Malawi’s celebrated governance, public policy, and human rights advocate, Undule Mwakasungula, has criticized some civil society organizations (CSos), which are pushing for the removal of State House Chief of Staff, Prince Kapondamgaga, over his alleged involvement in corruption.

Kapondamgaga is one of the high-ranking public officiaals who wehave been named in the Zuneth Sattar’s bribery and corruption scandal currently being heard before the Westminster Magistrate Court in the United Kingdom.

On Monday, the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) wrote the State President, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, demanding that he should fire his Chief of Staff over the matter.

But reacting to the demand, Mwakasungula cautioned CDEDI and other CSOs against acting as ‘complainants, lawyers and judges’ in the matter.

“I fully understand and respect the role that civil society organizations such as the CDEDI play in safeguarding our democracy. Raising concerns about public officers is not only part of civic engagement, but a crucial component of transparency and accountability. However, in light of CDEDI’s letter dated 2nd June, 2025 addressed to His Excellency President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, calling for the immediate removal of Mr. Prince Kapondamgaga, the Chief of Staff, I feel compelled to share a few reflections, not in defence of an individual per se, but in defence of fairness, justice, and institutional integrity,” he reacted.

Mwakasungula also took time to school CDEDI leadership, emphasizing the need for them to appreciate that the matter involving Kapondamgaga, as referenced in documents before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court in the United Kingdom, is still under legal consideration, meaning that no final judgment has been made.

Mwakasungula warned that naming and publicly judging individuals at this point is not only unfair, but sets a dangerous precedent where public opinion replaces due process.

Below is the rest of his reflection:

Yes, corruption remains one of the biggest challenges Malawi continues to grapple with. And yes, all of us civil society, government, private sector, and all Malawians must stand united in fighting this vice. But how we fight corruption also matters. If we resort to public condemnation and pressure before courts have ruled, we risk undermining the very principles of justice that we claim to defend.

Let us not forget that our Constitution is clear, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Mr. Kapondamgaga, like any other Malawian, deserves the right to be heard fairly, and not be dismissed based on assumptions or foreign court documents that have not been tested in our own legal system.

Moreover, the Constitution gives the President the authority to appoint and remove members of his staff. This is a prerogative that must be respected. It would be highly inappropriate for the President to be forced into a decision simply because one group feels strongly about it. Decisions of that nature should be guided by sound legal advice and national interest not pressure, not emotions, and certainly not political calculations

Let us also be mindful of the broader implications. If the President was to dismiss Mr. Kapondamgaga without any legal conviction or disciplinary findings, what message would that send about our commitment to justice? Would we not be creating a precedent that anyone can lose their job just by being mentioned in an investigation, without a chance to defend themselves?

The Sattar issue, which has shaken many institutions, is now in the hands of UK authorities. We must allow the processes to run their course. We must allow evidence to be presented and tested. That is how justice works. That is how democracy thrives.

It is also important to note that legal systems differ between countries. The UK has its own standards, laws, and processes. Just because a name appears in UK court documents does not automatically translate into guilt under Malawian law. We must not be quick to import legal conclusions before understanding their implications in our own context.

Further, I do not support the idea that the President should fire Mr. Kapondamgaga. I do not believe in this. It would be unjust. We should also be reminded that Mr. Kapondamgaga works closely with the President, and the President has every right to choose the people he trusts to help him govern. The President has shown confidence in Mr. Kapondamgaga for many years. Removing him now, with only 105 days left before the general election, would be suicidal. Mr. Kapondamgaga is a key member of the President’s team. He has played an important role in the preparations for the President’s re-election. Removing him now could hurt the President politically.

As a nation, we are making strides in the fight against corruption. We have seen so called heavyweights being investigated and even prosecuted. This proves that no one is above the law. But we must not derail this progress by turning the fight against corruption into a fight against individuals based on speculation or political noise.

Yes, let us be vigilant, but also responsible. Let us be firm, but also fair. Most importantly, let us defend the values that make democracy meaningful, that is justice, truth, and the rule of law.

About the Author

Undule Mwakasungula is a renowned Malawian governance, public policy, and human rights advocate. He has played an active role in advancing democracy, human rights, social justice, and citizen engagement across Malawi and the Southern African region. He works closely with civil society organizations, youth, communities, and national and international partners to promote inclusive development and good governance.