HH does not live by his words – Shakafuswa

By NATION REPORTER

THE words and actions of President Hakainde Hichilema are a complete mismatch because his claim that he respects the separation of powers is at odds with the reality on the ground, Ephraim Shakafuswa has said.
Mr Shakafuswa a mindset change agent says evidence of political interference in the judiciary by the UPND government was not just anecdotal but a reality.
He said there was a growing number of court rulings that favoured government interests against those in the opposition.
“The judiciary seems to be systematically restructured to serve the UPND’s interests, mirroring tactics seen under the PF. While the current administration claims to distance itself from the previous government’s methods, its actions tell a different story,” Mr Shakafuswa said.
He said President Hichilema’s assertions about a judiciary free from political influence are disingenuous when the administration’s actions suggest otherwise.
“The government’s commitment to a ‘professional civil service’ and an ‘independent judiciary’ rings hollow if the judiciary is selectively purged of officers not deemed politically compliant,” Mr Shakafuswa said.
He said judicial appointments and removals should be transparent, merit-based, and free from political interference.
Mr Shakafuswa said however many judges and magistrates were now working in fear that they would be perceived to be sympathetic to the previous administration.
He said the current “purge” of judicial officers perceived to have political loyalties did not strengthen or make the judiciary more independent but simply replaced one form of political interference with another.
He said it was evident that the Hichilema administration was attempting a power grab, aiming to install a judiciary loyal to the executive rather than to the law.
Mr Shakafuswa said thus former President Edgar Lungu’s concern that the judiciary was under threat were legitimate.