By Suleman Chitera
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (CDEDI) has issued a stern seven-day ultimatum demanding the immediate resignation of Attorney General Frank Mbeta and Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda, accusing the country’s top legal authorities of presiding over a justice system tainted by corruption and inaction.
CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa delivered the explosive demand during a press briefing, describing the current state of the judiciary as “deeply compromised” and warning that public confidence in Malawi’s courts is rapidly eroding.
“Judiciary Has Been Compromised”
Namiwa alleged that corruption within the judiciary has reached alarming levels, with some judges reportedly implicated in malpractice. He claimed that the Chief Justice is fully aware of the alleged misconduct, having received formal reports detailing corruption concerns, but has failed to take decisive disciplinary action.
According to Namiwa, this alleged inaction at the highest level of the judiciary has allowed malpractice to fester, undermining the integrity of the courts and weakening the rule of law.
“This is no longer about isolated incidents. It is about systemic decay within an institution that is supposed to be the guardian of justice,” Namiwa said.
Reports from MLS and FIA
CDEDI further pointed to reports from the Malawi Law Society (MLS) and the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), which Namiwa claims reveal that certain judges are allegedly involved in corrupt practices.
While specific cases were not publicly disclosed, Namiwa maintained that the existence of such reports alone raises serious red flags about accountability within the judiciary.
He argued that the alleged failure to act on these findings has contributed to growing public skepticism about the impartiality and independence of Malawi’s courts.
“When citizens begin to question whether justice can be bought or influenced, the entire democratic framework is at risk,” he warned.
Call for Leadership Accountability
CDEDI insists that the resignation of Chief Justice Mzikamanda would clear the path for independent investigations and signal a commitment to restoring institutional credibility. The organisation contends that leadership accountability is necessary to reset the judiciary and rebuild trust.
On the Attorney General, Namiwa alleged that there are multiple corruption allegations surrounding Frank Mbeta. He argued that stepping aside would allow impartial investigations to proceed without perceived interference or conflict of interest.
“The Office of the Attorney General must remain beyond reproach. Any lingering allegations damage the credibility of the State’s chief legal advisor,” Namiwa stated.
Seven-Day Ultimatum
CDEDI has given both officials seven days to resign voluntarily, warning that failure to do so will prompt further action. Although Namiwa did not specify the nature of the next steps, he indicated that the organisation is prepared to escalate the matter in pursuit of accountability.
As of the time of publication, neither the Chief Justice nor the Attorney General had issued a public response to the allegations or the ultimatum.
The unfolding standoff places Malawi’s justice system under intense scrutiny and could mark a pivotal moment in ongoing debates about governance, transparency, and institutional reform in the country.
