“JCC recommended the suspension of the Judges”

By Wilson Mulinda

Governance Activist GREGORY CHIFIRE says there is no need to politicize the suspension of the three constitutional court judges by President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA.

Mr. CHIFIRE says it was not President HICHILEMA’s personal decision to suspend the three judges, but a recommendation by the Judicial Complaints Commission.

He has told ZNBC News that the President was within the constitutional provision to suspend the judges within seven days of receiving the recommendation, adding that those that do not understand should read and understand the constitution in its current state.

Mr. CHIFIRE said this also underscores the need to amend the constitution because some individuals and judges are only victims of a flawed constitution.

He said the judges also have an opportunity to redeem themselves when they are dismissed through an appeal, but are only serving a suspension for now.

Yesterday, President HICHILEMA suspended three Judges of the Constitutional Court, with immediate effect.

The three are Justice ANNE SITALI, Justice MUNGENI MULENGA and Justice PALAN MULONDA.

And Ndola-based democracy advocate, FABIAN MUTALE says President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA has just followed constitutional provisions by suspending three High Court judges after receiving recommendations by the Judicial Complaints Commission.

Mr. MUTALE says assertions that President HICHILEMA fired the judges are baseless and only meant to attract sympathy by the opposition.

He told ZNBC News in a statement that the judges have an opportunity to clear their name and may be reinstated if cleared of all allegations.