MLS snubs Kamangila

Malawi Law Society (MLS) has rejected private practice lawyer Alexious Kamangila’s request for protection and legal representation in his defamation case against High Court of Malawi’s Commercial Division Judge Kenan Manda. Kamangila sought MLS’s help in a letter dated February 20 2025, asking for legal representation and security for his family and his previous lawyer Gift Chimowa, who he said stopped representing the outspoken lawyer on February 19 2025. But Njobvu, in response, said after a thorough review of the requests, MLS decided to “respectfully” decline on numerous grounds, including the case is a personal matter and Kamangila can afford private legal representation.

“The core of the matter in Civil Cause No. 141 of 2024 pertains to personal matters. As the independent regulatory body for the profession, the society must carefully guard its position of neutrality.

Direct intervention in a private dispute could be perceived as a conflict of interest and would compromise our ability to serve all members of the profession with impartiality. We trust you appreciate the importance of this principle for the integrity of the Society,” reads part of the letter. “The society has a dedicated framework for allocating pro bono resources to those most in need.

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Having reviewed the circumstances, we are of the considered view that you are not without the necessary means to instruct a private legal practitioner. We are confident you will be able to identify a legal practitioner who can diligently represent your interests.” MLS has also declined to represent Kamangila on the basis that his subscriptions for both the 2025/26 and 2026/27 practice years remain outstanding; hence, pertaining to Section 67 (3) of the Legal Education and Legal Practitioners Act, a member who hasn’t paid subscription is not entitled to such rights and privileges. On the request to provide him security, MLS told Kamangila that the most effective course of action would be to engage the Malawi Police Service.

However, according to the letter, MLS provided his former lawyer with all necessary support within its mandate and competence following his attack last year as he was representing Kamangila in the case. But MLS has warned Kamangila about his allegations towards the leadership. “The society takes this opportunity to gently remind you of the provisions of Chapter 3, Rule 2 of the society’s Code of Ethics, which mandates that all correspondence and remarks by a lawyer concerning another lawyer, the society, or any professional organisation must be fair, accurate and courteous.

Robust debate and constructive criticism are vital for any institution’s growth and we welcome them. However, we believe our shared professional standards call for such engagement to be based on substance and delivered with mutual respect.” But when Nation on Sunday reached out to Kamangila yesterday, he only asked if we are pursuing the Meanwhile, his case with Manda is set for a scheduling conference on March 5 2026.

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