Malawi Legal Aid Bureau

15/10/2026

𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐮 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬’ 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬

The Malawi delegation to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has presented efforts by the Malawi Legal Aid Bureau to expand access to justice, particularly among underserved communities.

The Bureau’s contribution was highlighted in Malawi’s national report presented by Chief State Advocate in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Duncan Zikagwa, in Dakar, Senegal, at the ongoing 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on Monday, 12 October 2026.

The session provides a platform for African states to reflect on progress made in promoting and protecting human rights, identify persistent challenges and strengthen cooperation in advancing the principles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Malawi's report recognized the Malawi Legal Aid Bureau’s role in improving access to justice through the establishment of district offices, recruitment of additional legal aid personnel and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening service delivery.

The report also highlighted the Bureau’s public legal education efforts, noting that it had conducted 39 awareness campaigns and 41 legal aid clinics to improve legal literacy, particularly among rural communities.

Beyond access to justice, Malawi’s statement outlined progress in other human rights areas, including civil registration, legal identity and gender equality, while acknowledging continuing challenges relating to sanitation, climate change and sustainable access to water.

The Bureau is represented at the event by Director Chimwemwe Chithope-Mwale and Assistant Director for the Central Region, Bwighane Mwenifumbo Masanjala.

15/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful, strong, and loving mothers.

15/10/2026

14/10/2026

08/10/2026

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐥

The High Court sitting in Zomba has released on appeal Lobin Katunga as it quashed his conviction and set aside an 18-year prison sentence imposed by the Principal Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Katunga, from Mkwanda Village, Traditional Authority Chikowi in Zomba District, had been convicted in connection with an allegation of having sexual in*******se with a female child in September 2023.

In the lower Court, he was represented by Legal Aid Bureau. Following his conviction, Katunga, who was in custody, obtained legal aid services through his wife and relatives, who registered the matter with the Malawi Legal Aid Bureau for purposes of the appeal.

The appeal was heard on 24 July 2026 before Justice D.H. Sankhulani. Katunga was represented by Senior Legal Aid Advocate James J. Namwaza, with assistance from Legal Aid Officer Sinthani Sisya.

The Bureau advanced a single ground of appeal, arguing that the lower Court erred in fact and law by finding that the prosecution's evidence had eliminated all reasonable possibilities of the appellant's innocence and that the only logical conclusion was that he had committed the offence.

The Bureau further argued that the evidence of the child, which was given unsworn, required corroboration in material particulars in accordance with Section 6(2) of the Oaths, Affirmations and Declarations Act. The Bureau submitted that the evidence relied upon by the lower court did not provide the required corroboration.

The defence also raised concerns regarding inconsistencies in the evidence of the prosecution witnesses, particularly concerning the presence of the child's mother at the relevant time and the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident.

After considering the evidence and arguments presented by both sides, the High Court found that the evidence of the child's mother contained serious doubts regarding her presence at the material time and was therefore incapable of legally corroborating the child's evidence.

The Court further found that the defence evidence did not establish an opportunity for Katunga to commit the offence and could not serve as corroboration.

The High Court consequently found that, in the absence of the required corroboration, the charge had not been proved beyond reasonable doubt and that the conviction was unsafe.

The Court therefore allowed the appeal, quashed Katunga's conviction, set aside the 18-year imprisonment sentence and ordered his immediate release from custody.

A total of seven witnesses testified during the trial, comprising five prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses.

06/10/2026

𝐌𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐳𝐢 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐬; 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬

The Dedza Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has acquitted Rhoda Mkhwazi and Tadala Katantha, who were facing a charge of theft by public servant contrary to Section 281(1) of the Penal Code.

Mkhwazi is from Katsekaminga Village, Traditional Authority Kamenyagwaza in Dedza District, while Katantha is from Chalendewa Village, Traditional Authority Kalumba, also in Dedza District. The two work at Dedza District Hospital.

The matter came before the court after the two were charged on 28 July 2026 in connection with allegations that they had stolen nets belonging to the hospital. The two were arrested when someone reported to police that they kept two nets belonging to the hospital at a certain shop.

When they sought legal aid, they were represented in Court by Principal Legal Aid Advocate Chikondi Kambuwa and Senior Legal Aid Advocate Jean Sharon Banda.

During proceedings, the State paraded four witnesses. However, the evidence presented did not establish that the two accused persons had stolen the nets. The court heard that the nets had been released by the accused persons on the instructions of their supervisor.

During cross-examination, one of the witnesses told the court that she was unaware of the matter and that it had not been reported to hospital authorities before being reported to the police.

Another witness also confirmed that the accused persons had acted on instructions, while the final State witness did not provide evidence linking the two accused persons to the alleged theft.

When the matter came before the Court for a ruling on whether the accused persons had a case to answer, the Court found that the State had failed to establish a case against the accused persons.

The Court noted that the witnesses had failed to provide evidence that the nets had been stolen by the accused persons and that there was no proper documentation showing that nets were missing from Dedza District Hospital.

The Court subsequently acquitted Mkhwazi and Katantha.

📷 SLAA Jean Sharon Banda (middle) with Mkhwazi and Katantha.

02/10/2026

The Malawi Legal Aid Bureau is taking part in the 2026 PR Conference currently underway at Sunbird Livingstonia Hotel in Salima, organised by the Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM).

The conference has brought together public relations practitioners under the theme, “A Decade of Influence: Advancing Professionalism and Impact in Strategic Communication.”

Speaking at the conference opening on Thursday, Guest of Honour and Chief Secretary to the Government, Dr. Justin Saidi, highlighted the significant role PR practitioners play in leadership. He noted that many positive stories are taking place in Malawi and emphasised the importance of a strong national brand in bringing these stories to the fore for people to appreciate.

PRSM President Rachel Mhango said the conference provides an opportunity for practitioners to reflect on what they want to do with the experience gained over the past decade. She encouraged participants to translate complex issues without distortion and to tell leaders what they need to hear.

In his keynote address, President of the African Public Relations Association, Arik Karani, stressed the need to avoid poor, delayed and inaccurate communication.

The Bureau is being represented at the conference by its Public Relations Officer, John Namalenga Jnr.

01/10/2026

Komwe mumakhalako, munapitako kukasuzumila ku office yathu ya Legal Aid Bureau? Penatu timafuna mudzangotipatsa moni, kucheza ziwiri zitatu za malamulo, basi ndikubwerelanso kunyumba.

Mukatero mwaphunzira zomwe simumazidziwa.