Chief Justice’s refusal to set up ‘Siliya tribunal’ suspicious – FDD

Antonio Mwanza FDD Spokesperson

The Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) says the decision by Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima to refuse to set up a tribunal to investigate Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya’s alleged wrong doings in the Malawi Maize scandal is suspicious and lacks merit.

FDD Spokesperson Antonio Mwanza says the chief justice should understand that her role is to receive submissions and then allow both parties to receive evidence and start the hearing than refusing the matter to be heard.

Mr. Mwanza says the chief justice is wrong to refuse to set up a tribunal.

He says her decision has infringing the right of UPP Leader Dr. Saviour Chishimba who requested that Justice Mambilima sets up a tribunal to probe Ms. Siliya’s dealings.

And Mr. Mwanza is of the view that this is the reason why the people of Zambia have no trust in the judiciary because of what he has termed as suspicious decisions the Zambian courts make.

Last week Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima has refused to set up a tribunal to investigate Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya’s alleged wrong doings in the Malawi Maize scandal.

This was after UPP President Savior Chishimba wrote to Justice Mambilima’s office requesting that she sets up a tribunal to probe Ms. Siliya’s dealings.