Ombudsman Martha Chizuma has directed the Judicial Service Commission to make a determination on the suitability of Justice Llyod Muhara as High Court judge.

The Ombudsman has directed that the outcome of the process should be made public by May 28, 2021.

This is contained in a report released by the Ombudsman titled ‘Upholding the Profession’.

According to the report, Muhara’s position has become questionable following his role in the illegal appointment of Madalitso Mmeta as Board member and chairperson of Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA).

“This was done deliberately, intentionally or out of sheer incompetency both of which make his suitability as Judge of the High Court questionable,” reads part of the report.

According to the report, evidence clearly shows that the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC) under Muhara’s leadership hijacked the process and illegally appointed PPDA members and chairperson.

Ombudsman’s report follows an investigation into acts of maladministration in the procedure of procuring and engaging South African lawyers by the former Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale and former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah.