Malawi court suspends challenge over parliamentary committees
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Nyasa Times
Malawi’s High Court has suspended consideration of a challenge against the creation of 12 parliamentary committees and referred it to Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda. The Speaker and Parliament’s lawyer is also seeking the removal of Attorney General Frank Mbeta, accused of lacking the authority to represent them, Nyasa Times reports.
Malawi’s High Court has suspended consideration of a challenge contesting the creation of 12 joint parliamentary committees and referred the case to Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda to determine whether it raises a constitutional question, Nyasa Times reports. The suspension will remain in force until her decision on the certification.
The challenge was brought by citizen Austin Mkoka against the decision by Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman to create the committees to investigate allegations of corruption and governance failures in public institutions. If the case is declared constitutional, it will have to be heard by a panel of High Court judges, according to Nyasa Times.
Lawyer Kondwani Susuwele-Banda, of Nicholls & Brookes, is also challenging Attorney General Frank Mbeta’s power to represent the Speaker and the institution in the proceedings. The firm previously represented both parties and is now seeking Frank Mbeta’s removal from the case, according to court documents cited by Nyasa Times.
The decision comes after the Speaker of Parliament challenged the blocking of the 12 committees on 8 October. Attorney General Frank Mbeta subsequently defended the Speaker of Parliament on 21 October in the dispute.
