EU Hands Over the Newly Rehabilitated Chitipa Magistrate Court to Malawi Judiciary

The European Union through Chilungamo (Justice and Accountability) Programme pledged support to rehabilitate 10 Magistrate Courts across the country. As it stands, seven of the ten magistrate courts including Chitipa have been rehabilitated with the rest underway.

The newly rehabilitated Chitipa Magistrate Court which was handed over by EU Delegation to Malawi Charge d’affaires Aulirie Valtar, has raised hope in improvement of service delivery by the Judiciary. The expectations from increasing jurisdiction and general facelift of the Court align with the theme of the current Malawi Judiciary Strategic Plan (2019-2024) of promoting justice and serving people better.

In his acceptance speech, the Honourable the Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda, SC expressed gratitude to the EU and its citizens for the enormous support to the people of Malawi particularly those from Chitipa district. He also acknowledged that, district courts handle the bulk of cases because of their wider jurisdiction hence the need to have standard magistrate court structures. He further added that, access to justice should never be a luxury for the disadvantaged and privilege for the elite.

Giving remarks on behalf of the community, Senior Chief Mwabulambia hailed the EU for the development in his area highlighting that the magnificent structure has added beauty to Chitipa boma. He further appealed to the Judiciary to consider deploying magistrates to satellite courts which are no longer operational, forcing the vulnerable and less privileged people to travel long distances to access justice. In a quick response to the plea, Honourable Gladys Gondwe, Registrar of the High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal revealed that the Judiciary had already recruited 58 third grade magistrates who would be deployed to satellite courts across the country upon undergoing induction.

The event was also graced by the presence of Honourable Titus Mvalo SC, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mr Reyneck Matemba, Secretary for Justice and Solicitor General, Ms Sophie Racine, the Team Leader for Chilungamo (Justice and Accountability) Programme among other distinguished guests.