By Burnett Munthali
High Court Judge Violet Chipao has issued a directive to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to provide reasons for discontinuing a high-profile criminal case to the Legal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly within 10 days from February 11, 2026.
This order comes as a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of the DPP’s powers to discontinue cases.
According to the law, the DPP has the authority to discontinue any criminal proceedings at any stage before judgment, but is required to give reasons to the committee within 10 days for purposes of accountability.
The DPP’s decision to discontinue cases has recently come under fire, with some institutions questioning the justification behind these actions.
The Legal Affairs Committee has called the DPP to account for the exercise of his powers, and this latest order from the High Court is likely to add to the pressure.
The DPP, Masauko Chamkakala, is expected to appear before the committee to explain the reasons behind the discontinuance of several high-profile cases, including the K1.7 billion corruption case involving former president Bakili Muluzi.
This move is seen as a test of the DPP’s accountability and transparency in exercising his constitutional powers.
The outcome of this development is likely to have significant implications for the country’s fight against corruption and the rule of law.
