By Burnett Munthali
A group of eleven women has lodged a formal complaint with the office of Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda against Child Justice Magistrate Diana Kwangwala Mangwana, alleging that she has been compromised and has issued questionable judgments in her court.
The complaint, submitted in a letter signed by Pilirani Mombe and addressed to the Chief Justice, details a series of allegations against Magistrate Mangwana. The women are demanding that the Judicial Service Commission, which is chaired by the Chief Justice, conduct a thorough investigation into the magistrate’s rulings over the past two years.
“We, Malawian women, are writing to your office with full belief that you have the powers of making sure that your courts are operating in a just manner,” the letter states. This statement underscores the women’s confidence in the judicial system and their hope for accountability and fairness in the courts.
The women’s grievances focus particularly on decisions made by the Child Protection Court, alleging that the court tends to favor men in cases related to custody disputes and property division during divorce proceedings. They contend that these biased rulings reflect a broader issue of gender inequality within the judicial system, which disproportionately affects women seeking justice in family matters.
The complaint has sparked discussions about the integrity of the judicial process and the need for reforms to ensure that all individuals, regardless of gender, receive equitable treatment in the eyes of the law. The women are calling for greater scrutiny of judicial practices and accountability for magistrates whose decisions may undermine the principles of justice and equality.
As the complaint is set to be reviewed by the Chief Justice and the Judicial Service Commission, it highlights the ongoing challenges faced by women in Malawi’s legal system. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for how family law cases are adjudicated in the future and whether the judicial system can restore the trust of the citizens it serves.
