The judiciary has been urged by PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema to make sure that the backlog of cases is resolved.
Mr. Hichilema stated that the judiciary must exercise caution in carrying out its responsibilities and has subsequently urged the recently appointed judges to assist in cleaning up the judiciary.
He said that cases should be decided on the basis of justice being served rather than paying “ka sumfing,” or “bribes.”
President Hichilema urged the judiciary to keep its house in order in order to administer justice while speaking at today’s ceremony at State House for the swearing in of judges, diplomats, and a deputy auditor general.
He claimed that even if they play different functions, appointees must make sure they complete their tasks as a whole.
“For colleagues in Government, let me reiterate what I have said several times. You are an important arm of the Government. We have a separation of duties, but we are one Government as we deliver as a team and package, because we are doing it for the people. Our primary role is to work for the people and so justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.
Mr Hichilema noted that there were too many adjournments in the courts, an issue which need to be addressed.
“Let us not sit on cases. Let us think of the people who have sworn us in to serve,” he advised.
Through the Chief Justice, President Hichilema pleaded with the judiciary once more to avoid delays in case allocation, file loss, and the use of “ka sumfing” (bribes) as the basis for justice.
“Let us have prudence. You have a duty to help clean the judiciary as individuals. Your selection is to help clean up the image of the judiciary. The judiciary should not be found in issues of ‘Ka Sumfing’ to make a ruling. We look up to you as citizens,” he said.
President Hichilema has in the meantime urged individuals entering the diplomatic service to make sure they forward the nation’s agenda in favor of investment rather than conflict.
The Head of State also said that the appointees would be monitored constantly, even when they were off duty, thus it was their responsibility to make sure they were.
Also, he counseled people considering careers in diplomacy that their responsibility is to bring money, technology, and other endeavors to help advance economic investment rather than to advocate for war.
