REPUBLIC OF MALAWI

STATEMENT BY
HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. ARTHUR PETER
MUTHARIKA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF
MALAWI
AT THE
OCCASION OF THE SWEARING-IN OF HON.
JUSTICE ANDREW K.C. NYIRENDA, SC,JA
AS
CHIEF JUSTICE OF APPEAL IN THE SUPREME
COURT OF APPEAL AND HIGH COURT OF
MALAWI
ON 8TH JULY 2015
SANJIKA PALACE
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Your Lordship Chief Justice

Honourable Andrew

K.C. Nyirenda SC, JA;

Mr. Clement Chinthu Phiri, Principal Secretary

(Administration) in the Office of the President and Cabinet;

Honourable Kalekeni Kaphale, Attorney General;

Justices of Appeal and Judges of the High Court;

Senior Government Officials;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

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It is my pleasure to congratulate Your Honour on your

appointment as Chief Justice under Section 111 of the
Constitution of the Republic of Malawi.

Your appointment as Chief Justice does not come as a

surprise to me at all. It is basically a recognition of your
skills, experience and an enviable career which spans over
three decades now.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Upon his graduation from the University of Malawi in
1980, His Honour Justice Nyirenda, SC, served in the
Attorney Generals Chambers until 1990 where he rose to
the position of Chief State Advocate. In the subsequent
years, he served as a Chief Public Prosecutor; Judge of the
High Court of Malawi; and Justice of Appeal of the
Supreme Court of Appeal for Malawi until his appointment
as Chief Justice on 13th March, 2015.

The Chief Justice has, also over the years served as a Judge
President of the High Court of Malawi, the Supreme Court
of Appeal for Malawi and the African Union Administrative
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Tribunal. Through his publications, he has mentored many

judicial

officers

within

and

outside

Malawi.

The

proficiency, vigor, diligence and zeal that the Chief Justice

has

demonstrated

in

the

discharge

of

his

various

responsibilities are of great inspiration.

Your impeccable career therefore, brings renewed optimism

and a wealth of experience to the Judiciary.

Your

appointment comes at a time when Malawians are

demanding improvements in the delivery of various public
services, including justice. Corruption, theft by public
servants and occasional reports of fraudulent acts remain a
legitimate source of concern among Malawians. Suspects are
sometimes remanded for too long in our prisons without
being taken to court. These are the issues that are being
reported and Malawians are demanding swift action on.

I am, therefore, full of optimism that under your leadership,

the Judiciary will respond to the public concerns with
professionalism, timeliness and proficiency.

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My administration will continue to respect the rule of law

as provided for under our statutes. We will not interfere
with your work to ensure that justice delivery systems are
efficient, timely and effective.

I am saying this because an independent and effective

judiciary is necessary in ensuring a safe and secure Malawi.
For this to happen, you must ensure that the Judiciary
continues to provide independent and impartial justice and
judicial services that are efficient and that earn the respect,
trust and confidence of society.

I therefore ask you to support my resolve to fight crime,

including corruption in our society. Unless we join forces,
we may win a few battles but not the war.
I am quite aware that the Judiciary, just like the other
branches of government, has been facing numerous
challenges because of financial constraints. Although our
resource envelope is lean at the moment, I wish to reassure
you that Government shall, within the current available
resources, provide the Judiciary with the necessary resources
for service delivery.
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Once more, let me congratulate Your Honour on your

appointment.

I wish you every success as you discharge

your duties.

I thank you all for your kind attention.

May God Bless us All.

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