President Hichilema swears in new judges, diplomats and deputy auditor general
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has called on the judiciary to ensure that the backlog of cases is addressed.
Mr Hichilema said the judiciary needs to be prudent in carrying out its duties and has since called on the newly appointed judges to help put the house of the judiciary in order.
He advised that cases should not be delivered based on ‘ka sumfing’, [bribes] but instead based on justice delivery.
Speaking during the swearing in ceremony of judges, diplomats and a deputy auditor general at State House today, President Hichilema called on the judiciary to have its house in order in dispensing justice.
He said there is need for appointees to ensure that they delivered in their duties as a package, even as they have separate roles.
“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.
President Hichilema further implored the judiciary through the Chief Justice that allocation of cases should not be delayed, files should not be lost and justice should not be based on ‘ka sumfing’[bribes].
“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.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema has advised those being deployed in the diplomatic service to ensure that they push the country’s agenda on investment and not war.
The Head of State also stated that the appointees will be watched 24/7 even when off duty and so they had a duty to ensure that they were at all times.
He also advised those going into diplomatic service that their duty is to bring investment, technology and other ventures to help propel economic investment and not promote war.
Source: (Mwebantu, Monday, 3rd April, 2023)
