President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has promised that he will not interfere in the independence of the courts. President Chakwera said these remarks during the swearing in ceremony of Judges of the Supreme Court of Appeal Friday morning at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
The Malawi leader said the Judges are answerable to the constitution despite him being the appointing authority. President Chakwera advised them to be guided by the same constitution when discharging their duties.
“As much as it is my office that presides over your swearing today, it is only the constitution that has authority over you in the discharge of your duties,” said the President.
President Chakwera also urged the Judges to be firm when discharging their duties even when they pass judgement that may be disagreeable to some people. The State President asked the judges to never compromise their ethics for political favours and personal gains.
“Remember that almost every decision you make on that supreme bench will be disagreeable to someone and so you cannot afford to sacrifice justice on the altar of political correctness or popularity or some personal gain.
“At no point in the taking of your office today did I hear any of you pledge to do what is deemed popular, agreeable or profitable. Your pledge is to the constitution the supreme law of the land,” said President Chakwera.
The four sworn in Judges are Justices Syvester Kalembera, Dingiswayo Madise, Dorothy Kamanga, and Roland Mvundula.