Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda has called for the introduction of plea bargaining in Malawi, saying once adopted, it will help transform the criminal justice system.
According to Mzikamanda, plea bargaining would help to reduce the cost of conducting trials, decongest the Malawi prisons, improve access to justice and reduce the backlog of cases.
Mzikamanda made the remarks in Lilongwe during a stakeholder meeting on plea bargaining and training on foundation commercial mediation.
“It is something that requires an understanding because it will be regarded as something that is not hidden as it will involve many players as victims fight for a quick disposal of their cases,” said Mzikamanda.
Senior Vice President for Global Impact and Chief of Staff Pepperdine University, Danny Dewalt, said the implementation of plea bargaining in Malawi and other countries in Africa can help their judicial systems to reduce the time and resources required to prosecute criminal cases.
The meeting was organised by the Malawi Judiciary in collaboration with Pepperdine University from the United States of America to provide a platform for key stakeholders in the criminal justice system to discuss plea bargaining and enhance capacity in mediation and administration of justice.
The plea bargaining issue has always stirred debate among legal minds in the country, with some pointing out that the legal vacuum on the matter ought to have been addressed long ago.
By Abdul-Rahim Kamwana
