MHRC to challenge Kalibu Academy’s injunction on child sexual abuse scandal

The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has said it intends to challenge an injunction and the order granting leave to Kalibu Academy to apply for judicial review on investigations on alleged child sexual abuse and corporal punishment at the institution.

On September 14, 2021, MHRC was served with the injunction order restraining it from continuing with its investigations and subsequent release of a report on the allegations of child sexual abuse and corporal punishment at the school.

In a statement signed by chairperson Scader Louis, the commission says while Kalibu Academy enjoys the right to seek temporary relief from the courts, the Commission is equally entitled to defend its mandate of promoting and protecting human rights in Malawi in the broadest sense possible.

“The Commission is however, committed to ensuring that all human rights violations are investigated and reported in a transparent manner. It shall endeavor to promote and protect the rights of all Malawians, particularly, children and other vulnerable persons. More importantly, the Commission shall consider the best interest of the child in all its interventions,” reads the statement in part.

In July this year, MHRC and the Ministry of Education launched separate investigations into alleged sexual harassment at the Blantyre based high school.

The investigations follow social media reports that a teacher at the institution allegedly tried to sexually assault a female student.