The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has opened an investigation into allegations of misconduct against Malawi High Court Commercial Division Judge Kenan Manda and other judicial officers.

In a statement yesterday, JSC Secretary Ireen Mayeso Chikapa said the investigation follows allegations made on social media by human rights lawyer Alexious Kamangila about corruption in the judiciary.

The claims caused consternation within the legal fraternity and gained public attention.

Read the SA statement: “In light of the public interest in this matter, the commission has decided to initiate a thorough investigation into these allegations. A special investigative process has been launched and the commission aims to complete the investigation within four weeks.”

The JSC investigation focuses on three cases presided over by Manda, including Bilderberg Ltd and Dr William Bilderberg v Ecobank Malawi Limited and the Financial Intelligence Authority; and Fargo Ltd Vs. Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The third case is Mukteshwar Sugar Mills Ltd Vs. Salima Sugar Corporation, in which Manda granted an order restraining Salima Sugar from dealing with its funds and assets worth US$2.3 million held at seven banks in the country.

The statement said the investigation will also extend to Magistrate Diana Mangwana in a child custody case involving Ricardo Andre Teixeira Almeida and Shenaz Peter Bhagwanji.

Meanwhile, the commission asked members of the public with information or credible evidence related to these allegations to come forward within the next seven days.

“The commission will deal with these matters with the utmost transparency and diligence, ensuring that public confidence in the justice system is preserved and maintained,” the statement said.

Section 118 of the Constitution mandates the SA to exercise disciplinary powers over judicial officers and to recommend the removal of persons from judicial office.

On 23 October 2024, the chairman of Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, Peter Dimba, said the committee had found a prima facie case against Manda that could lead to impeachment, but could not start an investigation for fear of a conflict of interest .

The SA consists of the Chief Justice as President, the President of the Civil Service Commission, an appeals judge or judge, a lawyer and a magistrate, appointed by the President after consulting the Chief Justice.