‘Conclude Njaunju, Chasowa murder cases’

Human rights defenders have blamed government for its selective prosecution of cases in the fight against corruption and attainment of universal human rights.

This is according to speakers at the International Human Rights Day commemorations in Mzuzu on Saturday organised by Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC).

Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba said the civil society is surprised with government’s disinterest in expediting murder cases of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) official Issa Njaunju and University of Malawi student Robert Chasowa.

“We have seen cases, just in a day or three, sentences being meted out. It is because they are ‘small guys’ in society. But the slow pace of these cases [Njaunju and Chasowa] simply tells us that someone somewhere senior enough is part and parcel of these cases,” he said.

Mkwezalamba said government needs to be reminded that it has the responsibility and duty to administer justice to everyone without fear, favour or discrimination.

United Nations (UN) resident coordinator Mia Seppo said Malawi needs strong legal frameworks to protect institutions to “do their job independently and free from political interference”.

She said the UN is ready to support the fight against corruption through technical advice in formulating some legal frameworks that are still lacking in the country. n