Former Attorney General Musa Mwenye had denied having issued disparaging remarks against the Zambian judiciary in the United Kingdom.
Earlier yesterday, President Edgar Lungu said he was disappointed with Mr Mwenye for disparaging Zambia’s judiciary in the United Kingdom.
President Lungu said he has confidence in Zambia’s judiciary and has since requested the Law Association of Zambia and Chief Justice Irene Mambilima to look into the matter.
President Lungu alleged that Mr. Mwenye advised residents of Chingola to sue Vedanta Resources for allegedly polluting the environment in the courts of law in the UK because Zambia’s judicial system is not effective.
President Lungu described the criticism labelled against the judiciary as unfair.
He said he will speak for the judiciary because it has no voice to speak for itself.
President Lungu said the development is unfortunate especially that Mr Mwenye is a senior member of the Zambian bar who has attacked the Zambian judiciary in a foreign country.
President Lungu was speaking yesterday morning at State House when he swore in five Supreme Court Judges who include Justices Nigel Mutuna, Jones Chinyama, Jane Kabuku, Charles Kajimanga and Michael Musonda.
And President Lungu’s Press Aide Amos Chanda later told Journalists that the Head of state will seek counsel from the Law Association of Zambia and Justice Mambilima on the remarks made by Mr. Mwenye who is the legal counsel for Chingola residents in a matter they have sued Vedanta Resources for allegedly polluting the environment on the Copperbelt.
But Mr Mwenye said in a statement that his comments in London were not malicious or unfaithful as he was giving an expert report to lawyers representing Zambians seeking justice from Vedanta and KCM regarding alleged pollution.
He said English lawyers representing in the case asked him to give an expert report on behalf of Zambians who sued Vedanta about various aspects including the state of access to justice in Zambia.
Mr Mwenye said he gave his opinion to the High Court in London highlighting challenges people face based on challenges highlighted by several stakeholders including the Law Association of Zambia and the Judiciary itself.
He said he considers it his duty to aide poor Zambians to obtain justice from anywhere in the world against any form of injustices and is ready to share his opinion with President Lungu and the Law Association of Zambia.
“I am not the only expert who has been engaged in this case. Former Chief Justice Sakala and Professor Patrick Mvunga S.C both of whom have my utmost respect and admiration have been engaged by KCM and Vedanta’s lawyers to give expert reports and I believe they have done so,” Mr Mwenye said.
Must Mwenye you’re being targeted by the new cartel. Our cartel is the PF that want to remain in power at all costs even when they’ve failed to run things. Can you surely also blame fuel shortages on global matters or its your reactive nature? Vedanta have been polluting the Kafue river where most Zambians draw water including Lusaka. LAW and government are very silent on this matter and I believe if you take this case to the Zambian judiciary, nothing will come out. ZEMA have the accurate picture but they cannot publish it for fear of being fired. EL
Mwenya is being polite. The Zambian Judiciary leaves a lot to be desired. Cases take too long to dispose of; yet it is said that justice delayed is justice denied. We have the Executive that does not respect court processes and a Speaker that behaves like a judge. There is a number of politicians in court yet they are allowed to serve in government. It is fuss!
The truth hurts. When judges like Mukebga
Lungu is witch hunting on Musa. This is because he told him to hand over instrument of power to Guy Scott. Edgar please fyalipita, you forcefully got your vote from Miles Sampa. Umutima ububi this Edgar, his heart is too heavy mwe.
Mwenye is useless and can’t be trusted.
Throw the book at him.
The president has handled this case exemplary and admirably
Thanks
Bb2014
Our foolish presido WHO FEELS HE SHOULDN’T FIGHT FOR POOR ZAMBIANS WHO HAVE BEEN POISONED – WHAT HAVE THE ZAMBIAN COURTS WON THEM???????? ZERO – NOTHING!!!
HE wants to protect the Mines SO THAT THEY CAN FUND HIS CAMPAIGN!! Why is he the first one to complain & THEN INSTRUCT THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO LOOK INTO IT – THIS IS THE MAIN REASON CHINGOLA RESIDENTS ARE RIGHT WITH MUSA TO GO TO LONDON – CHINGOLA RESIDENTS, IT IS TIME TO KICK PamaFi OUT, becoz if you vote for them, YOU WILL BE POLLUTED BY THE SAME MINE OVER & OVER AGAIN!!! KCM Vedanta are in Chagwa’s pocket – they EVADE TAXES & WILL POLLUTE YOU TILL YOU DIE!!
CHINGOLA VOTE WISELY 11/8/2016!!! VOTE ZAMBIA FORWARD!! VOTE UPND!!! – The party that will make sure YOU COME FIRST, before the GREEDY MINERS!!
#Chagwamustfall!!…
Our fo.o.lish presido WHO FEELS HE SHOULDN’T FIGHT FOR POOR ZAMBIANS WHO HAVE BEEN POISONED – WHAT HAVE THE ZAMBIAN COURTS WON THEM???????? ZERO – NOTHING!!!
HE wants to protect the Mines SO THAT THEY CAN FUND HIS CAMPAIGN!! Why is he the first one to complain & THEN INSTRUCT THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO LOOK INTO IT – THIS IS THE MAIN REASON CHINGOLA RESIDENTS ARE RIGHT WITH MUSA TO GO TO LONDON – CHINGOLA RESIDENTS, IT IS TIME TO KICK PamaFi OUT, becoz if you vote for them, YOU WILL BE POLLUTED BY THE SAME MINE OVER & OVER AGAIN!!! KCM Vedanta are in Chagwa’s pocket – they EVADE TAXES & WILL POLLUTE YOU TILL YOU DIE!!
CHINGOLA VOTE WISELY 11/8/2016!!! VOTE ZAMBIA FORWARD!! VOTE UPND!!! – The party that will make sure YOU COME FIRST, before the GREEDY MINERS!!
#Chagwamustfall!!…
We know Musa you have done nothing wrong. Its the vindictive guy at plot one who’s being petty. He’s been angry ever since you challenged his attempt to break the law to become chief corruption officer.
Mr Mwenya only said the truth. What would one expect from the Judges like Mungeni fimofimo?
The president shouldn’t be petty. After all he is not the president of the Judiciary. Why didn’t the Chief Justice make a comment on this issue? How do you get offended when it’s not yo who’s being questioned. Moreover, how many people have had cases disappear or change course after defecting to the ruling party?
Is Lungu a serious President? The guy is preoccupied with the comments that Mwenye made, instead of taking interest in the crimes and injustices inflicted on poor Zambian by greed companies. Actually, this is the reason why Lawyers decided to take the case outside Zambia. Zambian judiciary is corrupted and incompetent that only serves the interests of the executive.
@Katondo Boys (Canada) you have a point. Chagwa does not do anything without being advised by somebody. Even his presidency was a suggestion by Inonge Wina. He never imagined he would be in tha position until it was suggested to him.
In this case ba Mwenya are telling him to punish Mwenye for testifying against him. In exchange, they will pay him some pittance. They want to use Mwenye as a deterrent.
I know Edgar and I know ba mwenye (pun is coincidental)
Mr. Mwenye, WELL DONE.
As to the question of jurisdiction, if our “learned”, “humble” and “visionary” President think that High Court in London does not have right to hear the case, please send our “learned” and “experienced” AG to raise preliminary objection.
If anything, High Court of England will give INDEPENDENT ruling based on the “legal reasons” of the “set of facts” and not on the thickness of “brown envelopes” or political affiliation.
I conquer with u, misango ba chairman
You mean concur?
I get surprised at the rate the president gets ill advice from his minders on simple issues . Two weeks a go he flew to Monze west a place called Bwengwa on a Saturday when the majority of the people who reside attend x church services because they are adent SDAs. Whilst there he castigated HH the rich fellow for not developing the school he attended . It is public knowledge that HH did not attend that school , this information is available on HH’s CV which OP and the president’s minders have in their custody. Second , the advisers could have informed HE not to travel to that place because on Sabbath if they wanted him to have a huge local reception . Instead , the bussed cadres from the Copper Belt. The unfortunate situation was the fruckers that resulted. Are the…
In any case it is not the responsibility of private citizens to develop schools no matter how much money they have. Public schools must be developed by the government. That’s why we pay taxes.
Lungu himself has been abusing the judiciary starting from the Mulungushi fiasco and he wants people to believe otherwise
TRUE! Lungu has no respect for his judiciary going by how he encouraged lawlessness prio to the 2015 elections. So what can we expect from him.
Lets just wait until his five year term is over, that’s our only salvation. Its just that we have no choice because HH is not an option. Otherwise we would cast him out. No wonder they are making it impossible for Sampa because they know the votes will be split considerably and give HH an advantage there he just sends his thugs to terrorise free Zambians
Muzungu anikonde.
Africans, when will you learn to sort out your own issues without running to your slave masters? These people have raped your continent yet you still run to them.
Look at how they react to terrorist acts when they happen in Africa as compared to when it happens in Europe. White people don’t care about Africa. Stop running to them.
Inferiority complex at work, the same Musa Mwenye belonged to the same Judiciary. Clearly some bloggers lack objectivity and use this Forum to attack Lungu. The same country you want rule is the same one you re busy selling out, Muzungu anikonde! Wake up & grow up to solve your own back yard problems.
I tell you Edgar Lungu, many Zambians would like to seek justice from the same UK courts if they had the money.
PF even brought in judge “Chikopo”. Opps sorry Judge Chikopa because they had no confidence in the local judiciary. So now why are they are offended by Musa Mwenye’s action? They must just pack and go.
Uyu Chikamba chagwa was the Chap that facilitated Chikopo’s stay when he was minister of Justice, HOW MUCH DID WE THE TAX_PAYERS SPEND ON CHIKOPO??? WHAT DID WE AGET FROM CHIKOPO?? NOTHING!!!
YET HE IS THE FIRST ONE TO CRY LIKE A LITTLE GIRL WHEN A VERY RESPECTED LAWYER TRIES TO FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF POOR ZAMBIANS WHOM PamaFI have NEGLECTED!! THEY HAVE NOT PURSUED VEDANTA – becoz when election time comes, THEY WILL BE FLYING HIM AROUND IN HELICOPTERS, PROBABLY EVEN OPEN A SWISS ACCOUNT FOR HIM!!
#Chagwamustfall!! #chagwamustbekickedout!!
Everyone DRINKING WATER FROM KAFUE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING THIS LONDON COURT ACTION!
“Abantu baya” PamaFi ya shala!!
Vote Zambia forward!! Vote wisely 11/8/2016!!
I thank you!!
Some of the judges Lungu has been appointing lack credibility fpr instance Ernest Sakala who openly showed bias against an individual. How can you trust a judge like Ernest Sakala to deliver justice when he is so unprincipled, compromised and just bent to preserve his job which is a political appointment. Shame on you Lungu. Just remember people are not blind nor do they have very short memories, the World is watching
IN MY PERSONAL OPINION……
ALL those that belong to ISIS are DOGS
ALL those that fight for and support Boko Haram are DOGS
ALL those that support HH are DULL
ALL those that support GBM are downright WHATEVER….
YES, MY PERSONAL OPINION
We CONCUR WITH YOU!! That indeed YOUR SH..IT> is TRULY PERSONAL, for it really STI..NKS!! Why did you have to publicise it????
Resurrection of katondo boys, you sound not so political, when is your insurrection?
@ Katondo Boys
I just LOVE your tone. I LOVE that at least I caught someone’s attention, someone sensitive.
BUT do not go berserk on a small matter of calling some people DULL, you know who I mean….
Opinion noted but not relevant as a blog.
Vedanta has an abysmal track record of pollution. Their mines and smelters in India pollute the countryside wantonly. Many citizens in the fallout areas suffer health problems. Numerous have dies prematurely. Agarwal has the propensity to bribe local politicians and provide jobs for their children to shut them up. I will not be surprised if the same is not replicated in Zambia. Zambia, being at 1 480m up on the Central African plateau is a more fragile environment and less tolerant to pollution. ALL CITIZENS MUST TAKE THIS IN HAND. We back you from abroad. The mining houses are just HOSTS IN ZAMBIA!
And u think in UK there is no corruption or delayed court cases..? I wonder how Africans always insult their own systems and praise those of the western world..! Inferiority complex at work…! No wonder Trump..the Republican American presidential candidate says Africa needs to be recolonised for another 100yrs coz they don’t believe in themselves..! The likes of mwenya should be ashamed…! Musungu anikonde syndrome…! Shame on u!
@ muene
SHAME ON YOU incited. Born as 1mbecile, live as 1mbecile, you are going to die as? 1MBECILE.
We insult our own systems because they are at the top of the garbage mountain. No one says the UK system is perfect but you can not compare it to one run by a third world country like Zambia with a clueless government like the PF. Don’t bury your head in the sand to show that you are patriotic.
Dont even get your Muzingu anikonde comment since he is actually helping the poor Zambians that have had their environment polluted ….. Please don’t be emotional you will easily lose focus
UK courts are better than Zambian courts, Edgar why defending KCM. No wonder you have destroyed KCM due to corruption.
Imwe ba munene musa is right and trump is an ***** being used by the devil thats why he will just rule for one term. The barger has no manners.
The President ought to know that such a suit would never go anywhere in Zambia. And he also ought to know that many aggrieved past cases including victims of sexual exploitation for some Kenyan children by a British Airways pilot, for example only yielded compensation in the UK. Vendata plc is listed in the UK, by the way.
When did lawyers stop working across borders?
What disparaging remarks. Let’s be honest we have a way to go relative to the UK legal system.
But what all the bloggers above who are supporting Musa have forgoten is that the owner of KCM Argawal is a British citizen and his company is listed on the London stock exchange, so what can stop him fron bribing the judiciary or lawyers there? Remember even in UK there is corruption.
Seriously Manix can you compare the UK law system to that in ZED. Even a Patriotic Zambian like myself ain’t that naive.
@ Manix
Please try to remember what happened to the lawyer of Chiluba in the same High Court of London.
By the way, why did RB, Sata, MMD and PF refuse to register High Court Judgement.
As to corruption in EWHC, you are either mad, 5tupid or PF cadre. Which one?
The executive has become the spokesperson for the judiciary, next we will hear that the legislature has a spokesperson in the name of the executive.
It is sad to hear Mr Lungu Edgar, the current President of Zambia who should be there to protect the thousands of people that have lost life and continue dying by poisoned water in Kafue river, stands up and defend/protect the polluters.
The president should know that not only people are being poisoned but the entire environment (air, water, wildlife), and the injury is permanent. This will make the affected environment become unproductive.
I dont understand this President. But people say he is educated, learned lawyer. I dont see this education in this man. All i see is dullness, less analytical capabilities, inability to think and act as head of state representing all Zambians.
The chipumputu issue could be right.
God have mercy on him and the Zambian people
UPND and HH as usual with cartel supporting and advancing the interests of the foreigners at the expense of Zbians. Vote for ECL and PF who have the interest of Zambians at heart not these crooks and bitter bitter people.
Great work Musa Mwenye……….chase dem bald heads…………..
Mr Lungu surely you cannot speak like this over a serious matter of poisoning poor citizens which continue to this day! You think the Judiciary is great because one Mungeni ushered you into office using unorthodox means, you think it is great!
Wait until your immunity is stripped then you will see……how long it will take to handle your cases? Remember Fred Chiluba who went to the grave guilty from the UK court and innocent in Zambia?
Comment: Residents of Kankoyo in Mufulira must sue Mopani for air pollution, which has brought lots of dieseses and other hardships. These mines (Konkola, Mopani, Lumwana etc) must clean their dirt not only taking our money to their countries
Some people and companies are above the law. Kcm pollutes and people suffer without govt punishing kcm. This is more human right abuses than the 2 girls at jet. bushe the people using dirtey water from Kcm are less human than the 2 girls. Is it becose they are poor?
He said he will speak for the judiciary because it has no voice to speak for itself. Who gagged the judges? They can speak for themselves. Their chief justice can speak. Why should the executive speak for them? So as to compromise them when the executive is in court? Panse!
Mwenya don’t apologise the judiciary is rotten. You know it, the president knows it and I know it. Apparently the president doesn’t want you confirming that fact to the rest of the world. He wants you to be a liar pretending to respect the country’s judiciary.
What happened in Kabwe? People are still dying from lead poisoning and what has the past Zambian
Governments done for the poor Zambians in KABWE?
Lungu is a man who declares war on anyone who opposes him. As a president he should be above personal grudges. This is the same hatred being seen in the way he is harassing opposition leaders and even on his own PF members like Guy Scott. Lungu should realise that soon he will be out of state house and all these people he is antagonising will turn on him.
The problem in Africa is that we are lazy and don’t want to work even the pollution would have been prevented if we were hard working we just like making noise and look clever for nothing hard work is the solution to everything let’s develop so that we enjoy human rights the Chinese have shown us how things can be achieved not making noise even the pollution is due to our stupidity how do you allow someone to damage your house then you rush to a foreign court for justice all the bad behaviour in your home is due to your stupidity let’s work hard and respect what we have we invited the Indians and because of our stupidity they think they can do whatever they want even on this case nothing has been happening it’s all noise making and some people wanting to look clever let us work…
separation of powers…..please.
Is Lungu a serious President? The guy is preoccupied with the comments that Mwenye made, instead of taking interest in the crimes and injustices inflicted on poor Zambian by greed companies. Actually, this is the reason why Lawyers decided to take the case outside Zambia. Zambian judiciary is corrupted and incompetent that only serves the interests of the executive.
That is why PF katwishi where we going
Time and again President Lungu misses opportunities to concentrate on nation building. Different views/opinion are healthy in a democracy, did you expect Musa Mwenya to preach transparency in the judiciary when the opposite is the truth. Come on Mr. President you can do better.