LAZ, ABZ welcome appointment of Mambilima as CJ

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) says the appointment of Justice Ireen Mambilima as Chief Justice will go a long way in restoring public confidence in the judiciary.

In a statement to QFM News welcoming the appointment of Justice Mambilima as Chief Justice by President Edgar Lungu subject to Parliamentary ratification, LAZ President George Chisanga says the appointment if ratified will bring to an end the longstanding impasse that LAZ has faced over the issue of the appointment of a substantive Chief Justice.

George Chisanga

Mr Chisanga says LAZ reiterates that having the substantive Chief Justice engenders the cherished principle of independence of the judiciary.

He states that LAZ has long held the view that the judiciary, as the third arm of government, is an important institution in the country which must subscribe to the highest standards of integrity in upholding the rule of law in the country.

Mr Chisanga says LAZ welcomes the decision by the President Edgar Lungu to appoint Justice Mambilima to the position of substantive Chief Justice of Zambia.

And The opposition Alliance for Better Zambia says the appointment of Justice Irene Mambilima as the country’s new Chief Justice is exactly what nature would have done.

ABZ President Frank Bwalya says the appointment of Justice Mambilima has come naturally considering that she was the country’s deputy Chief Justice.

Frank Bwalya

Fr Bwalya says such an appointment is also an indication that President Edgar Lungu is a good leader who is acting in line with good management principles.

Father Bwalya has told Qfm News by telephone that by elevating Justice Mambilima, President Lungu has also demonstrated that he is a leader acting in line with nature and common sense.

He says the ABZ is in this case congratulating the President for appointing a woman of very high integrity to such an important position of the republic.

Father Bwalya states that his party is therefore expectant of a good job from Justice Mambilima in the judiciary as she has already demonstrated her capabilities in her previous position of Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).