Malawi News

Citizens snub courts probe

Citizens snub courts probe

By Mercy Matonga:

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) says it has received an underwhelming response from the public on the call for evidence and information submission on corruption allegations against its officers.

JSC Secretary Irene Chikapa told The Daily Times that the commission had not received feedback compared to the hype in the public domain.

“During the period we opened [the call for evidence and information submission on corruption allegations against its officers], very few individuals have come forward with information and the response is not overwhelming.

“This is why the commission has extended time for people to bring forth information,” Chikapa said

She added that the commission received a request from some individuals and institutions, who asked for an extension of the period for information submission as some might still be gathering information and evidence to be represented to JSC.

“The message will be advertised in daily papers in various languages so that people can access it,” Chikapa said.

Chikapa further said the commission was yet to start investigating the matter as investigations would depend on the information received from the public.

Lawyer Alexious Kamangila, who brought the corruption allegations in the public domain, said he did not submit requested information to the commission as he does not trust the commission as well.

“They have not updated the nation in any way. I therefore can’t trust the JSC with the information I have, especially because it is largely sensitive.

“I can reveal the witnesses that I may have or the hidden informants that don’t want to come-out. I am, therefore, only willing to give evidence through a direct live testimony to the JSC. I have made a call to the commission to invite me to give testimony,” Kamangila said.

He further said he wrote the commission requesting it to extend the time for receiving information and evidence as the time that was given earlier was not adequate.

Kamangila has been making statements on his social media page, accusing some judicial officers of indulging in corruption.

This prompted JSC to launch a probe into the matter.