LAZ must cleanse itself in public

Mon, 05 Dec 2016 09:16:46 +0000

By Sandra Machima

THE Law Association of Zambia must cleanse itself to avoid being perceived as an ally of the cartel or political mouthpiece, says Gallant Youth in Zambia executive director Henry Mulenga. Mr Mulenga said the legal body should not be seen to be taking sides as such had shown how weak LAZ was, as it appeared to be working under the influence of certain groupings.

He said some non-governmental organisation should stop supporting the wrongs at LAZ because its operations had lost credibility, and therefore, the institution should reorganise itself or risk being replaced. “I am shocked that even organisations like NGOCC and others are supporting the wrongs, when they are expected to guide such institutions to ensure they are working according to the expectation of Zambians,” he said. Mr Mulenga said the people of Zambia were castigating LAZ because they had seen where the legal institution was failing so that it changed in the manner it handled issues of national interest.

He alleged that there were some officials who were working under the influence of the cartel until their mission was over, saying the legal body must stand to convince the people that they were non-partisan. Mr Mulenga said the legal body should not be seen to be engaging itself in political matters, but that there should be an alternative and work to the expectation of the Zambian people to avoid speculations.

Mr Mulenga believed that the attacks on LAZ were not personal, but instead aimed at ensuring that the person leading that institution worked hard and improved where it was failing. “There is nothing wrong with any institution condemning the Government or any other, but what we are saying is that people must castigate with evidence and ensure they remained an alternative, instead of doing it just to please some individuals,” he said. Mr Mulenga said judiciary institutions needed to be neutral for them to be respected if democracy was to flourish.