By SIMON MUNTEMBA
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has sworn in seven judges for the Supreme, Constitutional and Court of Appeal with a call to deliver quality and fair justice. Speaking during the swearing in ceremony at State House in Lusaka yesterday, President Lungu urged the judges to exercise impartiality and high levels of integrity in the discharge of their duties. He urged the judges not to lose focus of the fact that the positions they were appointed to were not only of great honour but comes with responsibility and high expectations from the public.
The President said the role of the judiciary more especially as the country heads towards the general elections was critical as different political stakeholders will seek different forms of court relief. “This, therefore, calls for you members of the bench to exercise impartiality and high levels of integrity in the discharge of your duties,” President Lungu said. He however expressed confidence that their vast individual experience in the administration of justice in the judiciary in their previous capacities will make it easier for them to deliver to expectations.
President Lungu, who congratulated them for their deserved appointments, said the appointment of three Constitutional Court judges was a demonstration that his government was committed to ensuring that the establishment of the ConCourt was filled to maximum levels. He also said his government will soon undertake a robust construction of court infrastructure to tackle the issue of space shortages faced by the judiciary.
The President f said his government was addressing funding to the judiciary to meet the Judges’ entitlement as provided for under the law. Among the judges who were sworn in were Constitutional Court judge, Mr Justice Mwila Chitambo, SC; Mr. Justice Mathew Kasonde Chisunka; Ms Justice Judy Zulu Mulongoti, Supreme Court judge Hon. Ms Justice Fulgency Mwenya Chisanga and Court of Appeal judge Justice Anessie Michael Banda-Bobo, Justice Nicola Ann Sharpe-Phiri and Mr Kelvin Muzenga following the ratification of their appointments by Parliament.
