Msilimba getting threats over Mzuni VC case
The Mzuni Council is allegedly threatening to discipline associate professor Golden Msilimba for dragging the institution to court.
Msilimba was denied the opportunity of becoming the VC on the basis that the council missed some conditions. The council re-advertised the post which saw Dr Robert Ridley being appointed. Msilimba sought judicial review.
Meanwhile, lawyer for Msilimba, George Kadzipatike has warned the university against intimidating his client, arguing he has the constitutional right to seek justice in the court at all levels.
Kadzipatike said it is unconstitutional for the council to intimidate Msilimba with disciplinary action over a matter that is yet to be adjudicated upon by the court. He said any decision the council will make over Msilimba is null and void and should not be implemented.
He said his client is also psychologically affected with the move to discipline him.
“We have information from a reliable source that attended an extraordinary meeting held by Council at Mudep in Lilongwe on Friday March 15 2013, that council departed from its agenda and discussed issues to do with our client when such issues were not even contained in any position paper. These issues, per our information, were raised for discussion in the said meeting by a council member who has always been apparent in the forefront, leading unfounded battle against our client.
“We expect that your office will properly guide council to refrain from intimidating our client on the basis that he has sued Council considering that the Malawi constitution guarantees him the right to seek redress through the courts.
“Your office should also guide council to refrain from breaching our client’s right to be heard when discussing or otherwise handling issues that will adversely affect him,” reads the warning addressed to the office of the university registrar.
In a separate interview, Msilimba said he was beginning to feel insecure. He said as learned people, council members should be best placed to understand that he has a right to seek court justice.
