Peter Mutharika hits at judiciary
President Peter Mutharika on Friday hit at the judiciary alleging that they took part in regime change activities when the Constitutional Court on February 3, 2020 nullified the May 21, 2019 presidential election.
Mutharika made the remarks on the public broadcaster Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) in a programme called Talk to The President.
Whilst calling on all parties to campaign peacefully and focus on issues and not perpetuate violence, Mutharika said his party will win the forthcoming election just like he won the previous one.
“All international groups; European Union and others said the election was fair, credible transparent. And the decision of the court to nullify the elections is one of the most unfortunate things in history of the jurisprudence.
“It is shame and a pity, I think judges and judiciary should apply the law and evidence before the court and not take part in some kind of regime change activities which is what happened in this case am sorry all am trying to call a spade a spade but that is what happened, it is a shame and tragedy and pathetic I hope it does not continue this way that one day we have a judiciary that is able and willing to apply the law,” he said.
Mutharika further commended Jane Ansah former Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) for what he described as a job well done.
He dismissed reports that Ansah’s resignation came about to bring chaos at the commission to jeopardise the elections.
“It is very strange that people think in those lines. Jane Ansah has resigned then now people are saying the president has other plans but no I do not have any other plans. She resigned and I accepted her resignation. Let me just say Jane Ansah did a commendable job she is a patriot. Others called her and the other commissioners incompetent that was the most bizarre thing I heard. Ansah is among the two judges that have Doctorate of Law in this country,” he said.
Mutharika cautioned Malawians on the dangers of coronavirus (Covid-19) saying it is serious and people should continue observing social distance and other measures that government has put in place.
“We put in a few measures to curb the situation, we tried to do a lockdown but there was an injunction against the lockdown so we did not have that. But we implemented a lot of measures we closed schools at all levels and we have asked people to engage in social distancing we are assisting people in so many ways such reducing transportation. We should comply more,” he said.
Last week the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) in its pastoral letter took a swipe at Mutharika and his administration for failing to unite the country, undermining the rule of law and perpetuating division along tribal lines.
This was the first time for President Mutharika to make a public appearance, after he presented nomination papers on May 8, 2020.
