from poverty – it shows that for Malawi, there has been no growth since 2015. GDP has remained stagnant at $1,200, meaning it is only a few handful individuals that are doing well in the country while the rest are in poverty. A high level of unemployment has also left many young Malawians to leave the country to other countries like South Africa and other parts of the world.
Why this Alliance Represent Hope
Leadership
The main reason why Malawi is facing all these challenges today has been due to leadership, the current Munthalika administration has failed miserably to unite Malawi. Moreover, failed to demonstrate that despite coming from different parts of the country we are one people. This has left the country more divided on tribal lines than ever. This alliance brings hope as both Dr. Chakwera and Dr. Chilima have shown to Malawians that the only way we can make progress is by working together. The alliance has brought together many parties with one aim, building a new Malawi for all. The leaders representing the alliance are all visionary and would like to see a change in Malawi.
One Vision
All the leaders involved in this alliance are united towards one vision, which is to develop and transform Malawi, unlike the DPP, whose intentions seem to plunder Malawi’s resources and enrich themselves. We have wasted five years with DPP without any meaningful development. I think the time for the experiment is over. This is the time to build Malawi and reclaim all that was lost. The alliance has experienced people who have been in government before and can bring the needed skills and experience to make this government successful.
Leaders Willingness to Fix Malawi Problems
Dr. Lazarus Chakwera is one of the most experienced political leader in Malawi who has spent more time scrutinizing the government on the way it handles its business. He has been consistent in his approach as a politician and been preaching unity, uniting Malawi, and Ending Corruption. These are the main problems we are facing right now. He and others in this alliance understand how the executive operates well and knows the areas that need immediate attention once they get into the office. On the other hand, Dr. Chilima has been in the executive as Vice President he too knows the areas that are failing and need fixing. The combination of the two, plus alliance partners gives this government the hope of transforming Malawi.
What is left now is for us Malawians to make a choice on what kind of Malawi we want, do we want back the government of corruption, nepotism, and regionalism or the MCP/UTM led alliance which represents real hope. Our leaders have done their part, now what is left is for us to do the right thing.
The President of Malawi Congress Party and torchbearer of the grand alliance Dr Lazarus Chakwera has today presented his nomination papers at a colourful ceremony that took place at Soche international conference centre in Blantyre. Chakwera was flanked by his running mate and alliance partner Dr Saulos Chilima, leader of UTM and current Vice president of Malawi.
The event which was delayed as Commissioners refused to come out, citing that there was a lot of people in the hall breaking the social distancing advise to minimise spread of covid19.
In his nomination acceptance speech Dr Chakwera said Malawi has destiny , a destiny that has faced dark forces that laboured to prevent the elections but have failed. Chakwera said “ for the past 26 years Malawi democracy has been hijacked by cheats who have hijacked votes and unleashed Violent campaigns. 26 years that has seen government resources plundered and citizens left impoverished “
Chakwera and Chilima on their way to present Nomination papers
Chakwera also spoke highly of the grand alliance declaring that this is the new Malawi that sees different political parties working together. He had no Kind words for the current team of Malawi Electoral Commission.
He then declared Malawi destiny is as Malawi “watsopano Okomela Tonse”. On his running mate Dr Saulos Chilima Chakwera described him not as his running mate but partners that are deemed to work together to build a new Malawi. He said in the past 26 years Vice presidents have been underutilised, but this will not be the case with the new Malawi. Chakwera declared that 2nd July will be Malawi’s Third independence The event was also attended by other alliance partners including former Malawi President Dr Joyce Banda. Also in attendance were the two former running mates of the Dr Chakwera and Dr Chilima, Sidik Mia and Michael Usi . In an interview Sidik Mia said he was excited to see Chakwera and Chilima representing the alliance “It’s not about me, it’s about Malawi. All I want to see is that Malawi deserves a good leader. A leader that bails Malawi out of the problems that the country is facing. I want to see a government that improves lives of the people” said Mia. His remarks were echoed by Dr Michael Usi who said the getting the position of Vice President is of less importance as what is important is to serve Malawians
