The Supreme Court of Appeal sitting in Blantyre has today reserved its ruling in a case in which an Immigration officer Chikhulupiliro Zidana is challenging the appointment of former Immigration chief Charles Kalumo by President Lazarus Chakwera.
The High Court last year nullified Kalumo’s appointment following a judicial review.
But Chakwera appealed the case to the Supreme Court which sat today for a hearing.
Chakwera who is represented in the case by Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda has raised 17 grounds in the appeal claiming the respondent among other things is not directly or sufficiently affected by the President’s discretionary appointment.
Nyirenda also told the court that Chakwera was within his powers when he made the appointment.
The respondent who is represented by lawyer John Kalampa argued that Chakwera was not within the law to appoint Kalumo and that he (Zidana) was the right person for the job.
A panel of nine judges led by Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda heard the matter and has reserved its ruling to later date when it will deliver the judgement.
If Chakwera is successful, Kalumo might be reinstated in the position.
