Friday, March 29, 2024

In honour of Zambia’s first Minister of Justice

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It’s the year 1969, President Kenneth Kaunda summons Chief Justice James Skinner to explain a judgment passed by Justice Evans that the President did not agree with.

“I am satisfied that Justice Evans has acted on the principles of Justice,” Skinner said. “It is one of the functions of the judiciary to criticize the action of the executive or its individual servants whenever the need arises. If that right is denied then the courts would no longer effectively carry out their duties.”

The interchange between President Kaunda and the Chief Justice Skinner was followed by organized and widespread demonstrations against the judiciary throughout Zambia. An attack was then made on the High Court in Lusaka by the Zambia Youth Service, a uniformed force of the Republic.

The building was broken into, in consequence of which members of the judiciary had to barricade themselves in chambers. The demonstrations that were held throughout the country lead to several magistrate court buildings being  broken into. Posters grossly abusive to members of the judiciary were carried by the demonstrators and offensive statements concerning Chief Justice Skinner and Mr. Justice Evans were made by officials of UNIP.

This outburst however, shocked President Kaunda. This was the scene of events in September 1969 that lead Chief Justice James Skinner, to resign. He had been legal advisor to UNIP and a close friend of Kenneth Kaunda. He had been highly influential in helping to steer the country towards independence. He was the only white minister in Zambia’s first government when he held the justice portfolio.

In his letter of resignation, he stated that the abuse to which he was subjected by UNIP officials must have affected the confidence of “the common man” in him as chief justice and in a judiciary headed by him. Confidence in the judiciary was a delicate bloom in Africa, he wrote, “and I am not going to risk destroying it in Zambia”. He felt that if the rule of law was to prosper in Zambia, ordinary Zambians must have confidence in the judiciary, only then would full democracy be brought about .

President Kaunda seeing Skinner off to London
President Kaunda seeing Skinner off to London

Skinner was adamant that the independence of the judiciary was necessary to preserve democracy and the rule of law, and thus resigned. He was unwilling to work in a system that betrayed these principles although, President Kaunda condemned the violence that had occurred. He later apologized for what had happened and invited Skinner to resume his duties, Skinner declined. President Kaunda was caught between his respect for an independent Judiciary and the nationalist outrage of Zambian citizens over the Portuguese who had been bombing Zambian villages in order to hit the anti-Portuguese guerrillas.

Skinner believed that the anti-white riots of 1969 stemmed from the atmosphere created by the early years of white minority rule in Rhodesia and the bombing of Zambia by Portuguese planes from neighboring Angola.

He however remained on good terms with President Kaunda after his resignation.
He had been  appointed to the position of Chief justice in March 1969 and  resigned in September of the same year after this clash with President Kenneth Kaunda over the freeing of the two Portuguese soldiers who had been sentenced to two years imprisonment for illegally entering Zambia.

The two men were freed by another high court judge-an Englishman, Justice Evans who referred to the cases as trivial. Skinner had supported his colleagues decision and in the ensuing demonstrations, anti white demonstrators ransacked the high court in Lusaka.

Who was James Skinner? Born in Clonmel, Republic of Ireland in 1923, James Skinner came from a legal family with strong nationalist views. His grandfather was a solicitor; and his father the County Registrar for Tipperary. Skinner was educated at a Jesuit school, Clongowes Wood College, where he first developed his skill at debating. He went on to read law at Trinity College, Dublin where he was a member of the debating and historical societies.

After graduating he was called to the Irish Bar by King’s Inns in 1946 and practiced as a barrister on the Leinster Circuit. In 1950 he married the daughter of a German schoolteacher and was called to the English bar (Gray’s Inn).

In 1951, in response to a newspaper advertisement he moved with his wife to Northern Rhodesia where he joined a practice which became Wasserberger, Flemming and Skinner.

The Nationalist movement was beginning to gather momentum and, as a radical from an Irish Nationalist background, he found himself defending Northern Rhodesians (Zambians) who were being prosecuted by the British. He said “I did not like the social or racial atmosphere at that time and I reacted against it”. Mr. Skinner was one of the first white men to join Dr.Kaunda’s United National Independence Party when it was formed in 1960. He became the party’s legal advisor and deputy director of elections. Mr Skinner became a Zambian citizen by registration.

He was ostracized by many whites. Friends cold shouldered him, acquaintances ignored him and strangers insulted him.

In 1962 he risked a jail term by refusing to register for potential National Service under the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland Defense Act, stating the Federal Army was a terror force used to oppress the majority of Northern Rhodesia’s citizens.

He stood for parliament in the same year but lost for lack of European support in the very complex voting system of the time. Undeterred he continued to campaign for UNIP and two years later he won Lusaka East on the basis of “one man one vote”  beating his African opponent by a handsome margin. He was the only white man to be returned by electors who were all African.

He was a private secretary in the pre- independence government of Northern Rhodesia and became Zambia’s first Minister of Justice when independence came in 1964.

He was involved in top level policy making decisions and played a major role in drawing up Zambia’s constitution.

He wrote UNIP’s judicial policy a cornerstone, of which was that Zambia would have an independent judiciary. At the time he clarified in a letter in the Leader  that  “Independence” implies freedom from interference by the Executive or Legislative”. A principle he fought to uphold for Zambia when he later resigned as Chief Justice.

He was a firm believer in nationalizing the judiciary and had pressed Mr Mainza Chona, who became independent Zambia’s first minister of justice, to complete his legal studies.
He was appointed a Queen’s Counsel for Northern Rhodesia in 1964 and remained a key figure in UNIP, helping draft the nation’s constitution.

He was minister of justice from October 1964-January 1965. Attorney General from January 1965 – March 1969, in addition Minister of legal affairs January1967 – December 1968. Chief Justice from March 1969- September 1969.

On his return from Zambia, he practiced at the Irish Bar before being appointed Chief Justice of Malawi in 1970, a position he held for 15 years.
During the presidency of the dictatorial Hastings Banda he managed to ensure the stability and independence of the judiciary.

He returned to England in 1985. In 1986 he took up a further high judicial office in the UK as a Social Security Commissioner, a post equivalent to that of a high Court Judge, where he heard appeals on points of law relating to Social Security. He underwent a triple heart bypass operation during this period. This did not, however, dissuade him from continuing his professional career until he was 72, the statutory retirement age for judges.

Outside of work, Skinner was a prolific reader, particularly of history and Irish Affairs.  He is survived by his wife and by his three sons and two daughters.

James John Skinner QC was born on 24 July 1923.  He died on 21 October 2008 aged 85.

189 COMMENTS

  1. Why bring a story from the archieves,not even pupils studying history would find this neccessary in their pursuit for a distintion in the 7 th centuary history.Come on Lt give us current news.

  2. Commiserations to the late Mr Skinner’s family.He was a man of integrity and principle. We are privileged that he chose to throw his lot in with the forefathers of Zambia. His was a shining example of nonracial cooperation at a time when his peers opted for colonialism.May rest in peace.

  3. Sorry to say this on someone’s remembrance story,and am not trying to start a flame war here, but reading this I can now see where the problems we have today with the judiciary came from. KK is to blame the mess we have now. He started this mess and look at where it has landed us. All you KK bootlickers please don’t bash me, just read this for what it is, please leave FTJ, LPM and now RB alone.

  4. We need separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive in this country like yesterday, where the Chief Justice is not appointed by the president. I hope the NCC will ensure that the issue is resolved.

  5. Looks like the PF cadres #1, #2, #5, #7 ba sokonezeka ma guys, totally confused, They can’t just connect the dots. Same on economic stories that require critical thinking, they rarely comment. They just liking shooting on dull issues about their leader. Thanks God the villagers saved us from these Pabwatoo nonsense

  6. I didn’t know zambia was bombed by the portuguese!when did this happen? Interesting read for those of us who are intrigued by history. for those who aren’t go find someother topic to comment on.

  7. #14 Imwe ba Baby C Belengani story chabe. Ricky Hatton won by TKO, my Man City beat Arsenal 3-0, Kabwe Warriors are now second on the log, Choma beat Chilanga Heroes 1-0 and are coming into premier league next year and the DOW was up 6 % on Friday..would you call this a bad weekend. awe mwashupa imwe ma cadres we, this year.

  8. a minister should not always agree to what the president says.i think he was a gallant man dispite not geting to know him.even after being asked to return to goverment he stood his ground,his not like vernon johnson mwanga who even after being fired he still returns like a stray *******.

  9. hahaha! Mwebamano chiteni comment! I dont have time for you! keep dreaming like your….. know what i mean?! Ukupesha lunshi, ku-n-ya apengi!

  10. The so called history has something we can learn you have ECZ which is not independent, despite protest they hold to their position, james skinner resigned on moral ground that the interference which KK brought was against his principle.

  11. Ba KK. made this country poor, he single handedly rummed it into rocks, because of the tyranny he was. We can now just sit down and watch political players doing there s****d game of amassing wealth for themselves. There is no rule of law here in Zambia. Not even a lawyer can stand up and challenge the s****d things that happen inside and outside our courts. If we can have people who can resign because as chief justice you are being forced to do things that not within your scope of work then this country would go places. But what ever is happening is a step in a certain direction. Right or Wrong.Sad reading. Shame judicially. We should have people with intergrity. Never leave your intergrity

  12. it is so disappointing to note that supposedly ‘knowlegdeable’ bloggers have failed to see the relevance of such an important story in our present situation!
    I think this is a serious challenge for our Judiciary and even the NCC.
    Thanks for the reminder and info and keep it up LT

  13. hahaha! by the way, i havent seen any of your intelliegent comments here,not only today , but ever since you joined this blog!

    hmmmmm! Why that scowl on your face? you look ugly, c’me on Cheer up! its only Monday! besides chewe has got a serious mission for you.

  14. Thanks LT, now I know where the problem come from. Failure to respect the independence of the Judiciary, Indeed Former Chief Juctice Skinner was a man of intergrity. Kaunda is part of the constitution problem we are facing nowadays.

  15. LT keeps up the good work……..Pipo dont always be negative on everthing you see, read or hear. this is a very good piece of information that should make you reflect from we have come from and where we are heading to……it pains to see interllectuals politicise wverything they see good or bad………read between the lines thats when you will get the Morale of the article…..May Skinner res in peace.

  16. Thank you LT for the J Skinner story. Bloggers please understand, LT is trying to deepen your understanding of your country and its history so that so that you stop being shallow like #1,#2, #4 and others.

    Zambia was in the midist of liberation wars and 2 Portugese solders who were bombing Zambis were captured. When taken to court a well known racist judge (there were no black Judges) freed them. The countrywas scanalised. We had just got our independence and a white judge was favouring whites. Skinner had to defend him in order to uphold independence of the Judiciary. It was not an easy situation. Thank you James Skinner for your courage, and selfless contribution to Zambia.

  17. Remember the *NO Maestro Hhehhehe campaign*. He is a dangerous, strage war like blogrer. Who is probably not a Zambian. Do not read his text or respond to it.

  18. James John Skinner QC, may his soul rest in peace. We needed such principals in all the three wings of Government.

  19. Sorry still sleeping. Remember the *NO Maestro Hhehhehe campaign*. He is a dangerous, strange war like blogger. Who is probably not a Zambian. Do not read his text or respond to it.

    This is better. Sorry sorry banja

  20. Fellas we should appreciate History and our background as Zambians. Skinner was a gallant figther and a major contributor to our legal profession. I salute LT for this information. You will only appreciate focussing on the future if you appreciate your history. And Skinnerts is part of Zambian History.

  21. Circumstances determine the actions of men. The Justice skinner was indeed a moral man. But the actions of the then government should be looked at especially in view of the struggle of independence and the injustices of the colonial rule.

    This scenario can easily be compared to the happenings in South Africa. The truth and reconcialiation commission!

    It was extremely difficult for liberation fighters to reconcile the injustices which were ‘justified’ just a few years before this incidences took place by the same ‘justice system’

  22. Surprising our media did not mention Mr. James Skinner’s death.Not even KK or his surrogate president RB !After all the man did for UNIP and our judiciary.

  23. There is always a message in a picture, look at former President Kaunda seeing Mr Skinner off to London.

    I think Skinner was respected mainly because of his principals, blodders what are your comments?

  24. #28 Chambishi, Kaunda has many faults but he he took over a country of illiterates but built schools educated the country.

    He built all the Three Public universities we have.

    His greatest contribution was that he made sure Zambia was not a failed state like Somalia. Better still he left office and didn’t run away which is very common in Africa.

    We may denounce him and are entitled to do so but Levy recognised his nation building contribution and gave him the highest honour a Zambia can receive from his fellow citizens. By the way he was even right on diesel from grass as you can now see all over the world.

  25. #41 Anonymous you are a pillar of knowledge and wisdom on this blogg. I intend to propose an honour for you from fellow bloggers.

    Keep hammering away.

  26. #30 Baby C I find it odd that you don’t understand the relevance of this story. We are in the middle of drafting a new constitution and you think there are no lessons to be learnt here? You can’t make the connections? Awe boyi, you have won 3-0. Enjoy your victory

  27. #49!

    Ameeen! That makes 4-0.

    Note: A woman always has a last say in an argument. anything said after that, is the beginning of a new one.

    You dont know how you ve ruined my day!

  28. This story is of great significance and is full os lessons to be learned and very relevant to our current situation. The reason we have so much corruption is simply because the judiciary has been compromised and incompetent!! if the Judiciary was free and fair, then corruption would not thrive! This is one that needs fixing AND urgently!

  29. Sometimes I think Africans deserve the poverty they are in today. They are responsible for this “white flight”. Now don’t get me wrong, this is in no way inferiority complex but just stating facts.

    Lets look at the nationalization of companies. KK claims that “Black Zambians” where in so much poverty that to distribute the wealth evenly, he had to nationalize the companies. This was an act of greed on KK’s part because he made himself chief executive officer of these same companies.

    What KK should have done is offer welfare and enforce a rule of forced free education to the under-privileged. Like it or not, the whites may have been racist but they had the brains and skills [tbc

  30. #7,I agree with you.Infact I do not only blame KK but also those who worshiped him.How could he rule Zed for 27yrs?Anyway,I am grateful for the opportunity to read about this great man.How I wish he could have done more before he left:the constitution would be better by now.I just hope NCC will bring some positive change.

  31. cont #54]

    to contribute to the Zambian economy. Not enough Zambians at that time had enough skills to run the economy. I heard a statistic that there where only about 100 university level black graduates at the time of independence. Clearly there is no way you can give someone without skills to be an accountant. This is what KK was doing. KK was also messing with the whites businesses. What KK should have known is that the blacks made up the majority and the whites where a minority and so if blacks where educated, they would have had no choice but to hire blacks.

    KK is responsible for the brain drain that happened after independence.

  32. To us with the knowledge of law, we apprecaite this orbituary. If you dont know anything like 1, 2, 4, 6 and others, go to another story.

  33. Without this kind of history people of the bench might think they are very comfortable with some judgements they make i.e more especially those that are pro-government.Pliz do not take people for granted as Judges here on earth be fame and fair otherwise your judgement might be a lot more stiff than those you are making.Do not be Job seekers. Show us the good morals.

  34. #52 Baby C ..Gee you are a woman? I should have known better. I never win an argument with my wife because even when I win, I still lose. Sorry love, anyway move on, this is just a blog, nothing personal, enjoy your day. I hope somebody makes you happy before the day is out. Better still send me your workmates cell numbers, I will SMS them asking them to take you out for a nice lunch and treat you well today. Hope that will make up for the day. Enjoy the rest of it

  35. Ba LT plz,can try as much as possible to be seriousy.As for me,there is nothing to comment.This is so boring.Baby C are you a girl?

  36. These are the kind of people we would need in Zambia and not these hungry politician that we have in zed right now, who justs wait to be given jobs so that they continue stealing taxpayers money e.g guess?

  37. Just look at the picture, KK really suited the position of president. You can see that he was radiating authority.

    Imagine it was Sata among those distinguished learned ba Zungus what would he be saying. The only muzungu he seems to comfortable with is guy scott who folds his shirt sleeves even when he is wearing a jacket.

  38. Hey,#69 and 70 can you stop insulting on this blog.Although am bemba,i understand and speak fluent tonga.Kamulilemeka, basokwe imwe!

  39. 76 I advise you SIR in the name of God to look in the mirror and stop using may name. I have not done anything to you let alone for you and be under no illusions that I will respect you if you continue acting in such a manner.

  40. Interesting LT, maybe you should have a “History” section for those of us who don’t remember that far back

  41. Pumpy,happy birthday to you.May you live to see brighter days in your life.You wil achieve what ever you want to achieve in your life.Stay blessed,am happy for you!

  42. You people on this blog,you should be very carefull with Maestro Hhehhehhe.He is dangerous i hav seen his comments.Dont even read or respond to his comments.

  43. #12 GOOD AT IT. Sorry went out just seen your request. 1 KK could not allow Harry Nkumbula to seek medical treatment abroad. He made sure the man was finished thats when he gave anurse to look after the old lion. 2 KK aplauded the beating up the former vice presiden Kapwepwe by unip thugs lead by one William Banda. 3KK detained any percieved to aspire for unip headship. KK ensured that Kebby was hounded from unip presidency made him die a miserable man. the list is endless may the frog has more.

  44. #54, Free Market Capitalist, what you are saying is that American Slaves should have remained slaves because white masters could at least give them food.

    Whites in 1964 could only stay in Zambia if they had whites only shops, whites only restaurants, whites only bathrooms, whites only clubs etc..The choice Kaunda had was continue with whites and racism or stop racism and have the white drain to South Africa and Rhodesia where racism was still a way of life.

    Do not condemn Kaunda until you have educated yourself on the dilemas he had to deal with for the country to survive to this day.

  45. KK is a distinguished statesman in Africa. Those of you with warped Western analysis that believes that people are born homosexuals do not understand this.
    He is a giant that sent shiverings among whites.
    You also do not understand fully well the reconciliatory statesman he was.
    His fight for liberation of Southern Africa stands out.
    Ask the Mozambicans and you will then understand.
    No country in Africa is as peaceful on tribal sense than Zambia.
    Thanks to KK.
    People with no names are very good at insulting
    KK deserves all the respect to all well meaning Zambians.

  46. This issue is very important to us zambians.And if some people see the topic as useless as they think then we have real proplems in zambia.we’ll never go anywhere.History plays important role in developing the country.I think people can see what’s wrong with zambian politics.It started with the big man KK who never believed in democracy.

  47. Its amazing how people just condemn for the saking of condeming..if you don’t like the story please move to another one that interests you, SIMPLE. That said, it seems our democracy since independence, has never had one easy day and that is why we all need to be vigilant when institutions like the ECZ and our judiciary seem to be compromised and are always on the side of the minority in power. What happened in Chimwemwe was a small version of ChaChaCha, this was judgement with water, it will be Fire Next Time!!

  48. A good piece, it can be good for academic discourse. However, number 20, all he has to look at is how handsome and how tall KK was. Completely immaterial. There are salient issues here. The release of the two Portuguese who entered the country illigally and Chief Justice Skinner supported their release. These were released by a white man. Now was the colour of their skin the factor in their release or justice was followed. To me, arrests of foreign intruders happens to date and they are held in detention until they are deported. Surely there should have been a serious reason for their arrest, especially given the background that Zambia was being bombed by Portuguese. Am obliged.

  49. #97, thats a fair point/comment. The best we could do, seeing that our good old man is still alive is to take advantage and ask him to give his thoughts through his weekly column in the Post. Is there an e-mail there?

  50. Ino Maestro heheheh ulikuli omwiyi wakumusanza nto twaambo ntolya twamusyobo ooyu. I ve been following you very closely. Missing your comments

  51. Skinner was unusual too – he joined Kenneth Kaunda’s (Unip), ending up as chief justice of Zambia. He made a momentous judicial decision in one explosive political case, ruling in favour of justice, not Unip. Party youths were furious but Skinner stuck to his guns. The agitation against him intensified until he decided to leave the country. Kaunda reportedly apologised to Skinner but could not stem the tide of denunciation against him, a deeply disillusioned, traumatised man. A white man doesn’t rise to be chief justice of an African country only to virtually flee over a decision he makes.

  52. Again, as I said, it can be a good topic for academic discourse. Can KK’s action be justified – to call Chief Justice and explain a position he differs with? Many may argued, he was not justified and even go to the extent of prefixing current state of the judiciary to KK “roots”. Is the head of state, who also the appointing authority for the office of the chief justice as in our case in Zambia, not in order to summon his appointee to explain what he sees as an anomaly? I feel, KK was justified, in the spirit of providing checks and balances to avoid excesses by the judiciary. It was not intimidating. KK invited Skinner to explain what had transpired. Skinner’s resignation, shd be norm

  53. Skinner must have felt betrayed. Had he embezzled government funds, he probably would have received a rap over the knuckles – nothing more. But this is politics in Africa. Many former black supporters of the struggle have ended being similarly traumatised.

  54. Uwakwisano, you are very right, if the story does not interest you, go to others.The problem we have with our leaders is that morals are not considered in our political society. People dont even think of resigning when things go wrong in their area of work. People like VJ will always come back no matter what wrong he is involved in just because no morals are thought of in our politics. They are the same people entrusted to rule people and lead by exmple. My suggetion will be that we should instead punish people who appoint them by not voting for them.

  55. #1,4,9 you must be some of those who are very dull and just bought your papers.You can not even for sure get sense in this history? pity you,headless chicken feeds.The problem is that you just like controversial topics.

  56. You PF cadres make sure you study this history of the Judiciary in Zambia.

    You think that Judiciary only ends at ECZ chairpeson Florence Mumba and Ireen Mambilima.

  57. Skinner, MYSRIP. I think you contributed a lot to Zambia. You deserve to be remembered and honoured by Zambians, just as we honour fellow Zambians like LPM.

    I imagine it was not easy to stand against fellow whites and to side with colonised black fellows. This was a big sacrifice, you could have easily ensured your comfort.

    May our own Zambian judges learn from you with regard to judicial independence. We do not seem to have a clear separation of power between Presidency, Parliament and Judiciary at the moment. The presidency seem to control the rest.

  58. How do you carry out justice when faced with so much injustice and racism as at Independence? Looking at the so many down trodden, illiterate and hungry Zambians that Kaunda had to lead yet upholding the principles of Democracy set to conform to the standards of the very oppressors…how do you deliver justice in this case? Whose justice and to whose standards? Remember that not too long before, N.Rhodesians where buying things through a window and being educated was as rare a blue moon….just my thoughts.

  59. #108 I think people dont find it attractive to praise the living. Jealousy and envy also is a factor. Death is a sobering thing, as it reminds all of us of our destiny, so people wisely chose to praise others, even their enemies. Look at the Post newspaper, Sata etc when LPM dies. Before that, they were ready to eat him alive. When Saddam Hussein was killed, a coleague told me ” I hated that man but I did not want him to die. How can they hang him, evil chaps” That summarised it. Death is so final that you’ll not wish it even on your enemy.

  60. This is a great story and I wish our daily papers could publish something like this.It now makes me wonder what kind of brains people like Baby C have who can’t appreciate stuff like this.Nice name but you’re an embarassment.

  61. I would like to comment but since I have a thing with this Chewe guy, I’ll find some other story to blog on. Learnt as he claims with a diploma from the states. Not different from Lusaka Trades Institute.

  62. #17, happy birthday Pumpy. I can tell by the flag where you are. Go and eat out and enjoy the day. It’s my birthday too Nice to know someone who was born on the same day though am far, far much older than you.

  63. I think this makes good reading not only for history students, but also for all of us zedians. It is great to know the beginnings of Zambia as a state.

  64. 118. dont show your lack of knowledge. the flag does not mean country of residence or country of blogging. Its just your ISP host!!!

  65. Thanks LT for the story. The only problem I had was the failure to categorise the story either as a look at the history of … or something like that. I thought of it as perhaps being an obituary to someone who LT was reporting on but I found that it was just a story! LT we are used to reading breaking news on this page so next time please qualify your story if you are looking back such (history).

  66. I hear you # 120. The fact is the happy birthday message was sent,wherever the person might be residing now. And Happy Anniversary #122.

  67. Awe kwena BabyC mwamulimbikila!there are a lot bloggers who ve posted empty comments but all your focus is just on Baby C. come out of your shells and declare that you like her period! Baby Cnever mind them

  68. LT thanks for this breath of fresh air i was getting choked on that political crap.
    This article is significant today imagine what will happen when PF lose there petition…

  69. A 45 year old former school teacher disagrees with the judgment of learned men. But, to be fair to him, he did apologise. On the other hand, two foreign soldiers cross our borders illegally and the judge thinks that is trivial! We travelled to Eastern province in 1968 and had to cross Luangwa by boat after the Portuguese bombed the 1932 Beit Trust built bridge! Blood id thicker than water.

  70. I think we need KK to give his side of the story…Did the Justice resign or KK asked him to? If he resigned on his free will, on what grounds? Because KK interferred or is it that because he had sided with the other Judge purely on racial grounds and his conscience would not leave him alone? Can someone provide ba KK’s email address!

  71. A man of integrity indeed, MHSRIP.
    Not these visionless leaders who don’t stand for what they believe in. They claim to fight corruption, yet surround themselves with plunderers and thieves.
    poor Zambia

  72. No 97, if you hear what happened the 2 portuguese soldiers at the border came across to our land because they were invited in by our soldiers and they left their guns behind before they came. we then arrested them and put them in jail. The justice questioned our soldiers and said a few weeks jail was enough punishment. Someone used this to stir up bad feelings which made Zambia look bad. This story went round the world. We need judges we can trust.

  73. Baby C i love you so much.Bwalya you are my bro and i dont have anything against you.But dont come out the way you did that day. Am a peaceful person but when you step on my toes,i dont like that.Luv you Bwalya.Tube fye bwino ba guy.

  74. No 129 Did you not read the article. Skinner was a UNIP man that whites did not like or vote for he fought to get independence for Zambia why would he be a racist unless it was against the whites?

  75. This is interesting staff Mr.Skinner was a true man of intergrity. Look at how people loved him by voting for him.Colour is not a problem its people.He had a heart of the people I think he can also be said as one of Zambia’s Freedom fighters. And for sure ZAmbia needs to separate the judiary from the government and that is when we can truly see people acting according to the law not according to what the ruling party says.

    I wonder why in Zambian schools they dont teach about Mr. Skinner they should add him among freedom fighters and people who fought for Justice. Taking for instance steven Katilugu.etc.He was a great man.I believe he was a good minister too.

  76. LT can your investigative journalists dig some more info on this Skinner-KK politics?I’m just angry with my zambian educators as to why I’m learning about this Mr Skinner so late in life and yet I passed thru Primary,Secondary & Tertiary education in Zambia without ever being taught anything about Skinner!

  77. Thank you so much for this wonderful piece of history. I can’t believe though that in this time and age we could still have dull and ignorant people who cannot appreciate history. History will always have an influence on our lives in one way or another. The great Bob Marley once wrote, “In this great future you can’t forget your past.” Another great, Marcus Garvey also said, “A people without a knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.” Remembering great men like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, President Lyndon B. Johnson etc. and their accomplishments, is the reason why we have one Barack Obama today.

  78. 91. Love BMW’s Only.
    I blog on alot of blogs but this one is mint.
    People are not baange. Its more than that.

    This blog is just addictive like anyother thing to be addictated to.

  79. pls don’t condemn those who can’t appreciate this article.You don’t know their level of education.Some of them its not their fault-they’re just victims of circumstances hence their blank heads.

  80. “I am satisfied that Justice Evans has acted on the principles of Justice,” Skinner said. “It is one of the functions of the judiciary to criticize the action of the executive or its individual servants whenever the need arises. If that right is denied then the courts would no longer effectively carry out their duties.”

    This was probably the best advice or comment that former President Kenneth Kaunda received from the judiciary system. I hope we will take a leaf from this precedence so that Zambia can begin to move into political maturity. Let NCC take this seriously.

    #100, ndalumba mwanookwe owa cisi ca-Zambia.

  81. “The Catholic Church wants Sunday observance enshrined in EU law. The European Parliament is debating changes to its Working Time Directive. The Vatican wants a clause in this law that would force every citizen in the European Union to rest on Sunday…. The enforcement of Sunday worship will be the mark of a powerful, Vatican-allied, European superpower.For more information, see our article “The Pope Trumpets Sunday””
    Source: w w w.thetrumpet.c o m/ index. ph p ? q = 5676.4031.0.0

    Have a nice day and read Daniel 7 and 2 Thessalonians 2 in the Holy Bible.

  82. #
    145. your flag Suntwe, thanks and nice reading from you.

    The Vatican is serious and so let us wait and see what the EU parliament will do. Have you seen the whole article on the source I put up in #144.

  83. Pumpy, happy birthday to you and many nore returns. Always, remember that you have grown one year older than yesterday or a few hours ago. More responsibilities have come your way and do what you have been doing better this time around.

    My heartfelt regards to your family,
    Mugungulu H. Mwaanga.

  84. #
    114. your flag Chewe. Yebo taata, Chewe, leka kubelesya mulaka wangu wa-ciTonga iku tuka bantu ba-Leza a LT olo kumbi.

    Come on you can do better than what your have done in the referred to posting.

  85. I met and greeted Mr Skinner in the wood partitioned UNIP Freedomway Freedom House in 1961 as the lone white face in the building. What a man he was indeed. May His Soul Rest In Eternal Peace.

  86. “This was the scene of events in September 1969 that lead Chief Justice James Skinner, to resign…Skinner was adamant that the independence of the judiciary was necessary to preserve democracy and the rule of law, and thus resigned. He was unwilling to work in a system that betrayed these principles…invited Skinner to resume his duties, Skinner declined…He however remained on good terms with President Kaunda after his resignation.
    He had been appointed to the position of Chief justice in March 1969 and resigned in September of the same year after this clash with President Kenneth Kaunda…”
    What a principled man and a huge contrast to what is obtaining in Zambia right now. RESIGN!!!

  87. hmmmm…..interestin lt! these chapters in our history which are rarely talked about! 1 en 2….lets appreciate the effort made to wisen us! they say we need to know where we are coming from 4 us to know where we are headed! keep it lt
    kangwa!

  88. Humble question,… how on earth did Skinner manage to uphold judicial independence under despotic Kamuzu Banda’s govt for such a long time,

    i honestly wanna know!

  89. I live in Brazil, South America. James John Skinner was my late grandfather.
    We in Brazil experience daily all kinds of injustice, corruption and atrocities against our poor part of the population. No proper education, hospitals and medicine, public transports and security. More then 20 people die daily just in São Paulo (Brazil have 27 states), our main economical and industrial state. I’m tied of reading on the news papers the same story every day – corruption versus violence. I don’t know much about internal problems of Zambia, but I can related some to my Brazilian reality. A man like my grandfather is needed this days! I hope one day I’ll be able to walk on the streets without seeing

  90. … I hope one day I’ll be able to walk on the streets without seeing children misery, hungry faces and violent lies against those who had no chance in live, instead of it a sick political environment made of opportunist rules and a blind and selfish society.
    Mr James John Skinner was a true man of integrity.

  91. I hope one day I’ll be able to walk on the streets without seeing children misery, hungry faces and violent lies against those who had no chance in life, instead of it a sick political environment made of opportunist rules and a blind and selfish society.
    Mr James John Skinner was a true man of integrity.

  92. i do love history but this story hasn’t exactly inspired me..let alone to read it right through. Tell me about Adamson Mushala,Ilute Yeta or even FTJ and i’m quite sure my interest would be more !!

  93. Special thankx to all who reason and wrote something to question ourselves like #155.Imagine even mumba,mambilima,judge Banda can not and will never question and leave their jobs except to lower themselves.Keep it up guys,real Zedians who have Zed in and at heart.abash bootlickers.I will enjoy this holiday with your love.LT pliz remove tukadoli coz i think better than them.esp #1.Ba 162 as a woman, pliz go back to school you are an embarassement to your father and you can not have a woman like me not even your father.Choka Mbuzi

  94. #158. Anonymous, condolences on your grnadfather Skinner’s death and sad reading from Brazil.

    Take care though and let us all continue hoping for a better day.

    Mugungulu H. Mwaanga, Zambian Citizen in the EU reading.

  95. Skinner was a great man. If Zambia had retained people like that we would have developed stable institutions.

    May his sould rest in peace.

    Best wishes,

  96. I am very dissapointed with some characters on this site who do not appreciate where we have come from. I bet those ignorant of who Skinner C.J was (MHSRIP) will continue to wallow in their ignorance. Read some of his judgments and you will understand how he has contributed to the growth of legal opinion.

  97. This is an excellent article. Bring more so that we can know more about our previous leaders and those in other high ranking positions it be parastatal or government. History is good since we can learn a lot from it.

  98. Thank you for the up date on Justice Skinner. I knew he resigned in 1969 but the reasons were never clear. It is sad that some Zambians do not appreciate people with integrity. We have a long way to go before integrity becomes a norm in this country. My heart goes to the Skinner family may his soul rest in peace.

  99. Ka Skinner was a racist and had a believe that a black man will never rule Zed.Believe me during the Rhodesian times, the whites were anti African and did not like us.

    Viva H H man who believes in African History and will always appreciate it.

  100. Client accuses Backpackers of racism

    By Archie Kasalika

    Action must be taken against the controversial “whites-only” Jolly Boys Backpackers in Livingstone.

    If The Zambia National Tourist Board and Ministry of Tourism are not taking action on continued racial practices at Jolly Boys Backpackers then our country is going no where in the tourism industry.

    There is mistreatment of black guests at the resort and unnecessary accusations. Black guests are not given equal treatment as whites when they visit the resort. Iam not sure if the Human Rights Commission has attempted to investigate the reports, but the owners have used corrupt practices to stop almost every incident reported.

    Three

  101. Three months ago there was a racial incident at the resort involving a black boy adopted by a white family. The family was barred from entering the property. However, only a few weeks ago, before Kim and Sue who are the proprietors of the lodge left for Botswana on a holiday emotionally abused a black street kid who they accused of trespassing on their premises.
    When you enter the premises, neither of the staff greets you instead they will tell you to say they are fully booked. I can not think of any reason why they treat and ignore us like this, other than because us are indigenous. We are no worse dressed or behaved than anyone else in when we go there. Having worked in hospitality before

  102. I know that even the most abysmally run venue would not have failed to notice and wait on us instead all they do is treat us like this is not our country. Such would never happen in Canada or England where they come from.I know that not only Jolly Boys has a history of violent suppression of the indigenous Zambian’s, so we have concluded that their racism encompasses any Native Zambian, whatever their province of origin. I have personally concluded that they don’t want indigenes in their racist Backpackers.It is no secret that Jolly Boys is extremely racist toward indigenous Zambian’s and other nationalities from around Africa (who are of course a majority in this country driving over land

  103. Maestro et al.### .THIS IS A MISSION YEAR FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. THERE IS NOTHING SINISTER ABOUT CHAMPIONING SUNDAY OBSERVANCE. THE INTENTION OF THE HOLY SEE IS TO ULTIMATELY HARMONISE THE WORLD. ITS TRUE THIS SHALL COME TO PASS. PRIMARIUS ULTIMUS FINIS HUIIE VIVEI SUMME DOE NOSTRO.

  104. I suspect that elements in such incidents are drugs and preoccupation with personal matters. I know it’s not uncommon for backpacker owners to take marijuana smoking breaks out behind the kitchen, regardless of service considerations. And they’ve all got problems with color, relationships, and not paying their workers right wages, so they’ve got to mull these things around and around in their fogged minds.The darker you are, or more indigenous-looking you are in this case, the more racism you WILL experience. Particularly in places like Jolly boys. Most lodges are owned by white people who are all mostly guilty of stereotyping blacks as criminals and incompetents.
    What’s at risk here is mo

  105. or more indigenous-looking you are in this case, the more racism you WILL experience. Particularly in places like Jolly boys. Most lodges are owned by white people who are all mostly guilty of stereotyping blacks as criminals and incompetents.
    What’s at risk here is more than a bunch of hacks or the ongoing struggle for a non biased tourism industry. A Kim and Sue’s altitude highlight the ineffectiveness and also shows how vulnerable our laws are to foreign investments as there is complete disregard towards indigenous Zambian’s rights.

  106. As a Zambian I would like to put the message squarely in front of all lodge owners and the whole Zambian community so there can be no doubt about where Zambian’s stand –we are utterly opposed to racism and will continue to condemn getting that message across.The continuous racial arrogance by management at Jolly boys towards Zambian’s is representation of a cowardly act by disgruntled social rejects from Europe. We can’t have such racism at this stage of our democracy unfortunately Jolly Boys backpackers’ lodges appear to use race-based criteria when accepting visitors.

  107. There is only one “race”: the human race. The idea that humankind can be divided into distinct “races” on the basis of physical characteristics like skin colour, hair type, nose and eye shape etc. seems like common sense, but is nonetheless wrong.It is true that people differ by skin colour etc. but it has proven scientifically impossible to rigidly and clearly define people into clear cut “races” because there is no known single physical feature or group of physical features that clearly mark off one race from another . For example, Whites are said to have straight hair: but so do Asians, and some Africans; and many Whites in fact have woolly hair. Similarly, not all Africans have dark sk

  108. What is behind all this is that people like Kim and Sue believe that blacks are only there to steal and have hidden agendas? Similarly on a number of times in Jolly Boys when a multiracial team of freelance journalists posing as visitors tried to book into the lodge, the black reporter was turned away while the white reporter was welcomed.I acknowledge that backpackers’ lodges have a right of admission, but Kim and Sue and every other backpacker owner should not hide behind that for other causes. Particularly I am appalled about it. Sue will always ask you if you have a passport, and when you say I don’t, they say they only accommodate international tourists. Unfortunately their facilities

  109. cater for foreigners and they do not take Zambian’s or even Zimbabwean who are actually foreigners.Incase management at Jolly Boys does not know I would like to remind them that racial discrimination and racial harassment prevent individuals against whom they are directed from reaching their full potential, and are unacceptable to every other Zambian.

  110. Judge Skinner died recently and this reflection is homely. It shows the kind of principled man he was. Why didn’t Wataba Ngulube do the same when Hefty Jay adulterated the Judiciary by the offer of those monies and other such shameful gifts through the abuse of the ZAMTROP account?

  111. Richard Hall (first editor of The Times of Zambia and in 1964 a great admirer of Kaunda) wrote: “The mob demonstrated and forced its way into the High Court and ran up and down the corridors shouting for Skinner to present himself. The Chief Justice stayed locked in his office. That night, Skinner and his family slept away from their home for fear of being petrol-bombed. The country awaited a condemnation from State House but none emerged….. Kaunda retired into seclusion, shaken by the international reaction to these dramas and by suggestions that Vice-President Kapepwe had tacitly supported the High Court riot”.

  112. My father the Hon Chief Justice of Zambia and then Malawi , was a very courageous man ,his work ,determination and example will always be remembered and followed.Thank you. /:)

  113. My Grandfather in Zambia ,helped change the country,s history and also helped to set man free, human rights .I am very proud to be part of a family that has changed part of history for a BETTER WORLD.Thank you granddad.

  114. where are those blind UNIP guys who sing KK songs like he was a saint? I had trouble convincing them that this man was hell in his days. Reveal yourselves.

    @Pompwe the Ninja of Nagasaki 
    @B R Mumba, Sr

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