By Burnett Munthali
The Attorney General has appealed to the Supreme Court against the High Court’s recent ruling that removed Members of Parliament from the management of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
The move follows concerns that the High Court judgment addressed matters that were neither raised nor argued by the involved parties during the proceedings.
According to the Attorney General, the High Court ventured into determining the role of Members of Parliament in local councils, which he says was outside the scope of the case at hand.
In a statement released to the public, the Attorney General emphasized that this development, if left unchallenged, has the potential to cause significant disruption to the orderly and effective administration of the CDF.
He argued that the primary objective of the Constituency Development Fund—to deliver targeted and decentralized development benefits to communities—could be undermined by the implementation of the ruling.
The Attorney General stressed that the appeal is being pursued not out of defiance, but out of a desire to seek judicial clarification on a matter of national importance.
“We are committed to seeking clarification and redress through the appropriate judicial channels while reaffirming our unwavering respect for the judiciary and its constitutional role,” reads part of the Attorney General’s statement.
The CDF has in recent years come under public scrutiny due to allegations of abuse by some Members of Parliament, prompting debate over who should control the funds.
While the High Court’s ruling was hailed by some as a step toward reform and accountability, others, including the Attorney General, believe it could create administrative gaps if not properly examined.
The Supreme Court is now expected to deliberate on the matter and determine whether the High Court overstepped its mandate in its interpretation of the MPs’ role in managing development funds.
The outcome of the appeal will likely have far-reaching implications for how local development initiatives are managed across the country.
