SANGWA TRYING TO MISLEAD PUBLIC, SAYS LUSAKA LAWYER

CLAIMS by John Sangwa that President Edgar Lungu was illegally sworn- in in 2016 is a desperate and deliberate attempt to mislead the general public because they lack any legal backing, Lusaka lawyer Jonas Zimba has said.

Mr Zimba said there was nothing irregular about the manner because President Lungu was declared duly elected by the returning officer in the presidential election.

“Claims by State Counsel John Sangwa are desperate and deliberate attempts to mislead citizens on matters of national interest because the issues he is raising are neither here nor there,” he said.

Mr Zimba said it was not the mandate of the court to declare someone duly elected or elections valid instead it is the responsibility of the Chief Justice as the returning officer in the Presidential election.

He said it is misleading for Mr Sangwa to continue misleading the nation on matters of national interest.

“The Chief Justice has delegated authority therefore he or she can ask someone by way of a notice to perform functions of her office and I believe there is nothing sinister about her ladyship delegating someone to perform duties of the office on her behalf,” Mr Zimba said.

Mr Zimba advised Mr Sangwa to go to court if there are issues he was not comfortable with instead of misleading the public.

“If State Counsel Sangwa is aggrieved let him go to courts of law that is why they are there to deal with grievances and the doors are not closed,” Mr Zimba said.

He said Mr Sangwa should table the grievances with the courts and the courts will guide accordingly.

Mr Zimba said the returning officer declares one duly elected and not the courts of law therefore Mr Sangwa’s claims are misplaced and unfounded.