Dust is refusing to settle over the firing of Malawi’s Attorney General Chikosa Sulungwe with many demanding reasons from President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
On Wednesday, Chakwera fired Sulungwe over unknown reasons.
Solicitor General and Ministry of Justice Principal Secretary Reyneck Matemba confirmed the exit of the country’s 18th AG in 57 years.
“I can confirm that the Ministry of Justice has formally been notified and the AG has also bid goodbye to officers,” he said.
But this did not go down well with many Malawians and some even took the issue to the social media to express their anger.
Dyson Kamwendo wrote: “I am a UTMCP TONSE Alliance member but this move is total disgrace to all Malawians , Sulungwe is one of the capable person that Malawi needs in this government. So I dont see any room where Mr President can shield himself from this big blander and poor decision he have done. Takwiya nanu bwana.”
Concuring with Kamwendo’s remarks Ken Chombo wrote: “To be hornest CHAKWERA is making so many branders and I don’t think now he can stand with APM and now I believe APM is better than CHAKWERA any way I just love this former Attorney general DR SILUNGWE he is a Lawyer of principles.”
Another concerned citizen Chikumbutso Franco Chawedza wrote: “The man who knows law and how to approach it sangakhazikike mu cabinet ya m’busa who just preach about rule of law km sakutha kusatila what he preaches #SulungweAmanWithGoodwilForMalawians only politicians can’t allow to work with him coz he doesn’t care about politics he care about what’s good for country no wonder people like Dr Lazarus Chakwera can’t feel comfortable around him he’s uncorrupted.”
But under Section 98 of the Constitution the AG is designated five years in office unless the office-bearer resigns or retires or until the end of a President’s term whichever comes first.
On the other hand, the President can under the same law, remove the AG for either incompetence, incapacity or impartiality (compromise in the discharge of duties).
Meanwhile Sulungwe is yet to comment on the matter.