Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda has bemoaned the high levels of corruption obtaining in Zambia’s Judicial system.
Speaking in Lusaka today during the launch of the Judiciary Service Charter Justice Chibesakunda noted that the perception of corruption in the country’s judiciary is real as there are some individuals whom she termed as bad eggs within the judiciary and urged the public to be on lookout such people.
“Distinguished invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, corruption affects everyone and every institution, and therefore the need to rid our society of corruption or indeed any perception of it, cannot be over emphasized.
“In the case of the judiciary, public perception is that there is corruption in our judicial system. Sadly, this is not just a perception, it is reality. There are a few bad eggs within the judiciary,” said the Acting Chief Justice.
[pullquote]“Some people in the copperbelt do not know who the acting chief justice is; they don’t know whether I’m a man or woman and some officials are taking advantage of that. They go to bars and get beer in my name saying Iam the acting chief justice can I have a beer.”[/pullquote]
She said the local court has been a source of concern as due to litigants appear in person hence making them more prone to abuse.
“The local court has been a source of concern. The local courts are to most litigants the face of judiciary. Litigants in the local courts appear in person so they are more prone to abuse. They are more likely to fall prey to unscrupulous court officials and unfortunately, but true, even to adjudicators seeking bribes to secure a more favorable outcome or judgment,” she explained.
She added that scourge was so rampant such that some Judiciary officials have been impersonating her on the Copperbelt and in the process obtaining free things such as beer.
“Some people in the copperbelt do not know who the acting chief justice is; they don’t know whether I’m a man or woman and some officials are taking advantage of that. They go to bars and get beer in my name saying Iam the acting chief justice can I have a beer.”
The Acting head of the country’s judiciary said it is not a perception that corruption exists in the Judiciary but a reality which all should know.
She further said such acts are not only morally wrong but also undermines the public confidence in the outcome of judicial matters.
Justice Chibesakunda however said there is need to rid of the cancer from the system if Justice is to be offered to Zambians.
And Transparency International Zambia Acting President Kalungu Sampa said the Service Charter which was initiated by his organisation will help reduce the possibility of corruption in the Judiciary.
He said the Judiciary deserves credit on the launch and that TIZ together with the Judiciary will now embark on sensitisation in all provinces.
They have learnt it from the grand master of Donchi Kubeba. You see now, lies are very contagious disease and PF is spreading deceit to the people like world fire.
Acting for 3 years, how can people know you if you’re just acting and causing by elections?
WHO IS THE GRAND MASTER OF DONCHI KUBEBA? THAT’S WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU STEAL THE NAME FROM A FILM OR SONG OR SOMETHING? THE REAL CULPRITS ARE THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP THOSE SELL OUT LYING THIEVES IN POWER. THE JUDICIARY NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP OTHERWISE THERE’S NO HOPE IN ZAMBIA STARTING WITH THOSE COLONIAL PUPPETS.
After u ve seen tht Sata is dying u ve now STARTED COMING OUT. Sata has really MESSED up our COUNTRY all of u guys r VERY INNOCENT even your colleague IG-Libongani.
I pity ‘ALL’ who r woeking under this Regime. Its VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE….!!!!
Who is the minister of that corrupt ministry? Arrest it him first, before you even think of Mutembo Nchito.
WHEN ARE YOU RETIRING MAMA?
Fish rot starting from the head.
That is the reason you are corruptly there so that corruption can flourish which enable PF to continue ruling.
This would be funny if it was not SO TRUE! It’s not the POT calling the KETTLE black. It’s the POT calling herself BLACK! Bad eggs!!!!!!!!!
An ILLEGAL and UNCONSTITUTIONAL appointee claiming there is corruption in the Judiciary! Madam “Acting” Chief Justice, if you had an ounce of integrity and honesty in you, you would have refused this appointment. You cannot even claim IGNORANCE, as you are perfectly aware that under the law it is not a defense.
If you seriously want to get “rid of the cancer from the system if Justice is to be offered to Zambians”, YOU can set the example TODAY.
Resign!
Lawyers conniving with judges to prolong cases even when not neccessary. This leads to clients paying more to the lawyer. At the end of the day this money is shared with the judge.
Lawyers on the two opposing sides fixing their two clients for mutual benefit shares spoils with the judge.
Judges conniving with prosecutors to release the accused who has paid money for his freedom.
ALL THIEVES!!
Spot on! Have you also noticed that it’s usually the same Lawyers?
Madam, you are the boss of the corrupt Judiciary, so if you cannot PROVE your allegations and get people arrested and tried, you are INCOMPETENT and should resign. You have been head for THRE years now AND not a single Judicial officer has been arrested for the corruption you are talking about.
As they say in law, if you have evidence bring it to court!
Is this woman normal? Isn`t she the one championing the corruption culture in the Judiciary?
Nkani ya matuvi pelekani uko malabishi yanu uko talema naboza yanu imwe. masiku nipanyo pa chimbi….masiku sakoma onse.
The sad part is the she is not even trying to fight corruption. could it be that she is just acting therefore, she feels not fully responsible for this entity? Can someone please explain why the entire boss of such a strategic institution can only take note and not act on a wrong doing. She knows who is getting what from the people and all she can do is report, like she works for a media house along some well known road in Lusaka.
What a country, fyonse ni Acting starting from the Acting president, Acting chief justice, acting fimofimo the list is endless.
It will be helpful if Acting CJ clarify on the procedure of allocating to SPECIFIC Judges of the HC cause(s) dealing with Government abuse of power.
Shaaaaaaa…!! Chimuzi mai ichi.
An extra one, The head is a product of corruption and faces constitutional rejection from Lawyers, politicians etc. Do you expect sanity in that set up?