The Oasis Forum is deeply concerned and saddened at the recent spate of verbal and political attacks against Ms. Linda Kasonde, in her capacity as President of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ). We also find it to be in bad taste the attempts by some people to demonise and try to isolate LAZ, especially its President, Linda Kasonde, who carries the full mandate of officially and validly speaking on behalf of LAZ and usually after wide consultation and deliberation by the various members of the said Association. To vilify her in her individual capacity is therefore grossly unprofessional, unfair, immoral and highly unchristian.
As members of the Oasis Forum and its constituent members, we stand solidly with and wholeheartedly support the statement issued by LAZ on 30th November 2016 on the nullification of parliamentary seats and the recent attacks on the judiciary. The Oasis Forum further supports the position taken by Ms. Kasonde on behalf of LAZ as the position that has been arrived at through dialogue and consensus within LAZ, but more importantly on behalf the voiceless citizens of Zambia calling for the protection of and promotion of the tenets of constitutionalism, separation of powers and the Rule of Law in our beloved country.
We wish to state that LAZ’s views are in concert with and echo those of the Oasis Forum. We therefore wish to strongly condemn those who are insinuating that LAZ is biased. We are aware that in this highly polarised and politicised environment, where even facts and the truth have become rare, there will be many interpretations of innocent professional opinions and voices. Our advice would be that those who feel strongly that LAZ has become partisan should seriously rethink their stands.
We as the Oasis Forum are satisfied that LAZ, as a statutory professional body, is discharging its roles as required by law. We are, therefore alarmed, that attacks on LAZ seem to come from sections of society that are more partisan and less knowledgeable about the [legal] issues at hand. We pray that although all Zambians enjoy freedoms of speech to comment and express opinions on any and all issues, more weight will be given to opinions of professional and technical institutions over those of individuals with partisan agendas. This can only come about if there is discipline in our country.
We note with concern the indiscipline that is creeping in our governance systems where the boundaries between the government and the party in government, has become blurred, as if Zambia has reverted back to the one-party state. Often, the power and authority of government is seen to be exercised and ceded to political party functionaries. As free men and women and citizens of this great country, we should reject the rule by threats, intimidation and violence that have become the order of the day. Threats, intimidation and violence are merely intended to instill fear in all of us and rob us our dearly won freedoms.
The Oasis Forum therefore strongly condemns the continued personal attacks on Ms. Kasonde and calls upon all well-meaning Zambians to continue to support her and LAZ in general for the just cause for which the Association is fighting for the greater good of all Zambians. We encourage LAZ to continue to be vigilant and to keep in check excesses of the governors and to ensure that good governance and constitutionalism are upheld and that lapses are quickly detected and exposed for the good of all of us. Let all of us as citizens renew our collective vision of a better Zambia anchored in law and order in peace and unity. Let us not permit partisan interests to override our national character.
Fr. Cleophas Lungu
CHAIRPERSON – OASIS FORUM
Issued On 1st December, 2016 in Lusaka on behalf of Convenors:
1. Rev. Suzanne Matale – General Secretary (CCZ)
2. Ms. Linda Kasonde – President (LAZ)
3. Ms. Sarah Longwe – Board Chairperson (NGOCC)
4. Fr. Cleophas Lungu – Secretary General (ZCCB)
I can’t stand this lady.
She all talk no substance. She rubs me the wrong way
Thanks
BB2014
Iwe Ka Mushota! Were does she rub you? You could use my services, my hands are BIG and smooth.
How much is 25kg of mealie meal ? Load shedding is it finished ? Corruption in government ?
Mushota she is just more beautiful than you, but I still don’t like her, maybe she she can give me some break fast in bed by opening her le,gs
Iwe Ka Mushota fuseki!
The major problem is that professional and technical institutions themselves have become partizan. Your reaction to issues in the country makes us believe you always support the opposition. you did it against FTJ,RB, you are doing it now and you will do it against the next president. Do the job your institutions were created for and stop making us noise. Most of you have turned these institutions as launch pads for your political careers and source of milking donors.
I go with the President’s view that all arms of the State stand to be criticised; none of them is immune to criticism. Period.
p. f. fyeeke- are you honestly taking Lazy Lungu serious? If he was not immune to criticism he woul have loosen his grip on the media especially ZNBC where he is dictating programme schdules for them on the airport tarmac upon his arrival from his tour.
Mushota is good when she supports Upnd but a moron when she states facts. What hypocrisy!!
She z Just More Beautiful Than u Chi Mushota
Are those attacking Ms Kasonde in her personal capacity recognizing the fact that press statements she makes are on behalf of LAZ the organization that elected her to the position she holds or its just a question of propagating ignorance and misuse of privilege to comment on provided fora? Then in all fairness let the same standard be applied on President Lungu that wherever he goes he represents his personal opinion and not that of the Zambian people that elected him to the office he holds! Or maybe Lungu talks only for PF and its zealots he does not accept that his role whenever he opens his mouth to say something in his travels he is opining for Zambia! Lets not start splitting hairs when elected leaders speak on behalf for if they digress from representing the electorate to promote…
contd… their personal agenda the ones who gave them the mandate will withdraw them! Lets not put professional organizations in the same basket as MP’s who become big headed once elected and start pushing their own agendas without consultation with the electorate!
LAZ’s problem is that they take sides.
Linda never commented when HH called the three ConCourt judges, who refused to continue with an expired petition, thugs, criminals, corrupt, thieves etc.
Linda enjoyed HH’s insults until Amos made comments on the judiciary.
What was worth commenting on, HH’s insults or Amos caution. I think ling must pay attention to her conscious. I will be shocked if her conscious tells her nothing.
Linda, I advise you to stay neutral, otherwise you will ruin the respect people had for LAZ.
Remember that you conduct as leader of the institution will determine whether the institution succeed’s or fails. Do not not underestimate the capacity of Zambians to scrutinize you.
The issue is Linda is the face of LAZ and her press conference was in bad faith,she should have done the same when HH insulted the CONCOURT judges.
The question is why now and not then?This is the complaint against Linda and her LAZ.
We are extremely concerned and very saddened by the utter stuipdity of all the UPND cadre organisations which are attacking Amos, President Lungu and PF. Get a life. (HH) is a problem for this natiin.
2016 vote Mr Kudos Most Popular Revolutionary Radical Patriotic Blogger.
This organisation spoke good about Sata. Today its stupid.
THIS SKELETON IS SICKENING! WHO IS YOUR FATHER AND WHO IS YOUR MOTHER? YOU SURELY MAKE ALL OF US SICK!
Make sure Lungu doesn’t re-introduce a one party state. He lacks the brains to manage a democratic state. Bravo Linda, keep up the good work. You are right on the ball. Correct thinking people are behind you. The attacks on the judiciary are inexcusable.
PF is the worst mistake Zambians ever made. Whether under Satan or Lungu, PF is sick and dull. My dog could run Zambia in a better way than these twits.
Iwe Ka Mushota! Were does she rub you? You could use my services, my hands are BIG and smooth.
The question still stands, why you remained silent during HH’s attacks on the judiciary in September?
That was also LAZ’s position but they had no guts to say it and so they let HH speak on their behalf.
Incompetent leaders hate criticism
No one in zambia should leave in fear because of the truth spoken,pliz pf don’t take us back to colonialism,the big man LCE is a silent explosive wanting to change the face of this nation in his own bury way,wanting pipo to leave in fear.come on this a Democratic country atase.
Miss linda is right and the truth wr support.
JUST LIKE AMOS CHANDA REMAINED MUTE THEN
QUESTIONS:
1. Where was Ms Kasonde and LAZ when Mr. Hichilema attacked Judges Anne Sitali, Pallan Mulonda and Mungeni Mulenga whom he likened to the biblical Judas Iscariot who betrayed a cause for pieces of silver?
2. Where was LAZ when the UPND leader insulted the Judiciary with such impunity that every reasonable Zambian thought he would be cited for contempt of Court!
Zambians recall that on 10th September 2016, UPND leader Mr. Hichilema charged that Constitutional Court Judges were paid huge amounts of money to deliberately lapse the UPND petition to nullify the re-election of President Edgar Lungu in the 11th August general elections.
3. Why did LAZ keep quite unless they clapped and nodded in approval of Mr. Hichilema’s lies and insults targeted at the Judiciary!
On…
There were good reasons to attack the Judiciary that time of the Presidential petition. We all know what happened and how unfairly the opposition was treated. But this is not to say the whole judiciary is rotten. There are still a few men and women in the judiciary who practice high levels of integrity. This is a fraudulent regime and they know it themselves.
Because he was telling the truth, to date Kamina Misa,s election still stands challenged without being validated
In the past two months there has been two outstanding debates 1) amending the amended constitution 2) threats on the judiciary by a State House official. Are these debates really constructive? When are we going to hear debates on how we are going to minimize hunger and reduction in unemployment? Why can’t we spend our energies and intellect, on finding solutions to better our beloved country?
Why is the OASIS forum always pro-opposition? What are the aims and objectives of the Forum? One would understand why the Mast (Post) are pro-opposition knowing the tax issues but oasis forum?????
Mas is alaso owned by an opposition politician
I feel sorry for our country because it produces such intellectually bankrupt individuals like shu shu shu above. What sort of argument is this? How does the Mast come in? You seem not to have any idea of how to craft an argument. If you are an intellectual tadpole, baba, just let other people hash out the matter instead of showing your fo.olish.ness on an open forum like this one.
i think LAZ should take some criticism as well. i don’t care whether the critics are wrong or right but GVT executive, judiciary, parly , and even NGO should be ready to be criticised
Oasis Forum your concern is misplaced. That Linda does not speak on behalf of LAZ but she speaks on behalf of upnd and Hakanyo Hachigala. She does not represent LAZ but HH and upnd. The attacks are there to teach her manners of a president. Her stupidity shud not be brought on Amos. Viva Amos u av torn them apart. Cili ule fye ci Linda. I am am disappointed with ba oasis forum.
LAZ should tell Zambians why Ms. Kasonde’s Press Conference was being streamed Live on Mr. Hakainde Hichilema’s Facebook Page. Could it be that Mr. Hichilema was privy to Ms. Kasonde’s statement? Could it be that LAZ is in liaison with the UPND?…OPEN YOUR EYES!
She’s a paid character assassin.
Could it be the other media outlets would not offer live stream services to her address? Focus!
You should be questioning why the public broadcaster ZNBC did not broadcast the press conference live. The answer to this question is the reason why private institutions have come in. PF is dictating what should come on DeadNBC when it is a national broadcaster.
LOOKS LIKE SOME PEOPLE ARE EMBRACING LAWLESSNESS & ARE BECOMING COMFORTABLE WITH THAT STATE OF AFFAIRS. VENDORS ARE LITTERED EVERYWHERE IN LUSAKA, ATI LEAVE THEM ALONE, THEY VOTED FOR US. THESE GUYS WHO STEAL CAR MIRRORS & OTHER CAR PARTS ARE SELLING THEM IN THE OPEN ON THE STREETS PROVIDED THEY MOUNT A KNOWN PARTY FLAG AND THE POLICE ARE JUST WATCHING. BOWMAN LUSAMBO IS RIGHT NOW UNWANTED IN PF COZ HE EXPOSED ILLEGAL LAND ALLOCATIONS ON THE COPPER-BELT, NKANDU LUO BANNED TUJILIJILI BUT SOMEONE DECIDED TO MOVE HER FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT. WHY ARE WE EMBRACING MEDIOCRITY WHOLE HEATEDLY? COME ON PEOPLE, WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT
Meanwhile the minister of this irrelevant ministry of national guidance is ziii just chewing our tax money, what is she guiding the nation on, her fellow pf caders have gone berserk and turned the nation into a kindergarten.
Good question Divide and Rule. When are we going to hear from the Minister of National Guidance and blah blah…
They are waiting for the enactment of a one-party state. That is actually when National Guidance worked under KK…
It wouldn’t have rained if Hakanyo Hachigala was president. His god believes in killing people. Mwaba amafi ba upnd.
The major problem is that professional and technical institutions themselves have become partizan. Your reaction to issues in the country makes us believe you always support the opposition. you did it against FTJ,RB, you are doing it now and you will do it against the next president. Do the job your institutions were created for and stop making us noise. Most of you have turned these institutions as launch pads for your political careers and source of milking donors.
The only credible name on the under signed is Father C. Lungu. The rest are charlatans who had hoped for appointments from HH. f
lately Lusaka times news seem to be rather pathetic and one sided all of a sudden…here Lusaka times publishes an article of recent activities which have been occurring but it sides on laz side who it thinks shouldn’t be condemned for airing out its views but frankly speaking have we heard laz condemn upnd for its behavior now and during elections.no not even once and so it’s clear that laz is in support of upnd….my question is, has Lusaka times also been bought by upnd? because it’s news lately is not something I admire…breaker
If the courts cannot preside over cases, perform their duties or respected, especially by the party in power, it means that the people will rise up and fight for what is right. You cant take people for granted. Remember Jesus was crucified for doing the right things, what about you doing the wrongs – time will catch up with you.WAIT!
Where is separation of powers if the President is going to breathe on the Judiciary? It is nonsensical for some people to accept this in our country Zambia. A Lawyer who has practiced law and failed to make the grade can not stand up today to dictate to the learned Judges on issues of law. MAY THE JUDGES WORK WITHOUT FEAR IN ZAMBIA!
Lawyers, like doctors and accountants, are highly qualified professionals who are expected to exhibit expertise in the way the carry out their duties. The general presumption is that they do what they do professionally. Holding a political office does not make one a Jack of all trades. Law is law. Politics is politics. The two are different.
If a particular judge is deemed to be in error, let lawyers – LAZ, in particular, tell us so. Auditors do that with respect to accountants. The rest of us who know little to nothing about accounting generally rely on the auditor’s opinion. Disappointingly PF cadres think that they know everything. How despicable! They need to realize that they are politicians. That is what they are. They are not lawyers. They are not doctors. It is the reason…
CONTINUED:
They are not doctors. It is the reason we don’t expect them to go and take-over the UTH and start operating on patients. They are not doctors. How misplaced their notion to start disparaging Ms. Kasonde, the President of the Law Association of Zambia!
It’s for this same reason that we are usually not mesmerized when we see politicians attacking Journalists. Let Zambian politicians learn how to govern, and not throw their weight around by intimidating professionals.
The same Linda Kasonde is a convenor of the 4 member oasis forum that is defending her. This lenders the oasis forum statement conflicted. I only know of one definition of conflict of interest.
TO ALL PARTIZAN BLOGGERS ON THIS SITE, PEASE READ THE BLOG BY POMPA UMONE AT @9 ABOVE.
HE LEFT OUT ONE FACT, WHERE WAS LAZ WHEN UNDER FIVE HIMSELF WA DISPLACING VILLAGRS FROM HIS FARM, CLAIMING HIS CATTLE NEDED LAND TO GRAZE ON. WHERE WAS LAZ WHEN NAMWALA FISHING CAMP FISHERMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES WHERE BEIN TORCHED AND BATTERED AND GOVERNMENT RELEASED RELIEF FOOD TO THEM? WHERE WAS LAZ THE SAME FISHERMEN WERE BEING CHASED FROM THEIR HUTS BY PANGA WHIELDING THUGS FROM UNDER FIVE PARTY? WHAT ARE THESE BASELESS ATTACKS? IS SHE NOT BIAST FOR LAZ TO KEEP QUIET ON SUCH MATTERS, ONLY TO OPEN UP HER MOUTH AGAINST GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONARIES? WHAT A SHAME INDEED.
FOR AS LONG AS THESE DOUBLE STANDARDS CONTINUE TO EXIST IN OUR COUNTRY, ZAMBIA WILL NEVER BE A CLASSLESS SOCIETY WHERE ALL PEOPLES LIVE AS ONE IN HARMONY. WHAT IS EVIL IS EVIL IRESPECT OF WHO IS PERPETRATING IT. UNDER FIVE CAN NEVER BE GLORIFIED WHEN HE HIS SPWEING MEYHEM HE SHOULD FACE THE SAME CRITICSM, SAME WITH LINDA KASONDE, SAME WITH EDGAR LUNGU. LETS CALL A SPADE A SPADE OR ONE POT BLACKER THAN THE OTHER WHEN BOTH SIT ON THE SAME FIRE… THIS IS HYPOCRICY ON THE WORST ORDER.
Better to let association secretary issue resolutions
Amos please get your job description. Frank scavenger Bwalya must talk about party matters, Amos Bootlicker Chanda must talk about government issues on behalf of the President. What is difficult? How can a civil servant say the party is not happy? Ni Skulu?
Oasis Forum, i do not know if you consulted when issuing those remarks. I think only you the selfish few sat and issued that statement. It is illogical for you to condemn those chastising Linda for the misplaced comments. Why most people are condemning her is because she only criticizes the party in government and not the opposition. Is this right with you the Oasis Forum? There are questions asked by Sunday which you have not taken into consideration. I do not support Amos because a wrong cannot be cancelled by a wrong. But i also do not condom madam Kasonde’s partisan behavior. She must speak for all sides in the game if she is to be cardinal or else she will be regarded as simply yapping
Lungu thinks he is God. He forgets that he came through the back door. Its because of hand lawyers (Concourt) causing this problem. They shouldn’t have allowed him to rig the elections. He used them. This not even half a year and we are in sort of problems. How will zambia be in 5 years?
Don’t forget Mutembo nchito is behind the scenes. The Cartel is still active.
Without beating about the bush kasonde is Upnd teamed up with Mmembe, Mutembo, Vernon Mwaanga with a view to disturb government operations.
Linda is hot!
Linda Kasonde, Susan Matale, and Sara Longwe are all card-carrying members of the UPND. Need I say more?
LAZ’s problem is that they take sides.
Linda never commented when HH called the three ConCourt judges, who refused to continue with an expired petition, thugs, criminals, corrupt, thieves etc.
Linda enjoyed HH’s insults until Amos made comments on the judiciary.
What was worth commenting on, HH’s insults or Amos caution. I think Linda must pay attention to her conscious. I will be shocked if her conscious tells her nothing.
Linda, I advise you to stay neutral, otherwise you will ruin the respect people had for LAZ.
Remember that your conduct as leader of the institution will determine whether the institution succeed’s or fails. Do not not underestimate the capacity of Zambians to scrutinize you.
Comment: jst wait for the next ADOLF, is comin soon to crush this natian.
LAZ is clearly taking sides.
This country will not do anything the right way as long as leaders focus on tribalism….pathetic indeed…..
Hope when tide goes against HH, the Upnd won’t accuse the judges of being PF. Like his impending imprisonment.
@ CHILE. I JUST WANT TO REMIND U THAT IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, WE LEARNT THAT ONE OF THE MAJOR INGREDIENTS OF DEVELOPMENT IS “PROPERTY RIGHTS”. I’M NOT A CARDER BUT LET US KNOW THAT IN AS FAR AS HH’S FARM IS CONCERNED, THAT’S HIS PRIVATE PROPERTY & HE CAN DO AS HE PLEASES. CAN U ALLOW SOMEONE TO COME AND BUILD ON YOUR LAND WITHOUT U AUTHORIZING THEM? WHAT IS WRONG WITH US ZAMBIANS? GALUNIA FARMS HAVE HUGE TRACKS OF LAND RIGHT HERE IN LUSAKA, CAN U JUST GO IN THERE & BUILD? GO ALONG KAFUE ROAD (EURAKA PARK) BELONGING TO ANOTHER WHITE MAN AND ASK HOW MUCH A SIMPLE 50*50 IS COSTING. THIS IS LAND WHICH THESE WHITE FARMERS GOT FOR FREE. ITS EASY FOR US TO CRITICIZE OUR FELLOW ZAMBIANS THAN FOREIGNERS. THAT IS NOT TO SAY THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO OWN PROPERTY BUT LAND IS OUR GOD GIVEN…
THE PROBLEM WITH CURRENT LAZ EXECUTIVE FULL OF INTERNS THINK THEY ARE LAW, SUPERIOR LAWYERS AND JUDGES IN THEMSELVES. THEY FORGET THAT SENIOR AND VETRAN LAWYERS ARE MEMBERS AS WELL. THE LIKES OF SILWAMBAS, MVUNGAS, MALAMBOS, KALOMBOS JUST TO MENTION A FEW.
THE LIST INCLUDES JUDGES, ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SOLICITOR GENERALS OFFICE BEARERS AND STAFF INCLUDING THE HEAD OF STATE HIMSELF.
NOW WHEN OASIS FORUM SAYS LAZ CONSULTED WIDELY WERE ALL THE PEOPLE LISTED ABOVE CONSULTED? THE ANSWER IS NO NO NO, SO OASIS DONT DEFEND THE UNDEFENCIBLE.
LAZ SOBER UP. WE KNOW THE CARTEL EXISTS. JUST STICK TO MONITORING YOUR MEMBERS CONDUCT. FULL STOP
And? Too much crappy stuff. Only sensible blogger is @23 Meimatungu and a few others. Close this debate please. Phew!
Many thanks to you ms Kasonde go ahead with professional job.
KASONDE THE COUNTRY IS BEHIND YOU WE NEED MORE WOMEN OF YOU TYPE IN THIS PERISHING COUNTRY VIVA LAZ VIVA KASONDE
LAZ IS INFILTRATED BY UPND CADRES.
I REMEMBER DURING THE CONCOURT HEARING LINDA WAS SENT LIKE AN “EMISSARY OF THE DEVIL” IN THE NIGHT TO SUPPORT UPND.
Linda is a UPND cadre.