Civil society groups (CSOs) in Malawi’s Eastern Region say they do not support the prosecution of Malawians whose names were mentioned in the United Kingdom’s case involving businessman Zuneth Sattar.
In a statement, CSO chairperson Sammy Aaron said that while they are against corruption and support accountability, they believe that any decision to take someone to court should be based on strong and legal evidence collected according to Malawian law and international standards — not just because another country has mentioned them or because of public pressure.
The statement pointed to Section 42 of Malawi’s Constitution, which says every person accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty by a court. This includes the right to a fair trial, access to a lawyer, and protection from unfair or political charges.
Aaron also said that the Malawians named in the UK case are not facing charges there. Their names came up only in connection to Sattar’s trial, and the UK system does not require them to appear in court as witnesses.
The CSOs are concerned that some people who were already cleared by the courts — after paying back money and helping with investigations — are now being targeted again. They say reopening such cases goes against the law and could unfairly influence ongoing court cases in Malawi.
The statement added that any evidence from another country must meet Malawian legal standards to be used in court. This includes proper proof that the evidence is genuine and a chance for it to be challenged in court.
The CSOs are urging political leaders, the media, and the public not to make strong demands that could interfere with the legal process. They also called on the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to carry out its work fairly and follow the Constitution.
