Choose contacts carefully, judges advised

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has advised the Judiciary to guard against State capture that has manifested in some African countries.

President Lungu also said the Judiciary should guard against bad elements by maintaining their integrity and independence.

The President said this when he swore in three Judges of the Court of Appeals and one High Court Judge.

The three Court of Appeal judges who were sworn in are Justice Just Mwinde Siavwapa, Justice Betty Majula and Justice Petronella Ngulube, while Justice Conceptor Zulu was swornin as High Court Judge.

Mr Lungu noted that some African countries have had their Judiciary captured by bad elements, a trend he said was slowly creeping into Zambia.

He advised the new judges to guard against erosion of the independence and integrity of the Judiciary.

“In some African States, the Judiciary has been captured by bad elements and this practice is slowly creeping into Zambia, so guard against that. Guard against the erosion of the integrity and independence of the Judiciary.

“Several times we have received well-reasoned judgements from some courts, but because of the perception that people have, that perception begin eroding and taking away the integrity of that Judgement.

“Perception is very important, I know that the Zambian Judiciary is very independent and full of integrity, but slowly we are getting to a position where people say what do you expect from that Judge after all, he or she is seen to be doing this,” President Lungu said.

He also urged the Judges to avoid socialising in a manner which discredits the perception of the Judiciary.

“Choose your contacts and what you talk about, otherwise you’ll end up losing the integrity that the people have for the Judiciary,” he said.

President Lungu however, expressed confidence that the four judges would deliver as expected.

“I believe that the Judicial Service Commission recommending you and Parliament endorsing you were right and I also believe that me swearing you in I’m right, so don’t let the people of Zambia and the Judiciary down,” Mr Lungu said.