CSOs Poke Noses Into Parliamentary Deliberations
In what they describe as demand for “equality for all before the law” some Civil Society groups have accused Parliament of what they call overstepping its mandate in a Motion where MPs want High Court Judge Ken Manda summoned to appear before the Legal affairs committee of Parliament.
This comes at a time when parliament earlier this week deliberated on a number of issues including the dubious procurement of filling stations in which some indigenous businessmen were duped.
Raging high on the list believed to have been fraudulently procured are filling stations belonging to businessmen; Alfred Gangata and the man of God himself, Bishop Simama who runs SIMSON filling stations.
Addressing the media in the capital city, Lilongwe on Monday Civil Society Organizations; Malawi Civil Society Led Black Economic Empowerment Movement (MaBLEM), Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) and Forum for National Development (FND), have threatened to demonstrate if Parliament continues deliberating on the matter which are in Court.
Fryson Chodzi, Forum for National Development Chairperson described the Judgement by Judge Manda in Alfred Gangata and Gerson Mkweza case as appropriate ‘duly’.
Ironically, the CSO leaders went ahead blaming Gerson Mkweza who is the Managing Director for Gam Fuels Gas station, for acting inappropriately by snatching Car keys from Gangata.
“It is therefore our demand that Parliament must withdraw its Motion on Judge Ken Manda. We further demand that Mr Mkweza should respect decision of the Court and that the public should refrain from discussing matters that are in court. If our demands will not be met, we will mobilize Malawians into the Streets to demonstrate.” said Chodzi.
Following the concerns raised by the parliament, the Chief Justice, Rizine Mzikamanfa is reported to requested to be furnished with all the Court files in which Judge Ken Manda is have pSome Civil Society groups are accusing Parliament of overstepping its mandate in a Motion where MPs want Judge Ken Manda summoned to appear before Legal affairs committee of Parliament.
The Civil Society Organizations; Malawi Civil Society Led Black Economic Empowerment Movement (MaBLEM), Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) and Forum for National Development (FND), have said this at a Press briefing in Lilongwe.
Fryson Chodzi, Forum for National Development Chairperson has described the Judgement by Judge Manda in Alfred Gangata and Gerson Mkweza case as appropriate ‘duly’.
The CSO leaders have also blamed Gerson Mkweza Managing Director of Gam Fuels gas station, for acting inappropriate by snatching Car keys from Gangata.
“It is therefore our demand that Parliament must withdraw its Motion on Judge Ken Manda. We further demand that Mr Mkweza should respect decision of the Court and that the public should refrain from discussing matters that are in court. If our demands will not be met, we will mobilize Malawians into the Streets to demonstrate.” said Chodzi.
Meanwhile, the Chief Justice, Rezine Mxikamanda has requested to be furnished with all the files Judge Ken Manda presided over in the cases leading to the sale of filling stations.
