‘No-show’ Chifire jailed
...as his lawyers say he’s unreachable
THE Supreme Court yesterday slapped self-proclaimed human rights activist, Gregory Chifire with six years simple imprisonment for charges of contempt of court. Chifire though in absentia was convicted and is required to report himself to the authorities and begin to serve his sentence. His lead lawyer Landilani Banda informed the Court that they tried to contact him but his Phone was unreachable. The court also admonished Chifire’s lawyers, Mr Banda, Grace Kumwenda and McQueen Zaza, sending a message throughout the legal profession that the interest of a client did not override a lawyer’s paramount duty which was the judiciary. Chifire was facing four charges of contempt of court after he wrote to Chief Justice Irene Mambilima and also caused to be published contemptuous material against the judiciary. This was in relation to how judgement was delivered in the matter of Savenda Management Limited Vs Stanbic Bank Zambia. Chifire accused the judiciary of being one of the most corrupt institutions, seconded only by the Zambia police. The court summoned him to show cause why he should not be cited for contempt of court. He pleaded not guilty to all counts but admitted to have authored the letters to the chief Justice. A panel of nine judges of the Supreme Court comprising Deputy Chief Justice Marvin Mwanamwambwa, who sat with judges Gregory Phiri, Elizabeth Muyovwe, Mumba Malila, Evans Hamaundu, Roydah Kaoma, Michael Musonda, Jane Kabuka and Nigel Mutuna sat to hear the matter. And in its judgement that lasted more than three hours, the court said that to allege injustice on the part of any court was contemptuous because it erodes public confidence in the judiciary. “We have no doubt in our minds that the statements when they are viewed in their totality have the effect of fuelling discontent in the nation and a total breakdown of the justice system. They are also calculated in demeaning the court,” lady justice Kaoma said. The court found that Chifire crossed the line and he must be punished. It said he ignored wise counsel from Chief Justice Mambilima that Savenda was adequately represented by capable lawyers. It said Chifire should not have recklessly commented on a matter that he was completely ignorant about, especially that he did not read the three judgements rendered in the Savenda vs Stanbic case.