Maravipost UK reader responds to Jones Gadama in his column on secondments of five military officers

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By Finley Mbella

Dear Sir,(Jones Gadama)

Hoping my WhatsApp message finds you in good spirits and health. I am a very good follower of your articles, and indeed I’ve learnt a lot from them.

My name is Finley Mbella. I live here in the UK. I came here in 2002 after retiring from the army, having worked for 25 years.

I thought I should comment about this issue concerning the secondments of those 5 military officers. It is really a shame that the ‘judiciary’ has turned itself into a bullying institution in Malawi. Actually, their responsibilities requires them to work hand in hand with the other 2 arms of government and possibly provide an advisory role to both the Executive and the Legislature. Being antagonistic, and know-it-all merely defeats the purposes of having those 3 institutions in a government.

Those who crafted the ‘Law’ knew what they were doing. In any democratic country there are demarcations when it comes to the application of both the ‘Civil Law’ on one hand, and the ‘Military Law’ on the other. Military law has to be applied within the context and atmosphere of the military (barracks).

A serving military personnel is answerable to both civil and military law. It depends on the circumstances under which a crime is committed. Minor civil infringements can summarily be dealt with within the barracks’ setup but if the charge is severe and involves issues outside of the barracks, the culprit, though a military person, has to answer charges in a civilian court. In the military they have ‘Court Martials’. An officer/soldier has to abide to both civil/military laws; while as a civilian is covered by the civil law only. It is therefore, disingenuous for Justice Kenyatta Nyirenda to bulldoze his judiciary muscle wholesale, in the process throw out the window the gravity and real essence of the ‘MILITARY LAW’. In developed countries, that practice can not be condoned. Malawi being a democracy in transition, anything goes!!

During my time in the military I saw General Matewere (late), General Namwali (late), and General Simwaka, being appointed as directors of security at ESCOM, RESERVE BANK, and MALAWI HOUSING CORPORATIONS. A few years ago we witnessed some generals seconded into various institutions, and these were Generals Msonthi, Odillo, Maulana, Supuni, Namathanga, Nundwe etc, etc and nobody ran to the judiciary to lodge a complaint. Why this time with these 5 people, how special are they?

You are right in your judgement that the militaty is an institution that is governed and upheld by military ethics and discipline. Insubordination, refusing to accept an order, mutiny or disorderly of any sort is punishable by a court martial. There is no justification for the judges to start throwing spanners in the military machinery. That on its own sets up a wrong precedence that will compromise the operations of the military, for simply to satisfy someone’s ego and misdirected ambitions.

In reality, these men should have read the writing on the wall that loudly says “their services in the military is no longer required” – period. Others have been kicked out of the system without any secondment at all. They are lucky that they have politely been asked to shift in order to create room for competent, seasoned and trustworthy mlitary personnel. Well, I thought I needed to amplify your observations concerning this and the other areas you talked about. It is hightime these corrupt judges were told the truth concerning their delivery of the expected services to the nation.

The Maravi Post

GOSH!! How Russian man used multiple girls, women (including married women) to satisfy his sexual desire (Watch the video)

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NAIROBI-(MaraviPost)-A Russian guy goes viral after he shares videos of himself picking up multiple Kenyan women and taking them to his Airbnb.

He secretly films them using smart glasses without their knowledge.

Unfortunately, married women were also trapped into this ordeal.

The Nairobi times news has sent stir warning to women and girls who just taken away with white.

Will Malawian women and girls going to stand when this dude land in Blantyre, Mangochi, Lilongwe, Mzuzu?

The Maravi Post

NAP lauds strong anti-corruption drive in Mutharika’s 2026/27 SONA

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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The National Advocacy Platform (NAP) has hailed the latest State of the Nation Address (SONA) as a bold and reassuring declaration of intent on governance, particularly in the fight against corruption.

Speaking after the address, NAP Executive Director, Benedicto Kondowe, described the President’s message as a strong signal that government is ready to confront long standing governance challenges head on.

Kondowe said the President’s firm declaration that there will be no “sacred cows” in the fight against corruption demonstrates a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability and the rule of law.

He observed that corruption has for years eroded public trust in state institutions, weakened service delivery systems and slowed down Malawi’s national development agenda.

According to Kondowe, the President’s stance comes at a critical time when citizens are demanding decisive leadership and practical solutions to governance failures.

He further welcomed the President’s appeal to the three arms of government to act in the national interest, describing it as a reaffirmation of constitutional accountability and institutional responsibility.

Kondowe stressed that effective governance depends not only on powerful speeches but also on consistent, fair and impartial enforcement of the law, regardless of political affiliation or social standing.

He said if backed by genuine political will, the President’s approach could significantly rebuild public confidence and strengthen democratic institutions.

“Malawians want to see institutions empowered to act without fear or favour. That is the true test of commitment,” Kondowe emphasized.

He also underscored the importance of adequately resourcing and protecting anti corruption bodies from political interference to ensure their independence and effectiveness.

Kondowe noted that strong oversight institutions are essential for preventing abuse of power and ensuring public resources are used responsibly.

He added that improving governance systems will not only curb corruption but also create a stable environment for economic growth, investment and improved public service delivery.

NAP urged the government to translate its promises into measurable action, saying citizens are eager to witness tangible results in the ongoing fight against corruption.

The Maravi Post

Sharp Focus: A judgment that fractures the nation on RBM vs Finance Bank

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The recent Supreme Court ruling directing the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) to compensate Finance Bank for the revocation of its licence in 2005 has sent shockwaves across the nation, with many questioning the prudence of the judgment.

The decision, which requires the RBM to pay compensation calculated from 2005 to date, has sparked intense debate, with critics arguing that it could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s financial stability and regulatory framework.

The RBM, as the primary banking regulator, revoked Finance Bank’s licence due to concerns over its financial stability and potential risks to the broader banking system, acting within its statutory mandate to protect depositors and maintain financial stability.

However, the Supreme Court’s ruling suggests that the RBM’s actions were unlawful, and the bank is entitled to compensation for the loss of its licence.

But is this judgment a victory for justice, or a recipe for disaster?

The Attorney General’s claim for damages against the RBM is a misguided attempt to shift responsibility and undermine the regulatory authority’s autonomy, argues Burnett Munthali, a renowned commentator.

The RBM’s role is to regulate and supervise banks, not to guarantee their success, and it would be unfair to hold the RBM liable for Finance Bank’s collapse, which was reportedly due to its own mismanagement and risk-taking.

Awarding damages to the government in this context could set a troubling precedent, effectively allowing the state to shift the burden of private sector failures onto the regulatory authority, and undermining the principles of accountability and good governance.

The RBM’s actions, if deemed lawful and reasonable, should be shielded from liability to ensure that regulators can act decisively without fear of financial consequences, as provided for in Section 15(2) of the Reserve Bank of Malawi Act.

It is crucial to maintain a clear distinction between regulatory oversight and commercial risk, lest we create a moral hazard where banks take excessive risks knowing they will be bailed out or compensated.

Dr. Ken Lipenga, a renowned English language professor, echoes this sentiment, arguing that the Supreme Court’s decision raises fundamental questions about the prudence of judicial decision-making.

Jurisprudence, he notes, involves considering the consequences of a decision and its impact on the community, and the recent ruling has sparked intense debate, with many questioning its legality.

The decision could have far-reaching consequences, potentially destabilizing the economy and undermining public trust, and it is essential to consider the implications of this judgment carefully.

Malawians need to think seriously about clarifying how society wants regulation to function when regulators act in good faith, and this requires a framework that balances accountability with protection for regulators, ensuring that officials can act decisively to protect the public without fear of reprisal.

This is jurisprudence in its deeper sense: cultivating judgment across institutions and across time, and a decision that satisfies a rule but fractures the community is not justice; it is judgment without prudence.

The Supreme Court’s ruling is a classic example of judgment without prudence, and it is essential to rethink this decision to ensure that it does not have devastating consequences for Malawi’s financial sector.

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The Maravi Post