Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
President Edgar Lungu (centre) talks to retired judge Frederick Chomba (left) and former Chief Justice Matthew Ngulube (right) after they presented tribunal reports to him on Friday.
The tribunals appointed to investigate allegations of incompetence and, or misconduct by Justice Timothy Katenekwa and Justice Emilia Sunkutu have recommended not to remove the two as puisne Judges.
The two tribunals were appointed in 2013 pursuant to Article 98(3) of the Constitution of Zambia as read with Section 24(1)(B) of the Judicial (Code of Conduct), Act No.13 (1999) of the Laws of Zambia.
The Tribunal on Justice Katenekwa was chaired by retired former Chief Justice, Justice Fredrick Chomba and was assisted by retired Justice Bobby Bwalya and retired Justice Levy Siame as members.
The tribunal has recommended not to remove Justice Katenekwa from his position as Puisne Judge of the Industrial Relations Court because he was no longer holding that position having being transferred to Kabwe as High Court Judge.
The Tribunal has also disclosed that charges against erring judicial officers must be brought as promptly as possible whilst they hold the office from which the charges emanate.
The Tribunal furthermore recommended that the Judges’ workload in the Zambian courts must be given special attention.
It says Justice Katenekwa must be given adequate time to complete pending cases before he can be assigned new cases.
The Judge Sunkuntu Tribunal was chaired by retired former Chief Justice, Justice Mathew Ngulube assisted by Justice Bwalya and Justice Siame as members.
The Tribunal has recommended that Justice Sunkutu should not be removed from office as Puisne Judge of the High Court.
The tribunal says cases or complaints of erring judges should be promptly dealt with by relevant authorities.
The Tribunal has recommended that case files that have been lost, supervisors should consider directing new trials which would be a lot less unjust than waiting indefinitely as it has turned out to be.
The two tribunals presented their findings and final reports to Republican President Edgar Lungu on Friday, 19th March 2015 and he has released them today after studying them.
The Head of State has indicated that he will act accordingly.
And President Lungu has directed that all District Commissioners whose contracts have expired must vacate office immediately.
President Lungu says those wishing to re-apply should do so in line with the provisions of their expired contracts.
In a letter to the Secretary to the Cabinet, President Lungu has ordered that in the interim, District Administrative Officers be appointed to act in the vacant positions before new commissioners are appointed.
President Lungu has further warned of stern action against public officers sabotaging the implementation of various development projects and advised those whose political ambitions are clouding their judgment must leave the public service.
He has directed his Special Assistant for Project Implementation and Monitoring Lucky Mulusa and all Ministers to ensure that they take personal interest in monitoring projects that are needlessly being held back.
President Lungu says he expects that all ministers and Members of Parliament will take advantage of rising of Parliament this month to go out to the country and bring status reports on key development projects that were launched when the Patriotic Front took power in 2011.
This is contained in a statement made available to QFM News by Special Assistant to the president for Press & Public Relations Amos Chanda.