LET DPP FUNCTION INDEPENDENTLY – SIYUNYI

…the former DPP says it is unconstitutional to attempt to revise and reduce the powers of the DPP by subordinating the office to a board of directors

By Lucy Phiri

THE office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) should remain independent and its powers should not be diluted by making it subordinate to an unconstitutional body and should not be reporting to anybody, Lilian Siyunyi has said.

Ms Siyunyi, the former DPP says the National Prosecution Authority (amendment) Bill of 2023 that is seeking to reduce and revise the powers of the DPP was ill-timed. Ms Siyuni says the office of the DPP must be left alone without reporting to anyone or anybody.

Ms. Siyuni said the current DPP, Gilbert Phiri, SC, who is her successor should not be subjected to be reporting to any other person or body because the Constitution was clear about the independence of his office. 

She is wondering why there had been a suddenrush to push for the reforms of the office of the DPP, which reforms she fears would adversely compromise the independence of the DPP.

She said the DPP was expected to make professional decisions without interference or influence from external bodies that could be established but without constitutional mandate.

She is wondering why the executive had decided to change the manner in which the office of the DPP had been operating, stating that there was nothing wrong with the manner the office of the DPP was being managed. Ms. Siyunyi said tampering with the independence of the office of the DPP would actually be tantamount to the abrogation of the Constitution. 

“Why does the President want to go against the constitution? There should not be anyone or anybody to oversee the office of the DPP. I never reported to former President Edgar Lungu in the seven years I was DPP. I met Given Lubinda, the former Minister of Justice twice in my professional life. I actually met President Hakainde Hichilema more than I met former President Lungu in my seven years of being DPP,” Ms Siyunyi said.

Ms Siyunyi said there was no need to begin to fix what had not been broken and that the status quo as regards the independence of the office of the DPP should be maintained.

She said it was clear the agenda to change the manner the DPP’s office was run was being led by the executive, adding that Government allow Mr Phiri (DPP) should not feel that he had become the target of the executive to weaken him.

“Government needs to clearly state what is wrong with the manner the DPP’s office is currently run. You do not need to fix what is not broken,” Ms Siyunyi said.

This article is supported with the WAN IFRA Women In News (WIN) Social Impact Reporting Initiative (SIRI). Gender equality, diversity and inclusion ( GEDI) Information in this article does not reflect the views of WAN IFRA Women In News.