Maravi

Sata appoints Chirwa to act as Chief Justice

Sata appoints Chirwa to act as Chief Justice
By Kombe Chimpinde
Sun 22 Jan. 2012, 13:58 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata has appointed Justice Dennis Chirwa to act as Chief Justice in the absence of Chief Justice Ernest Sakala who will be out of the country between February 6 and 11. President Sata has further appointed Justice Lombe Chibesakunda as acting deputy Chief Justice.

State House special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah stated that the appointment of justice Chirwa which is in line with Article 93 (3) of the Constitution has been necessitated by the absence of the substantive holder of the post.

And Attorney General Mumba Malila explained that the President, as the appointing authority, had the powers to appoint senior members of the judiciary to act as Chief Justice in the absence of the office holder.

"It is not unusual that the President has appointed someone to act as Chief Justice. As you may be aware, the Deputy Chief Justice Irene Mambilima who should have acted as Chief Justice is assigned other duties as chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia," said Malila. "In that case, the President can appoint someone else to do that."

Chief Justice Sakala is currently facing enormous pressure from society, including members of the legal profession, calling for his resignation. The legal practitioners have also called for a complete review of the Judiciary.

And President Sata has appointed Bert Mushala as North Western Province permanent secretary. Mushala replaces Dr David Shamulenge who has been transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in the same capacity.

President Sata has also appointed Austin Sichinga as Zambia's deputy ambassador to Italy.

Meanwhile, President Sata has created Chilanga as a new district.

Chellah confirmed the developments in a media statement.

Recently, President Sata created four districts in Southern, Western and Northern provinces, respectively. The newly created districts are Chikankata, Chirundu, Mulobezi and Nsama.

Labels: CHIEF JUSTICE, DENNIS CHIRWA, ERNEST SAKALA, JUDICIARY, MICHAEL SATA

posted by MrK @ 1:33 PM