Trapence fires warning shots at the Executive for undermining functions of the Judiciary

Human Right Defenders Coalition (HRDC) Chairperson Gift Trapence has said Malawians will not stand aside and watch the Executive arm of government undermining the functions of the Judiciary.

He was speaking during demonstrations organised by Lawyers of Malawi in Lilongwe where Dr. Chikosa Silungwe, Khumbo Soko, Khwima Mchizi, Grace Malera and Sylvester Ayuba James were in attendance.

The lawyers are against government’s recent directive that the Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda and his deputy Justice Edward Twea should go on forced leave ahead of the fresh presidential election next week.

Trapence urged executive to allow the Judiciary discharge its duties without any interference.

A generation that we are in, is a generation that no one can trample upon,” said Trapence.

On his part, Counsel Chikosa Silungwe said the Executive must exercise its obligation within the constitutional provision.

“It is most diluted action by a public officer I have seen to sit down and issue such notice. You cannot remove the Chief Justice through a notice. Chief Justice Nyirenda and Justice Twea will remain in Office,” he said.

Silungwe said the judiciary will not be intimidated and the lawyers will support it.