One year later: Have Malawi’s judicial reform recommendations been implemented?

When the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) released its report on challenges affecting access to justice in August 2025, it painted a troubling picture of a justice system struggling under the weight of corruption allegations, case backlogs, staff shortages, high litigation costs and concerns over judicial independence.

The report called for urgent reforms, including stronger anti-corruption measures, transparent judicial appointments, recruitment of more judicial officers and improved access to courts for vulnerable and rural communities.

At the time, the recommendations were presented as a roadmap toward restoring public confidence in Malawi’s justice institutions.

Nearly a year later, the question remains: how much has changed?Recent public debates suggest that many of the concerns identified by the Commission continue to dominate national discourse.

Corruption allegations involving public institutions have remained a recurring feature of the news cycle, while questions surrounding accountability, transparency and public trust continue to surface across multiple sectors.

Among the most vocal figures in these discussions has been lawyer and activist Alexious Kamangira, who has repeatedly alleged the existence of corruption within key state institutions, including the justice system.

In recent months, Kamangira has publicly challenged several judicial and government decisions, arguing that corruption remains deeply embedded within structures that are expected to uphold accountability.

While many of his allegations remain unproven and have been strongly disputed by those accused, the prominence of the claims has reignited public debate about the integrity of oversight institutions.

The controversy surrounding allegations linked to the Amaryllis Hotel inquiry has further intensified scrutiny.

Complaints submitted to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, counter-complaints filed against accusers, and competing narratives from various actors have once again placed corruption and accountability at the centre of national attention.

The public nature of these disputes has highlighted the continuing demand for transparent investigations and credible institutional responses.

These developments mirror concerns raised by the MHRC, which warned that perceptions of corruption can be just as damaging as corruption itself when they erode public confidence in the justice system.

The Commission noted that citizens are less likely to seek legal remedies when they believe institutions are compromised, inaccessible or ineffective.

The report also identified delays in court proceedings and shortages of judicial personnel as major barriers to justice.

Although efforts have been made in recent years to strengthen judicial capacity, complaints about prolonged legal disputes and delayed resolutions continue to be raised by litigants, lawyers and civil society organisations.

Access to justice remains another unresolved challenge. For many Malawians living in rural areas, distance to courts, legal costs and limited availability of legal representation continue to affect their ability to seek timely remedies.

These were among the core issues highlighted by the MHRC, and they remain central to ongoing discussions about justice sector reform.

What emerges from current events is not necessarily evidence that reforms have failed, but rather an indication that many of the structural concerns identified by the Commission have yet to disappear from public life.

The persistence of corruption allegations, accountability disputes and concerns over institutional effectiveness suggests that the challenges identified in the 2025 inquiry remain relevant today.

As Malawi continues to pursue governance and justice reforms, the MHRC report serves as a reminder that rebuilding trust in judicial institutions requires more than policy recommendations.

It requires visible implementation, consistent accountability and a justice system that citizens can access and trust without fear or doubt.

One year after the Commission sounded the alarm, the issues it raised remain part of the national conversation. Whether that conversation ultimately leads to meaningful reform may determine the future credibility of Malawi’s justice system.