Blantyre Legal Court Grants 21 Days for Submissions on Anti-Begging Law Review
Published on January 20, 2026 at 5:07 PM by Evance Kapito
The Blantyre High Court has granted 21 days to parties involved in a case challenging the law that criminalises begging to submit their written arguments before the court delivers its ruling.
Justices Chimwemwe Kamowa Anneline Kanthambi and John Chirwa said the court expects to receive the submissions by February 11, after which it will issue directions on when the ruling will be delivered.
The court made the announcement after concluding hearings for the second time this week, during which lawyer Bob Chimkango, representing 13 complainants, argued that Section 180(b) of the country’s laws infringes on the rights of the poor and people with disabilities who survive through begging.
However, government lawyer Ndoli Chiume opposed the claim, insisting that the law does not violate human rights. He told the court that begging causes public disorder, adding that the government is committed to supporting people with disabilities by helping them find alternative means of earning a living.
