The government has firmly dismissed allegations that tribalism influenced the recent suspension of High Court Judge, Madam Justice Emelia Phiri Sunkutu. Speaking during a joint press briefing in Lusaka, Information and Media Permanent Secretary Mr. Thabo Kawana stressed that President Hakainde Hichilema was constitutionally obligated to act on the directive of the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC).
“The President has no alternative, no discretion, but only to do that which the JCC has asked. This is not a matter of choice, but a constitutional process,” Mr. Kawana said.
He further explained that the JCC has 30 days to hear the matter and determine whether the suspension should be upheld or lifted, urging the public to respect the legal process and avoid misrepresenting it along tribal or political lines.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for Technical Services in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. Nicholas Phiri, addressed progress on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) procured ambulances. He confirmed that despite minor logistical setbacks, the government is on course to deliver all 156 ambulances by August 2025, circumstances permitting.
“We already have 47 ambulances in custody. Five were received on Wednesday and 24 more have crossed into Zambia from Tanzania,” Mr. Phiri announced.
Each ambulance, procured at a significantly reduced cost of approximately K2.3 million (USD 85,000–89,000), represents a major improvement in cost-efficiency compared to past purchases that reportedly reached USD 230,000 per unit.
The procurement reflects the government’s continued efforts to ensure value for money, expand healthcare access, and strengthen local accountability through the CDF mechanism.
Both officials emphasized that the government remains transparent, accountable, and committed to serving the interests of all Zambians through constitutional governance and equitable development.
Well done Bwana HH , rogue judges must meet with proper punishment .The laws will decide whether she’ll be written off from the bench.
This Sunkutu must have something repugnant about her; why should successive presidents pick on her? Perhaps now is about time she went for good!
Then she should have been fired. I worked with a civil servant who annoyed his bosses because he was always pointing out corrupt acts but they couldn’t fire him. Different bosses brought him before hearings but they couldn’t boot him out Unfortunately such citizens are very rare so we continue losing our hard earned cash to crooked employees
Economy first
Zambian judges have been suspended at different times under differen Presidencies. Kabazo Chanda was suspended by FTJ for instance. Nothing new here!
How many more has HH removed dubiously? FTJ went even for his own. HH will never do that. This seems to be turning into a cleansing project.
Mr. Kawana should know that he is PS in the Ministry of Information, not PS for the president. He never talks about the ministry, always politics. Some of the presidential appointments are really dubious.
Bululu, this party cadre is one of the most misplaced in this government. People have asked for his job description but Cabinet Office is silent because they didn’t appoint him. HH who appointed him can’t give you his job description nor that of any of his ministers because wako ni wako is what rules. Does this Kawana even have any academic qualifications
A lot is Dubious in the country and doesnt seem to be getting better
watch as we draw nearer to 2026 A miraculous recovery and manna from heaven
Havent we seen this all before
The ambulances will never be delivered. They were not purchased as stated. They are now trying to find money to purchase a few more. Balimigonga.
On the issue of the judge, this confirms the truth of the matter. She was removed to pave way for a tribal loyalist. Watch this space. Someone with Haa something will be the picked and slotted in. Zambia has never seen tribalism to the level UPND is operating. This is truly sad for our nation.
Kapokola, the silent law is that if you are supporting the president you can break any laws. All bosses look the other way. Where is his boss? Patrick Kangwa. He is toothless against party appoint ments
Chachine. Kawana is just another Bowman Lusambo.