Judiciary worker sues Mwakasungula, Chodzi
Judiciary Support Staff spokesperson, Andy Haliwa, has sued rights activists Undule Mwakasungula and Fryson Chodzi for alleging to Chief Justice, Andrew Nyirenda, that Haliwa met first petitioner in the presidential election case, Saulos Chilima, to help influence the judgement.
The two, under the banner of Joint Civil Society Platform on Good Governance, wrote the Chief Justice asking him to investigate Haliwa over the alleged meeting at the height of the election case at the Constitutional Court.
Haliwa said he was defamed by Mwakasungula and Chodzi’s letter.
“I feel I was defamed and this affected my work at the Judiciary and that is why I am seeking legal redress. We will first go on mediation by Justice Mike Tembo. Of course, the respondents are yet to be served with the summons,” he said.
The summons which The Daily Times has seen gives directions the case will take.
“If the defendant intends to contest the proceedings, the defendant shall file and serve a defence and a list of documents within 28 days from the date of service of the summons,” the summons reads.
In the letter, Mwakasungula and Chodzi said they were reliably informed that Haliwa met Chilima in Lilongwe on January 2 2020.
“We find very disturbing the actions of the first applicant and Judicial Staff at this moment as we believe they are all central to the delivery of fair justice and the latter plays a vital role in assisting the Judges of the High Court to administer justice,” the letter reads.
The judiciary support staff is the engine of court proceedings as they chase paperwork, provide security and interpret court proceedings.
Mwakasungula Monday said he could not comment on the case, saying he is yet to be served the summons.
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