Mutharika’s recent appointments under microscope

Oct 16, 2016 Politics 61
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Peter Mutharika

A law expert has questioned the manner of President Peter Mutharika’s appointment of four High Court Judges, suggesting that the appointments seemed to have been made in a hurry.

On Thursday, Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet George Mkondiwa announced that Mutharika has appointed Joseph Chigona, Dorothy de Grabrielle, Ruth Chinangwa and George Bakuwa as high court judges.

Peter Mutharika
Peter Mutharika made some notable appointments.

Mkondiwa said the appointments were effective on the day of announcement, October 13 2016.

On presidential appointments, Section 90 of the Constitutions of the Republic of Malawi says “decisions of the President shall be expressed in writing under his or her signature” and “the signature of the President on any instrument shall be confirmed by the Public Seal.”

But writing in his blog, legal expert Sunduzwayo Madise questioned the way the appointments have been made considering that for Mutharika to have made the appointment while in New York, the Presidential Office need to have carried the whole Public Seal and Presidential Stationary with them to America – something which he found odd.   

Sunduzwayo Madise
Sunduzwayo Madise questions the idea on the appointments.

He also found it hard to understand why the president made the appointments on Thursday in New York yet he is expected back in the country today as government earlier announced.  

“Why the rush? In any event, the appointed Judges cannot assume office unless they have taken oath in the presence of the President. So the personal presence of the President is crucial both to ensure that the statutory instrument is valid and that the oath of office has been taken,” wrote Madise.

Meanwhile, a message circulating on social media which Malawi24 could not independently verify claims that the appointment of the four judges has been done by Democratic Progressive Party politburo in a bid to bar Vice President Saulos Chilima from becoming acting president if Mutharika who is reportedly sick is declared incapacitated.

“Determined to wrestle power through courts, the emergency cabinet meeting that was convened a few days ago at Sanjika Palace chaired by DPP Vice President, George Chaponda resolved to start legal battles to fight the constitutional provision under section 87 subsection 1 which provides conditions for the Vice President of the country to assume Presidency where a seating President is deemed incapacitated,” reads part of the message.

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61 Comments

  5. chilipo chomwe ife a Malawi tinayamikirapo kuti ichi ndiye president achita cha bwino? Thats why kutukuka kumativuta even at community level

  6. chilipo chomwe ife a Malawi tinayamikirapo kuti ichi ndiye president achita cha bwino? Thats why kutukuka kumativuta even at community level

  8. nzodabwitsatu kkkk nthawi zonse amangoti “chala mmwamba nde zinayenda bwanji osatero aaa ok tizizamuwona mma representatives to the people during important conferences akapanda kutero nde mmmmm mzatumeko ineo ku USA kukafufuza bwino za Mr APM

  10. Amalawi chachilendo ndichiyani,kukhala msogoleli sikuthandauza kuti sangadwale,iye ndi.unthu monga aliyense Ali ,monga msogoleli tikuyenela kukhudzidwa ndin thu.amalawi tidziopa mulungu polankhula.am thinking like Malawian with no any party,let’s play for him if not possible,ambuye amutso golele pomwe Ali my vutoli,am sorry for that.

  12. The four judges must not continue with their appointed posts coz they are not chosen for just reasons

  13. The president is being shosen by people!! And the judges and other officials they are there!! Evin. The presidential term finished!! But the problem is the poor. The ignorantic. Is the people!! For the politicians are gaining? ASK ABRO!!.

  15. You DPP fools, know that Malawi is not your estate where you can change constitution illegally….you will be arrested with your foolishness.

  18. This is really unusual anyway if he is not coming today then hey.The truth of the matter is that we are a bad people that’s why we have a bad president, he is the true reflection of us.Lets change ourselves the time is now.

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  43. Is there anything else best that the president shall do to please everyone? certainly not! Be careful with these so called experts as their emotions may drive their professionalism.

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