Thursday, March 28, 2024

LAZ , Give us a signal !

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For many years , the Law Association of Zambia hereinafter referred to as LAZ has been known for impartiality and defending the rule of law in Zambia.

What went wrong after Senior Counsel ,Linda Kadonde’s leadership is something all of us must seriously probe.Never in the history of this country have we experienced complacency in the manner that LAZ approaches matters of national interest as is the case today.

  • We have had statutory bodies like the Police acting outside the law in the eyes of LAZ today, yet LAZ sees nothing wrong .
  • Citizens have been retired in national interest for simply performing their duty diligently,yet LAZ sees nothing wrong with that.
  • Political leaders have been arbitrarily arrested without any warn and caution and later discharged ,LAZ sees nothing wrong with that.
  • A student’s life at UNZA has been lost , Human Rights Commission report published, establishing that police action led to the death of Vespers , LAZ sees nothing wrong with that.
  • Political attacks on lawyers have been Published, and Lawyers live in fear even in the court premises , LAZ sees nothing wrong with that.
  • Media houses have been gagged , LAZ sees nothing wrong with that.
  • Citizens are being punished without trial, LAZ sees nothing wrong with that.
  • Extra judicial killings have been recorded , yet LAZ sees nothing wrong with that.

The principle of oppressive regimes is in such a way that it is cumulative and moves from institution to institution.

It started with government failing to protect the rights of citizens in the light of political cadre attacks, went civil service where we saw arbitrary transfers to frustrate, went to retirement in national interest of civil servants, went to firing the very police officers once used to beat citizens, went to the army generals and now to minister.I do not know which institutions will be next, if not LAZ itself ,since Lawyers are already crying of impartiality, and neglect by LAZ.

LAZ , Why is it that you are the only institution which suspends lawyers without a formal trial?

Doctors have diagnosed and prescribed wrong medicines and many have probably been killed at least one or two patients but they are not suspended without trial.

Civil Engineers have built and designed bridges and buildings that have collapsed and caused the death of many people but they are not suspended without trial.

What is so noble about this LAZ, how many lawyers can be said to be noble? This includes related professions.Some lawyers are suspended at the age of 50 and above which is too late to change career, LAZ sees nothing wrong with that.

Where are the nobilities in LAZ? Where is the LAZ that we once had? Do we still have noble Lawyers in LAZ?

There are powerful lawyers involved in money laundering with big bank accounts, LAZ has never investigated them.

LAZ ! Show us a signal!

By Mark Simuwe

15 COMMENTS

  1. The dual roles of regulator and fraternal association for legal practitioners has put LAZ in a very awkward situation. Now LAZ elections attract political players because they want a friendly leadership that would always side with those they support. Unfortunately, senior lawyers are all quiet because they seem to also have partisan interests to serve. Julius Sakala, Ludwig Sondashi, Patrick Mvunga, Eric Silwamba, etc are all quiet

    • How can you even mention Patrick Mvunga when he was one of ECL’s defence lawyers in the presidential election petition while @ the same time serving on the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC)? How was he expected to appear before the same judges who would also appear before him @ the JCC in the event of a complaint against their performance? He still went ahead and led ECL’s defence team despite voices that were raised against the conflicting position he was in. What’s left if such a senior lawyer can’t be relied on to set a good example?

  2. Zambians we need to stand up and rise against this PF dictatorship otherwise we will have no country for our children and grandchildren to say the least

  3. Go and do law yourself.

    Even lawmakers operate with rules and regulations,Linda Kasonde was a

    rotten egg .

    Where is she now…..?

    • Same WhatsApp group as those who say if you want to challenge chite, go and form your own party..kikiki..muyayaya manners. The writer has raised pertinent questions yet all you see is self preservation.

    • Deep dwn your heart u know that Linda Kasonde was a great leader of LAZ. That’s why she served her two terms as president.

  4. It is in the hut of coward that people gather to point at the tomb of yesteryears hero. At a time the nation needs its greatest heros, there is silence. Self gratification and preservation has taken over everywhere. As the president can make or break anyone, citizens and institutions have traded nobility for muzungu (president) anikonde. What a shame!!

  5. Upnd cadre? Wait z day when u’ll be evicted from ur comfort zone. That is how indiferent/arrogant those who were eating with MMD were.

  6. PEOPLE MADE WRONG DECISIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF GOVT MONEY IN THE FORM OF SALARIES TO MINISTERS WHO ILLEGALLY STAYED IN THE OFFICE IN 2016 AND THE COURT ORDERED THAT THE MONEY BE PAID BACK! THE MONEY HAS NOT BEEN PAID BACK; BUT THOSE WHO MADE THE WRONG DECISION ARE BEING HONORED WITH DOCTORATES IN LAW! LAZ HAS NEITHER COMMENTED NOR CONGRATULATED THE RECIPIENT! AT LEAST I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY. INDEED WHERE IS LAZ TO GUIDE THE NATION IN MATTERS OF LAW ON ISSUES OF PUBLIC INTEREST?

  7. Mark Simuwe must be a trib.al, “There are powerful lawyers involved in money laundering with big bank accounts, LAZ has never investigated them.”

    Those powerful lawyers must have been involved in money laundering during Linda Kasonde’s LAZ (isn’t FIC report ffor 2017?) and yet he heaps the whole blame on the current LAZ, which has even asked for more information from FIC.

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