LAZ condemns PF Secretary General for attacking Judge Chitabo

The Law Association of Zambia has strongly condemned Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Chama for attacking High Court Judge Mwila Chitabo over his decision to halt the tribunal appointed to investigate Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mutembo Nchito pending judicial review.

LAZ President George Chisanga says the association finds Mr. Chama’s reference to Judge Chitabo’s decision as illegal, inflammatory, unacceptable and uncalled for.

Mr Chisanga says the totality of the statement by the PF Secretary General is in fact an assault on constitutionalism, the rule of law and the due process that must apply in a constitutional democracy like Zambia.

Mr. Chisanga has told a media briefing held in Lusaka today that the fact that the castigation of the High Court Judge has been made by the ruling party to which the republican President is also its leader and who himself is a lawyer, is a further cause for grave concern.

He says this open attack on the person of the Honorable Judge is a direct affront on independence of the judiciary which all well meaning Zambians have a duty to protect.

Mr Chisanga states that it is manifestly clear that the statement by the ruling party’s Chief Executive Officer was made in the main, out of ignorance of the law and procedure for challenging real or apparent grievances relating to the manner in which judicial officers handle cases.

He states in order to avoid such misfortunes, LAZ strongly urges the Acting Attorney General to give guidance to the PF government on the legal avenues available to it in redressing any grievances that may exist against Justice Chali or Justice Chitabo in the manner they have handled matters of the DPP particularly as the matter is still in court.

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