Justice promised, corruption case dropped: Outrage as Mchacha walks free

A government that promised Malawians justice, accountability and equal treatment before the law is facing uncomfortable questions after a six-year corruption case involving former Minister Charles Mchacha and others was abruptly discontinued before reaching a verdict.

Court records show that after receiving a certificate from Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Fostino Maele, on May 26, 2026 High Court Judge Edda Ngwira-Mwakibinga certified the discontinuation of a six-year corruption prosecution against former Cabinet ministers Charles Mchacha and Symon Vuwa Kaunda, former Chief Secretary to the Government Lloyd Muhara and Bright Kumwembe.

The discontinued case centred on allegations that the accused illegally acquired a piece of land belonging to the Department of Forestry in Kanjedza, Blantyre.

The move has drawn criticism from governance advocates and legal commentators, who say the withdrawal of another major corruption case risks reinforcing public perceptions that influential figures rarely face full judicial scrutiny.

Leading the criticism is lawyer and whistleblower Alexious Kamangila, who accused authorities of failing to explain the growing list of discontinued high-profile cases and challenged Parliament to demand answers from the DPP.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Kamangila accused Maele of abusing his prosecutorial powers and demanded answers over the growing number of high-profile cases that have been discontinued before reaching conclusion.

“Fostino Maele is a criminal…. These discontinuances are Unconstitutional. One day, Maele will answer for these illegal discontinuation of cases,” Kamangila wrote.

He further challenged Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee to demand explanations for the withdrawal of several high-profile prosecutions.

“Can we have the reasons Fostino Maele gave on the discontinuation of Mathanga, Roza Mbilizi, Norman Chisale etc. @Malawi Parliament… Tatiuzani zoona,” he wrote.

In the same post, Kamangila painted a bleak picture of Malawi’s justice system, claiming the country is experiencing a governance and judicial crisis.

“Malawi alipa moto, akuyaka and the citizens are either celebrating it or hiding their faces in the sand. Mupsa nonse,” he wrote.

However, the court has made it clear that the discontinuance does not bar the State from recommencing proceedings or bringing new charges against the same individuals based on the same facts within six months from the date of the order, and it has also ordered Maele to provide Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee with reasons for the discontinuance.

“The Director of Public Prosecutions (is ordered) to furnish the Legal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly with reasons for the discontinuance as required by Section 99(3) of the Constitution within 10 days of this discontinuance,” reads the court document.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice has declined to comment on the matter. Ministry spokesperson Frank Namangale told the local media that the Ministry could not comment until the DPP has briefed Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee.