PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says much as there is separation of powers, there is one government only.
The President said this when he swore in five Constitutional Court judges, three judges of the Court of Appeal and 11 High Court judges, a deputy Auditor General and two Ambassadors at State House yesterday.
Those sworn in as judges are Professor Margaret Munalula (Constitutional Court president), Arnold Mweetwa Shilimi (Constitutional Court deputy president), Mudford Mwandenga (ConCourt judge), Maria Mapani Kawimbe (ConCourt judge) and Kenneth Mulife (ConCourt judge).
Mwiinde Siavwapa is the Court of Appeal president while Abha Nayar Patel and Yvonne Chembe are judges of the Court of Appeal.
Others are High Court judges in Enias Chulu, Mwaka Samundengu Ngoma, Geoffrey Chilufya Mulenga, Mbile Muwindwa Wina, Annie Malata Onunuju, Situmbeko Chocho, Lastone Mwanabo, Ian Mwanajiti Mabolobolo, Vincent Sililo Siloka, Obister Musukwa and Greenwell Malumani,
Dr Ron Mwambwa has been sworn in as the deputy Auditor General in charge of audits, Rose Kasembe Sakala as the Ambassador designate to the Federal democratic Republic of Ethiopia while Glyne Michelo is Ambassador designate to Brazil.
“You are sworn in today not because you are friends of HH or the Vice-President. But you deserve to be appointed. You qualify to be appointed in these roles. You have agreed to take responsibilities that come with your roles,” President Hichilema said.
He said the judiciary is an important arm of government
“We are one government. [There is separation of duties]. But we are one government. There is only one government, as decided by the people of Zambia through our Constitution,” he noted.
“So, we have to deliver, as a team, for the people. We are judges because of the people of Zambia – no other reason.”
President Hichilema told the sworn in judges that they have an individual duty to clean up the image of the judiciary.
“There is no contestation that the judiciary got tainted. It’s clear for anyone to see. So, your selection is to help us clean up the image of the judiciary. The judiciary should be nowhere near the issue of ka samfing (bribes). We look up to you to help the citizens,” President Hichilema said.
To Dr Mwambwa, the President said: “you are aware of what is going on in the Auditor General’s Office, the very office that should protect public resources.”
Meanwhile, President Hichilema told the two diplomats to: “make all of us happy back home.”
“You will be watched 24/7. Even when you are off duty, the cameras will be on you. [If] you do good things, we get praised all of us. If you do bad things, we hear it within hours. Please, serve this country well,” said President Hichilema.
“You know the foreign policy of the new dawn government. This government is not here for isms anymore. This government is here to drive pragmatism!”
Kalemba April 4, 2023
