RE: PRESS STATEMENT ON REMOVAL CHIEF JUSTICE BY DR. COZMO C.K MUMBA,PRESIDENT- NATIONAL REVOLUTIONARY PARTY National Revolutionary Party wishes to make its position known on calls by some Opposition Parties and Civil Society groups against the Judiciary and in particular the Honourable Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda. There is no Zambian who can question Honourable Judge Lombe Chibesakunda’s qualifications and those using age as an excuse are basically playing to the gallery and promoting ageism. Who said that one’s age restricts their ability to execute duties judiciously? As a starting point, we are calling on Zambia to ensure that these laws that restrict people’s participation on account of age must be done away with. We wish to put it on record that well-meaning Zambians and political parties, including civil society organizations must be in the fore-front in upholding the dignity and sanctity of the Judiciary. There is nothing that defeats the course of justice than when stakeholders take it upon themselves to indiscriminately demean the Judiciary as the fountain of justice for all. We are challenging our fellow Opposition to use the existing legal avenues to address what they consider to be illegalities with Honourable Judge Chibesakunda’s stay in Office as Acting Chief Justice. We have no doubt that they have the capacity to engage lawyers to argue this case for or against. The office of the Chief Justice cannot be reduced to the cheap political mockery we have witnessed in the past weeks after the nullification of Ms. Dora Siliya’s Petauke seat. Secondly, we want to inform the nation that the statements recorded from LAZ (Law Association of Zambia) does not represent the entire membership’s opinion. These statements are being made by few leaders of Laz that are advocates of disgruntled opposition parties. The State councils, who are fundamental players in Zambia’s judiciary system, were wholly consulted before the Chief Justice’s appointment. After the severe consultancy, reliable sources have it that the state councils did not show any objection to the matter and have decided to stay quiet despite the fact that they know how credible and exemplary the serving Chief Justice is. It is irresponsible for any Opposition leader, including the National Restoration Party to misrepresent the truth that the Judiciary is more impartial now than ever before. If that had not been the case, both MMD President Pastor Nevers Mumba and UPND President Hakainde Hichilema would still be languishing in Livingstone and Kamfinsa Prisons, respectively. Is it honestly in order for Pastor Mumba to raise such speculation after when we all know that he was selected as Vice President against the will of the constitution and will of the Zambian people? With his double standards and political indecision, he needs to remember that even he was once opposed for a position and should not show the same qualities as that of his once upon a time adversaries. Opposition UPND MP Garry Nkombo would still be languishing in jail as we speak. The impartiality of the Judiciary made it possible for these Opposition political leaders to secure their freedom. It is therefore a sense of ingratitude that Pastor Mumba and Mr. Hichilema should insult the Judiciary and allege that the Honourable Judge Chibesakunda has been failed to lead this institution effectively and efficiently. We are aware that the Judiciary’s latest nullification of the Petauke seat touched MMD where it hurts the most. The courts found that there was overwhelming evidence against the former Petauke Legislator Ms. Dora Siliya and it is sad that in order to defend this corruption, the MMD, UPND and some Civil Society Organizations have risen up in arms to support stealing and indecent campaigning as we saw in Petauke. We are calling on the investigative wings, ACC in particular, not to relent in ensuring that all culprits of corruption are brought to book. This is painful for MMD and maybe we should excuse Pastor Mumba when he becomes a political crying baby over this matter considering that in Bemba we say “Uulelosha, tabamucheba kukanwa”. All that we demand from colleagues in the Opposition is for them to show responsibility and not attack an institution that all citizens and non-citizens run to for justice. We are also aware that almost all Opposition leaders fighting the Judiciary today have criminal cases before the courts of law. We have no doubt to suspect that this scheme is an attempt to twist the judiciary’s arm in their cases. If this be the case, then we are saying that it is morally wrong for any Opposition leader to attempt to blackmail the Judiciary just to secure “easy” acquittals. It is also a possibility that some of these Opposition parties could be attempting to “win” public sympathy in events that they are convicted, so that some unsuspecting members of the general public and international community would believe its “sour grapes” on the part of the Judiciary. All this is unnecessary. The Opposition cannot tie the Judiciary’s arms because they are weeping over the nullification of the Petauke seat. Did they expect the Supreme Court to clap their hands in support of Ms. Siliya’s electoral corruption? Finally, we challenge both UPND and MMD to prove, in the courts of law, the illegality behind Acting Chief Justice Chibesakunda occupying the office. They must stop misleading the general public by issuing blanket statements questioning Judge Chibesakunda’s qualifications. Which reasonable Opposition leader would question Honorable Judge Chibesakunda’s qualifications? They have a challenge before them to prove whether or not the age requirement has effect on her performing duties of Chief Justice in an acting position. We also challenge Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) to rise above board and offer solid direction on matters of legal consequences. Part of LAZ’s opposition to Honorable Judge Chibesakunda’s holding of the Office in an Acting capacity was their alleged family relationship with President Michael Chilufya Sata. Is this the type of reasoning we should expect from LAZ in this day and age? As NRP, we further wish to commend the President, His Excellency Micheal Chilufya Sata for appointing the Acting Chief Justice because she is perfect for the position, and a great example of the great aptitude that the women of Zambia have.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 14:19:54 +0000
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