Minister pledges Judiciary independence

THE Judiciary is not an appendage of the Ministry of Justice but is a separate wing of Government which can only interact on matters of concern to either party as an independent arm of the Government, says Justice Minister Given Lubinda. Mr Lubinda said Government or his ministry would not demand an explanation from any member of the judiciary on how they were executing their duties as it was outside the mandate of the Executive. He hailed the Magistrates and Judges Association of Zambia (MAJAZ) for taking initiative to engage Government in the manner they did to allow for uninterrupted connection between the two wings in the governance system. “The Judiciary is a separate wing of Government and would be treated as such, and the Executive will only interact with the Judiciary on matters that are of concern to either party. “I will not in any way call any member of the judiciary to come and meet with me on how they are executing their duties as that is outside the realm of the Executive,” he said. He was speaking at the Ministry of Justice offices when members of MAJAZ paid a courtesy call on him. And Mr Lubinda has assured the Judiciary of support. And MAJAZ president Faides Hamaundu hailed Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of judges and magistrates in Zambia. Magistrate Hamaundu said MAJAZ was aware of the input of Government in the interest and development of the justice system in Zambia, and called for continued collaborations in that aspect. She said the mandate of the association could not be achieved without Government’s support, and that the association was mandated to promote the independence of the judiciary, advance education in the law and administration of justice as well as protect interest of adjudicators in Zambia and within the Commonwealth as an affiliate member. Those who accompanied magistrate Hamaundu include magistrate Agnes Nyirenda Walusiku (MAJAZ secretary), Emmie Masoja (treasurer), George Kaoma, Brian Simachela.