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Judicial reforms long overdue - Chisanga

Judicial reforms long overdue - Chisanga
By Brina Manenga
Wed 25 Jan. 2012, 13:54 CAT

JUDICIAL reforms in the country are long over overdue because the public has lost confidence in Zambia's justice system, says Lusaka lawyer George Chisanga.

Featuring on Radio Phoenix's Let The People Talk programme together with fellow lawyer Abraham Mwansa yesterday, Chisanga said the justice system in the country was currently facing problems because some judges and magistrates had gone there without the intention of delivering justice.

"I think it is beginning to weigh very heavily on those judges and magistrates who have taken it as a personal responsibility to advance the course of justice in this country because others have gone into this office without any intention to deliver justice to the people," Chisanga said.

"Once we embrace the concept of judicial accountability, everyone from the Judiciary, LAZ and even the general public will achieve that which is required for us to deliver justice effectively. This will allow every Zambian regardless of their stand in Zambian society to benefit from the justice system."

Chisanga said judges and magistrates must understand that their office was accountable to the public if they were to be on top of things in their operation.

Meanwhile Chisanga said the country under the leadership of president Michael Sata had rejuvenated the fight against corruption.

"The fight against corruption must be embraced by everyone. We have rejuvenated the energy in the fight against corruption as a nation. We had issues where the previous government removed certain things from the legislation, allowing public officers to abuse their office. I think we have a chance to revisit this during this constitution-making process. Sincerely speaking, the government must make it, its responsibility to spearhead the fight against corruption and it must be supported by everybody," he said.

On the constitution-making process, Chisanga said the country should seize this opportunity by ensuring that it puts in place statutes that would not need to be amended within a few years.

"We would rather use resources to develop the country rather than going to Parliament because what we intended to achieve has not been achieved. The law cannot be a moving target."

Chisanga said the country had an opportunity to reduce the powers of the president during this time of the constitution-making process.

"There must be reforms everywhere, even at the executive level. A president with excessive powers is not good for the development of the nation," he said.

And Chisanga said there was need for the country's intellectuals to rise and help in the governance of the country.

"The intellectuals in this country have gone to sleep. Some of the problems that we are facing now would have been avoided had our intellectuals stepped up to help the country. There is need for people who have been educated using taxpayers money to step up and plough back to the governance of the country," he said.

And Mwansa said judicial reforms were necessary because this was for the betterment of the institution.

"This will not only benefit the Judiciary but it is in the interest of the general public. We need judicial reforms so that we have judicial accountability and justice that will benefit the people of Zambia," Mwansa said.

He said there was need for the Judiciary to be objective if it was to be viable and deliver justice to the people.

On the constitution, Mwansa said: "We want to have a constitution that will stand the test of time. I will urge those that have been appointed to be part of the committee of experts to do their best and make sure that what the Zambians want is reflected in the constitution," said Mwansa.

Labels: JUDICIARY

posted by MrK @ 2:45 PM