By Suleman Chitera
High Court Judge Mzonde Mvula has ignited a national debate after warning that Malawi’s justice system may be sending innocent people to prison over defilement cases—calling for urgent reforms and deeper scrutiny.
Speaking as guest of honour during Human Rights Day commemorations at Maula Prison in Lilongwe, Judge Mvula did not mince his words. He said defilement cases are often mishandled, influenced by emotion, pressure, or incomplete investigations, leading to wrongful convictions.
Mvula revealed that in one batch of 30 defilement cases he personally reviewed, only eight had genuine offenders. The rest, he said, involved accused persons who were not guilty of the crimes they were charged with.
“This is why other countries have moved towards mandatory medical DNA testing—so that truth and justice prevail,” he said. His remarks instantly triggered loud applause from inmates, who felt the judge was finally voicing what many of them experience.
Judge Mvula further reacted to complaints raised by prisoners, agreeing that some laws appear to favour girls and women, creating unfair outcomes in the courts if not carefully interpreted.
His bold statements have intensified calls for Malawi to modernise its judicial processes, invest in forensic investigations, and protect both victims and the wrongly accused.
As the nation commemorates Human Rights Day, Mvula’s message strikes at the heart of the justice system: justice must not only punish the guilty— it must also protect the innocent.
