Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has expressed shock over the sudden death of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Maxon Mbendera SC, saying the country has lost a great man.
Mbendera died on Thursday in the capital Lilongwe after collapsing in a meeting.
Writing on his official Facebook page, Chakwera said he is deeply shocked with Mbendera’s untimely death.
“The sudden death of Justice Maxon Mbendera has come as a great shock to many of us. We pray that God be with the bereaved family and may his soul rest in peace,” wrote Chakwera.
On his part, Opposition People’s Party (PP) Spokesperson Ken Msonda has described Mbendera death as a big blow to the country.
“I am deeply shocked with the sudden death of Mbendera. As People’s Party we will miss his services,” said Msonda.
President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has also expressed shock over the death of Justice Maxon Mbendera.
Speaking in an interview with the press, Presidential Press Officer Mgeme Kalilani said Mutharika and his Wife Gertrude are deeply shocked with the demise of Mbendera.
According to Kalilani, Mutharika has urged all Malawians to be with the bereaved family in this difficult moment.
Mbendera was born on November 4 1958 in Malawi’s Central Region district of Ntcheu.
Mbendera held an LLB (Hons) Degree from the University of Malawi and an LLM in International Trade and Investment Law.
He had over 35 years experience as a Lawyer (7 years of which were at the level of Judge).
Mbendera was admitted to the Malawi Bar in 1981 and worked for Savjan & Co for 13 years and then set up his own legal firm, Mbendera & Associates (that later became Mbendera & Nkhono Associates), which he led for 15 years until he was appointed Judge of the High Court in 2009.
During his time at the bar, he served as Secretary of the Malawi Law Society between 1993 and 1995 and its President between 1999 and 2001.
He was decorated and conferred the status of Senior Counsel in 2008. He served as Malawi’s Attorney General between 2011 and April 2012. He was appointed Supreme Court Justice of Appeal in December, 2012.
Between 2009 and 2012, he served as a founding member of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC). He was relieved of that office upon appointment to become Lord Chair of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
As Lord Chair of MEC, he has led many Electoral Observation Missions on behalf of the Commonwealth, the African Union (AU), and the ECF-SADC.
