The High Court of Malawi has nullified three chieftaincies installed by Senior Chief Kapeni within Zingwangwa Township in Blantyre, according to Nation Online. Presiding Judge Rachel Sikwese issued the ruling after striking out the defence's evidence due to late submission, resulting in a default judgement. The claimants, representing concerned residents, successfully argued that traditional chieftaincies have no legal standing within the jurisdiction of the Blantyre City Council. Senior Chief Kapeni had recently installed a group village head and two village heads in the area despite the ongoing legal dispute, which began in 2024.
In Zomba, the High Court has dismissed an application by Senior Chief Malemia seeking bail and a DNA test regarding his ongoing criminal case, Face of Malawi reports. Justice Texious Masoamphambe upheld an earlier decision by a lower magistrate court to deny bail to the traditional leader, who is accused of defiling a minor and assisting in the termination of her pregnancy. The defence had argued that the chief was not a flight risk, but the court ruled against the application.
Meanwhile, the Industrial Relations Court in Zomba has issued an urgent interim order blocking the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation from firing a group of employees, according to Malawi24. The public broadcaster recently terminated the contracts of all its district reporters and several other staff members. Following an application filed by Chawezi Tembo on behalf of the affected workers, the court halted the dismissals pending further hearings.