Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
President Lungu being greeted by Justice Chulu
President Edgar Lungu has appointed Justice Esau Chulu as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia subject to ratification by Parliament.
President Lungu has also appointed former Women for Change Executive Director Emily Sikazwe and former Pemba Member of Parliament David Matongo as Commissioners of the ECZ subject to ratification by Parliament.
Justice Chulu is currently serving as a Commissioner of the ECZ, and will replace Justice Irene Mambilima who is now serving as Chief Justice.
Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda in a statement says Ms Sikazwe will replace Ms Minerva Tembo and Mr Matongo will fill the vacancy to be left by Justice Chulu.
President Lungu says the tow nominees are of high professional and personal integrity and hopes they will work towards enhancing the impeccable credentials of the ECZ.
He says Justice Chulu has distinguished himself very well during his current tenure as Commissioner and during his earlier career on the Bench.
President Lungu says Ms Sikazwe is a distinguished gender and governance activist and professional of high repute, while Mr Matongo is a well-known businessman and former MP.
He states that he has every confidence that Members of Parliament will support the nominees.
Meanwhile President Lungu has reappointed Professor Patrick Mvunga as the Chairperson of the Judicial Complaints Authority (JCA) with Justice Christopher Mushabati and Lusaka Lawyer Mwangala Zaloumis to continue as members
Mr Lungu has also appointed Justice Martin Munyinda Imasiku and former Anti Corruption Commission Director General Nixon Banda as new members of the JCA.
The President has also reappointed members of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Board who include Justice Timothy Kabalata as Chairperson, Dr Steven Moyo as vice chairperson, Pastor Godfrida Sumaili ,Mr Mpanzi Sinyangwe and Mrs Rollen Mukanda as commissioners.
The Head of State has reminded the commissioners that corruption is a serious crime against development whose consequences are borne more by the poor and vulnerable.
He says bribes make basic services available only to those who are able to pay while huge corruption frauds are a cost to government and undermine development.
President Lungu states that corruption is unacceptable in any form, hence there should be no selective application in how the ACC handles cases of corruption.
Mr Lungu has implored the ACC to deal effectively with corruption complaints, ensure greater transparency and accountability and provide services in local languages in order for the greater majority of the people to engage with the Commission.