State President Swears in New Justices of Appeal

His Excellency, the State President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, presided over the swearing in ceremony for new Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeal for Malawi at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Friday, 1st July 2022.

In his address, the State President assured Malawians that he will not interfere with the independence of the Malawi Judiciary. He said: “So long as I am President, you will never hear me say anything to the public against a decision you make from the bench, even when that decision is unfavourable to my Administration”.

Dr. Chakwera also emphasized among other things that the position of a Supreme Court of Appeal Justice is not for the faint hearted, but for the brave and just. He encouraged the newly sworn in Justices of Appeal to have the courage to let nothing but the Constitution move them in their determinations on the bench.

The newly sworn in Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeal for Malawi are Justice S. A. Kalembera JA, Justice D. T. K. Madise JA, Justice R. Mbvundula JA and Justice Dorothy nyaKaunda Kamanga JA. The elevation of the four brings the total number of Justices of Appeal in the apex court in the land to eleven. This means that the Supreme Court of Appeal for Malawi will be able to sit and hear appeals with some ease.