Hopes for speedy resumption of courts following a high level dialogue between the Judiciary and the Executive were dashed last week when the parties reportedly failed to reach a compromise.
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It is not yet clear what choked the discussions.
But some sources claimed government agreed to pay new salaries and perks, but without arrears, an offer that reportedly did not amuse the Judiciary team.
However, the talks are expected to continue while the Judiciary strike continues.
In an interview on Sunday, Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal and High Court assistant registrar Mike Tembo said since nothing was resolved, another meeting has been scheduled for this week at a date yet to be decided. He did not commit himself to the issues that resulted in the deadlock.
Tembo said the judges were led by chairperson of terms and conditions of service committee of the Judiciary, Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Atanazio Tembo.
The government side was led by Chief Secretary to Government Bright Msaka, who was accompanied by Attorney General (AG) Maxon Mbendera, Solicitor General and Secretary for Justice Anthony Kamanga and acting Secretary for Public Service Management Isaac Zimba Bondo.
The talks marked a resumption of negotiations between the two parties two weeks after they collapsed, reportedly following government’s failure to communicate to the Judiciary on an agreed date.
Mbendera, who earlier indicated about government’s determination to engage the Judiciary to clear the matter, was not available for comment on Sunday as his phone went unanswered.
Judges joined the strike by Judiciary support workers this month. The staff started their strike on January 9 2012 to press government to pay their arrears dating back to 2006 amounting to K1.2 billion for both junior and senior officers.
The strike has paralysed the country’s justice delivery system as courts are virtually closed, leading to congestion in police and prison cells as remandees await trial or processes requiring the courts.
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FAST FACTS
- Judges joined support staff in the strike early this month. Lawyers and civil servants have threatened to follow suit.
- At stake is about K1.2 billion new salaries and perks approved by Parliament in 2006.
